Hi GPODers!
If there is anyone we can rely on for an array of incredible spring color, it is our frequent contributor Carla Zambelli Mudry in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Carla has shared countless photos from the earliest days of the season straight through the arrival of summer’s heat (check out some of her previous spring submissions: Signs of Early Spring in Carla’s Pennsylvania Garden, Early Spring Flowers in Carla’s Garden, Celebrating Spring with Carla, April in Carla’s Gardenand High Spring in Carla’s Garden). She doesn’t just send spring photos—she’s sent us marvelous moments from summer, fall, and even winter. However, when garden color can be limited in the early season, we are extra appreciative of Carla’s updates this time of year, and this latest submission is no exception.
Well, it’s May! The weather is still unpredictable and even a little cool, but the garden is chugging along. Azaleas, peonies, red rhododendrons, and more. A few clematis are also starting to bloom, and I hope I get the roses all fed before they start popping! I have also planted a bunch of wonderful new shrubs to replace ones that a combination of winter and deer were not kind to.
Happy gardening!
Some of Carla’s azaleas are hitting their peak! This large shrub is completely covered in beautiful, bright blooms.
Others, like this variety with light lilac flowers, are beginning to bloom and sending out lots of buds.
Carla also incorporates many North American native plants into her garden, and one plant that requires no compromise on beauty for something beneficial is the Florida azalea (Rhododendron austrinumZones 6–9). While not native to Pennsylvania, it is still a favorite among bees and hummingbirds and adds pretty orange and yellow blooms to the spring garden.
Along with her azaleas, Carla’s peonies are putting on a spectacular performance this month. She has several tree peonies (Pioneer suffruticosaZones 4–8), which are also appreciated by bees when the blooms are a single-petaled or semi-double variety. This wide-open flower has attracted a host of busy bees.
Another stunning tree peony—this one in a deep, romantic red
Carla also has a remarkable collection of clematis, which are just starting to bloom with their vast array of colors. These Josephine clematis (Clematis ‘Evijohill’, Zones 4–9) still have petals to unfurl but are already textural wonders.
Blanket flowers are usually beloved for their summer color, but Carla has some early blooms that are bringing the heat to her spring scenes. This bright red variety with subtle yellow tips could potentially be the cultivar ‘Arizona Red Shades’ (Gaillardia ‘Arizona Red Shades’, Zones 4–10).
Another gorgeous native in Carla’s spring garden is the eastern sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridZones 4–9), also known as the Carolina allspice. As the common names suggest, these flowers have a delightful fragrance, usually described as fruity but with a touch of warm spice.
Lastly, a peek at some of the layers that Carla creates in her woodland garden. Interesting foliage and bright blooms mix and mingle for lovely combinations of color and texture.
As always, Carla sent in so many fabulous spring photos that I could not limit her submission to just one day on the blog. We will be returning to her garden on Monday to see more flowers and foliage from May.
How is your garden looking this month? Has spring erupted into splendor, as it has in Carla’s garden, or are you watching the first signs of garden life slowly emerge? No matter how much garden interest you’re enjoying this month, we would love to feature your photos on the blog. Follow the directions below to submit your photos to Garden Photo of the Day!
We want to see YOUR garden!
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, fill out the Garden Photo of the Day Submission Form.
You can also send 5–10 photos to (email protected) along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
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