The Snowdrift crabapple trees opened and immediately got drenched by rain. It actually looks like there is snow on the ground under them. Before that happened I did take some more pictures.
This picture below was taken two years ago before two brutal winters. The much more numerous blossoms are incredible.
While it was cold and windy today, my gardener was here and we did a lot of trimming of dead wood. The winter has certainly taken its toll the past two years.
I also have a new project we are finishing up and when it is done, I will post pictures.
Inside the house, my Hoya plant that I purchased back in 1975? when I was working in the City has gone wild with blooms. I still remember buying it at a new plant store that opened in Greektown, way before anyone thought of putting a casino down there. Hard to take pictures when something is hanging from the ceiling, but here it is on the left. I don't remember ever having four blossoms at one time. They are waxy blossoms with a very fragrant aroma. The blossom on the right is open, the others are closed and will open. They last quite a long time.
I think your tree is stunning but I can see the huge difference in blossoms from 2 years ago to today. I had heard that the blossoms were hit hard by the winter but didn't think it was really that bad until you compared them. The plant you have-I could never make anything last that long but those blooms don't look real. The closed ones look like they were made by paper or something and the open ones look like porcelain.
ReplyDeleteThe Hoya is called 'wax plant'. The leaves and flowers look like molded wax. It is not very demanding. I haven't re-potted it for at least 20 years. It likes to be root-bound and doesn't need a lot of water, just some light. I guess I should have mentioned that up top.
DeleteIt sounds like your weather is very much like Winnipeg's, at least this year. We've been alternating the A/C and heat too, and in May! It's ridiculous to still need to keep the furnace on.
ReplyDeleteBoth your tree and plant are gorgeous. As a fellow gardener, I can relate to the heartbreak one feels when unpredictable weather hurts our plants. I lost almost all of my hen n' chicks this year, and a lemon thyme plant that I'd had forever. Also most of the strawberries.
Thanks for visiting my blog, and for your insightful question. I just wish I had a better answer for you!
My lemon thyme from last year along with some of the creeping thyme between pavers is dead. A small mugo pine was so dead I did't even realize it was there. Tonight it may go down to freezing so I'll have to bring all the potted herbs into the garage. I have a cousin who moved from Ft. Francis, Ont. to Victoria when she retired. Much milder winters there.
DeleteBeautiful pictures! We didn't seem to have much of a spring here, either. It's early May and it's already unbearably hot out there.
ReplyDeleteUnbearably hot is what I said last week. May get frost here tonight.
DeleteGorgeous blossoms. I love those pictures. Such a pity when the rain or other bad weather comes along to ruin it. The closed blooms on the Hoya look like little packages.
ReplyDeleteAs for the spring/winter, we are having the same thing here. a/c one minute, heat the next. I think the high today is supposed to be 13°C. Brrrrr.
My grass needs a good cutting, but is still too wet. I need a goat, lol.
DeleteThe crabapple blossoms are beautiful. We're still waiting for the leaves to sprout here!
ReplyDeleteFrost warning tonight so I had to move plants into the garage.
DeleteWhat a beautiful Hoya plant!
ReplyDeleteThanks. It's older than my children!
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