Photo is from the Antique Rose Emporium taken April 13, 2010. I've noticed several of these trees blooming on Heights Blvd in Houston, as well as in other locations. I've never seen them bloom to this degree (presumably due to the extended cold weather?).
Leslie
As best as I can tell from the photo (I need new glasses) it's an ornamental pear. There are a lot of them planted in Houston. They usually have good fall color too.
Here's a pic of mine taken this past fall.
Crow
I saw a lot of those up toward where my aunt lives (near Waxahachie) and that's what she called them as well. Very pretty in bloom.
It looks like the Bradford Pears we have around here. They bloom real early in the spring/late winter.
This is NOT an ornamental pear; I'm familiar with them and have one. This tree could be either the American or Chinese Fringe Tree. The light wasn't great so my husband couldn't get a closeup picture of the blooms.
Leslie
Well, Sorry. Maybe you could ask the Rose Emporium what it is as that's where it's located.
@ Leslie, we must have been there at very similar times....that tree was flowering beautifully!!
Could that be a species of viburnum???
I believe that is a viburnum macrocephalum commonly known as a "chinese snowball bush".
paulrintexas, thanks for you response. I think you may be right; I went to my copies of Hortica and Hortus to try to verify your answer. It seems to be correct. My guess is that the weather was cold enough for a long enough period in Houston to cause the display. I drive by the trees in Houston and when I say they'd NEVER looked like this, I wasn't kidding. It's possible they always look this fabulous around Brenham, but not on Binz or Heights Boulevard (at least that I've ever seen).
Leslie
Leslie T., I also share your interest in these beautiful trees and only recently learned what they are. I live in Friendswood and there are two located on either side of a private drive. Every spring they put on a magnificent display and I always wondered what they were. I only recently figured it out. Then by chance, I happened upon some small ones at a local nursury. I just planted two and I am looking forward to seeing them mature.
