Flower Portraits

Rock’s peony or Rock’s tree peony

Jude — Tue, 03 May 2011 16:32:04 +0000

Its huge, white or pink semi-double blooms have a maroon blotch at the base of each petal and a generous boss of yellow stamens enveloping the gynoecium and a nectar disk surrounding it.

The flowering period may last only for two months but the fragile beauty of the
silky petals gives high rewards and, when not in flower, the bold, architectural
leaves are an attraction in themselves.

Rock’s peony or Rock’s tree peony (Paeonia rockii, also Paeonia suffruticosa subsp. rockii) is a woody species of peony that was named after Joseph Rock. It is one of several species given the vernacular name tree peony, and is native to the mountains of midwestern China, mainly in Gansu and adjoining provinces.

Helleborus Sternii

Jude — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 14:53:49 +0000

Hellebore or Lenten Rose

Hellebore are one of the wonder plants of the winter and this cultivar has purple stems, silvery-grey, marbled foliage, and pink-tinged green flowers. The lovely apple-green colour comes from one parent, Helleborus argutifolius, and the burgundy tinged edges from the other parent, H. lividus. A beautiful combination!

Galanthus

Jude — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:29:19 +0000

Common Snowdrop

One of the first plants to flower, whatever the weather. This group was taken close to Silbury Hill which is part of the interesting World Heritage Site of Avebury in Wiltshire.

Agapanthus

Jude — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:25:14 +0000

African Blue Lily

Agapanthus means “flower of love” from the Greek word “agape” meaning love, and “anthos” meaning flower. Common names include African Lily, Lily of the Nile and Blue Lily.

There are several cultivars and several colours ranging from white to a very deep blue. ‘Back in Black’ is a new cultivar which has large heads of dark blue flowers and nearly black stems. The black seed heads create a dramatic structural effect.

All cultivars have tall erect stems with showy umbels of tubular or bell-shaped flowers and make excellent container plants for porch or patio due to their compact upright shape and fabulous foliage that are attractive even when not blossoming. The dwarf hybrids will be most ideal for front of the borders, rockeries and pots.

Lady Emma Hamilton

Jude — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:57:49 +0000

Golden Lady

One of the many beautiful roses from David Austin Roses.

Phlomis Russeliana

Jude — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:03:19 +0000

Phlomis

This plant hails from Turkey where it grows in the wild. It flowers from May – September with multi tiered bi-coloured flowers. russeliana is in honour of Dr Alexander Russell (c. 1715 – 1839), author of a natural History of Aleppo.

This image was taken in early September, and I like the intriguing structure of its faded multistorey flower spikes which add a new dimension to the garden in the autumn and winter months.

Papaver orientale “Perry’s White”

Jude — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 15:32:09 +0000

Oriental Poppy 'Perry's White'

This oriental poppy has large ruffled papery white flowers with a pink blush and attractive maroon blotches in the centre that gradually fade to white.

Papaver orientale “Karine”

Jude — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 15:16:56 +0000

Oriental Poppy

This oriental poppy has fine papery pale-pink petals and is marked with red and black centres in the summer.

Nigella Alba

Jude — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 14:59:46 +0000

Love-in-a-Mist

Miss Jekyll Alba (white) is a flower that needs a closer look at. It is an old cottage garden plant and useful for scattering amongst bare patches in the flower bed.

Clematis

Jude — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 14:53:13 +0000

Purple Clematis

I’m afraid I don’t know the precise variety of this flower, but it is a very large, summer flowering species.