Tropical Flower of the Day - Hibiscus

Flower of the Day - a pretty apricot coloured hibiscus.

Tropical Flower of the Day - Hibiscus

Tropical Flower of the Day - Hibiscus

Originally from Asia, hibiscus have been bred and grown in gardens throughout the world. Colours may be red, pink, yellow, mauve and many variations of these.

Tropical Treat - Frangipani and Melaleuca

Frangipani always make me think of the tropics. Pictured are yellow & pink frangipani and a cream Melaleuca (Paperbark tree) flower.

Tropical treat - Frangipani (Plumeria rubra acutifolia)

Frangipani are native to Mexico.  It is deciduous in Winter, in Summer it has long leaves and divine smelling trumpet shaped yellow and white flowers. There are also pink and white varieties, and shades of apricot or red.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Flower of the Day!

Flower of the Day - Red Bottlebrush

Flower of the Day - Bottlebrush (Callistemon)

Only one more sleep until Christmas Day!

Flower of the Day - Red and Purple Bromeliad

Flower of the Day - Bromeliad 

This colourful Bromeliad Aechmea weilbachii  produces purple flowers that look like berries and has soft shiny green foliage.

Crimson Red Flower of the Day

These crimson tubular flowers tipped with yellow look very bright and festive.

Red Flower of the Day - Fuchsia Heath (Epacris longifolia)

Flower of the Day - Fuchsia Heath (Epacris longifolia)

This pretty flower is found in the Heath and open forests of New South Wales and Southern Queensland.  It is popular with honey eating birds.

Flower of the Day - Toothbrush Grevillea

A "toothbrush" shaped grevillea with a rich deep pink colour,  Grevillea acanthifolia

Flower of the Day - Red Grevillea

Flower of the Day - Red Grevillea

A striking red grevillea flower, possibly the "Woolly grevillea"

Flower of the Day - NSW Christmas Bush

Flower of the Day - NSW Christmas Bush  - Ceratopetalum gummiferum

NSW Christmas bush has two flowerings - firstly small white flowers in October, followed by red sepals in December. 

NSW Christmas bush is only found naturally on the East coast of Australia, in New South Wales.  Christmas bush is often used in Christmas floral arrangements.

Fruit of the Day - Cotoneaster glaucophyllus

Fruit of the Day - Cotoneaster glaucophyllus

These Cotoneaster berries are a perfect combination of red and green.

Cotoneaster used to be very popular in Sydney gardens as a screening plant or hedge, and also because the red berries attract birds to the garden.  However, it is now regarded as a weed in many parts of Australia, because it is fast growing and spreads very quickly into bushland. Cotoneaster can be replaced it with alternatives such as Grevillea, Narrow-leaf Myrtle, Blueberry Ash, Lily Pillies, Heath Banksia or Photinia*.

* info from Pittwater Council Website

Fruit of the Day - Clivea (Kafir lily) seed pods

Fruit of the Day - Clivea (Kafir lily)

These glossy red Clivea seed pods are wonderfully festive looking. I like to use them in flower arrangements, that is, if I can pick them before the possums start eating them!

Fruit of the Day - cherry tomato

Fruit of the Day - homegrown cherry tomatoes

These are the first fruit on the tomato plants in my garden.  

Flower of the Day - Poinsettia

Flower of the Day - Poinsettia 

(Euphorbia pulcherrina hybrids)

Red Poinsettia, with their bright star shaped clusters of bracts always remind me of Christmas.  I had always thought they were called pointsettia, and only realised my error this year when I was researching their botanical name!

This poinsettia was photographed in a garden, but they are often grown in pots and are popular as Christmas gifts. There are many hybrids varieties in various shades of red, white or salmon pink. I think the red are the most festive looking. However, take care to wash you hands should you come in contact with this plant -  the white sap is known to be poisonous.

Flower of the Day - Red Camellia

Flower of the Day - Red Camellia

More red and green coming up this week on Flower of the Day!

Flower of the Day - Red Silk Tree

Flower of the Day - Red Silk Tree

Red and Green - Flower of the Day - Lambertia formosa

Flower of the Day - Lambertia formosa

Lambertia formosa, also known as Mountain Devil, is an Australian wildflower and member of the Protea family.

Red and Green - Flower of the Day - New Zealand Christmas bush

Flower of the Day - New Zealand Christmas bush (Meterosideros or pohutukawa)

Flower of the Day - Red and Green Kangaroo Paw

Flower of the Day - Red and Green Kangaroo Paw 

(Anigozanthus manglesii)

Red and Green - Flower of the Day - Bottlebrush

Flower of the Day - Bottlebrush (Callistemon)

Flower of the Day will feature red and green for the month of December.