It’s Dogwood time again
Here in Quincy, at the extreme western edge of the corrupt State of Illinois, we are proud of our Dogwoods, if not our ex-governors and perhaps the incumbent. Dogwoods can’t be found much farther north, but they put on a splendid display here. These photos were taken on the peak day of bloom, on April 26 this year. They were taken on my daily walk past Madison Park and continuing along 24th Street, York Avenue, and down 22nd Street.
My walk takes me through a mature neighborhood with tall trees and well-cared for lawns. My favorite house below reflects hours of care by the presumably retired couple who call it home. They also have planted a couple of beds along the street.
This old dogwood belongs to my friend Kenneth Abbott, a.k.a. the broom man.
Here’s an even older Dogwood. I didn’t think it would make it this year, but it rose to the occasion.
There aren’t many old fashioned Lilacs along my route, but my nose tells me when they are near. I’m not sure I really like a Lilac’s scent. I was tempted to title this post, “I don’t need no steenkin’ Lilacs.”
These last images are from Madison Park.
Lovely dad! Wish I could walk with you.. but what kind of person says lilacs are stinky?!
I calls ‘em the way I smells ‘em. The first faint whiff is nice, but after a while it’s a cloying olfactory overload – nothing subtle about it. Of course, your mileage may vary.
The Peonie buds are swelling, so there is worse to come.
I vividly remember climbing the climbing tree in the back yard of roger’s court house and someone taller than me telling me that this tree was called a “dogwood”. Quincy has more dogwoods than St. Louis i think.
Nice photos, Dad! You and Mom are lucky to be living near Madison Park; it’s a tree museum.
I’m surprised that Kyle doesn’t see more dogwoods in the St.. Louis area. It should be ideal habitat for the species. I planted several dogwood seedlings at my old Knox County place and the they flourished. My deceased nursery-man friend Jim was surprised to hear this back in the early nineties. “The winters used to be too severe for dogwoods around here! Something must have changed.”