Magnificent Magnolia

Today it's Hanami Matsuri (Cherry blossom celebration) in Japan.

The Japanese Cherry (Sakura) is flowering now.

Usually I prefer the smaller flowers of a cherry, apple or pear tree.

But right now the big Magnolia trees in front of this old house are stunning!

I just couldn't pass without taking some photo's...

Pretty Pears

White

When we arrived here in 2006 there was a plum tree in our back yard. In wintertime this area flooded regularly. It was more like a bog garden. The tree itself was a poor looking specimen but the early blossom was to die for. So we held on to this tree for a couple more years but finally we had to cut
it down.

February 2009 we've planted 7 Pyrus chanticleer espaliers on higher ground, parallel to our drive.

We wanted to improve the view from our kitchen window on the 3-layer apartment block next-door.

First the kenderman dug a deep narrow trench all the way to the back of the garden. For that he needed
a power shovel. He really enjoyed using that digger :) He placed a drainage pipe, added a layer of recycled shells and stones and filled up with the original ground and lots of compost.

After 6 years I would say the trees are "coping" but not thriving. A professional told us the trees are infected with a fungus called Venturia inaequalis. But lets try and focus on the bright side.... 

the blossom is gorgeous!

Blossom

Although it's getting colder the blackberry bush is still flowering.