Orange Outgrowth

The color orange comes in many different hues.  The color I think of as true orange is the color seen on  the Orange Plume, Justicia spicigera.

This large shrub is the current favorite of the hummingbirds.  I'm hoping to be able to capture a photo of the little birds sipping from the tubular flowers but so far they have been too fast for my shutter.

The Amaryllis that have been purchased in the past few years from after Christmas stock at my local big box store are blooming like mad.  None of them resemble the picture on the box.  In fact, they are all different colors.

A single pinky orange and  this double bloomed light orange striped one were both supposed to be single rose pink blooms.  No problem for me that they aren't what was on the box.  I think they are both quite pretty.

Another orange with pinkish tints is seen in the blackberry lilies which are blooming away this spring.  I love this carefree plant that adds height to the garden and blooms throughout the year.

Last year I thought maybe I had purchased the wrong plant as blooms didn't appear until very late in the summer.  This year the Coral Honeysuckle is leaving no doubt that I did indeed purchase the right plant!  The hummingbirds love this one too.

There are quite a number of other orange colored flowers yet to bloom in the garden.  Some will be hitting their peak mid summer as some of the spring blooming flowers fade.  

Just Once in a While

Some of my favorite flowers only bloom in springtime, and only once during that time. 

Amaryllis,  Hippeastrum hybrid

Flowers can last for weeks but once they are gone, they're usually gone until next spring.  Once in a while another scape will rise and bloom after the initial bloom time. 

 

Nun's Orchid,  Phaius tankervilliae

But, recurring blooms are very rare.  These lovely blooms are much anticipated each year and cherished for as long as they last. 



Lily of the Nile,  Agapanthus africanus

Even though the flowers belong to a particular season, the long strappy leaves on these plants make a nice addition to the garden through other seasons.  With the exception of the amaryllis, which goes dormant and doesn't appear again until late winter, the foliage holds its place in the garden.  Then, in spring, the bloom scapes rise and their long lasting flowers burst forth reliably each year.