flashback to springtime

Gardening Gone Wild is hosting the Picture This Photo Contest for July. The theme is “flowering trees.” I perused my photos and settled on this one of the redbud tree east of the side porch.

front yard

When we moved into this house, there was one redbud tree. DH planted more and now we have twenty plus redbud trees blooming in our yard each spring. And with all the volunteers, we give a lot of them away each year, too! 🙂

The above photo is my contest entry, but, just for fun (and because the trees are so beautiful), here are a few other pictures of flowering trees and shrubs in our yard.

This photo shows the way the redbud blooms along the trunks and branches of the tree. The clumps of blossoms look somewhat odd, but I love the way the tree blooms so profusely.

redbud tree

Did you know the blossoms of the redbud tree are edible? Used most often in salads, or as a garnish, I’ve heard them described variously as nutty, pea like, fresh bean flavor, tangy, and/or slightly lemony. Next spring, try a few and see what you think. Caution: do not collect blossoms from any place where pesticides or insecticides may have been used.

redbud tree

Here you can see the star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) and a few redbud trees…and DD enjoying the fresh spring air!

redbud trees

And the dogwoods were beautiful this spring.

dogwood tree

Spring is my favorite season of the year.

fenced garden

Not all blooming trees bloom in spring, though. Currently blooming in our woods are the volunteer mimosa trees. They have a large fluffy pink flowers. I captured this photo of one of the blossoms that had fallen onto a mimosa leaf.

mimosa fluff

The Southern Magnolia is also blooming right now.

Southern Magnolia

The magnolias large, pure white blooms have a wonderful fresh lemony scent.

Southern Magnolia

I’ve rather enjoyed combing through my spring photos. But I’m not ready to go there yet. Our summer has been so lovely with its cool temps and enough rain to keep everything lush and beautiful. I’m enjoying every minute of right now!

~~Rhonda

7 Comments

  1. Posted July 22, 2009 at 6:01 pm | Permalink

    Such lovely images, Rhonda! Thanks for sharing them. What a treat to see the blooms of spring even though it’s hot and sticky outside. Good luck in the photo contest!

  2. Posted July 22, 2009 at 8:47 pm | Permalink

    I envy you..what a beautiful view in spring..i love all the pics..specially the second one..that’s beautiful and I just can’t believe the flowers come right out of the trunks..and you have 20 of them in your yard…wow
    Good luck in the contest

  3. Posted July 23, 2009 at 9:46 am | Permalink

    Spring must be a beautiful sight at your house. Those trees are just delightful! Good luck in the contest.

  4. Posted July 23, 2009 at 6:30 pm | Permalink

    That Redbud tree is gorgeous!! Great pictures!

  5. Posted July 23, 2009 at 6:34 pm | Permalink

    Now THAT is a redbud tree. I don’t know when I have seen one as big as that before. How beautiful and lush it is. Good luck on the contest too.

  6. Posted July 27, 2009 at 3:32 pm | Permalink

    These are incredibly gorgeous! If I were the judge, you’d have won first prize. Granted, I’m awfully partial to redbud trees.

  7. Posted July 28, 2009 at 6:47 am | Permalink

    Your garden and redbud tree is lovely! I am glad you combed through the archives to share these photos with us. I’m not ready for spring either, but it’s a good reminder to think about spring bulbs;)

    gail

One Trackback

  1. […] RHONDA: “Nice composition of what must be your very pretty front yard. The two redbud branches cutting across the big trunk really catch the eye.” […]

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