I love wildflowers. Whether I am in England or in Georgia, I am always looking out for them. The bluebells are in bloom at this time of year in England and I wish I could be there to see them! (I have a photo of myself on the side of my blog posing with them in May of 2010.) Never mind, there are some lovely blue flowers that have been in bloom at Arabia Mountain and Panola Mountain too. They are called spider-worts but the botanical name for them is tradescantia. I think the ones here are tradescantia virginiana. I love the way my English husband says the word "tradescantia" and that is what we call them.
There is an English connection to them since the name comes from the English naturalists, John Tradescant the Elder (1570-1638) and.John Tradescant the Younger (1608-1662). You may click on each name to learn more about these fascinating gentlemen. The few snippets I can give you about them reads like a movie poster..."Founded First Public Museum In England", "The Younger-Great Friend To John Smith, Famous Explorer!, "Gardeners for Royalty! (Charles I)".
Come on now, surely you want to click on their names to read about them now!
Normally, I don't like books of fiction but I see that Philippa Gregory has written two books about them, "Earthly Joys" about John the Elder and "Virgin Earth" about the Younger. (John the Elder collected seeds and specimens from Europe whereas his son ventured as far as Virginia in America.)
These are on my list of books that I truly want to read!
Meike, I hope you know that I thought of you when I saw these yellow flowers* amongst the tradescantia!
*I really do know what these are called but the name just does not come to mind, but I will find out and let you know!
Look, these dutch irises echo the tradescantia...and these are just beside our front steps to our home!
Blue colored flowers are my favorite.
ReplyDeleteOh. I love blue flowers too! But I also love white ones, and yellow ones and red ones...you get the idea!!
DeleteI LOVE the yellow flower that you use beside your name, it makes me smile when I see it!
Thanks for your comment!
Hi Kay G, I love them as well, but I wanted to comment on the Flowers you can't remember the Name of for Meike, Those would be called "Spider Wort", I have them all over my yard. They are very Healthy for you as well. The 3 Petals are edible and after that you can open up the small hip of the flower end and you will find a small Pea in it. Just get it out and be careful not to drop it as you wash it and then eat it. You have just take your Vitamins for the day. Now I have so many in my yard, I actually pick enough to cook and serve with dinner. It only takes about 3 to 5 min's to cook them and season to taste. I am grateful that these little beauties grow here in Florida almost year round and I have so many year after year that I am slowly getting them all transplanted into their own garden. I do the same with my Lantana and other wild herbal plants and flowers I find. My neighbors have started bringing me what they call their weeds, and I call food or a pretty Plant.
DeleteBlessings,
~Tea~
Kay, I love all the photos of your flowers. Blue and yellow look so well together.xoxo,Susie
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susie! I am sure that my husband, Richard must have taken all these photos. I am usually running ahead of him and gazing at the flowers!!
DeleteLove blue and yellow together too!
Look at the photo of the forget-me-nots at the bottom of my blog, those are from England, I have never seen any here!
Dear Kay, thank you for not only thinking of me when you saw the yellow flowers among the blue ones, but even took the picture (or had your husband take it) and posted it here for me to see!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! And you are correct! As we were coming down the mountain, I spied these yellow flowers with the blue ones and said, "You must take a photo of this for Meike!". He did so, of course! xx
DeletePretty pictures to accompany interesting information! Now i have more to read as i work around the house today, thank you, i will follow those links.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if someone would make a movie about these men.
DeleteLook out, I might become a movie director!
Arabia Mountain has been covered with these flowers, and we think it was because all the rain we have had this Spring.
We love them!
Beautiful, sweet wildflowers! And how fortunate you are to have irises right at your front step -- I love irises!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could paint them, I love ireses too!
DeleteSpiderwort! It's amazing to see a wildflower that thrives here do so well in your very different environment. I love that intense blue.
ReplyDeleteThe wildflowers on the monadnocks like Arabia Mountain, Panola Mountain and Stone Mountain are amazing to see.
DeleteBlue flowers are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAye, indeed they are!
DeleteThese are so beautiful....And did you hear that tradescantia is planted near nuclear reactor sites because the color changes if there is a leak? Apparently true....Someday when I am in London again I would love to visit the Garden Museum and see the tomb of Tradescant and many of the plants he grew.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have read that they are the best indicators to show radiation. Fascinating plants, I love them.
DeleteOh yes, I would also love to see the Garden Museum!
I find the story of the two Tradescants is one that should be known!
Now, make no mistake about it, I am a most manly man, but I LOVE wildflowers of all shapes, sizes and colors!
ReplyDeleteA most manly man who loves wildflowers is the BEST! :-)
Delete"After all, we were created for the Garden".
I just read this recently and I so agree!
those blue ones with 3 lobes are called spiderwort, i think, here. i love them, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comment!
DeleteI LOVE the photo of your bluebonnets in Texas, so lovely!
I am glad that you have spiderworts too.
Aaahhhh, blue flowers are my fave!!! And thanks for your lovely card and postcards and crocheted coaster. You are a true doll, Kay!!! They brightened my weekend for sure!!! XOXO
ReplyDeleteGlad you received it and happy that you can read my handwriting!
DeleteHonestly, I have been writing and crocheting for many years, you would think I would be better at both.
Hi Kay! I found you at Chatty Crones place! I love to pay it forward so that caught my eye! I am new following you! I am going to enjoy my visits here! Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you! I have been HOPING for another follower so you have made my day, thank you again!!
DeleteI hope you have a wonderful week too! Take care!!