Koelreuteria Week

In 2008/32, Koelreuteria paniculata is peaking at last, with its towers of yellow flower. Although some books suggest this should happen in June or July, I find it is a plant that takes longer to reach its peak. By this time, a few of the leaves have turned brown, perhaps from mould attacks. Sorbus vilmorinii is displaying its wonderful showers of orange berries all over northern Germany. Known in German as Vogelbeere, dozens of these trees were planted up and down our street about 10 years ago, but failed to take, and had to be ripped out and replaced with a variety of Acer. We have a Sorbus in the garden now, and though thin, it seems to grow well enough.