Happy April Fool's Day! While some may be playing April fool's jokes on others, up here at the Garden we're not foolin' around one bit, our flowers mean business.

Pink Forsythia (Abeliophyllum distichum 'Roseum')

Every square inch of Pink Forsythia is covered in flowers, and is one of the first shrubs to bloom at the Garden.

Panchito Manzanita (Arctostaphylos x coloradoensis 'Panchito')

This low-growing evergreen can be found cascading over the rock wall on the Sprout House roof and in the Water Conservation Garden.

Purple Bird Fumewort (Corydalis 'Purple Bird')

Like its cousin in last week's blog, this cultivar blooms very early. You can only find this diminutive spring gem in the Gravel Garden section of the Water Conservation Garden.

Toyo Nishiki Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles speciosa 'Toyo Nishiki')

Kept warm by the radiant heat of a rock wall in the Rose Garden, this 'Toyo Nishiki's flowers open white with shades of pink.

Giant Japanese Butterbur (Petasites japonicus var. giganteus)

Now that the Children's Garden is open again, keep an eye open for these baseball-size flower clusters at the north entrance of the Butterfly Walk.

Ice Follies Daffodil (Narcissus 'Ice Follies')

Get ready to get ready!

The Daffodils have officially started. The Four Seasons Garden is the place to start your Daffodil viewing. Within the next couple of weeks, they will be open in nearly every garden area.

Photos by Mary Jo Dalton and Jason W. Baker