Magnolia Virginia (Bay magnolias) and Persea Palustris (swamp bay) have been blooming for a couple of weeks. The air smells like roses. Our main flow has begun with the addition of privet, saw palmetto, and Richardia Scabrosa (mexican clover) is beginning to flower on the ground.
This winter has been too dry, and the 17 degree cold snap last winter affected the early carolina laurel, citrus trees, and lemon verbena hedges. Many citrus were lost, and if saved, only with about 25% of their canopies. Bees seem slow to build up.