My Neighbour's Gardenias

Gardenias are native to Eastern Asia. (China, Taiwan and Japan). They are attractive and low maintenance. The flowers have an exquisite perfume, the creamy white flowers get flatter as they mature. gardenias turn yellowish as they ripen and die off.

In Australia, gardenias flower at their best in the warmer months of the year, usually from November to May. I took these photos last year from my neighbours' front garden. When they are in full bloom, I will get a few and put it in my car as a freshener.

Crepe Myrtle Trees

Penjing (Chinese Bonsai)

This is a small fenced courtyard at Chinese Garden of Friendship at Darling Harbour, where these Penjing - Chinese Bonsai are displayed. You won't be able to touch or walk near these plants, so I was not able to see what are the names of these trees.

Penjing means ‘landscape in a pot’. It is a miniature landscape (jing) in a pot (pen) and is the Chinese version of Bonsai. Penjing can range from single trees to detailed scenes reminiscent of paintings. Penjing is the Chinese art of creating a miniature landscape.

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Some of the trees in this courtyard are up to 70 years old. ,

Nursery Garden Flowers

I took these flowers in Bunnings Warehouse, they stock a wide range of gardening products, pots, tools, potting mixture and a garden nursery. I could stay there for hours and looking for all sort of interesting things.

Lovely Petunias

These photos were taken by my daugther Monica, last year on our way to Penrith Westfield Shopping Centre, using a digital Canon Power Shot A 400.

Petunias are easy to grow, petunias are available in November as flowering pots from nurseries throughout Australia and are sold in punnets for about 2.50- to 3.00 each. They look good in pots and hanging basket but they are best in massed mixed display or in beds like the pictures above. It adds colour and cheer to any garden, just seeing them brings smile to my face, for me I like red, pink, lilac and white petunias the most.

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Living Colour

These pictures were taken in Summer of 2006. The City of Sydney have an innovative program called the Living Colour , it is a bright floral displays for six weeks each Spring and Summer from 16 January – 24 February to enhance popular city spaces in Circular Quay, Martin Place and George Street.

Last year (2006), the Living Colour has adopted the theme of Chinese New Year. The displays have been designed to symbolise the beginning of the New Year. Since 2006 is the year of the dog the character for dog has been reproduced in flowers.

The displays for 2006 have been designed to symbolise the beginning of the new year. The bright displays include many of the favourites including Marigolds, Celosia, Violets,Begonias and Salvias.

These pictures were taken at Marting Place and Circular Quay

Jacaranda Tree

Jacarandas, (Jacaranda Mimosifolia), come from Brazil but they grow well in Australia. They are large trees which grow to 10m tall and up to 10m wide with low branches. During October and November in Sydney, the Jacaranda trees create a spectacular display of purple through many Australian streets and avenues each spring. The flowers of this tree are regal purple. I used to drive slowly and just admire the beautiful flowers of the Jacaranda Tree. I took this picture on a late spring afternoon last year.
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Purple Daisies

This is the very first picture of flowers that I have taken using my Kodak Z700, I have taken several shots of these flowers. These daisies become my guinea pig.

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