Round-up for H

H

December........the month of holidays, hollyhocks, hibernation, warm homes and hearths. Winter is at its peak in the Northern Hemisphere and except for a few flowers like the Pansies and Flowering Apricots, color and hues are limited to the blues of snow and browns of barks. In the Southern Hemisphere, flowering plants continue to receive the warmth of the Sun.

At Flower Fest, we would like to brighten your winter days with some gorgeous blooms.



Mythreyee has an acrylic composition of the much-loved hibiscus which is a native of the tropical and subtropical zones of the world. Hibiscus is the national flower of South Korea and Malaysia and also the state flower of Hawaii. In addition to their beauty and warmth, they are used in the prevention of high blood pressure.


Vin also chose Hibiscus and shares his creativity with a digital painting. Hibiscus is one of those common yet vibrant flowers that adorns gardens and yards in many homes. Vin enjoyed growing these lovely flowers and using them for worship. Hibiscus blooms in red, pink, white and peach and several combinations of these colors.


Hibiscus is a strong favorite! Shilpa sent in this gorgeous picture of a hibiscus, saying:
"Hibiscus really needs no introduction. Mythreyee and Vin have already given us the needed information with their lovely paintings. They are so widespread and common that sometimes I take their beauty for granted. Humming birds, bees and butterflies love hibiscus too. I wish I had a big, beautiful garden so that I can plant a few varieties of these plants and enjoy nature’s best all the time.

I took this picture in Boston in summer."


Priya shares a watercolor wash of Hardhack which is a shrub that grows in the United States and Canada. Hardhack is a summer flower that grows in sunny and moist places. Hardhack is a cluster of tiny pink or rose flowers. These clusters are long and narrow. And grow along swamps and lake or stream banks.


Sree presents an oil painting of Heliconia which are tropical plants commonly found in America and Pacific Ocean islands as well as Indonesia. The flowers almost look like bananas and there are about 100- 200 species. They are also called Wild Plantian / Lobster Claw and False Bird of Paradise. Feathered friends such as the Hummingbird feast on these wild beauties. Heliconias belong to the family Heliconiacae and are grown as landscape plants and for florists trade.

Manisha has two entries for H.

Hyacinthus orientalis, or the common hyacinth, has fragrant clusters of flower on a tall spike. They grow from bulbs and are typically planted in fall for blooms in spring. Manisha grew these beauties in her garden.


Helianthus annuus, or the common sunflower, really needs no introduction. Manisha grew the Autumn Beauty in her garden.

If you have any entries for "H", please send them to flowerfestival@gmail.com and we will be glad to add them to our show. As we move on to 2007, we will begin with the letter "I", deadline date for which would be Jan 10, 2007.

Flower Fest, Flower Fest Round Up, Round Up H

Here's H

H is here and will be here till December 27. That will be our last round-up for the year 2006!!

Please send in all your entries to flowerfestival[at]gmail[dot]com. The round-up will be posted shortly thereafter.

The guidelines for the letter H.

Round-up of "G"

G

We have folks pitching in with a whole garden of gorgeous flowers for "G" - from the commonly seen and popularly grown to the exotic and wild. In addition to our regular participants, we have Mandira and Mythreyee joining in.


Gini shows us a very unusual flower with a very interesting name - Gooseneck Loosestrife. Once you bring them into your garden, beware - you will not be able to get them out, cause their roots take hold deep down into the soil. But who would want to get rid of these lovely clusters, anyway!

Mandira presents Gazania which is a member of the Daisy family. Gazania looks like a cousin of the royal Sunflower too. It is a native of South Africa and has a pretty interesting tale behind its name.

Mythreyee brings us a One-stroke painting of Geranium which is often confused with Pelargonium's. These pretty flowers in attractive colors and leaves seem to be very popular in the United States and Europe.

Anita returns to the Flower Festival with a wild flower called Geum that is a resident of the breath-takingly beautiful Valley of Flowers in Garhwal, India.


Manisha stumbled into a trail of Gillardias on a visit to a working 1880's ranch in Boulder, Colorado. Gillardias are summer flowers that carpet long trails with their hues of flames.


Sree presents an oil painting of Gardenia which is an ever-green shrub that is a native of South and South East Asian countries. Gardenia's fragrance draws many a garden-lover to plant them.


G stands for get together again. Because like Anita, Vin is also back. This time with a fabulous digital entry for Gladiolus.

Mala has a gorgeous bunch of yellow gladioli. They are also called Sword Lilies even though they are not members of the lily family.


ShilpaH has sent in Glaucous Cassia
Botanical name: Senna surattensis, cassia surattensis.
Family: Fabaceae

She says:
"This tree caught my eye while enjoying a leisurely stroll in Charleston, SC. The end of every single branch was adorned with the bright yellow flowers. For sometime I was transported to Bangalore; it is very popular in the city’s gardens and roadsides.
Also called scrambled egg tree, it is very easy to grow. It usually grows four to eight feet tall. The bright flowers and the dark green leaves make a striking combination and attract butterflies."


And lastly, Priya's entry for G is a watercolor wash of Geranium which bursts out in glorious colors and scented leaves too. The popularity of Geraniums drew a group of Geranium lovers into forming an International Society.

Thanks folks for participating in the largest turnout for the Flower-Fest thus far! The G round-up is simply superb.

Flower Fest , Flower Fest Round Up , Round Up G

Get Going G

We are on to the letter G, the seventh round of the Flower Fest! Get your cameras and your paints and brushes rolling to churn out some nice entries by the 13th of December!

Please send in all your entries to flowerfestival[at]gmail[dot]com. The round-up will be posted shortly thereafter.

The guidelines for the letter G.