Monday, February 20, 2012

A Walk In The Park: Early Bloomers...

When we're not walking in the woods at Le Rustique, we live on a typical city lot with just a postage stamp for a backyard. Years ago we converted what little grass we had back there into an all-brick courtyard reminiscent of the French Quarter in New Orleans. (That project is a story in itself, and maybe someday I can share it with you here.)

When we crave a little more terra than firma, we head to historic Tower Grove Park - this country's most beautiful wooded Victorian walking park, just a block away from our city house

Just like most places this winter, the weather has been unseasonably mild in St. Louis. My magnolia tree in our back yard is in full bud, but some of the magnolia trees in Tower Grove Park are even farther along - way too early.
Though this was taken early last spring, this same tree is already showing its colors - way too early for this
part of the country. It will surely get nipped and deprive us of a full season of beautiful big flowers.
Chances are pretty good that we'll have another frost, and maybe even a hard freeze. If that happens, I sure hope these early bloomers can regroup and become late bloomers for a showy encore.

10 comments:

  1. I have one of these Magnolia Jane trees in my backyard. It blooms late winter, early spring, late spring, summer, fall. It is the craziest and most wonderful tree. It makes me smile.

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  2. They are so beautiful! I do hope they find a way to survive!

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  3. Gorgeous. I've tried to grow a magnolia several times, but I think I keep getting the wrong type for our area.

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  4. i do think we're gonna get walloped with some winter yet - even here in texas.

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  5. All the maple trees here are budding out.
    Those blossoms are very pretty.
    Hope you all have a wonderful day!

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  6. I've seen a few of the ornamental cherries beginning to bloom .... and winter is in the forecast for next weekend ... poor things!

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  7. Hi, I am enjoying my visit with you....we have lots in common.....

    We have magnolia trees here in NC and they are one of my favorites....I am concerned about more cold weather as well and less flowers in the spring as a result.....

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  8. Now that's what I'm talking about...color!

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  9. Our peach tree is starting to bloom and I am very concerned! Though I've missed having a real winter, let's all hope there aren't any hard freezes at this point!

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