Garden Photo of the Day

Ahead-of-Schedule Flowers in Pennsylvania

Flowers on full display this spring—with some arriving earlier than expected

pinkshell azalea flowers in front of ferns

A couple of weeks ago we saw the bulbs and buds growing in Carla Zambelli Mudry’s garden in Malvern, Pennsylvania. (Check those posts out here and here.). She’s already back reporting on the flowers (some way ahead of schedule) that have emerged since then.

Every day seems to bring something new in my garden.

I’m just in love with my red azaleas and rhododendrons, and the tree peonies are starting to open.

The roses are way ahead of schedule given the crazy warm weather, and I have not even had time to feed all of them yet. It was in the 80s today, and yesterday it reached 90°, which is absolutely insane for the end of April and Pennsylvania. Climate change is a real thing, and hopefully my garden is adapting OK even when I think about the fact that when I was growing up it was Zone 5 around here. Now we are Zone 7a.

Happy gardening!

close up of Paeonia ostii flowerThis is a truly picture-perfect Osti’s tree peony (Paeonia ostii, Zones 4–7) bloom. These flowers can be 6 to 8 inches wide, so I can only imagine how much more breathtaking this was in person!

close up of rhododendron with red flowersThe first blooms of this red azalea (Rhododendron spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9) are shining bright in Carla’s garden.

bright pink tree peony with fringed petalsI’ve searched and searched and can’t seem to hunt down this particular tree peony variety. The fringed petals and varied coloration are just so unique!

close up of Rhododendron Cornell PinkNothing says spring like a pink azalea in full bloom. This one could be Rhododendron mucronulatum ‘Cornell Pink’ (Zones 4–8).

close up of Delaware Valley white azalea covered in bloomsA little less common but just as striking, Delaware Valley White azalea (Rhododendron ‘Delaware Valley White’, Zones 5–8) adds a touch of elegance with its light fragrance.

pinkshell azalea flowers in front of fernsCarla’s got a killer spring combination here with the pinkshell azalea (Rhododendron vaseyi, Zones 5–7) popping against the bright green sea of ostrich ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris, Zones 2–8).

close up of light yellow peonyIt is going to be a year full of flowers when heavy peony blooms are already nodding off in April! Here is a stunning light yellow variety (potentially Paeonia ‘Bartzella’, Zones 4–9).

peony with light yellow flowersAnd here is a final shot of that beautiful yellow peony in the garden. Thank you for sharing so many gorgeous photos again, Carla, and please keep us updated on how the warmer weather affects your garden this summer.

 

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  1. User avater
    treasuresmom 05/15/2024

    So lovely.

  2. User avater
    simplesue 05/16/2024

    You sure do have a unique look Tree Peony with the fringed petals! Beautiful colors and texture! Also thanks for reminding me of the growing zone changes. Such a pretty post thanks!

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