Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON
The front of Casa Authorblog is always a riot of natural colour, whatever the season. Last summer we had cascades of petunias - and yes, we're talking real cascades, in every colour. This winter, as you can see, these terracotta pots under the front verandah are ablaze with violas.
I have to admit, I've never planted viola seedlings before, but there is a reason for this. From the time our children were little, they have always chosen the seedlings that get planted out the front and out the back of the house. Sometimes, ahem, their choices have been helped along by a little guidance from the publisher of this blog.
But now that the Authorbloglets have their own opinions, I find that we plant things in our pots that I'm not familiar with. Like the time a few weeks ago, when I told the youngest Authorbloglet that perhaps violas were too tiny to provide any real splash of colour.
No, my argument didn't make any headway at all. And yes, I was wrong. These blooms are no more than two and a half or maybe three centimetres across - and the colour is a welcome boon this winter. Yes, we've had frost and ice, but because the terracotta pots are under cover, they are ablaze with every hue.
Visit Luiz Santilli Jr for the home of Today's Flowers.
40 comments:
You have smart authorbloggets, eager to speak out and live out their convictions with amazing results. I have to try your violas in our winter months under the eaves. Great idea.
I am so glad that the A-bloggets won the day. I adore the tiny splashes of color. Their softness is like a gentle fragrant rain shower where you don't mind getting just a little bit wet. Gently beautiful flowers and gorgeous photographs, David.
These are really gorgeous, David. The colors are so rich. My grandmother always planted these, and they were a source of joy. I look at them and remember happy times.
too fun. kids love to plant and grow things. we let our boys pick a corner of the garden to plant. fun family activity. hope you had a great weekend.
So beautiful! I love flowers, but have an absolutely black thumb. My roses grow (until the mutant neighbors steal them), but I think that's because they are a memorial to my beloved Adonis and are his headstone.
They are pretty and always a welcome sign of spring around here, although I am seeing more as a autumn flower. Last year we planted these and the next night we got a mixture of rain, frozen rain, sleet and snow. As soon as it melted they were there still blooming.
The colors are mind blowing! I love that!
It often pays to listen to the opinions of the children! They're such beautiful little flowers.
I think the Authorbloglets have excelled themselves this year and the violas are lovely!
Congratulate them!
I used to think that pansies & violas had little faces when I was young!
Beautiful shots again. Yesterday I went to Foster Botanical Gardens in Honolulu for the Midnight Summer's Gleam Festival. Hope a couple of my shots with my little point and shoot came out half decent.
Absolutely amazing colours. Well done young man!! If you are ever free I have many gardening casualties ;0)
Your offspring have made exceptional choices. Beautiful colour here and stunning photography as always.
CJ xx
Nice show of Flowers David.
Beautiful things often come in small packages. The violas are so lovely and your photos are fabulous. Sometimes it pays to listen to our children.
Hello David,
hello Denise! love those gorgeous flowers, I love the colors, thanks for sharing..
nice week to u and the family
graceolsson.com/blog
I love them because they withstand the cold so well and endure almost anywhere.Sandy good post
sorry, David...for me to be confused.
This is so sweet....sometimes our little ones can be wiser than we are!!
They are so beautiful! they made me smile, so colorfull, must feel great wake up in the moring have a cup of tea and watch the flowers.
I find that these are the heartiest of flowers even though so precious and small. The wind carries their seeds or is it the birds and they seem to show up in the most unexpected place! Even one little viola when found brings me so much Joy!Nice choice David...but Brrr...snow and ice!
Beautiful Violeta shots. They make a colourful garden indeed.
These are so beautiful. I love the mix of colors.
This reminds me something my Dad used to say, the young can learn from the old but the old can also learn from the young, not that I am saying by any stretch of the imagination that we are 'old'. Wonderful variety of color in these photos, and I am glad they flourished.
Beautiful little flowers! Violas are hardy little things, given a bit of assistance and encouragement. Your authorbloglets chose well.
Violas are one of my favorite flowers and they thrive at my house all winter. They remind me of water color paintings.
Interesting that you call these blooms violas as they are called pansies in the US – or at least that’s how our nursery labeled them. I have some in our garden too. That’s nice that you get the kids involved. I love your Yukon coastline shot below – stunning!
I have to try Violas next year...their colors are so vivid!
The family that plants together.....
Great job done by the Authorbloglets, and a greater work by Authorblog himself. You guys rock...!!
With cascades of brilliant colours and pretty pictures, right at your door step. Fabulous..!!!
Your bloggets have great taste in flowers! These are gorgeous!
Small is indeed beautiful David!
The light in these images is magical.
The guidance along the way you spoke of has indeed served the Authorbloglets well. :)
My flower post is here: Carletta’s Captures.
Beautiful bright and varied sparkles of colour! It's a great idea to involve the whole family in creating a welcoming, natural homey atmosphere!
Don't they make a wonderful underplanting? Nice shots.
Oh, I love violas, and often plant some along with the winter pansies. They do surprisingly well, and provide huge numbers of blooms all through the cold months.
I have such gorgeous summer planted violas right now that I've almost come to the decision that I'll plant nothing but violas next year, in different varieties.
Good for you for giving the offspring a free hand!
I will share this post and photos with my mom - violas are her favorite. I have planted them around in my gardens and am always surprised at how hearty such a tiny, petite flower can be. Enjoy!
They're quite lovely. I'll have to try them.
David
Lovely your post for TODAY'S FLOWERS.
Wonderful arrangements of beautiful flowers!
Thanks for your support my friend!
Luiz
One of the best of Todays Flowers.
BTW can't get 'Vegemite Vindaloo' from the library in the West, can I buy a copy from you?
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