Showing posts with label Cherry blossoms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cherry blossoms. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms and Contest Winners

By Skeeter

We left our Georgia Garden to spend Easter with the Saints family in Virginia. While there, we jumped on the Metro and headed for our Nations Capitol to see the Cherry Blossoms in their full glory. Once above ground, we spotted this patch of bright tulips.
The Cherry Blossom Festival attracts lots of visitors to Washington DC and especially around the Tidal Basin of the Jefferson Memorial. To see a beautiful Japanese Lady in traditional attire, was a special treat.
The Blossoms on some of the Cherry Trees looked like pure snow!
While other Cherry Tree Blossoms were of pink colors.
They were spectacular to say the least.
Each tree was filled with busting blossoms.
The abnormal high temperatures (mid 80's) had the leaves coming out along with the blossoms on some trees!
Damage from the massive snow fall in February could be seen on some of the trees.
Tree caretakers had to remove some of the branches.
Limbs are never cut for low hanging, only when damaged. Be cautious when walking under the trees or one will get your noggin.
This Elm was knocked over due to the big snow storm as well. I had to chuckle as it was an elm that we lost as well during our freak snow fall.
Although, our elm was not nearly as old as this fella.
Here you can see a good example of the different colors of blossoms.
It was a beautiful day for our stroll around the Tidal Basin and a challenge to snap pictures without people in the view. Can you see all the people sitting on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial?
The trees were absolutely glowing with color.
I wonder what Jefferson is thinking as he looks out upon this surrounding beauty?
Ah, the Mallard Ducks were not bothered by hoards of people strolling past them.
Saucer Magnolia, Forsythia and Cherry Trees all blooming together with playing children.
Such beauty to the eyes!
I was captivated as to how full the blooms were on the branches.
Memorials look so much nicer being framed by the Blossoms.
Look at this poor tree barely hanging onto life. If only trees could talk, I am sure this one would have a wonderful story to tell...
Walking from the Tidal Basin, I spotted this area I found interesting. Trees protected from construction. They must be famous to be protected behind a locked fence!
This is almost too pretty to be nothing more then weeds in our gardens!
This grouping of trees had us in awe with their beauty. We did not know what type tree until the next picture.


I recognised this pod as a Sycamore pod. I would rate them right up there with pesky Sweet Gum Trees and their nasty pods. I still think these Sycamore trees are pretty, well, cause they are not in my yard.
The Saint and I were a bit ahead of our gang so we stopped to let them catch up. As we stood there, I had this stinky scent overcome my nose. I turned around to see this bush.
Beautiful blooms....

And beautiful foliage but a scent that smelled like something rotting. Anyone know what this bush could be as it was a puzzle to us?
It was a most beautiful and pleasant day to spend in our Nations Capitol. So nice to see all the happy people flying kites, picnicking, resting and enjoying such a wonderful time. It was nice to get to see the WASHINGTON DC CHERRY BLOSSOMS, In the Garden....

Note: A special thank you to the Saint's sister for arranging our DC trip and providing a great lunch!
****
Winners of my Blogiversary Give-away.
Names were printed, cut into strips, folded and placed in the Saints Magic Hat. Hand when in and out came the names!
Drum roll please..........
The winners are:

ROSES AND LILACS
&
RANDY EMMITT...

Marnie and Randy, send Tina an email ramseytina5@gmail.com with your addresses so I can get your prizes in the mail.....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Cherry Blossoms

By Skeeter
The Saint took the day off from work on Friday and dragged me out of my Georgia Garden for a little birthday get-away. He took me to Macon, GA. Home of the Cherry Blossom Festival. Upon our arrival, I spotted swags of Blossoms with big pink bows adorning many Doors, Window, Poles and Light fixtures such as the one above.
I spotted a beautiful window display in the old downtown hub.
I was captivated by these beauties in different shades of pink!
Half pale pink, half deep pink. What is up with that?
They were so beautiful that I had the Saint pull the car to the side of the road for a closer peek.
I did a bit of research on the Cherry Blossom Festival and found an interesting story about the trees. William A Fickling Sr. came across a Yoshino Cherry Tree in his backyard in 1949. He had no idea what the tree was until taking a business trip to Washington DC in 1952 and seeing the same trees surrounding the Tidal Basin.
Once home, he learned to propagate the trees and freely shared them with the community of Macon.
Carolyn Crayton took notice of the beautiful trees and approached Mr. Fickling with the idea to donate trees to a neighborhood. He agreed as long as she organized the planting. On Saturday Nov. 24, 1973 500 Yoshino Cheery Trees were planted in the front of residents homes. This was the start to something special. 300,000 Yoshino Cherry Trees have been plated since the one spotted by Mr. Fickling in 1949!
The Cherry Blossom Festival was started in 1982 to honor the beautiful cherry trees of Macon, GA. It is referred to as the Pinkest Party on Earth! I was not sure about why pink when cherry blossoms are white but after a closer inspection of the blossoms, I do indeed see pink! We had no idea what to imagine but were a bit disappointed when entering the town to not see many trees. We were expecting streets lined with Cherry trees all along old downtown but to our dismay, only a few can be viewed downtown. Luckily, we stopped in at the city Visitors Center. We were given a map to follow in our car to see the street lined trees in the neighborhoods. They were breathtaking to say the least.
We also played tourist while in Macon by touring some homes. The Hay House was most impressive and referred to as the Palace of the South.
I recognized this tree on the front lawn of the Hay House.
The baby fan-shaped Ginkgo leaves were the give away of this very old tree. I bet this tree could tell some great stories if it could talk. A small garden is all that remains of the once grand gardens to this stately home.

Back to the front of this house, I want you to take notice of the Camellia bushes. These things are really large so I can only assume very old.
Here is a close up of one of the beautiful blooms.
We also toured the Cannon Ball House. Not as impressive as the Hay House but interesting just the same. The kitchen is in a structure in the back of the house like most homes of the 1800's but this one actually housed the dining room as well. The Saint nor I have ever seen this before.
Information on the Cannon Ball House.
I enjoy driving around old cities such as this one as you never know what you might spot with a quick eye. This huge bush with bright fringe caught my eye.
I am guessing this to be a Chinese Fringe Bush (Loropetalum)
I also spotted Spring and Winter mingling together. The Birds must not be too hungry in Macon as I spotted lots of berry's.
We enjoyed our little get-away to see the CHERRY BLOSSOMS, In the Garden...


Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden