Sunday, July 18, 2010

Flowers make me feel happy

What more can I say? They are colorful treasures every one. They can be simple, extravagant, romantic, scented, vibrant. They bring joy to my heart, delight to my soul. They make me feel thankful to our great Creator for all His many blessings.

Sometimes, I think what else can there be to take a picture of, then go out for a walk, and soon come back in for the camera. Some days are better than others. I hope you enjoy this selection from Plum Cottage gardens.

Right click on pictures for a larger view.

The next two pictures are of Ylang-Ylang, pronounced eelang-eelang. A customer who has a lovely garden, brought these two blooms in for me at work yesterday, as his tree had just started blooming. He knew I'd never seen them or smelled them before, so this was a real treat! The scent is amazing.
As the blooms age, they turn yellow.

For more info read this link, Ylang-Ylang
The Chanel No.5 Perfume Tree







I accidentally cut this passion flower vine while trimming this morning,
so decided to take another picture.





While I was out in my main garden, I walked over to the little seating area under the lattice arbor at the back of the garden. I looked up and was sweetly surprised to see these Phyllis Bide blooms.





Hibiscus.


Vinca and marigolds





This is the entry to our little cottage, the kitchen's screened porch.
I'm standing in the driveway looking southwest.
Queen crepe is the purple flowering tree on the left,
a regular pink flowering crepe is on the right.



******

As I work among my flowers,

I find myself talking to them,

reasoning and remonstrating with them,

and adoring them as if they were human beings.

Much laughter I provoke among my friends by so doing,

but that is of no consequence.

We are on such good terms, my flowers and I.

Celia Thaxter, 1835-1894

******

Zone 10 ~ s.e. FL

20 comments:

Sandy said...

I dearly love flowers and I
have found I can come here
to see and enjoy many that
I have never seen before.
They do bring such joy.
Thank you for sharing again
today.
Blessings,
Sandy

Nancy's Notes said...

Yes, yes, the same wave length today, indeed! Your words are truly powerful and your flowers are just gorgeous, that passion flower vine is stunning! I have say, I love your cottage, it's lovely and oh so charming!

I'll be back!

Nancy

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

You have the most beautiful garden, FlowerLady! Love visiting your blog!

Morning's Minion said...

I realized that you have made several welcome comments at my blog and I hadn't been to "visit" you. I could happily go to your oldest posts and read through to the present--except the kitchen is highly untidy and needs my attention.
I shall return.
We are trying to learn gardening in zone 6, much different than our previous New England experience.
Your photos of crepe myrtle have tentatively identified a shrub I have recently noticed in area dooryards.

Kit said...

You just have to admire a Passion Flower. Wow, Mother Nature at her most creative and full of whimsy. And what colors. Thanks for the pict! Take care, Kit

L said...

FlowerLady,
I have been wondering how long it has taken you to get your flower garden to where it is it? I imagine a bit of time?

Thank you for sharing the beauty with us.

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I love flowers, too. You sure have some beauties! I like that quote. I talk to my flowers and critters, too.

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I forgot to say I love that hibiscus.

Anonymous said...

Hi FL, I love Celia Thaxter's words and her Island Garden. Your hibiscus is very unique and just lovely. And the Passionflower sitting on the mosaic flower is just delightful. Nice header photo too!!!

gld said...

Lovely post as always. You are an inspiration to the rest of us to "take the time to smell the roses".

Sunita Mohan said...

How lovely! That was really deliciously beatiful :)
The passionfruit bloom looks lovely! What colour is its fruit?
You have such a lovely garden, Flowerlady, with pretty blooms to enjoy everywhere you turn!

Floridagirl said...

Oooh, that Ylang Ylang is beautiful! I can only imagine that scent. This is one of my favorite all-time blooms, though I've never grown it. I saw it for sale at Wal-mart once, but was afraid it would not survive Zone 9, so I didn't buy it.

Chloe m said...

Only gardeners can understand this sentiment.
Your passion flower is so pretty! I like the pictures with the flowers peeking through the lattice. Nice.

Susan said...

Flowers have the same effect on me. I, too, walk around telling them how beautiful they are and speaking encouraging words to plants that may be struggling. Each one is like a friend. I love the shots through the lattice...exceptional!

NanaK said...

I've never seen Ylang Ylang either. It sounds wonderful with that lovely scent. It really is so rewarding to go outside and find new blossoms isn't it? Thoroughly enjoyed the Celia Thaxter poem. She could be talking about me!

Lona said...

Flowers make me happy too FL.That hibiscus is just the prettiest one I have ever saw.How gorgeous with its bright pink stamen.

Plant Lady said...

FlowerLady,

I just thought I would tiptoe through your garden and I'm glad I did! I have never seen the Ylang Ylang flower before! What a treat! Hope you are having a great summer. I haven't been blogging lately-trying to have some new adventures to blog about!

Peace and Love
Plant Lady

jerilanders said...

I'm like Celia, and find myself talking to my flowers.Sometimes, I am not too polite, but usually I speak to them with love and affection, after all, they bring so much joy with their smiley and sometimes silly and sometimes elegant flower faces.

tina said...

What a beautiful post. That ylang-ylang is most cool! I bet flower arrangers love it and it smells good too? Awesome!

Steve Asbell said...

I know that this is an older post, but I can't help but say something about those elegant passiflora and ylang ylang flowers! I have a couple different passionflower vines and I'm forever using the flowers of the more strongly scented ones as potpourri and floating in water filled bowls!