Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Friday, April 24, 2009

More Spring Blooms in our Yard


Even though we still don't have many leaves on our big trees yet, and even though it was 35 degrees on Wednesday morning this week, SPRING is HERE on the Cumberland Plateau. I showed pictures of some of our early bloomers (Crocus, Hyacinths, Daffodils, Forsythia, Pansies, and some of our Tulips) in previous blog posts. Today I'll show you pictures of our Redbud trees (we have two), more of our Tulips, and our Pink Dogwood. Hope you enjoy these pictures. Click on them to make them larger. Above is some of the branches of our gorgeous Pink Dogwood in our front yard. Below are more.







One of our two Redbud trees; The other one was featured in an earlier blog post.





The Redbud blossoms---up close and personal!!!! Nice, huh?







This is Peppermint Stick Tulip. This is a small tulip---and I almost wanted to lick it --like I would a lollipop. Yum!!!!




Peppermint Stick Tulip is opening up!!!!! Pretty, don't you think?




You would never guess---but this is Peppermind Stick Tulip opened totally up.. Isn't this a beautiful and unique tulip????? (Compare this picture with the two above!)



I love White Dogwoods----but there's something special about the Pink Dogwoods. I love ours!!!!!



Another picture of a close-up of our Pink Dogwood blooms




Here is a final picture of our Pink Dogwood. There is a legend, that at the time of the Crucifixion, the dogwood had been the size of the oak and other forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree that it was chosen as the timber for the cross on which Jesus was nailed.

After that time, the Dogwood never grew large enough to be used as a cross. It became slender and bent and twisted, and its blossoms were in the form of a cross. There were two long and two short petals, and in the center of the outer edge of each petal were nail prints. In the center of the flower was a crown of thorns. All who see this blossom will remember what Jesus Christ endured --just for US. Take another look at the above picture. God Bless ALL of You.
Hugs,

54 comments:

Unknown said...

Great photos Betsy! I want a pink Dogwood too!!

Michele said...

So many pretty flowers. It must smell pretty walking around there.
There is good reason for all the rains you have been getting, without them, you would not be seeing all of nature's wonderful colors as you have shown here!
We have had a couple more inches of snow yesterday, I long for days of just rain! I truly thought Spring was on its way.
I am sure in time it will come... meanwhile, the mountains do need the moisture so we will not see the forest fires of yesteryears, so it really isn't always a bad thing...

Hugs and kisses to you both♥

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: A wonderful look at your area coming alive. Our area is finally starting to bloom dispite the late snow flurries.

Cedar ... said...

You have so much color there already! Here it's still brown and green. Brown for the trees with no leaves,... and green for the pines. Forecast for weekend is temps into the 70s so I know that we'll see a change soon. Thanks for the lovely photos!

Arkansas Patti said...

Such a wonderful spring redux. We are mostly past that now so it is pleasurable to be reminded.
Last night I had to use the air conditioner to sleep. Hope to be sending the warmth your way soon.

EG CameraGirl said...

You have so many wonderful trees and shrubs I can't grow in my Canadian garden! Redbuds do grow in Toronto but I am a wee bit colder...just enough so that they die here.

The dogwoods are to die for! I am soooo envious. ;-)

Carol Murdock said...

They are all beautiful Betsy! I love Redbud trees in the Srpring! We are going to hit 90 today, all of our Spring flowers all long gone!
xoxo,
Carol

Cassie said...

Yes indeedy. Spring has sprung at Betsey's place! It got cooler here yesterday, a mere 92degrees. Ugh.

RA said...

Very nice indeed! I can imagine myself sitting there on your bench admiring the beauty of nature. You sure have a lot of beautiful plants and birds in your surrounding.

Hugs from Indonesia :)

SmilingSally said...

Oh, those tree blooms!

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Beautiful pix...pink dogwoods, red buds and that gorgeous tulip...gotta go take pix of my pink dogwoods...I'm happy you had a nice visit with grands even though the weather was "interesting"...

Dorothy said...

Beautiful pictures of your trees in bloom! My favorite is the pink Dogwood!

Susie said...

Betsy your yard looks lovely. You just can't beat those pink dogwoods. Very pretty.

Pigeon said...

Beautiful blooms, Betsy. I can't wait for Spring to really get going around here. I would like to have a few flowering trees. Most of my trees are locusts.

Connie said...

As always I loved your post. I always love to see the redbud trees in bloom. Thanks for taking me on a stroll through your beautiful yard,

Loran said...

Those peppermint stick tulips are so unique! I really like them. And pinks dogwoods, oooh--gorgeous.

It's funny that you are uphill at 2000 feet, but it's all relative isn't it?

Mary said...

Beautiful dogwoods and redbuds! I've always wanted a pink one, but every time I get one something happens to it. Spring has been so pretty this year, even if it has been a bit cold so far.

Small City Scenes said...

I love the Pink Dogwood too. Not too many Redbud out this way.
I like all the species Tulips and they naturelize well. You yard is looking beautiful. Spring is such a wonderful time of year. MB

Beth said...

Beautiful pictures, Betsy! I really love the pink dogwood---it is gorgeous. I am also partial to redbuds. Our neighbor across the way has offered us some of the redbud seedlings popping up in their yard, so hopefully, we'll soon have some little redbuds growing in our yard!

Pam said...

Your photos are just beautiful! There is just no place like Tennessee in the Spring, is it?
I have never seen the peppermint stick tulip before; how lovely.
Blessings,
Pam

I Am Woody said...

I LOVE a pink dogwood. And yours is beatiful!!

Janie said...

Beautiful flowers! Your yard must be simply spectacular with all those blooms.

CountryDreaming said...

I think you've just solved a mystery for me. Was driving around the Hocking Hills earlier this week wondering what that deep pink-red blooming bush was I kept seeing along the road by people's houses looking beautiful. Your gorgeous pictures give me a good way of identifying the mystery plant ... Many thanks!

Karin said...

What a gorgeous part of the world you live in! I love coming to sneak a peek every day just to fill my need for seeing beauty! We had another dusting of snow last night, but I know that spring is on its way!

Midlife, menopause, mistakes and random stuff... said...

Those tulips are amazing Betsy and that pink Dogwood? Simply beautiful. I told Mildred that between you girls you are giving me yard envy. Thanks........yall are giving me a complex about my yard, lol.
Have an EXTREME weekend and......

Steady On
Reggie Girl

Anonymous said...

Great series of spring photos Betsy! I can't wait to do my own, we just have buds on flowering trees but we're getting there:)

Becca's Dirt said...

Good morning Betsy. Such lovely photos today. I too love the pink dogwood. I do not have any dogwoods and must do something about that. The peppermint stick tulip is very different and gorgeous. Have a nice day and a great weekend... Becca

Diane AZ said...

The Peppermint Stick Tulip sure is a surprise when opened up. Beautiful pictures of Redbuds and Pink Dogwoods. I had never heard the legend about the Dogwood, thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

I agree, the pink dogwood blooms are so rare and such a deep, pretty color! Your tulips are fun too - makes me hungry!

Jen said...

Love the Red Buds- they are pretty much out in full force here.
Your yard is like a park garden-enjoy!! :)
Thanks for entering my giveaway-Good Luck!

Busy Bee Suz said...

Your yard is soooo colorful. I love it! Dogwoods...oh, I love them. They are the ONE thing I miss about living in Georgia!

Pat - Arkansas said...

That's a truly beautiful deep pink dogwood. The dogwoods here bloomed some weeks ago and remaining blossoms are spotty, at best.

Becca's Dirt said...

Betsy check out my blog. You have an award.

Unknown said...

Just cathing up on my blog-list reading.Your spring flowers are beautiful.Don't you just love spring,when everything is all fresh and new?
Loved the pics of your backyard birds,and your family photos as well.Glad you had a wonderful time!

Deborah Godin said...

You have some amazing blooms - that raspberry pink dogwood is to die for!!!

Anil P said...

What a wonderful sight the Redbud blossoms cut against the blue skies. Beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Lots of beauty in your yard! The pink dogwoods are my favs. And I see so many of them here on the plateau.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Beautiful flowers and the story of the Dogwood is lovely.Your yard must be park like.
Blessings,Ruth

Diane said...

Very beautiful flowers, Betsy. We dont have the redbud trees around here so especially interesting. We have snow again today!!!!!

Diane said...

Very beautiful flowers, Betsy. We dont have the redbud trees around here so especially interesting. We have snow again today!!!!!

Unknown said...

You're well ahead of us Betsy, your garden is a joy to behold.

Leedra said...

Lovely post. I was noticing this afternoon the Redbuds are beginning to fade in Knoxville, but they have lasted about 3 weeks this year. It has been so nice. Hope the Dogwoods will last as long. Was 82 this afternoon, and going to be wonderful all weekend. Life is grand!

Leedra’s Photos For FunLeedra’s Greeting CardsPhotography By Leedra

Femin Susan said...

Those are great shots of flowers!All are tooo good for words that i don't know which to choose as my favorite. I am sure you will have great time in your garden everyday..
Cheers!

Wendy said...

I love your peppermint stick tulip! But what a surprise when it was open! I didn't look anything like I thought it would. Still pretty, though. Your redbud trees are special. I love the deep pink colour - oh, and the dogwoods too.
Happy Spring!

dot said...

Your flowers are gorgeous! I love the pink dogwood and the peppermint stick tulip is unusual. It looks like ya'll do a lot of work in your yard.

Anonymous said...

Oh so very very pretty! I love the Pink Dogwood & Redbud trees & that looks like a really nice yard too. You two do a lot of work to make it look that nice!
I haven't gotten to see Jilly anymore as of yet, but I'm NOT giving up either - I'll wear them down some way or another - They can't think they're more stubborn than I am! hehehe

Rose said...

Beautiful and more beautiful! My pink dogwood is now blooming, though I think it will open a bit more. But they are pink and not longer have that greenish tinge to them.

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

They are all so beautiful!! have a Blessed weekend..m.

Kim said...

Betsy, your garden is enchanting and you took some gorgeous photos. Your yard must smell like a dream!

Shelley said...

These are just so gorgeous!!! I would love to sit on that bench with you and chat!! :-)

Rebecca said...

I love dogwoods, and your pink one is just lovely!!

Hugs and Blessings,
Rebecca

Cicero Sings said...

Now that was a neat legend of the dogwood ... I'll have to remember that one!

Natalie said...

I have always loved pink dogwoods and yours is GORGEOUS! The peppermint stick tulip is pretty too. Never seen one of those before.

Connie said...

Very lovely, Betsy! Hurray for spring! :D