Flowers & Other Plants
December 12, 2013
November 27, 2013
November 16, 2013
November 1, 2013
Fall Is Not Quite Finished!
This post highlights the "left-overs" from the summer growing season of plants in our flower beds. First, is a Dusty Miller plant with highly dissected leaves so that they appear almost to be compound or pinnately cut leaves. The Wisconsin Master Gardener Program site says there is a wide variation in how deeply cut the leaves are.
Close-up of a Variety of Dusty Miller Plant, Harrisonburg, VA, USA (1-Dec-13; © Richard L. Bowman)
The Whole Plant of a Variety of Dusty Miller, Harrisonburg, VA, USA (2-Dec-13; © Richard L. Bowman)
In the same flower bed, the green foliage of a variety of Heuchera (Coral Bells). Just behind this green leaved variety we have a deep purple-green leaved variety. Both add nice leaf color to the flower bed even though the flowers are rather minute.
A Green-leaved Variety of Heuchera (Coral Bells), Harrisonburg, VA, USA (1-Dec-13; © Richard L. Bowman)
Lastly in the flower bed on the other side of our front steps (the south and sun-drenched side) are the dried dead heads of the Black-eyed Susan flowers. They are not much to marvel at now, but....
Dead Heads of Black-eyed Susan Flowers, Harrisonburg, VA, USA
(3-Dec-13;
© Richard L. Bowman)
....take a closer look. The heads have a definite beauty all their own.
Close-up of a Dead Head of a Black-eyed Susan Flower, Harrisonburg, VA, USA (3-Dec-13; © Richard L. Bowman)
Isn't it marvelous what a closer look may reveal of the plants in our surroundings!
November 27, 2013
Christmas Is Coming!
One of my special signs of the Christmas season being upon us is seeing our Christmas cactus blooming. This is probably in part due to the history that it has not always bloomed. However, for the past three or four years it has, so I get excited when I see it happening.
First Bloom of our Christmas Cactus, Harrisonburg, VA, USA (12-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)
May the God who came to live among us in Jesus continue to give all who seek him a new birth--a new beautiful life.
November 16, 2013
More Colors of Fall
At one of our homes, we were able to cultivate several Chrysanthemum plants from year to year that gave us a hearty head of blooms each fall. But mostly we simply purchase on at a garden center. This year this rust-colored one graces our deck.
Chrysanthemum Plant in Full Bloom, Harrisonburg, VA, USA (15-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)
Close-up of Chrysanthemum Flowrs, Harrisonburg, VA, USA (15-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)
Our Hibiscus (Rose of Sharon) shrub has definitely gone into fall mode--losing its leaves and showing its flower seed pods. I've tried to be more artistic in these compositions. What do you think? Have I succeeded at least in part?
Dense Intertwined Branches on an Hibiscus Bush, Harrisonburg, VA, USA (5-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)
Intertwined Branches with Lots of Leaves on an Hibiscus Bush, Harrisonburg, VA, USA (5-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)
Flower Seed Pod on Our Hibiscus Bush, Harrisonburg, VA, USA (5-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)
This Burning Bush was one of the first plants we purchased for the yard of our new home in 1988. A few years ago, the winter weather (probably freezing followed by a quick thaw) almost killed the bush, but it has come back very nicely. We are very pleased to have it. The leaves are translucent to sunlight when the observer stands behind the bush facing the Sun.
Close-up of a Coleus Flower Stalk, Harrisonburg, VA, USA (12-Oct-13; © Richard L. Bowman)
Petunia Blooms in a Hanging Basket, Harrisonburg, VA, USA (12-Oct-13; © Richard L. Bowman)
I am enjoying fall, but I'm looking forward to the winter wild flowers that will show up in my lawn. OK, some of you might call them weeds!
November 1, 2013
A Reality Show--Flower Survivors of Fall
With a couple of low night-time temperatures in the mid-20's F (around -4o C) a week ago, the flowers that were most sensitive to freezing succumbed to the cold. But I found it interesting that after the Coleuses died, there was still a Verbena plant in bloom
Verbena Has Survived the Cold, Harrisonburg, VA, USA (31-Oct-13; © Richard L. Bowman)
And the Million Bells flowers in a planter on our the railing of our deck are still blooming. Raindrops glisten on the plants this morning after a heavy rain.
Million Bells Are Still Blooming, Harrisonburg, VA, USA (1-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)
Close-up of Million Bells with Rain Drops, Harrisonburg, VA, USA (1-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)
The red Geraniums and Bacopa in planters on our more protected front porch seem to be doing very well. These photos were taken with a flash in an overcast morninng.
Red Geranium Flowers (I), Harrisonburg, VA, USA (1-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)
I thought the arrangement of blossoms below needed a square format to show them off to best effect. What do you think?
Red Geranium Flowers (II), Harrisonburg, VA, USA (1-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)
One more point of interest to me in these photos are the blossoms of Bacopa. So below is a close-up photo of one such bloom. It is on the order of 1/2 inch (1.5 cm) across, and yet the close-up shows clearly the stamens and other parts of the flower.
Close-up of a Bacopa Bloom, Harrisonburg, VA, USA (1-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)
A week or so ago, Elsie bought some Pansies which are known to bloom well into winter and then again in the spring if the winter temperatures have not been too harsh. Here is our hanging basket and a close-up of the central region of a bloom.
Close-up of a Coleus Flower Stalk, Harrisonburg, VA, USA (12-Oct-13; © Richard L. Bowman)
Petunia Blooms in a Hanging Basket, Harrisonburg, VA, USA (12-Oct-13; © Richard L. Bowman)
As with several other flowers I explored this summer, the center tube of the Pansy has hairs to help pollinating insects to find the sexual organs inside the tube. Nature sure has fascinating ways! I thank God for that.
--©2013, Richard L. Bowman
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