Spiraea prunifolia (bridal wreath spiraea)
Spring equinox. Sunday (March 20, 2016) at 12:30 a.m. EDT
A week of spectacular weather, sunny and warm, encouraged the garden deeper into bloom.
Spirea, an old-fashioned passalong, could hold back no longer. This shrub disappointed last year but has redeemed itself with a dazzling pageant.
Spiraea prunifolia (bridal wreath spiraea)
The branches are laden with flowers.
Spiraea prunifolia (bridal wreath spiraea)
Spiraea prunifolia (bridal wreath spiraea)
Early blooming King Alfred were followed by Tete-a-tete daffodils. Both quickly finished their bright yellow displays for this spring once the temperatures increased. Fortunately the appearance of the white flowers of Narcissus ‘Thalia’ made a well-timed replacement.
Narcissus ‘Thalia’ (Thalia Daffodil)
I love white in the garden, but there is color as well.
What for weeks seemed like blooms on Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’ actually are variegated bracts. Recently, deep red, tiny flowers have been exposed.
Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’ (Ascot Rainbow Spurge)
Multicolored pansies, planted in fall around the meditation circle, are filling out.
Pansies in Meditation Circle
Anemone coronaria began flowering before Christmas but now are growing more vigorously. The blue-violet ‘Mr. Fokker’ is my favorite.
Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’
Another old-fashioned garden staple, Phlox subulata (Moss Phlox) will soon decorate several of the borders.
Phlox subulata (Moss Phlox)
The last frost day in piedmont North Carolina is mid-April, but spring has been set in motion.
pbmGarden 
‘Thalia’ is a stunner! And it looks like Spiraea did indeed redeem itself. Spring is in full bloom in your garden. Enjoy!
Thanks Beth. Happy spring to you!
I love that you highlight pass a long plants Susie and your Spirea is beautiful. I really like white too and in the early Spring light before the summer burns it out white is often at its best.
Those passalongs hold such special memories. White blooms seem so fresh–you’re right about the light in spring. Happy spring Julie!
The Spiraea is a wonderful sight Susie and is perfect with the Thalia. Enjoy spring!
Happy Spring to you Christina! The spiraea fills the view from my upstairs window and makes me smile!
Your Spiraea is simply beautiful 🙂
Thank you, it may be giving the best display ever. Happy spring!
The spiraea is fantastic and I love your close-up shots of it. Thalia is such a pretty daffodil, it is one of my favs. Spring has definitely come in glorious colour to your garden.
The spiraea has made my week. Loving the way it lights up the garden. Have a good spring!
Beautiful! Happy first day of spring!
Hope we have a nice extended spring Marian, but already have had some near-80 days. Enjoy!
Beautiful on this first day of spring. 🙂
Thanks Judy! Happy spring!
What a marvellous start to Spring! It is still quite chilly here. Some near-80 days would be rather pleasant!
The warm weather was nice! We’re back in the 50s this weekend and it’s gray, but 80s predicted again later in the week.
Your spring blooms are a beautiful delight. Happy first day of spring!
Thanks Lee. Happy spring to you too!
Your Spiraea is so gorgeous. Happy spring!
Thanks, happy spring to you too. I’m happy to be on this side of winter.
What a beautiful Spiraea. Happy spring Susie!
Thanks Cathy. The Spiraea is cheering me up immensely with its enthusiastic blooms.
I hope our spiraea blooms as well as yours!
Hope so too Brian. One of the best displays in a long time here.
Spring is giving you much to celebrate.
What a great time of year!
Oh my that spirea is incredible….and seeing pansies makes me feel like dancing!
Dancing is a good thing! The spirea is the best it’s been in years.
That spiraea bridal wreath is stunning. I can just see the leaves starting to open on ours now. Looking forward to spring and some warmer weather to bring out the flowers.
Thanks, the spiraea was so disappointing last year but made up for it completely this spring. Wishing you that warmer weather and lots of flowers.