Winter blues - Clematis Royal Blue by Liz

Image copyright 2013 Liz Orr

Clematis are members of the same family as buttercups -the Ranunculaceae family.

Winter blues - Echinops ritro "Veitch's blue" by Liz

Image copyright 2013 Liz Orr

Small globe thistle or Echinos ritro "Veitch's blue" is a variety of thistle with globules of blue flowers on white stems. Interestingly they are in the same plant family (Asteraceae) as daisies. 

Winter Blues - Harebell (Scottish bluebell) by Liz

Image copyright 2013 Liz Orr

It's all blue flowers this week to celebrate the last week of Winter (in Sydney) and the end of "the Winter blues". 

Meanwhile, in Scotland they are enjoying the last weeks of Summer. This beautiful Scottish wildflower - known as bluebell in Scotland (Campanula rotundifolia) or harebell was photographed by Liz. These flowers are popular with the bumble bees and provide them with an important source of nectar in Autumn.

Pink Protea by Georgie

Image copyright 2013 Georgie Brown

Another gorgeous image of a protea, most likely a Protea obtusifolia (also known as Limestone sugarbush),  captured by Georgie in Perth, Western Australia

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. 

Bird of Paradise flower (Strelitzia reginae) by Janet

These bird-like flowers are named after the Birds of Paradise found in the region of Papua New Guinea and Northern Australia.  

Bird of Paradise plants (Strelitzia) are actually related to bananas, being in the same plant family (Musaceae) and have similar leaves. The flowers are orange with a blue tongue, and the reddish-green part is a bract (or modified leaf). 

Columbine Nora Barlow (Aquilegia) by Liz

Image copyright 2013 Liz Orr

Columbine "Nora Barlow" or (Aquilegia) have beautiful double crimson flowers edged in green.

Aquilegia by Liz

Image copyright 2013 Liz Orr

Aquilegia have beautiful flowers, and may be single, double or spineless varieties. This photo was taken in Scotland by Liz.

Echeveria by Janet

Image copyright 2013 Janet Denne

This Echeveria succulent with its star shaped foliage and star shaped flowers was photographed by Janet. This particular Echeveria has a long history - it has moved house several times with Janet and was originally owned by her grandmother.

Wisteria sinensis (Chinese Wisteria) by Romaine

Image copyright 2013 Romaine Moss

Chinese wisteria, a climbing plant, usually flowers in Sydney during September and October.  I'm looking forward to seeing these perfumed lavender blue clusters of flowers making their appearance next month! Other varieties of wisteria have white, pale pink, lilac, rosy mauve or violet flowers.