Quitman Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

Happy Valentine’s Day fellow gardeners.

I had the opportunity to walk the gardens with our plant guru, Lin Grado, yesterday. The weather was warm, and the plants were beginning to feel the soil warming around them. Too bad the temperatures will drop into the 20s again, but it seems as though our hardy plant choices can handle a wide swing in the weather and continue to thrive.

Outside the picket fence, on the north side of the house, the daffodils are blooming. It amazes me how these return for a repeat performance each spring with little care from us. As you walk amongst the beds you will see signs of our prolific larkspur beginning to set their beautiful blue flowers. Another repeat bloomer that never fails to return.

There are several smaller spring blooming trees and shrubs you will not want to miss in the next few weeks. The flowering quince with its brightly colored flowers entertains the eye for a short amount of time but is worth the effort to locate. Look for this beauty behind the memorial tree plantings. We also spotted a few redbuds who were trying to decide if it warm enough yet to burst their bloom.

Make sure to take the time to take a stroll through the woods behind the gardens. This is another great place to look for signs of spring. The walking trails are easy to navigate and fun to investigate. We are there on Wednesdays. More information about the house and gardens can be found on our Facebook page. The coffee is on.