Tulips

 I love tulips but I was somewhat surprised to find these little beauties growing in a kitchen garden at Sizergh Castle. It seemed an unusual setting but to be honest they looked really good.

I think the flower in the first image is absolutely stunning in its elegance with its soft cream and pink petals. I am sure you will agree it is a real delight.

The other images are of two different red varieties. I have been told that photographing red flowers is really difficult because it is hard to capture a true reproduction of the colour. I am not sure why this is but it is true and so I had to try several times to get what I hope are the true colours of these lovely blooms. 

Elegance

 This was a lovely magnolia with the most amazing display of flowers but unlike many other varieties this one didn't have any fragrance. It really is quite elegant though.

Camellia

 I like the rich creamy colouring and the sumptuous texture of the petals but most of all I like the shape of the petals as they open out into this stunning bloom.

Blue Anemone

 

I think this is possibly my favourite image from my walk around the garden at Dunham Massey, the light is perfect and the colours are so vibrant, I love the lustre of the deep blue petals which beautifully frame the flowers' golden heart.

The flower is Anemonoides apennina, Apennine Anemone or blue anemone. Nearby there were many other anemones but their colour was a little muted compared to this one so when choosing a photo to share today there was no competition. I hope you like it as much as I do.

Apple Blossom Time

I only have a small garden but there is room for a couple of fruit trees which are a real joy all year round.

Today's blooms are apple blossom from the espaliered apple tree that borders one side of the garden. It is a James Grieve variety a variety that dates back to 1893. The first year the tree produced just one apple and it was quite an event harvesting it and sharing it around at home. Each year there is a growing crop and the fruit is nice and sweet. But I think the apple blossom is really beautiful with a very delicate fragrance. Its lovely to think that each of these blooms has the potential to develop into a delicious apple.

Blue Fortune

This flower is a variety of Lamiaceae called Agastache "Blue Fortune"

I wanted to post something full of colour and to try to tempt Spring to arrive because the weather has been dreadful recently and there is another icy blast on the way so I think this is a much needed floral treat.

Coming to Life

There is something elegant about the sleek tulip bud as it develops and bursts into a colourful flower. The external shell gives the slightest hint of the colour to come.

I like the natural lighting in this shot, it is almost like there is a halo around the flower.

Emerging Blooms

The  title of the post today is "emerging blooms" and follows the theme signs of spring started yesterday.

The first picture is of what I think is a Primula and I like the dark blue and bright yellow centre and the way the petals are unfurling.

The following three pictures are of daffodils at different stages of development, I like the bright colour and I like the fleshy texture of the new tips.  I also like the way the light shines through the fully extended petals.  Another glorious reminder of the coming spring.

Tomorrow I will be posting a few pictures of the birds visiting the walled garden, I hope you come back to have a look...

Signs of Spring

A few weeks ago I posted a picture of some Lichen growing on a rock to show the rich warm colours, the first two pictures today are of new lichen growth on the branches of a fruit tree. We tend to overlook these small plants but they really do deserve a closer a look, the colours and intricate shapes are quite spectacular.

The next two pictures are of Witch Hazel blossom which in the winter garden at Chirk provided a real burst of colour and a light fragrance.

Taken together these pictures show that spring really is on it's way...