Before I get into this, I would like to express my sympathy to all the people in my town who suffer with allergies. I know you are suffering greatly this year and I'm sorry for that.
In all other respects, this has been a glorious Spring. I've not experienced one quite like this in all my life. After a long and very cold Winter; one in which many of us wondered would ever end, it turned pleasantly warm, almost overnight. Our night temperatures have been in the 40's mostly since about mid-March (just estimating).
In my experience, the trees usually bloom in succession, with some minor exceptions, first the Bradford Pears, then the Redbuds, then the Dogwoods. Interspersed among those are the flowering fruiting or non-fruiting trees (Plums, Almonds, Peaches, Crabapples, and such). This year has been different. The early flowering trees got a late start and the others were pretty much on time so they almost all bloomed at once. The Bradford Pears were first but just barely and they overlapped with the Redbuds who are blooming simultaneously with the Dogwoods. What a beautiful show! Our own Dogwoods, who seemed to be suffering in years passed, seem much healthier and happier this year. I've been trying to take care of them but I'm not sure I personally have made much of a difference. I think it's just a good year for them because there has been no frost to discourage them.
These flowering shrubs (Bridal Veil Spirea) along the driveway are living their last days. After they finish flowering I plan to pull them out (maybe I'll take some out this year and the rest next year) and replace them with Virginia Sweetspire - a fine native to this area that blooms in summer with fragrant flowers and then has wonderful red foliage in the fall that hangs on well into Winter. It will be shorter and hopefully better suited to this spot.
This is our Peach Tree just beginning to bloom (several weeks ago). It's finished now and full of leaves. Hopefully we'll have some peaches this year!
And finally, here's Abi, looking so big, riding the rocking horse and watching Veggie Tales. She was rather tired and would lay her head down between the horses ears every now and then. Very cute. She has added to the joy of this Spring - she is such a delight.
