Yellow Achillea by Liz

Image copyright Liz Orr 2013

Flowers, flowers and more flowers in this photo of Achillea filipendulina, also known as fern leaf Yarrow, sent in by Liz. This plant belongs to the daisy family. 

There will be more buds and flowers next week on Flowers by Friends!

Crocus Flowers by Liz

Image copyright Liz Orr 2014

 Over in Scotland, these purple Crocus are flowering as the Winter ends.

Image copyright Frances Brown 2014

Here in Sydney these white crocus are flowering at the end of Summer!

Crocus buds by Liz

Image copyright Liz Orr 2014

Crocus are another of the first perennials to flower at the end of Winter.

Dutch Iris by Liz

Image copyright Liz Orr 2014

Dutch Iris is another bulb that flowers early in the season.

Dutch Iris buds by Liz

Image copyright Liz Orr 2014

Dutch Iris buds - see the flowers tomorrow on Flowers by Friends.

Snowflakes (Leucojum) & Snowdrops (Galanthus) by Liz

Image copyright Liz Orr 2014

Another lovely photo from Liz showing Snowflakes - the slightly taller flowers with green dots and Snowdrops. Snowflakes often have more than one flower per stem, while the smaller Snowdrops only have a single flower.

White Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalas) by Liz

Image copyright Liz Orr 2014

Snowdrops are one of the first bulbs to flower at the end of winter - these ones are flowering now in Scotland. The name Galanthus means "milk flower".

White Heather (Calluna Vulgaris) by Liz

Image copyright Liz Orr 2014

White Heather is less common than lilac or purple heather,  so it is considered to be lucky. Lucky for me that Liz sent me this photo, and I hope this picture brings you good luck!

Purple Heather (Calluna Vulgaris) by Liz

Image copyright Liz Orr 2014

Heather is one of the National Flowers of Scotland and there are about 5 million acres Purple Heather across Scotland moors. Heather is usually lilac to purple, but there are some varieties in other colours including white, gold, copper and red.  (See Scottish at Heart)

Pineapple Lily (Eucomis) by Liz

Image copyright Liz Orr 2014

An amazing photo of a tall "Pineapple Lily", a native of South Africa,  surrounded by mauve crocuses, sent in by Liz.  This plant is in the Asparagus plant family.

Roses for Valentine's Day by Sophie

Image copyright Sophie Wilson 2013

Happy Valentine's Day from Flowers by Friends. These red and yellow roses were home grown and photographed by Sophie.

A cerise by Liz

Image copyright 2013 Liz Orr

Another member of the daisy family.

Cosmos by Liz

Image copyright Liz Orr 2013

This brightly coloured Cosmos flower is also related to the yellow Coreopsis flowers, and part of the Daisy family, Asteraceae.

Pink Rhododendron by Frances

Image copyright Frances Brown 2013

Yesterday's flower bud was a deep pink Rhododendron, like the one above photographed in Sydney, by Frances

The Mystery Flower bud

Image copyright Frances Brown 2013

What Flower is this?  Find out tomorrow on Flowers by Friends

Pink Rhododendron by Liz

Image copyright Liz Orr 2013

White Rhododendron by Liz

Image copyright Liz Orr 2013

Another type of flower cluster - Rhododendrons. These pretty flowers were photographed in Scotland by Liz

Wax Plant (Hoya Camosa) by Janet

Image copyright Janet Denne 2013

Wax plants (or Honey plant) are popular house plants. They produce clusters (umbrels) of star shaped, 5 petaled pink and white, sweetly perfumed flowers during summer. The leaves are shiny green and fleshy. The flowers should not be picked though, as the flowers form on the same stems each year.  

Wax Plant (Hoya Camosa) buds by Janet

Image copyright Janet Denne 2013
Wax plant (also known as Honey plant) has unusual pentagonal buds. How many petals do the flowers have? Find out tomorrow on Flowers by Friends!

White Geraniums by Janet

Image copyright Janet Denne 2013

Geraniums are hardy plants, but have delicate flowers like these pretty white and pale pink ones photographed by Janet. These flowers, known as geraniums are part of the plant genus Pelargonium.