Spring in Van Zandt County, Texas

Canton, Countryscape, Edgewood, Fruitvale, Grand Saline, Heritage Park, Nature, Redland, Spring, Travel, Upper East Texas, Wills Point

Spring sightings from various places in Van Zandt County, Texas – March/April 2016

Pear blossom and contented cows – Edgewood, Tx

A bird perching on a blossoming sassafras tree – Edgewood, Tx

Red bud trees by the railway – Fruitvale, Tx

Grand Saline Library – Grand Saline, Tx

Peach blossoms at a Peach Farm and Old Fashioned Ice Cream – Hwy 19, Edgewood, Tx

Hickenbach Texas a.k.a Jones Junction – US 80 & TX 19, Edgewood, Tx

Scott Cabin at the Heritage Park Museum of East Texas – Edgewood, Tx

A field of purple and gold by Side Pea Farm – Canton, Tx

Blooming azaleas – Canton, Tx

Canton Lake – Canton, Tx

Picnic Area on Hwy 64 – Canton, Tx

Indian Paintbrush and Crimson Clover on Hwy 64 – Redland, Tx

Crimson Clover – Redland, Tx

Indian paintbrush across the Tawakoni Spillway – Wills Point, Tx

Tawakoni Spillway Levee – Wills Point, Tx

Roses by the 1848 Will’s Cabin – Wills Point, Tx

The Bomars’ Climbing Rose

Edgewood, Historic Parkway, Nature, Photography, Spring

April 2015

This is a photo essay about a pine-tree-climbing rose, grown and loved by The Bomar family, in Edgewood, Tx. It becomes quite a landmark when in blooms. The road where it grows by is a part of The Old Dallas-Shreveport Historic Parkway in Van Zandt County (near the Barren Ridge historical marker). The photos were taken in early spring (April 2015). Click on the first photo and follow the ‘next/previous arrow’ to read the story in sequence.

This is a photo essay about a climbing rose and the garden where it grows, in Edgewood, Texas.

On a property along this road, which happens to be the Old Dallas – Shreveport Historic Parkway, a climbing rose and a pine tree grow together.

It was a serene April morning after a stormy night. Everything looked fresh and green.

The clouds were still thick with a chance for another storm.

This tree, which seems to be a white flowering tree, is actually a pine tree covered with the blooms of a climbing rose.

The rose bush is at least 76 years old. It was a birthday gift from a husband to his beloved wife when she gave birth to their daughter, 76 years ago.

The rose bush grew in Dallas. When the daughter and her family decided to move to Edgewood in the 1980’s, they brought along the bush. It was re-planted in the corner of the fence line by a small pine tree.

The rose and the pine tree grow together ever since.

When the roses are in bloom, it becomes quite a landmark along this country road.

Pine cones and roses

Strands of rose stems hanging down the tree.

Branches of roses diving down the tree form a curtain of roses.

The blooms up close.

Rose petals caught by pine needles

The fallen rose petals scattered on the ground

A view from inside the garden.

The owner’s fondness of white is reflected throughout the garden.

Bushes and branches of trees offer nice cool shades.

One of the birdhouses in the nooks of the garden. This place is, without a doubt, a bird sanctuary.

A Japanese maple tree sits quietly in a corner with fern on its foot.

Almost hidden from the eyesight, a birdhouse sat at the end of the fence.

The same birdhouse was spotlighted by a drop of golden sun.

The Goode Garden

Edgewood, Historic Site, Nature, Photography, Spring

This is a photo essay of a garden and a house that has been capturing my eyes since I moved to Edgewood. I finally get to know the owners and have a chance to be there and see it, up close and personal. It’s the Goode’s Garden.

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The House

Located in the old downtown Edgewood, Texas, this house is known as “Bennett Joseph Carter” Home, built in 1912, adapting Queen Anne-style. In 2010, it received the Official Historical Medallion from the State of Texas. It is still in great living condition, owned, lived, and loved by the Goode family.

Texas Historical Marker

Wraparound porch with shiplap siding

Wraparound porch supported by doric columns

The ironwork on the gate

The 1912 house

The house has hipped roof with projecting dormer and gable

Follow the Orange Brick Road

There is an open space between the main house and the garage. Almost all year round, that open space is filled with burst of vibrant colors from flowers and there’s a glimpse of brown rocks. I’ve been watching and admiring it for years.

Being there in person, the warm brick walkways will guide one’s vision and way throughout the garden, to the flower beds in front and around the house. Just follow the orange brick road.

The backyard is airy and spacious, yet still a lot of things to enjoy. A swing. Yellow irises, by the vegetable garden. Heirloom rose bush grows against the back fence. Pea blossoms. An outhouse. The azalea by the house.

Heirloom rose

The sound of birds singing and fighting fill the air. The red-breasted robins catching their dinner. The deafening sound of the train passing by.

The side porch provides the premier seats to enjoy the water-feature garden. Hibiscus. Roses. Dianthus. Viola. Pansies. Azalea. African daisy. Irises and many more. Bees and butterflies. The sound of water fountain.

Finally, there it is. The part of the garden that I have been wanting to see.

Fourth Week of Spring – Wildflowers of Texas

Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Spring

Second Week of Spring – Iris & Wisteria

Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Spring

Still in the second week of spring, irises decorates the ground, road side, and highway’s median. Wisterias climb up the fence and wire, and form walls or even tower of purple (and some white) along the road. They are fragrant, too. ~ See all my spring coverage at https://inegaleri.com/category/spring/

Second week of Spring – Native Tree Blossoms

Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Spring

Not as punchy as red bud blossoms, but these white – with slight pink shade- blossoms from the native trees are not less attractive.

Sassafras tree with its lime-yellow blossoms looks so light and airy.

Young leaves on the tree and weeds catching light in an early windy evening.

Second Week of Spring – Red Bud Blossoms

Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Spring

Native red bud blossoms appearing from among limbs and branches in surrounding woods. They get bolder and bolder each day. The yellowish sprouting tree leaves and big blue sky only add contrast to the pink-magenta blossoms. ~ Edgewood, Texas

The Beginning of Spring

Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Spring

Daffodils and jonquils have passed the relay baton to fruit trees and ground cover. Pear, plum, and peach trees are blossoming, along with the red buds. Patches of white, yellow, and purple flowers of the wild ground cover catch the dew in a foggy morning. New young cones of the pines reflect the yellow sun rays. Bees are buzzing high and low. So is the lawn mower. Welcome, spring!

Nacogdoches Azalea Trail

Festivals, Historic Parkway, Nature, Spring, Texas

We are not too far from having these indulgence all over again. Spring is just around the corner. It’s peeking and waiting patiently for this wintry weather to pass. Soon the spring blossoms will take over. Daffodils have already started it. Azalea and dogwood will follow soon. This is Nacogdoches azalea trail which claims to be the largest azalea garden in Texas. La Nana Creek is the dividing line between the Stephen F. Austin Mast Arboretum and Ruby M. Mize azalea garden where these photographs were taken last year. See them for yourself!