Pretty in Blue

Downtown Charleston always has the best flowers!

Dragonfly

This Dragonfly is dressed to match the plant he was visiting.  Beautiful isn't he?

Canna Lily

This Canna if is in my daughter's yard.  I think I need to plant some of these!

Ladies Room

Believe it or not, this is the Ladies Room at Magnolia Plantation!

Butterfly Bush

Two almost identical pictures taken one year apart.  I guess I need to plant my own Butterfly Bush.

Jasmine

 The Jasmine is in full bloom now and the fragrance is wonderful!

The Day Lilies Are Coming!

 When we were at Middleton Place Gardens last weekend the camellias were out in full glory and the day lilies were on their way.  Some had already put forth their beautiful blossoms but most were still wondering if winter was really over or are they being tricked into thinking that spring has arrived.  I feel the same way!

Camellias

The Camellia were in all there glory when we were at Middleton Place last weekend.  (But, in case you are thinking of going, they were still also loaded with more buds - GO!)

I took so many pictures and even Kirby got into the excitement of the moment and was finding perfect blooms for me to photograph.  The one above was his!  The way the early morning sun was shining on it was awesome - it glowed.

There are so many different varieties of camellia but I just call them Beautiful!

The camellia is the first of the flowers to bloom each year and they were just a little early this year due to our mild winter.  Their stark beauty next to the harsh brown of winter is so refreshing.

The plants at Middleton are old and mature.  That means they are BIG. 

Some of the blooms were already spent due to the warm weather.  This bed of fallen petals looks like an artist pallet doesn't it?  I love it!

Middleton Place Gardens

We took a winter trip to Middleton Place this past weekend.  They were running a special for local folk - $10 admission instead of the usual $25.  We couldn't pass that up, especially with the warm winter we are having.  The day was perfect - warm and sunny.  So unusual for this time of year. 

What amazed me the most about this visit was how beautiful it was even in the dead of winter.  It will take me a couple of weeks to share all the pictures I got.  We were early and the light was wonderful.  Just look at what greeted as we entered the gardens.

 The camellias grow like trees here.  These grew right next to the tree that is covered with Spanish Moss so the moss has mixed with the camellias.  I love the effect of it!  And look at that sky.  It was an awesome day!

Very Charleston

This scene is so "Charleston". Brick walkway and steps, black grillwork, pink house, lots of green and bright flowers.

Wild and Natural

 We have an area in our yard that must have been there before they built the house.  Since we are in a subdivision with a small lot, it is unusual to see something that didn't get bulldozed down before they built the house.  But I love this little area o natural "stuff".  I know there is bamboo and I have learned about the beauty berry.  But I have no idea what this is.  Whatever it is, it is blooming now and the blooms are rather interesting.  Maybe some will tell me what it is.

Magnolia Blossom

The Magnolia trees are usually so very large and the blossoms way to high to get a close up picture so I was delighted when I found this one at my level!  Isn't it lovely?

Pretty Flower

Time for a pretty Charleston flower.  Stolen from a lovely yard downtown.  Actually, not stolen...just preserved forever.

Downtown Charleston on a Saturday

Cypress Gardens

 Cypress Gardens is such a special place.  When we were there last month, the flowers had hardly begun to bloom.  May and June get even better.  But just look at what we did see!

 I don't know what these flowers are - but I do know they are lovely.  Many of them were in the butterfly house.

 Well, I do know bananas when I see them!

 And I know that these are Azaleas

 Can you see the little bee that was so busy?

This is the amazing Blue Bottle Bush!  Click on it to enlarge so that  you can really enjoy it! :)

More Middleton Place

In case you doubt the beauty of Middleton, here are a few more pictures. (You really need to enlarge them by clicking on them to see them properly. Use your browser back button to return here.)