I’ve hesitated to believe it, and in a moment I’ll show you why. I know we’re not out of the woods yet as far as winter weather goes, but we’ve had so many days in a row of unbelievably gorgeous spring weather that I can’t help but believe spring is really here. I smelled freshly cut grass on Tuesday. A sure sign of spring in this part of the world.
And like everyone else in the internet universe, I’ve got pictures of my spring flowers. I will refrain from posting pictures of the daffodils. It’s not easy. They’re among my very favorite flowers. But everyone else has already shown them to you, and you’ve probably got a yard full of them yourself. If not, email me. I’ll work with you to get some in this fall so you can enjoy them a year from now. Trust me, it’s worth it.
We’ve got quince. It was there when we moved in, but if it hadn’t been, I’d plant it. Actually, maybe I should plant more. It’s a gorgeous plant with flowers this time of year, and it even produces edible fruit in the fall. If you don’t want to pick them and then make them into pie or preserves, the animals in your neighborhood will probably want the fruit. Here’s a pic of the flowers.
And a tulip. Yeah, tulips are prevalent, but isn’t this a great color?
Some other things you might not have seen? How about grape blossoms? They’ll be more open in another couple days, but this is how they look today. Did you know grapes have blossoms? In the fall I’ll share a grape pie recipe I love. I know, probably most people have never considered eating grapes in pie, but it’s really good.
Redbud? This is Eastern Redbud. When the tree gets bigger, the blossoms line the branches, so when you see them in bloom alongside the road, it’s a tree outlined in magenta, and it’s gorgeous.
And finally, why I won’t take any of this for granted. This was April 24, (yes, today) 2005. This was roughly 8″ of snow after a few days of tantalizing spring. It was pretty, but I’m supremely glad it’s not snowing today.
April 25th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Oh, those look so pretty!!! I’m living vicariously through your flowers.
I never knew quince were so pretty. If asked if quince grew on a flowering vine, I would have answered no. Maybe that’s why I never made it on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire…
April 25th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Don’t you have pretty flowers too? I’ll post another garden photo post a little later in spring once the lilacs, rhododendrons, peonies, lilies and irises start to bloom.
Quince are gorgeous - and it’s more a shrub (a huge shrub if you don’t prune it) than a vine. And it’s got enormous thorns, so it’s a good choice for below a bedroom window.
April 25th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
We have cactus blooming right now. Pretty, but I miss the lilacs and the poppies and the roses and the tulips and the irises and the… you get the point. Hmm. I wonder if quince would grow in the desert. Food and home protection all wrapped up in one? Yahtzee!
April 25th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Um. What kind of grape? You could be the first wiffer with your own label. Then you could write your own wine notes! True fiction.
Don’t you just love Paris? I was firm in my resolve that I was going to hate Paris and all things French when my wife first dragged me there. Parisians are arrogant awful people was the rumor. Half a day later, I couldn’t wait to see around the next corner. The biggest lie of all it that Parisians are awful. Direct perhaps, but the locals I dealt with were quite helpful and appreciative when I was at least a little polite in their language.
I’m rambling off topic, sorry. CYA
April 25th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Pam - I do know what you mean. I’d miss all those things too. If you want food and home protection, you could always plant prickly pear cactus.
Mac - Hi! They’re concord grapes. I’m guessing they wouldn’t make great wine? But I”ve never made wine. Maybe I should try this fall. I also want to plant another 2-3 grape vines on the back fence. I wonder what my options would be for good growing and good wine? Something I may have to consider. And I do absolutely love Paris. I wish we could go back ASAP, but that seems unlikely this year. I’m with you - every local we met was helpful and polite. Some were downright friendly. I realized recently that all those pictures are from our second trip. For our first, we had only a film camera with us, horror of horrors! When I dig out and scan those pics I’ll have a second Paris post, including a funny story with one local, so stay tuned.
April 26th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Those are gorgeous! And, yes, others in the blogosphere are posting pictures of flowers, but how can we possibly get enough of such beauty? I especially loved the grape flowers, because I’d never seen them before.
April 26th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
I may post more of them as they open. Got to check them tomorrow.