Mayapples, Primroses, Mauve Rhododendrons, Magnolias, Snowdrops : Waiting for Spring in Mississauga Ontario

Flowers and shrubs in bloom, tamaracks in autumn, a rose garden ready for winter: Selected photos courtesy D. J. Culham, BRGSC Chair and Volunteers Co-ordinator.

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While waiting for this interminable winter to end in Southern Ontario, let's look at pictures of blooms past to brighten these ersatz Spring days.

Mayapples (Podophyllum peltatum) in Brueckner Garden

Mayapples are native to eastern North America,and can be found in the Garden wooded areas. Look for the flower in May, and the 'apple' later in the summer. You may also know it by the name 'Mandrake' or 'hog apple'.

Tamaracks (Larch) in the Fall BRG Lake Ontario

The tamaracks at Brueckner Rhododendron Garden (BRG) can be seen on the south edge close to the Lake Ontario shoreline, south of the Waterfront Trail and east of the bridge.  Already this spring, they are flushed with new growth green, and seem so happy in this location, plans are afoot to add more tamaracks (also known as Larch) this year.

Rose Garden Beds Ready for Winter

Here's a photo from the archives: The Rose Garden all prepped for Winter 2009. Last year - 2010 - volunteers and garden staff transplanted Iceberg and added new roses as well.

Yellow Primroses at Tecumseh Creek BRG

Early each spring, we look for these gorgeous yellow primroses that grow along the banks of Tecumseh Creek, the waterway that bisects the BRG. We looked hopefully last week, but in vain. And this week's snow and cold will only delay all spring blooming plants for a while.

Magnolia in 'Marta's Bed' at BRG Late April 2010

This gorgeous magnolia, a tall one, blooms faithfully each year, half hidden in the back of what we call 'Marta's bed', for Marta Brueckner, who along with her late husband, Dr. Joe Brueckner, donated many of the heritage and hybrid rhododendrons from their private gardens.

Magnolias in Bloom along BRG Garden Path

Several new magnolia trees were transplanted from Hancock Nursery to BRG last spring, close to the larger, more robust white magnolia closest to the path that runs south from the parking lot. The original magnolia at this location can be identified by the memorial plaque placed below it, honoring Dr. Brueckner.

Close up of Mauve Rhododendron Flower

And on to the raison d'etre for the BRG: The rhododendrons, like this gorgeous bloom photographed at peak bloom last year.

Mauve Rhododendron Shrub in Full Bloom

The name of this beauty escapes me, and as soon as I get the name, I will post it here.

Snowdrops at BRG First Blooms in 2011

And while we were disappointed that it was too early in the season for blooming primroses, we were quite chuffed to spot this very healthy clump of snowdrops in the Heritage Garden area, and I took its picture.

 Other early bloomers, though not nearly as robust as these snowdrops, were the valiant few crocuses flashing pale mauve near Godfreys Lane and Lakeshore Road West.

Thanks again to David Culham for brightening these early spring days with memories of the Garden past.

Rhododendrons, Magnolias, Forsythia in Bloom, Rhodos in Bud, Rose Garden, Gardens Tour, and Volunteers Needed!

Spring has Sprung at the BRG in Port Credit, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada! Here's what's new at the BRG this week:

• Rhododendrons, Magnolias, Forsythia in bloom
• Rhododendrons in bud
• Rose Garden Layout
• 2010 Garden Tour May 2010
• Spring bulbs in bloom and bud 
• Volunteers Needed Now, and June 3, 2010

Magnolias Starting to Bloom

Most of the magnolias are still in fuzzy buds, but with a few days of warm weather, they'll be in full flower  soon.
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Magnolia Tree - Brueckner Plaque at Base

The Brueckner memorial magnolia tree is first to bloom (see pictures from last year). Note the white magnolias near here, just south of main parking lot Lakeshore Road west and Shawnmarr Road.

Rhododendron Early Bloomers at the BRG

Mauve Rhododendrons in the Heritage Garden area are in flower behind the split rail fence added last fall to deter dogs from harming the rhodos.

Many dog owners seem to be under the impression that the BRG is a park, and an off-leash one at that. It is not. Nor is the BRG a soccer pitch, a ball park, or any kind of sports field. It is a Garden.

Rhododendron with Forsythia Overlooking Lake Ontario

The early blooming rhodos in the Gardens are a sure sign of spring, and the booming period depends on the temperatures. If the weather stays warm, or gets warmer, then the rhodos (and much else) will bloom earlier; If there is a cold spell over the next few weeks, the blooming will slow down.

Mauve Rhododendrons

More Rhododendrons are in the beds overlooking Lake Ontario. Early blooming rhododendrons are Doricum and Isola Bella.

Rhododendrons the Star Attraction ~ Garden Tour May 30, 2010

Many of the rhodos are in bud now, and seemed to have enjoyed the mild winter. With the garden tour set for May 8 or 9, and if the weather cooperates, there should be many rhodos still in bloom, as well as azaleas. Update: the weather is not cooperating as expected and the shrubs and trees are coming into bloom several weeks ahead of schedule: thus, the rhodo garden tour date has been advanced several weeks.

The View From The Hill ~ Rose Garden Layout Design

The Layout and Design of the Rose Garden is best appreciated before the roses begin to grow and flower. Volunteers will edge the rose beds to delineate paths between beds, and keep the bark mulch away from the plants.

Spring Bulbs in Bloom Throughout Rhododendron Gardens

Look for all the usual spring bulb suspects:  daffodils, tulips, crocuses, snow drops and more throughout the gardens. Stay on the paths and trails, as you might not notice you've crushed a plant until it's too late!

Call for Volunteers at the Gardens June 3 2010
Volunteers -- 9 will do, but more would be nice -- are needed to help plant 1,000 plants and shrubs in the ecoswale in the East Gardens on Thursday, June 3, 2010 (See this post).

If you want to help make Mississauga beautiful, call David 'Sweat Equity' Culham at 905-608-2886 to let him know you are ready to dig in and help out!

Magnolias in Bud, Bloom and Balanced Rocks Lake Ontario

At Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens, the magnolias are in full bloom for this Mother's Day weekend. Here a some pictures taken in the Gardens a few days ago (See pictures 2010 magnolias to date here).

White Magnolia in Bloom at top of path

At the top of the hill, west border of BRG (Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens), this large magnolia is in bloom.

White Memorial Magnolia ~ Brueckner Plaque

Just into the gardens from the parking lot, this white magnolia is marked with a plaque for the late Dr. Joseph Brueckner.

Brueckner Memorial Plaque

Detail of the memorial plaque for Dr. J. Brueckner. Another marker stands close to the rhodos across the path from this view.

Magnolia Bud

Detail of one magnolia just ready to burst into bloom. This bud is from the above small magnolia.

Magnolia Blossoms Close Up

A closer look at the white magnolia blossoms on the memorial tree.

Balanced Rocks Sculpture ~ Lake Ontario

At the south (Lake Ontario) side of the park, someone had taken the time to balance the beach rocks into this Inukshuk. Love it!

More Magnolia pictures from these gardens at Snapshot-Travel.