I accompanied Wendy on her "bamboo excursion" and ending up taking pictures of early blossoms on this first day of spring! Lindera obtusiloba - Japanese spicebush This bush with its petite lemon blossoms and tousled appearance, is native to China, Korea, and Japan. Rhododendron barbatum (bearded) In this shady part of the garden, these crimson blossoms of this rhododendron stand out against the dark green leaves and the bark in the background. I was not able to photograph the defining “beards” on the leaf stalks. Rhododendron praevernum This striking rhododendron was alive with the sound of …bees! Delightful! Rhododendron oreodoxa var. fargesii Couldn’t resist this rhododendron laden with rosy blossoms! Cathaya argyrophylla - Cathay Silver-fir This glistening little tree certainly living up to the “silver” part of the name!
Also exciting two days ago was the Magnolia zenii, the main attraction as we entered the garden. Here are the first day of spring photos, to stay on theme. I was surprised to see that the flowers were not really yet open. Two days later, many of the flowers have opened.
