It’s amazing how life picks up speed at certain times of the year, there is so much going on, its tough to keep ahead or even keep up! apologies for the long stretch of nothing between blogs.
My cherry blossom inspired quilt “Hanami” is finished and on its way to the Cherry Blossom show..
I’ll be at the opening and hope you can drop by and see the wonderful collection of work if you’re in the neighborhood.
Spring had finally happened here and it arrived with a thump! one day it was winter and the next day it was spring. I have been waiting for the weather to warm up a bit to get started on some work in the front garden and the digging is under way. There’s nothing pretty to show yet but there will be… maybe not soon, but there will be.
This beautiful tree is the center point of the new front garden design, it’s such a beautiful thing. As the day warms up the large cup like flowers open and then close again in the evening. It’s a stunning tree and huge (OK, only about 20 feet tall) but the front deck is nestled right into the branches, it feels like being in a tree house. I’m not quite sure what the tree is called ..tulip tree has been mentioned but!?
The shape if the flower certainly suits it being called a tulip tree!
I love this time of year, all sorts of new shoots coming out in the garden and the forest and best of all it’s light in the mornings and evenings. There have been a few stunning sunsets but this image was taken very early in the morning ( very, very) of the moon over the city. I know the electric wires probably aren’t a feature to most people but I love the bold lines dividing the city.
Almost getting up so early for ( almost!)
Bye for now, Catherine
ravensthread 
Hi Catherine,
I think you tree might be a magnolia grandifolia. It is magnificent! We haven’t hit winter yet, but autumn is starting to make it’s presence felt!
Cheers
Sally
Hi Catherine, I think your tree is a magnolia grandifolia. The flowers look right and the lack of foliage are the clues. I love the perfume of the magnolia. Autumn is in full flight here. The leaves have started to turn!
Cheers
Sally
Oops – I just realised that my Hutchins quilters name is on that post – sorry.
Sally Westcott
Yep, I agree it’s a magnolia! I love this time of year (UK) and seeing all the plants sprouting to life and flowers bursting with colour.
We have a Magnolia the same. I discovered this year that if you need to cut it back a bit then just as the leaf buds appear next year cut yourself some twiggy stems about 2 feet long and put them in a bucket of water in the house. After about 10 days they will flower and the perfume is amazing. It will fill your home with a heady scent.
It’s definitely a Magnolia but I don’t think grandiflora. They are evergreen and flower later in the year and this one looks like the leaves are just opening. There are many like yours and would be a little difficult to pinpoint, perhaps go to a garden centre and see what they also have in flower. Beautiful trees though and fabulous moon photo!
Thanks everyone for the information on the tree! I have had the “final word” from the landscape fellow and he agrees, it is a Magnolia. He doesn’t know the variety either and estiates the tree to be about 23 to 25 years old (how he knows. I don’t know!) and best of all healthy.
It does smell gorgeous Clare – I had a few bits inside this week and have really enjoyed the fragrance.
Catherine