What’s flowering in March

Acer negundo “Violaceeum”

This striking tree can be found in the lawn behind the New Zealand Garden. The pink dangling catkins are the male part of a flower that has no petals – none are required as the tree isn’t pollinated by insects or animals. Pollination takes place via the wind, male pollen grains release onto a breeze to be transported to the female. In this tree the catkin filaments are very long and bright pink, dancing in the wind, contrasting against a blue sky.