Birds & Blooms - USA (2021-02)

TOP 10

8 5

:^

A

N

T

IM

A

R

T

IN

A

/G

E

T

T

Y

I

M

A

G

E

S

;^

6

:^

E

D

R

E

S

C

H

K

E

/G

E

T

T

Y

I

M

A

G

E

S

;^

7

:^

C

O

U

R

T

E

S

Y

O

F

P

R

O

V

E

N

W

IN

N

E

R

S

• 
  

W

W

W

.P

R

O

V

E

N

W

IN

N

E

R

S

.C

O

M

;^

8

:^

B

A

L

L

H

O

R

T

IC

U

L

T

U

R

A

L

C

O

M

P

A

N

Y

6

8 Celandine poppy

STYLOPHORUM DIPHYLLUM, ZONES 4 TO 9

This wildflower, native to the eastern

U.S., enjoys rich wet soil and lots of

shade. Grow it under trees, where it

naturalizes by self-seeding over time.

Why we love it: Flashes of yellow

poppies, which spring forth from fuzzy

buds, draw attention to shady spots in

the garden. The large-lobed foliage is

attractive, too.

5

7

TOP 10

POST-WINTER TASK Get your yard ready for spring and beyond with one vital chore:

Check shrubs and trees for invasive pests or their egg masses, including gypsy moth

and eastern tent caterpillar eggs. Remove them early to spare plants down the road.

5 Witch hazel

HAMAMELIS JAPONICA,

ZONES 5 TO 8

American witch hazel

(H. virginiana) is one

of the few plants that

blooms in the fall, but the

related Japanese witch

hazel (H. japonica) takes

over in late winter and

early spring.

Why we love it:

Witch hazel shrubs

show off when other

plants are sleeping. Try

a combination of the

American and Japanese

varieties for a brilliant

golden display from fall

to spring.

6 Dutchman’s

breeches

DICENTRA CUCULLARIA,

ZONES 3 TO 7

This beautiful but

short-lasting woodland

wildflower is gone by

summer, along with its

foliage. For a few weeks

in spring, though, the

delicate flowers hanging

off their arching stems

are a pure delight.

Why we love it:

This relative of bleeding

heart (Lamprocapnos

spectabilis) is a classic

that’s ready to make

a comeback in moist,

well-draining gardens.

7 Flowering quince

CHAENOMELES SPECIOSA, ZONES 4 TO 8

This thorny shrub is an excellent low-maintenance

border option. Plant it in full sun to ensure bountiful

blossoms as winter finally gives way to warmer days.

Quince flowers on old growth, so prune it in spring

after it finishes blooming, if needed.

Why we love it: The red, pink or white flowers are

followed by small, hard yellow-green fruits that make

delicious preserves and jellies.