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.

35 comments:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  7. Thank you, Elaine, and nice to meet you!

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  8. 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.

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

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  10. 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!

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

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  12. 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. :)

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  13. 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.

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

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

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  16. 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!

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  17. 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.

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  18. 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/

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

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  20. Spring has sprung. Lovely.

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  21. 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.

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  22. 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.

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

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

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  25. 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.

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

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

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

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  29. Thanks, ks, and nice to meet you.

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

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

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  32. 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

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I am so glad you have stopped by!