Redbud trees in St Marys County MD

The redbud trees this year seemed more beautiful than ever.  Even the one we planted as a memorial to my Mom suddenly bloomed extra well.  These were taken in Callaway.

Tulips at Lyon Family Farms

 I visited a local You Pick it Farm when they had some nice tulip fields, instead of driving to Baltimore to see Sherwood Gardens.  I discovered that Sherwood Gardens was a really long trip.  The fields were not only pretty, but I got to bring home a batch of tulips to photograph and bulbs to plant. (although it is somewhat questionable whether they will come up next Spring in our poor soil.)

The farm had really dark purple, almost black tulips, some frilly red and yellow ones and several shades of pink.

Sort of Red White and Blue (purple)

There was a wishing well and a little bridge.

This one reminded me of Mickey Mouse.

I cut off the bulbs later to plant in Autumn.

I loved the pretty baskets for gathering tulips.

Flowers at the U.S. National Arboretum Part 4

The last section we saw in the park included Dogwood trees (Pink, red and white)  near the Asian collection.  Beautiful!

Pink Dogwood

 Some type of weeping willow tree?

I also wanted to share some gorgeous exceptional peonies from the Bonsai area in full bloom.  

Pink Peony

A White Peony had a red and yellow center

Flowers at the National Arboretum Part 3

There were a lot of flowering trees blooming when we visited, including a large quantity of redbud trees.  Even a weeping redbud!  The azaleas were just barely starting to bloom. (more azaleas later!)

Cherry Trees

The historical National Capital Columns were being renovated.

Redbud

Azaleas

Weeping redbud, the first one I've seen.

 

Flowers at the U.S. National Arboretum in April Part 2

We enjoyed wandering around the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum with bonsai from China, Japan and North America.  There was a lovely magenta bouganvillea bonsai I loved, the beautiful round arch of the Chinese pavillion surrounded by wisteria and an orchid bonsai.  I still remember a collection of azalea bonsai from many years ago that was probably on loan.

Chinese Pavilion Gate

Chinese Arch

Red maple

Bougainvillea bonsai

Orchid

National Arboretum Entrance

Flowers at the U.S. National Arboretum in April Part 1

I wanted to see the tulips at Sherwood Gardens in Baltimore, but the trip was just a little too far away and I couldn't find any nearby restrooms, so we settled on the U.S. National Arboretum instead, since it was a shorter trip.  

Does anyone know of any tulip fields in St. Mary's County?  They had a few tulips at the Arboretum,  but not 6 acres worth and most of them were behind a fence.  

They did have quite a variety of beautiful flowers blooming, so I was satisfied.  In the past, we usually visited in May to see the azaleas.  Most of the azaleas weren't blooming yet and that was fine.

I will probably turn this into several posts, because there were too many pretty ones.

We smelled and saw some lovely wisteria too.  The carpenter bees were certainly enjoying it.

Tulips

Wisteria