A very unexpected blossom from our White Star White Magnolia in the middle of February!
Every spring I look forward to seeing the one flowering tree I have behind my house come into its own. With just a bit of nudging, my glorious White Star White Magnolia bursts forth before any other of its kin have even awakened from winter slumber.
Our damaged tree that doesn’t know what season it is!
But not this year. You see, winter in our place of residence, Knoxville, Tennessee, was just downright warm: higher than normal temps in December followed by bursts of January winter with spring-like interludes sprinkled willy nilly onto the calendar. And February couldn’t make up its mind either.
Damaged by frost, our White Star White Magnolia that bloomed too early.
Our White Star White Magnolia was confused. Buds browned out. Gentle petals drooped and then dropped. And not a single branch on the tree could decide what season it was even on a week-to-week basis.
But today is different. A few remaining, unscathed buds opened, albeit ever so slowly — as if they wanted to test the air just a wee bit to see if conditions were right for revealing their tender green middles.
An unseasonable beauty!
And then the gentle rains came, bathing those few-and-far-between tendrils in luscious spring-like drops.
A rain-drenched bud ready to open.
Who knows what season this is? Certainly not our White Star White Magnolia.
A rare bit of morning sunlight on our unseasonable but beautiful White Star White Magnolia blossom.
For more great WordPress photos, check out the Weekly Photo Challenge: Seasons.
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Karen
Love this! Your writing and locked address terrific! We’ve have unusual weather this season too (Northern CA).
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much, Karen. You’ve made my day. And one day after I published this post, we had another cold snap. The poor flowers are limp and barely hanging on. Would love to see Northern CA — anytime. Have only been there once. Loved, loved, loved it!
hilarycustancegreen
Beautiful magnolia! Our garden is equally confused. One of my tree peonies has sprouted with tender growth and its buds are swelling just as the frosts really set in, so I go out each night with a fleece.
Oh, the Places We See
Now you’ve given me an idea. I wonder if I could cover this tree in a sheet or something. I love these blooms and would really like to preserve blossoms even for a short time. Thanks for commenting!
Amy
Beautiful captures, Rusha! Love the sign of spring. 🙂
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks, Amy. I fear that a new cold snap will zap the new blooms this week! Aaaggghhhh!
Curt Mekemson
Gorgeous photos, Rusha! Indeed a sign of spring. –Curt
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much, Curt. Hope you’ll be taking pics in Alaska!
Curt Mekemson
Of course. 🙂
Laura (Createarteveryday)
These images are stunning! Particularly the last two! Do I have your permission to let them inspire something on paper? I would of course link back to you here. Really wonderful images; thank you so much!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for your lovely comment. You can use the images any way you wish. I’m not a professional, so you’re free to work with these and link back. Appreciate the feedback!!!
Laura (Createarteveryday)
Thank you so much! (And you could easily be a professional!)
Laura (Createarteveryday)
Thanks to for your generosity. From the heart. Have a great Wednesday!
janaline's world journey
Such beautiful flowers! I think a lot of places the “seasons” are confusing plants and flowers are budding to early…its a pity because after the first frost most of them died.
Oh, the Places We See
It’s definitely happening here. The frost — and even the snow that’s forecast for later this week — may kill the initial beauty. Thanks for commenting!
Judy @ NewEnglandGardenAndThread
Lovely progression with a beautiful flower. 🙂
Oh, the Places We See
I really had lost all hope of anything from this sweet tree, so the few that are lovely are definitely worth cherishing, even if only for a few days. Hope your spring unfolds beautifully where you are.
Kathy Simmons
So beautiful and serene in white.
Oh, the Places We See
I’ve become a big fan of white flowers of late. Might have to make some note cards with a few of these pictures. I love them. Thanks so much for commenting, Kathy!
dawnkinster
Beautiful. We see those in April up in Michigan. But this year everything is confused.
Oh, the Places We See
It’s confused here, too. We have a few daffodils poking their heads out, but we have a forecast for snow later this week. What’s up?
cindy knoke
Whoa, stunning!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much, Cindy. I’ve learned over the few years we’ve had this tree, that I have to get out there and take pictures immediately. Here today, gone tomorrow really applies to these flowers!