Spring Has Sprung

As if yesterday's Opening Day of the KBO season (more on which later) wasn't proof enough, I now present pictures of some blooms, illustrating that spring is here. Some have poo-poo'ed my annual post on the first flowers (see some examples here, here and here) but I find it nearly magical that the dry brown twigs of winter sprout little green buds that blossom into color so predictably, as our hemisphere nods its greeting to the sun.

The 개나리 kaenari or Japanese cornel dogwood:


Beneath this stand, some variety of native violet is growing:


Another harbinger of spring is the 진다래 jindalae, the Korean azalea, L.: Rhododendron mucronulatum:


I'm not sure what this one is; it looks like a cherry, but if so it's three weeks early--perhaps some variety of apricot:


And last, though certainly not least, the majestic magnolia, creamy white blooms the size of your hand!


I must say that passing by these bushes during their blooming period really livens up my short walk to school through an otherwise drab apartuh danji.

Last autumn, though, some government workers came along and gave a facelift to the retaining wall outside my school. I personally would prefer if this was student artwork, but it still provides some welcome color during those dreary winter months.


Happy Spring!