Chanticleer's Dogwood Corner

Chanticleer in April: Walk through the dogwood trees.

My series on Chanticleer continues this week with a look at a garden that epitomizes all that is nice about April!

Spring would not be spring in North America without our native dogwood tree, Cornus florida. Dogwood trees are found in the wild at the edge of the woodland, reaching their branches through dappled sunlight. Chanticleer has sited these dogwood trees close to a woodland, following nature's example (which is usually the wisest idea for any gardener!). Shade plants surround these trees; you might find a few new plants to add around your own dogwood tree for next spring!

Cornus florida flowering above a tapestry of flowers: Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) and just-blooming foam flower (Tiarella cordifolia River Series).

Cornus florida, Mertensia virginica and Tiarella cordifolia River Series.

Glistening white dogwood flowers over foam flower, Tiarella cordifolia River Series.

This is an incredible display of Tiarella cordifolia! Our tour guide (and fellow blogger) Carolyn said that these foam flower are from the newly bred 'River Series' by Sinclair Adams. The grooved bark of the Shagbark hickory tree (Carya ovata) is a beautiful foil for this sea of white.

On our way down the hill to the Cutting garden, we saw this enormous stand of pink bleeding hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) and variegated Solomon's seal (Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum'). Garden bliss!

A view to a group of trees in this area with a more pastoral mood. Daffodils are just out of flower in this area.

Deep purple Geranium 'Springtime' and a pink, candy-striped foam flower similar to Tiarella 'Pink Skyrocket.'

Under the pink-flowering dogwood, white Trillium grandiflorum is spreading nicely, along with a bit of Phlox divaricata.

If you are making a visit to Chanticleer this spring, look for this garden at the bottom of the hill from the Entrance house, just past the Cutting garden.

Purple-leaved Geranium maculatum 'Espresso' under the Cornus with Heuchera, ferns and Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica).

Cornus florida, Mertensia virginica and Tiarella cordifolia River Series.

See more of the Chanticleer Series on WMG!