I try to make it over the to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens in early spring before the leaves grow larger than the cherry blossoms. In years past the last week in April was plenty of time—even up until May 1. But a visit this past Saturday turned out to be about a week late! After a magnificent entrance, with wisteria in full bloom on the trellis paths perfuming the air, passing the spectrum of pansies, and looking over the lilac grove, I discovered that the cherry blossoms over the Japanese pond were all but gone, and the leaves on the other cherry trees were already quite large. The petals were snowing down. The magnolias were also finished and the daffodils were practically all gone. The tulips, however, the pride of the gardens, were in full bloom for the most part, which is breathtaking. Only the tiger tulips, those with the rough edges, were nearing their end, but they are at their most spectacular at this moment, with petals splayed and shapes contorted into floral death agonies, a riot of form.
The visit was certainly satisfying, but we had missed the peak. Spring had come at least two weeks earlier than two years ago—a very rapid change indeed.
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