Monthly Garden Spotlight

April

by Will Clausen

The beginning of April brings us near the end of the first big wave of color at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden. Thankfully, the second wave should get going just as the early flowers fade away. It has been an exceptional spring for flowers throughout the garden so far and as April begins, we have reached peak flowering time. There is no better time to visit.

Sales Area
Look no farther than our retail nursery for a good burst of color at this time of year. Early in the month, expect to find large, fuchsia-colored trusses on Rhododendron kesangiae just outside the back door of the Visitor Center. Along the west end of the covered Sales Pavilion, a wall of R. irroratum has flowers that emerge pink and fade to a creamy yellow. Later in the month, look for R. vaseyi, my favorite of the East Coast native azaleas, along the west end of the Sales Area. Of course, we are fully stocked with beautiful woodland plants for purchase so don’t forget to browse through before you leave.

Lower Woodland
Following the main loop path to the east, downhill from the Sales Area, you will pass the Upper Woodland and come to the Lower Woodland. Early in the month, the area along the main loop trail near the Lower Woodland at the lower end of the lawn is possibly the showiest spot in the garden. It is a riot of color. Rhododendron calophytum is just winding down after the best flowering display it has ever put on for us. The large flowers can be pink, white, or candy-striped. Following the path as it curves to the right, a procession of color ensues with bright red R. ochraceum, hot pink R. jingangshanicum, and rich purple R. huanum. These colors are almost overwhelming and R. jingangshanicum in particular screams. How can that vivid hot pink possibly be the natural flower color of a wild plant? Complimenting these are yellow flowers from Corylopsis gotoana and airy Stachyurus praecox. Already fading now, a large Magnolia denudata, joins in with pure white flowers that sit upright on the stems. Following the trail farther, pass by the Meconopsis Meadow. It is still too early for the blue poppy flowers, but you will see hundreds of these plants emerging from the ground, gathering strength for their big show in May. On the other side of the road are some great foliage plants like R. lanatum, R. flinckii, and R. fulvum. They are all planted just uphill so you can see the striking indumentum in shades of cinnamon and brown on the underside of the leaves.

Triflora Trail and ADA Path
On the west side of the garden, you will find a thicket of rhododendron species in subsection Triflora. These tall plants mostly flower in April and do so in a variety of colors. Early bloomers like the yellow Rhododendron lutescens will still be colorful early in the month. R. augustinii puts on a purple-blue show, while R. davidsonianum, near the gazebo, forms a wall of pink. Following the ADA path from the Gazebo toward the Conservatory, you pass by three Melliodendron xylocarpum, some of the most beautiful flowering trees in the garden. These trees feature masses of pendant star-shaped flowers in pink and white that emerge before the leaves and hang from the branches. Down the path, several hulking R. rubiginosum in full bloom sit just outside the Conservatory.

Rutherford Conservatory
Rhododendron konori offers large and fragrant flowers near the bridge, while nearby R. edgeworthii, with its leaves densely covered with rusty hairs, should also be in bloom. R. nuttallii, a most striking rhododendron, will also be in bloom this month. It boasts absolutely massive (up to six inches wide) white flowers with a rich yellow blotch and a lovely fragrance. For something a little more obscure, look for R. wrightianum near the front door. You may have to search for a minute because the flowers, though not particularly small, are nearly black and blend in well with the ground behind them. Check out the two pillars near the center of the Conservatory planted with epiphytes. Many of the ferns planted on these pillars are pushing interesting new growth. Meanwhile, orchids are blooming throughout.

It’s a fool’s errand to attempt to describe even a small part of the garden in April. The best thing is to come and see it for yourself. When you’re here, take your time walking around because you will find something beautiful along every trail.