It's been a bit of a cold and dreary week, no? Here is a little summer magic to warm you...
Have a great weekend!
Showing posts with label lotus. Show all posts
Lotus Saga Continues
This is the seed pod that developed from the lotus flower. I wish you could see a larger photo---the subtle color shifts add interest and depth to the simple, graphic shape of the pod.
Sex in the Garden
I hope that you’re not sick of lotus flowers yet, because I just can’t resist posting two more photos. The first one was taken Friday, July 27, 2007 on the first day that this flower was in bloom. Note the rich pink color of the petals and the wonderful polka dot look of the stigmas on the pistil. The stamens are the curled, creamy colored frill around the pistil.
I must admit that this is undoubtedly the most beautiful photo that I have taken all year!
Fast forward to Sunday, July 29. Just a few days later and the petals have turned almost completely white, and the stamens have grown into the stigmas for pollination. Amazing!
Lotus Update
Finally in bloom! In a previous post I opined that the uplifted leaves of my lotus were a sure sign of imminent flowers. Well, it’s been a bit longer than I expected (wished for?) but this weekend we were rewarded with our first lotus bloom of the summer. These are such stunning flowers. They make me feel like my city patio has been transformed into an exotic Asian resort (minus the humidity!); a fun escape on a hot summer day.
Lotus Leaf Lift Off
When lotus (Nelumbo) leaves lift off the surface of the water, it means that the flower buds can’t be too far behind---that’s my story anyway! I love the huge round leaves of this hardy water plant. They make a wonderful contrast to linear foliage, such as the white bulrush (Scirpus), shown, as well as the smaller leaf pads of hardy water lilies (Nymphaea). Another beautiful characteristic of lotus leaves is their ability to capture water into beadlike drops that pool and break like liquid mercury.
