While all the world is out celebrating here we sit, listening to the New York Philharmonic play Gershwin and Bernstein on PBS and extremely content to be at home. I spent the last few hours reading... first about gardening (pulling out my collection of books on magnolias) and then looking through some of my Tiffany library. I'm really starting to anticipate some of my favorite spring plants, including hellebores, epimediums, primulas, and of course; those magnolias.
Spring is still far away... after all, we really haven't had winter yet! We did head to the northwoods earlier this week and traveled through the forests and past the many lakes, all the while enjoying falling snow and the beautiful conifers covered with fresh white.
For now, this eve of the new year, I'm quite content to be thinking about the spring gardens and the bloom that will fill them to overflowing. Magnolias are particularly on my mind as a friend forwarded a letter with photos of some of the hybridizing going on in New Zealand right now... amazing! That's all it took and I'm back on the magnolia kick... even if it is the middle of January!
This spring may bring just a bit of extra excitement as I have three magnolia trees that will bloom for the first time provided the buds make it through the winter. It is always thrilling to see first time bloom on a tree that you've been nursing along for a few years. When I was younger I would get very concerned when a late frost threatened the blooms on young magnolias... I can remember going out in the evening and putting individual 'baggies' (as in 'packing a sandwich' baggie) on buds to save them from being damaged by the cold. You don't do this for long with magnolias... within a couple years, the baggies needed would break the bank.
I hope you enjoy the photos from some of my many magnolia trees... and happy New Year... Larry
12 comments:
Oh my goodness, these are my very favorite flowers, and I have never seen yellow ones! Each one of these is truly so beautiful Larry. Makes me long for spring!
Like you I did some reading this evening, and will wait to watch the ball drop in Times Square. I rarely miss that.
Happy New Year to you, and thank you for all the beauty here.
Went out to dinner (Catfish)--and are home watching the football game on TV. Will watch the ball drop at Times Square---IF we can stay awake...ha ha (Boring OLD people)
Happy New Year! Make it a good one. Live and love more and stop worrying about things that are beyond your control. Every day is a gift and you can choose what you do with it!
Betsy
After having seen all of your magnolia trees in person this summer, it will be fun to see them blooming on your blog this spring! Sure would love to visit your garden in the spring when they are in bloom. Maybe someday. Just gave you a shout out on my new year's eve post. Blessings in the New Year!!
Such beautiful photos! One of my favorite flowers. Thanks for posting them. I hope you have a great year!
Beautiful photos. I love Magnolias. Unfortunately I just don't have any room to add another tree. I will really enjoy your photos this year. New Year's eve - spent at home. Just another day. :)
Cher Sunray Gardens
New Years Day and magnolia photos from Larry help to remind me that Spring is just a couple of months away. Happy New Years everyone!
I too am a magnolia lover and collector. Your story about the buds is so funny because we used to do the same thing. We would cover our whole star magnolia tree with burlap if frost was predicted. Needless to say we don't do that anymore, but our weather patterns have changed so much that the blooms rarely get frozen anyway. Our neighbors recently clear cut their entire woods up to a stream bank which makes me sad. They planted 16 'Leonard Messel' magnolias which will at least provide a lot of flowers in compensation. Happy New Year.
Hi Carolyn... that is sad about the woods, but those Leonard Messels should make quite a show! Larry
I love magnolias! I wish I had a garden big enough for at least one tree…I am thinking of getting rid of a holly bush which has grown to about 5 m tall, and replacing it with a magnolia, but I don’t know if I will live to ever see it flower. Must get one of those that flower after just 5-8 years or so in that case…I know people say that magnolias are something you plant for your grandchildren to enjoy! Loved the photos, happy gardening in 2012 – and spring will be here before you know it! Happy New Year :-)
Yes, those Magnolias are lovely, Larry! There's just something magical about them. One of these days, I'd love to take a tour of your gardens, too. I'm not that far away. Happy New Year!
Helene... there are a great many magnolia cultivars that bloom quite young and I think they are a great flowering tree for the impatient gardener... I encourage you to research what's available in your part of the world... here in America, it is quite amazing the great variety of magnolias that are available. Larry
to PlantPostings... you are quite correct Beth... we are very close... within 70 miles would be my guess... you'd be very welcome to visit our gardens this coming season.... do let me know.... Larry
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