Redbud

Another long-time favorite is the redbud, or Eastern Redbud.  It blooms about midway between the Bradford Pears and the Dogwoods, so it shares Spring splendor with both of them.  Early buds have a red appearance (hence the name), then bloom into petite bright lavender blossoms in early to mid-April.

Pink Dogwood

I also love the pink dogwood!  Together, the pink and white, blooming alongside the azaleas, makes for the perfect Southern landscape!  A MUST for my dream yard!!

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Dogwood Tree

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't mention a long-time favorite that I have known for most of my life - the Dogwood, dear to every native Georgian heart.  I played inside their foliage as a child - it makes a perfect playhouse, with an open area around the trunk while the branches leaf out almost to the ground all around as it matures.  Mid-spring blooming season (after the Bradford Pears, which are the early spring bloomers), usually bloom around mid- to late April, although this year was unusual - the groundhog was spot-on with his prediction of an early spring this year!  It got warm around February 9, and except for a few cool fronts, spring was here to stay!  (It has not dipped below freezing since then!!).  So everthing bloomed early this year - the Bradford pears actually started budding in February, bloomed in March, and the dogwoods started blooming in late March!

Kwanzan Flowering Cherry Tree

I have admired this tree for many years without knowing what it was.  Finally, this past week, while at my parents', my Mom discovered the name - Kwanzan Cherry.  It is easily the most beautiful pink-flowering tree in the Southeast, beginning its blooming season alongside the Bradford Pears and continuing the display beautiful clusters of pink blossoms, resembling carnations, until the dogwoods are blooming with them!  A must-have for my dream home....