Everything seems to be on fast-forward now. We had the weirdest early spring I can remember (April was more like winter than March was), and now all the plants are catching up. In a rare display of florescence (floriferousnous? blooms on steroids?), the Crabapples, Redbuds, Lilacs, and some Magnolias were all blooming at the same time last week.
At the UW-Madison Arboretum's Longenecker Garden, which has one of the largest displays of Lilacs in the world, it was like a symphony of sights, scents, and even sounds. One woman sitting on a bench was quietly singing a lovely song.
This is old news now--sadly, many of these trees have lost their blooms. But it was splendid while it lasted. Here, in no particular order, are some highlights.
Just fabulous! It was much the same here. We waited for what seemed like forever and then Spring was here and gone in a matter of days. I have two azaleas side by side, pinky red and orange, which usually bloom a month apart. This year they decided to do a double act. Ouch!
ReplyDeleteIt's a blessing and a curse, isn't it? The blessing is that the show is spectacular when it happens. The curse is that you have to wait so long, and then it's over in a flash. This post seems so out of date, and this particular flower explosion happened only about 10 days ago.
DeleteWhat a magnificent display. The smell almost oozed out of the computer. This has been an awful spring. There are lovely highlights but as a whole it has been painful.
ReplyDeleteYes, the scent was incredible. I could have stayed there all day, if I didn't have deadlines waiting for me back at "the office." I agree: The spring has been so, so weird. Not much spring. Too much winter. Summer too early. I'm hoping the summer will be a little more "normal."
DeleteGlorious . . .
ReplyDeleteThe flowering trees this year have been the prettiest ever!
I agree: I guess the wait was worth it, although it started too late and was over in a flash. Record-setting heat here across the big lake from you. I'm guessing your Memorial Day weekend was hot over in Michigan, too?
DeleteGorgeous Beth. A real celebration of spring.
ReplyDeleteIt was beautiful. Sadly, long gone now. We're full-throttle into summer now!
Deletefabulous all these blooms on steroids - ha ha but I see what you mean Beth. There has been a lot of catching up for plants this year and now they seem to be rushing ahead of themselves. I like my lilacs in lilac best of all - one of those scents that go to my head. Pretty leaves too but bush itself often looks rather straggly with insufficient pruning - bet the folk in Longenecker Garden know how to do it!
ReplyDeletep.s. on this post comments are restricted to Google Account only - not sure why
Thanks for the note about the Google/Blogger thing. It seems they've changed the settings and restricted the options, which is frustrating. Long story, but I changed the settings. I'm glad you let me know. :) There is nothing like the sweet scent of Lilacs in bloom! I've finally gotten to the point where I feel like I can prune our Lilacs pretty well, and then I pray that the rabbits won't chew off the bottom branches too much. ;-)
DeleteWhen I lived in Rochester, NY, (aka Flower City) they had a lilac festival as they had quite a collection. I noticed a couple of lilacs at the Arb with names related to Rochester. Speaking of crazy weather, yesterday I heard two flocks of geese fly by. Did not see them so could not tell if it was the same group going back the way they came!
ReplyDeleteInteresting about the Lilac connection. If I'm ever in Rochester at the right time, I'll check it out, although I rarely want to travel in May...or June, July, August, September, or October. LOL. Madison, IMHO, is unequaled during those months. In winter, not so much. ;-) (Although I make travel exceptions for the Fling.)
DeleteAbsolutely beautiful!! We hit 90 Wednesday and Thursday, my tulips wilted. ;-( just a wee hot for May in Northern Wisconsin.
ReplyDeleteJust a wee hot in the entire Midwest lately! We were in the 90s for the past few days, too, and we broke some records. Goodbye, spring blooms. :(
DeleteOh! And what beautiful moments they were! That first magnolia is pure poetry.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marian. Sometimes those moments in time make our hearts sing, don't they? :) I've posted about the Magnolias at Longenecker before. They are special, indeed.
DeletePretty in pink--and lavender. Beautiful! I agree with Lisa, one can almost breathe in the scents.
ReplyDeleteYes, that was the color scheme a few days ago. Now, we've launched full speed into summer, and we're already breaking heat records. Weird, weird spring. But some of the days, like the day I visited the Arb, have been pretty special.
DeleteWhat an incredible display.....I was sad to see things blooming so fast here as the heat is upon us, but as you said grab the moments while you can.
ReplyDeleteYes, the moments are certainly fleeting this year. I'd like a little slow motion for a while. ;-)
DeleteOh my gosh...I have NEVER seen that deep raspberry color in a lilac before! At our Lilac Farms just north of Portland, we have many stunning shades (and at home I have various lavenders, deep purples all the way down to the lighter shades and cream to white...but never that stunning raspberry. What gorgeous photographs you have taken! Spring has been lovely in the Pacific Northwest, we have our vegetable garden in already. Cheers and happy Spring, Susie
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susie. I really like that raspberry-colored one, too. There are so many amazing shades of them at the Arboretum. I like them all, and the scents are amazing, too. I have my garden in, too. Actually, we have plunged into hot summer since this post--four days above 90 over the weekend. Rain tonight. Yay!
DeleteFleeting as the blooms may have been, they're pretty fabulous! Our "California lilac" (aka Ceanothus) doesn't hold a candle to "real" lilacs. My western redbuds only sported a few blooms this year, a response to inadequate winter chill perhaps.
ReplyDeleteYes, they are awesome! They're pretty much done blooming now. My Dwarf Korean Lilacs are still blooming, but they're definitely past peak. I love the Redbuds, as well, and they fluctuate in dramatic show from year to year here, too--I'm not sure why.
DeleteSeriously impressive colour there. Magnolias are awesome.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was really a pretty day and experience. I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Magnolias. :)
DeleteGorgeous - I can practically smell them! I know what you mean - I can't seem to keep up in the garden. In the past, I had much more time to do mulching, edging, etc., before I had to get out the pruners, but this year it's like everything needs to get done at the same time and it's driving me a bit mad.
ReplyDeleteI guess we're in good company, Margaret. The heat and mosquitoes kept me out of the garden some during the past few days. I puttered in the morning and the evening, but still not getting everything done. The next 10 days look great for gardening, though. Yay!
DeleteHi Beth, Pinks and mauves - I never tire of them. Gorgeous photos (as usual)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Catmint. :) Those were the colors about 10 days ago. Now we're moving into more of a multicolored summer palette. It's been in the 90F-95F (32C-35C) range lately. Cool down and rain are on the way, so it will be more comfortable for gardening.
DeleteOh how gorgeous! I'll bet the scent was just heavenly! I love the magnolia flowers. Our spring was much the same, with everything blooming at once after the April cold snap ended. The entire town here looked so pretty with all the trees blooming!
ReplyDeleteHi Indie: Yes, the scent was incredible! I melt a little every time I see a Magnolia in bloom. ;-)
DeleteI never knew about this place, if only I had known while we lived there. Sounds like a fabulous place to go while the Lilacs are in bloom.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised you didn't know about it, Jason. But it's worth checking out next time you travel through. The horticultural garden is breathtaking in April through May. The native plant garden is fabulous all during the growing season--ephemerals in early to late spring; native savanna and prairie plants through the rest of the summer through fall.
DeleteThe lilacs are gorgeous. Few lilacs grow in my area, but I have been enchanted since the first time I saw-and smelled-one. All of these blooms at once must have been a magnificent sight!
ReplyDeleteThey are incredible. I miss them now that they're finished blooming! Yes, it was spectacular!
DeleteMagnificent flower shower!
ReplyDeleteYes, that's a good way to put it, Peter!
DeleteTalk about blossoms! Going to get my fill this a.m. Teaming up with buddies to go to the Royal Botanical Gardens to see lilacs and hopefully some tree peonies and then onto lunch - a real ladies day! some of those magnolias are heartbreakingly beautiful aren't they? Planted out a new yellow one, and mr squirrel nutkin ate every blessed blossom. Mercy. I hope he had a tummy ache.
ReplyDeleteDarn squirrels! Magnolias (and Lilacs and Crabapples) make my heart sing! I hope you enjoyed your RBG visit!
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