It is easy to think that the garden has done what it is going to do this summer. We can only deadhead spent blooms and keep things watered, and continue to keep things going into autumn.
And then it does this!
Which very quickly become this:
And then they do this!
And you just can’t stop trying to capture it in a photo. Because you absolutely must capture the luscious silky petals.
They are like the smoothest, creamiest blackcurrant sorbet you ever put in your mouth.
Sometimes you peer into their depths and get vertigo.
Sometimes you are transfixed by the iridescence. You touch the the soft nap of the petals, and what it would feel like to wear a dress made out of it.
You focus on the purple of the stamens. It might occur to you how similar they are to Crocosmia.
You visit it in the morning as the first sun’s rays hit it. You enjoy the slight translucence to the petals and the shadows thrown by one petal upon another.
You appreciate its strong spine. It is a pebble rubbed smooth. There are milky tones of blue, turquoise and plum.
Just when you thought you’d taken all the photos you could, you visit at a different time of day, and the texture has changed! The light is catching it differently. Now it is like a skein of silken threads.
When you’re there, you notice how each flower is nestled under the one above.
And how this light is bringing out the darker tones, like velvet. And how elegant that curve is as the petal swoops over.
You marvel at the cupping of one petal cone inside another. And the creamy green Beautiful Bokeh behind!
You vow to just take one more photo. Just the one. No more.
But I do just wonder what it might look like with the blue sky as the background?
Have you ever had an obsession with one plant or flower in the garden? How did it end?
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🦋 Beautiful reds.
Superlative, irresistible descriptions, yes please just one more, go on and another……. they will not last forever, but in a photo they live forever
I’m glad you liked them, Pauline.
Beautiful as ever. The changing light is so valuable
It is surprising, the difference it makes.
🙂
Obsession? No, really? Love the iridescence that so many flowers have, but go unnoticed unless you get in really close. Do you have to stake your glads Ali? I suspect they wouldn’t last long in my windy patch.
No, I am really lazy with staking. They’ve got a bit of a lean on after the heavy rain today!
I havent seen any photos of Tithonia or Verbenia Rigida in your garden Ali – may I suggest you try them if you havent already (but I suspect you already know all about them).
I do have Verbena rigida, but I tend to neglect it actually – I should go and take a look! I’ve grown Tithonia once; I should grow it again. I do love the velvety texture and the iridescence of that too!
Stunning photos Ali! I’ve never grown gladioli, but my Grandfather did and they always remind me of him. He was an amazing gardener, and could, and did, grow anything and everything.
They seem quite easy for me – I planted these corms a few years ago and they come back again each year.
I love Gladiolus and have for a very long time. Unfortunately, I never have much luck growing them here. I think my heavy clay soil wrecks havoc on the bulbs (corms or tubers, whatever they might be). Your photos are gorgeous. I especially like the second one from the end with the purplish stamens!
The purplish stamens make it, don’t they?
Yes!
Take your pick…they are all beautiful.
This gladioli is something else – you’ve captured its beauty so well across its development. Yes I think you’re right one flower can be a focus. thank you for such stunning photographs. Bec
Thank you Bec. I am glad you enjoyed this.
I love watching the cycles of my white orchid. For years, it has bloomed and gone into its dormant period over and over. Fascinating. I loved your post. So lovely to be brought into the world of a flower.
I finally planted a few gladioli this year. Watching them grow and slowly unfurl one blossom at a time makes me wonder why I haven’t grown them before! Your photos are beautiful and really show off this beautiful plant!
They are incredibly easy, aren’t they? I am tempted to grow more next year.
They are! I have to confess that they came mixed into a package of bulbs so I had to plant them. 😉
Such a lovely sequence of beauty.
Its like fine silk and the color is gorgeous. You captured its show perfectly. 💗💗