County Extension

We have been on a roller coaster ride this year with April temperatures in February and February temperatures in April. Even with the crazy fluctuations, our spring blooming plants are still putting on a grand show. And, nothing says “it’s spring” quite like the annual Master Gardener Plant Sale at New Hanover County Arboretum. This year’s event is Thursday through Saturday, April 20-22, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 23, from noon to 5 p.m. 

Flowering dogwood, one of the superstars of the spring flower show, is taking center stage. The excitement over this small tree is understandable, but, before you decide to plunk down the cash to add one to your landscape, remember our official state flower can be a bit of a diva.

You’ve probably heard that dogwood was the wood of choice for the cross used to crucify Jesus. That’s a good story but, based on the horticulture, highly unlikely. Flowering dogwood is an understory tree that would never be considered for timber.

Spring is a time of transition in the garden as the cold and wind of March give way to the pleasant temperatures and light breezes of April. Milder temperatures of the last couple of days have kicked the flower show up a notch as the flowering dogwoods and azaleas take center stage. This is truly a glorious time in the garden.
My retirement from North Carolina Cooperative Extension is official. Stepping away on April Fool’s Day was certainly appropriate.

New landscape projects may be on the top of your list as spring fever progresses through the population. It will continue unabated until June’s mid-90’s temperatures have us scurrying for the beach or the a/c. Projects range from the simple “spruce up” to elaborate redesigns.

If you like the basics of your garden, just freshen the bed edges and add new mulch. Crisp edges where the lawn meets the beds and along sidewalks and driveways really make a difference.