I have a crush

 I have a crush on small Magnolias . They are as compelling as their more mature counter parts, and are just so damn cute. I have a few pictures of some of the best I have seen in  TO. Today I am going to take drive and visit my favorite Magnolia in the city and say hello. We have been apart too long. Do you have a favorite Magnolia? I would love to see them, send me a link.

Next year I am planning a trip to Nepal where, the Magnolias are as big there, as Maple trees are here. I am not going to be there at the time of the Magnolia bloom, which is a bit of a downer, but hey it's Nepal , so I ain't complaining. Some of the most amazing Magnolias I have seen are in the southern United States and are a  very different animal  to the Magnolia that we have growing here. For one, you could damage your lawn mower blades if you accidentally suck up the dried Magnolia leaves. I can't believe how thick and tough they are, and they take for ever to break down in the compost bin. But the flowers are extraordinary.

This little guy is on Albany just north of Bloor and east of Bathurst, and here is a close up of the flowers. Pretty gorgeous. This variety is called a Star Magnolia and it also comes in shades of pink. This pink specimen is almost directly across the street from the white one, and this is what it looks like. Today is another glorious day to be above ground! get out there are say hello to the natural world! Beth