Make Like a Tree and Leaf Out!

Spring has certainly sprung at Brookgreen Gardens! It’s clear winter is receding and warmer weather is close on its heels when you see the waves of colors from the azaleas at nearly every turn. Although the azaleas are an in-your-face beacon of spring, it’s easy to overlook more subtle signs.

Azaleas.jpg

Many other trees and shrubs are also eager to greet a new year and are beginning to leaf out. Take a look at what’s waking up around the gardens.
 

Acer palmatum.jpg

Acer palmatum or Japanese maples are breaking bud! I love how the new leaves unfold and appear as tiny versions of themselves.

Carya ovata Shagbark Hickory.jpg

Shagbark hickory or Carya ovata is not only sending out its leaves, but is also starting to flower. While these flowers are not as showy as what we see on our beloved azaleas, it still gets the job done!

Contorted Mulberry Morus alba 'Unryu'.jpg

Morus alba ‘Unryu’ or contorted mulberry is a stunning plant in our collection. Its twisted branches grace the Upper Right Wing. Like the shagbark hickory, its flowers are starting now but aren’t always easily noticed.

Quercus nigra Water Oak.jpg

Keeping with the same theme - Quercus nigra or water oaks are flowering and leafing out. You may be starting to see where all that pollen is coming from that makes us sneeze so much in the spring!

Ginkgo biloba.jpg

Ginkgo or Gingko biloba is probably a plant you’ve heard of at health food stores. This beautiful tree boasts attractive leaves, which you can see are well along their way.

Taxodium distichum 'Falling Waters'.jpg

This last tree may be a bit of a surprise – it’s a conifer! Taxodium distichum or bald cypress is a deciduous conifer. This means it does not hold its leaves all year long like evergreen trees do. This weeping cultivar ‘Falling Waters’ is beginning to get its new needles now.

Before you know it, the landscape will be even more lush. Here’s to spring!