Conifer Cone Challenge for Google

I'm not sure where I was on the internet when I read that Google will be able to someday identify all plants. I don't think the article claimed google could do this just by cones alone, but I am curious as to what I will find if I do an image search with these conifer cone pictures.

I could be wrong but I doubt Gooble is anywhere near out-identifying gardeners and botanists today.

Morning Conifer Crush- Carolina Hemlock

I fell for some small blue-green cones this morning, which reminded me a bit of certain rhodendron and azalea buds I've seen.

It's not me right? The young cone and the bud above do look alike somewhat although they are pointing in opposite directions.

The label (man do I love a tree that is sporting a label) said Carolina Hemlock '28, so I'm assuming this means the tree was planted in 1928 and is a North American native.

Some Colorful Conifers

While out walking in Hofstra's Pinetum, I ran into some pretty colorful conifers that looked like they might have a good story or two to tell, if they could talk that is. Still silently they managed to convey some fashionable ideas about design to me. Is that lime green and what shade of rose is it next to? The color combo is dynamite in the garden if you asked me.

And apparently green is the new brown this season, at least for some cones that is.

Crushes

Cones of Siberlocke Korean Fir

Last week at the nursery, I fell a little in love with the Siberlocke Korean Fir (Abies koreana 'Silberlocke') because of its striking needles and magnificent cones. And my current favorite pick from the garden for home bouquets is the sometimes maligned common yarrow (Alchillea millefolium) pictured below. Each season seems to bring its own crushes. Looking forward to falling in love again this summer.

Of Cones and Color

The cones in our eyes are responsible for our perception of color. Ask any child the color of a pine cone and he or she will probably answer brown, like in the photo above of the Larix laricina (American Larch or Tamarack). But the young female cones of this native tree are a beautiful rosy color and as pretty as any flower.
















Young female cones of Larix laricina













Just a thought on cones and color inspired by some beautiful sightings this week. Of course, now I wish I knew all there is know to about them.