Sunday, January 30, 2011

Summer Blossoms and Foliage

Blossoms on Eucalyptus Ficifolia.


One lone Nasturtium flower and remnants of another.


Leaves and old seed pods on Crepe Myrtle in bright afternoon sunlight - showing colours of early Autumn.

Bright Yellow Double Calendula Flower.

Some flowers in my garden - it is lovely to see their bright Summer colours and the varying shades of green and leaf shape. It has been so hot here, I am surprised that they have not all wilted from lack of rain. I do get outside early in the mornings and water the smaller plants before it gets too hot; though the mornings have been warm and so too the evenings.
The larger shrubs and well established trees survive but some of the smaller, more tender plants can easily die of heat-stroke. The weather bureau keeps predicting rain, but so far none has come this way - soon I hope . . . ♥

18 comments:

darkfoam said...

Now these photos certainly turned out.
I don't believe in babying plants during oppresively hot and dry summers. I'll go out and water my potted plants in the early morning hours, but I'm afraid some plants that are in the ground have bitten the dust. That is just how that goes.
I know it can't be comfortable for you. If I remember correctly you live without airconditioning too.
Hang in there as best you can. Water yourself copiously .. :)
And may you get refreshing rain soon.

Ellie Kings said...

It's amazing how flowers can soothe the soul. Beautiful pics Diane.

Lesley said...

Oh Dianne, the flowers on that Eucalyptus are remarkably beautiful! I don't think I've seen anything like that in the u.k. I love the photo of the Calendula as well.... it's bright and cheery. Hopefully I'll have some of those in June. :)

dianne said...

Thank you dear Foamy , I hope these photos are all in focus, they look ok to me. The nasturtium that I photographed last week is the remnant of the flower in the photo, fortunately another bud blossomed for me to photograph, but I took many shots to get it right then I was not happy with the dead leaf so I coloured it green in 'paint', lol.
I shall have to get Photoshop.
Many of my plants have bitten the dust but that happens unfortunately but not through neglect I can assure you, it just happens.
It is 39ºC here this morning, much more than was predicted, so I am drinking plenty of water and have given my pot plants a drink as well. :)
I am looking forward to Winter and some rain.

xoxoxo ♡

dianne said...

Thank you dear Ellie , yes flowers are lovely and bring a little colour and happiness into our lives.
I do hope that you are feeling much better now, it is so nice to see you here.
Take care, I think of you often.

xoxoxo ♡

dianne said...

Thank you dear Lesley , yes those blossoms on the eucalyptus are spectacular, the colour can range from orange to red and they are filled with nectar so both the birds and insects love them and the native bees enjoy the pollen.
I love calendulas, I would like to plant some orange colours as well in the garden, they always look bright and cheery and they have great medicinal properties for the skin I am told.
I bought this plant in a tiny pot from IKEA for $1 and it has given me so many beautiful flowers.
Your garden will be a mass of beautiful blooms come Springtime!

xoxoxo ♡

Lee said...

Lovely colours, Dianne. Hope the rain comes soon.

dianne said...

Thank you dear Lee , yes the colours are nice and bright and my garden and lawn could certainly do with some rain.
I hope the temperature in Melbourne is cooler than predicted.

xoxoxo ♡

HLiza said...

Hi Dianne, Chinese Lunar New Year will be here in just few days..it's their tradition to get the houses decorated with blooming flowers..all bright and cheerful colours..red, yellow, orange..I see the nurseries are crowded with people buying potted plants with colourful flowers..and yours remind me of them! And it's known that during this time of the year rain will fall less..it's always hot during Chinese New Year..and with dozens of oranges around in houses, a lot of people starts to fall sick..they are heaty! Hugs to you and you're blessed with these beaitiful paradise of yours!

dianne said...

Thank you dear HLiza , yes Chinese New Year and all of the colouful flowers, I must visit the plant nursery myself.
We are having a heat-wave here in New South Wales, I live south=west of the city of Sydney so it is always much hotter than the temperatures predicted for the city.
We are to expect a week of hot days above 35ºC and no rain in sight.
I must be grateful that it is not flooding here or being destroyed by typhoons like Queensland and parts of Victoria.
I am blessed to have my own little piece of paradise and I am thankful every day ... but I have had to work very hard to own it.
Love and hugs to you dear friend.

xoxoxoxo ♡

Black Bart said...

I expect to see Koalas with my Eucalyptus. What have you done to the Koalas?

Leovi said...

! what a price! I wish I could have a garden like yours.Saludos.

dianne said...

Nice to see you dear Black Bart .
Koalas are very selective about the species of eucalyptus leaves that they eat and unfortunately they don't like the taste or the compounds in these particular leaves.
Sorry, I would like to see a koala in my tree too.

xoxoxo ♡

dianne said...

Thank you dear Leovi , maybe you could have a garden like mine as our climates are similar.

Saludos xoxoxo ♡

Marty said...

I can't image that it's so hot !
I have forgotten what it means !!
you have nice colorful flowers in
your garden ! beautiful !
I have played with your cat !!
funny ! have a nice day dear dianne!
bisous

dianne said...

Thank you dear Marty . I am pleased that you enjoyed your visit here; that you liked my garden of colurful flowers and you played with my cat, his name is Bob-cat, though he has many names like Le Chat Noir and Bobble! :)
So you have forgotten what is is like to have hot weather? Spring will soon come to you.
Today in Sydney was 42ºC and further south where I live it was 44ºC.
It is still hot now at 10.40pm, it is still 32ºC, unbelievable!

xoxoxo ♡

chickory said...

gosh that eucalyptus is mightly exotic! they have them out in california where V is from but i dont recall that bloom. i have seen calendula seeds but never have seen a real one...great photographs this time. Id love to hang out in your lovely garden some day.

dianne said...

Thanks dear chickory , yes that eucalyptus is exotic, they grow naturally in Western Australia and they have been hybridised on tube stock to be more resilient to the climate conditions of the eastern parts of Australia.
You really should get some calendula seeds for your garden,they are very hardy and flower profusely. The single flowers are more appealing I think and they come in orange also; they also have a pleasant fragrance.
You can come and visit and we shall have some iced lemon tea in a shaded spot under a tree and Foamy might like to come also!
xoxoxo ♡