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Since this is a garden blog, and chickens are not actually flowers, I thought I would share a few blooms in my yard right now. We planted this Thundercloud Plum 5 years ago, at least. It has done absolutely nothing in my landscape. It's bloom is pathetic and the thing just does not seem to grow. Except from the base of the trunk. It grows there just fine. 'Weedy tree' comes to mind when I look for descriptors for this species. Last year I poured on the water, killed off all the grass around it and fertilized the heck out of it. Well, I'll be. It bloomed more than one bloom. Finally. I am not a very patient person and this tree was about be yarded out of the landscape. If you don't perform and I don't kill you, you may be on the short list. It was. It still might be but a stay of execution is in force at least this year. I think I might like it after all. I just seriously hope this isn't it's last 'hurrah' before it dies. Sometimes that happens to me too.
One thing I am still unhappy with is it's scrubby growth habit. All the limbs seem to go up and not out. Doyle actually fashioned some spreaders out of wood for me to push the limbs apart. Hopefully they will grow that way now. The nursery I purchased this from says the limbs will "relax" as it grows and it will be full and round. I think they are pulling my leg. Dang nursery. They actually no longer guarantee their trees for a year (or even a season) anymore either. I don't think I will buy from them anymore. The very, very, very old man who owned it his whole life died. The people who took over (possibly his children) don't seem to understand customer service very well. Poor Mr. Carnifix, I sure hope he can't see what is going on in his earthly nursery. I don't think he would like it very well. But he might like my Thundercloud Plum now. It does have nice blooms.
The blooms are beautiful! I hope it picks up after blooming so you can keep. But, I know how you feel... if something doesn't perform I take it out my garden too. I've got what I think is a plum tree that has just started to bloom in my yard. I say think because I'm not sure what it really is. The blooms look similiar to the ones in your pic. I'll have to post pictures of mind and see if anyone knows what it is.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Jackie
I meant to say post pictures of "mine" not "mind"... jeez I can't type today! LOL
ReplyDeleteI wonder if that is the same type of flowering plum we have. Are the leaves brownish/red all year? Ours does well, in fact a bit too well, it's shading our veggie garden too much.
ReplyDeleteYou might want to hang in with a it a bit more.
Also, I always want to listen to your chicken stories. :-)
Beautiful tree/pics.
ReplyDeleteIt is so pretty. Reminds me of a flowering quince.
ReplyDeleteLovely blooms, Heather! I was thrilled to see my apples, pears and peach all coming into full blooms now even as the pluot's blooms give way to foliage (and, hopefully, fruit). And, okay, so chickens aren't flowers. Flowers are great, but chickens RULE!!!
ReplyDeleteIt sure is pretty now. I hope it does well for you and improves with age. You have a lot of time invested in it!
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a great afternoon.
Heather, I know what you mean. Mine was pretty this year, but I'm just not sure about having it as the centerpiece of my perennial bed. It's putting out growth all along the trunk now. I think it's going to be moved to the far back yard this winter. It's not what I had expected at all from this tree.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blooms on the plum tree. Hope it holds out and continues to bloom each year. Have a wonderful day. Becca
ReplyDeleteHeather,
ReplyDeleteHang in there on this tree! It might just surprise you yet. I have an American Plum, it blooms white and gets lots of butterflies on the flowers. Sadly every year it looks worse. Not been able to buy a replacement as this is a native tree.
Heather sometimes you have to give these plants tough love (or plenty of fertilizer) :-) It has such pretty blooms on it now.
ReplyDeleteI love it! Of course I don't see the whole tree, but based on the blooms themselves, beautiful! I wonder if it would do well in sub-tropical weather? I wonder if I would have the patience! LOL
ReplyDeletePretty blooms! Maybe it's just getting started :)
ReplyDeleteThis is the one bad thing about Florida- we can't grow stuff like this! Looks great!
ReplyDeletepretty! my husband works for a company called thundercloud- and I've never heard of this tree. pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteLooks like it is rewarding your efforts. I have one too and it is a rather odd grower. I'm debating on a few lower limbs that have outgrown the ones above. It looks odd. The lower limbs are not in proportion to the ones above. It looks like a person praising the sun gods. It has big old outstretched arms and a itty bitty head. That's just screaming for a post isn't it?
ReplyDeleteDear Heather, how are you? Both the flowers and leaves of this Thundercloud Plum tree are beautiful. I love the colours and hope the flowers stay as long as you wish. Have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, I didn't think anything could be prettier than cherry blossoms, but those plum blossoms are divine!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blooms! We just put in some fruit trees this year, including a plum. Now I have to go look at the tag. No idea what kind of plum it is..sigh.. : ))
ReplyDelete