I went out to the patio this morning and my bearded iris opened its first beautiful spring flower. The bulbs went into the pots in January and now the results are coming out. Please click on the image below to view this very beautiful flower.
Home & Garden
White Daisy
This nice white daisy looked just so perfect and symmetrical that I wanted to post it on the blog today. Click image to enlarge.
California Poppy
Finally! My poppies were late coming out this year, but they’re finally coming out just in time for California Poppy Day on April 6th next week.
I took this picture of one of the poppies out back this morning. Click on the image to enlarge.
Some information on the California poppy from WikiPedia:
The California poppy is the California state flower. It was selected as the state flower by the California State Floral Society in December 1890, winning out over the Mariposa lily (genus Calochortus) and the Matilija poppy (Romneya coulteri) by a landslide, but the state legislature did not make the selection official until 1903. Its golden blooms were deemed a fitting symbol for the Golden State. April 6 of each year is designated “California Poppy Day.”
California poppy leaves were used medicinally by Native Americans, and the pollen was used cosmetically. The seeds are used in cooking.
The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve is located in northern Los Angeles County, California. At the peak of the blooming season, orange petals seem to cover all 1,745 acres (7 km²) of the reserve.
Freesias
For a couple of years now, these freesias have popped up in the spring to grace the flowerpots for a few days. This one is a ‘blue-mauve’ variety with a delicate, pleasant fragrance. Click image to enlarge.
I also have some red and pink ones elsewhere in the garden.
WikiPedia says this about freesias:
Freesias are very popular garden plants, grown for their often strongly scented flowers ranging from white to yellow, pink, red and blue-mauve. They are widely cultivated and readily increased from seed. Due to their specific and pleasing scent, they are often used in hand creams, shampoos, candles, etc.
Spring Hummingbird
Last week when I was over at my Mom and Dad’s place, I spotted this little hummingbird gathering nectar from Mom’s miniature orchids. He was seemingly unafraid of me when I grabbed the camera and took several shots of him, this one being the best of the lot. Sorry, no larger image since I had to crop this close-up at the original pixel density.
Yellow Ranunculus
I bought some ranunculus bulbs a couple of months ago and planted them in the patio. Just this week, they have started producing these bright yellow flowers. There were several bulbs in the package of multiple color flowers. So far, only the yellow ones are out. I’m hoping for some of the other colors to come out soon. I took this photo in the patio this morning.
Click on image to enlarge.
Update: We got Feedback from Theresa:
Love the flower pixs. Thank you so very much. They make me feel so good.
It’s my pleasure, Theresa, especially when I know someone out there loves these as much as I do. Isn’t spring the best?
Wildcourt Orchid
This pretty little orchid variety is called “Wildcourt.” The flowers are less than two inches wide and have the nicest pattern of colors. This sort of jumped into the cart at the garden shop today.
Click for the large image.
