Two types of weather conditions that magnolias don't need are strong winds and heavy rain. This year they have been unlucky on both counts. The big showy flowers are bruised when battered by the wind and their cup shape doesn't resist the rain.
I was hoping to take some photos of the flowers standing out against a beautiful blue sky but unfortunately true blue skies have been lacking during the height of the flowering.
The flowers can't really be appreciated as much when they merge into a nondescript sky.
For some reason this year the flowers lower down the tree are still waiting to open whilst the ones at the top are in full flow and in some cases going over.
One of the advantages of the tree reaching up to the bedroom windows is that we can get up into the canopy and appreciate the flowers at close quarters.
I was amused to see a blue tit actually perched at the end of one of the petals.
Hopefully the lower flowers will decide to burst forth. Meanwhile some of the flowers at the top of the tree have decided to call it a day and after the battering they have had this year who can blame them?
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It's spectacular, and how wonderful to be able to see it from higher up. I love being up high amongst the trees, it always feels like being in a nest, and the magnolia is particular good for viewing.
ReplyDeleteIt is, C J and I am the mad woman hanging out of the window with a camera!
DeleteI love magnolias we had to leave a lovely one behind when we moved to Eastbourne we are too exposed here now to consider another. Those close up pics look great
ReplyDeleteSo do I, David
DeleteI think blue skies set off any flower, still lacking today. My lilac tree is right outside my bedroom window, as you say, it's wonderful to get so close to the blooms, and the scent too.
ReplyDeleteI have lovely photos from previous years, Jo but that would be cheating.
DeleteIt's a shame about the wind and rain, but it still looks magnificent.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to tempt the wind most years, Jessica but this year it has had both wind and rain to contend with.
DeleteYou have been unlucky with the weather, Sue. I was only thinking yesterday how little wind we have had the last couple of months, and it has been quite dry too - so much so that I did some watering with a hosepipe last weekend. I think your Magnolia looks good despite the damage, as long as you don't look TOO closely. Better from a distance, I'm sure!
ReplyDeleteNo hosepipe needed here yet, Mark but it takes our soil a while to dry out after a prolonged wet period.No hosepipe needed
DeleteBeautiful. This is one that I don't have!
ReplyDeleteBut you do have some really beautiful plants, Endah
DeleteHow beautiful, fingers crossed you don't get a frost.
ReplyDeleteYou are at least a week or more ahead of us, no flowers here yet.
The magnolia started to flower about a fortnight or more ago, Jayne
DeleteWhat a wonderful sight that must be from the bedroom window Sue - I hope the weather holds out for the remainder of the blooms.
ReplyDeleteIt is, Angie
DeleteIt's a lovely tree but I couldn't see the Blue Tit, Mike has been laughing at me as I was staring at the laptop screen searching. xx
ReplyDeleteSorry, Joanne I didn't get a photo of the blue tit in question :)
DeleteOh good, I can tell Mike to stop laughing at me then. xx
DeleteWhat a shame, lets hope the weather improves for the flowers lower down. It must be lovely to see the blossom from the window, it is a magnificent tree!!! I know what you mean about the lack of a blue sky, I've been waiting for one to photograph the cherry blossom but it's just grey....endless grey.xxx
ReplyDeleteMaybe we need to Photoshop some blue sky, Snowbird
DeleteBeautiful tree, shame about the weather!
ReplyDeleteCathy
It is Cathy but we can't have everything can we?
DeleteA shame about the weather Sue. If it's any consolation a lot of the magnolias in our area have already gone over. Such a beautiful tree.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame it is so short lived. Victoria but I suppose it makes us appreciate it more.
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