Wednesday, February 16, 2011

February Bloom Day: Our Version of Snow is Yellow

When acacia dealbata begins blooming here in earnest (around mid-February), it looks as if the trees were weighed down by a yellow blanket of snow that falls in a mist when the wind blows.


These evergreen trees originate in Australia but feel quite at home in Northern California too where they are often found lining highways. They are spectacular when massed and in bloom.



I love the look of yellow pom-poms against grey ferny foliage.


For me, they are a harbinger of spring, a sight to cheer me up with the promise of sunshine, and warmth, and the bounty of blooms to come.



I am linking this post to May Dreams Gardens for Carol's Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.
Posted by Masha at 11:50 AM
Labels:

35 comments:

  1. DarlaFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:17 PM

    They are beautiful, I wonder if they are a mimosa?

    ReplyDelete
  2. MashaFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    Thank you, Darla, and yes, they are, how great that you should know it. The blooms are generally known as "mimosa" in florist trade.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Southern LadyFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:38 PM

    Masha, those photos are breathtaking! Like a burst of sunshine! Carla

    ReplyDelete
  4. MashaFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    Thank you, Carla. That's exactly what I think every time I see them.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Phillip OliverFebruary 16, 2011 at 1:10 PM

    Stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  6. MashaFebruary 16, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    Thanks, Phillip!

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownFebruary 16, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    Sweet shots! Love those blooms.

    ReplyDelete
  8. MashaFebruary 16, 2011 at 2:06 PM

    Thank you, and so nice to hear from you again.

    ReplyDelete
  9. ElaineFebruary 16, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    What a beautiful burst of color in the landscape! I love seeing these along the highways and back roads.

    ReplyDelete
  10. MashaFebruary 16, 2011 at 2:11 PM

    Thank you, Elaine, and nice to meet you!

    ReplyDelete
  11. VetsyFebruary 16, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    Masha thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving some tips about roses.

    I love the the evergreens with the burst of yellow. what a stunner! There is something about the color of yellow that makes one smile.

    Lovely photos.

    ReplyDelete
  12. MashaFebruary 16, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    Vetsy, thank you, and I am so glad you saw my comment on your blog. I hope it was helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  13. HolleyGardenFebruary 16, 2011 at 2:32 PM

    Stunning! I've always heard of acacia, but not sure if i've ever seen one. If I had seen on in bloom, I would have surely remembered!

    ReplyDelete
  14. MashaFebruary 16, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    Thank you, HolleyGarden, and I agree, they are quite stunning, and fragrant too.

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    I don't think I've ever seen this tree before. It's beautiful. Thanks for sharing it with us. I can't wait for Spring to get here. We had hail here today in Central California, but I'm glad to have the water for my garden.

    I love all of the pictures of the roses from your garden on your sidebar, btw... so beautiful. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. MashaFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:16 PM

    Thank you, Secret Garden Cottage, and nice to meet you! Hail should be coming here tomorrow, but, yes, we are glad to get rain however it comes.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Jennifer@threedogsinagardenFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    What a gloriously beautiful tree! I love the ferny leaves.

    ReplyDelete
  18. MashaFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    Thank you, Jennifer, and how great to meet you!

    ReplyDelete
  19. dorothyFebruary 16, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    Hi Masha, Those photos are just spectacular! I don't see acacia being planted around my area anymore. Maybe because of the pollen but they are so pretty in early spring!

    ReplyDelete
  20. MashaFebruary 16, 2011 at 8:22 PM

    Thanks, Dorothy, and nice to meet you! They are not planted here either, I think because they are brittle and spread easily, but I am not sure.

    ReplyDelete
  21. WallyFebruary 17, 2011 at 6:02 AM

    What a surprise to find wattle announcing the coming of spring on the other side of the world. Lovely photos, I especially like the close-up. There are almost a thousand varieties of wattle and some are considered invasive even in parts of Australia outside their native region. If anyone is interested in reading more about wattles there's a lot of info on the Australian National Botanic Gardens website.
    http://www.anbg.gov.au/acacia/

    ReplyDelete
  22. MashaFebruary 17, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    Thanks for the info, Mac, and nice to meet you.

    ReplyDelete
  23. thibaudFebruary 17, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    Spring has sprung. Lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  24. bradzioFebruary 17, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    The acacias along hwy 13 in Oakland have been in full bloom for a few weeks now. A friend of mine who grew up here says he loves the smell and they remind him of spring. I didn't even know they smelled.

    ReplyDelete
  25. MashaFebruary 17, 2011 at 12:03 PM

    Yes, bradzio, we had a very warm January, so they are early this year. Their fragrance is wonderful, and that's why they are frequently sold as cut flowers. They remind me of spring, too.

    ReplyDelete
  26. MashaFebruary 17, 2011 at 12:04 PM

    Thank you, thibaud, and I am glad to hear from you again.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Olga PoltavaFebruary 17, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    These blooming trees look so magical. I love all that yellow color.
    As always, Masha, your photos are fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  28. MashaFebruary 17, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    Dear Olga, thanks so much for your nice comment, and for taking a look at my pictures. I am so happy to hear from you.

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousFebruary 17, 2011 at 5:12 PM

    Masha, how pretty! I can just imagine the yellow floating down. :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. MashaFebruary 17, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    Thank you, Hanni, and I am so happy to see your primrose on my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  31. ksFebruary 17, 2011 at 8:35 PM

    Hello Masha, always glad to see another blogger from Norcal; beautiful photos..I posted on the Acacias here just a few days ago--

    ReplyDelete
  32. MashaFebruary 17, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    Thanks, ks, and nice to meet you.

    ReplyDelete
  33. OF SPRING AND SUMMERFebruary 18, 2011 at 4:31 AM

    Hi Masha,
    Magnificent! What a wonderful yellow!
    Have a great weekend.
    Ingrid x

    ReplyDelete
  34. MashaFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:20 AM

    Thank you, Ingrid, I am glad to meet you.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Beth at PlantPostingsFebruary 19, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    Masha: I literally sighed with joy while viewing and reading this post. What a lovely breath of fresh spring air! Thank you! I have some good news for you: I have selected you for the Stylish Blogger Award. You can learn more about it and the other award winners (and claim your award) on my blog. Have a great weekend! Beth

    ReplyDelete

I am so glad you have stopped by!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)