Tottie's Blooms

Tropical Gardens at Australia Zoo

2011-01-08T20:14:00.000+10:00

This is in the dingo enclosure - see them asleep on the rocks.

The Gardens of Australia Zoo, near Beerwah, Queensland, are sensational. Above are some of the fruiting or flowering plants.

Blue Flowers

2011-01-08T19:47:00.000+10:00

I have yet to find out what these flowers are. Can any one identify them? They are flowering in a garden in Brisbane, Queensland.

What flowers are these?

2010-12-18T16:35:00.000+10:00

They look like an Allamanda up close but from a distance they look like hibiscus. I must check.

Roses, Roses........................

2010-12-06T12:01:00.000+10:00

2010-11-29T20:41:00.000+10:00

Two roses, a day lily and agapanthas at the Brisbane Botanical Gardens.

Gardenia

2010-11-21T11:53:00.000+10:00

I didn't realise that there were miniature gardenias as well as the larger ones, here are some of Janet's gardenias.

Day Lillies

2010-11-21T11:46:00.000+10:00

These are some of the day lillies in my daughter's garden. She's not a good gardener - but somehow some things manage to flourish.

Mum's Roses

2010-11-16T22:03:00.000+10:00

These photos were taken of the roses in my parents' garden November 2010 - one of the roses is the Minnie Watson, which our family is very proud of. My father's mother was Minnie Watson, though the rose was not named after her.

Spathiphyllum

2010-11-16T21:55:00.000+10:00

There are two pots of these plants which throw up copious shiny green leaves, and piercing the green, are the buds that open out to these amazing flowers. Quite extraordinary. Read all about the spathiphyllum here..

Agapanthus at Southbank

2010-11-02T07:15:00.001+10:00

The "aggies" are coming out now. There are some tall buds pushing skywards in the garden here, but these were in full bloom in Brisbane's Southbank on Saturday. We don't see "beds" of them here - I think I saw in New Zealand great fields of them, and they are spectacular.

Jacarandas

2010-11-02T07:11:00.001+10:00

October and November is the time when jacaranda trees are in flower all around Brisbane (and no doubt other parts of Australia!), and in the back yard here they are spectacular. Two big trees full of blooms, and as the spent flowers drop, they form an amazing carpet.

Iris

2010-10-08T06:47:00.000+10:00

I remember in China I saw iris plants growing in or near water, but I don't recall seeing it very much here. AT the house where I am house sitting there are two ponds (with gold fish) and a large urn with small fish, and all have iris plants growing. This week the plants flowered.

The plants are tall, with a number of flower heads. Spectacular really.

A wonderful display of Hipeastrums

2010-10-03T08:28:00.000+10:00

My daughter had a clump of hipeastrums growing in front of their house, and each year there was a great display, but in the last 12 months as they set out to regenerate their garden, they moved them to another area in front of the house. They broke up the soil, filled it in with a lot of horse poo, and waited to see what would happen.

Imagine their surprise and delight to have a wonderful display this spring. Amazing. Enjoy.

Anthurium

2010-09-21T19:09:00.000+10:00

These are spectacular flowers - the anthurium - and not easy to grow, but these are all flowering at the house where I am house sitting. In fact there are several plants and they all have several flowers on each plant.

It is my duty to keep these flowers alive and well - and they sit on a small table on the back deck, for the moment looking very healthy.

Hippeastrum

2010-09-21T18:36:00.000+10:00

I love these flowers - hippeastrum - large bell like flowers that appear in spring, from a bulb that spends most of its life in a dormant state. I'vegot some in pots, but where I am house sitting they are in the garden and are quite a surprise as they push through the other under growth.

They don't last well as cut flowers - a shame, as they would be dramatic in a vase.

In My Friend's Garden

2010-07-25T11:23:00.000+10:00

Some flowers in my friend's garden - December 2009.

Real or Fake?

2010-07-25T11:14:00.000+10:00

These were in a vase near the front door in a friend's house. Do you think they are real?

Clover

2010-07-25T08:01:00.000+10:00

It is surprise to see patches of green clover in China. Here in Australia we tend to see it as a weed and I don't recall at any time seeing it as a feature in a garden. It actually looked quite spectacular!

Flowers at Qiandao Hu

2010-07-10T16:21:00.007+10:00

Thousand Island Lake or Qiandao Hu as the locals will call it is an extra ordinary place, in Zhejiang Province south of Hangzhou. I recommend that one reads the story of this man-made lake that swallowed up some cities in its making. It is full of spectacular scenery and is a magnet for tourists - I've never seen so many boats! They all seemed to be leaving the harbour to head out to the huge lake at the same time!

At the entrance to the boat harbour where tourists arrive and meet the boat that will take them out onto the lake are some spectacular gardens. I don't know the names of the flowers - many were a mystery to me, but the show was grand. Well worth a visit for the floral displays, but there is much more to this place.

Hydrangeas

2010-07-04T20:05:00.003+10:00

Another pot of flowers that are around the campus are hydrangeas. Fabulous flowers in pots. Enjoy.

Canna Lily

2010-07-04T19:54:00.003+10:00

It is canna lily time. At the end of June 2010 these were in full bloom near the guard house at the main entrance of Yuexiu University, Shaoxing.

A great show of colour!!

Xiang Lake - Xiaoshan

2010-07-03T09:22:00.003+10:00

Apparently not a lot of people know about the lake at Xiaoshan - Lake Xiang. It certainly is very beautiful with wonderful landscaped gardens around the lake. It was a Sunday so many people were enjoying the scenery.

Water on the Lily Pads.

2010-07-03T07:43:00.003+10:00

In my last few days in China I visited a former student in Xiaoshan, which is near Hangzhou. Actually the international airport that services that region is at Xiaoshan. I had caught the bus from Shaoxing, which travelled from that city through Keqaio and on to Xiaoshan - it was all built area with very old housing and industrial buildings along the route. Somewhat depressing really, and when I arrived SY was not far away and turned up in her new red car.

The city was busy and she could not get a park so she drove to a newer area where the city was being rebuilt. Wider roads, modern buildings and more parks. The shopping centre was very quiet and there was plenty of parking. We had lunchat a little restaurant, before she drove out to a lake. A very pretty lake.

The photos above were taken around the lake. I am not sure whether they are lily pads or lotus. I thought lotus leaves usually swayed above the water, but there were lotus flowers and no leaves other than these sitting on the top of the water. I thought the little pools of water sitting on the lily pads were fascinating.

It had rained heavily not long before we arrived and the water on the lily pad was no doubt from that rain.

Flowers in Jiefung Lu

2010-07-02T00:28:00.004+10:00

Jiefung Lu is the main street of Shaoxing. This area a week ago was quite desolate. Road workers who had been employed on upgrading the road over the past few weeks had lived in a makeshift tent to the left of the picture.

The flowers that had been there had died and what was left was a pretty miserable display.

On my last day in Shaoxing, I passed this area only to find all new plants had appeared and the place was all cleaned up and was looking quite spectacular. The city has spruced up for the World Choir Games which start in the city on July 15th, 2010.

I'm impressed with the way they use seedlings in pots to create spectacular show pieces.

The White Orchid

2010-02-11T06:18:00.002+10:00

It has been a while since I have been in my fern house and yesterday as I checked progress of the motley lot of plants there, I found a white orchid in flower.

It is some time since we have seen this in flower, so it was a thrill yesterday to see it.

Now it is in the house - and looks stunning.

Piccabeen Palm

2010-01-03T10:13:00.005+10:00

Piccabeen, Bangalow or King Palm - these are found in the east coast of Australia especially in rain forest areas.

The are fast growing trees and the berries make a great show - especially in the tree tops.

(These were photographed at Mt Tamborine Sky Walk on January 2nd, 2010.)

Mt Tamborine Flowers

2010-01-03T09:50:00.003+10:00

Unknown tree

2009-11-15T20:18:00.004+10:00

I've seen this tree on many occasions but I have no idea what it is. There are many of them in flower at the moment. I have no idea whether they are some imported species, but somehow think that they may be a native species.

The mass of bell like flowers fall from brilliant greent leaves and make a spectacular sight.

I just don't know what they are. Shall have to try and find out.

(This photo was taken at Fort Lytton, Queensland)

Day Lilies

2009-10-19T07:42:00.004+10:00

Once upon a time I was not familiar with day lilies but I found one in a shop with the same name as my mother, and for a while had a whole row of them growing and blooming them at the side of the house.

They tend to die off, then come back with many flower spikes with buds, that open to a beautiful flower.

Sadly they are not useful as cut flowers, but make a magnificent show in the garden.

These blooms are in my daughter's garden, and flower well late in spring, or early summer despite her neglect. I love the different colours.

Yesterday as I was taking the photos grand daughter number two was impressed that I was interested in taking photos of her mother's flowers, and promised to phone me if more flower. We did not confirm the details, but I hope she means that if more of the plants inthe garden burst forth in bloom she will tell me.

There are many buds on the plants that are already in bloom, and another 6 or so plants still to show their colours.

My Orchid

2009-10-12T19:22:00.003+10:00

I don't know the name of this little orchid. I bought it at a market years ago and until recently it was on a tree in the garden, but the tree split and was chopped down, and at the same time we had a small fern house erected in the back yard. Now I have about five of the orchid plants attached (with computer cable ties) to the wall of the fern house, and in the last few weeks one has flowered. Only one.

Above is a photo of one of the flowers.

Neglected Roses

2009-09-28T17:01:00.005+10:00

My daughter does not like the roses in her garden - they have survived abject neglect for many years but still throw up some amazing blooms from time to time.

On the bud in the bottom picture you can see the infestation of bugs.

Sometimes plants don't mind neglect.

Hippeastrums

2009-09-28T16:48:00.004+10:00

The Hippeastrums in my own garden have not flowered yet, and so far there are only two buds so I don't expect much this season.

Some in my garden have clearly died (we are not allowed to water our gardens because of the drought). The ones in the pots have survived.

These blooms are in my daughter's garden. She does nothing to them - how they have survived is a mystery.

More and more flowers in Spring

2009-09-16T09:46:00.004+10:00

This fabulous show of larkspurs were in the Roma St Parklands, Brisbane. Fabulous show of colour.

More Blooms at Roma St

2009-09-15T19:21:00.004+10:00

I will have to do some research to find the names of some of these flowers. They were all blooming in Roma St Parklands, in Brisbane, Queensland.

More Irises

2009-09-15T19:13:00.003+10:00

In a walk through the Roma St Parklands (Brisbane Australia) I found some more irises. Slightly different to the ones I photographed earlier, but still fabulous around the lakes.

New camera - new photos!

2009-09-02T14:27:00.003+10:00

I have a new camera - a Canon SLR and I'm having a wonderful time trying out using it. How wonderful that it is a digital camera and I can delete my "errors".

Iris

2009-08-31T16:30:00.002+10:00

I've taken quite a few photos of Irises - because I have "found" them in the most amazing places.

There seemed to be quite a few flowering in China in spring, and also in South Korea, where I saw masses of them in flower making a magic scene.

Sadly I've not seen them in such numbers here in Australia, though I am sure that in New South Wales, or Victoria there are huge fields of them - I just haven't seen them.

I purchased a bunch (5 stems) today, some of them were partly opened like this one, but others were still in bud and surely will open over the next few days.

As I have a new Canon SLR Camera, I've been taking lots of photos - and thought this one was good. Enjoy.

Daisies

2009-08-13T16:56:00.004+10:00

Simple, pretty daisies make a great picture in a garden. When I visit Adelaide, there are often gardens with many varieties and colours of daisies. I found these in a garden in one of my walks around Oalklands when I was there in July 2009. The roses, camellias and daisies made a great picture in the gardens in and around the city and suburbs.

Irises

2009-08-06T01:15:00.002+10:00

I love to see irises, and they are in the flower shops at the moment. That' not the reason for posting this, but I've been going through and transferring my photos to my new program Memory Manager, and came across this photo.

I don't recall that I have posted it here before, and quite lazily I haven't checked either.

It was at a pond at the entrance to an amazing mountain in China at a place called Tonglu.

Along with a group of students we climbed up the inside of a mountain - there were stone steps and we kept going up in this amazing wonderland of stone, water (a huge waterfall was at the top of the mountain) so it was wet, slippery, and cold.

When we reached the part where the steps were surrounded by a cage and the steps went up vertically, my friend and I baulked. We were both over 60 years of age, and that surely would have punished our backs, and legs.

We were escorted back down another route. Luckily.

My sister's garden

2009-07-25T07:20:00.005+10:00

My family have always loved gardens, plants, flowers etc, and my sister who lives in a small apartment has made good use of the small amount of space between the house and the footpath.

She has a wonderful array of plants under some large palm trees, with a fish pond (complete with fish) and a variety of plants in pots.

Despite the drought and lack of water in South Australia, she manages to keep them alive, though some like the magnificent tree fern has succumbed and while currently still with a little life, it is finding it hard going and I suspect it will not survive.

The fish find life difficult from time to time, and though they don't have a long life span, the heat of summer or the cold of winter can create havoc and new fish need to be purchased from time to time.

Above there are two triangular sails that do something to protect from the hot sun in summer, and the outdoor eating area is a delight and we have had many family events there.

It certainly is a haven - a delightful fresh, green oasis.

Freesias,

2009-07-24T18:28:00.004+10:00

These are delightful flowers, but not seen as often as they should be. This bunch of freesias was given to my sister, and she put them in a glass vase and allowed them to "spill" in a very delicate way.

These are native to Africa, but have been popular in Australian gardens for years.

To read all about these flowers on Wikipedia here.

Camelias

2009-07-24T18:22:00.003+10:00

Right near the front door of my parents little unit in Adelaide is a camelia plant that seems to bloom non-stop.

These pink "double" blooms just flower and flower and always make a great picture. Often my mother will pick some and carefully arrange them in a bowl.

It is often hard to get camelia's sitting pretty in a vase as they often are on the side of the stem.

Flowers in the Hanok Village

2009-05-29T13:00:00.003+10:00

I went to Jeonju's Hanok Village which is a huge tourist complex in the old part of the city, where the old buildings are being restored and there are major places of interest to visit. You can read more about that here.

The spring annuals that I saw planted a few weeks ago are blooming and it is quite a picture. There is also a paper sculture display among the flowers.

Liliums?

2009-05-29T12:29:00.004+10:00

This photograph was taken near the river/stream near the Jeonju Nature Ecological Museum that I visited yesterday. The flowers were just starting to bloom in the flower bed near the museum building.

Roses and Creepers

2009-05-21T10:48:00.004+10:00

These photos I took yesterday. Walking along the streets of Jeonju South Korea, I saw this wonderful creeper on a wall. Later I walked past the roses. They seem to have appeared out of nowhere and there are many blooming around the place.

I had thought of creeping out at night with a pair of scissors to "claim" one for me, but the students gave me some flowers.

Roses in Korea

2009-05-19T08:49:00.002+10:00

My flowers given to me for Teacher's Day, Jeonju, Korea, May 2009.

At Mt Mai Tap-Sa

2009-05-05T19:58:00.002+10:00

A glorious display of Azalea and Wisteria

Azaleas surround the lake.

What flower is this?

2009-05-05T19:40:00.004+10:00

I should know I think, but I just cannot seem to remember the name of this stunning flower. It is in full bloom in South Korea right now.

Flower Shop in Korea

2009-05-01T19:33:00.002+10:00

This delightful display was in front of a flower shop in Jeonju, Korea. The shops seem to be a cross between a garden shop as I would know it in Australia (pots of seedlings etc) and flowers. The baskets and other items to display the flowers many of which are flowering seedlings are spectacular.

Azaleas and Spring

2009-04-30T21:04:00.005+10:00

It is Spring here in Korea - and the azaleas are in bloom. The two bottom photos were taken behind the Jeonju Core Riviera Hotel .

The top photo I took - sight unseen. I had thought the garden behind the high wall would be wonderful, and it was. I had put my arm up high with the camera in my hand and clicked.

The top photo is of a view in one of the modernised streets of Jeonju Hanok Village.

Blossoms in Korea

2009-04-15T12:09:00.002+10:00

The blossom season is short lived - though spectacular, the petals soon fall to the ground. These were at a Buddhist temple just out of Jeonju - and the road to the temple was lined on both sides by wonderful blossoms too, but I was unable to take a good photo from the moving car.

Spectacular!

Magnolia at the temple

2009-04-13T13:21:00.003+10:00

One of the great joys in spring in China and Korea are the blooming of the Magnolia trees. There are different varieties - some all white, some with rose colour on the back of the petals, and others with smaller flowers.

These were blooming at the temple just out of Jeonju.

Daffodils and Tulips in Korea

2009-04-11T20:14:00.004+10:00

While walking around Jeon Ju, Korea, I found this wonderful garden in a Gold Driving Range. Daffodils, and there are many in gardens here, as well as these tulips making an impressive display.

Tibouchina

2009-02-26T18:56:00.005+10:00

This year the Tibouchina is blooming beautifully. Around the suburbs this brilliant splash of purple. The bushes are around 8 - 10 feet tall, and the purple blooms flourish with the sort of weather we have been having lately. It had been dry, and then the rains came, which somehow stimulated the prolific flowers.

Sadly the flowers do not last long, and do not do well in a vase, but when the spent blooms drop there seems to be many more coming along so the 'season' can be quite long and they often have two or more blooming seasons.

The photos above are of my plant which is beside the side fence.

This variety is most likely Tibouchina Alstonville.

Chrysanthemum Blooms

2008-11-22T17:01:00.003+10:00

There are many Chrysanthemums blooming around the university at the moment. Great pots of them. Some are reaching their "use-by" date, and many are still in bud so there is more to come.

They are at the entrances to the college, all along the main driveway, around the library, canteens and little pots are along the walkways of the administration building too. Many yellows, and some a rust and yellow colour. They do look spectacular.

Occasionally I feel tempted to remove the dead heads - but I resist.

Orchid display

2008-10-27T18:23:00.003+10:00

Sell photos on photrade By Elly

These are just some of the orchids on display in Hangzhou's Hyatt Hotel on the edge of the famed West Lake. Sadly we didn't get to stay there, but we did visit and we did enjoy expensive coffee and cake in the lounge bar there. Simple white bowls with many white orchids and brown sticks as a background. Simply stunning.

It is a pretty busy hotel, with many foreign tourists and business people using this hotel as their base here in China. It is so well placed, right on the edge of the West Lake, with rows of upmarket boutiques and shops in the vicinity.

I think it would be wonderful to wake up in the morning, and see right over the lake. It is a very romantic lake with many tourist spots, as well as hotels and restaurants around the edge of the famous lake.

Display of Chrystanthemums

2008-10-27T18:16:00.002+10:00

Sell photos on photrade By Elly

Last week this pot of chrystanthemums appeared near the foreign teacher's accomodation - adjacent to the administration building. Many exotic floral displays end up near this building and we know when there is a big event approaching as the floral display will be much bigger or more exotic than usual.

We have no idea what the special event is this week - but there are Chinese banners all around so we think there is something big on the agenda. It is hard to tell how many plants are in this pot - at least six and maybe more. One of the risks with this sort of floral display is that they need quite a lot of water, and last week the plants were looking very much worse for wear, but we have had heavy rain for a few days so that would have refreshed them, but it is possible that the gardeners also added water to the pot.

Beautiful flower

2008-10-19T11:14:00.001+10:00

I suspect that this is a weed - there were quite a few that seemed to be growing at random and not in flower beds. They have a strong stem and long scraggy leaves, but the flower head is almost like a purple/deep read cauliflower. Pretty. I have no idea what it is.

Shaoxing Hotel

2008-10-13T19:22:00.005+10:00

The hotel is called New Century Grand Hotel, in Shaoxing and these spectacular arrangements were in the foyer of this hotel. When I went to take a photo of the flowers, one of the hotel staff appeared and insisted on using my camera to take a photo of Sue and I with the flowers.

This hotel is great for a buffet - all you can eat fabulous food at a reasonable price.

Crocus garden

2008-09-10T07:31:00.005+10:00

I have never seen so many Crocus flowers. The college gardens are always a surprise because flowers/plants appear at different seasons, and for me are quite unexpected.

These flowers appeared along the perimeter of the volleyball field. Beautiful white delicate flowers in copious quantities.

Beautiful flowers

2008-09-05T19:33:00.003+10:00

I'm not sure what these plants are - there is a row of the parallel to the school fence. Some have spent flower stalks in them - others have new buds emerging from the beautiful leaves.

One has already been in flower and is starting to wither.

They make a spectacular sight along the fence.

Anyone know the name of these plants?

Maiden Hair Fern

2008-09-04T09:00:00.002+10:00

Another fern which does well in the damp tropical areas is the maiden hair fern. There are quite a vew varieties of this fern, and it is common in gardens and pots in Queensland. It is used by florists but it does die off quickly, so has limited use.

Crows nest fern

2008-09-04T08:54:00.002+10:00

This poor fern has survived despite its sad life. It was in our front garden, but did not thrive. Eventually I moved it and it is now growing well, although a little lopsided, in the fern house. It has taken on a new lease of life. Wonderful.

It is a rain forest plant and does not do well without water. In Brisbane, because of the drought we have been unable to water the garden, and with little rain......................

More Heliconias

2008-08-21T14:30:00.003+10:00

Throughout the magnificent Singapore Botanical Gardens there are great stands of Heliconia - and any Heliconia lover like me will enjoy seeing the different species on display.

I have one of these in my garden but it has never looked as spectaular as this specimen. They are great in flower arrangements and do last a long time in the vase.

Heliconia and Ginger Flowers

2008-08-21T14:26:00.002+10:00

I have long been a lover of Heliconia and Ginger flowers - and as we live in a subtropical area, they grow quite well, although this last season they did not do very well as we have had so little rain. They love rain - heat and high humidity, and barely flower without the optimum conditions.

Singapore is great for these flowers as well as Orchids and while we were there we say many of them.

We went for a long walk around the Singapore Botanical Gardens which are spectacular -

this one is one of the wonderful single ginger flower.

Croton Leaves

2008-08-15T16:30:00.005+10:00

I like taking photos of flowers - but have tried some close up of leaves. These are the leaves of crotons - a tropical plant that has wonderful red, yellow and green combinations in the leaves. It is a hardy plant - and is used in tropical gardens and is popular with floral artists as it is a bright strong leaf for arrangements.

Hotel foyer

2008-06-15T08:42:00.003+10:00

The flowers in the hotel were amazing too. These two views are of the same arrangement. One side looked quite different to the other. We found it hard to determine initially what flowers were plastic and what were real. The orchids were plastic, the leaves and some of the lillies were real. We knew this because of the exquisite fragrance and the feel of the petals.

Tabletop roses

2008-06-15T08:39:00.002+10:00

We had lunch at a wonderful hotel in Shangyu, in Zhejiang province in southern China. On the table were some wonderful fresh roses. They looked spectacular on the round table. They glistened too, as they had been sprayed with a fine mist of water. Enjoy.

The Lotus Flowers

2008-06-12T07:43:00.003+10:00

In the ponds near the entrance to the college were many plastic pots with small sticks in them. That's what they looked like when we arrived at the college just as winter was almost over. In the spring there was some activity in the pots and the sticks seemed to come to life - and green foliage slowly emerged. The gardeners put the pots further into the centre of the pond, and soon the foliage was flourishing. Goldfish swim in the pond and now had something to play hide and seek around. Just a couple of weeks ago I noticed the flowers. Beautiful strong flowers on a tall straight stem. There are pale pink, darker pink and white blooms and they are exquisite. When the flower fully opens up the seed pod is revealed and it grows larger as the petals fall into the water.

Gardenia

2008-06-11T21:16:00.005+10:00

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The hedge of Gardenias sits along a very smelly walk in the college. Perhaps the sewerage pipes are around here. In any case at times there is an odd smell emanating from something near here.

We have watched as the Gardenia hedge sprung forth with Spring growth, and watched as the buds formed. And then it happened. One Monday morning as I was passing on my way to class I saw the first buds. There were two that had opened up.

Within days there was a mass of blooms and the delicate aroma, the sweet delicate fragrance of the Gardenia filled our nostrils as we passed by. Late in the afternoon and early evening is best as the air is filled with this fragrance.

The flowers attract many students who pick the flowers - they don't live long, but I am sure the fragrance in the dormitories is most appreciated.

The Rose Garden

2008-05-11T13:59:00.004+10:00

The miniature roses.

The rose garden (April and May)

When we came to Shaoxing at the end of February, the area had experienced a cold winter, and it had snowed here. One of the gardens near the apartment building that houses many of the foreign teachers, there was a garden that seemed to have a large number of dried sticks about 5 inches high in it. On closer inspection you could see it was a bed of roses.

I don't think in Australia we would have pruned them back so much - but things are different here.

The top photo was taken on April 17 th, as foliage was beginning to sprout on the plants. The second photo was taken just last week.

What a difference a few weeks makes in such a garden. Also on the school campus is an area near one of the other buildings where there is a bed of what I now discover is miniature roses and they too are in full bloom right now.

Iris

2008-05-09T08:06:00.002+10:00

On our visit to a park at Tonglu (Southern China) the gardens impressed us, especially the display of irises. Actually there were only a few blooming - but many many more plants ready to burst forth in flower. These were growing at the edge of a pool in which many colourful and large fish were swimming making it a very wonderful scene.

Tea Plantations

2008-05-08T15:14:00.002+10:00

I had never seen Tea Plantations close up before and the first time was at Houshan when we climbed the mountain to the Temple.

We walked through the rows of tea growing and noticed folk picking leaves possibly for their own use.

Since then I have seen many tea plantations between Shaoxing and Hangzhou in particular. They are on many hills around these areas, as no doubt they are in many areas of China.

Sweet Magnolia

2008-05-08T15:00:00.002+10:00

Spring is certainly the best time to visit China - as all the trees and plants that have been in hibernation for winter come to life. The blossoms of all the flowering trees make such a change to what was a very bland landscape and it is no wonder the Chinese people cherish their gardens so much.

In the streets and in parks the Magnolias burst into bloom - there were white ones, and pink ones and small flowers and large flowers.

I had never seen so many Magnolias in flower all at once.

Flowers in China

2008-05-07T08:24:00.003+10:00

The Chinese people so love gardens - most of course don't have much in the way of gardens around their homes, unless they live in a newer modern complex where the gardens are likely to be a feature, or if they live in the country their "garden" is full of vegetables.

When we arrived in China it was just after the very cold winter of 2007/8 and the plants were all brown and bare, but as spring approached it all changed.

These photos are from a park in Ningbo, South China.

What is this?

2008-01-08T08:18:00.000+10:00

I don't know what this is - but found it in the garden near the house of my housesit.

It is a very attractive flower but does not last long - and the flower very quickly falls to the ground.

Frangipanni

2008-01-08T08:12:00.000+10:00

How I love the fragrance of frangipanni! In the evening the scent is at it's best! There are many colours of these flowers, and probably the most common is the lemon/pale yellow variety. This pink one is in the park at the back of my current housesit.

I picked this bract of flowers and had it in a bowl as centre piece for my very small New Year's Eve event - and even today nearly a week later it is still looking good. I'd love to find a red one!

Miniature Roses

2007-12-27T08:19:00.000+10:00

There are thousands of varieties of roses. These are miniature roses grown in a pot. You can see the change of colour as the flower matures. There's yellow in the centre when the bloom first opens and it fades to white or dark pink as time goes by.

The stunning foliage of Crotons

2007-12-27T08:14:00.000+10:00

There are many varieties of Crotons- the variety of colours and shapes in their foliage is what appeals to all. They are easy to grow from a cutting - in fact simply cut off a stem of the plant and place in a container of water, and it will quickly grow roots and be ready to plant in a pot or in the garden.

Gerbera Photos

2007-12-15T11:25:00.000+10:00

This photo is of one of our Gerbera's. I used my Nikon camera, and used the close up feature, and zoom to get this shot. I am waiting for a new camera - again a Nikon, but somewhat better than the current one I use.

More flowers at Lagoon Pocket B and B

2007-12-10T17:18:00.000+10:00

These are just some of the flowers in and around the Lagoon Pocket Bed and Breakfast, Long Pocket, just south of Gympie Queensland.

Some flowers in the garden or fields at Lagoon Pocket

2007-12-10T17:07:00.000+10:00

These are I think called "Storm Crocus" which seem to appear after storms. I didn't know they were "native" to Australia, and perhaps they are not but they seem to be on many properties south of Gympie.

The dry weather suits some flowers

2007-12-04T15:33:00.000+10:00

We have noticed this summer that so many trees and plants are exhibiting fabulous blooms. The weather has been very dry for this time of the year and some of the trees seem to revel in the dry.

One such flower that is abundant in these parts is the bougainvillea - and I've managed to capture some brilliant purple flowers that are blooming at my son's house on the Gold Coast. The bush is somewhat uncontrolled and sends it's branches all over a slope in the garden, with brilliant green leaves and the dramatic purple flowers.

Enjoy.

Peony

2007-11-15T08:07:00.000+10:00

The peony is a flower that I know little about, but a florist friend gave one to me. It is a beautiful hot pink - lovely flower that lead me to investigate details of the peony.

The florist has suggested that we grow peonies. I will investigate it, but I am not keen to grow further flowers. I'm all over it.

More roses - at church.

2007-11-14T15:45:00.000+10:00

Though it was Sunday, I didn't "go" to church - but I did take my grandson for a play in the park right beside the church that I workshipped at years ago in Adelaide.

I remember when the church opened when I was a little girl - a long time ago. We lived not far away and would generally walk to church each Sunday morning. I remember visiting the church in the last few years - it is smaller than I remember it.

It is called St Elizabeth's after St Elizabeth of Hungary. I probably remembered once why it was named that but I don't recall now. They have a spectacular garden which features roses. The water for the garden is collected underground from the car park,so that always the gardens are a picture. Even through the drought period. The old church has some additional buildings to it now - quite different to what it was when it was built.

Funny, it is almost opposite a spectacular Hindu temple - slightly weird in suburban Adelaide.

Roses - are they the best ever?

2007-11-14T09:28:00.000+10:00

Adelaide, like much of Australia is still suffering from lack of rain. But that suits roses! And in the suburbs of Adelaide I saw some of the most spectacular rose displays I've seen for a long time.

They were amazing.

Brilliant colours - in fact quite a few flower species are obviously enjoyign the lack of rain in Adelaide.

Hollyhocks

2007-11-14T09:18:00.001+10:00

Hollyhocks - these are flowers that we don't see much in subtropical Brisbane - but I found a few wonderful specimens in Adelaide. I've just visited with my grandson. I found time to take a few photos.

One day I walked to the Westfield Marion Shopping Centre and on the way found a garden with Hollyhocks. I just had to take the photo.

Picking at Gough Hill Farm

2007-11-01T07:54:00.001+10:00

This photo is of the busy work room at Gough Hill Farm - a Gerbera farm in Brisbane Australia. It was taken during one of our very busy periods - when the Spring Flush occurred and we were picking record numbers (for us) of flowers.

It was all hands on deck as we prepared the thousands of flowers for the florists in the area.

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Gerberas

2007-11-01T07:31:00.000+10:00

This is one of the very popular colours of Gerberas and most growers here in Australia feature them. This one is called Monarch.

Right this minute (November 1st, 2007) the Gough Hill Gerbera farm is struggling - as Rutherglen and other bugs create havoc and seem resistant to all the sprays that normally kill them.

Maraya (Mock Orange)

2007-10-20T16:22:00.000+10:00

The leaves (greenery) of the maraya is very popular with florists. The small leaves are a brilliant green and quite shiney, and they do enhance the look of many arrangements.

The delicate white flower has a wonderful fragrance and in the early evening the air is filled with the fragrance, which I find very pleasant. However, many people get hay fever when the flowers are in bloom, and as they are very popular garden plant, I have some sympathy for folks who find them troublesome.

It doesn't help that the flowers bloom for many months of the year.

Hippeastrums

2007-10-20T16:14:00.000+10:00

I remember that 12 months ago when I was house sitting at Manly, the hippeastrums were flourishing and they are doing so again this year. Perhaps the dry weather has helped them. In my garden some have just started blooming, but others where I don't get to water are not blooming and there's hardly any evidence that the plants are still alive.

Beauty

2007-09-08T14:42:00.000+10:00

I'm going to have to do a little research on this flower which is in my garden. I've had several of these plants that throw up wonderful strong long leaves that I sometimes use in flower arrangements. I think most folk grow them for the leaves, but they have a lovely flower.

One of my plants (which is in a pot) has never flowered but this one is in a garden and occasionally throws up this beautiful flower.

It is spring and lots of plants are flowering at the moment, and many native flowers are doing extremely well with blooms - perhaps because of the long dry that we have had.

I've not seen these in any florist, so I don't know how they go as a cut flower.

Grevillea

2007-08-29T21:02:00.000+10:00

The Grevillea is a popular Australian native flower in Australian gardens. It is popular for the unusual flowers that bloom, and for the fact that the tree is popular with birds and butterflies.

On the left is a close up view of the strange flower, and the leaves.

Orchid Flower

2007-08-29T20:54:00.001+10:00

A tree which is common in gardens around Brisbane is the orchid tree - which during spring and other times of the year blooms with this exotic looking flower. It is not a true orchid of course - and it's name is really bauhinia.

There are differing colours - some trees are pink, and this one has more of a purple flower. They produce flowers prolifically and when the flowers die off there is a carpet of spent petals on the ground below the tree.

Arum Lillies

2007-08-18T14:26:00.000+10:00

We don't see many lillies like this up here in Queensland - they are about and in some gardens particularly in the Gold Coast, or Sunshine Coast hinterlands, and florists who are a little more creative will use them.

My sister is a florist in Adelaide and though she is not working with fresh flowers at the moment (more with silk flowers), her friend called in with a lovely bunch of these when I was in Adelaide last week (early August 07).

The Adelaide Markets

2007-08-16T19:30:00.000+10:00

One of my special visits when I am in Adelaide - is to visit the Adelaide markets. They are quite historic and I don't think have changed much in all the years I've known them.

When I was a child, my parents would not have visited the markets - as this is where the Italians and Greeks sold their wares - from strange gourmet foods, to the fresh fruit and vegetables that were grown in the many market gardens around the city. It certainly wasn't "trendy" as it has been for quite a few years.

The fruit and vegetables are the freshest, there are fish marekts, butchers, bakers, mushroom growers, gourmet food producers, wine cellar, and of course fresh flowers to be purchased at the markets.

I always like to see the flowers as there are often flowers there that we do not see here in Brisbane.

One flower that I noticed was Iceland Poppies - I've certainly never seen them in the florist shops in Brisbane.

Blossom

2007-08-16T19:15:00.000+10:00

I've just been in Adelaide to visit the folks, and found more opportunities to take some photographs for this blog. One thing I remember well from my childhood is the almond blossom in Spring. It was a big area for almond growing - but sadly many of the almond growing areas have been turned into houseing estates.

I didn't get to take a photo of almond blossom - there was some around and as we went to Willunga - which is more vineyards than almonds no - the opportunity just didn't arise.

The blossom in this photograph is probably prunus - or a plum tree which was growing in the front yard of someone's home near Oaklands Park. It certainly brought back memories as when we were children we had an array of fruit trees growing in the back yard, and I do remember well the plums, apricots, peaches, and especially the two almond trees that sprung to life each spring with their blossom.

Arum lily

2007-08-14T20:35:00.001+10:00

I remember these growing in the garden at home when I was growing up in Adelaide. My mother did put flowers in the house - but I don't recall having these in the house. I think they are more popular as an indoor flower with rather modern florists. I might be wrong.

We don't see them very much around Brisbane - but I know they grow well in the hinterland - Mt Tamborine, or Sunshine Coast areas.

Agave

2007-08-14T20:30:00.000+10:00

These plants are wonderful. Brilliant green that seem to grow well without much water. They can grow quite big and also often have "pups" growing on the main stem, which can be carefully pulled off and planted, and soon they will be as bit as the "mother" plant.

These are becoming more popular - especially in our drought. This one is growing in my sister's garden in Adelaide, South Australia.

The Banksia

2007-07-19T13:19:00.000+10:00

The banksia is a native flower of Australia and is quite common in most areas. It is a popular garden plant for those folk who enjoy growing and promoting native gardens.
There are about 71 species of banksia's.

Some have been featured in Australian children's books as "the banksia man" character.

This plant is flowering at the Port of Brisbane Visitors Centre.