With last week's return to cooler temperatures, the opening of the magnolia buds along Commonwealth Avenue slowed, but it is happening! And, if we get a sunny day or two, we think the spectacular display should peak this week.
Right now, there are a few early bloomers ready for their closeups. The white magnolias, like those above and below, are the first to bloom and a few have already begun to drop their petals.
There is the slightest tinge of pink even in the whitest of the white blossoms. It's fun to notice things like that when you move in for a close view.
The next bloomers are the Magnolia stellata, or star magnolia with many small petals per bud.
(This photo is from a past year.)
Finally, the big show stoppers will be the thousands of Magnolia × soulangeana or saucer magnolia.
And, an encore will be performed by the deep purple variety that's still showing tightly, closed buds on the few trees we can identify.
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012-2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino
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