Thursday, March 12, 2015

Thursday Thirteen 367: Longenecker Gardens

In the span of a week, we went from below normal temperatures that were below freezing to above normal temps in the 50s -- and are supposed to see 60 or higher the next few days. The last time we had temps this warm in early to mid-March was in 2012, which resulted in flowering trees blooming a month too early, fruit trees damaged by an April freeze, and a summer drought. I visited Longenecker Gardens at the UW Arboretum that March and share with you now a selection of photos taken three years ago. If this weather holds, I may be photographing them early again this year.


These blossoms were actually on Curtis Prairie.


Mockorange

Flowering Quince


Flowering Quince



There was a profusion of magnolia that year, in various colors and size.




Crabapple on the verge of blooming


Magnolia buds


Lilac, on the verge of flowering


Magnolia


Crabapple


Daffodil





LINKING TO: Thursday Thirteen





12 comments:

Beth at PlantPostings said...

I've been thinking the same thing, Heather...praying that we won't have another drought. That was horrible. Worst drought I've ever experienced. It wouldn't be so bad to have a short mild snap, and then a return to more "normal" March temperatures. Looks like that is the forecast for Madison next week. I noticed that the first butterflies have been sighted in Wisconsin and reported on wisconsinbutterflies.org.

Heather said...

Beth: Like minds! *G* I'm glad to be over the below zero temps, and the warm weather has been a pleasant treat following a brutal February, but I hope it isn't an omen of the summer to come.

I can't believe people are seeing butterflies already. I haven't even seen a robin yet, though birds are returning and the finches started regaining their yellow plumage weeks ago.

Alice Audrey said...

So many beautiful flowers, so little Spring.

CountryDew said...

Those photos had me drooling wishing for spring. We just now had the snow finally go away. I'm ready for spring!

colleen said...

A glimpse of things to come! I didn't think they could be from this year.

Heather said...

Alice: Thank you. We are finally seeing signs of spring here, including above normal temps the last two weeks.

Anita: Our snow has mostly melted away here, too. Still a few piles in more shaded spots, but our front yard is now completely bare, and the back slowly ebbing away.

Colleen: Yes, a glimpse to keep us hoping. The magnolias usually bloom late April to early May here, but 2012 was not a typical year. I hope the fruit trees aren't fooled into blooming early this year, as that can be difficult on orchard owners.

Paige Tyler said...

Beautiful pics! I love flowers! And thanks for the link! :)

*hugs*
Paige

My TT is at http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com/2015/03/thursday-thirteen-tinkerbell.html

Lea said...

Oh so pretty!
I don't remember what year exactly, but one year our pear trees bloomed too early. From three pear trees we got exactly one bucket of pears. So far they are not budded out this year.
Your lovely photos just shout SPRING!

Forgetfulone said...

I love magnolia! Sure wish I had one in my yard. I did when I was growing up. Loved that tree and the pretty flowers. The quince is beautiful, too!

The Gal Herself said...

The quince are my favorite. I don't know if it's the color or the shape, but they remind me of another flower ... and yet they don't. I love the mix of unique and familiar.

Heather said...

Paige: Thank you. Flowers do bring a bit of cheer into life, don't they?

Thanks, Lea! While I am not fond of them myself, I do hope your pear trees bring you a good crop this year. ☺

Heather said...

Forgetfulone: Watching for the magnolia to bloom has become a spring ritual, though it looks like they may bloom a lot earlier than usual this year. Guess we shall see how this unusual warm spell bears out. :)

Gal: Thank you. I love the bright colors of the quince. I've only seen them at the Arboretum, and they smell as wonderful as they look.