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.
flowers of our 2 small trees have a sweet coconut fragrance.
Thank you to Katarina at roses and stuff for hosting Blooming Friday.
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.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tree. I would really like to have one, suppose I live in the wrong place.
ReplyDelete/Anette
Beatuiful tree! I would love to smell the fragrance. Carla
ReplyDeleteI 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 :)
ReplyDeleteTjingeling
Fantastic tree I would really like to have one in my garden.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend
Gunilla
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!
ReplyDeleteExciting 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 :)
ReplyDeleteLovely tree! But probably not hardy where I live....
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend
/Helen
What a dainty looking little tree! How nice that is has a pleasant fragrance!
ReplyDeleteWow, I just love your fringe trees. They are so delicate, and then to have a nice coconut fragrance too.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy ~ FlowerLady
Oh that castle was like taken from a fairytale, wonderful ! The tree was beautiful, I want some !!!
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend
Lisa/Lisas trädgård
Very pretty - reminds me of a feather boa! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tree!!
ReplyDeleteThe 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!
ReplyDeleteI'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.
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteI love the delicate flowers. They just look like they would smell good.
ReplyDeleteThe Fringe tree is so beautiful and very unusual looking! How lovely that it also has a nice scent.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're enjoying your weekend!
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.
ReplyDeleteMan, 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!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day! / Irene
The fringe trees are very pretty, and their scent sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are so feathery - they look lovely. The castle is like a fairy tale in miniature!
ReplyDeleteOne 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
ReplyDeleteLovely 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.
ReplyDeletemmmm, anything with a sweet coconut fragrance gets my vote. What beautiful fringey blooms (is that a word?!!).
ReplyDelete