The Stepchild Garden is Coming Together

Walking around the Stepchild Garden this morning, I was amazed to see all that has burst open over the past few days.  The "Stonewall Jackson" native azalea is really a showstopper this year, with those shades of apricot and orange contrasting against all of the spring greens.

Just beyond the azalea, Hydrangea macrophylla "Mme Emile Mouillere" is already starting to open, about a month earlier than normal because of the incredible heat we've had for the past couple of weeks.  All of the other macrophyllas have buds, too, and might even bloom earlier than the oakleafs, which always tend to bloom first.

Phyllis and Debbie "groomed" the succulent bed a couple of days ago, and the results are pretty fabulous!

Calycanthus "Athens" is beginning to open those fabulously fragrant blossoms!

And, as expected, Tetrapanax is starting to pop up everywhere except where it was planted last year!