Time to watch for green bonfires #phenology

In a neighborhood only 3 or 4 miles southeast of us, a forsythia bush is in full bloom, has been for the past few days, a bright yellow explosion on the landscape. Our forsythias, neither as old nor as well grown, show but slight signs of having survived the Winter. We're less jealous of the distant neighbor's success and more curious about the astounding difference in early Spring development. It wouldn't be hard to convince us that it's due to degree of care. The ability of a plant to thrive under a regime of benign neglect is a useful trait on our property.

is this a dogwood, or wild plum or...?

Photo by J. Harrington

Perhaps there is a significant microclimate difference. The blooms in the picture above (wild plum?), located about a quarter of the way between our property and the blooming forsythia, had opened by the end of the third week of April two years ago. We've seen no sign of them so far this year and we don't think we've missed their bloom but time will tell.

We've howling winds, or strongly gusting breezes, depending on your perspective, again this afternoon. Another Red Flag day. There's lots of cloudiness but not much rain in the extended forecast. We suspect that will hinder the local "green-up" schedule.

The Enkindled Spring

D. H. Lawrence, 1885- 1930

This spring as it comes bursts up in bonfires green,
Wild puffing of emerald trees, and flame-filled bushes,
Thorn-blossom lifting in wreaths of smoke between
Where the wood fumes up and the watery, flickering rushes.

I am amazed at this spring, this conflagration 
Of green fires lit on the soil of the earth, this blaze
Of growing, and sparks that puff in wild gyration,
Faces of people streaming across my gaze.

And I, what fountain of fire am I among
This leaping combustion of spring? My spirit is tossed
About like a shadow buffeted in the throng
Of flames, a shadow that’s gone astray, and is lost.

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