By Hilde Simmons
It is strange writing about spring flowers as I sit at my computer looking out on this gray and dreary day the end of January, but I see the coming spring flowers in my mind’s eye.
I know when this writing is in print, Arkansas will have spring flowers up to our delight. Winter flowering trees and bushes like witch hazel, winter Daphne, camellia japonica and winter honeysuckle are starting to send out their sweet scents.
Forsythia is already blooming and quince is soon to follow. Redbud trees, plus star and saucer magnolias are delightful natural decorations.
Crocuses, daffodils, scillas, Virginia bluebells and hyacinths are just about to bloom. These plants are perennial bulbs that are planted in the fall and come back year after year if planted in well-drained, humus-rich soil in the garden or allowed to naturalize in a woodland setting.
So go out and look for these beauties. Cherry trees can be found in downtown Hot Springs across from Bathhouse Row and many of the mentioned trees and flowers bloom in parks and botanic gardens throughout the state.
Hilde Simmons, a Garland County Master Gardener, volunteers with GC Master Gardeners of the UofA Div. of Agriculture, Cooperative Ext. Service. Master Gardeners pool skills and resources to improve home horticulture, stimulate interest in plants and gardening, and encourage beautification. For more info, call 501-623-6841 or email abates@uaex.edu.
A spring-flowering bulb, Narcissus is the name of a genus which includes flower bulbs like Daffodils, Jonquils, Paper whites and so forth. (Photo courtesy of Louise Lee.)
