Apple blossoms hold a special place in my heart. I grew up in the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia, where apple orchards prevail. We had two orchards on our property. The 50+ tree orchard was a magical place to tree-climb in May. The perfume of all those blossoms was intense. I would sit among the branches and watch the bees coming and going. The third weekend in May was always the Apple Blossom festival, with parades and princesses. It was always the signal that spring has officially arrived and it was time to start going off to horse shows every weekend!
We have a few apple trees scattered around our farm here in Vermont. We don’t tend them. We just enjoy the blossoms in the spring and the horses (and dogs) enjoy the small, wild apples that ripen and fall in September. Apple trees do a wonderful job of reminding me of my childhood and of that special place where I grew up.