:: osteospermum ::

Looking more closely at a flower, as I have been known to do of late, leads to much deep appreciation of nature and observation of complexities I guess I just hadn't had time to notice before.

...I am amazed at how perfect each part of the flower actually is, how the surface is so pristine and patterns and shapes seem 'by design'...

...the way a flower might only open when the strength of the sun is at a certain intensity and remain carefully closed if not...

...the way a flower is like a 'pollinator funnel' for the creature to literally be guided to the parts it needs to 'communicate' with...

...the 'bullseye' for this bee is very obvious on this African daisy aka Cape daisy aka South African daisy or Blue-eyed daisy...

...in awe of Mother Nature...

:: rosa xiv ::

Feeling the love on a Friday...less words, says more today...

Happy Friday people X

:: agapanthus ::

Although not a lily, the common agapanthus also goes by the name Lily of the Nile and has a romantic-sounding origin, the name deriving from the Greek 'agape' (love) and 'anthos' (flower). A bit more salubrious than the "Agatha-panthers" that we bandy about or even, dare I mention... 'Agatha's Panties'...ooops!

What surprised me most on the morning walk was that it should be making brand new flowers of this size and vigour at all - it is Autumn, advanced now...!

I did admire it anyway, for its brilliant colour and contrast against the Boston Ivy on the wall behind it...nevermind that it is very close to becoming banned as a weed pest plant...

:: salvia azurea ::

What a beautiful morning it was today - big fat spitty raindrop weather with heavy grey skies hanging in thick smudgey grey clumps from the heavens...balmy in short sleeves, [although tights under my shorts!]...no socks weather - lovely.

How lucky to be out in it walking Miss O.  

Although she does create some difficulty with taking photos - likes not to sit patiently, but wander curiously, checking things out - hmmm...I think I can relate!

Plenty of pretty things blooming happily and this wild blue sage or prairie sage or azure sage is what took my eye - with the rainbow it summed up the morning for me.

:: stellaria media ::

A tiny flower for today's flower - I believe it is the common chickweed. Almost overlooked and yet, as Autumn progresses it becomes very difficult NOT to notice the swift growing clumps of chickweed colonising any bare areas and squeezing itself in between the Winter crops. It does this quickly as it flowers and sets seed at the same time - a clever tactic!

Pretty useful as it is edible and quite nutritious with a decent amount of iron.  Both humans in salad and poultry can be well-satisfied by it, although, after rain, it is rather a fiddle to clean off the soil, being a groundcover.

The colour is an amazing zing of green at a time of many things dying off and the oncoming brassicas looking fairly glaucous!

In times past it has been used as a cooling herb medicinally, helping ailments such as arthritis, anaemia, itchy skin conditions and ...wait for it...mange!!

:: calendula ii ::

I've been reading a book about different inspiring women who all work away diligently and persistently at their craft, some from a background of having learnt skills already, others who have begun a career knowing absolutely nothing at all about how to create the items they now are renowned for. 

These women have just stepped into their 'work' and worked and worked away repeating and creating consistently, learning as they go.

While gathering in the washing this afternoon I pondered this as I cast my eyes across the calendula 'swathe' (self-sown magical cluster of plants that popped up in the middle of the mulched area where I don't have the heart to rip them up and move them to more practical homes).

Spying on the bees and bumble bees diligently and persistently practising their good works over and over until they are now expert pollinators...the constancy of nature.

:: henna flower ::

Today I learned a little bit about Henna art from Sathyasri of Tamil Henna, here in Christchurch.  We hosted a little workshop for Miss P and her friends to celebrate the end of the holidays.

Henna cools the body and is used commonly as decoration for brides.  

While the woman is being decorated, for perhaps 4 hours, she can't move about...and then the henna needs at least 2 hours and preferably overnight for it to penetrate giving the deepest colouration...

...so she must...well, do not much...allowing a potentially highly-excited and busy bride-to-be some pretty good relaxation, downtime and nurture...how wonderful, I thought!