This spring I decided to take a picture every few days of one particular stem on our lilac bush. I got lucky and picked the right one because that one ended up blooming. :-)

Japanese Barberry
Berberis thunbergii

Japanese barberry is an invasive plant. The seeds are spread over long distances by birds.

• Family: Barberry (Berberidaceae)
• Habitat: woods, thickets, pastures
• Height: 2-6 feet
• Flower size: 1/4 inch across
• Flower color: yellow
• Flowering time: April to May
• Origin: Japan

Viburnum

This is a shrub or bush. There are aprox. 120 species in this family and the plant can reach heights of 2-30 feet tall. Most are in the 4-6 foot range.

Viburnums are off white flowers in the summer and produce berries in the fall.