Sunday, March 18, 2012

Magnolias

Warm, sunny days have hastened the blooming of all the spring plants. While everyone waits breathlessly for the cherry blossoms to open, the magnolias are already putting on a show. Near the Smithsonian's Moongate Garden, their branches arch over both sides of the walkway, forming a quiet pink bower. Petals drop all around me, joining the pink drifts. This is not the half-hearted barely-pink tint of the cherry blossoms. Magnolias claim every shade of pink right there on every petal, shading from a hearty deep rose out to pale pink at the edges. Finely traced streaks of burgundy run from base to tip. I stand and look at all this perfect pinkness on a perfect morning.