Sunday, March 11, 2012

Catch it While You Can!

Spring, spring, spring! The weather has been consistently much more mild the past few days and coupled with such a sunny weekend you can't help but feel that spring is definitely here. And the length of daylight is steadily increasing too so you find yourself having more opportunity to do some gardening and undertake some preparation for the coming growing season. Exciting times ahead!

And with this excitement it's easy enough to be too preoccupied with thoughts of what needs to be done that it's easy enough to miss what's currently looking good in the garden.

I often find myself in this situation, that I get so focused on the things that I want to do in the garden that I miss out on fleeting moments of beauty. So walking around the garden today and noticing a few plants flowering and looking wonderful I immediately went back in the house and grabbed the camera so I can take their photos before I miss the chance of capturing their beauty once again. 

Illicium simonsii
Illicium simonsii
I love the understated and creamy yellow flowers of this plant and the scent is absolutely heavenly! Before I saw it flowering I first noticed the sweet scent wafting in the air and immediately thought that it must be coming from this wonderful plant. The photos above are from my spare plant that has done well in a pot and has sailed through fine outside last winter. I have another one planted out and that has done very well too, although the flowers are yet to open. And that's a good thing as I will get another chance to enjoy its pretty flowers and wonderful scent.

Bee on a Crocus


Our white crocuses are still flowering away although in a a day or two they will start to fade away. But the bumblebees have been feasting on their sweet nectar this morning and it was endearing to see these insects today.


Chrysosplenium macrophyllum
Chrysosplenium macrophyllum
This shade loving, ground cover plant looks so exotic with it's attractive and relatively large foliage and fits in so well in our jungle area, associating well with ferns and other leafy understory plants. The leaves look great in spring and summer although it tends to look a bit scruffy in the winter but it makes up for it by pretty and curious blooms in early spring. What's great about the flowers is that they stay looking good for a long time too. This plant has been in flower for two weeks now and thankfully they still looked great when I actually had the chance to photograph them.

I think from now on, everytime I step out in the garden I must make a habit of keeping the camera in tow too so I can capture fleeting moments of beauty the moment I see them. And with spring being here there will be lots of them in the next few weeks, I'll be spoilt for choice.

Oh yes, I have to tidy up too :-)

Mark

15 comments :

  1. How pretty those are. Sure don't have all those in my area. Makes one think that cleanup must already be done. I spent the day doing some cleanup here. Trying to get ready for the new things I ordered.
    Cher Sunray Gardens

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  2. Two more plants I've never heard of before (Illicium simonsii, Chrysosplenium macrophyllum). I learn something new practically every time I visit your blog!

    Gerhard
    :: Bamboo and More ::

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  3. They are plants I've never seen before either... the heat here would be far too harsh. They are beautiful. I agree too that we spend too much time looking at what needs doing and too little appreciating what's there.

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  4. Mark, glad you took a moment to enjoy your beautiful plants and blooms. As far as I know I have never seen a Chrysosplenium macrophyllum. What a lovely unusual plant. I like that is has the big leaves and complex beautiful flowers.
    Christina

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  5. Looking great you two. I too have to tidy up etc. When Gina is better I will.

    Nice Palm Tree

    Love

    Mixie.

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  6. That Illicium is awesome!

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  7. I am anxiously awaiting warmer spring weather so I can get out and clean up the garden. We are behind you. There is not so much as a crocus just yet. For now, I will have to content myself with admiring yours.

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  8. Cher, Thanks, glad you liked them. We have done some tidy up, but still plenty to do!

    Lucy, we have had quite a few bees, yours will be along soon!

    Gerhard, glad you liked them, and enjoyed the blog - we always enjoy reading yours too.

    Missy, im sure there are plenty of lovely plants that grow for you that we can only dream of :)

    Christina, We must take the time to enjoy looking at the garden as well as working in them. Glad you liked the pics.


    Mixie - glad you liked it, hope Gina is better soon!

    CG - glad you liked it.

    Jennifer - hopefully your spring wont be too slow in coming!

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  9. You always have interesting foliage - but it's nice to see your blooms. Gorgeous! They are all beautiful, but I would love to smell the Illicium!

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  10. You would love the Illicium in your garden Holley, the scent is gorgeous! :)

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  11. Bees only just arrived with me, but very welcome. I do like the look of that illicium too ...

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  12. CourtyardGardener - these were the first bees we had spotted this year. The Illicium is a real star in the garden at the moment!

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  13. Just love the Illicium - not a plant I have come across before. Have you tried any of the other species with red/purple flowers?

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  14. Hi Ian, we only have yellow flowering Illiciums not yet tried any of the red ones. What about your experiances?

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