Liliums

I am a great fan of Liliums, and am thrilled with the ones that I planted only a couple of weeks ago.
I picked the first one this morning and there are others nearly ready to open.

You can learn about them here and here. 

What are they?

I have seen these intriguing plants on many occasions and am fascinated by them, but I don't know what they are called.  These were at Taringa, Queensland, at a unit complex I visited. I just had to take a photo of them.  I don't think the photo does them justice.

If anyone knows, please let me know.  They look like a variety of cactus.

The Hippeastrum in Bloom

The above photo is of one of my Hippeastrum's in flower - September 11th, 2015. 

The above photo was taken this week in the Caboolture Historical Village near the Zanow's shed.  There are many about to bloom.

More on the Hippeastrum

Soon to bloom.. ...............

Liliums

I have planted my bulbs.  Hopefully, the plants will grow quickly and I will soon have some bulbs like this!!   This is just the cover of the packet!!!!

Below is one of the bulbs just starting - about 2 inches high at this point.  They are pretty easy to grow!

My Hippeastrum

I have had my Hippeastrums for some years, and sadly they get neglected from time to time, but usually flower for me.

I am thrilled to see some strong buds pushing their way up.

You can see I don't have a garden as such - just some pots.    You can read some very interesting material about them here at Wikipedia. and here. 

The First Day of Spring - in Australia

I went for a stroll in the Caboolture Historical Village garden today and found some wonderful flowers in bloom.  

Azaleas

Orchid

Orchid

Orchid

Orchid

I wonder why the orchids are all looking towards to ground. Perhaps they are tree orchids and should have been planted on the side of a tree - and high up.  

Wonderful to see on the first day of Spring, September 1st, 2015.

Roses at the Pioneer Women's Hall of Fame, Alice Springs

These blooms were at the Pioneer Women's Hall of Fame in Alice Springs when I visited in August, 2015.

More on the Tulips

The tulips are opening up.  Beautiful.

Tulips

I purchased a bunch of tulips yesterday.  To me it is a luxury - as money is tight with me, but I was tempted and gave in.
There were five white tulips in the  nuch fo just under $A10.  Not too bad!!!

I am very pleased with the photos!!!

Frangipani

At Darwin Train Station, Northern Territory, Australia.

Flowers of the World

I visited this Florist Shop and Cafe, Flowers of the World in South Bank,  last week.  Oh, the amazing blooms inside.  I could have spent a fortune, but kept my hands away from my purse.

I was pleased to see one of my favourite flowers on the table.  I was there for a meeting so it (luckily) distracted me from spending money.

Read my articles on Weekend Notes here.

Some Flowers in the Village

One of my tasks as a Volunteer in the Historical Village is to take photos - and I often do a wander around the huge Village property with my camera focusing on the flowers.

Here are some from a couple of days ago.

I love the Gerberas.  They are the type that people grow in their home gardens, as opposed to the slightly different flowers of the commercial growers.  I should know, as I once was a commercial grower.

One of the Gerbera Gardens in the Village - almost opposite the Redhall Cafe and entry.

The Zygocactus in the Rain forest is certainly in full flower.  There are several of them - different colours.

Orchids - May 2015

I love May each year as the Cattleya Orchids come into flower.  I did "break some up" so have a couple of pots that are still trying to overcome the trauma they suffered, but I have three huge pots with stunning flowers.  In the three pots I have 10 stunning flowers.

I love them.  (I have had a pot of white ones flower in March too!!)

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.