Tree Following - March 2026 - Downy

 Here we are in March.  Spring and the Quince Brothers are moving on apace.

I love this moment in the quince cycle, the new foliage is emerging in this bright lime green, with the underside of the leaves looking pale and downy.  I know I have said often that these trees are completely garden-worthy whether they fruit or not, and this time of year in particular I have these thoughts.  The Quince Brothers are always early adopters of Spring and leap into leafage ahead of many of their neighbours.  

The fatter clumps of leafage (technical term) are covering the emerging blossom buds.  This year both trees look like there will be a lot of blossom, which is very exciting. Now we all know, don't we, that as many blossoms as there will be does not indicate as many quinces as there may be.  Yet to the ever-optimists such as I there is always the hope that some of them will set quincelets who will become quincelings who will become quinces.  As soon as the blossom arrives the hope starts to rise to ridiculous heights.

Who knows, I might even pick the quinces this year.....

Time will tell.

Take care and be kind.

For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on Bluesky Twitter X  Facebook Instagram and Substack