March at the JC Raulston Arboretum

This post is 3 of 12 of a series I’m doing this year reflecting back on some of my favorite plants from visiting the JC Raulston Arboretum while attending graduate school at NC State in Raleigh NC. Check back next month for more.

March was always a moody month in Raleigh. Well, I guess isn’t it everywhere? Some years it was filled with gorgeous days, and others it taunted the gardener with late freezes. Nevertheless, there always seemed to be plants in bloom some time during the month at the JC Raulston Arboretum. This month, I look back at some of my favorite trees, shrubs, and perennials that welcomed spring. I hope these images inspire you to try some new plants in your garden. I know learning about them helped to build my palette of plants to use for the beginning of the gardening season.

THE TREES

There was an incredible Magnolia collection at the arboretum. Here the vigorously growing Magnolia × loebneri 'Merrill' flowers in the White Garden. This selection is quite hardy up into the northern states.

There was an incredible Magnolia collection at the arboretum. Here the vigorously growing Magnolia × loebneri 'Merrill' flowers in the White Garden. This selection is quite hardy up into the northern states.

One of my favorite magnolias is Magnolia × kewensis 'Wada's Memory'. I love its cut-handkerchief-like petals, and I’m considering using this cultivar around our house.

One of my favorite magnolias is Magnolia × kewensis 'Wada's Memory'. I love its cut-handkerchief-like petals, and I’m considering using this cultivar around our house.

Each spring I loved seeing the floriferous Magnolia stellata 'Chrysanthemumiflora' in bloom. The pink blossoms are so voluminous, and this tree’s short stature welcomes its use in smaller gardens.

Each spring I loved seeing the floriferous Magnolia stellata 'Chrysanthemumiflora' in bloom. The pink blossoms are so voluminous, and this tree’s short stature welcomes its use in smaller gardens.

Near the Ruby McSwain center was the Asian Sassafras tzumu with its tiered branching habit classic to Sassafras species.

Near the Ruby McSwain center was the Asian Sassafras tzumu with its tiered branching habit classic to Sassafras species.

As the flowers fade, the new foliage emerges on Sassafras tzumu with a similar textured Yucca in the background.

As the flowers fade, the new foliage emerges on Sassafras tzumu with a similar textured Yucca in the background.

J.C. raved about Halesia diptera var. magniflora and for good reason. This variety from Florida highlands features beautiful white flowers a little bigger than a thimble that cover the tree in early spring. This species does well in Texas, too.

J.C. raved about Halesia diptera var. magniflora and for good reason. This variety from Florida highlands features beautiful white flowers a little bigger than a thimble that cover the tree in early spring. This species does well in Texas, too.

 
A close up of Halesia diptera var. magniflora

A close up of Halesia diptera var. magniflora

 
I can’t wait to try Melliodendron xylocarpum in Texas. I adored this tree’s Easter egg shaped buds that would open to…

I can’t wait to try Melliodendron xylocarpum in Texas. I adored this tree’s Easter egg shaped buds that would open to…

…beautiful star-shaped white flowers. I recall that some years Melliodendron xylocarpum would get burned by late freezes, but like many early spring flowering plants, planting them is certainly worth the risk.

…beautiful star-shaped white flowers. I recall that some years Melliodendron xylocarpum would get burned by late freezes, but like many early spring flowering plants, planting them is certainly worth the risk.

THE SHRUBS

Exochorda racemosa is shrub that takes our heat and humidity in the south well. The little buds look like pearls, hence the name pearlbush. I always enjoyed looking at the intricacies of the flowers once they open.

Exochorda racemosa is shrub that takes our heat and humidity in the south well. The little buds look like pearls, hence the name pearlbush. I always enjoyed looking at the intricacies of the flowers once they open.

Spiraea thunbergii 'Ogon' is a reliable flowering shrub that is covered with white flowers in early spring and followed by thin, golden leaves.

Spiraea thunbergii 'Ogon' is a reliable flowering shrub that is covered with white flowers in early spring and followed by thin, golden leaves.

 
A subtle color echo between the emerging foliage on Spiraea thunbergii 'Ogon' and its orange pistils.

A subtle color echo between the emerging foliage on Spiraea thunbergii 'Ogon' and its orange pistils.

 
Last month I shared my love of Stachyurus. Even more plants would be flowering in March. Here Stachyurus praecox 'Issai' flowers with a Chaenomeles in the background.

Last month I shared my love of Stachyurus. Even more plants would be flowering in March. Here Stachyurus praecox 'Issai' flowers with a Chaenomeles in the background.

There was even a Stachyurus selection—Stachyurus praecox 'Rubriflora'—that had buds and petals blushed pink.

There was even a Stachyurus selection—Stachyurus praecox 'Rubriflora'—that had buds and petals blushed pink.

A really interesting and uncommon shrub I learned about at the arboretum was Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana. This member of the witch hazel family would be covered in flowers in March.

A really interesting and uncommon shrub I learned about at the arboretum was Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana. This member of the witch hazel family would be covered in flowers in March.

 
In this close up of the flowers on Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana, you can see the plethora of stamens and the skirt of white bracts underneath.

In this close up of the flowers on Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana, you can see the plethora of stamens and the skirt of white bracts underneath.

 
 
Edgeworthia chrysantha was in full bloom in March many years at the arboretum. The flowers face down, likely to protect the pollen from rain.

Edgeworthia chrysantha was in full bloom in March many years at the arboretum. The flowers face down, likely to protect the pollen from rain.

 
Neviusia alabamensis is a novelty native shrub that slowly spreads via rhizomes in the garden. It is rare throughout its range, but deserves wider use for its dainty flowers.

Neviusia alabamensis is a novelty native shrub that slowly spreads via rhizomes in the garden. It is rare throughout its range, but deserves wider use for its dainty flowers.

I enjoyed the pompom flowers of Neviusia alabamensis so much that I now have this growing in my Texas garden.

I enjoyed the pompom flowers of Neviusia alabamensis so much that I now have this growing in my Texas garden.

The late witch hazels would still be flowering in March. Here Hamamelis mollis 'Wisley Supreme' flowers with a carpet of Narcissus underneath.

The late witch hazels would still be flowering in March. Here Hamamelis mollis 'Wisley Supreme' flowers with a carpet of Narcissus underneath.

While most lilacs don’t do well in the south, Syringa × laciniata was always a beautiful bloomer in the arboretum and tolerated heat well.

While most lilacs don’t do well in the south, Syringa × laciniata was always a beautiful bloomer in the arboretum and tolerated heat well.

 
The lavender flowers of Syringa × laciniata

The lavender flowers of Syringa × laciniata

 

THE PERENNIALS

I also learned about Tulipa clusiana selections at the arboretum. This species tends to do better in the south and can grow well in gravel gardens. Here ‘Cynthia’ flowers with creamy yellow and salmon petals.

I also learned about Tulipa clusiana selections at the arboretum. This species tends to do better in the south and can grow well in gravel gardens. Here ‘Cynthia’ flowers with creamy yellow and salmon petals.

Another clusiana type was ‘Peppermint Stick’, named for its red and white petals.

Another clusiana type was ‘Peppermint Stick’, named for its red and white petals.