Out in the Garden - Rock Garden Border Attractions

Rock Garden Border Attractions

The anticipation of spring flowers at Leach relies on a multitude of favorites, such as Trillium, fawn lily, and currant. In addition, this year I have taken notice of two shrubs bordering the rock garden. The first is Magnolia x soulangeana, or saucer Magnolia. This specimen dates back decades, and until two years ago was a multi-stemmed shrub with poor structure. I cut it down to its base, then selected a new branch to develop into a single trunk. Presently, it reaches about 10’ tall and supports numerous, large and fragrant blooms that are purple and white. This hybrid was first developed in the early 1800s and is commonly cultivated.

A short distance to the west of the Magnolia is a vigorous, arching shrub that has also been growing here for decades, Spiraea prunifolia v. prunifolia, or bridalwreath. Unlike our native Spiraea, the flowers are tiny, white and double, occurring in great numbers along the terminus of branches. Bridalwreath is also commonly cultivated, and rightfully so as it provides a bright display in early spring. Bridalwreath is native to a broad range of east Asia, and has also been cultivated for many years.