Gardening and Gardens

Compared to summer's bold riot of colors, spring begins in a slow crescendo of color. Mostly pastels followed by a few brightly colored tulips or daffodils. But for me, the real spring show is the trees. Spring flowering trees are simply magnificent. They bloom before the leaves appear and since so many other "leafy" trees are just starting to break dormancy, their lovely blooms stand out all the more. A quick drive around my neighborhood had me spotting these beauties: Yoshino Cherry Tree (Prunus x yedoensis) A round shape with the palest, almost white flower petals. Saucer Magnolia Tree (Magnolia x soulangeana) Large petaled blossoms flushed with pink, white and hints of purple Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata) One of the first flowering trees to bloom. It's blossoms consist of up to 15 individual white petals, giving the illusion of a star. Flowering Plum Tree (Prunus cerasifera) Small light pink flowers contrast nicely against the burgundy le...

All around me, the trees are in full bloom. Shades of pink and white are lining my street and filling the air with a sweet scent. And while trees are beautiful to admire from across the street, my favorite vantage point is right next to the trunk, looking straight up.  The Bradford Pear tree has clusters of small white flowers and a lovely sweet scent.  I just love the pink flowers against the burgundy leaves of the Plum trees.  The Saucer Magnolia tree usually blooms before the others, but this year, everything is a little off because of the long cold winter we had. Truly a magestic tree in full bloom.  I was lucky enough to have inherited this tree when we bought our house. I'm not sure how old this Weeping Cherry tree is, but it's no youngling. Filled with small, dainty flowers on long, cascading branches, it sways quietly in the breeze and is simply gorgeous.  So next time you see a tree in bloom, get right up under its canopy and look up. It's a view that w...