Garden Photo of the Day

Spring in the Coastal Redwoods

Spring blooms in Northern California

By GPOD Contributor

My name is Donna Vail. I was in the GPOD last October (A Garden to Linger In). I live in Crescent City, California. I’m in Zone 9 and live in the coastal redwoods area. The most exciting time of the year has arrived for me, which is spring.

double weeping cherry treeThis picture shows the new spring growth on my double weeping cherry tree (Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula Flora Plena’, Zones 5–8), along with a young redwood in the background and a birdhouse my neighbor made and I painted.

weeping cherry tree flowersDetail of the double weeping cherry tree.

dwarf Japanese mapleA dwarf Japanese maple (Acer palmatum, Zones 5–9).

Violas
Violas (Viola × wittrockiana, Zones 6–10) reseed in my yard every year. They bloom nearly year-round but are at their best in spring. (Editor’s note: Violas and pansies perform best in cool weather, which means spring in most climates, but they can bloom through the summer if you don’t get too much heat.)

Double hellebores
These double hellebores in the Wedding Party series (Helleborus × hybridus, Zones 4–9) have nice large flowers between 2 and 3½ inches wide.

dwarf Japanese maple
Another dwarf Japanese maple.

violas
More violas.

boxwood
A boxwood (Buxus, Zones 5–9) in the foreground with snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus, annual), alstroemerias, and a Japanese maple.

Rhododendron impeditum
A Rhododendron impeditum (Zones 6–9). This species is very compact, growing to just 1-1/2 feet tall and full of tiny flowers 5/8 inches long.

 

Have a garden you’d like to share?

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

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.

If you want to send photos in separate emails to the GPOD email box that is just fine.

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!

You don’t have to be a professional garden photographer – check out our garden photography tips!

Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

DeWalt Variable-Speed Cordless Reciprocating Saw with 6-Piece Saw Blade Set

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

You can fit a variety of blades to this saw to cut fallen branches or prune larger limbs from trees in a pinch. It’s fast, tough, easy to use, and extremely versatile.
- 18.31 x 6.13 x 4 inches
- 1-1/8-inch stroke length
- Variable speed trigger with 0-3000 spm
- DW4856 Metal/Woodcutting Reciprocating Saw Blade Set, 6-Piece
Buy at Amazon

Lee Valley Mini Garden Shear Set

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

These shears have a distinctive finger rest that not only aids grip but allows greater freedom of movement than a conventional handle design. They have a durable powder-coat finish to resist rust and wear, and a simple clasp that locks the spring-action stainless-steel blades closed. The set includes one pair of round-nose shears measuring 5 1/2" overall with 1" blades for cutting stems up to 3/8" in diameter, and one pair of 6 1/2" needle-nose shears with 2" fine-tip blades for precise work.
Buy at Lee Valley

Pruning Simplified: A Step-by-Step Guide to 50 Popular Trees and Shrubs

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Pruning Simplified shows you exactly how to do it. This must-have guide offers expert advice on the best tools for the job, specific details on when to prune, and clear instructions on how to prune. Profiles of the 50 most popular trees and shrubs—including azaleas, camellias, clematis, hydrangeas, and more—include illustrated, easy-to-follow instructions that will ensure you make the right cut the first time.
Buy at Amazon
X
View 17 comments

Comments

  1. User avater
    treasuresmom 04/27/2020

    Donna, that cherry is out of this world!

    1. Therivergirl 04/27/2020

      That cherry grows faster than a weed. I bet I cut three feet off of it 3 or 4 times a year. It is a beauty.

  2. User avater
    vanhatalosuomi 04/27/2020

    Great photos! Thanks for sharing :)

    1. Therivergirl 04/27/2020

      Thank you. A labor of love for sure. Plus I have a brother and a husband that helps perform the heavy projects.

  3. moyra_b 04/27/2020

    Wow! Your photos are stunning!! I'd love to see a bigger view of your garden, it looks gorgeous!

    1. Therivergirl 04/27/2020

      Thank you for the kind words. In the next article, I’ll try to show a bigger view.

  4. Maggieat11 04/27/2020

    LOVE your Japanese Maples!
    Thanks for sharing!

    1. Therivergirl 04/27/2020

      Thank you. I love sharing my photos!

  5. User avater
    simplesue 04/27/2020

    It looks so fresh- the air the water the plants.
    You sure know how to grow Rhododendron impeditum....look at all those blooms and healthy leaves too!
    Thanks for sharing!

    1. Therivergirl 04/27/2020

      You should have seen this little Rhodie about a month ago. Wasn’t looking too good. I put down some Rhodie and Azalea fertilizer, some fresh much and boy did it turn around for me.

      1. User avater
        simplesue 05/05/2020

        What brand of Rhodie and Azalea fertilizer did you use? I want what you bought!

  6. User avater
    bdowen 04/27/2020

    What a beautiful setting! I agree with Moyra- I'd love to see more of your garden. Amazing purple color of the Rhododendron impeditum. Beautiful views to enjoy on a rainy Monday morning - thank you.

    1. Therivergirl 04/27/2020

      Thank you. I’m thankful for the rain today since it will give my body the needed rest.

  7. btucker9675 04/27/2020

    What a lovely garden! Especially the weeping cherry and the double hellbores - astonishing. Aren't violas just the most cheerful things - I have pots going up the steps to our back covered porch - so bright and happy!

    1. Therivergirl 04/27/2020

      Thank you. Isn’t gardening just the best hobby ever.

  8. Cenepk10 04/27/2020

    Wow !!! Very nice ! My violas are beautiful too. Beautiful photos !

    1. Therivergirl 04/27/2020

      Awe. I just love the way some of the violas spread all over the garden.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Related Articles

The Latest

Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants
Episode 179: Most Beautiful Flowers  

If your pulse quickens at the sight of a dogwood or peony in full bloom, this is the episode for you. Although a restrained, foliage-focused design is always a safe…
Design
Gardening Buyer’s Guide 2025

I don't know about you, but I'm ready to get outside and get my hands into the warm dirt. Gardening season can't come soon enough this year. In the meantime,…
How-To
Root Rot Identification and Treatment

Roots are the foundation of a plant, vital organs that anchor it in the soil, absorbing water and nutrients. Unfortunately, because roots are rarely seen in full, the problems that…

Video

View All Videos
Design

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping—not because you’re likely to trip on something, but because you might be dive-bombed by a pair…
Design

4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder's Garden
Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants

Episode 179: Most Beautiful Flowers  
Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants

Episode 178: Best Interview Moments from Let's Argue About Plants
Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants

Episode 177: Seeds We’re Starting This Year