A Barrage of blossom.

[Palustris]

Just some of the trees and shrubs in flower today.

Acer davidii.                                       Acer purpurescens




All forms of Chaenomeles japonica (Quince)

Cherry Stella.                                         Damson

Greengage                                              Amelanchier lamarckii

Magnolia                                                Pyrus nivalis (Ornamental Pear.)

Ribes sanguineum King Edward V11                Ribes x gordoniaunum

Sorbus buds                                                Spiraea.

[newplantguy]

Some great pictures, spring has certainly arrived.
Paul.

[newplantguy]

Magnolia 'Susan'
Taken in my garden today, first time it has flowered in 3 years.
Paul

[ideasguy]

Magnificent photos, Eric.
What a fantastic collection of plants you have. I'm astounded!

I have the red Chaenomeles japonica in bloom at present - my one and only variety. I grew it from seed. It certainly does give a really good show.

I have a Magnolia 'Susan' as well, Paul. Its a reliable and prolific bloomer in my garden.
Lovely flowers, aren't they!
Its now 9 or 10 ft tall and wide, and I meant to prune it last year. No point needing a helicopter to see the blooms!

Both my Magnolia soulangeana speciemens are in bloom, but no sign of Susan yet - she tends to be later. Your gardens is a couple of weeks earlier than mine

A computer friend visited today to install a server. Hes a keen photographer and he took a few snaps around the garden while the computer performed an upgrade - but then a heavy shower stopped play.

[Palustris]

We have Susan as well, it is about a week away from flowering. The one I showed came to us as Wada's Memory, which it most certainly is not. We have about 6 others dotted around, not including 3 M. stellata which were all supposed to be different, but aint and M. grandiflora which will need another 50 years growing to flower.

[newplantguy]

I only really have room for the one Magnolia, 'Susan' does well for me on the clay soil I have which is the reason I chose it and also that there is only one other in the village so it is a little bit different.
It is about 6 feet by 6 feet.
Every thing is late this year, we are about 3 weeks behind.
Paul.

[ideasguy]

Have you folk ever pruned you Magnolias? What is the best time? Can they be hard pruned - meaning in my case, will they resprout growth if I prune 1in to 1 1/2 in branches?

[newplantguy]

I have never pruned one, it should be carried out when the plant is dormant or late summer & autumn is possible, aim to avoid bleeding of the sap.
I think you should only remove branches to improve shape, and branches crossing over, but if you have to cut it back by half because of it's situation, I think the plant should be dormant. it may of course also affect it's flowering for a while.
Paul.

[ideasguy]

Thanks Paul

Prue (Sherwood Gardens - http://www.ideasforgardens.net/Sherwood/Azaleas/) told me I could do this task in August, but I chickened out (I really like that plant). I'll leave it until end of Sept and do it this year.