A Bounty of Beautiful Buds

Yes, the wildflowers are pretty. But this time of year, many trees and shrubs bear buds that could surely compete with flowers for interest or beauty. Here's just a sampling.

American Beech is now dropping its coppery bud scales to

reveal its crisply pleated leaves covered with baby-chick down.

American Bladdernut bears clusters of flower buds as fascinating

as the hollow bladders the bushes put forth in late summer.

Hobblebush leaves have been waiting all winter

to unveil the flower clusters hiding within.

Maple-leaved Viburnum leaves have a lock

on the prize for elegant, perfect symmetry.

Northern Prickly Ash grows the boy-buds and girl-buds on

separate shrubs. Above are the pistillate flowers (the girls) . . .

. . . and these are the staminate ones (the boys).

Norway Maple. Or so I believe, from what the leaf looked like when I

uncrumpled one. Are the bud covers on baby trees always this scarlet?

Shagbark Hickory. There's no mistaking this

giant bud wrapped in celadon and apricot silk.