Tag: bloom

2017 Pink Crabapple Tree in Bloom

Pink crabapple tree in bloom, 2017, Toronto, Canada. Photo by Don Tai

Pink crabapple tree in bloom, 2017, Toronto, Canada. Photo by Don Tai

Our male crabapple tree blooms almost every year. It is a somewhat late bloomer, but reliable. The male tree does not produce apples, so the mess is much less. The blooms only last 4 days or so, maybe a week at the most, after which our whole back yard becomes a lake of pink leaves.

The reflection from the tree casts our rear rooms into a lovely shade of pink.

Pink crabapple tree in bloom, macro, 2017, Toronto, Canada. Photo 2 by Don Tai

Pink crabapple tree in bloom, macro, 2017, Toronto, Canada. Photo 2 by Don Tai

Lance Leaved Coreopsis in Bloom, Toronto, Canada

Yellow Lance leaved coreopsis in bloom, Toronto, Canada. Photo 1 by Don Tai

Yellow Lance leaved coreopsis in bloom, Toronto, Canada. Photo 1 by Don Tai

This flower, Coreopsis lanceolata, comes up every year and is beautiful. It is very successful at propagating and spreads quickly. I like this in a blooming flower, but not in a weed. It has literally taken over.

I had a bit of a search for the actual name: Lance leaved coreopsis.

About 5 years ago a neighbour gave us a clump of a few flowers. We planted it in our front yard that gets full sun. It has grown and expanded every year, irregardless of a hard or mild winter. While the roses are temperamental and need care, the coreopsis needs nothing.

2016 Purple Lilies, Toronto, Canada

These purple lilies 百合 faithfully come up every year. They are beautiful but very delicate. Any little wind and the petals flop over like silly dog ears. Vibrant colours shine in the sun. They only last for about 7 days.

Purple Lilies, 2016, Toronto, Canada, photo 1 by Don Tai

Purple Lilies, 2016, Toronto, Canada, photo 1 by Don Tai

Purple Lilies, 2016, Toronto, Canada, photo 2 by Don Tai

Purple Lilies, 2016, Toronto, Canada, photo 2 by Don Tai

Purple Lilies, 2016, Toronto, Canada, photo 3 by Don Tai

Purple Lilies, 2016, Toronto, Canada, photo 3 by Don Tai

2016 Crab Apple Tree and Blossoms, Toronto, Canada

This year, 2016, is a an excellent year for my crab apple tree. The blossoms are really pretty, and the weather has cooperated. They will stay fresh for only 5 days max, and then will die. For now we can enjoy them, as they splash their pink hue from outside into our house. The tree is male, so bears no apples.

2016 Crab Apple Tree, male, a couple of days before full bloom. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Photo by Don Tai

2016 Crab Apple Tree, male, a couple of days before full bloom. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Photo by Don Tai

2016 Crab Apple Tree bloom, a couple of days before full bloom.  Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Photo 1 by Don Tai

2016 Crab Apple Tree bloom, a couple of days before full bloom. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Photo 1 by Don Tai

Jiucai Growing at our Front Doorstep

Jiucai (garlic chives) in bloom, growing at our front doorstep, Sony H4, macro 4x zoom

Jiucai (garlic chives) in bloom, growing at our front doorstep, Sony H4, macro 4x zoom

This hardy Chinese herb seems to grow everywhere near our house in Toronto, Canada, self seeding without assistance. Jiucai is also called garlic chives. Put it into soup, stews, omelets, and jiaozi. You chop it down but leave the roots and it will grow back, multiple times in a season. Somehow this dainty little plant has moved to many sections of our backyard and have proliferated, but the most convenient is a clump near our front door. So handy yet tasty.

Calling All Bees to Toronto, Canada!

Tasty pollen available to all bee friends, from a white tulip

Tasty pollen available to all bee friends, from a white tulip

Spring is finally here. I invite all bees to visit my garden for a very tasty good time. There is so much colour in the garden, which washes into the house, giving some rooms a fantastic pink hue. All photos taken today at 14:45.

On the negative side so many people have come down with allergies. Noses and eyes are itchy. People are stuffed up. This is nature’s way of reproducing. Still, what would spring be without renewal, growth and an uplifting shot of colour.