Snow in May? No, Just White Flowering Plants

conniebowers — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 01:50:58 +0000

May of 2013 brought some very strange weather — sometimes temperatures fluctuating by 30 or 40 degrees within 24 hour periods. Heat in the morning; air conditioning in the afternoon. New plants in bloom each day, and the sometimes frigid nighttime temperatures, made one think of snow. Pictured here are some trees and shrubs covered with white blooms this May that are reminiscent of snow gracing the branches. The Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum ‘Mariesii’, pictured to the left, is one of the most striking examples of the layered effect that appears snow-covered.

The Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa) is a wonderful tree if year-round interest is sought. The white blooms gracing the lateral branches are followed by very large red berries danging from the tree’s stems. Best to limb up this specimen to amply highlight the outstanding colorful exfoliating bark that makes this tree a standout in the winter. For something more modest, perhaps closer to the house, the native Chionanthus virginicus or White Fringetree (tree-form or multi-stemmed large shrub) is a gem, with its unique ‘fringelike’ blossums set against the bright light green foliage. Deutzia gracilis ‘Chardonnay Pearls’ is one of the most prolific white bloomers in the spring, as it first sports little ‘pearls’ for some time before they burst out into tiny white flowers covering the stems like waterfalls. As the flowers fade, the colorful yellow to chartreuse foliage makes this shrub a nice contrast to darker green leafed plants.

The Pyracantha is also covered with tiny white flowers in May. The plant, aptly termed ‘Firethorn’ is a good security option up against the house, and it has lingering interest, e.g., when covered with brilliant firey berries later in the season.

Pyracantha (Firethorn)

Deutzia gracilis ‘Chardonnay Pearls’

Chionanthus virginicus (White Fringetree)

Cornus Kousa (Kousa Dogwood)

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Design Consideration – Moon Gardens

conniebowers — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 00:31:24 +0000

If you enjoy spending time outdoors in the evening, consider installing a garden close to your patio, deck, or walkway whose theme is white. White flowers are more visible than others at night, and many are very fragrant. You can anchor such a garden with a small white flowering ornamental tree (Chionanthus virginicus – White Fringetree, a Virginia native), or a few white flowering shrubs (Clethra alnifolia ‘Hummingbird’, a small Summersweet; a dwarf Redtwig Dogwood; Deutzia gracilis – ‘Chardonnay Pearls’ that has lime-yellow foliage is especially nice), and include white flowering perennials in various size combinations, from very tall exotic Lilium ‘Casa Blanca’ (considered one of the most beautiful Asiatic lilies) to medium-sized Astilbe ‘Deutschland’ (False Spirea), to a groundcover/edging such as the delicate Iberis sempervirens (Candytuft) or Galium odoratum (Sweet Woodruff). Incorporate plants with striking foliage as a foil and to carry on the white theme, such as a Hosta ‘Francee’ (Dark green leaf with white border). Plants with silver foliage can also be incorporated nicely (Artemesia, Stachys (Lambs’ Ears), etc.) The selections are endless and choices depend on the degree of sun vs. shade and other conditions, such as whether the soil retains moisture. In fact, many shade tolerant plants happen to have white flowers. A small water feature or low voltage lighting can enhance the garden. White gardens are both soothing and sophisticated, and being neutral in color, such gardens will not clash with adjacent areas with nearly any color scheme.

Clethra alnifolia (Summersweet)

Chionanthus virginicus (Fringetree)

Lilium 'Casa Blanca'

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Moon gardens; White gardens Archives - Garden Makeover Company

Snow in May? No, Just White Flowering Plants

Design Consideration – Moon Gardens