My usual gift to my wife is the sweetly scented hyacinth. The flowers won't bloom outdoors for another month or so but inside we can enjoy their fragrance then plant them in the ground after their foliage fades to enjoy again next year.I took two more pictures, one with the flash and the other without. It's amazing how different resulting colors can be.
The other plant is nothing other than a good ole' dogwood tree! Cornus florida is common around here but it's value as an ornamental tree and as a wildlife nourishing tree sure makes it worth planting. Especially so when you consider that I'm going to get to replace a smelly old invasive Bradford pear tree!!! Can you tell that I don't like them? ;)
Here's the actual dogwood tree and not just a picture from the plant tag. When choosing the right the dogwood I was looking for a tree with nice branching for plenty of flowers and foliage. Many of the short lower branches will need pruned later as the tree grows.
Together we'll enjoy flowers now and later!
Sure beats a dozen long stemmed roses doesn't it?
Don't forget to join Carol for Garden Blogger's Bloom Day!