An explosion of color found in the gardens at Sinsinawa Mounds, the mother house of the Sinsinawan Dominicans, a religious order of women established in 1847.
Apple Blossoms, Apple Tree
When I last posted crabapple blossoms, I thought it would be the end of the season. Huge thunderstorms moved through, and I was sure the blossoms that had yet to open would be ruined. But when I went this morning to check on the early lilacs, many of the crabapples were continuing their spring show. And what a grand show it was.
Don’t ask why this lovely apple tree has a name that I have trouble spelling correctly. I want to add an ‘e’ to properly spell prairie, but that’s not the way it was labeled. I think it is one of my favorites though. The color is bright and the tree is blooming profusely. It’s not a large tree, but it still has quite a bit more growing to do.
Jack in the Pulpit
Crabapple Blossoms – The Last Stand
This is the last set of photos from my visits to the Longenecker Horticultural Garden which features more than a hundred crabapples. Rain and wind from wickedly loud thunderstorm last night did in the last few I wanted to shoot. There’s always next year.
Aren’t they a pretty sight? I’m so much better, now that I have finally gotten the snow and cold out of my system!
Zebra Longwing Butterfly
The Marshall Butterfly Pavilion is home to two butterfly exhibits each year–a Monarch display in the fall and a butterfly extravaganza including sixteen different species of butterflies in the spring. We went to the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix to see the Chihuly Art exhibition when we were in Phoenix in April, and saw the butterflies while we were there. Double the pleasure!
I had never seen a zebra longwing–no surprise since its range is tropical, found in the southern US, Central America and the northern part of South America.









