Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON
The frost last week was pretty severe, with temperatures dropping below zero in many Melbourne areas and yes, there was plenty of ice on the cars. But I remember being astounded when told that frost actually works well with some plant varieties.
It’s certainly worked well with these beauties, which I shot in the early morning light at the city’s Alexandra Gardens. I’m not sure what they’re called, but I know they grow to about four metres in some cases, with enormous heads of triangular blossoms.
These were in the early stages of blooming and I guess they’ll be at full stretch when spring comes around in just over six weeks. Still, they were fairly tall and I didn’t want to shoot them while looking up into a sky that wasn’t very bright.
So I took one of the main walkways and found a spot where I could shoot downwards, emphasising the striking colour against the greenery.
Visit Luiz Santilli Jr for the home of Today's Flowers.
If that beauty is the result of frost, I hope you have more of it!
ReplyDeleteDavid I'm still in awe that as we sweat, you scrape ice!I've been keeping up with you!
ReplyDeleteFour meters tall?? That's some flower! I've seen some varieties of sunflowers get close to that, but I can't think of anything else that even comes close.
ReplyDeleteGood thing you caught up to the while they were small! Makes this angle work even better knowing that in a few weeks you'll need a lift to get it! And come spring maybe you can give us a follow up. Hopefully by then your sky will be more cooperative. It'd make an interesting counterpoint to this shot.
Hi David, I think it is called Buddleia. I was also surprised they grow that tall! Have a great week (winter?,) sorry, we have the heat here in SoCal and it is hot!
ReplyDeleteI want their names, and their zone. With flowers like those who needs spring?
ReplyDeleteYou had me at frost, we had 106 so that sounds heavenly esp for that lovely Flower
ReplyDeleteWell grown Echiums, nice shot.
ReplyDeletepurple of passion and healing certainly makes a statement here sandy
ReplyDeleteThe first I saw was the lovely morning light on that beutiful flower! 4 meters? And frost? That is awesome!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's some big flowers, and hardy too! I didn't realize it got so cold over there. I loved the previous post about the passenger solving the problem of the plane.
ReplyDeleteBeauty of Nature, beautifully captured by David.
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely. The name escapes me but the minute I sign off....... it will come to me!
ReplyDeleteIt's NOT a buddleia!
It's lovely. The name escapes me but the minute I sign off....... it will come to me!
ReplyDeleteIt's NOT a buddleia!
I'll say that again.
ReplyDeleteIt is NOT a buddleia!
Although it does look a little bit like one but buddleia is a summer flowering shrub. It's amazing that you can have such exotic flowering plants in the middle of winter.
I would like to nominate Tom Wigley for his post in pic and poem - about his father David at
ReplyDeletehttp://poempic.blogspot.com/2009/07/harold-wigley-1912-1970.html?showComment=1247427134565#c1273582419706439564
The frost was very kind to this beautiful flower. I didn't know it was good for certain varieties either. Enjoyed this photo very much, thank you.
ReplyDeleteNo idea what the flower is, either, but it is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, David! Seems odd to hear you talk about frost when we're in deep summer now. But then, it's an upside-down world, isn't it? lol
ReplyDeleteGorgeous shot - as ever. We have similar stuff here in varying ranges of purple. I don't know what it's called either, but I've always heard it referred to as "Fireweed".
ReplyDeletePssst.... I posted a pic of my 85-year-old mother giving the internet the finger. Come see it quick before she finds out and makes me take it down. Maude's Hog
That's an awesome shot! I love the flower posts, they are just inspiring. I really need to break out my camera and go photoshooting!
ReplyDeleteDavid your featured flower is like a purple shooting rocket! Love it..
ReplyDelete((FROST!!)))....oh boy glad I'm living on the opposite end of the globe!!
David, your shots give a romantic view of the garden.congrats, dear
ReplyDeletenice week to u and all your family
graceolsson.com/blog
purple, purple, purple..loverly!!
ReplyDelete