Monday, September 07, 2009

Think Pink

Spring Symphony Comes In Many Colours

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


As a child, I always wondered about the expression "as fresh as a daisy". Surely, I thought, there were other flowers that were bigger, taller, brighter, more infused with wonderful perfume …..

You see, I grew up in Calcutta, India, where we had a sprawling garden that was big enough for a badminton court near the driveway, a full-length cricket pitch near the back door, as well as an enclosed sanctuary where such missiles as soccer balls and cricket balls could not do any damage – and several long, broad garden beds.

So in my childish mind, there were many varieties that looked fresher than daisies, which I thought were probably a bit mundane.

Then I grew up (ostensibly) and married Mrs Authorblog and I became the designated gardener, teaching each of the Authorbloglets in turn everything I knew about horticulture. So when we built our own home and I had the great pleasure of designing and planning the garden, I planted some daisies that act as a beacon of the seasons.

There are huge mounds of golden-yellow daisies in winter, white daisies in late winter and now the scarlet daisies as spring loosens winter’s grip. And yes, I have finally realised that "fresh as a daisy" is entirely accurate and legitimate.


Visit Luiz Santilli Jr for the home of Today's Flowers.

29 comments:

  1. Gorgeous flowers,
    and probably the first pink daisies I have ever seen!

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  2. I love these flowers! Daisy's are one of my favourites!

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  3. The pink ones are beautiful, but I do love the traditional white and yellow ones, too. If I'd grown up in exotic Calcutta, though, I'd probably have a lot more flower varieties from which to define "fresh"!

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  4. Beautiful photos. My close friend, Dr. Hazura Singh, told me many wonderful stories about India...how his mother fed milk to a cobra living in their yard where the children played! He has passed, and how I miss him.

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  5. Now you have me asking myself why anything with the word "pink" in it makes me instantly happy :)

    As for daisies, despite having lived in India for 8 years now and owning a garden full of all sorts of beautiful and exotic local flowers, the daisy is definitely the proud owner of the "fresh" label, isn't it? I love the white ones....

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  6. my favorite - a beacon of happiness

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  7. Daisies are from the Marguerite family so are BOUND to be good!
    Lovely!

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  8. Now we want to see the rest of the garden; even though it is barely spring down there, things must be blooming.

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  9. Gorgeous. You had me at pink.

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  10. I' love to grow those, they remind me of the color of echinacea.

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  11. Such a nice post. These daisies are gorgeous too. Wish I were a good gardner, I just don't have a clue.

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  12. Wow, those are real daisies in your garden??? They are beautiful.

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  13. I love daisies! These are the first pink ones I've ever seen and they are delightful! Beautiful shot for the day, David!

    Enjoy!

    Sylvia

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  14. A fresh harbinger, David. We have a bit of a fall snap in the air today, just as you're feeling those balmy spring breezes.

    Why do the people downunder do it all backwards?

    :-D

    My word verification is COMPLY. Honest.

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  15. Those are stunning photographs!

    Hmm... 'as fresh as a daisy' .. I suppose it originally did mean the white ones, and I wonder if it's to do with their bright, clean appearance? I shall have to look it up!

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  16. What a fabulous shade of pink! Beautiful.
    Thanks for sharing.
    xo

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  17. Looking forward to seeing your gardens blossom and grow as ours just begins to fade.. sigh!

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  18. I feel the Daisy's beauty stems from its simple elegance. The Daisy family (Asteraceae) has over 25,000 species so chances are anyone can find a flower that they like.

    Like Hilary I am looking forward to see more flowers. In a few short months we won't have anything here.

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  19. I "get" why white daisies are considered "fresh", but don't recall ever seeing pink ones. How lovely!

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  20. Funny to see a post about spring flowers are leaves are starting to turn red here. I have always loved the sweet simplicity of daisies.

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  21. I love these fresh-as-a-daisy fuchsia-colored daisies!

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  22. How perfectly gorgeous! I know that you are going to enjoy your spring delights, pink or not!
    Sandi

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  23. Thank you for sharing these beautiful flowers, such pretty photos.

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  24. Never have I seen a pink daisy! Absolutely gorgeous, David! Just amazing!

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  25. David, my response - Okay! lol.

    Excellent photos, Anna :)

    PS I don't usually invite people over my blog because it is voluntary, but I think you will enjoy my latest postcard :).

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  26. you know, i too thought a daisy to be... well.... just a plain old daisy. and then i grew up. and now i have them all over my garden. they are such happy flowers...

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  27. Anonymous8:41 PM

    Daisy daisy, give me your answer do.
    Natures simplest flower, of dappled lawn and daisy chains...lovely.
    Spring eh? And here I am thinking of showing my autumnal Virginia Creeper.

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  28. pretty purple flowers.

    my entry http://southbrowneyes.blogspot.com/

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  29. I used white and yellow daisies in my wedding decorations because they have fresh and happy faces. And marriages should all be as fresh and happy as a daisy.

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