The opening of the hoop houses along with the arrival of new trees herald spring at Rich's Foxwillow Pines. Many of the new conifer arrivals have already pushed out new growth, some in light green and others in yellow. What a stunning contrast against the darker greens!

Taxus baccata 'Amersfoort'

Pinus pumila 'Dwarf Blue' new growth & inflorescence

Pinus contorta 'Taylor's Sunburst'

Young cones developng on conifers create a show of their own, such as the pink-red cones of Picea abies 'Acrocona' and its little witches' broom 'Pusch'.

Picea abies 'Acrocona' & 'Pusch'

Ginkgo biloba buds are fascinating to watch as they swell and open, each day revealing more of the expanding leaves. 
 

Ginkgo biloba 'Princeton Sentry' bud bursting open

 A walk through the nursery reveals swollen buds on deciduous trees like Japanese maples and beeches, and hints of green jutting out of conifer buds that are ready to burst open with new growth. Some trees and shrubs like lilacs and willows are already leafing out. Each tree offers a unique glimpse of that glory of nature that is spring.