Camellia by Frances

Image copyright Frances Brown 2013

Spring Flowers - Magnolia by Frances

Images copyright Frances Brown 2013

Magnificient Magnolias!

Spring flowers - White Bluebells

Image copyright Frances Brown 2014

These white bluebells popped up unexpectedly alongside the regular bluebells in my garden last Spring.

Spring Flowers - Snowflakes (Leucojum vernum) by Frances

Image copyright Frances Brown 2014

Yesterday's photos of daffodils in UK reminded me of these photos I took of Snowflakes in my garden last Spring. Like daffodils, these flowers also grow from bulbs.

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

Lords and Ladies (Arum) by Frances

Image copyright Frances Brown 2013

Arum, or Lords and ladies are spring flowering tuberose plants with arrow or  heart shaped leaves.  After flowering the plants develop these bright red berries.  

As colourful as they are, the berries and the rest of the plant are highly poisonous, and will cause severe irritation if the sap comes in contact with skin.  The plants are not native to Australia.

Red Hibiscus bud by Frances

Image copyright 2013 Frances Brown

Cactus flower by Frances

Image copyright Frances Brown 2013

Flowers and Insects - Yellow rose by Frances

Image copyright 2013 Frances Brown

Kaffir lily by Frances

Image copyright 2013 Frances Brown

The cliveas (Kaffir lilies) in my garden have bloomed wonderfully this year.

Unusual flowers - Shrimp (Prawn) plant by Frances

Image copyright 2013 Frances Brown

Shrimp plant (Drejerella) is of Mexican origin. It has red/green bracts (modified leaves) which are segmented, something like the body of a prawn or shrimp. The actual flower is the white and red part in the centre.

Spring blossom - Peach blossom by Frances

Image copyright 2013 Frances Brown

First week of Spring - Mauve Freesias

Image copyright 2013 Frances Brown

First week of Spring - Hot Pink Freesias

 Image copyright 2013 Frances Brown

Spotted in a neighbour's garden, this "massing" freesia hybrid has multiple flowers and a wonderfully vibrant hot pink colour - but not much perfume.

First week of Spring - Purple and Gold

Image copyright 2013 Frances Brown

Purple and gold - a great combination.

First week of Spring - Freesias by Frances

Image copyright 2013 Frances Brown

Several years ago I purchased bulbs to grow these freesias in my garden.  The multiple flowers are beautiful, but sadly this variety has hardly any perfume.

Protea by Frances

Image copyright 2013 Frances Brown

Proteas are native to southern Africa and belong to the same plant family (Proteaceae) as the Australian banksias, grevilleas and waratahs. This protea has spectacular flowers with satiny pink bracts tipped with soft down. 

Grevillea by Frances

Image copyright Frances Brown 2013

Photo taken in north western Sydney.

Tibouchina by Frances

Image Copyright 2013 Frances Brown

Photograph taken in North Western Sydney

Tibouchina is originally from Brazil, but is grown widely in Sydney for its abundant winter flowers.  The violet-purple flowers are each about 5-6 cm wide.