Rita, I don't know how this relates between our areas and bloom times, (except that ours is very early this year), but we had no colder than a zone 7 winter this year. My Cardoons survived without cover, and that's not supposed to happen either.
Janice, beautiful! The 5th picture is something I keep trying for, and haven't yet attained...what a full and lovely effect!
Susan, your Cherry is beautiful. Mine is blooming now, too. This is our best year ever for tree blossoms, since the buds didn't get hit with a "late" frost.
Here's the Weeping Higan.
