Warm Weather Starts the Dogwood Blooms

Posted by wilde on April 27th, 2009 — Posted in Vegetable

The unseasonably warm weather, about 20 degrees above normal, has probably pushed the development of some plants a little faster than more typical blustery cool weather of spring. The last four days have been very hot in the afternoons, like 90 degrees or more, and the nights only down to 60 degrees. The cherry tree leaves developed quickly and the petals of the white cherry blossoms have mostly fallen away. The weather has been very warm, and windy, too.

Dogwood trees started blooming today. Pictures to come.

Rue anenome showing more individual plants than previous years down along the right side of the lane across from the raspberries by the pond. Violets out in large numbers at the pond and all along the lane. Most trees at least starting to bud out, the woods are getting greener now.

Moss peony has four blooms that have not yet opened. I’ve watered it in the evenings as after the first real hot day it was quite wilted by the afternoon sun. A rhododendron that gets morning sun is in full bloom, while a large one in the filtered shade of the trees has no blooms to show.

The purple tulips are open now for a couple days, but the white tulips (they’re planted together) are just now reaching their flowers buds higher, but not yet opening them.

A couple blooming wild weeds that I found in a neighbor’s lawn include the blue and white common speedwell and the purple gill-over-the-ground, which were both flowering profusely.

Wild Cherry Trees Blooming in Pennsylvania

Posted by wilde on April 23rd, 2009 — Posted in Vegetable

Looking around the mountain we see the red and sugar maples are sprouting leaves, the four-year-old lilac finally has one bloom, and Northern Downy violets are opening along the lane and at the edge of the open woods. Sassafras trees are almost ready to bloom, their blossoms getting bigger by the day.

Cherry trees blooming fully as of today – the sun has helped to bring them out. (Photos taken 22 April 2009.)

Cherry trees in full bloom.

Cherry trees in full bloom.

Wild cherry blossoms getting ready to open.

Wild cherry blossoms getting ready to open.

Not the black cherry though, it’s flowers are just in bud formation and probably won’t open for another week or so.

Black cherry flower buds.

Black cherry flower buds.

A few wild weeds that are blooming now include the purple gill-over-the-ground, the yellow mustard, and the white chickweed, strawberry, garlic mustard, and Pennsylvania bittercress. The greenery of pink lady’s slipper is now emerging from the cold ground, showing an inch or so of their hairy, succulent leaves.