last day of...winter?

Today, the last day of winter, temperatures will reach the mid-eighties in middle Tennessee. Forecasts for the first day of spring are 85 degrees. It would seem we have moved from a mild winter directly into summer. Except that my allergies are feeling every bit a Tennessee spring, the pollen count is 333.

Over the weekend I planted a second blueberry, Jersey. And weeded for an hour, mulched, and watered. I also discovered in my evidently too 'secret' garden that the Epimediums are in full bloom! The packed garden center was a welcome site indeed. By all accounts, spring has sprung!

Blue Suede Blueberry

At a continuing education conference this week at the University of Georgia, I obtained lots of good stuff: new landscape design knowledge, signed copies of Vince Dooley’s books, and a new blueberry bush! Vaccinium x ‘Blue Suede’ is a new highbush variety introduced by UGA which boasts large, early ripening fruit and the ability to self-pollinate.

While ideal for edible gardens, blueberries also do well among other acid loving plants such as Rhododendrons, Camellias, and Hollies. Other native highbush blueberries that do well in our area include: Blue Jay, Jersey, Legacy, Patriot, and Sunshine. A few of these varieties are currently available at local garden centers.

Between the spring flowers, summer fruit, and outstanding red fall color, Blue Suede will provide three seasons of interest in the garden. Researchers anticipate it will perform well in zones 6a-9a. (Most of Tennessee is now squarely in zone 7a, according to the new USDA Hardiness map). Now I just have to find a sunny spot to place the new addition!

Image is from the American Society of HorticulturalScience