Spring has sprung at Gilmore Gardens! The past two weeks have been very rainy, but we have also had some warm days in the 60's and even the 70's. That is great growing weather! Great for taking some
rainy pictures and
getting out in the garden too.
In honor of spring and the first week of May, I am going to be posting rapidly this week to keep up with all the beauty. Stay tuned!
Some blossoming stems from our ornamental pear tree (
Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford') in our bedroom. When we bought our home almost four years ago, we planted these trees mainly for their upright, pyramidal habit. They are used to bring some life to our car park (which is rather larger than usual at six spaces since we own a triplex home). A few years later, we heard the tales of woes, both from the people who have split trees in their yards, and from those naturalists who have observed their seedlings popping up in wooded areas (not good).
So, while I would not plant another one, nor recommend them, here they are growing away by the driveway of our in-town garden. This spring has begun our experimentation in whether proper preventative pruning (say that 3 times fast) can prolong their lives. We will be attempting to correct some of their weak habits by taking off competing branches, knowing that they will still come down in our lifetime; but perhaps they will last a few more years.
And maybe this a good perspective for all of life: it is only here to be enjoyed for a short time...
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. ~ Isaiah 40:8
Your pictures are great. I found your blog from the Fine Gardening Garden Photo of the Day awhile back.
ReplyDeleteI thought I had a Bradford Pear in my yard. We cut it down last year since it was growing up through the power lines to our house. But now that I look at your pictures, I don't remember our flowers looking so pretty. I think they lacked those purple parts (anthers?). And the smell was rather unpleasant. I'm guessing your tree smells better since you bring the branches inside?
Great pictures! I think flowering trees are the most joyful thing. Love that you brought some inside.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you presented a balanced view of the Bradford pear. Maybe you should consider taking out and replacing one each year so that you don't lose them all at once. The photo of the flowers in the vase is superb!
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