WAR OF THE ROSES

These were some photos of the War of the Roses, which is now making way for tulips again.

knight in shiny armour on the driftwood horse

some red roses anyone?

how about pink ones?

the ivy tower, not ivory!

beautiful mosses

the damsels who were not in distress

HEDERA

I bought these two big-leaved Hedera (Common Name: Ivy) a month ago. The common one with smaller leaves is placed beside the big-leaved one in the photos for comparison. I will see how these plants fare.

BEAUTIFUL PLANTS

These are some of the beautiful plants, which range from weeds, ferns, trees and climbers.

The first is a weed that I have seen before but am not familiar with its name. The second is the Microsorum punctatum with amazingly artistic leaves with prominent midribs. The third is an interesting Macaranga with red inflorescences and flowers. The last two are the climbers Aristolochia with trumpet-shaped flowers and an unknown ivy-like plant with strange knobby extensions which help the plant to attach itself to the smooth surface wall.

They are all beautiful in their own way. Such is nature's art.

NB on 28 Jan 13: I found out that the unknown creeper is Parthenocissus tricuspidata (Common Name: Japanese Ivy, Grape Ivy, Boston Ivy; Family: Vitaceae) from the grape family.

EUROPE 2012

This trip was just simply amazing. I got to see lots of stuff including the following:

• Hedera helix (Common Name: Ivy)
• Campsis radicans
• Platanus orientalis var. cuneata
• Lobelia cardinalis
• Dahlia cultivars
• Astilbe
• Gingko biloba
• Echinacea purpurea
• Crocus
• Hydrangea paniculata
• Flamingoes
• Brugmansia
• Autumn leaves

Floriade 2012 at Venlo