For this month's
Gardening Gone Wild's Picture This Photo Contest the theme is
Awakening. Although spring slept in this year, its now out of bed and the coffee is on. The picture I chose is a
Magnolia denudata (Yulan Magnolia) taken Friday at the Norfolk Botanical Garden.
The two almost-rans are below. The first is
Camellia japonica 'Lily Pons', again taken at NBG, and the second is
Camellia japonica 'Nuccio's Gem' from my back yard.
Just beautiful! I think Nuccio's Gem is perhaps the most beautiful of the camellias!
ReplyDeleteThe camellias have put on a grand show this year.
ReplyDeleteSpring may be out of bed, but she might change her mind and get it again, coffee and all, as that magnolia duvet looks ever so inviting :-)
ReplyDeleteWill the golden stamens lead to gold?
three very beautiful photos! spring is still sleeping here in western NY, although we've had some unseasonably fabulous weather. we've got snowdrops and a few crocuses thus far...but the promise of so much more to come!
ReplyDeletejust gorgeous these photos! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteLes, beautiful photos! Wonderfully beautiful...Is this a fragrant flower? Good luck in the contest...gail
ReplyDeleteAll that white makes me yearn for a wedding! Beautiful shots.........
ReplyDeleteThe purity and freshness of white is perfect for the theme, Les, and the photos are all superb. Good luck in the contest and happy springtime to you. It might snow here today, then back to the 70s. What a winter!
ReplyDeleteFrances
All nice Les. I know how hard it is to decide. My policy is always go with your gut, even if it's not technically your best shot. All three of these work for me, so it must have been particularly hard. (BTW: Thanks for the kind words.)
ReplyDeleteI don't grow magnolias or camellias but I can sure admire them from afar. All of the photos are gorgeous. I really love those stamens and their shadow in the second photo!
ReplyDeleteGreat photography! Georgia O'Keefe would be proud.
ReplyDeleteLes, stunning photos!! as always.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, amazing photographs!!! Tell us your strategies.
ReplyDeleteSpring is in a snowy coma in Alaska. Glad to hear she is awake in other parts of the country though. Lovely shot of the magnolia.
ReplyDeleteChristine in Alaska
I would have chosen Camellia japonica 'Lily Pons', but then what does a Zone 4 gardener know about Magnolias and Camellias? Nothing. All three photos are winners.
ReplyDeletedonna
Wow, those are just gorgeous. Good luck Les!
ReplyDeleteLovely shots, Les, all of them. Your entry is beautiful, but that second shot with the shadow of the stamens is quite arresting.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty!
ReplyDeleteIt sure looks like it is awakening doesn't it? Awesome. My star magnolia just opened yesterday and I am in heaven due to the lovely scent. Those magnolias look pretty great this year.
ReplyDeleteUtterly sensual and lovely! The folds of petals with light and shadow... yummy! Good Luck!! ;>)
ReplyDeleteVery sensual.
ReplyDelete'Nuccio's Gem' looks an awful lot like 'Sea Foam' in that close up - I have 'Nuccio's Pearl', which is a formal white/pink japonica - I think the Nuccio varieties are always interesting.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images!