Given the right conditions spring flowers seem to
appear in synchronised abundance around this time. Blossom is everywhere for a
short period of days or weeks. As all the buds burst triggered by the same
conditions there is no escaping the main attraction of the season: flowering trees and shrubs.
Chaenomeles -or Flowering Quince- is a genus of shrubs
in the Rose family from South-Asia that is in fact related to true Quinces
(Cydonia). The large flowers with 5 petals appear late winter or early spring
in clusters along the stems. In the wild the flowers are mostly an orange-red
colour, but in the garden white and pink varieties are cultivated. These sturdy
reliable plants are also a firm favourite for public parks and gardens.
Rhododendron needs little introduction. Since these
plants were introduced from China and Japan people have rushed to plant them in
parks and gardens. Formerly a distinction was made between Azalea and
Rhododendron, scientifically these both belong to the genus Rhododendron in the
Heather family. The large-leaved Rhododendron (on the left in white) often have
distinct markings in the flower to guide bees. The Azalea often lacks these
marking, although the Ghent Azalea (middle) has some speckles or marking in the
throat of the flower. Evergreen Azaleas (right) have small leaves and pink,
white, purple or blue flowers than can smother the plant.
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