Shrubs, tree are good choices for spring color
Saucer magnolia, flowering almond, redbud will work even on the West Side
Q: We’re looking for a shrub to plant in our back yard that’ll bloom in the springtime but don’t want either a lilac or forsythia. Would you have any suggestions for us? — N.C., West Side, Albuquerque
A: Instantly I can think of two that just might fit the bill!
The first is what I believe to be a variety of saucer magnolia. I couldn’t believe my eyes when last Sunday I rounded a corner during a neighborhood walk and was astounded by this multi-stemmed fourfoot clump of amazingly large blooms! The shrub measured about four-feet tall, has at least 15 stems and is wearing these large white pink-tinged blooms. There has to be at least 30 flowers on this magnificent plant.
And when I say large bloom, I mean large! Each flower is easily five inches across and a delicate white-pinky-mauve color. I was agog! Here on the West Side, where the environment can be so harsh was this magnificent early bloomer offering such color. WOW! If you’ve never seen a magnolia in bloom, try to find one in bloom at a nursery as they are delightful!
The second shrub I’ll suggest and one that isn’t very common in these parts is a flowering almond. This easy-to-grow, usually multi-stemmed shrub is so delicate looking, yet pretty darn hardy! This plant explodes in the early spring, covered with smallish, usually pink flowers, up and down the stems that remind me of tiny powder puffs.
The flowers are defined as “doubles,” meaning they have lots of petals. The roundish shaped leaves come on right after the bloom is finished and are a good green color. They don’t offer a lot in color change for the fall season, but they do drop away cleanly to be tidier at seasons end. But it’s the cheery pink powder-puff blooms of the flowering almond that’ll win your heart!
Now there’s one more spring bloomer that I can’t pass by. It’s a tree, a favorite of mine and if you’ve ever inspected one up close you’ll understand. The redbud tree is a marvel.
But it’s a tree not shrub at all so it’ll need adequate space. The redbuds are just now starting to show off in town and put on a remarkable display. Get up close and marvel at these trees. The sweet pea shaped flowers pop out of the tree all over. Along the trunk, the limbs and branches, there will be flowers where you wouldn’t expect them.
And the colors available! You can find dark magenta-purple-reds. There are purple-reds and some that are a pale red-pink. With the competing purpleleaf plums blooming in town now you sometimes don’t recognize the redbud, but once you take the time to get a good look at one you’ll always differentiate between them. Redbuds rock!
There are my thoughts on a couple of not so common spring bloomers, so toddle to a nursery to check them out and see if any of them would fit in your world!
Q: My kids gave me an Easter lily today and I want to know if I can plant it outside later in my garden. — G.K., Albuquerque
A: You sure can plant this charmer outdoors as the season progresses.
First I want you to enjoy the brilliant white, nicely scented blooms for a while, OK? As the blooms fade, the stem that supports the bloom will change color and get sort of wrinkly. As that happens you’ll want to snip the bloom and supporting stem off as close to the main “trunk” as possible without cutting into the leafy part of the plant.
Then when your lily has completed its entire blooming, find a place in the garden where it’ll be offered some sun but not wicked hot all-day sun. Dig the hole about two inches wider but just as deep as the lily container. Un-pot the lily aiming to keep the soil surrounding the roots undisturbed, set it in the spot and complete backfilling the balance of the space. Create a bit of a moat with any leftover soil and keep the lily watered daily so it’ll settle in.
Soon after planting, the plant could start to yellow and fade but given enough care it will have settled in and be able to come back next spring for you! Happy Diggin’ In!
Need tips on growing your garden? Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send your garden-related questions to Digging In, Albuquerque Journal, P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, NM 87103, or to features@ abqjournal.com.