Sunday, 1st. The Moorhens have started to make a nest in the middle of the pond, using one of the fountain frames as a foundation. For normally timid birds, they are defending it quite vociferously from the ducks.
The Fuzzy-pride-of-Rochester (Deutzia scabra) is in full flower and is filling the air with a sweet, Jasmine like aroma. They are dotted all around the park. This one is in a bed alongside the path from the Grange Road entrance.
Also dotted all around the park are Scarlet firethorn which are now out in flower – white, not scarlet. I think the berries will be bright red though. Some are in full bloom, some are just coming out.
Monday, 2nd. The Indian Horse chestnut trees are in flower. The buds have been there for some time but have now opened up.
The Tulip tree, inside the Thrive garden, can be seen just above the other trees in the park. The flowers are like tiny yellow specks.
Tuesday, 3rd. The Tulip tree, by the pond, is now in full flower. It has had flowers since late May but now the whole tree is full of blooms.
Wednesday, 4th. I came across this tree / shrub today and really noticed it for the first time, mainly because it was in full bloom with lots of yellow flowers. It is a Tree medick and is a member of the pea family.
Thursday, 5th. The Portuguese Laurel alongside the drive is starting to flower, whereas the one near the small playground has almost come to and end of its flowering.
Sunday, 8th. Lots of cherries ripening on the Sargent’s cherry alongside Avenue Road.
Tuesday, 10th. There is a lot of new growth visible on the little Grand Fir alongside Vicarage Road. The Sweet chest nut trees are starting to show flower buds; the small tree in the triangular area next to the drive is full of buds.
Thursday, 12th. The London Plane alongside the Hawthorn hedge, at the bottom of the park, is producing round spiky fruit. These look like spiky pom-poms at the moment but mature into fluffy brown seed balls some time next year.
Friday, 13th. Lots of flowers on the Kiwi vine in the fruit garden.
Sunday, 15th. Fruit burgeoning on various trees around the park. Walnuts on both of the trees near the bowling green, medlars on the trees in the fruit garden and at the bottom of the park and hazelnuts on bushes all around the park – there are so many Hazel trees and many seem full of nuts.
Wednesday, 18th. The Honey Locust trees are turning from yellow to lime green. Soon they’ll be fully green.
Friday, 20th. Hebe in full flower next to the bowling green. Milkflower cotoneaster flowering, also next to the bowling green. Sweet mock orange flowering and smelling rather sickly sweet, also next to the bowling green.
Tuesday, 24th. Sweet chestnut in full bloom.
Wednesday, 25th. Tree of heaven flowering, both male and female trees. The male tree has an unpleasant aroma.
Saturday, 28th. Caught the tail end of the Lime trees flowering. I don’t know how I missed the main event.
Saturday, 29th. New Zealand flax in flower.
Sunday, 30th. Loads of Elderberries freshly set; masses of little green berries just waiting for sun and rain to ripen them up.
Kings Heath Park Trees 