PHOTOS: Orchid tree flowers in bloom

Ann Strong doesn’t know much about orchid trees, but she does know that seeing the flowers bloom on her and her husband’s backyard Chinese orchid is a rarity.

In the past five years, the Alterra resident said the tree flowers have only bloomed twice. About three weeks ago, the buds started opening up and she estimates they’ll be blooming for another two to three weeks.

“Right now, it’s just fantastic,” Strong said.

Strong sent photos of the flowers to InMaricopa.com.

She said the tree was already in the backyard when she and her husband Glenn moved into their home five years ago. They are the second owners of the house.

Strong mostly blames the winter frost in past years for not allowing the flowers to bloom.

“Every year, it would freeze down to the ground,” she said.

But this year, the weather has been just right.

“There’re a lot of buds that haven’t opened up yet,” she said.

Click on “View gallery” to see the photos.