Spring is not typically known for its subtlety around these parts, but upon its early awakening many plants warrant a closer look. Enjoy!

1)  Acer palmatum ‘Katsura’                     Katsura Maple

• One of the first Japanese maples to leaf out each spring. The small, five-lobed leaves emerge pale yellow-orange, with brighter orange margins.
• Found in the semi-dwarf group of Japanese maples.
• Specimen 19-10*A is located in grid 30-4E.

2)  Ginkgo biloba                     Maidenhair Tree

• Emerging leaves are “mini-mes” of the actual size.
• Also seen are emerging male cones.
• This sample is taken from the Graham Visitor Center specimen located in the northwestern corner of the parking lot.

3)  Larix laricina                     Tamarack or Eastern Larch

• Deciduous conifer native to eastern North America
• Cutting sample shows newly emerging needles and last year’s cones.
• Specimen is located in grid 33-5W, Pinetum.

4)  Photinia beauverdiana var. notabilis

• Rose family deciduous shrub from China
• Hairy, white newly-emerging leaves and flowers on cutting sample
• Specimen is located in grid 33-5W, Pinetum.

5)  Ribes sp. (maybe R. menziesii)                     Gooseberry (maybe Canyon Gooseberry)

• Though this Ribes sp. has not been positively ID’d, it is indeed a gooseberry because it has spines.
• Not the eye-catching Ribes sanguineum flowers, but beautiful nevertheless.
• Thicket is located behind the Stone Cottage.