The Fortnight lily goes by many names, including African iris, butterfly iris, Wood iris, and scientifically Dietes iridioides. The name Fortnight lily is based on the blooming cycle of the flowers, where new blooms come up approximately every two weeks. Spotted in Santa Monica, California.
The hibiscus is a member of the mallow family which has nearly 300 species including trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals. The beautiful, exotic-looking flowers are short-lived, typically blooming for only one day. Once finished blooming, the flower will close up and drop off. There is also a shell-like structure supporting the flower. This too withers and drops a few days after the flower fades. Here are images of white and red hibiscus flowers spotted in Santa Monica, California.
From a bud to a beautiful rose about to fully bloom …..
The most popular of all plants for shade, Hostas are prized for their marvelous foliage. The thin spikes of lavender or white, trumpet-shaped flowers that appear for several weeks in summer are a bonus, and they are a favorite among hummingbirds. Here is a Hosta lily ready to bloom in Santa Monica, California
A blend of colorful flowers helps to soften the concrete look of this condo complex in Santa Monica, California
Mandevilla sanderi, the Brazilian jasmine, is a vine belonging to the genus Mandevilla. Grown as an ornamental plant, the species is endemic to the State of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Captured in Santa Monica, California.
Aloe Arborescens commonly known as the Candelabra plant is an evergreen perennial succulent. Flowers are arranged in a type of inflorescence called a raceme. The racemes are not branched but two to several can sprout from each rosette. Flowers are cylindrical in shape and are a vibrant red-orange color. Found this in Santa Monica, California.
Marguerite daisies can grow up to three feet tall with green foliage and a shrubby appearance, which makes them ideal for mass planting. Flower colors range from pure white to pink to bright yellow with a brown or yellow center. Found these in Santa Monica, California.
Brugmansia is an exotic, small tropical tree in the family Solanaceae, also commonly called angel’s trumpet, that produces dramatic, pendant, trumpet-shaped, fragrant flowers. Captured in Santa Monica, California.
Cannas are spectacular summer bulbs. Paddle-shape leaves wrap in ruffles around stems, tapering to refined buds. The buds open into eye-catching flowers of red, orange, yellow, and pink from late spring or early summer to first frost. Cannas are commonly referred to as “bulbs,” although they are not true bulbs. They multiply beneath the soil from a rhizome, an underground stem. The red cannas are from Hickory whereas the golden ones are from Santa Monica, California.
Commonly called blazing star, gayfeather, or prairie star, is a versatile North American plant with plenty of ornamental allure. Noted for their tall, stately plumes of amethyst or white and delicate grass-like foliage, it is an appealing, durable wildflower. This beauty was captured in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.
Grevillea Moonlight, a stunning shrub blooms all year in some climates. A fast grower, its large, moonlight-colored flowers and finely divided, gray foliage are a must for any southern-temperate garden. Frost and drought tolerant once established, it attracts bees and hummingbirds. Captured in Santa Monica, California.
Petunia is genus of 20 species of flowering plants of South American origin and one of the most popular to grow. Here are some from Blowing Rock, North Carolina.
The cheerful Shasta daisy is a classic perennial. It looks similar to the familiar roadside daisy but has larger and more robust blooms. Here are some daisies from Blowing Rock, North Carolina.
Hydrangeas are some of the most beautiful flowers in the world with over 75 species. “Hydor” means water and “angos” means jar or vessel, emphasizing the need to water this particular flower often. Hydrangeas don’t have petals, but sepals, which are leaves that protect the flower bud. Only after they age do they turn from green to the pigmented colors you see. Here is a sampling from Hickory, North Carolina.
Mandevilla sanderi, the Brazilian jasmine, is a vine belonging to the genus Mandevilla. Grown as an ornamental plant, the species is endemic to the State of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Here is a collage of Brazilian Jasmine flowers spotted in Santa Monica, California.
The genus name, “Agapanthus” is derived from two Greek words: “agape,” which means “love,” and “anthos,” which means “flower”. Taken together, the agapanthus is the flower of love. It is sometimes also known as “African lily” and “lily of the Nile,” tributes to its African origins. Lily of the Nile is a common ornamental in warm climates (below images from Santa Monica, California), grown for its large spherical flower clusters.
A collection of flowers of similar colors spotted in Santa Monica, California
The temperate climate of Southern California, especially around Santa Monica, allows growing of a variety of flowers. North Carolina is not far behind. Will be posting over the next few weeks images of flowers from Santa Monica and North Carolina.
Here is a collage of colorful roses ……
Signature palm trees and a lonely, near-barren tree provide stark contrast against white clouds and blue California sky
Photos by Ravi 