The rules for posting are simple!

1. Every Friday post a photo that includes one or more flowers.
2. Please only post photos you have authority to use.
3. Include a link to this blog in your post - http://floralfridayfoto.blogspot.com/
4. Leave the link to your FloralFridayFoto post below on inlinkz.
5. Visit other blogs listed ... comment & enjoy!

When to Post:
inlinkz will be available every Thursday and will remain open until the next Wednesday.

Thursday, 12 June 2025

FFF703 - WILLOW-LEAF WATTLE

Acacia iteaphylla (F.Muell. ex Benth.) occurs naturally in South Australia extending from the Flinders Ranges across to the Gawler Ranges and the Eyre Peninsula. Commonly called Willow-leaf Wattle, this shapely decorative shrub is hardy and fast growing and flowers intermittently throughout the year with a peak flowering period in spring.

It is versatile in its habit growing to a height of 2-4 m with some forms becoming upright, whilst others are pendulous and bushy.The slender phyllodes of A. iteaphylla are from 50 -100 mm long and are broadly linear with a small gland at the base. They are blue-green in colour and arranged alternately, almost at right angles to the stems. The perfumed flower heads are produced in clusters of pale yellow balls which contrast pleasingly with the foliage. The buds are attractively enclosed by conspicuous pale, brown-tipped bracts. The flowers are followed by masses of flattened blue-green seed pods which become brown when mature.

A low growing form of A. iteaphylla has been recognised. It differs from other known forms in having low arching, slightly pendulous branches and grows to 0.5 m high by 4 m across. This plant, which originated as a variant in a batch of seedlings, has been registered as the cultivar Acacia 'Parsons Cascade'. To retain its low spreading growth habit the cultivar should be propagated only from cuttings as it will not necessarily breed true from seed.

Acacia iteaphylla grows best in a well drained sunny position. It is moderately frost tolerant and moderately salt tolerant. It can be propagated from cuttings taken between February and April. Seed germinates readily but should be scarified or treated with boiling water before sowing. Light pruning throughout the development of the plant will keep it vigorous and encourage bushiness. An application of a complete fertiliser in spring and a slow release fertiliser in autumn is also recommended.

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Thursday, 5 June 2025

FFF702 - HELLEBORE

Helleborus niger, commonly called Christmas rose or black hellebore, is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. It is poisonous. Although the flowers resemble wild roses (and despite its common name), Christmas rose does not belong to the rose family (Rosaceae).
The plant is a traditional cottage garden favourite because it flowers in the depths of winter. Large-flowered cultivars are available, as are pink-flowered and double-flowered selections. It has been awarded an Award of Garden Merit (AGM). 
Hellebores provide stunning results when mass planted in shady areas of the garden. It can be difficult to grow well; acid soil is unsuitable, as are poor, dry conditions and full sun. Moist, humus-rich, alkaline soil in dappled shade is preferable. Leaf-mould can be dug in to improve heavy clay or light sandy soils; lime can be added to 'sweeten' acid soils.

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Thursday, 29 May 2025

FFF701 - VIOLA 'TIGER EYE'

Viola 'Yellow Tiger Eye' have golden yellow flowers, that are heavily striped with a dark centre around the eye. This striking variety can be grown in part shade to stretch stems for cut flowers, while also making a wonderful addition to the garden in mass plantings. Viola blooms are edible and add wonderful pops of colour to your dishes. they also press dry well for pressed flower art projects.

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Thursday, 22 May 2025

FFF700 - ROSES

The last of the Autumn Roses are blooming, and as Autumn progresses and  the weather cools, rose bushes begin to go to sleep. We are lucky in Melbourne where the climate is mild to get roses to the end of Autumn. That means, the rose garden has something to offer every day between November and May...

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Thursday, 15 May 2025

FFF699 - BLUE SAGE

Salvia guaranitica (Anise-scented sage, Hummingbird sage, blue sage) in the Lamiaceae family is a species of Salvia native to a wide area of South America, including Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. It is a perennial subshrub growing 1.2 to 1.5 m tall, spreading into a large patch through its spreading roots. The leaves are ovate, 4 cm long and nearly as wide, with a fresh mint green colour, and an anise scent when crushed.

The inflorescences are up to 25 cm long with flowers in various shades of blue, including an uncommonly true blue. In cold regions, flowering begins in mid summer and continues until frost. Salvia guaranitica is a popular ornamental plant in mild areas. It grows in either full or three quarter sunlight, in well drained soil. Numerous cultivars have been selected, including 'Argentine Skies' (pale blue flowers), 'Black and Blue' (very dark violet blue calyx), 'Blue Ensign' (large blue flowers), and 'Purple Splendor' (Light purple flowers).

The cultivar 'Blue Enigma', with pure blue flowers, has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

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Thursday, 8 May 2025

FFF698 - JAPANESE ANEMONES

Anemone hupehensis, Anemone hupehensis var. japonica, and Anemone × hybrida (commonly known as the Chinese anemone or Japanese anemone, thimbleweed, or windflower) are species of flowering herbaceous perennials in the Ranunculaceae family. A. hupehensis is native to central China, though it has been naturalised in Japan for hundreds of years.

The species was first named and described in Flora Japonica (1784), by Carl Thunberg. Thunberg had collected dried specimens while working as a doctor for the Dutch East Indies Company. In 1844, Robert Fortune brought the plant to England from China, where he found it often planted about graves.

Height is 1–1.5 m and the leaves have three leaflets. Flowers are 40–60 mm across, with 5-6 (or up to 20 in double forms) sculpted pink or white petals and prominent yellow stamens, blooming from midsummer to autumn. These plants thrive best in shady areas and under protection of larger plants. They are especially sensitive to drought or overwatering.

They can be invasive or weedy in some areas, throwing out suckers from the fibrous rootstock, to rapidly colonise an area. Once established they can be extremely difficult to eradicate. On the other hand, they can take some time to become established.

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Thursday, 1 May 2025

FFF697 - HYDRANGEA PANICULATA 'CANDLELIGHT'

Hydrangea paniculata 'Candlelight' is a new hybrid, which  produces conical, creamy white flowers on deep red stems for an impressive and unforgettable visual display. As the flowers age they gently change to shades of pale and deeper pinks. ‘Candlelight’ is an elegant, yet extremely hardy shrub with strong stems ensuring that flowers are held proudly upright from later summer through to the autumn season.

Summer watering is encouraged through dry periods to gain maximum flower size and impact. Moderate water requirements when in flower. Prune back old flowers in late winter to encourage new growth in spring. Note that this plant is harmful if eaten and is also a skin and eye irritant.

This shrub is perfect for creating a standout display in your garden, or it can be grown in large containers for added versatility. Its lush green foliage changes into beautiful autumn tones, making it a highlight of any garden. In addition to its stunning appearance, the Hydrangea Paniculata 'Candlelight' is also a great choice for attracting bees and other pollinators to your garden. As the flowers age and change colour, they continue to provide a valuable source of nectar for these important creatures.

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Thursday, 24 April 2025

FFF696 - CAMELLIA SASANQUA 'YULETIDE'

Camellia Sasanqua 'Yuletide' (Camellia x vernalis 'Yuletide') has small, bright red, single flowers, with prominent golden yellow stamens, and is known to attract nectar feeding birds to your garden. It is a strong, upright growing shrub that is long living and can grow into a small tree. It makes a wonderful hedge or espalier. It will grow in most areas except for the hot tropics and inland. If you have slightly acidic soil, this is the plant for you.

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Thursday, 17 April 2025

FFF695 - AUTUMN CHRYSANTHEMUMS

The Chrysanthemums in our garden have started blooming this year and that means Autumn is well and truly here. By Mothers' Day all the chrysanthemum varieties will be in their glory and that may explain why in Australia, these flowers are associated with gift-giving to our mothers on their special day. The widespread availability, together with the beauty of the flowers and the way the word chrysantheMUM includes our mum is why they are popular this time of the year!

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Thursday, 10 April 2025

FFF694 - OLEANDER

Nerium oleander, most commonly known as oleander, is a shrub or small tree in the dogbane family Apocynaceae, cultivated worldwide in temperate and subtropical areas as an ornamental and landscaping plant. It is the only species currently classified in the genus Nerium. It is so widely cultivated that no precise region of origin has been identified, though it is usually associated with the Mediterranean Basin.

Nerium grows to 2–6 m tall. It is most commonly grown in its natural shrub form, but can be trained into a small tree with a single trunk. It is tolerant to both drought and inundation, but not to prolonged frost. White, pink or red five-lobed flowers grow in clusters year-round, peaking during the summer. The fruit is a long narrow pair of follicles, which splits open at maturity to release numerous downy seeds.

Several compounds in nerium exhibit toxicity, and it has historically been considered a poisonous plant. However, its bitterness renders it unpalatable to humans and most animals, so poisoning cases are rare and the general risk for human mortality is low. Ingestion of larger amounts may cause nausea, vomiting, excess salivation, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhoea and irregular heart rhythm. Prolonged contact with sap may cause skin irritation, eye inflammation and dermatitis.

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