I had heard of Blackberry Winter, but when we moved to Kentucky people spoke also of Black Locust Winter and Dogwood Winter (there may be others I have yet to hear about). Each 'winter' occurs when that plant is in full bloom.
Dogwoods In Morning Fog
The Garden At Crocker Croft has just experienced Dogwood Winter. The dogwood trees have been at their breathtakingly beautiful peak. The horizontal layers of white have been floating. When the breeze stirs them they move gently. Husband/Best Friend/Chief Photographer said the movement reminds him of kelp moving in currents of the sea. Kelp?! To each his own.
The native dogwoods are healthiest when growing in the shade of larger trees. When I see them out in the woods, as we travel along interstate highways, they seem to be floating suspended between large trees and earth. Clouds and clouds of them.
I don't want to think about the disease that is spreading among them and is predicted to wipe out our lovely natives growing wild and in home gardens. I don't want to think about a world without them. I don't want to think about my great-grandchildren never seeing that fascinating, delightful sight, brightening the woodlands.
Not all cultivated dogwood trees bloom white. There are pink varieties of different tints and shades of pink; some are almost red. We have a few pink ones here in the garden.
This spring has been gentle so far. We were due a gentle one, it seems to me. Last spring the cold snap was a doozy. Here are a few photos from that one.
May I serve you a tulip of snow?
Legend of the Dogwood Tree
Jesus was crucified on a cross of dogwood timbers.
God said from that day forever the dogwood trees would never again grow large enough to make timbers that could be used for that purpose. The dogwoods became small trees growing in the understory.
The flower of the dogwood has four petals in the shape of a cross.
At the tip of each petal is a stain where the spike was driven into his hands and feet, and a crown of thorns was pressed into his flesh.
The center of the flower resembles the crown of thorns.
In autumn, bright red, clustered fruit in the center represents the blood of Christ.
The sweet trees bloom in April the same month as Easter Sunday, the celebration of Christ's resurrection after the Crucifixion.
May the legend live forever.
For God so loved the world...
13 comments:
Hi Barbee,
Like you, I live in a area with many dogwoods. I think it is one of the reasons we bought the house. They are about half open and should be in their full glory in a few days. I have been missing your posts and look forward to them.
Donna
I wish we could grow Dogwoods here in Central Texas. They don't like the heat, though.
Beautiful pictures and thoughts.
Hi Barbee,
I love your new header. I have always loved the story of the Dogwood tree. Glad you got the little book. I hope your Easter was nice.
Balisha
That is a beautiful story of the dogwood. I hope our lovely natives don't get wiped out by disease. That would be a shame. They are so glorious in the woods along the highways & main roads just drifting in a sea of mature pines & hardwoods.
So lovely I really liked it when I saw both tulpis and teh blossom of the tree.
Thank you for showing it,
/MB
Well, I didn't see last year's post so it was all new to me.(and gorgeous!) I have three trees and am waiting for mine to come out - tried forcing a few indoors I was so impatient. How funny to see them in the snow!
Oh my, oh my - this is just so SO beautiful. I am just playing catch up with comments on my blog and came over to visit, little expecting to be blown away by your pictures. Dogwoods are just so beautiful - I had no idea. Nor any clue that they were under threat. That is just awful.
Thank you for such beauty - it has been a huge blessing on this dark evening. jane
Your dogwoods are lovely, but I'll pass on the snow-covered version!
I remember your lovely dogwood post last year too!
What fun - drinking from tulips!
I'm not really a tulip fan but I saw some yesterday that I liked - gold and red like flames. I haven't decided yet whether it was those particular tulips which attracted me or whether my tastes are changing.
Esther
Esther's Boring Garden Blog
Hi Barbee,
I love the Legend of the Dogwood...so much that I have 5 trees in my yard. Your photos of the front tree with the bright tulips underneath..just breathtaking!
I am falling in love with these beautiful flowers.... nice shots too! ~ bangchik at blotanical
You were looking at Anemone at my blogg. I had afriend that wrote this;
The story behind the anemone flower's name is a sad one. The name comes from Greek and roughly translates into "windflower". It is said in Greek Mythology that the anemone flower sprang up from the blood of Aphrodite's slain lover, Adonis. The name "windflower" signifies that the wind that blows the petal open will also, eventually, blow the dead petals away.
/MB
Ladies, I have enjoyed all your comments so much. I have read them all and appreciate your thoughts, as well as, your positive feedback.
Maria B., thank you for more info about your Anemones. They are so refreshing.
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