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Trail Riding in the Mountains

| Flower Roberts

We spent a day on the trails last week. This is a rare treat. Our son came along.

We saw mama deer ( jumping out of right side of photo)

with her tiny fawn which paused to pose in the middle of the road.

This road is part of a gated community. Most owners show respect for the land and nature.

We came upon a fallen tree across the community road.

I am glad my son was there for the cutting, pulling and pushing so that I could be the photographer.

The raspberries and black berries by the road were ripe. They were sweet and warmed by the sun.

We always eat lunch at this bridge.

It was a great day to check on nature.

That side-by-side isn’t just for working. It transported Mama to a July 4th party in style.

The Queen Mother July 4, 2022

FLOW

(Photos from my phone. Sorry for the blurriness)

Tigers with Spots

| Flower Roberts

Color is a function of light, so variations in color are caused by differences in the reflection of light. If you are a photographer you know that morning light, high noon sun and evening sunlight change the colors of the same subject. This is true of my Tiger Lily ‘Splendens’ petals and spots. Most of these photos do not exhibit the peach and plum that I love so much. Only the evening rays reflect these hues. The are gorgeous no matter the light. An added bonus is that the local deer do not love them.

I have three generations of these Tigers now. I raised the second and third from bulbils that I removed from the stems in the fall. I have these tall beauties scattered throughout the gardens. They tower over everything else at their five feet plus height.

Tiger Lily ‘Splendens’ Double

The blooms are double/complex and open incrementally, another layer peels back each day. The bottom blooms open first in the array.

I cannot think of any other flower that has such delicious spots except the foxglove. I am fascinated in variations in coloration of blooms and leaves.

Plum spots on peach petals

I love Tiger Lily ‘Splendens’ in any light.

FLOW

My Reading Porch

| Flower Roberts

Now that I have the attention span of a gnat, I have to avoid all distractions to concentrate.

Gone are the days of coffee shops reading, studying in the quad or listening to music as I read. I must put my brain in time-out with a book.

I usually read non-fiction. I am trying to gain insight into man and nature since I become more perplexed and puzzled each day. I am avoiding all feeds and media and going back to the printed word. I can slow my reading pace to a speed that suits me. I ponder with a pencil in hand.

I got this bistro set for the porch for my birthday last week. I had to unclutter and clean the space. I added a few pieces of art and a tiny wind chime that sounds like tinkling fairy music.

It is my new haven. My space without dishes and laundry. No phone. Leave me alone.

If you need me and cannot find me. This is where I’ll be.

FLOW

Bowing Fronds

| Flower Roberts

When the fronds bow low, I know that the there are loads of spores on the underside.

I will always be amazed by the alternation of generations involving the spore.

They are neatly arranged in dots/sori underneath each frond on the Autumn Fern.

The light colored ones have burst open.

Autumn fern sori

The darker sori are still encased in their clear cover.

Autumn fern sori

When your ferns bow low, look for the amazing spores underneath.

FLOW on the frond

Lovin’ Some Lucifer

| Flower Roberts

Montbretia ‘Lucifer’ demands attention wherever it grows.

Montbretia ‘Lucifer’/ Crocosmia crocosmiiflora

I have it on banks, at corners and along walkways.

The only thing ‘Lucifer’ needs to be fabulous is a little support while blooming.

Its rocket red blooms are on long arching stems in a triangular pattern.

The red and yellow buds are beautiful also.

It grows from little brown corms similar to gladiolas.

Anyone who loves red flowers and hummingbirds should grow some ‘Lucifer’ in the garden.

Flow

P.S. A New Zealand reader shared this link about Lucifer being a pest in some places. I have added it below. Lucifer has been in my gardens for years and has not presented itself as a problem…yet. It is super easy to grow which may mean it is super hard to kill

.https://www.weedbusters.org.nz/what-are-weeds/weed-list/montbretia/

The Color That Gets Me

| Flower Roberts

This is my color of dreams. I am obsessed.

Call it salmon, coral or peach.

It draws me toward it whether food, flower, clothes or jewels.

This color speaks to my soul.

It catches light and makes it magic.

South Seas daylily

If you know of a flower this color, send me its name.

FLOW

Fore Bitten Blooms

| Flower Roberts

The deer came during the night and nibbled the buds off before some daylilies bloomed.

I can tell which types are the tastiest because the entire plant is mostly decapitated stalks.

They do not just eat buds, whole arrays of open flowers are devoured.

CLICK ON EACH PICTURE TO ENLARGE. ( Lavender Rainbow, Peacock Alley, Moonlit Masquerade, Dixie Boy, Strutters Ball, Yabba Dabba Doo, Mabel Nolan, Good Shepherd, Appolodorus, Sebastian, Smoky Mountain Autumn, Purple Pinwheel and Daring Deception as feature)

At least I still have daylily photos to enjoy!

I took down my hanging fence rings for a photo shoot and failed to replace them. I also needed to purchase more green poles. No need now. I have plenty. Hi Ho

I do not mind sharing, but sometimes my wild friends are a bit greedy.

I guess this colorful smorgasbord is irresistible.

FLOW

Cardoon Drama

| Flower Roberts

The most dramatic plant in my gardens in June is the giant Cardoon.

Its purple tufts are finally emerging from the artichoke-like buds.

These buds are bigger than my fist. The plant is taller that I am by at least a foot.

Its other names are Artichoke Thistle and Cynara cardunculus.

Cardoon/Artichoke thistle/Cynara cardunculus

Most parts of this plant can be eaten if prepared correctly. I have not tried it.

It thrives on this slope in full sun.

I got this from my friend the Fairy. No wonder it is magical.

Flower