Nature Photography by Richard L. Bowman

July 27, 2014

More Surprises from Our Short Time in Harrisonburg

After several years (more than five, for sure), the small Hydrangea bush we had planted outside produced a beautiful bouquet of blooms. I had purchased it years ago as a plant for Elsie for Mother's Day (I remember correctly), and I was sure I could grow it outside. But we were about ready to give up when it gave us a surprise gift this year.

It is still only a small plant, maybe 9 inches (25 cm) tall. And the flowers are a lovely pink which I adore but which expert growers would probably think should be blue. An article at the Southern Living web site explains how the pH of the soil can affect the color of Hydrangeas.

small hydrangea

A Small Hydrangea Bush (22-Jul-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

hydrangea flower cluster

Hydrangea Flower Cluster (22-Jul-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

When we came home from Albania, I also discovered a dried up root mass in a plastic pot laying on the ground under a tree. Never one to want to give up on a possible plant, I brought it unto our deck, soaked it in water, and waited. Nothing happened right away, but soon a fern-like leaf emerged. So it probably was a fern that Elsie's mother had and which has died near the end of her life.

But then we got our second flower surprise of the summer. The "fern" started blooming!! As it turns out, it is some type of Yarrow. And we are still not sure from where (and whom) the plant actually came into our possession. But we are enjoying its petite blooms.

yarrow

Yarrow Plant in Bloom (22-Jul-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

yarrow plant blossoms

Yarrow Plant Blossoms (22-Jul-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

close-up of yarrow plant blossoms

Close-up of Yarrow Plant Blossona (22-Jul-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

Plants sometimes seem to "have a mind of their own." OK, they are plants and not animals, but we have appreciated the surprises we have been given this summer. And we will probably see more when we return to Lezhë, Albania, on August 4.

July 5, 2014

Wild Flowers (Weeds) and Cultivated Flowers at Our Home in Harrisonburg

Just about under our bird feeders is a yellow-blossomed plant that reminds me of the flowers of the Rapeseed plant I reported on in April 21, 2013. However, the stems are much more slender and elongated. My perusal has resulted in me deciding it is a Black Mustard plant.

Black Mustard flowoer

Black Mustard Plant in Bloom (17-Jun-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

Black Mustard flowers a day later

Black Mustard Flowers a Day Later (18-Jun-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

Black Mustard plant

Black Mustard Plant (17-Jun-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

Black Mustard flowr with my hand

Black Mustard Flower with My Hand for Size Perspective (18-Jun-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

A flower I have looked photographed last year is still around our yard. It is Crown Vetch.

Crown Vetch flower

Close-up of Red Gerbera Daisy (8-Jun-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

That ends my photos of wild flowers (or what many would call weeds in their lawns) for this posting. Below are some of the cultivated flowers we have blooming right now.

First is a "welcome home" gift from Virginia Mennonite Missions when we cam back from Albania in late May. The Fuchsia blooms are different than any other flower we have had. And the two hanging baskets of plants are a very nice addition to our front porch.

Fuchsia bloom

Fuchsia Blossom (17-Jun-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

A recent favorite of mine are the Gerbera Daisies. We have several different colors blooming at our house. First is a yellow one followed by two photos of the same two orange colored ones. The first one is in filtered light while the second one is in sunlight showing some shadows cast by one flower on its neighbor.

a yellow Gerbera Daisy

two orange Gerbera Daisies in filtered light

two orange Gerbera Daisies in sunlight and shadows

As in the past few years the Stella de Oro (cultivar) daylilies along our deck have bloomed ferociously. They are amazing.

Stella de Oro daylilies along our deck

close up of a Stella de Oro daylily

a closer photo of a Stella de Oro daylily bloom

As I find the time to document the flowers I see, I'll post more of them here. We are in the midst of getting ready to go back to Albania on August 4. So things are getting a bit busy.

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