Monday, March 28, 2011

First Pear Blossom




On the first fully sunny day we've had in weeks, here is the first official pear blossom of 2011. There are a few other buds partially opened. The chilly weather is supposed to warm up some this week, so the tree will soon be popping like a popcorn maker: first, just a few blossoms here and there, then a fury of bloom all at once.






Just as a reference point, here is a view of the same tree on the same day -- March 28 -- last year. Our cold, wet weather (I think it rained every single day last week!) has slowed spring down a bit, but soon things should be busting out all over. It can't happen too soon!

Back in January it seemed like spring was coming early. It was unseasonably warm and dry for several weeks. But then, going into March, we got day after day after interminable day of fog and rain and chill, sometimes breaking out into genuine tree toppling storms, complete with power outages, mudslides, and flooding. The end result of all this drama is that rainfall totals for the year are now "about average." "Average" sounds pretty good right now.

3 comments:

mosby said...

Hi BB,

I'm leaving my comment here at "First Pear Blossom" which is your last post. Today is May 2 - your birthday. I mailed you some plants that I dug from the Ellison Street Lily of the Valley collection, hoping they'll thrive in your California garden. Let me know if they survived the trip.

It's full on radiant springtime here in Virginia. Apple and pear blossom petals have blown away in a gorgeous blizzard to reveal the dogwoods and lilacs in full flower. Happy Birthday to you!! ; )

Love,
Reet

mosby said...

Hi BB,

I'm leaving a comment here at your last post, "First Pear Blossom". Today is May 2 - your birthday. I mailed you some plants from the "Ellison Street" Lily of the Valley collection, hoping they'll thrive in your California garden.

It's full-on radiant springtime here in Virginia. Every year we go all out in your honor. The pear and apple blossoms have blown away in a glorious blizzard to reveal the dogwoods and lilacs in full flower. Happy Birthday to you!! ; )

Love, Reet

BB said...

Thanks, sis! I planted the Lilies of the Valley, and was amazed to see the Virginia clay clinging to their roots -- I'd forgotten how red it is. We'll see how they do. Here the plum and pear blossoms are gone, the roses are going crazy, and the white rain of locust blossoms has begun. My favorite kind of party. Love, BB