2013 Dogwoods

Dogwoods are one of my favorite trees. I like the way they move in the understory of a forest. The branches seem to float in the air currents during the summer. The leaves turn red early in the fall. In the winter the branches look fragile. Come spring the white or light pink flowers are among the largest of the spring blooms. Their green centers mature to reddish orange seeds by fall. This is my 2013 posts celebrating dogwoods.

I first became familiar with dogwoods about 30 years ago when we moved to the east coast. We had one that grew under the oaks in our backyard, leaning over the patio. They are not fast growing trees; that one may have been older than the house. We have moved several times since then and now my favorite place for dogwoods is the Brighton Dam Azalea Garden in Maryland.

I thought I might be too late to capture the dogwoods and the azaleas when I finally found time to get over the garden on May 15th. Fortunately for me, the weather was cooler than usual in late April and early May. The white dogwoods were already past their prime but the pink tinted ones were still very beautiful. Enjoy the slide show of dogwoods in spring below!

My 2012 dogwood post is here.