Flower of the Day - Gerbera (African daisy)

Flower of the Day - Gerbera

Message - Friendship and Fun

Gerberas always make me smile. This beautiful gerbera, (measuring 12 cm across!) was a gift from a friend.  I took it into my garden to photograph. Gerberas come in a variety of bright cheerful colours like crimson, yellow, pink, scarlet, orange and white.

Flower of the Day - White Protea

Flower of the Day - White Protea

Message - Healing from loss or grief

Proteas are usually photographed after the flower has opened, but the buds are beautiful, too. This protea (the flower about 10cm in length) was photographed in a neighbour's garden in Sydney. 

Flower of the Day - Silk Tree

Flower of the Day - Silk Tree

Message - Delicacy and strength in negotiations

These flowers are from my friend Romaine's garden.

Flower of the Day - Pink Tulip

Flower of the Day - Pink Tulip

Message - Grace and refinement

These beautiful tulips, shop bought, were a gift from my husband on Mothers Day

Flower of the Day - Grevillea

Flower of the Day - Grevillea

Message - Courage and strength in adversity

Flower of the Day - White rose

Flower of the Day - White Rose

Message - Peace, Healing

The beauty and purity of white flowers can provide comfort in times of grieving or sadness.

Flower of the Day Bougainvillea

Flower of the Day - Bougainvillea, also known as Paper flower

Message - Radiance, brilliance

Bougainvillea are climbing plants originally from tropical South America. They flower during Summer, and sometimes for many months afterwards as well. The actual flowers are the tubular centres. The colourful surrounding bracts (modified leaves at the base of a flower) may be brilliant crimson, white, carmine red, rose-violet, pale pink or white edged with pink.

Flower of the Day - Gordonia

Flower of the Day - Gordonia (Gordonia axillaris)

Message - Breakfast is the most important meal of the day

Gordonias, beautiful tree-like shrubs are originally from Asia,  in the region from Taiwan to Vietnam. The flowers are pure white with golden stamens and they are often referred to colloquially as the "Fried egg plant".  Flowering profusely from April, the flowers drop from the tree intact, forming a floral "carpet". In Sydney, the winter cold makes some of the leaves turn red.

Flower of the Day - Camellia sasanqua

Flower of the Day - Camellia sasanqua

Message - hope and optimism in Winter

Camellia sasanqua is an elegant garden shrub with glossy dark green foliage and an Autumn flowering. These plants originated in China and Japan, but grow beautifully in Sydney, where they flower from March to May. Some varieties will flower all through Winter until October.

Flower of the Day - Bottlebrush

Flower of the Day - Crimson Bottlebrush

Message - Sweetness of Life

Bottlebrush or Callistemon are an Australian native plant. The colourful crimson filaments attract pollinators such as birds and insects. Interestingly, these silky gold tipped filaments are not petals, but stamens.  Australian plants have adapted to our often dry climate, and generally don't have large petals that would dehydrate quickly.

Plant of the Day - Echeveria

Plant of the Day - Echeveria

Message - Attention to detail

The leaves of Echeveria form a delicate rosette shape. These succulents are originally from Mexico, and don't require much watering! 

Flower of the Day - Dandelion

Flower of the Day - Dandelion

Message - Appreciate the simple things 

Flower of the Day - Orange Nasturtium

Flower of the Day - Orange Nasturtium

Message - Vibrance

Flower of the Day - Red Dianthus

Flower of the Day - Red Dianthus

Message - Vitality

Dianthus are originally from Europe and East Asia, and are closely related to carnations. This flower is about 2.5 cm in diameter.

Flower of the Day - White Tree Begonia

Flower of the Day - White Tree Begonia

Message - Harmony and Balance

Tree begonias are native to Brazil and flower almost all the year round.

White Flowers for Mothers Day

Mothers Day in Australia falls on the second Sunday in May. The traditional Mothers Day gift is Chrysanthemums or other white flowers - sweet and simple.

Flower of the Day - White Tea Rose

Message - peace

Flower of the Day - Pink Hibiscus

Flower of the Day - Pink Hibiscus

Message - Artistic Flamboyance

Flower of the day - Rosemary

Flower of the day - Rosemary

Message - Remembrance

Introduction and Welcome

"Flower of the Day" is my newest blog, and was conceived as an antidote to  a dreary work day inbox.  Too often I would go to my emails only to find things like "Special Offer", "Notice of Meeting" or "This is not a joke".

An idea hovered in the ether - "Wouldn't it be nice to have something beautiful to look forward to in my inbox? So I decided to make available some of my images of flowers and foliage that can be viewed here or, for subscribers, delivered straight to your inbox. 

"Flower of the Day" is dedicated to the memory of my mother Toni and my grandmothers Noreen and Margery, all wonderful ladies from whom I gained a love of flowers and an appreciation of all things beautiful.

My thoughts are with you  always

Frances 

Flower of the Day: Seaside Daisies

Message: Happy Surprises