Sunday Afternoon at the J.C. Raulston Arboretum

I've spent a lot of time at the J.C. Raulston Arboretum in the last couple months volunteering in the garden and with children's programs. A few weeks ago Tim Alderton, the garden technician at the Arboretum, was on a mission to plant more than 5,000 bulbs, generous gifts from Brent and Becky's Bulbs (who also have some amazing Narcissus cultivars!), around the various areas in the garden. It was quite a task with a delayed reward; but the recent warm snaps we've had in Raleigh signal to me, and the little bulbs, that it's time to pay up: spring is near and it's time to flower! Since I helped plant many of the bulbs in the tucked away areas I know where to look to get a sneak peak at them.

My trip was a bit early, but still rewarding! There were several cultivars of Narcissus, daffodils, blooming about the garden. The February Gold Daffodil river in the eastern beds was flowing around the Hamamelis xintermedia 'Diane', a beautiful red-flowered witchhazel, and Cornus officinalis 'Spring Glow', a J.C. Raulston Arboretum release; creating a display reminiscent of fall. It is no wonder why this dear plant has such a name! Narcissus 'February Gold' is a cyclamineus daffodil, making it look like the flowers are gossiping in their clumps. If the weather keeps up like it has, my other trip this coming Thursday it is going to be gorgeous and my first Sunday tour as the tour guide is going to be choice!

Plants in the Photos
Veronica filiformis- USDA PLANTS Profile, Wikipedia
Helleborus foetidus
Iris unguicularis
Prunus mume 'Big Joe'
Crocus chrysanthus 'Ard Schenk'
Galanthus elwesii
Lagerstroemia fauriei, seed collected on Yakushima Island

Citrus ichangensis

Helleborus ssp. Flower Anatomy

Oh, the promises of spring in flower form are more valuable than any currency.