This is a not very good photograph of one of two hazel trees that grow at the bottom of my garden. As I walked down to the compost bin a few days ago in the snow I gazed hopefully at the one near the bin as I have done in the early part of every one of the last few years. When I say 'hopefully' I suppose I really mean 'longingly' because I didn't really expect to see what I was looking for and it was more of a casual glance as I passed by.
I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw these at the end of a twig, I searched and there were a few more to be seen as well!
I dashed across to the other hazel and sure enough there were a few catkins on that one too. 'She's getting rather over excited about a few hazel catkins' I can hear you all saying and it's true that there are many country hedgerows to be seen with hazel trees covered in catkins at the moment. These are rather special ones though because.....
......I grew both of these trees from little cobnuts sent to me by a friend in Hampshire. I planted them about 10 years ago and they grew and flourished but this is the very first time they have ever had any catkins on them and as the spring comes they will lengthen and fluff up and I shall have some little lamb's tails blowing in the wind. I am thrilled to little pieces:)
22 comments:
I would be thrilled too, after a ten year wait :o)
What a lovely sign of Spring - I will check my Hazel tree when I get home. xxx
Oh, it gives you such hope, when the catkins bravely show their tails - not too long until spring! I hope these turn into lovely cobnuts for you and that they don't get pinched by squirrels.
Gosh, I've never even heard of catkins -- I wonder if we have them around here. They sound like they're definitely worth waiting for!
How lovely - it is always great to see the first promise of spring - even in the dead of winter. We have Oso Berry, a bushy shrub that grows in the understory of the woods and is the first to leaf out, before the bigger trees overshadow it and take its sunshine. They are beginning to bud already, and though I know they bud early and take a long time to leaf out, it is always fascinating to see the tiny pointy buds - spring will come again.
Lucky you, my garden is showing no signs of spring, my camellia hasn't even bloomed and it should have by now. I don't know if I've ever seen a hazel bloom. Hazels grow in Georgia but not in coastal Georgia. Please post pix when yours bloom.
Oh Rowan, that is just lovelyxx I would be thrilled also! What a beautiful sharexx
That is amazing! :D I'd be doing a jig of joy for sure!
How lovely. You have waited a long time for your catkins! We have plenty in the garden and out in the Forest hedgerows. They never fail to cheer me up with the promise of spring.
Ten years is a long time to wait to see the fruits of your labor. I'm sure you have a sense of accomplishment. Well done!
That's lovely! I have a willow that always lets me know when Spring is arriving. (I didn't grow it myself though) It's still a bit reticent yet but it can't be much longer!
Oh - more grandchildren!!! Of an arborial sort . . .
Wonderful! I would be excited too!
Blessings,
Dianne
www.mysouthernheart.com
I'm not familiar with "cobnuts." Are cobnuts edible? Are they like "filberts" which is the kind of hazelnut I know and love (plain or in chocolate
The "catkins" are the flowers, right?
Looks like you are in for some great "returns" on your investment of time and "mothering."
I LOVE catkins! They along with snowdrops and later, daffodils are my happiest sign of spring!
I'd be thrilled too if I'd grown them myself and waited so long to see see the first catkins. I've just ventured up to the top of the garden - first time since the snow disappeared as the ground is so wet - and our hazel tree has catkins, too! What a lovely sight:)
Well done you, Rowan! We shall have to call you the Tree Whisperer from now on!
Beautiful, Rowan!
Its great when things that you planted Rowan actually grow and do well.
Oh my.... it will be months before there are catkins here.
Rowan, I would be thrilled to see this too! Especially a gift from a friend that flourished the way your trees did. I can't wait for spring to see how they turn out! Lovely.
Rosemary...X
Most exciting and very, very beautiful. Nothing can top mother nature.
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