My garden is a riot of color today. Still, one shrub demanded attention from near and far.
This flame azalea’s name is ‘Gibraltar.’
I honestly cannot believe my eyes each spring when it bursts into flame.
FLOW on fire
Azalea Aflame
Author: Flower Roberts
Another Shape Change
The Voodoo Lily has finished its duty.
The top set of warts on the spadix are the male parts.
Deeper down in the funnel-like spathe are the female bumps.
I doubt there will be berries produced despite the appearance of flies.
I do hope for a leaf which will be like a spectacular umbrella.
Stay tuned for Voodoo updates.
FLOW
Reshaping Reality
It seems ridiculous to continue to focus on flowers when one is surrounded by many serious concerns.
Maybe you are a bit irritated by all the flowers and animal cuteness.
If this is so, consider this thought.
We all reshape our reality.
We heat and cool our homes to avoid experiencing the actual temperature. We dress accordingly to avoid extremes.
We ship in tropical food year-round to avoid the bland, local fare. Very few of us grow what we eat. That’s why we are fat.
Women wear make-up and spanks and color hair to hide our actual appearance.
Maybe the more flamboyant and extravagant one seems, the more mundane that person really is.
Maybe planting ten thousand flowers is a way of trying to grow roots in the wrong place.
We must bloom where we are planted. No one loves an unhappy, fussy, needy plant.
So as I share photos of gorgeous, well tended flowers, rest in knowing
that there are weeds much bigger than yours just outside the frame of the picture.
There is always dirt under my nails and my house is never clean.
I share my JOY and hide my pain. That is what all good women do.
We reshape our reality.
FLOW
My Stinky Gift
My garden has exploded with color.
The peonies have popped. The iris have erupted. The phlox are flowering.
But only one plant has my full attention.
Some friends dropped it off in a big pot at my gate. They seemed anxious to be rid of it.
This plant has many names. I will share only the clean ones…Voodoo Lily or Devil’s Tongue.
Its Latin name is Amorphophallus konjac. I will save you the trouble of looking up the translation.
Malformed penis
This is what scientist do to poor, innocent plants. My husband has joined in on the bullying by calling it the ‘Tallywhacker.’
I usually try to avoid everything phallic, but I am fascinated by ‘Mr. Voodoo.’
I will post when the spathe opens to expose the spadix.
Too bad it is not possible to post a scratch and sniff picture on the internet. It is supposed to smell of carrion to attract flies.
This giant has been a welcome diversion from the usual, puny, needy little flowers.
Stay tuned.
FLOW
I Feel Like Somebody’s Watching Me
I can’t shake the feeling that I am being watched.
I feel eyes following me.
It makes me feel creepy and jumpy.
FLOW among frogs and toads
Flowers on Fire
This plant is named ‘Fire Spinner’ for good reason.
It is my favorite Delosperma.
When the afternoon sun hits it, it seems to burst into flame.
It sometimes startles me with its reflection of sun.
Its main requirements are full sun and perfect drainage.
It loves a slope and warm rocks.
This plant has never disappointed.
Flower
The Last Bowl of Eggs
I decorated just enough eggs to give away before Easter.
Then I realized that I had forgotten to take pictures of them.
So I was forced to make a few more to share on my blog.
This activity is very messy, but it is relaxing.
I shared how to do it in earlier posts. Just search ‘Easter eggs.’
Flow
Other Epimediums
That lovely yellow has finished blooming and is a light green carpet of leaves.
That means it is the little white Epimedium’s turn to shine.
It delicate blooms are as dainty as fine jewelry.
It is happy tucked under this Andromeda bush.
The orange is happier in its new location with more water and shade.
I fear this red may need to relocate. Few blooms, small leaves and little growth.
A plant wants what a plant wants. It’s your job to find out what that is.
Flow
Columbine Combos
I have fallen for many specialty Columbines over the years. No matter what I do they disappear.
Remnants of their shapes and colors re-emerge years later in the next generations.
I see hints of the spiky pink petals of long-lost Nora Barlow and the white margins of Winky Double Red and even that strange color of Ruby Port in this group.
This year I have only one tiny plant of my favorite, Little Lantern. It has red blooms and blue foliage.
Maybe Little Lantern will reappear in a new mix one day.
If you cannot keep the ones you love, love the ones you get.
FLOW
