Friday, January 7, 2011

Blooming Friday ~ Hidden


Following the theme of this week's Blooming Friday "hidden", here is a link to a post about a hidden castle that I published a couple of weeks ago. Gimghoul Castle is hidden in a forest at the end of a lane and the society which owns it is a secret society. Even the site on which the castle is built and its name are shrouded in mystery.

On the horticultural side, our native fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) is a tree that hides in plain sight for much of the year. There are two wild fringetrees that grow at wood's edge on our farm and when they aren't in bloom I literally have not been able to find them.

They are beautiful in bloom though, during the month of May.


I have read that fringetrees are not always fragrant, but the
flowers of our 2 small trees have a sweet coconut fragrance.



Thank you to Katarina at roses and stuff for hosting Blooming Friday.

27 comments:

  1. That is a beautiful native and how nice that yours is fragrant! I love that expression, hiding in plain sight. I feel like the clethra and forsythia in my own yard are like that - unnoticed when not in bloom.

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  2. What a lovely tree. I would really like to have one, suppose I live in the wrong place.
    /Anette

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  3. Beatuiful tree! I would love to smell the fragrance. Carla

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  4. I agree with Anette .. What a lovley tree! ...and if I had one and it have a sweet fragrant of coconut, then I´ll be happy :)
    Tjingeling

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  5. Fantastic tree I would really like to have one in my garden.

    Have a great weekend
    Gunilla

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  6. I love the Chionanthus. Had one put in our new garden. Your photos are lovely of its fringey blooms. How lucky to have them wild...what a find that would be!

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  7. Exciting with a tree that only shows itself for a short period and then remain hidden. I can see why it's called fringed, it looks really soft and fluffy too. Enjoy your weekend and all the best for the new year :)

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  8. Lovely tree! But probably not hardy where I live....
    Have a nice weekend
    /Helen

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  9. What a dainty looking little tree! How nice that is has a pleasant fragrance!

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  10. Wow, I just love your fringe trees. They are so delicate, and then to have a nice coconut fragrance too.

    Enjoy ~ FlowerLady

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  11. Oh that castle was like taken from a fairytale, wonderful ! The tree was beautiful, I want some !!!
    Have a good weekend
    Lisa/Lisas trädgård

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  12. Very pretty - reminds me of a feather boa! :)

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  13. The first time I saw a fringetree growing in someone's yard (in bloom) I think I came to a screeching halt. Since then we've been able to buy some at our local native plant sales. Great photos!

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  14. I've seen fringe trees planted as specimens but your wild ones hiding in plain sight in the woods are far more charming. A plant in its natural habitat just looks right. Your photos show a delicate, sweet beautiful tree... I love it.

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  15. I love fringe trees! I always look forward to their spring bloom on my river walks. I wish they could be found for sale. I'd love one in the garden!

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  16. I love the delicate flowers. They just look like they would smell good.

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  17. The Fringe tree is so beautiful and very unusual looking! How lovely that it also has a nice scent.
    I hope you're enjoying your weekend!

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  18. I've heard of fringe trees before, but I don't think I've ever seen one--lovely! The fragrance is an added bonus. If I had to pick something "hidden" in my garden, it would be a shrub that is so obvious it's taken for granted. The flowering quince was planted long ago by my mother-in-law, and I was about ready to cut it down until it flowered one day. Needless to say, it's still there, nothing special most of the year until those early gorgeous summer blooms.

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  19. Man, I should totally participate in the 'Hidden' theme. Seeing as how everything is buried under mountains of snow. I remember your castle post and am still giggling that hubs wouldn't let you trespass. Happy Friday!

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  20. Lovely photos!
    Have a nice day! / Irene

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  21. The fringe trees are very pretty, and their scent sounds delicious.

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  22. I have been playing catch-up again with my blogging! The fringe tree is gorgeous in bloom. I am curious about the hidden castle; I'm off to follow your link now!

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  23. The flowers are so feathery - they look lovely. The castle is like a fairy tale in miniature!

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  24. One of my favorite trees. Unfortunately mine has no fragrance. But, I don't care, I love the bloom and how it hides in the woods and surprises me in late spring. gail

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  25. Lovely Sweetbay! We have Fringe trees here too but I would imagine they are different . . . certainly not native. Yours are so lovely with their cloud of delicate plumes. I loved your secret castle post too.

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  26. mmmm, anything with a sweet coconut fragrance gets my vote. What beautiful fringey blooms (is that a word?!!).

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