Updated: 8/30/2005; 11:39:52 PM

 Sunday, April 10, 2005
Redbuds come in colors
Eastern redbud, Cercis canadensis, comes in two color varieties in nature. At least 99% of redbuds in central Kentucky are of the normal lavender color (top picture). Every now and then, you can see a white redbud, which stands out in a sea of lavender. Redbuds along the Kentucky River palisades form huge stands, mixed with eastern redcedar. The white redbuds are easy to spot in the purple haze. White redbuds (lower picture, this is a wild tree) are prized in ornamental horticulture and make a nice pairing with typical redbuds.

I saw two white redbuds this morning in the purple haze. I don't know how many I have seen in total, but it is probably fewer than 20.
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- Posted by Tom Kimmerer - 9:21:03 PM -
Phenology: redbud in bloom
Eastern redbud, Cercis canadensis, is blooming in central Kentucky. This morning, the blossoms were not quite open, but by late this afternoon, the tree in my front yard was fully in bloom. The blossoms are delicious, making a nice colorful addition to salads. The trees are normally in bloom for about 2 weeks, but warming has been rapid this spring, so it is likely that the bloom will be shorter than usual.

Degree days 516
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- Posted by Tom Kimmerer - 9:05:31 PM -
Phenology: Pawpaws in bloom
Pawpaw, Asimina triloba, has begun blooming in Lexington, KY. The blooms are small and green now (picture), will turn deep purple as they approach anthesis (fertility) in the next few days. We have had a sudden warming in the last week and the pawpaws have popped out very quickly in the last 24 hours.

Degree Days: 516
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- Posted by Tom Kimmerer - 8:56:16 PM -