I have a tulip tree in my front yard. Although I had heard of tulip trees, I had never seen one and did not realize what the tree was in front of my house.
Several weeks ago I noticed petals on the ground and looked up to see flowers in the tree. The flowers have lasted a long time, and I have really enjoyed them.

This part of Pittsburgh has marvelous lush, gardens around each house. Unlike the areas around Chicago where everyone seems besotted about growing beautiful, useless, smooth green lawns, people here have a wonderful variety of plants and flowers that enhance the hilly terrain. Springtime has been gorgeous.