March is one my favorite months in Hoover Alabama, Every day is a new experience.  Two weeks ago we had snow and now the buds are coming out on the trees.  Driving down Shades Crest Road the Red Buds and Forsythia, which bud out in flowers before leaves are EVERYWHERE.

They are called Red Buds and some of the plants have a red colored flower, but most of them are Purple.  They are tall trees with thin twisted branches and can grow in the shade of other trees.

The Forsythia are bushes and if not trimmed back, have a wild free flowing look.  They are yellow or white and look great in the spring.  They make a nice hedge row along a fence or a beautiful focal point plant. The young ones have only a few wirery branches and mature plants can be ten feet tall.  Once the blooms are gone green leaves take their place.  I moved into a house once and before I knew what it was, trimmed it back into a nice round bush - it ruined the plant and never looked right.

Another flowering tree with white buds in full bloom is the Bradford Pear. About ten years ago these were the tree of choice when putting a tree in the front yard in a new subdivision.  They also line boulevards in many parts of town.

These three trees is a sure sign that spring is here.  Take a drive down Shades Crest Rd, and South Shades Road and you'll see lots of these flowering trees and bushes.

Hoover Alabama is a wonderful place to live.  In spring the hillsides are alive with color.  If you would like to Buy A Home in Hoover, Alabama, or the greater Birmingham area, let me help.  You can reach me at my website www.ToniBird.com.