Welcome back to both you and me! Before you dive into my latest post, know that this is a side quest from my normal content. There’s not a smidgen of writerly words or author-adjacent advice to be found. If that’s why you typically follow my website, I promise I have writercentric posts planned for the coming months. But now that we’ve turned the page on April, I wish to share with you why it’s my favorite month in this photographic farewell tribute to the absolute best season (a 100% objective analysis…)
I’ve found that as I age, my preference for the spring season grows. Spring serves as a symbolic reminder of renewal, growth, and promise. It’s a welcome sight for winter-weary eyes (and this winter was a tough one here in the mid-Atlantic), and the local fauna begin to stir. I’m always on the lookout for the first pair of bunny ears sticking up from the grass and the return of our great blue herons. But the primary reason I love la primavera comes down to one thing.
PINK FLOWERS!
Yes, pinkity pink pink flowers. Of course, I adore red, purple, and yellow ones, too, but mostly, I’m here for the pink. Something about the lighter, softer side of the red spectrum—from dusty rose to palest mauve—makes me inexplicably happy.
April is awash with pink tones in my neighborhood, and that puts an extra smile on my face when I wander out for daily walks. Even when the month can’t make up its mind between wintery low temps (28° on the 20th) and summery highs (90° on the 15th), and seasonal allergies play their little head games (literally, congestion is the worst!), it’s all worth it when I see those pretty pink petals on full display.
Let me show you what I mean. Here’s a ranked list of my favorite pink flowering trees that make April the best month.
1. Jane* Magnolia Trees
The thick, luxurious mauve petals of this tree make an appearance in late March to usher in the blooming grandeur of April. They’re largely gone by the end of the first week, though.
(*I’m not 100% sure of the exact variety, but likely Janes!)
This year, I pressed a couple of petals in the pages of a children’s story book. Still gorgeous!
1. Crabapple Trees
Just look at the stunning fuchsia flowers of this crabapple tree; it sits next to the magnolia in a neighbor’s backyard.
The crabapple comes into its prime as the magnolia next to it starts to fade, ensuring the continuance of pink-tinged landscapes throughout my April.
1. Kwanzan Flowering Cherry Tree
I go absolutely mad for the poofy pink pom-poms of these trees. The flowers look like a mix of baby roses and carnations, and I want to decorate my home with tons of them.
They unfortunately don’t last long once picked. ☹
They also don’t stick around longer than a couple of weeks. One good windstorm and the streets are covered in cherry tree confetti.
1. Eastern Redbuds
These also like to get an early start in late March like the magnolias, but they last for weeks before greenery overtakes them.
I love how their bright purple-pink blossoms coat the branches like flowery fur or pink moss, highlighting the tree’s sinewy shapes.
See? I’m not the only fan of the redbuds.
1. Flowering Dogwood
Specifically the pinks ones, of course. These dogwoods come into bloom in the second half of April, a final reminder of the rose-colored beauty of this month.
These flowers have a simple yet gorgeous style that evoke children’s paper flower art. How can you not love that?
1. Bonus: Rosebud Azaleas
These are bushes, not trees, but I’m including them because I simply must. These hot pink flowers start popping the final week of April and come into full bloom in early May, just as the last of the flowering dogwood petals fall, so they’re like a bonus swatch of pink!
These belong to me. Both things pictured. 😊
If you’re wondering about the numbering of my ranked list, it’s not a formatting error. I simply refuse to pick favorites among these gorgeous flowering trees. But feet to the fire, if I had to choose my absolute favorite, it would be…
Nope! You’ll just have to guess in the comments. Maybe I’ll confirm. Maybe.
Now that April has dissolved into May, my beloved pink flowers are being replaced by the lush greenery of summer leaves and needles. And while I do love the brightness of sights like these baby Norway spruce sprigs, it’s just not the same.
But, the maple trees have gifted me these iridescent pink seeds as a reminder that though I may no longer see the bright blush tones of mid-spring, nature will always provide a little something pink to make me smile.
D.M. Domosea 