New paintings and regular art updates.
Not all photos have to be brightly coloured or black and white. These plants are all very similar in tone, but the shapes of the leaves, flower and seed heads bring it to life. I think I took the photo at the back of Trentham Gardens at the south of Stoke-on-Trent. We need more wildflowers to help the bees.
Used layout app to create this image of pink busy lizzies and a metal plant support. I just have fun playing with images. The pink and green are nicely contrasting colours, the smooth surface of the plant support adds more interest. The symmetry of the mirrored leaves and stems complete impossible and intricate patterns. They are natural and unnatural in equal amounts.
This hanging basket had a solar light shining over it. With the sunshine we had today its really bright. The colours stand out well in the night against a dark sky. Perhaps we will add more over the other baskets.
Today we had the task of replacing the plants, hanging baskets and pots in the back yard that we had taken down to have a new fence put in. The next door neighbour had allowed us in to get at his side of the wall so we’ve helped him by clearing back the brambles and Ivy and cleared his path so he can get to the back gate.
Now the pots are back I can see which ones have suffered from drought and the cold. They were all crammed together in our garden (on the other side of the house) but it was cold last night so some things have wilted. We have a real microclimate in the yard and it’s always a bit warmer there. Hopefully they will bounce back in the coming days.
Just Begonias in the dark, taken last night through the window, the light on them is from the standard lamp we have in the living room. I thought it looked like a firework going off in the dark, cool, night.
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Are they? I think they are. Seen by my friend during a walk. They were in a garden along the canal. These were such a bright colour she took a photo of them.
Flowers are wonderful thing, such amazing structures, with colours outside of the visible spectrum that attract insects to pollinate them. They sometimes use the ultraviolet end of the spectrum to show insects where their nectar is. The trouble with flowers like these is that there are so many petals that the insects can’t get at the nectar. The human intervention of breeding flowers could have a detrimental effect on insect life. There are plants that are advertised as bee friendly, but sometimes that’s all it is, an advert. Single flowered plants are probably best.
Orchid view. Through the window hubby is fixing the tricycle. The ariel roots from the orchids are spreading out far and wide. Some of the flowers on the large orchid are dropping, but they have been there for months. I’m hoping that is sends out another flower spike soon.
I might try repotting it carefully this time. I repotted another one and I think I over filled it with orchid compost. I think you have to leave the ariel roots some free space.
One of the best things this year have been the begonias in the hanging baskets.
I’m not certain, but I think there are male and female flowers. Because some are big and blousy and the others are smaller and more simple. Whichever they are, they have been beautiful this year. The colours are subtle and amazing. They have also lasted a long time. I’ve only had to dead head them a few times. I’m hoping the weather does not get cold too soon so I can enjoy them for a few weeks longer.
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Beautiful
Red andcblack
Flowering
Like a ladybird.
Unfurled petals
Paper thin
Rouched and rouged
Strong red
Fluffy centres
Waiting for a bee
Or a hover fly.
You are beautiful x
Just when I think the plants can’t get bigger we get torrential rain and they grow! And it’s hot, they are happy.
I think our back yard is full. The hanging baskets are pulling the old fence down. But I turn round and my hubby has snuck an Ash tree in! I love it. I hope some of it survives into the autumn. I will continue to post pictures as it grows.
We even had three ripe blueberries today.
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Mallaband-Brown