Spring-Blooming Trees and Shrubs
by: Sara Raab

This is the time of year that I most long for summer. Despite the cheery daffodils and burgeoning tulips, I can't wait for the sight of green leaves again -- bright color to hide the bare branches overhead and to provide shade in which
to take a gardening break.

With a lush green canopy still a few weeks away, I will have to occupy myself in the meantime with flowers, and luckily there are many flowers to be seen in the coming weeks.

One highly valued quality of spring-blooming trees and shrubs is the opening of showy blossoms before any foliage emerges. In this way, no leafy obstacles stand between viewer and bloom. There are several notable trees that have this quality -- dazzling us with an unobstructed display of brilliant flowers.

Perhaps the most extravagant group of these trees are the magnolias. Often considered a trademark tree of the deep south, it seems surprising that these beauties survive in our climate. However it is the tougher species native
to Asia that are able to withstand the Wisconsin winter, not the tender southerners.

The hardiest asiatic species is the star magnolia (Magnolia stellata), which some consider a small tree, others a large shrub. The many cultivars of star magnolia reach ultimate heights of only 12 to 15 feet, allowing them to fit into a small urban garden without too much fuss.

As the latin stellata in its name suggests, the flowers of this plant are wonderfully star-like, characterized by narrow radiating petals that are typically white, and fragrant too. Overall this magnolia has a fine-textured appearance in
keeping with its smaller stature.

'Royal Star' is a selection with very large, fragrant, double flowers that open white from pink buds. 'Dawn' has delicate pale pink blooms, while 'Centennial' offers large white flowers tinged with pink.

The delicate flowers of the magnolias make an impressive show when the tree is situated in front of a dark background. An evergreen hedge of arborvitae or yew makes an effective backdrop, as does a brick wall.

The larger Loebner magnolia (Magnolia x loebneri) is more tree-like, reaching 20-25 feet with a broad, rounded crown. This magnolia also produces white to pink flowers and blooms in early spring, before their leaves appear.

'Leonard Messel' is one of the best known cultivars of Loebner magnolia. The dark purple buds open to reveal a pure white interior, creating a striking two-toned effect.

'Ballerina' is a selection with particularly fragrant flowers that are white with a pink center. 'Powder Puff' offers pure white double flowers. Several of these cultivars can be viewed at Olbrich Botanical Gardens flanking the path to the Rose Garden.

Magnolias produce lustrous green foliage following their floral display and somewhat grotesque looking pink-orange fruit in late summer that is eaten by squirrels and songbirds. All the magnolias thrive in a sunny position with well-drained soil and are best transplanted in spring.

The serviceberries are a much beloved group of native trees and shrubs that offer early spring blooms and much more.

Considered by many to be one of the best landscape plants of all, the apple serviceberry (Amelanchier x grandiflora) shines in all four seasons. A naturally occuring hybrid of two native species, this plant has inherited the best traits of
each of its parents. 

It is an elegant multistemmed tree graced with smooth grey bark that reaches about 20 to 25 feet at maturity. In spring, the bare branches are swaddled in white blossoms, instantly transforming the tree into a fleecy cloud.

By June, bright red berry-like fruits appear that account for another common name of this plant, the juneberry. These berries ripen to a dark purple color and are irresistable to birds -- and tasty to humans too if you can beat the birds! Finally in the fall, a blaze of fantastic reddish-orange shows us what fall color really is.

Many cultivars of this popular landscape plant are available, including 'Princess Diana' which has numerous white flowers, and 'Autumn Brilliance' which is notable for outstanding fall color. Each of these can be seen in Olbrich's Sunken Garden.

Although it tolerates some shade, the apple serviceberry will bear more flowers and develop better fall color in full sun conditions.

Another native with fantastic spring blooms is the eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis). This tree, like the magnolia and serviceberry, has a graceful habit and lovely grey bark that serves to showcase the flowers it bears before any sign of leaves.

Dark purple buds are clustered along the length of each branch, finally opening into deep magenta blossoms that highlight the arching vase-shape of the plant. Reaching 20 to 30 feet in height and at least 20 feet wide, the eastern redbud makes a dramatic statement in the spring garden.

While interesting cultivars of this plant are available, none of them are reliably hardy in Wisconsin. However a seed strain proven to be hardy for us was discovered in Columbus, WI.  Known as "Columbus Strain", it is more desirable to northern gardeners than unspecified seedlings that may have originated from less hardy southern
strains.

At home in the understory of deciduous forests, the eastern redbud thrives in a partially shaded woodland environment. You can find several of them in our Wildflower Garden at Olbrich, where their blooms are complemented by the surrounding early-blooming wildflowers.

Each one of these spring bloomers acts to ensure that the new growing season is truly here, and that it's only a matter of time before leaves will be rustling all around us!