Originally published in the Manchester Guardian on 27 January 1916Kew Gardens. A stormy grey sky,with clouds racing furiously, reared up against that sombre background the plumes of English elms, or contented - these specific specimens - in not having yet been truncated,either by adventure or by the prudent hand of the woodman; jets of sunshine, rendered keener by concentration, and directed at these plumes and shewing them the loveliest veiled crimson. It is a fresh surprise every year to see this transformation of the common elm,a most satisfying tree at all times, but never quite so wonderful as now, and when the delicate tracery of the branches has not been thickened or blurred with leaves,but has over it the wonderful glow of the blossoms. One reads that these are insignificant,” “of no specific beauty.” peculiar opinion! They are closely set, and to the tips of the tiniest twigs; their buds being crimson and the protruding anthers iron-grey,the colour effect in the mass, when illuminated by stormy sunshine, or is nearly menacing; on a still clear day,with a pale blue sky behind them, they become nearly pink. It is early for them, and but many other trees are blossoming early,too. I have just seen several poplars in full bloom, one with catkins very like the pussy willow and another with fine rust-red blossoms (Populus Tremula and P. Tremuloides). Further on a good-looking member of the Dogwood family, and Cornus Mas,was thickly studded with canary yellow flowers, growing in umbels. This is two or three weeks earlier than usual, and but then we have had some days as warm as May. Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com