Cherry blossoms blooming today!

My wife and I were driving through Charlottesville,VA and saw some cherry blossoms in town. We also saw a lot of blooming Jasmine and some Witch Hazel and Winter Sweet. We were stunned. This is a very unusual Winter so far. I wasn't surprised to see Jasmine and Witch Hazel ... but Cherry blossoms?
Todd

Wow, that is pretty amazing. I lived not to far from there in Waynesboro for about 7 years when i was younger. I do remember having very crazy weather hail the size of a base ball, floods 5 to 10 feet over flood lines. My sister still lives there so i visit Waynesboro every year or so. Do you know of Adams Bonsai? Julian Adams has a beautiful bonsai nursury in Lynchburg, VA and he is an amazing guy. Would love to see some pictures if you have any of you flower sightings.

Neil

Hi Neil,
Yes, I know Julian and he has a lovely nursery. He is a master grower and I believe (concurring with others) the foremost authority on pine bonsai in this part of the country.
I should try to take a picture of the blossoms in the sleet and snow which is falling now...
I live approx 1 hour from Waynesboro, in Gordonsville. You are welcome to stop by.

Todd

Small world. I lived in Waynesboro for almost 15 years back in the 70's and 80's.

Julian Adams is terrific. You all should also try Gardens Unlimited in Ladysmith too. They're not online, but have excellent trees.

Cherry blossoms popping in several place up here in N. Va. too.

That is so very nice of you. Julian is a good friend of Roy Wixon who lives here in Buffalo near me. Roy has taught me more than i could ever imagine. We also have an amazing man that lives only 45mins. from us in Rochester that goes by the name Bill Valavanis. I have taken a few classes from him as well. I am also an officer in the Buffalo Bonsai Society, but the club is not doing to well and ALOT of the people in the area just go to Rochester for the Upstate Bonsai Society which Bill Valavanis is a VERY active member. Thank you again for the invite, i am hoping to be down that way this summer some time. I will be sure to PM and maybe meet up. Happy holidays to you and your family.

Neil Jaeger

My wife and I lived in Virginia for 5 years, just west of Richmond (Powhatan to be exact). I worked for a small company in Charlottesville. Very nice town. Wasn't into bonsai at the time so I never visited Julian's nursery, though I'd like to now.

Really miss the Virginia climate. I like snow, but winter just lasts way too long up here.

Todd,
Glad you are enjoying the Cherry blossoms in the snow on this Christmas eve day.

Perhaps are they the Autumn flowering cherry? There is a variety that blossoms in autumn, and again in spring. I've seen them used in the landscape and also in parking lots.

I am offering well rooted cuttings this year in my catalog which you can get on line in our web site:

www.internationalbonsai.com

I hope to see you in February in Lynchburg

Merry Christmas!

Thank you Bill for the information. I am intrigued about your cherries for sale. The ones I saw on the road median the other day usually do not bloom this time of year; the flowers are very sparse on the tree now ... perhaps 20-30 blossoms total on the whole tree.
Happy Christmas to you and yours!
Todd