Cyclamen hederifolium

Flowering in my garden for the last 2 weeks are the cerise pink flowers of C. hederifolium. When the late summer Cycalmen wake up you know that Autumn is around the corner. C. mirabile and graecum are in bud now, and will be blooming in the next few days. Cyclamen are very floriferous, and can bloom for many weeks. There is not a great deal flowering at this time in the garden so Cyclamen are a pleasant surprise.

Gushing over Geissorhiza

Ohhhhh...... I'm pining for South Africa.  Last year on this date Aug. 22nd I departed for one month to see the superb winter-growing bulbs. I saw so many surprising , and stunning bulbs. Geissorhiza was one of those bulbs. The genus has such marvelous, rich hues of blues, and purples. You simply want to drool when you see them. Wishing I was there again!



G. louisa- Jacobsbaai

G. aspera- Nieuwoudtville



G. radians- Darling

 

G. monanthos- Darling

G. inflexa- Napier

 

 

G. ovata- Boskloof- Klein River Mountains

Ravishing Romulea

On my two trips to South Africa, I have seen, and photographed the beautiful genus Romulea. They are endemic to Africa, and the Mediterranean, and contain approximately 100 species. They are in the Iridaceae family. What truly sets them apart from other Irids are their shimmering tepals, looking like the finest silk; evident in species such as R. sabulosa. They also have intricate inner, and outer markings making them highly desirable for collection. Many species are small, and make excellent container subjects. Most Romulea from Africa are found in the winter rainfall parts of the Northern, and Western Cape, however there are a few summer rainfall species as noted below. Many of the winter rainfall species are now coming into bloom as it is Winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

R. hirta- Nieuwoudtville

Romulea flava- De Hoop Reserve

Romulea rosea- Napier

Romulea komsbergensis-Rooihoogte Pass

 

Romulea komsbergensis- different colour form- Middelpos

Romulea tortuosa- Middelpos

Romulea sabulosa- Nieuwoudtville

Romulea montana- Nieuwoudtville

Romulea kamiesensis- Kamieskroon

Romulea hirsuta- Oudepos

Romulea thodei- Naudes Nek, Eastern Cape- Summer rainfall species

 

Romulea macowanii- Naudes Nek, Eastern Cape- summer rainfall species

Images of Summer

Clammy Ground Cherry a native plant- Physalis heterophylla

Lilium tigrinum

 

Grey Squirrel munching



Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird sipping nectar from Echevaria sp.

Anemone hupehensis var. japonica

Leopard Frog

Mr.Robin drinking

Mr. Robin bathing