Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Passion vine, for the gulf fritillary butterfly

To the left of this passion flower a bud can be seen. These don't flower all that often and, when they do, the blooms are often way up in a tree, and there's no way of seeing that there has been a flower until the spent remains drop to the ground. To see this bloom in all its spectacular glory, click on the image.

The passion vines most often seen here in Austin produce flowers that are blue or purple. These were grown from seen that came from Thompson & Morgan. There is a greenish tinge to the waxy and white-ish flowers. The scene is sharp.

Gulf fritillary butterflies leave their eggs among the vines, and, once they're on the move, the larvae consume the leaves. They require passion vines, whether the wild Maypop or some other type. The gulf fritillary butterfly, especially when it's resident in clouds, is just as spectacular as the passion flower.

Tuesday, April 07, 2015

As spring progresses

New arrivals this morning were the first rose, the first sweet pea blossoms (three different colors), the first nasturtium, and the third stalk of old-fashioned standard iris in an anise-scented mauve color with a golden tinge. Remaining are Dutch irises (now yellow, cream with a lavender tinge, and yellow-and white, preceded by crimson, blue, and white), several kinds of narcissus (some very tiny yellow ones, some cream and yellow doubles, and others; Thalia is done), anemone blanda and florist's anemone, Lilac Wonder species tulips, and more. There are twenty blossoms on the one-dollar clematis from the supermarket. The first sort of allium is almost done blooming, and the second is beginning. There are still a few ipheion flowers, along with pink, blue, and white wood hyacinths. Dutch hyacinths have finished blooming, as have leucojums. Oak flowers have been pollinated and are falling in clumps; pecan flowers are yet to come. Pictured here are ranunculus flowers. All lettuce has bolted; spinach is beginning to bolt.