Beautiful Flowers: Images from My Garden - Part 1
86A few years back, I had the responsibility and pleasure to care for these beautiful flowers. I refer to this garden as 'my garden', although strictly speaking it was my parent's garden. I lived there for many years. My mother especially enjoyed the many and varied colours and shapes that make for such beautiful flowers and a beautiful garden. My father enjoyed gardening as well, but I sense that he was more of a putterer than an avid gardener.
Over the years I learned quite a bit about tending my garden. Partly from reading books, but mostly by studying the growth habits of the plants in the garden itself. Then there's the art of creating a beautiful setting, using the shapes and colours provided by nature's palette. (see my tips below on growing your own beautiful flowers)
These beautiful flowers images are only a small sample of the many I've taken over the years. I used to use a regular, inexpensive point-and-shoot camera, but it just didn't capture the kind of detail I see in many of these beautiful flowers. There's so much more, interesting detail that isn't captured at a normal distance. All these images are from my digital camera, which finally allowed me to do decent closeups.
^ Evening Primrose
A hardy perennial that seems to spread quite readily. It grows about 30cm (12") tall with several yellow flowers (3cm. across) atop a single stem of multiple leaves. Despite its' name, I seem to recall the flowers would close up at night and during cloudy days. It also comes in pink, which I've had as well.
^ Phlox
Also a hardy perennial. Grows about 1m (3.3 ft.) tall, with profuse clusters of small flowers (15mm. across) around the top. Many colour varieties, including reds, pinks and purples. Some varieties frequently exude a nice aroma.
 | Amazon Price: $4.99 |
^ Garlic chives
A perennial which grows in clusters about 20cm (8") tall. The tiny flowers that open up later in the season attract many insects, including wasps, as you see in this lucky close-up shot here. It is also said to help keep aphids away from other nearby plants. The stocks can of course be chopped up and used in salads and cooking as well.
^ "Amber" rose
A gorgeous hybrid tea rose. A lovely scent too as I recall.
 | Amazon Price: $0.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $1.85 |
^ Bleeding Hearts
A beautiful perennial with streams of unusual, delicate (and appropriately named) red/pink flowers nestled in the foliage. Unfortunately, the early spring blooms are fairly short-lived (3 weeks). Grows about 60-70cm tall.
^ Lily of the Valley
A very hardy perennial...it can even grow up through asphalt pavement, and can become invasive as well, but otherwise makes a nice ground cover. The delicate, white, lantern-like flowers hiding just inside the pointy leaves exude a strong perfume-like scent for a short time during the spring. Grows about 15cm (6") tall.
^ Coral Bells
A perennial with clusters of red flowers borne on 20cm stems, emerging from a dense, low-lying carpet of leaves (not visible in this photo).
 | Amazon Price: $1.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $0.49 |
^ Oriental Lily ("Dizzy")
One of the many intricately detailed blooms of the lily family. Features several large (120mm across), trumpet-like flowers atop multiple-leaved 75cm tall stocks. This one also has a fairly pungent scent.
^ Brown-eyed Susan
A fairly common, but attractive bi-ennial (every other year). Related to the more common Black-eyed Susan, of course. Grows about 60cm tall.
 | Amazon Price: $11.85 |
^ Lavatera
Modest sized (6cm across) trumpet-like flowers grow in abundance all over this 1m tall annual. Also comes in white and a streaked white-pink. The flower petals fade and drop off in the fall, exposing the seed heads, which if picked at the right time, can be stored indoors over the winter and planted anew the next spring...free, flowering plants in perpetuum.
^ "Peace" rose
A beautiful, cream-coloured hybrid tea rose, with pink/white outer petals. Originally introduced after World War II.
 | Amazon Price: $1.12 |
 | Amazon Price: $1.79 |
^ Obedience
Mulitiple, dense, pointed clusters of pink/purple flowers adorn this 1.2m tall perennial. Also comes in white. The name comes from the fact that the floral stems can be gently forced into a different position and remain so for a time.
^ Sweet Pea
Gorgeous pink flowers are the main feature of this climbing annual which can grow as tall as 2m. Needs a fence or trellis for the tendrils to attach to.
You too can grow your own beautiful flowers...
It's not all that difficult to get these results..just get yourself a couple of good gardening books. Basically, you just need to determine the amount of sun or shade each plant requires. Plus, the ultimate height will determine whether it fits better at the front of the flower bed (shorter) or at the back (tall ones). Perennials return every year, so you should plant them a little further back, and plan your annuals around them. You need soil that's soft, and easily workable. If not, get some peat moss and some topsoil or manure, and dig it in well. Follow the directions on planting depth..most are planted at the same depth as the container they came in, except bulbs and rhizomes. Water them well.
I find it looks better to group a large number of the same plant fairly close together (closer than is usually recommended..particularly with shorter annuals), to get a nice swath of colour, in amongst other groups of plants of varying shapes, but complementary colours, such that the whole flower bed is awash with a sea of rainbow colour, particularly annuals. Just remember to water and feed them regularly, but not too much. Removing the spent flower heads regularly, encourages more flowers, so try and keep up with them. Larger plants like shrubs and roses need some breathing room, so don't crowd them.
Roses
Roses need lots of sun, and regular pruning to bring out the best in them. As each bloom dies away, you should prune them, such that if you follow the stem from the withered bloom..down to the next leaflet that has 5 leaves, and is pointing away from the center of the plant..make your cut about 1/4 inch above that leaflet, at an angle that allows water to drip away from the leaflet. This will encourage a new stem and bloom to form fairly quickly. A deep mulch on the rose bed will discourage the growth of black spot, a nasty mold that forms when the leaves remain wet for too long. Try and water only from below the leaves, or use a soaker hose. With proper attention and feeding, you'll have a continuous show of colour, and often fragrance, all summer long.
Well, there you have a baker's dozen of some of my garden favourites. I hope you enjoyed the amazingly beautiful work of nature.
I've tried my best to identify these beautiful flowers by name, sometimes from memory alone. If anyone is more knowledgeable than I, and can positively identify something I may have mistaken for another species, let me know.
Note: If you wish to use any of these photos for commercial purposes, let me know in advance. Thank you.
This article ©2010 by +timorous
Some gardening tools you'll need to help you grow those beautiful flowers...
 | Amazon Price: $46.89 List Price: $62.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $22.63 |
 | Amazon Price: $28.09 List Price: $45.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $4.99 List Price: $12.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $8.89 List Price: $15.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $16.99 List Price: $24.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $15.18 List Price: $16.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $14.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $5.82 List Price: $14.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $16.95 |
Some other interesting articles for you to read...
- Taking In a Nature Walk, So You Can Clear Your Head.
Throughout our busy day, its easy to get wound up and stressed out over any number of things. Deadlines, demands, breakdowns in technology and personal communication, etc. A few years ago, I was... - How Gardening Sharpens Your Brain: It's the Bacteria!
The bacteria in the garden soil may explain why gardeners are such lovely, smart people and live forever. It may also explain why a walk in nature gives us such an energy boost. There is a natural bacteria... - MAKING FLOWERS TALK: A Photography Adventure
Mama, flowers smile when they see you, thats what my daughter told me when she saw me with my camera one day. When I started my photography adventure, I was always taking pictures of flowers be... - FRUIT AND SEED DISPERSAL MECHANISMS OF PLANTS.
photograph by D.A.L. Photograph by D.A.L. Very few of us, either as gardeners,or nature lovers fail to be impressed by the explosion of summer blooms that lift the spirits and bring contentment. Gardens and... - The Frugal Flower Garden - How to Build a Beautiful Garden for Almost Nothing
Designing and building a beautiful flower garden can be very inexpensive if you use a bit of creativity. Free flowers can be had through a plant exchange. Free mulch and composted soil is offered by many local landfills for free. Plan a frugal yet at
- Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine – A Review
Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, by Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno is an outstanding work, that goes into great detail about what natural medicine is, and how you can safely and effectively take back control of your own health and wellness. - 2 years ago
- Buy Natural Organic Skin Care Products from SkinBotanica
A vast array of products are available to make your skin smooth and supple and give you that ‘youthful’ look. Here is but a small sampling of the many organic and natural skin care products available from www.skinbotanica.com - 18 months ago
- A Tribute to the Legendary Captain Beefheart
In the late 60’s, musicians such as Frank Zappa carved out a whole new, subversive musical path, where virtually any kind of musical, and non-musical influence was considered fair game... - 17 months ago
vote upvote downshareprintflag
- Useful (3)
- Funny
- Awesome (6)
- Beautiful (14)
- Interesting
I'd Love to Read Your Comments...Loading...
Oh stop..you're embarrasing me. :) But seriously drbj, thanks ever so much..I'm very honored. I can't of course take all the credit..mother nature did most of the heavy lifting. I merely provided a small window on the natural world in all its' splendid beauty. Thanks again.
Hey Timorous, I know enough about gardening to probably keep me alive, but that's about it. LOL! Awesome pictures and a great hub. And, I'll have to agree drbj, the pictures, even if a professional had taken them, wouldn't not have come any better. Wonderful work! :) Thank you for sharing. :)
What??? Cagsil..are you telling me you already know enough about gardening, that you don't need to know more...? LOL!
Anyhow...thanks, my friend. I really appreciate your appreciation.
Lovely garden and shots!
You have done a wonderful job of creating this page. Viewing it was like taking a walk in a lovely garden thank you for sharing this. I managed to vote it up, useful,awesome and beautiful and it deserved them all.
Thanks so much Charlinex. Your comment is doubly appreciated, coming from a pro photographer such as yourself.
Hello 2uesday, my dear. Great to have you pop by my mum's garden. Thank you very much for the positive votes as well.
wonderful job with color designs - health & living conscientious perspectives of http://netbook-health.blogspot.com/
I'm partial to the amber rose and the oriental lily. I can almost smell them. We need a scratch and sniff section!
Haha...I think you're on to something birdlover. Thanks for stopping and smelling the roses and lillies.
HI timorous, excellent photographs it was a pleasure to share. The rose Amber and Peace are very popular here in England.Voted up and beautiful.Best wishes
Hi D.A.L. Thanks for having a look at the garden. I've been enjoying your many hubs as well. Keep up the fine work.
Just spectacular! I must bookmark this so I can come back and look again and again and again. Sooooo beautiful. There is that saying 'beauty transforms' - so true!
Thanks a million and rated up.
Awww...gee thanks BK. I'm so glad you enjoyed the beauty that nature provides in abundance.
Even though these flowers weren't made beautiful for humans to admire, their beauty can still have a profound effect on us, nonetheless.
wow So BEautiful Garden
this is a beautiful hub, and what gorgeous photos! I love gardens, they are magical, I think. I think anyone who spends a lot of time in a garden must be a peaceful, gentle soul, in touch with mother nature.
I do love the floral divider bars, very nice touch.
Thanks lovely. You're right, it was a beautiful garden.
Hi rebekahELLE. Nice of you to come by.
You're right, I guess I am a peaceful, gentle soul. I think most gardeners are.
So glad you enjoyed the photos and the floral dividers. I think they add a nice touch. Also, you never know where the Google ads might interfere with the flow of the text/photos, so they helped there as well.
Oh, how pretty...the dividers are fun!
Hey Timorous, I said that I knew enough about gardening to keep myself alive. I didn't say that I couldn't learn more about it, which would definitely be beneficial. I at this time have no need and no place to maintain a garden, otherwise, I would probably have one, so that I wouldn't have to shop at a store for some things. :) Again, great hub. :P :)
What a very beautiful page! I've found it by chance, today is a lucky day ;) You are not modest as photographer, I'm not an expert but I love absolutely your photos, you have a great sensibility in capturing the beauties of the garden, it's not so easy! Very good work, compliments!
Hi Cagsil. Thanks for another look here. I was just teasing on the last comment, as you know.
Hello Varenya, and thanks for your lovely comments. I actually find it fairly easy to get good pictures of nature. Still, it takes a keen eye to capture the essential beauty that's there, taking advantage of the colour, light and shadow available.
Your photos are fantastic! I just wish I could have smelled the flowers as I was looking at them. Thank you.
Hi Tesa; You're right...we need to revive "Smell-o-Vision" LOL.
If you've smelled these or other flowers before, just use your imagination. You'll be surprised how effective your imagination can be. Thanks for the compliments.
Lovely photos, timorous! It's the next best thing to strolling through a garden. Thank you!
Hello SilverGenes. I'm so happy you came by to enjoy the garden pics.
Really beautiful!
Very beutiful photos, I especially liked the photos of the Phlox, the Lily of the valley, and Lavatera, you really manage to capture them at there best!
Thanks gorfor.
Hi thoughtforce. Yes..daily observation of these flowers enables me to know when they are at their prime, and the natural lighting is the most suitable. Thanks for the compliments.
What fabulous pics. A friend gave me a cluster of coral bells. (Neither one of us knew that that's what they were called).
Love this great hub. Hope you're well
regards Zsuzsy
Zsuzsy...good to see you my dear. Thanks for enjoying the pics. I'm so glad I could ring your coral bells.
I'm just fine..hope you're just as fine. It'll soon be September, and hopefully a respite from a hot summer. Cheers.
These photos are so beautiful! The garden must have been absolutely lovely. What a treat!
Wow... these all beautiful. I love the pictures, amazing. Thanks for share with us.
Hey..Hello Ivorwen. So nice to hear from you as always. I'm delighted that you found the garden such a treat. I may do a follow-up hub, seeing as how this is my most popular hub by far. Thanks.
prasetio. Thanks for strolling by for a look at the garden. So glad you enjoyed the view.
Nice flower gallery. I like your flowers collection. flowers are beautiful and nice. I like rose flowers.
what a beautiful flowewrs
thanks "ALLAH"
thank You
Artoflegendindia and gunobati;
So glad you enjoyed the flowery pictures.
Love this hub!Love the photos as well.Especially the Oriental Lily-my fav.
It is like you captured her garden and we made a walk through.
Thanks:)
Hi BB23; You've discerned my intentions exactly. Thanks for taking the time to stroll through.
I agree - your photos were outstanding - a professional could not have done better. I miss my garden - thank you for sharing.
IT is heaven!! I love the oriental lily and the lily of the valley! I can almost smell it, beautiful!!. Thanks for this real breath of fresh air!!
Hello GmaGoldie; Thanks for enjoying the photos, and of course for the compliments. I'm sorry you don't have a garden..well, come back and enjoy this one any time you like.
Hi sofs; You're right..I wish there was some way of having the pictures give off the appropriate aroma. Thanks for enjoying the scenery.
These are awesome
Hi Timorous,
What great pic's. Garderning is a past time that very soon soon becames present time. My garden runs a big part of mylife and have over the past few months put up bird feeders and now have some 30 odd birds that feed right on my stoop.
Really like you hub.
Hi Jamaicanguy. Thanks for enjoying the photos.
Hi killrats. Thanks for the compliments. Birds are a wonderful accompaniment to the colourful backdrop of the garden. Cardinals are one of my favourites.
Great Pic on those beautiful flower...! cheers!
...this is a garden hub of earthly delights in which I MUST walk through time and time again!!!
@Allanknowhow: Thanks for the enjoying the flowers.
Greetings epigramman, yeah..nature is a wonderful thing alright. See you again soon.
Truly Beautiful Tim, I can't keep a cactus alive even to save my life. Mom had a green thumb though. I like it even better that I can just come here and look at pretty pictures, and very cool you and cags are reading each other. Both great guys. Nice hub, Be good to yourself :)
Bye
Kimberly
Kimberly, how fabulous that you came by my (mum's) garden. Hope your mom's green thumb got better. lol.
Yeah, cags is always a fun read, and we have some interesting comments back and forth, both in the hub comments and forums.
Thanks Kim. Love ya.
Great pictures !
What a beautiful garden! I know how many times and strength you have to have to create this beauty but it worth it! Great job timorous! I'm going watch your pics again:)
Hi KristenGrace, and a belated thanks for the compliment.
Hi mioluna. You're right, it looks like a lot of work, but the pleasure of watching nature do what it does best, is its' own reward. Thanks for browsing the pictures (again..).
Beautiful pictures Timorous. Your garden must be an absolute delight. The Oriental Lily is my favourite and can't resist buying a bunch to brighten my home any time I see them.
Hello Karanda. Indeed..the oriental lily (all varieties) are fascinatingly detailed and beautiful. Thanks for enjoying the garden stroll.
Great info and beautiful pics.
I must have come at least a hundred times to see these pictures..how awesome is creation, how privileged we are, Thank you Timorous, your hub is indeed a breath of fresh air that never fails to captivate me! God bless you for sharing this with us!
So glad you enjoyed the pictures, reversecharles. Thanks.
Hey sofs, welcome back. You're absolutely right, nature is truly amazing...and to think it wasn't made this way just for us. We just happen to have an advanced brain that appreciates it on a very different level than the insects that rely on them. Actually...it's the flowers that rely on the insects to pollinate them.
Come again any time. Thanks a bunch.
Hi--beautiful hub. (I love gardens). Great photos. Was going to ask if you had taken them, but read the comments and found the answer. I also wrote a hub about my daughter's garden. Check it out if you are interested: Summer Gardens.
Am following you and I'm looking forward to reading more of your work. :)
Hey Denise. We seem to be hanging around at the same parties lately. Nice to meet you. I'll be sure to check your Summer Gardens, and some of your others.
Thanks for the comps, and for following me too. Before I know it, I'll hit the big 100. :)
I am blessed to have stumbled upon your beautiful Hubs.
Great Work!
Indeed you are 6hotfingers3. I'm so glad you've enjoyed the nature photos. I'm sure I'll be doing more of these photo hubs in the future.
Beautiful photographs. I especially like the roses. Thank you.
Hi Mark; Thanks for strolling through the garden and admiring the way I've captured nature's beauty.
Tim, needed some of those flowers to brighten my spirits today, it never fails to lift up my spirits...
Tim you should do more of these, they are like soul balm...
These words sum up all I want to say....by - W Wordsworth
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
( the oriental lilies :), the amber rose and the sweet pea and the other flowers I should say...
Thank you Tim !!
Always a delight to find you in the garden, sofs. I can see you have the same connection to nature, and its' effects on your moods, that I do. Thanks for the poem as well. :)
Some lovely photos. An enjoyable hub.
Thank you for enjoying the photos, WestOcean.
Wow.... This is the most stunning picture I've ever knew. You made this so beautiful. Thanks for share with us. I give my vote to you. Cheers.......
Hi prasetio. Thanks for making a return visit. It seems many people come back many times, because the beauty of nature is so relaxing and alluring. Cheers.
Needed a break today!! so here I am in your garden relaxing...Just love seeing these beauties!!
Haha..maybe I should charge admission fees..I'd make a lot of money from your visits, sofs. :)
Anyway thanks for taking some time out to relax in my garden. Cheers.
The Pink Lavatera is breathtaking, my favorite! I love photographing flowers (probably more than I like to grow them) I currently have two hubs of photographs of flowers that I have taken over the years... I can't get enough! Thanks for sharing!
Greetings mannyrolando. Yes, the Pink Lavatera is quite something, and so easy to grow as well. I should also have a look at your hubs soon. Thanks for visiting.
amazing picture and nature. so beauty
Hi Rismayanti, thanks for having a look at my beautiful flowers.
I love these pictures! You captured the color and shapes of these beautiful flowers so well. Thank you for sharing your and your parents garden with us. The amber rose took my breath away, and I am always a big fan of the bleeding hearts.
Oh thank you very much Garden Goddess. I must confess, nature did the real work. I was simply observant and pointed my camera in the right direction...mostly.
Yes, the amber rose took my breath away as well..mostly with the beautiful scent.
I love your beautiful pictures. What a garden!
Hello Fay. I'm so glad you find these pictures as beautiful as nature could make them. I had very little to do with it, really.
nice wallpaper..they represent the beauty of nature.thank dear i really appreciate your selection....
Hi Treasure hunt. I'm glad you found such treasures in these beautiful flowers.
Very relaxing photos! I enjoyed looking at them all. Lily of the Valley is the cutest one for me. Thanks for sharing.
Hi william.fischer29 I'm so glad you enjoyed the photos, and yes, they really are are relaxing, as any walk through a natural setting is bound to be. Thanks.
Great collection of flower photos. They are unique in different ways.
Thanks for having a peek at, and enjoying my beautiful flowers, RussellLHuey. Some of them are indeed a bit unique, although not uncommon.
Well put-together hub. I particularly like Lily of the Valley. One hubber wrote that Grace Kelly of Monaco held a bouquet of Lily of the Valley on her wedding day. I also like Oriental Lily here, looks like my fave flower Stargazer :-)
Hey kerlynb, aren't they beautiful? It's actually not that hard to get good flower pictures...nature's already done most of the work. Thanks for dropping by, and thanks for becoming a follower.
I really enjoyed your garden. I love gardening too come take a scroll thru my garden I have pictures of it in most of my hubs. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
I LOVE FLOWERS! Great photos..Color my world with flowers!
Greetings IN2Deep. You're so right. I can't imagine what the world would look like without all these beautiful flowers. Thanks for stopping by.
drbj Level 8 Commenter 22 months ago
Thank you for the beautiful photos - like a breath of fresh air. And as far as I'm concerned, a professional photographer could not have done better!