I look forward to the small window every spring when we wait with bated breath for the world to burst into bloom. Right now, where I live, it’s happening. I love watching the trees transition from buds to fully unfurled leaves. Then one day … just like that … the trees are suddenly lush and the world just seems so much better.

It’s during this period that I like to take stock of what’s growing in my yard. While still early, I like to investigate that my faithful perennials have returned while hopeful what I planted the previous year is starting to come up. In this post, I’ll take you on a tour (even before I started sprucing up my beds!) of what’s growing so far to set the stage for this growing season in central New England.

Adding in Spring Flowers

On Earth Day, I found myself being beckoned to add in some spring color to my front flower garden. Disappointed with my bulbs’ performance this year, I stopped by local garden centers to augment my garden to enjoy some colorful flower power to roll along into spring.

Trees in Bloom

I love mature trees and how commanding their presence is in landscapes. Around my neighborhood, we’re blessed with an abundance of mature maple, oak and ash trees. Below are some examples of the trees during the budding stage.

Flowering trees such as magnolia and dogwood are showstoppers this time of year. Their blooming period is short lived, so enjoy them while they last. Fortunately for me, I enjoy two magnolias from my yard.

Small trees in our backyard, including a Dappled Willow and dwarf pear tree, are budding too. My pear tree didn’t bloom last year, so fingers crossed I’ll get some fruit later this season!

Shrubs

My spirea and viburnum shrubs are starting to bloom while my various hydrangeas are showing some life.

Perennial Plants and Flowers

Hostas are emerging along with germaniums and a bleeding heart in the garden along the driveway. Peonies are starting to unfurl and bud in various places in my yard and are joined by irises, lilies, daisies, sedum and liatris.

I’m thrilled to see the transplant shade garden I started last spring around our shed is starting to show growth with astilbe, hostas and phlox so far. It’s still too early to know if all the perennials made it through the winter, so I’ll keep careful watch.

              

Garden Posts from Last Year

To see my gardens as they appear in season, see my posts from 2022:

• Hands in the Dirt: Gardening Underway to be Summer Ready
• Changing Landscapes with Hydrangeas and New Shade Garden
• Nurture Your Flower Power with Color

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