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Welcome! This is a blog showcasing flower photography. I always enjoy photographing blooms, as do many other photographers!
Thursday, 31 August 2023
FFF610 - IT'S SOUTHERN SPRING
Spring is blooming early this year: Dutch iris, little field carnations, freesias, stocks, daffodils, and jonquils.
Thursday, 24 August 2023
FFF609 - MONSTERA
Monstera deliciosa, the Swiss cheese plant or split-leaf philodendron is a species of flowering plant native to tropical forests of southern Mexico, south to Panama. It has been introduced to many tropical areas, and has become a mildly invasive species in Hawaii, Seychelles, Ascension Island and the Society Islands. It is very widely grown in temperate zones as a houseplant.
The common name "Swiss cheese plant" is also used for the related species from the same genus, Monstera adansonii. The common name "split-leaf philodendron" is also used for the species Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum, although neither species are in the genus Philodendron.
The specific epithet deliciosa means "delicious", referring to the edible fruit. The genus Monstera is named from the Latin word for "monstrous" or "abnormal", and refers to the unusual leaves with natural holes that members of the genus have. Its popular name as a houseplant of "Swiss cheese plant", or just "cheese plant", is commonly stated to refer to the "eyes" or holes which develop in its leaves similar to the holes in some Swiss-type cheeses such as Emmental cheese.
The fruit of Monstera deliciosa is up to 25 cm long and 3–5 cm diameter, and it looks like a green ear of maize covered with hexagonal scales. As the fruit ripens, these scales or platelets fall off the fruit, releasing a strong and sweet scent. The smell has been compared to a combination of pineapples and bananas. The fruit is edible and safe for humans.
This flower was picked from a plant growing in our garden. Although this plant flowers, our climate is not hot enough for the fruit to ripen. It does make for an unusual cut flower, though!
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Thursday, 17 August 2023
FFF608 - MAGNOLIA 'BLACK TULIP'
Magnolia 'Black Tulip' (Magnolia x soulangeana a hybrid developed in New Zealand and is a cross between Magnolia 'Vulcan' and Magnolia 'Iolanthe'. It makes an excellent feature tree in any garden with its magnificent deep burgundy to near black blooms up to 15cm across. Flowers appear on bare stems in early Spring and are followed by beautiful green foliage.
They are frost-hardy deciduous small trees, and they show off their large goblet-shaped, fragrant blooms on bare branches in late Winter to early Spring, followed by large green leaves that will eventually become shades of gold in Autumn.
It is hard to find a more spectacular sight than a Magnolia in full bloom; these beautiful trees perform best in cooler climates and grow into a better shape (and flower for longer periods of time) with protection from strong winds. Snails love the delicate flowers so keep an eye out for these troublesome pests at flowering time.
The 'Black Tulip' is a great option for smaller gardens or as a specimen tree. It reaches a mature height of 8-10 meters and width of 6-8 meters, making it the perfect size for a range of garden spaces. The tree is also great for adding interest to any landscape, with its striking flowers and unique colour. It is deciduous, and the dark green leaves and smooth, grey bark add to its beauty. It's low maintenance and adaptable to various soil types, preferring well-draining, acidic soils.
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Thursday, 10 August 2023
FFF607 - CHAMOMILE
Chamomile (or camomile) is the common name for several daisy-like plants of the family Asteraceae that are often used to make herbal infusions to serve various medicinal purposes. Popular uses of chamomile preparations include treating hay fever, inflammation, muscle spasms, menstrual disorders, insomnia, ulcers, gastrointestinal disorders, and haemorrhoids. Chamomile tea is also used to treat skin conditions such as eczema, chickenpox and psoriasis.
The word ‘chamomile’ derives, via French and Latin, from Greek χαμαίμηλον (khamaimēlon), i.e. ‘earth apple’, from χαμαί (khamai) ‘on the ground’ and μῆλον (mēlon) ‘apple’. The more common British spelling ‘camomile’, is the older one in English, while the spelling ‘chamomile’ corresponds to the Latin and Greek source.
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Thursday, 3 August 2023
FFF606 - CHICORY
Common chicory, Cichorium intybus, is a somewhat woody, perennial herbaceous plant usually with bright blue flowers, rarely white or pink. Various varieties are cultivated for salad leaves, chicons (blanched buds), or for roots (var. sativum), which are baked, ground, and used as a coffee substitute and additive. It is also grown as a forage crop for livestock.
It lives as a wild plant on roadsides in its native Europe, and in North America and Australia, where it has become naturalised. "Chicory" is also the common name in the United States for curly endive (Cichorium endivia); these two closely related species are often confused.
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