Hi GPODers!

As promised, we’re back with Carla Zambelli Mudry in Malvern, Pennsylvania to see more of the fabulous blooms that have emerged in her garden during the tail end of winter and earliest days of spring. If you missed yesterday’s collection of flowers, check them out here: Part 1. If you need a refresher on how the beginning of the growing season is treating Carla so far, read the paragraph below. And if you’re ready to see some more spring color, keep on scrolling!

Well, here we are again! It’s the beginning of yet another gardening season. The bulbs are all popping up all over and the peonies are budding, and things all over my gardens in general are showing signs of new growth. Of course, I also have a list of chores longer than I am tall. I am, however, knocking things off the list a little day by day and soon more plants will arrive, and I will be adding to the garden. It has been a long cold winter, and a lot of deer damage this winter in spite of a spraying service that has helped tremendously. What is so amazing about this time of year is all of a sudden it’s no longer a blank winter canvas, everything just starts to pop.

Yesterday’s post highlighted Carla’s collection of early spring bulbs—snowdrops, daffodils, and crocus. Today I wanted to feature some of the other plants that Carla utilizes for early color (with a few more bulbs in the mix, too). First up, some absolutely stunning hellebores.

While many of the earliest blooms (like the snowdrops, daffodils, and crocus I mentioned above) some in a limited color range. Hellebores, however, can be found in a wide range of colors and forms. The pointed petals and blush pink color of this variety is really fun.

The only downside to hellebores is their nodding habit, with blooms that usually face down. But this time of year, I don’t think any of us mind getting up close and personal with our plants!

Bulbs and perennials are obviously not the only plants that put on an early performance. Plenty of trees and shrubs start the growing season with gorgeous blooms, including the paperbush (Edgeworthia chrysantha, Zone 7–10). Carla’s is giving a great show with these gorgeous, golden clusters.

Another is the always-intriguing witch hazel. Despite the delicate appearance, these winter flowers are pretty hardy and diverse in their varieties of orange, red and yellow blooms. Their lovely fragrance is an added bonus.

Of course, I couldn’t help but sprinkle in a few more glamour shots of Carla’s beautiful bulbs. Even from behind, this snowdrop is glowing.

A gorgeous daffodil in a scrumptious shade of butter yellow.

And another with bright yellow blooms and cool, blue-green foliage.

Not quite a flower, but tree peony buds are undeniably interesting. It’s incredible to think about the big bloom that will emerge from this odd little growth, but they also perform like an opening act of a concert. They bring their own type of style and entertainment to the garden while inciting excitement for the main show that is coming up next.

I thought this photo absolutely epitomized the early season. Many of our landscapes are still mostly filled with brown, but bright pops of color signal the start of gardening and the life that will be springing from our beds and borders very soon.

Thank you so much for starting off our week with these sensational spring flowers, Carla! It’s a delight to see what is growing in your garden each season, and I look forward to seeing more blooms in the coming months.

And I hope that Carla’s flowers inspire you to share some spring photos with Garden Photo of the Day! Even if your gardens are still mostly brown and bare, get close and zoom in on those earliest blooms to spread a little color and cheer. Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.

 

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To submit, send 5-10 photos to gpod@taunton.com along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.

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