It may come as no surprise that the Bard of Avon had it right all along:
April . . . hath put a spirit of youth in everything.
William Shakespeare
And so it is that Colorful April is upon us.
In Knoxville, Tennessee, April brings on white and pink dogwood trees, inviting residents and visitors to a city-wide celebration known simply as Dogwood Arts. It’s fun. It’s beautiful. And above all else — it’s colorful. But other flowers ask for a little respect around here as well.
Join us as we roam the UT Gardens where dogwoods are celebrated, but other flowers show off their prettiest and best — just to make it fun!
First the unfurling of the greens . . .
And then the buttery yellows of a rare Cucumbertree Magnolia.
Leaves, too, deserve a little notice — like the sun-washed leaves of Spirea Japonica: Japanese meadowsweet.
But not to be outdone, pinks make a dramatic statement in the gardens.
Blushing tulips turn their heads to the warmth of the sun . . .
while Pink Columbines sway with the gentle winds.
Seeking shade, these Ivory Prince Lenten Roses (Helleborus) bow their heads, longing for quiet moments . . .
while Redbuds hold on as long as they can before dogwoods steal the show.
And here come the whites: Snowball hydrangeas weigh down their branches as they nod with the breeze.
and dogwoods take center stage, proud to have a festival named after them. They appear almost without fanfare, yet everyone feels the love. It’s our flower, and it wouldn’t be spring without the dogwoods.
Well-apparel’d April on the heel
Of limping Winter treads.
William Shakespeare
For more Colorful April entries in this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, be sure to go to Amy’s post and check out what colorful finds she’s sharing.
Travel colorfully,
Rusha & Bert
Leya
Just gorgeous, Rusha! What a feast you are treating us to. Here we have almost no colours at all yet – I’ll have to scroll yours again…
Oh, the Places We See
Keep dreaming of spring. It will happen soon for you, I hope. And if you ever want to come to Knoxville, come in April. We’re wearing our best colors now!
Wandering Dawgs
What a beautiful celebration! I Iove all these images! The last one of the Dogwood blossoms is my favorite!
Oh, the Places We See
Thank you so much. Some of our dogwood blossoms have age spots, or so it looks like that to me. These were very soft and fresh looking. And a few branches were low enough for me to reach. Come visit us in April!!
Wandering Dawgs
That would be a wonderful trip!
WanderingCanadians
Such beautiful colours and flowers. I love the snowball hydrangeas. Whenever I see hydrangeas in general I can’t help but think of Cape Cod. I’m actually planning on planting some hydrangeas at the front of my house this spring. It may have to wait until next spring though depending on whether our garden centres or nurseries stay closed during lockdown.
Oh, the Places We See
You are so right about Cape Cod. Oh, those blue hydrangeas next to gray shingled cottages and roses climbing up a trellis. Sooo lovely!
Toonsarah
What gorgeous flower photos! The dogwoods are beautiful, worthy of their own festival, but I was also very taken with the Cucumbertree Magnolia – I’ve never heard of them but it looks a stunner!
Oh, the Places We See
I’ve never heard of that magnolia variety either. Gorgeous!!!
P Squared
Wow what a happy post!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks! I had a great morning in these lovely gardens.
KFBuchsbaum
The dogwood really are incredibly beautiful in K’ville. Txs for the lovely pics & memories of my college days!
Oh, the Places We See
We love in a pretty part of the country, for sure!
I. J. Khanewala
I love that soft light on the white hydrangeas. Also the beautiful mellow sunlight on the redbuds
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks. It really is all about the light, I guess.
Ana
Great post! Love the Pink Columbines are wonderful!
Oh, the Places We See
I love those as well. And they were too distant for me to reach, so I used my telephoto. Had no idea what i shot until I got home. A pleasant surprise!!
SoyBend
Loved your dogwood photo! The columbine was nice too.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. Come to Knoxville. They’re really pretty up close.
kzmcb
Thanks for sharing those lovely colours.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for taking a look. It’s pretty here now!!!
Pit
Beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing.
Oh, the Places We See
I loved being almost alone in that huge garden.
Carolyn Pearre
Rusha,
Another wonderful post and this one makes me homesick for April in Knoxville!!💕
Carolyn
Oh, the Places We See
It’s our best month. And even though the activities haven’t picked back up fully, nature is still pumping out beauty everywhere. See you soon!!
Pat
What beautiful flower photographs. It makes me eager to return to Michigan, even though it will be a few weeks before we see the blooms you now have. May is our colorful month.
Oh, the Places We See
Enjoy spring no matter when it happens. I love it here when things are blooming.
Tina Schell
Loved your post this week Rusha! I do miss the dogwoods which were plentiful in our NJ home. Here we have azaleas which are gorgeous, and the magnolias won’t be far behind, but some of your varieties we only see in professional gardens. I do miss the many kinds of flowers we loved up north. Your images are gorgeous.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for the compliment. I went alone, and loved my time in the gardens. Fortunately, many varieties had markers with botanical names. For others, I was just lost. There’s always something new, right?
Ingrid
Beautiful floral images. I especially like the blushing tulips. Once I moved west, seeing tulips became a rare and special treat.
Oh, the Places We See
Those tulips were nearly perfect. And the morning sunlight made them even prettier. Thanks for your Comm.
Rose Vettleson
This is a beautiful and happiness-inspiring post. I am a huge fan of hydrangeas but enjoy all the new spring growth.
Oh, the Places We See
I LOVE hydrangeas. These white ones( I don’t know the botanical name) grow on an enormous bush, much taller than a person. The hydrangeas we have are about waist high.
Steve Berger
Love the pictures, love the quotes, miss the fragrance.
Oh, the Places We See
Come to Knoxville. You’ll love the fragrances!!!
Amy
What a treat to see these colorful spring flowers, Rusha! The Pink Columbines are very special, we only have yellow one around here.
I saw dogwood blooms in Tallahassee many years ago, and I still remember the experience of walking down the path with dogwoods on both sides. Thank you for this beautiful spring flower gallery.
Oh, the Places We See
I was in heaven this morning as I strolled the gardens almost alone. Have to do that again sometime!!
JohnRH
Beautiful!!! Bill Shakespeare had a word, or two, for it.
Oh, the Places We See
He had a word it two for a lot of things!!!
Sue
Some lovely seasonal colours!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much!!
Sue
You’re welcome, Rusha!