Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON
Many flowers remind me of my father. This year makes it a quarter-century since he died, but I suspect that he and his brothers must have grown up in a home with beautiful garden beds.When my brother and I were children, our Dumayne Avenue home was bordered by a huge L-shaped garden that always had splashes of colour, with cannas, dahlias, sweetpeas and bougainvillea among the many varieties that bloomed in the Calcutta sun.
Every time I see dahlias and bougainvillea, I think of my Dad. I remember, too, how he used to be enchanted by his favourite variety of bougainvillea – the pink-and-white Mary Palmer.
During a long road trip from New Delhi to Dehra Dun in northern India in December 2007, we saw many bungalows with mature bougainvillea providing vivid colour against their walls.
While we were in Western Australia this month, I was (understandably) drawn to this beautiful variety in the back yard of a friend’s beachside Sorrento home.
The blooms were a perfect foil for the muted colours of the exterior walls and even though this wasn’t a Mary Palmer, it would have got my father’s seal of approval.
Visit Luiz Santilli Jr for the home of Today's Flowers.
32 comments:
Beautifully coloured. A wonderful feeling to be reminded of such love when seeing beauty.
I know exactly what you mean.
CJ xx
Bougainvillea are very plentiful in Arizona. I'm going to walk around the neighborhood and see if we have any Mary Palmers living in Summer Breeze. I relate well to those who are drawn to flowers.
I can remember seeing beautiful bougainvillea in Spain, growing like weeds everywhere and over here they are expensive pot plants!
My father died 23 years ago! And he loved and grew orchids! Memories...........
Hi David,
I love it how many things bring so many memories of our loved ones...
I have a beautiful, huge and very old bougainvillea growing over the main gate in my garden here and it's the same bright crimson pink colour as the one in your last photo... it's trunk is very, very thick, looking at it I can imagine it is at least 25 years old!
All the best!
Donnie
David, beautiful pics - and our loved ones are always with us, aren't they, just by remembering the things or places they loved...
What a beautiful reminder of your Dad. It's wonderful you can think of him each time you see beauty like this.
Beautiful colors and especially in the last photo.
Indeed a splash of colours!
Lucky to remember your father when you see such beauty!
Flowers are a beautiful connection to those we love. I am often reminded of my grandmothers when I see yellow roses or California poppies. Wonderful memories.
Oh wow! I've been missing your gorgeous flower shots. These are exquisite! There used to be a huge bouganvilla bush in the garden of my childhood home. It wasn't until I moved to San Antonio that i learned you could put them in hanging baskets. Thanks, David!
Wonderful coloured. Great photos.
As it well should. For me Bougainvillea will always a memory of Nice and a walk down from the Matisse museum there.
David, I love your memories of both your parents. es, certain flowers and scents do bring them forcefully to mind.
My mother has been dead for 21 years now, but even my grandchildren who came after, bring in an apron full of eggs from the hen house and say "Oma would have loved this". Thus by remenbrance we still keep them near.
Colors are really beautiful in all these photos. Thanks so much for sharing. Tulips were my dad's favorite flower and always remind me of him.
It's amazing what things cause us to recall special memories of a loved one who has passed over...for me it will forever be honeysuckle that brings my Grandmother to mind instantly...lovely post, lovely shots...your Dad would undoubtedly appreciate the beauty as well!
Sandi
Such a blessing, having memories to a loved one connected to such a beautiful sight! My very first memory of a giant dark pink Bougainvillea is of walking up the steps from the funicular in Anacapri, on the island of Capri in the Bay of Naples, Italy. I shall always remember those flowers against the deep blue sky that day.
Funny, I posted flower pics on my creative explosions blog this week.
It's the time of year when I start to crave flowers (months of snow will do that).
Lovely colourful photos. I would love to be able to grow bougainvillea here in Cheshire but the winters are too cold.
The smell of tomato plants in the greenhouse remind me of my father who was a keen gardener.
Brightens a winters day up seeing summer flower David, great shots.
There are flowers that absolutely remind me of my Dad too, so I understand the sentiment. Beautiful colours.. much like our autumn leaves.
I just found out about a week ago that those flowers are called Bougainvillea. I took pictures of some when I was in California recently and a friend identified them for me. They're such beautiful flowers.
What beautiful photos of the bougainvilleas... They are stunning... and how nice that they bring back the flood of memories of your dad... Have a great day...
(((HUGS)))
Donna
I am completely smitten with the colors of these flowers.
I always like it when you "talk" about your parents. Your memories of them come across as very strong and good.
A glorious splash of color! I wonder if bougainvillea grow around here. I am going to have to research this - they are beautiful. Sweet peas happen to be a favorite of mine. So wonderful that you are reminded of your dad when you see such beauty and colors. Cherish your memories!
I love bougainvilleas. They usually flower in my garden during winter adding a welcome splash of colour when not much else flowers, which I think is always a bit unusual because flowering bougainvilleas really remind be of summer.
Beautiful flowers to remember your father by.
what a lovely and pretty colors of bougainvilleas.
Very beautiful. I am sure your Dad would approve. MB
I love the colors! Makes me smile. ;-)
Paz
i love it when they graft the two together because bouganvillea has such intense colors to start with - why not qa double whammy sandy
Oh, I like them very much. the vivid colours. Require no extra caring, they just bloom. :-)
Hi David
Your flowers, as always, are marvelous!
Great post! thanks for sharing.
Luiz
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