Osoberry Flowers

The last days of winter were cold. So cold, it felt like winter was just beginning rather than ending. In spite of the cold temperatures, many plants forged ahead to assure me that spring was indeed just around the corner. For example, Osoberry a native shrub, is blooming now.

Osoberry is a large shrub that grows along the rivers, streams and lakes in the South Sound. It is a very common shrub that you may notice even growing along roadsides. Osoberry is the first native shrub to bloom each year; its small white flowers are always welcome. The blooming Osoberry tells me that spring has arrived.

 After the Osoberry, red flowering currant is the next native plant to bloom. The flowers of the red flowering currant are an important source of nectar for the hummingbirds that visit Washington each year. It appears that hummingbirds synchronize their schedules with the appearance of the red flowering currant and salmonberry flowers. I rarely notice the hummingbirds until the red flowering currants begin to bloom.  Is it possible that the hummingbirds time their arrival to coincide with the blooming cycle of this native shrub?

Red Flowering Cuurant

Very adaptable, red flowering currant tolerates a variety of soils including heavy clay.  It blooms prolifically when planted in a sunny location, but it also tolerates light shade. The striking raspberry-red flowers attract lots of attention in any garden.  Most nurseries sell out of this native shrub each year. If you want to plant one in your garden this spring, be sure to buy one soon before they sell out.  Nurseries also sell a white flowering currant called ‘Icicle’ that is also popular, but I am not sure it will attract hummingbirds. Red and white flowering currants are large shrubs growing quickly to 8 feet tall and wide

 Another early blooming shrub is flowering quince.  A favorite of hummingbirds, flowering quince blooms four to six weeks.  Flowering quince is an ‘old fashion’ plant. You are more likely to find it growing in your grandmothers gardens rather than our own gardens. Many varieties of quince are large, growing ten to twelve feet tall and wide. However, smaller compact varieties are now available. Flowers vary in color from red to reddish orange to salmon.

 If you are like me and crave shrubs that bloom early to reassure you that spring is still on schedule, add red flowering currant and quince to your garden. Other early blooming plants include camellia, forsythia, hellebore and the wonderfully fragrant evergreen clematis. 

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