Spring blossom - Apricot by Georgie

Image copyright Georgie Brown 2013

Apricot blossom photographed in Perth by Georgie

Spring blossom week- Crab apple by Janet

Image copyright 2013 Janet Denne

This week is a celebration of Spring blossoms, starting with this delicate Crab apple blossom photographed by Janet.

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.

First week of Spring - Freesias by Georgie

Images copyright 20123 Georgie Brown

The first week of spring - and the freesias are out, with their gorgeous perfume and petals splashed with colour.  Photos taken by Georgie in Perth, Western Australia.

Last of the Winter blues - Pincushion Flower (Scabiosa lucida) by Liz

Image copyright 2013 Liz Orr

Scabiosa lucida is also known as Pincushion flower or Shining scabious.  I think Pincushion flower is by far the prettiest name! Other varieties of Pincushion flower may be white, pink, lavender or purple.

"True blue" - Australian Wildflower Royal bluebell

The Royal bluebell (Wahlenbergia gloriosa) is an Australian wildflower and the emblem of the Australian Capital Territory. It grows in Alpine areas with a high rainfall.
Photo courtesy sportymummy.blogspot.com

"True blue" is also an Australian expression meaning reliable, trustworthy, loyal or genuine.

Winter blues - Gentiana septimfida by Liz

Image copyright 2013 Liz Orr

Gentiana septemfida, also known as Crested gentian,  has clusters of mid-blue trumpet-shaped flowers, about 4 cm in length in late summer. Photographed in the Scottish summer by Liz.