San Francisco’s recent summer orchid show featured plenty of incredible sights. These photos highlight some amazing flowers on the strange fringes of the orchid family. They also demonstrate that no other flowering plant family can hold a candle to the astounding diversity of orchids. If we didn’t know better, would anybody guess that these organisms […]
Last weekend’s Orchids in the Park was another success. San Francisco’s summer orchid show featured great display tables, vendors, talks by experts, and more. This first set of photos just hints at the show’s riches. I’ve been growing and studying orchids for over two decades, and I can still reliably find fascinating colors, shapes, and […]
Don’t miss Orchids in the Park this weekend! The SF Orchid Society’s summer show and sale is happening Saturday & Sunday, July 21 – 22, at the Hall of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. These photos are a small sample of the incredible sights from last year’s event (see more from last year here and here.) […]
Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek, California is packed with incredible cacti and succulents. As my mother-in-law said, “This garden just screams OUCH!” Spines, thorns, and barbs abound, along with stunning flowers, brilliant leaf colors, and striking plant forms. The 2.5 acre (1 hectare) public garden features thousands of drought tolerant plants, from tiny succulents […]
In this turbulent world, it can be easy to forget that there is beauty everywhere. Yes, it’s a cliché, but it remains true. And if you can’t find beauty in your immediate vicinity, then you can certainly find it in these orchid photos. Let nature’s restorative powers work their magic. Happy solstice.
Which ones are Butterfly Orchids? Well, they all are. These very different plants have each been dubbed Butterfly Orchids, and that can be confusing. Common names vary, and that’s why scientific names are so important. With scientific names, everyone in the world can know they’re talking about the same plant. Common names are great for […]
When Dave and I moved to Pacifica a few years ago, our new home had a very sad front lawn, dead but for the weeds. Over time, we’ve put in a garden full of succulent plants and drought-tolerant natives. This spring, it’s full of life, with lots of colorful blooms, and a steady parade of […]
Mother’s Day orchids are even better when you know that most are easy to care for. With a few orchid basics, you can enjoy their flowers for weeks, or even months. Watering – Remove wrapping paper or decorative containers, at least temporarily, if they block the pot’s drainage holes. Drench the plant with room-temperature water, […]
When it comes to spring blooms in our garden, the Masdevallias really stand out. There are still some Cymbidiums flowering, and the Epidendrums never stop, but these brilliant colors steal the show. The orange flowers belong to a hybrid, Masdevallia ignea x falcata. Some of the blooms are battered by the elements, but they last for […]
Green flowers are always a little surprising. They blend in with the leaves, but then there’s a glimpse of color, or a distinctive flower shape, and a blossom emerges into view. Of course, the vast, diverse orchid family has plenty of green flowers. This post shows just a few. Bright green, light green, yellowish green […]
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