Bearded Iris (Iris xiphium) by Georgie

Image copyright 2013 Georgie Brown

Also known as Dutch irises, these hybrid plants were originally developed from the Spanish Iris. The brightly coloured flowers grow from bulbs and appear in late Winter and early Spring. Photo taken in Perth, Western Australia by Georgie.

Hippeastrum by Lynda

Image copyright Lynda Shrimpton 2013

Hippeastrums grow from bulbs and are big funnel shaped flowers about 20cm across. In Sydney they usually appear about October. 

Lantana by Georgie

Image Copyright 2013 Georgie Brown

Vibrantly coloured Lantana flowers, photographed in Perth, Western Australia. The colour orange is associated with festivity, happiness optimism, and energy. 

Although these flowers are pretty in gardens,  Lantana is often an invasive plant that spreads through bushland displacing native groundcover.

Protea obtusifolia by Georgie

Image copyright 2013 Georgie Brown

Protea obtusifolia (or Limestone sugarbush) is named because the leaves are obtuse shaped - ie rounded rather than pointed.

Lithodora by Liz

Image copyright 2013 Liz Orr

It's slightly unusual to see truly blue flowers in nature. Lithodora are low growing shrubs with 5 lobed flowers in Summer, in various shades of blue or white. "Lith" means rock, so my guess is that these are popular rockery plants. Photo taken in Scotland by Liz.

Daffodil by Frances

I saw this daffodil on my walk yesterday morning.

Jonquils by Georgie

Image copyright Georgie Brown 2013

I always think jonquils are cute because they look like mini daffodils. Photo taken by Georgie in Perth, Western Australia

Sempervivium (Houseleek) by Liz

Image copyright 2013 Liz Orr

Sempervivium are succulents, also known as Houseleeks because they were often grown on roof tops in the hope of preventing lightning strikes.

Scarlet Camellias by Georgie

Image copyright 2013 Georgie Brown

These unusually shaped camellias were photographed by Georgie in the grounds of the University of Sydney.

Water Lily by Julia

Image copyright 2013 Julia Brown

Photographed by Julia at Eden Gardens in Sydney