Question: I always eagerly await spring colors in the garden. Can you recommend some shrubs that bloom earlier than azaleas in our area?
Answer: Frankfort is in cold hardiness zone 6 and you will find a nice variety of shrubs available that will provide early spring color for us. The earliest shrub color to appear would be the witchhazels (Hamamelis x intermedia) on warm February days.
Witchhazels will actually slowly grow into small trees with a graceful shape. Their flowers are feathery and fragrant. A popular cultivar is "Arnold's Promise." Witchhazels also usually have good fall color.
In March forsythia, certainly the brashest of the early spring flowering shrubs, bursts into bloom. Its intense yellow can brighten the grayest of days. Blooming in more subtle fashion about the same time is Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas).
This is a large multi-stemmed shrub that can also be pruned into a small tree. It blooms with numerous yellow flowers clustered on bare stems.
Unlike forsythia, the Cornelian Cherry flowers are not sensitive to the late spring frosts and will be effective in the garden for about three weeks. Japanese Quinces (Chaenomeles japonica) have spiny branches that host flowers in shades of oranges and reds.
"Cameo" is a popular cultivar with double peach-pink flowers. Though not known for its flowers, to many of us nothing quite says spring like the lovely catkins of the pussy willow, Salix discolor. Cut a few branches of forsythia, quince and pussy willow for an instant spring bouquet for the dining room table.
The Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata) is a very slow growing shrub or small tree with large showy white flowers in early spring before the appearance of leaves.
The flowers are sensitive to late spring frosts, which are pretty common in our area. This does not harm the shrub itself.
Purple Leaf Plum (Prunus cistena) has several common names. It is often sold as Sand Cherry. The pinkish flowers are abundant and are followed by leaves that are colorful in themselves " rich red in spring, red-purple in summer, and maroon in fall.
By April the spring flowering show is usually ready to begin in earnest. For mid-to-late April the small-leaf "PJM" rhododendrons are recommended. These are handsome small evergreen shrubs that produce lavender-pink blooms in profusion.
And there are many cultivars of Viburnum from which to choose for early bloom.
Most Viburnums are large shrubs that are fast growing, easy to grow and attract songbirds and butterflies. Viburnum carlesii has lovely early spring flowers and an intense, clove-scented fragrance.
In early May, redbuds and dogwoods are blooming and the azaleas are not far behind.
Our spring beauties have helped us make it through the gray days and now we can look forward to the sunshine and colorful palette of summer.
Of course, before making your choice of any of the shrubs mentioned here you will want to know other details such as growth habits, ultimate size and cultural needs.
Check with the Extension office, local nurseries and/or plant catalogs.
The County Extension Office can be reached at 695-9035, or e-mail Kim.Cowherd@uky.edu.
You can also explore the Internet. Reliable information can be found on any of the sites that come from one of the many Cooperative Extension services across the country.