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  • Turn over a new leaf…

    April 19th, 2010 by Kristin Green

    Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Red Fox' - KatsuraAcer rubrum 'Franksred' - Red Sunset red mapleCarpinus cordata - Heart-leaf hornbeam (in the nursery  bed)Liriodendron tulipfera - tulip tree

    … and you never know what you might find. If I had to give a reason for why I garden it would have to be because of the new growth on plants. I’m much more fascinated by a baby leaf than almost any bloom. So, this morning to start my week off right, rather than scout for flowers – which I feel like I’ve been doing a lot of lately just to keep up – I focused on the emerging leaves instead. And because there’s poetry in nature, it was a flower that made my day. brand new flower of Davidia involucrata - Dove tree

    I have never seen the dove tree (Davidia involucrata) flower in its infancy before – probably because the tree only goes on my radar when the ghostly pale flower bracts drape the tree in an un-miss-able display around the middle to late May (earlier this year if I had to guess). Now that I know that the bracts around the flowers emerge green and wrinkled with the leaves, I will pay close attention early again next year.

    For those of you who are still on the lookout for daffodils, they may be going by but are still putting on a gorgeous show. And besides all of the flowers on the property there’s so much more to see – especially if you turn over some new leaves.

    daff cam 4-19-10

    2 Responses to “Turn over a new leaf…”

    1. Kathy Tracey Says:

      We must be hardwired for bawdy color, which is why, at first, flowers command our attention. An artistic eye seeks out other interesting tones and forms. Thanks for persuading others to look with fresh eyes at the plants in their gardens .

      Kathy, It’s my pleasure, truly. And to flip the coin again, next up is a post about tulips… Doesn’t get much bawdier than ‘Rococco’! -kris

    2. Layanee Says:

      Very interesting texture and color on this immature flower. You do have an artist’s eye, Kris. I particularly love the small flowers of the large deciduous trees. The flowers of the maples and oaks are lovely aren’t they?

      Layanee, They’re so lovely I can hardly stand it. I think I adore the wee things especially… But then I’m crazy for the gunnera too. -kris

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