Monday, April 28, 2008

Blooms & Buds

On Sunday morning I saw the first of the serviceberry blossoms in full bloom. By late afternoon, the whole tree was bursting with the delicate white flowers. I chose the serviceberry for my garden because it is among the first things to flower in spring. By June, it should be covered in berries and in fall its leaves will turn various shades of bright orange, red, and yellow. I planted it in early summer last year so I was able to enjoy the fall foliage show but this is the first time I'm seeing the blooms. They are a most welcome sight.

Serviceberry blossoms are said to be somewhat short-lived. It's a good thing then that the buds of the newly planted Eastern Redbud are plumping up quite nicely. The outstanding colour was a definite factor in choosing the redbud. Its early bloom time was another. After a dark, dreary winter, one grows impatient for some spectacular colour in the garden. Growing conditions were another factor. Based on my internet research, the redbud is considered an understory tree. It can tolerate the shade cast by taller surrounding trees. This redbud will be growing in the shade cast by a very tall, very imposing maple. It will get morning light and then another blast of sunshine in late afternoon. The redbud, like the serviceberry, is a native tree. I'm trying to plant more and more natives. So far, they look great and the wildlife seem to like it too. I think the birds are looking especially happy this year.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's good to see some blooms that are about pace with mine. All those southern bloggers have been showing off stuff that is a month away for us!

O.I.M said...

i know what you mean, jim...I love purple coneflowers and some are in bloom way down south. Mine are just poking through the ground and the blooms aren't expected until July!!!! Argghh!
Irena

Anonymous said...

On the plus side, when they have their "brown" season, we'll be at our most lush. Welcome trade-off I think.

O.I.M said...

i'll take that trade-off, jim.
irena