We just returned from a three-week trip to the U.S., Belgium, and France. There was amazingly great weather everywhere, and I think we walked several miles every day. I hope I can sort out all the photos I took of spring landscapes while it’s still spring.
We spent three days in Madison, Wisconsin, where the temperatures were in the 70s. Of course, we had to visit the beautiful Olbrich Botanical Gardens just to enjoy the warm sun.
I wasn’t really expecting to be wowed at the end of winter, but the blond grasses, red, coral, and yellow dogwoods, and white birches put on a gorgeous display.
This is winter bloodtwig dogwood or Cornus sanguinea ‘Winter Beauty.’
Below are red osier dogwoods or Cornus stolonifera among a variety of grasses.
Above, the pavilion of the Thai Garden glitters in the background.
Bordering the Perennial Garden, shown above, are the Sedge and Prairie Dropseed Meadows — examples of alternatives to the typical lawn — shown below.
The Birch Walk, below, features 100 native paper birches.
enclos*ure 
I’m always amazed at the color in dogwoods, but you have shown a great variety of color and texture – not the boring dull end of winter colors we expect. Thanks for sharing! Terri
I almost gasped when we turned a corner at Olbrich and saw all the grasses and dogwoods. It was really beautiful.