Friday, April 8, 2011

A - Z Challenge: Glory

Magnolia Stellata, or star magnolia, is the glory of our garden.


Oh, I know that those beautiful, blowsy rhododendrons will arrive soon in a flurry of colored skirts and frilled bonnets but  magnolia is the undisputed queen.  All others are just ladies-in-waiting. 

Magnolia spends the winter with her pristine, white blossoms bundled in furry skins, warm against the  icy blasts.  Then, sometime in April (a little late this year), her aspect changes with a crown of white, starry flowers emerging one by one. 


In another week, magnolia will be in white from head to root.  The modest daffs and primroses will be no competition for her.  And, wisely, she will have swept away in a flurry of bruised petals by the time the others arrive with their perfumes and vivid colors.

But for a while, she is the undisputed queen.   Long awaited through the gray rainy days and greatly applauded when she arrives. 

8 comments:

Ginny Hartzler said...

I didn't know this. The one has a little furry cap on. How beautiful. Are there pink ones? We have trees around here that look like pink magnolias.

Empty Nester said...

Beautiful pictures + poetic writing = lovely post!

HalfCrazy said...

Hey there!

I like how your words go really well with the pictures you have posted. For me, white flowers are extemely attractive than the bright colored ones.

Misha Gerrick said...

Lovely post with beautiful pictures. I'll definitely be back. ^_^

Margaret Gosden said...

Yes, it is my favorite magnolia as a tree - it is glorious!

Mimi said...

Ah yes, she is queen. And she keeps us waiting! here too.
Enjoying your a to z challenge, you always have a great and sometimes unusual take on the letters.

Rudee said...

Such a lovely tale of floral beauty...

Sigh...

Still nothing here. Spring is sooooo late.

Jeff Beesler said...

There's a reason the movie is called Steel Magnolias and not Steel Daffodils or Steel Primroses. I believe your post has finally brought the reason why to light for me.

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