With all the brouhaha over cherry blossoms in DC, the most beautiful blossom around always gets overlooked.
The magnolia, people, the magnolia.
They’ve been in flower this past week, and the peak of their glory has already passed. What a travesty that such a beautiful blossom should have such a short lifespan. And with everyone rushing around the tidal basin snapping photos of cherry trees, the magnolia comes and goes without so much as an “Oh look at that”.
Can you tell I love magnolias?
Next time you’re in DC admiring the cherry trees (more on that in the next post), head up to the intersection of Wisconsin and Massachusetts Ave. You’ll find a grove of magnolias there, in Bryce Park — big flowering trees that perfume the whole block. As you sit on one of the benches reading a book, or just taking it all in, petals will be falling all around you, landing on your head and between the pages of your book. I dare you not to be completely charmed. When you return the next day (and you will), 70% percent of the petals will already be on the ground, carpeting the green in pink and white.
The park is named after a former British Ambassador who “delighted in the parks of Washington”.
© 2010 – 2012, Ithaka Bound. All rights reserved.
Beautiful photos!
Thanks, Niki. The magnolias are super photogenic.