Thursday, April 10, 2008

See My Stamens

Every day this week, I have eagerly examined the red maple tree that grows in the yard next door. The weather has been mild and sunny, quintessential spring, and each evening I've been certain that it would finally be the day: the maple would flower. Tuesday I had a long field day, arriving home from a day trip to another state at 9:30 pm. Murphy's Law would suggest that would be the day the tree would flower, but a Wednesday morning inspection revealed otherwise. I started to get impatient: the crocuses are blooming, as are the Siberian squill. What the hell?


Finally! Today was the day... I got to report my first observation. First flower is defined on the phenopause page as the date the first flowers are completely open. "You must be able to see the stamens among the unfolded petals." Full flower is a separate event to report, which is probably good in this case. I didn't traipse too far into my neighbors' yard, but I only saw two flowers that were completely open. No matter--I see stamens. What is flowering in your yard?

6 comments:

Debbie said...

River Birch trees. I have 3, planted at the same time and only one is starting to bloom and it was this week! The other 2 usually lag behind a bit for some reason. I think due to the proximity to the creek bank :)

I hope our Spring lasts longer. Seems like we have a few weeks then BAM it's hot. It's 75 right now...UGH. I'll enjoy while I can!

Anonymous said...

Finally! they're really pretty.

hmm, that made me wonder what's actually growing in our yard.

Arlene,
Tacoma florist

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

I don't think I signed up for red maples, I hope not or I missed them. Just lilacs and dandelions, I'd better go check. AK!

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

oh and white clover but not red maple, was gonna sign up for some, but then I didn't because I wasn't sure actually if ours is a silver-red hybrid. I got the date though, which was a week and a half ago.

No dandelions yet.

Got the dates for winter aconite, too. It seems to me that sun and shade also affect these things.

BrightBoy said...

I live in the South.

Here, everything is blooming, and temperatures have reached into the 80s.

It feels like summer's already come.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

It's snowing here. there? Hope you do soemthing fun and discover new things in flower.