This is my favorite time to marvel at the emerging plant growth in my gardens. The grass is greener, birds are nesting and all around nature is doing her thing.
Perhaps my favorite is the unfurling of ferns fronds. In a matter of days they go from brown stumps to tightly wound circles of green to soft graceful beauty.
The paperback maple has started its peeling of cinnamon bark. There are no leaves on its branches but I think that’s the point. The main attraction is its paper-thin bark curling away.
Also in a mere matter of days, the Japanese maple shed its leaves and its new leaves are unfolding. I’d been watching the tree for some time, wondering if there was something wrong with it. I didn’t recall it retaining its brown, shriveled leaves for so long.
While I’m at it, here are a few more shots from the garden. I hope your garden treasures are as delightful to watch. Thanks for reading.
The Arch City Gardener 
April 7, 2020 at 8:59 am
So beautiful to see! š
April 7, 2020 at 10:04 am
Thanks Kevin
April 7, 2020 at 9:58 am
I should go out and get a picture of the blue gum!
Paper bark maple does not do well here. I do not know why. I suspect that it prefers more of a chill in winter. Minimal humidity does not seem to bother the foliage, but I am not certain about that. There is one at work that has a disfigured canopy, but the canopy is up above the eaves, leaving the picturesque trunk and limbs within view.
April 7, 2020 at 10:10 am
I love the clumping trunk on this tree. It is planted near my patio where I can look at its branches as its foliage is, in my opinion, only so so
April 7, 2020 at 11:16 am
A clumping trunk would be better, since that it what is grown for. ours has only a single arching trunk downstairs, and splits into two more curvaceous trunks upstairs. I do not expect the canopy to look like much, but I do want it to be healthy and not be unsightly, like it had been. I almost cut it down to let it start over from the ground, but I am pleased that I did not.
April 9, 2020 at 3:23 pm
Is that last picture sweet woodruff? I’ve been thinking about getting some.
April 9, 2020 at 6:15 pm
Jason, It is. It is a thirsty plant but a vigorous spreader. I have really liked this plant. Easy to grow.