April Color
Fringe trees, American and Chinese species
Chionanthus virginicus and C. retusus
Small spectacular flowering trees, one native to Alabama (also known as Grancy
Greybeard), the other native to Asia.
C. retusus flowers |
Blooms: White to ivory white; native tree has long, fringe-like
flowers; the Chinese fringe has whiter and more compact flower clusters. Both
bloom from late March through mid-April.
Leaves: Fairly broad, forming a dense, rounded canopy.
Height: Old trees to 25 - 30 feet tall, but usually under 15 feet tall
in 10 years.
Soils: Very adaptable once established, tolerating dry to fairly moist
soils. Organic-rich soils produce the best growth.
Light: Adaptable. Blooms best in full sun, but tolerates some
shade.
Uses: As single specimen tree or in groups in the garden. A good
substitute for dogwood.
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Deciduous (honeysuckle) azaleas
Rhododendron sp.
Tall, deciduous azaleas with honeysuckle-like flowers in large ball trusses.
Gulf Coast natives or hybrids.
Blooms: From pink to yellow to white to red, generally mid-March to late
April.
Leaves: Light green, arranged in loose whorls on the branches: branches
are bare of leaves in March.
Height: Older shrubs may become small trees, 12 feet or more in
height.
Soils: Organic rich "azalea" soils, moist but well-drained.
Light: Partial shade, though some species tolerate full sun.
Uses: As large specimen shrubs or small trees. Handsome in large
groupings.
Photos and descriptions
Sweet shrub
Calycanthus florida
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Gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides (specific cultivars)
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Florida leucothoe, Fetterbush
Agarista florida aka Leucothoe florida
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Coreopsis
Coreopsis auriculata
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Chinese foxglove/b>
Rehmannia angulata
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American wisteria
Wisteria frutescens
A spectacular, mannerly native vine that should not be confused with the very
invasive, and more common, Asian wisterias. Native to Gulf Coast.
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Blooms: Fragrant, in foot-long clusters: blue, purple, occasionally
pure white, often with splotches of yellow, red or pink. Blooms after leaves
have emerged in April.
Leaves: Frond-like, delicate, silvery green.
Height: Mature vines to 25 feet.
Soils: Very adaptable, wet to dry.
Light: Full sun produces best blooms, but plant tolerates shade.
Uses: Excellent vines for arbors, pergolas, around porches. Unlike
imported wisterias, it does not become weedy and is easy to control. |
Crossvine
Bignonia capreolata (also known as Antisostichus capreolata)
Evergreen vine, SE native
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Blooms: Bell- or funnel-shaped, yellow-red flowers The showy flowers,
appearing in early spring, are trumpet-shaped, orange or reddish orange, 2"-3"
long and borne in clusters of 2-5
Leaves: Evergreen, shiny elongated leaves.
Soil: Adapts to most soil conditions, but is drought-tolerant
Height: Fast growing. Grows to length of 50ft or more
Light: Filtered shade; part sun; full sun
Uses: Fast growing crossvine, trained to a trellis, makes an
outstanding screen.
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Southern swamp iris or Louisiana iris
Tall iris native to wetlands in the Southeast, including hybrids in many colors
and forms.
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Blooms: Mostly blue to purple, but many spectacular forms range to
white, gold and nearly pure reds, late March through April.
Leaves: Long, strap-shaped, bluish green.
Height: Bloom stalks range from 3 to 6 feet tall, leaves slightly
shorter.
Soils: Rich, moist to wet garden soils. Swamp iris also grows well in
standing water.
Light: Full sun is best, but many varieties grow well in partial
shade.
Uses: Makes sizable clumps in garden borders. Large forms may be used
in place of small shrubs. |
Links to Plant List Pages
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January | February | March | April | May | June |
| July
| August |
September | October | November | December
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|
March Blooming Azaleas | Deciduous
"Honeysuckle" Azaleas | Fall Blooming
Azaleas|
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Japanese Camellias | Crepe Myrtles
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For more information on ReBloom
Mobile and how you can get involved, contact
Mobile Tricentennial Office
(334) 342-4386 or email
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