Consider the Petal
April 7, 2012
“It is at the edge of a petal
that love waits.”
— William Carlos Williams
“The height of the beauty of a bloom is its folded state, rather than when it’s fully opened.”
— Stanley Kunitz, The Wild Braid: A Poet Reflects on a Century in the Garden
Star magnolia bud just opening
Unfolding flower, star magnolia
Star magnolia bloom
Opened blossom, star magnolia
Which do you prefer — the unopened bud or the unfolded blossom?
Rosemary's Blog 
April 7, 2012 at 6:11 am
Star magnolias are one of my favorite beauties. I don’t care what stage they are in as long as they are alive. I’ll take it all. But when they are fully opened and their little fingers are waving at the sky, I just love it.
April 7, 2012 at 8:13 am
I have 3 Star magnolias planted above my rock wall and they are always one of the first shrubs to bloom to light up the border! I love them when they are not quite fully opened. You can still see the white flower but I love the contrast with the little grey, furry, bud.
You captured it beautifully in your second photo! 🙂
June 23, 2012 at 1:31 am
I love the bud just opening. I would like permission to use this beautiful Image as a logo for my new retreat center. May I have your permission to do so?