Winter Hazel (Corylopsis Pauciflora) 日向水木（ヒュウガミズキ）

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

These are Corylopsis pauciflora or more commonly the buttercup witch hazel or winter hazel. Small lemon yellow flowers are pretty. 

In Japan, there are at least two types of winter hazel. One is this and the other is Corylopsis spicata. Both winter hazel are lemon yellow, one of spring colors. 

Winter hazel　日向水木

Corylopsis pauciflora　ヒュウガミズキ

White Magnolia (Yulan Magnolia) 白木蓮（ハクモクレン）

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

They're buds and flowers of Magnolia denudata or more commonly lilytree or Yulan magnolia in Ueno, Tokyo.

Magnolia flowers are beautiful but I like the shape of the buds and their way of "cracking" to develop into flowers more! That's like hard boiled eggs cracked to be successfully peeled🥚!

White magnolia　白木蓮

Yulan magnolia　ハクモクレン

Japanese Cornel (Cornus Officinalis) 山茱萸（サンシュユ）

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These are flowers of the Japanese cornel (Cornus officinalis). Many trees grow (i.e., are planted) in my neighborhood, but when it comes to Japanese cornel, I've been able to find only this tree so far.   

In Japan, the tree is called "golden flower in spring" after these tiny yellow flowers! 

Japanese Cornel　山茱萸

Cornus officinalis　サンシュユ

Dwarf Lilyturf (Ophiopogon Japonicus) 蛇の髭（ジャノヒゲ）

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

These are fruits of dwarf lilyturf (Ophiopogon japonicus). Round red fruits, such as coral ardisia, are seen in many places, but blue fruits are not that common, aren't they? 

In Japan, dwarf lilyturf is called "snake's beard" or "dragon's beard" after its thin beard-like leaves. 

Dwarf lilyturf　蛇の髭

Ophiopogon japonicus　ジャノヒゲ

Kawazu-Zakura Blossoms (Cerasus Lannesiana) 河津桜

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

It was a great surprise to see these Kawazu-zakura blossoms (Cerasus lannesiana), one of the earliest blooming cherry trees, in Ueno, Tokyo! I was taking a late afternoon walk expecting to see plum blossoms but not cherry blossoms. Although the season for the Kawazu cherry blossoms is almost over, the pale pink blossoms with green leaves were so pretty. 

Below are the cherry blossoms I've seen this year. Though the list has only one type of cherry blossoms, it should include more!!🌸 

• Taiwan cherry  (Prunus campanulata)

Kawazu-zakura blossoms　河津桜

Cerasus lannesiana)　河津桜

Taiwan Cherry Blossoms (Prunus Campanulata) 寒緋桜（カンヒザクラ）

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

These are Taiwan cherry blossoms (Prunus campanulata) in Ueno, Tokyo and the first cherry blossoms I've seen this year. Taiwan cherry blossoms bloom a little earlier and their pink is brighter than many other cherry trees. The cherry blossom season🌸 in Japan has just begun!    

Taiwan cherry blossoms　寒緋桜

 

Prunus campanulata　カンヒザクラ

Japanese Andromeda Buds are Opening! 馬酔木が咲き始めました！

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

The buds of Japanese andromeda (Pieris japonica) I saw in late February have started to open! I couldn't imagine how the tiny buds would develop into flowers because the Japanese andromeda flowers are much bigger (i.e., nearly 1 cm long) than the buds (i.e., 0.5 cm long), but now I know how!! 

Japanese andromeda　馬酔木

Red Japanese Camellia (Camellia Japonica) 赤い椿

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

These are Japanese camellia (Camellia japonica). Several camellia trees grow in my neighborhood but this one produces much bigger flowers than the others and I know why. This tree is in the garden of an apartment complex and the owner must have grown it very carefully. 

They're so beautiful, but sadly the complex will be demolished soon for urban redevelopment.

Japanese camellia　椿

Japanese Laurel (Aucuba Japonica) 青木（アオキ）

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

These are buds of Japanese laurel (Aucuba japonica). They look like some kind of vegetable, but the tiny cross-shaped flowers I saw last year were so cute that I wanted to make earrings from them♬

Japanese laurel　青木

Aucuba japonica　アオキ

Japanese Andromeda 'Rosea' (Pieris Japonica F. Rosea) アケボノアセビ（曙馬酔木）

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

They're flowers of Japanese andromeda 'Rosea' (Pieris japonica f. Rosea). Japanese andromeda grow in several places in my neighborhood, but most of them produce white flowers. If you're interested in their cute buds, read this post! If you're interested in their Japanese name "asebi" meaning the plant making horses eating them look drunk, read this post!! 

Japanese andromeda 'Rosea'　アケボノアセビ

Pieris japonica f. Rosea　曙馬酔木

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アケボノアセビ（曙馬酔木）です。近所に馬酔木はたくさん咲いているのですがそのほとんどは白い馬酔木。ピンクはなかなか珍しいです。馬酔木のかわいい蕾にご興味ある方はこちらの記事もどうぞ！馬酔木の名前の由来にご興味ある方はこちらをどうぞ！

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Daphne Odora Alba (Pure White Daphne) 白花沈丁花

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

This is Daphne odora Alba. Winter daphne usually produces white and pink flowers, but this type produces white and "cream white" flowers. Daphne has been flowering in several places in my neighborhood and the last photo shows the only place of those where both flowers can be seen. 

Daphne odora Alba　白花沈丁花

 

Pure white daphne　シロバナジンチョウゲ