Spring has Sprung - the Magnolias Bloom

This time of year in the area of China where I am visiting is lush with greenery.  Every tree and shrub seems to have more than its fair share of green foliage - it is a pretty awesome sight.  The bamboo that four years ago was just being established is now tall and thick. Spectacular.

One of the shrubs that always impressed me at this time is the Magnolia - these trees line the streets, and are featured in many gardens.

I am lucky in that there are two trees close to the appartment I am in, and I have been able to watch the buds form, and then the flowers open.  The flowers have a short life span.  One day they are buds, the next day they are in full bloom, and the next they are deteriorating.

I found a large historic Magnolia tree - but it was not easy to photograph it.

Hollyhocks in China

Each country/culture has its own way of using flowers - and in China flowers are cultivated in pots often and then used in amazing displays.  While these flowers were not in any spectacular display, they certainly painted an attractive picture near the main entrance of the university.

Kerryville Gardens

I wrote about the Kerryville Garden in my other blog.   These are some of the flowers from that garden.

Heliconia

Rose of .....

Heliconia

Heliconia

Orachid

Hibiscus

Heliconi

Ginger Flowers

I have had a "love affair" with many flowers - in particular ginger flowers, gerberas and orchids.  The following photos were taken at Australia Zoo - and there were others that somehow escaped my camera.  One day I will go on my own, and with my camera.  Then I can capture more images of the wonderful gardens there.

This one was at Caboolture Historical Village.

Australia Zoo ginger.

Orchids

I love my orchids.  Once upon a time I would have though they were too difficult to grow, but have learned over time that I can and I have had some great success.

I first came to own orchids when we lived in Sydney way back in 1972  - we rented a house north of Sydney and the lady of the house was a keen orchid grower.  She was concerned that her orchids would be neglected during her overseas holiday and our rental period there, so I was keen to see them at least survive.  When she returned she was pleased that not only had they survived but by some divine good luck I suspect, they were flourishing.  She gave me several pots.  Over the years I have kept them growing, though there was a period when I was travelling that they didn't get my good care and some died.

When I moved to Beachmere, I brought some of them with me.  Eventually my fernhouse arrived and they flourish in there.

The photos are of catteleya orchids.  I have them adorning my house.

Crocus in Flower

It was a surprise to me to see my pot of Crocus in flower the other day.

And then at the Caboolture Historical Village I found many in flower near the old Council Chambers.

They are supposed to flower in Spring, so much of the material I read reports so I hope they do flower again in about 4 months time.

Gardens at Australia Zoo, Queensland

Fabulous staghorn

Heliconia

It was a pretty wet day and I did not take my Canon SLR into the park so I used my little point and shoot Samsung camera. (I have bought an annual pass so that I can go with camera on a fine day!)

The gardens are fabulous and I look forward to going back one day to see more!  Read my post about our visit here.