Sunday, August 28, 2011

Magnificent Monday: Flower Power!

As beautiful as it looks, this is not a flower. This is the growing stem of Aeonium SchwarzKopf  which will eventually produce a large spike with hundreds of flowers.
Welcome to  Magnificent Monday and let's have a great week with Flower Power! 
A busy bumble bee on Aeonium blossom..
 Note the poleen sacs on rear legs.

Travellers, bloggers and photographers, let's see how our wee flower festival takes off. Post a link in the Mr Linky tool at the end of this article to your pics and stories on flowers: a single bloom or a field full of sunflowers; tulips from Amsterdam or a flower bedecked balcony in Ecuador; a tiny desert flower or a lush tropical paradise. Let's read what you can link in with!

During our winter months Aeonium are flowering in our garden, showing off symmetrical precisely arranged fleshy leaves, eventually growing into tall flower spikes, each with hundreds of small yellow flowers. In the short sunshine hours the bees are busy collecting nectar and pollen; one of the few flowering plants this month. Such a pleasure to see honey bees around as numbers have fallen since the Varoa mite established in New Zealand bee colonies a decade ago.

Aeonium are sub-tropical succulent plants of the Crassulaceae family. Native to the Canary Islands and some parts of Northern Africa, their colours and intricately precise geometry of leaf form make them very popular as houseplants, and for the natural or landscaped garden.
                                   

Aeonium Schwarzkopf flower heads.



Aeonium Schwarzkopf
planted with a Money Plant
Crassula ovata





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18 comments:

fantasy in practicality said...

Aeonium Schwarzkopf has really got a magnificent flower power.

i have never seen a growing stem resembling such a beauty as that of a flower. the tiny yellow flowers of the aeonium look like a crowning glory.

Aeonium Schwarzkopf
planted with a Money Plant
Crassula ovata perfectly balance each other.







Cathy Sweeney said...

Love the Aeonium Schwarzkopf! Beautiful pics, Jim. Flower power indeed!

sulekkha said...

Jim, The flowers look so vibrant and warm. Love the Aeonium Schwarzkopf flower heads.Great post...

Bec Owen said...

This is a truly spectacular plant! I love the contrast between the stem and the flowers...gorgeous color!

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Beautiful photos! Interesting plant for sure. It's similar to one I grow but mine is not as dramatic as yours. These must be gorgeous when in full bloom.

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

P.S. I Stumbled you :D

JIM said...

This is what is great about seeing all these blogs. I have never seen a plant like this great looking flowers. Must be beautiful to see in person


http://jpweddingphotograpy.blogspot.com/2011/08/photographing-flower-power-for.html

photos by jan said...

Am I really messed up or isn't today Monday? Beautiful plant. I love the last photo. The bright vibrant yellow of the the blossoms would be a wonderfl sight in the dead of winter.

Tameka said...

I love all of the photos, but the last one is my favorite! I can see it in my new dream home! I have to get the dream home first though, but I can see it! ;-)

http://lyricfire.typepad.com/lyric-fire/2011/08/lyric-fire-look-at-my-fabulous-life-episode-3-home-alone-with-vanessa-stone.html

Stephanie - The Travel Chica said...

I know absolutely nothing about flowers, but I like the colorful ones like these.

Nancie said...

Wonderful shots Jim. I'm a little late with mine, but I do hope you like it.

Thanks for hosting Magnificent Monday...great idea.

Nancie

Christy @ Ordinary Traveler said...

What a great series idea! I can't wait for next week's Magnificent Monday!

Caanan @ No Vacation Required said...

Love succulents!

BlogNostics said...

Jim,

You never cease to amaze me. You have such and eye for natural beauty...

xoxox

jessica

BlogNostics

Jim said...

Yes Sancheeta, they are a beautiful plant and can exist in very dry conditions but the flower burst is spectacular!

Hi Cathy, your rain drop spattered rose is pretty good too !

Mary Hudak-Collins livingthescripture.com said...

I'm always searching for the 'unusual' in life but I see you have definitely won, hands down :), on finding it! This is one of the most unique and fascinating flower photos I have ever seen. Great work Jim!

Don Faust said...

Amazing. I'm guessing that is some sort of cactus. The first photo is great - I love how the petal edges catch a think line of back light.

Melissa Tandoc said...

I know I've seen these in N. Africa. Oh how lovely to bring those memories back in. I could still see these flowers on my mind.

I missed this MM... anyhow... I liked the idea of Flower power...it is indeed :)