You’ve heard me speak often about serendiptiy, and this spring it was a welcome and constant happening, specifically as regards those harbingers of spring, cherry blossoms. The timing of celebrations for Easter, my birthday, and our anniversary made for a long period of cherry blossoms in the house (first from the florist)…joining the Easter moss scene at the mantle
and making a simple statement when Easter decorations were put away.
And then! the stars of the garden burst forth…four matched ‘Hally Jolivette’ standards that heve been blooming at Parterre for 25 years. The first set of fruit trees on the property to start this cycle, this variety produces the most exquisite small, single blossoms in a soft shell pink, clustered together so they give a bountiful appearance to the pruned shape of a fully opened parasol.
Speaking of serendipity…we had not specified a plant or tree for the four square beds when we were moving into our new home in 1999. So I called my favorite Rhode Island tree man, Sam Kinder (of course, for me, when in doubt put in a tree). Not incoincidentally, he had just received a selection of these prized prunus ‘Hally Jolivette’; however, they were grafted standards, not trees, so he was about to return them. This great good luck has provided such joy-filled moments every spring…especially as nothing else is in bloom, save for daffodils.
Of course, this all happens before any leaves appear on the tree, lending an air of elegance to the display. While no mother likes to “play favorites,” I do have to confess that these four trees, and their position fronting the Orangerie, truly makes them the horticultural centerpiece of our three acres. And how dreamy they look in the soft glow of an early morning.
Come summer, what a pleasure it is to walk this path between the cherries when leading guests to a party in the Orangerie.
And I will leave you with this whimsical view from the garden apartment…with our cool spring their bloom period should extend to about three weeks.
Fingers crossed…
An evening garden party at the Orangerie would be absolutely magical!
And such a treat to prep for…each time is a different look. xB
Beautiful Bettie. Thank you for sharing all.
Aaaah, I Have many more pics…xB
Would love to see a photo of them in year one for comparison! A labor of love.
I think I can find one, but the real difference is in the trunks. No one told me that the trunk of a grafted tree enlarges every time it’s pruned! XB
“I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree!” How lovely and poetic are the gorgeous lights and subject of your exquisite photographs.
Oh Tall R, you are sooo poetic…can’t wait for Highlands! xxB
Truly specimens of…beauty. It gave me a shiver…fortunate to share. franki
Aaah, Franki, I could overwhelm you with images of those trees; I just took 10 more. A besotted gardener I am! xB
I had to Google ‘grafted standards’ and now I know even more regarding your lovely landscape. Thanks as always for sharing!
And there’s even more to learn, for me especially! xB
You are so generous to share these beautiful photo’s with us, thank you! Amy
Thank you, they mean so much more when they’re shared! xB
Such a heavenly garden to wake up to every morning! Absolutely stunning.
Thanks, dear you! xB
Your cheery cherry posts always bring joy! Those cherry blossoms and the rose chain are among my favorites.
Those are my 2 favorites also!! One in April, the other in June. What a way to start the spring and summer! xB
LOVELY LADY,
THERE ARE SO VERY FEW MOMENTS IN MY LIFE (THESE DAYS), THAT I LOOK FORWARD TO; KNOWING THAT MY SPIRITS WILL BE JOYFULLY LIFTED.
YET, VIA YOUR MAGIC AND GENEROSITY; TO SAY NOTHING OF YOUR PHOTO ‘TALENT’ – THE WORLD ‘SPRINGS’ ETERNAL.
MERCY BUCKETS!
FONDLY,
TOM
Yes, the world “springs eternal”! xB
Your garden is so lovely
Thank you, Elle! xB
Oh Bettie…..My favorite trees as well, above any others…and how very exquisitely the Hally
Jolivettes are showcased in your garden in Spring !! THANK YOU !!
My pleasure, and such a treat to share something so special at this “breakout” time of the year! xxB
A taste of Eden, exquisitely planned and executed. Bless you,Bettie, for this infusion of joy sent for one’s spirit today. I suspect your own joy is many-fold in the sharing.
So beautifully stated, Mary,yes! my”own joy is many-fold in the sharing.” xB
Beautiful!! The green of boxwoods beneath add to Beauty!
The green of hedging always adds so much; fortunately, we’ve identified alternatives to boxwood (due to the blight). xB
wow. just wow. love a cherry spring.