Buds of April

Bypamadden

New life unfolds in April.  Buds continue to open in woods, hedges, parks and gardens displaying the new, fresh growth within.

The black, hard leaf buds of Common ash (Fraxinus excelsior) are among the last to open.  Nonetheless, buds do open on the ash, but these are the flower buds.  In the picture the female, spiky, flowers display their stigmas to catch wind-blown pollen from male flowers which are purple. 

The Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) is one of the first deciduous trees to open its buds the scales of which have a pinkish tint.

The Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) has been greening since early in the month and now the little white flower buds can be seen.  These flowers look their best in May when they light up the hedgerows.

Tiny white flower buds can be observed on the Holly (Ilex aquifolium) as well.  Soon the female holly blue butterfly will lay her eggs at the base of the buds.

Common ash (1)
Common ash (2)
Sycamore
Holly
Hawthor

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