A rain soaked Lily, dripping in rich colors, caught my attention this summer. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
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Similar yet unrelated…
Scrolling through some summer-created images I noticed the similar shaped flowers of the Petunia and the Bindweed. Sometimes nature (and/or God) designs complete originals and sometimes it copies parts of it’s other creations.
Ever-popular and reliable Petunias blooming in an outdoor planter. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg.
Ever-UNpopular Bindweed; unpopular because of it’s binding/choking nature to other plants. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg.
Close up look at spring…
These are buds and blooms from a flowering tree this past spring; perhaps a kind of Crab Apple tree. The varying shades from white to purple make the flower fascinating to observe; at least for me. Copyright Pamela Breitberg
Sometimes the best view is super close-up. These images were taken with my Nikon macro lens. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
What plant does this belong to….
What early summer seed head does this belong to? It should be a native plant because in a restored prairie area of Lincoln Park, Chicago. It doesn’t seem to be Wild Quinine, nor Queen of the Prairie, nor Cow Parsnip which are all beginning to go into seed. But the seed head is conspicuous and amazing to observe. Enjoy. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Prolific abundance of seeds can sometimes single a stressed plant; it provides for the future of it’s species by making many more seeds than usual. Saving the species takes precedence over saving it’s own life. An interesting concept! Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
July snowballs…
Those that have read my blog for a while know that Snowball flowers are one of my favorite since childhood. In my garden I had a Snowball Shrub (Viburnum plicatum). The Snowballs I observe in abundance now are Snowball Hydrangea (Handrangea arborescens), a shrub with a lower profile and native to the United States of unlike the Viburnum species. Thier intricate, delicate, complicated design is truly the work of higher being.
The delicate color changes with subtle lighting changes. Flowers are a greenish white in the sunlight and a golden off-white in the shade. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Simple design of each flower plus dozens, perhaps hundereds or blooms per cluster equal an established miracle. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Pretty Petunia…
This is a common plant for window boxes and planters at outdoor dining venues in Chicago. Always beloved Petunia; sometimes over-planted but always selected to brighten the scene.
Planted here, contrasting with red Begonias this Petunia’s trumpet shape is captivates many an insect. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
The more traditional view of Petunias show their colors that seem to radiate from their inner core.. A common, traditional favorite. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Leafing out…
This time of year the leaves are new on the popular Sea Grape tree/shrubs. The “grapes” will follow later in the season. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
These Sea Grape trees had weathered leaves from the nearby ocean setting. New leaves were yet untouched by the salty winds. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
New Sea Grape leaves are reddish; mature leaves are green. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
R-rated naming…
Who would think that the lovely Orchid (Orchidaceae) name is derived from the Anciet Greek name for testicle; noting the shape of the twin tubers of some speicies. (see https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchidaceae).
The beauty of this species brings forth other discriptors from viewers; at least from this viewer. This Orchid had been successfully attached to a tree in the quaint Lauderdale by the Sea Village retail area.
Dingy beauty…
An oxymoron it seems; but someone chose its name, Dingy-flowered Star Orchid (Epidendrum amphistomum). Orchids are never “dingy”. But this is this dear Orchid’s name.
The Dingy-flowered Star Orchid is considered an endangered native of Florida.
Tiny Orchid blooms have visitors. This flower has no nectar but it’s aroma attracts moths (not shown here) for pollination. Copyright 2018, Pamela Breitberg
Overall view of the Dingy-flowered Star Orchid. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Shells in bud…
Close-up image of Shell Ginger (Alpinia zerumbet) in the morning sunlight. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
At the entrance to Flamingo Gardens was this beautiful Shell Ginger in bud stage. The name comes from the shell-like flowers that will soon emerge from the prolific buds. The plant can grow, hedge-like to 4-8 feet tall. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
I am hoping the black tips of these buds do not mean that the plant is stressed from drought that is happening right now in Florida. This is Florida’s 4th driest start to a year. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg