A Mix of Mayhem and Magnolias.

Elegant Magnolia Flowers.

“Life is simply a mix of mayhem and magnolias, so embrace this gentle riot and gather flowers along the way.” – kat savage

Shing Mun Valley Park is a park for all seasons. In summer its ponds are a colourful patchwork of lotus blossoms. In autumn its lawns are scented with the fragrance of roses. In winter its bushes groan under the weight of crimson camelias and now in spring its skyline is pierced with the purple buds of magnificent magnolias.

This park has masses of flowers, ponds, waterfalls, pavilions and statues. Wandering around this park is always a great pleasure. I've been in different weathers. Sometimes in a hurry, sometimes more relaxed. I never get tired of it.

Spring blossom by the waterfall, Shing Mun Valley Park, Hong Kong.

What lies beyond the arches?

A wonderful pathway.

Reflections in the pond.

Angel in the woods.

Magnolias are an ancient species. They have been around for longer than bees and may have originally been pollinated by beetles.

Perfection.

Open magnolia against the sky.

There are over two hundred different kinds of magnolias. Depending on their species, they may have white, pink, red, yellow or purple flowers.

White Magnolias.

White Magnolia.

Some types are native to the Americas, while others are native to Asia. Magnolias are the state flower of both Mississippi and Louisiana. They take their name from the French botanist, Pierre Magnol.

Magnolia.

Opening Magnolia.

I enjoyed wandering around the park looking for the magnolia trees. They were harder to find than the featured plants of the other seasons. Some were located near the ponds and others could be found in the woodland parts of the park.

Magnolia Branch.

Open Magnolia.

Magnolia trees normally live between eighty to a hundred and twenty years, though the oldest known is over three hundred years old and can be found in Italy.

Opening magnolia.

Wide open magnolia flower.

Magnolias mean different things in different places. In the USA they symbolise stability, while in Asia they represent purity. The term steel magnolia is used to describe women who are very feminine as well as being very strong.

Magnolia.

Magnolias over the water.

Of course, it wasn't just magnolias that were blossoming in spring. There was lots of other beautiful flowers, too.

Such a cheerful sight.

Rose.

Pretty Flowers.

Bougainvillea.

Dombeya.

Dombeya.

Red daisies.

There were masses of hydrangeas in shades of blue, pink and purple.

Angel in the Hydrangeas.

Hydrangeas.

The golden trumpet trees are flowering and one of my personal favourites, the cotton tree, was coming into flower, too.

Golden Trumpet.

Golden Trumpet.

Cotton trees.

I was delighted to see some lovely pink cherry blossom which was being visited by a very active butterfly. I even managed to get a non blurry picture of this for a change. As well as the cherry blossom, there was lots of other blossom, too.

Cherry blossom.

Cherry blossom with butterfly.

Blossoms by the water.

Picnic in the shade of the blossoming tree.

Blossom by the pond.

Selfie with the blossoming tree.

I've now visited this lovely park in all four seasons, but I'm sure I'll go again as I love it here so much.