Camellia japonica;

Pearl's pet, a miniature.

We are the lucky ones who are loving plants and look after a garden. All year the garden provides changing joys, colours, insects, names to remember, to look and to see. A garden is never in denial always ready to please. 

Photo/text Ts

Wonderful Milkweed flowers;

The milkweed flower (Asclepias syriaca) and its cousin butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) are an essential part of a butterfly garden. Providing nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds. The Milkweed plant supplies larvae of the Monarch with food and shelter, providing caterpillars food and a resting place before they leave the caterpillar stage and become butterflies. 

As the plants can be toxic; consumption of the plant protects caterpillars from predators. Historically, the milkweed plant was valuable when grown for its medicinal properties. Seeds are contained in an attractive pod that bursts and sends seeds drifting through the air, borne by the wind. 

Photo/Text Ts

Camellia Sasanqua;

Camellia sasanqua, Setsugekka;

A delight when autumn arrives in my garden. It is one of the earliest bloomers. Its silvery-white, papery blossoms are delightful and beloved by bees and other nectar and pollen lovers.

Drought and disease resistant. Can grow to a fairly big tree.

“Her delight in the smallest things was like that of a child. There were days when she ran in the garden, like a child of ten, after a butterfly or a dragon-fly. This courtesan who had cost more money in bouquets than would have kept a whole family in comfort would sometimes sit on the grass for an hour, examining the simple flower whose name she bore.” 
― Alexandre Dumas-fils, La Dame aux Camélias

Book of Flowers Photos/Text T.S.

Flowers from the Outback.

While tanking fuel, Lilli collected a few wildflowers. The field was white with these strawflowers.

The Outback is the vast, remote interior of Australia. "The Outback" is more remote than those areas named "the bush", which include any location outside the main urban areas.
Culturally, the Outback is deeply ingrained in Australian heritage, history and folklore. 

Book of flowers/Photos Ts

Salvia Peru blue.

One of the heavenly blue Salvia.

Salvia Macrophilla Peru Blue. Growing in my subtropical garden.

Perennial.

This highly individual plant originated from seed collected in Peru by J.Mark Porter for RSA Botanic Garden.

Very attractive gentian-blue flowers, with a swept-back lower lip.

It reproduces true from own saved seed. Grows also from underground rhizomes.

“A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in--what more could he ask? A few flowers at his feet and above him the stars.”

― Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

Photos mygarden Ts

Canna;

Intriguing Canna;

Canna has an interesting family history...

Kingdom Plantae

Division Magnoliophyta

Class Liliopsida

Order Zingiberales

Family Cannaceae

Genus Canna

The canna plants are large tropical and subtropical perennial herbs. Canna rhizomes are edible and rich in starch and were once a staple food crop in Peru and Ecuador. Cannas may also fall victim to canna rust, a fungus resulting in orange spots on the plant's leaves.

Canna is grown for human consumption in the Andes and also in Vietnam and southern China, where the starch is used to make cellophane noodles.

Cannas are Propagated by seed, or by rhizomes.

Canna seeds need to be scarified and soaked in water prior to planting.

Cannas grow wild and are capable of growing in full sun, part sun, or even shade. They can be grown in pretty much any type of soil.

Cannas commonly die back during cold months, only to leaf out and bloom during warmer months.

Cannas demand regular water during the warm months.

®Photo/mygarden Ts

Salvia;

S. Icicle  and Black Knight (calyxes)

How many seedlings have you planted yourself?




©Photo #mygarden/Text Ts Book of Flowers.