Mary Claire Rowe

Last week, on a trip home from Tennessee, my husband and I literally drove into spring.

When we left Nashville, the ornamental and wild pears were in full bloom everywhere - the landscape was white with fragrant blossoms. The air was still chilled a bit and a brisk breeze made it even cooler at times. It was amazing to drive along and see acres of white, blooming trees in all directions.

As we drove south along the Natchez Trace, we began to see redbuds still in bloom and red maples were just beginning to show a hint of red. It was a late winter landscape though, with bare trees.

This allowed a good view of the land along the way. In some places the land encompassing the Trace is narrow, and farms can be seen. In most other areas the forests surround the road and we felt like we were experiencing the land, as it was, when our country was young.

We drove over the highest points of land, and then began the descent to the Tennessee River. There, where we crossed into Alabama, everything changed. A bright flush of spring green leaves covered the woods. In just a few miles, the Trace world changed from brown to green. It was beautiful.

NATIVE MAPLES

Not only were there pears, but the native maples were bright red with their fully opened leaves. Those marvelous woodland floor umbrella plants, May apples (Podophyllum peltatum), were not just up, but were about six inches tall. And nicest of all, the graceful dogwood trees were all in full bloom. The forest was filled with them.

They remind me of ballerinas with arms outstretched, dressed in full gowns, standing on their toes, poised to whirl. Spring had literally sprung in only a mile or so. It was a joyful experience.

Once we returned home, we were delighted to see everything in full bloom.

My neighbors said it happened in about three days. Azaleas, crabapples, lilacs, amaryllis, larkspur, and something I had completely forgotten about, Star of Peru.

Last fall, I found a pot of these bulbs at the grocery in full bloom. I bought them for my mother and aunt, and we all enjoyed their sweet perfume and beautiful blue color and shape for about a week. When they faded, I brought them home and stuck the whole clump into the ground, not giving them another thought.

They look much like the amaryllis and crinum leaves in the bed, so I had not realized they were still there, until I discovered the beginning blossoms on my return.

Also called Cuban or Peruvian, or Caribbean lily, even though they did not come from those areas, and are not lilies, they are named Scilla peruviana. The story goes that in 1753, when Carolus Linnaeus, the father of taxonomy, was naming the plant, he was confused about the place of origin.

He was given a specimen imported from Spain aboard a ship named "Peru." So, even though the plant comes from the western Mediterranean, it bears a name from a different region. Whatever it is named, it is just beautiful, and if it survives the hot summer, which it should, it will be a great addition to local gardens. Plant expert and Master Gardener, Dee Bishop, tells me that hers are in full bloom.

This Scilla is a member of the Hyacinthaceae family, will grow indoors or out, in sandy, well-drained soil. It behaves much like a crinum or amaryllis, keeping green leaves throughout most of the year, only to lose them in the harsh winter. It is drought-tolerant, and is suitable for xeriscaping.

It has average water needs; needing regular watering, but doesn't like to be wet or over-watered. It will self-sow, and can be divided after the blooms finish. It likes fertilizer, after if blooms, and until the leaves turn summer-dormant. It likes full sun to part shade, and will take light shade. It doesn't lend itself to being a cut flower, as when the leaves are cut or bruised they have an unpleasant smell.

It is a beautiful bulb to add to your spring garden repertoire. Think of it in a bed with amaryllis - very pretty!

"What's Blooming In Our Garden'' is a regular feature of the Tyler Morning Telegraph Garden Page. It is written by Mary Claire Rowe, a Master Gardener with the Texas Cooperative Extension, and focuses on flowers and plant life around East Texas. To share your comments on gardening, write her in care of the Morning Telegraph.

Mary Claire Rowe
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