river talk

Blossom abundance!

By SANDY LONG
Posted 6/23/21

Two of the blooming beauties we are blessed with here in the Upper Delaware River region that have recently launched their showy displays are the northern catalpa tree and the mountain laurel shrub. …

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river talk

Blossom abundance!

Posted

Two of the blooming beauties we are blessed with here in the Upper Delaware River region that have recently launched their showy displays are the northern catalpa tree and the mountain laurel shrub. With features like star-shaped blossoms and heart-shaped leaves, these plants herald the transition from spring to summer and are truly pleasing to behold.

According to the Arbor Day Foundation, the catalpa tree was first cultivated in 1754, and its wood was used for fence posts and railroad ties due to its resistance to rot and the tree’s fast growth rate. The tree’s common names include cigar tree, Indian bean tree, catawba, caterpillar tree, hardy catalpa and western catalpa.

Native to the Eastern United States, mountain laurel was adopted as Pennsylvania’s state flower in 1933. A shade-tolerant stunning plant with deep evergreen foliage and blossoms ranging from white to pink, mountain laurel is also referred to as ivybush, sheep laurel, lambkill and spoonwood.

To me, the blossoms bring to mind fireworks, blooming just in time to set the stage for Fourth of July celebrations. Take a walk today to experience the seasonal evolvement of natural wonders happening now.

flowers, blossoms, summer, catalpa, trees

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