The wonderful Dove Tree (Davidia involucrata) in Kynaston Gardens is in flower at the moment.  This tree is from China where it is endangered in the wild.

It has the most amazing flowers with big balls of anthers beneath huge white bracts. 

Each ball also has a small stigma hidden between the ball and the bract.  Presumably this is 'designed' for pollination by a Chinese insect, perhaps a bee.

The Kynaston Garden tree is the biggest in Hackney and I haven't seen a similar one outside of Kew Gardens.  There are two young trees in Abney Park Cemetery just south of the chapel.  These trees flowered for the first time this year.

Many plants are flowering early this year due to the very warm, dry spring weather.  It is very important to water newly planted trees during this time.

LEAF