Summerville Journal Scene
one of the most elegant.
“Unless we have some kind of crazy weather, we are going to have one of the premiere blooming seasons we’ve had in years,” says Mike Hinson, Summerville Parks and Recreation director.
Blooms are already showing a fair amount of color.
“I haven’t seen things like crab apples this prolific in years. Fruit trees require a certain amount of cold weather to set the fruit buds and we had cold weather this winter. As a result they are blooming really well, as well as the other plants too,” Hinson said.
One of the earliest bloomers is the flowering cherry.
“Frank Cuthbert, who is no longer with us, found those plants. We have some in Azalea Park, Sheppard’s Park and at the Saul Alexander Playground. The bloom features a delicate but deep magenta blossom.
Japanese apricot trees with their small delicate pink and white blooms are shaping up and visible in homeowners yards. Wisteria is beginning to bloom and Carolina Jessamine is showing itself well, according to Hinson.
A few early varieties of azalea are peaking through; among the earliest is Elegance.
“There is a host of varieties of azaleas. Daily I see more and more color emerging,” he says. A bush very visible this spring in neighborhoods all over the area is the Loro Petalum – a low-growing plant that is becoming very popular. The bloom is a feathery deep pink.
“There is no real disease or pest that bothers it and there are two different varieties some like small trees and others small bushes. There is also a white variety that is not as common. I saw one yard with both in the same container that created a nice look,” he says.
The blight that has stunted the blooms of dogwoods in recent years is still taking a toll, particularly on older specimens that are commonly seen in rights-of-way and parks.
“I’ve seen some blooms that look like they might be perfect and others show the effects of the virus. There is not really much cure for it,” Hinson says.
He suggests that replacing some of the aged plants with a younger crop and new strains might help eliminate the problem.
But most of all Hinson wants to welcome everyone to Summerville.
“I hope those who are here enjoy the beautiful spring God has given us,” he says.
Among the local azalea favorites are:
G. G. Gerbing, a medium size white bloom, adds great show to any garden. Good examples are in many yards, in Azalea Park behind Bethany United Methodist Church in Summerville and in Cypress Gardens.
Coral Bells is a small-leafed compact evergreen azalea with pink hose-in-hose blossoms in April. A hose-in-hose azalea is one for which every trumpet-shaped flower has a second trumpet-flower inside it. The Coral Bells variety is also known as Daybreak & Pink Beauty.
A softer lavender azalea, the George L. Tabor, puts out a pastel bloom with a splotched deep purple throat. It is reminiscent of an orchid in shape and effect. It’s a good addition to any landscape and can grow about eight feet tall.
President Clay with its brick red blooms are putting on the best show this week with their full bushes lining the Azalea Park sidewalks that run parallel to Main Street.
Formosa azaleas may be one of the most popular because of their hardiness, but they also put on one of the best shows. With medium to large brilliant magenta blooms and full bushes, they are a favorite in large parks and gardens.
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