Flowers

Haiku: Bees on a Mission

~ Kim of Glover Gardens ~ 2 Comments
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You have to look closely for the industrious bee on the middle flower, getting every last fragment of pollen

bees on a mission
devouring the last pollen
before winter comes

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These bees blend in, too, as they scour the flower of its potent pollen richness

There are lots of bees in Scotland, and they’re feasting.

© 2018 Glover Gardens

 

 

Lordy, Lord Baltimore!

~ Kim of Glover Gardens ~ Leave a comment

I’m out of town, but the Grill-Meister keeps me up to date on Glover Gardens happenings. My day started off right this morning with his “digital postcard” of this gorgeous red hibiscus with blooms as large as dinner plates:

Lots of blooms on Lord Baltimore this morning!

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It’s the little things.

Did you know? Lord Baltimore hibiscus are a very hardy hybrid that’s quite easy to grow in hot climates. They get frostbitten in our garden in Southeast Texas each winter, but always return the spring after being cut back close to the ground. These low-maintenance beauties get revved up as it heats up, and are super-showy by July when other bloomers are starting to get a little wilty and tired. Go, Lord Baltimore!

© 2018, Glover Gardens

 

The Yard Misses You! (says the Grill-Meister)

~ Kim of Glover Gardens ~ 1 Comment

When I travel, the Grill-Meister keeps me posted on happenings at home. I love it when he sends flower photos – they make me feel so connected to Glover Gardens. This week was no exception.  I was in Washington, where it was cold and rainy all week (although I was almost never outside because I was attending a conference), and these pics with the Grill-Meister’s cheery messages provided all the sunshine I needed.

“Frank-biscus is showing off!” (The hibiscus below is named after my Dad; see Death is Life-Affirming: Hibiscus Haiku).

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“….So is Mahogany Splendor aka Hollywood Video….” (The Grill-Meister gives nicknames to many things, and calls this unusual hibiscus with the red foliage and velvety maroon flowers Hollywood Video.)

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“And Yuletide Camellia sez ‘Don’t Forget About Me!'” (This winter beauty is blooming early this year.)

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I love how the Grill-Meister’s shadow is in the photo above, and how he keeps me grounded in the flora of Glover Gardens when I’m away.

Copyright 2017, Glover Gardens Cookbook

 

“Frank-biscus” Blooms! Just in Time for Harvey

~ Kim of Glover Gardens ~ Leave a comment

A couple of days ago, I shared a lovely hibiscus haiku written by my cousin’s wife in the wake of my Dad’s death, which accompanied a hibiscus. We named it “Frank-biscus” to honor him.

We have an abundance of hibiscus at Glover Gardens, and I used some of them in the post instead of highlighting Frank-biscus, which hadn’t yet bloomed after being re-potted.

A red Texas Star Hibiscus
Hawaiian Hibiscus (I think)
A white Texas Star Hibiscus

Yesterday, as Hurricane Harvey was sending advance rainstorms to herald his impending arrival, Frank-biscus opened up a beautiful, bright pink blossom!

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To me, this was a reminder from God – during all of the fearsome ravaging brought by the hurricane – that nature is also beauty.

Here’s the haiku again, now properly paired with Frank-biscus.

your much-beloved dad
like this hibiscus flower
blossomed love and life

Copyright 2017, Glover Gardens Cookbook

Digital Postcard: Glover Gardens Hibiscus

~ Kim of Glover Gardens ~ 3 Comments

I love hibiscus! And hibiscus seem to love Glover Gardens. Here are a few of my favorite Glover Gardens hibiscus pics, a late-summer garden digital postcard.

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I love the bright yellow

 

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A white Texas Star Hibiscus

 

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A red Texas Star Hibiscus

 

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Mahogany Splendor Hibiscus; it’s relatively rare and hard to find

 

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Another Mahogany Splendor

 

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Hawaiian Hibiscus (I think)

 

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A beautiful pink double-bloomer

 

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Tall and leggy Lord Baltimores; that’s Godfrey on the left

 

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A Lord Baltimore, close up

 

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Lord Baltimore Hibiscus, blooms as big as dinner plates

 

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I don’t know the name of this beauty

 

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The red bud to the left is the newest hibiscus, with an interesting shaped-bloom (pics to come)

 

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See the bee?
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Another white Texas Star, which bloomed for the first time on Dad’s death day

 

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A rose peeking through the hibiscus bush

 

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A double bloom, in the midst of opening

 

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Copyright 2017, Glover Gardens Cookbook (feel free to share with attribution and links)

The Don Juan Rose

~ Kim of Glover Gardens ~ Leave a comment

Happy Sunday from Glover Gardens! This brilliant red rose is too pretty not to share, standing out amidst its neighbors of purple heart and plumbago. The name of the rose variety is Don Juan, and I guess it does look a little seductive. I can’t decide whether to cut it and enjoy its beauty and fragrance inside the house, or to leave it where it is as a star in the landscape.

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Copyright 2017, Glover Gardens Cookbook

April in Paris: Happy Wednesday Photo

~ Kim of Glover Gardens ~ Leave a comment

I had some spare time over an April weekend in Paris and visited the Jacquemart-Andre Museum.

Sheer loveliness.

I haven’t had time to collect my thoughts and photos yet, but here’s a look at the floral arrangement in the drawing room.  Happy Wednesday!
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Stay tuned – more to come!