Spring In Rockland - Plant notes

We have been watching the progress of spring in Rockland. When we first arrived I was not paying a lot of attention to the flora. Being on foot means we see more than we would if we drove.

In the nine days we have been here I have watched the maples go from waxy translucent leaves as they open to full dark colors. The red maples are particularly lovely. The public library has a few varieties of maple with different shapes of leaves, some more finely divided than others.

The lawn of the library has a scattering of violets across it, and when the sun shines you can smell their sweet scent. The apples have moved from bud to blossom, with some of the first flowers fading away. I have seen at least two different apples: one with large light pink flowers, the other with smaller blossoms and a darker, almost red flower. Since these are both in areas where they are probably planted as ornamentals, I expect they are some form of crab apple.

I only noticed the European mountain ash tree yesterday as we were leaving the library. It is about half grown, and the flowers are just beginning to show white, which is what finally caught my eye. The last of the tulips are fading. Tulips were quite abundant when we arrived, mostly tall Darwin types.

We don't have azaleas back home. Our soil is too alkaline for them to survive. While I would not say they are common, I have seen several here that are doing well. The sight of a bush covered in pink flowers is remarkable to my desert born eyes.

On one of our trips to the grocery store we passed a tree with large leaves and tall spikes of white flowers. I am not sure if it is a Horsechestnut or a Buckeye, but the picture of the horsechesnut flower is really close to what we saw. I am reminded of a delphinium flower, but standing up from a tree branch. This is the first time I recall ever seeing this flowering tree.

Another first was spying the pyracantha hedge in bloom. I am used to seeing them covered in orange berries, but do not recall ever seeing them in bloom before. I suppose this might actually be a variety of cotoneaster, but the leaves and stems (including some wicked thorns) look like what I always called firethorn. The little flowers were a light buff with rosy edges, and felt like wood shavings rather than flower petals. Eighth to quarter inch hemispherical bells.

Along with all the painting going on to start the summer season, the shops along Main Street are planting out window boxes. Most of the flowers are things I recognize (pansies, gazania, geraniums) but there is one I have no idea what it is. All along the front of one store is a series of window boxes planted with a short, grassy looking leaf. I am wondering if it is a miniature dianthus, or perhaps some form of cypress rush. I doubt we will be around to see it bloom, since we are hoping to head out by June 4.