Sprinkles But Springlike

I'm sure I've used the shot above before (one of Santos' finest) but felt it was warranted with the spring-like weather we're having. We're still 7-8 weeks weeks away from seeing something like this though so don't get too cocky with these temperatures! The blooms are a crabapple (Malus sp.). I'm still in a spring mood after presenting to a great group up in Fond Du Lac this morning. Dave Wanninger (from Beaver Creek and Song Sparrow Nursery) and I drove up together and I presented Low-Maintenance Perennials while Dave talked about some neat shrubs. I've spoken in Fond Du Lac on many occasions and have always found a welcoming and enthusiastic crowd. Thanks to Beth and all those that helped arrange this event. The most refreshing part of the morning was meeting Dustin, a young college student (and Master Gardener) that seems very committed to being involved in botany/horticulture and was by far the youngest in the crowd and one of the most enthusiatic.

Dave W. shared a lot about shrubs with the group and had a nice focus on hydrangeas and viburnums in general. Viburnums are truly a "3 season of interest" shrub with nice spring flowers (typically white), showy summer fruiting and typically a nice fall color. Below is the linden viburnum (Viburnum dilitatum 'Iroquois') which is an introduction from the U.S. National Arboretum involving the cross of two selections of this species in the 1950s. 'Erie' is another U.S. National Arboretum introduction (1971) with similar features and was the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society Gold Medal Plant award winner in 1993. This species, native to eastern Asia, has few insect and disease problems and you can see the superior fruit set (which gets brighter after some frost). This viburnum is also part shade tolerant and will accept a wide range of soils (moist and well-drained preferable). Fall color is a mix of oranges, yellows and reds. 'Iroquois' is listed as a zone 5 plant although another nice one that looks similar is 'Cardinal Candy' that is listed as zone 4 and was selected out of batch of seedlings that experienced -30 degrees F. I observed a gorgeous 'Cardinal Candy' in Dubuque, IA (Dubuque Botanic Garden) and we're trying it at RBG. Or, if you prefer yellow fruit on this species, go with 'Michael Dodge' from Winterthur Gardens in DE (a MUST see garden). Dr. Michael Dirr from the University of Georgia (Athens) said it best about viburnums with "A garden without a viburnum is akin to life without music and art." In general, check out the viburnums!