Thursday 12 July 2012

Gazanias to Gaze Upon


A first this year,  for me, was planting gazanias.  I have my traditional favourites . . . petunias, geraniums, marigolds, lobelia and alyssum . . . but I like to try something new every once in a while. 
Gazanias are native to South Africa and are resistant to drought and high temperatures. I have the clumping variety that grow in mounds of attractive, deep green symmetrical leaves.  Each bloom lasts for about 5 or 6 days, but the plant itself will bloom all summer and even into the fall.  The blossoms close up each evening at sundown and open wide again in response to the sun the next day.
Hope you enjoy my beauties!



"The artist is the confidant of nature . . . 
flowers carry on dialogues with him 
through the graceful bending of their stems 
and the harmoniously tinted nuances of their blossoms.  
Every flower has a cordial word which nature directs towards him."
~ Auguste Rodin



"The actual flower is the plant's highest fulfillment, 
and are not here exclusively for herbaria, county floras and plant geography; 
they are here first of all for our delight."
~ John Ruskin



"The 'Amen' of nature is always a flower."
~ Oliver Wendell Holmes


photosbyleanne

18 comments:

  1. These are just gorgeous! The first one is my favorite!

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  2. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog, and i do love your photos here. Looks as if we both have good taste in flower types. LOL

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  3. These are stunning. I love these flowers but did not know there were so many wonderful shades.

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  4. gorgeous flower art. I lika all of them. You have done a great work.

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  5. Beautiful pictures! The colors are rich and gorgeous!
    I love your quote.
    Thanks for sharing

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  6. The rendering and your captures are fabulous!

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  7. Absolutely lovely. I am loving the colored pencil look to the editing.

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  8. Stunningly beautiful! Love everything about them!

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  9. Magnificent detail and color! Thanks so much for sharing with Flower Art Friday! :)

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  10. Oh yes Andrea, you knocked these outta the ballpark!! Each and every one is magnificent, truly!

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  11. They're beautiful! I like all the different colors.

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  12. Gorgeous flowers, the exact shape and colors, wow.

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  13. Beautiful Gazanias! I miss growing those... Thanks so much for stopping at my blog, too :)

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  14. thanks for including us in your beauty walk...
    I was so blessed in Vancouver and in Victoria this past week to see all their flowery beauty with Shoshi and her babas :)

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Thanks for stopping by . . . appreciate your comments.