The flower of the Plectranthus xerophilus is described as mauve in my lovely coffee table book, The Southern African Plectranthus and the art of turning shade to glade by Ernst van Jaarsveld. However, viewed in my garden, I think it appears blue. So here we are on a Blue Monday! It is a homegrown plant, one of a genus of 53 (so far...new discoveries are taking place, thanks to the endeavours of Ernst van Jaarsveld), indigeneous to South Africa. My beloved country has an amazing flora and fauna diversity. Excuse me for bragging, but the floral diversity is 23 000 species and its historic contirubtion to world ornamental horticulture is enormous. Did you know the pelargonium cultivars (geraniums) and the hardy little hen and chicken hail from here? Others are proteas, aloes, mesembrianthunums, clivias, gladioli, freesias, Barberton daisies (a kind of gebera) and arum lilies.I love this little plant and have several genera in my garden. Why?
Let Ernst tell you: "These plants tolerate mishandling and can build confidence in gardeners who think they do not have green fingers".
I finished this extra easy quilt top which is blue-ish and pink on Saturday. It is for Joelle who turns six pretty soon and it matches her bedroom decor. Now I must make another for Jaelene (aged 3). These two little girls are at the stage where gifts must be given in tandem and preferably equally pretty!I had a blast last week with Skywatch Friday and found so many new intriguing blogs in farflung corners of the globe. These bloggers are quite a different mix from you, my regular blogging girl-friends! Very international and some serious photographers. But great fun and I get to communicate in Afrikaans with skywatchers from Belgium and Holland!
17 comments:
I understand the necessity of giving equal gifts to children so that they feel secure that they've been treated fairly. Beautiful blue bush and as for the quilt: tell me, how does one make an easy quilt? Thanks for sharing. Happy Blue Monday!
A wise word from a retired school teacher! Thank you, Sal!
By the way, my temporary banner (back to the dear old cottage soon) is the early morning sun shining through my own giant jaracanda!
Eleanor , I need a whole truckload of those beautiful flowers. I do not have a green thumb.
The quilt is gorgeous, you did a great job on it .
I love the flower and your quilt is absolutely beautiful! Happy Blue Monday!
Great post....I would love to be in line for one of those fabulous quilts. HaHa. I know what you mean about skywatch friday...it is fun too. Happy Blue Monday.
Eleanor, the quilt is lovely! I am very impressed! I don't think there is such a thing as an easy quilt! Your grand daughter will love it, I'm sure.
I actually own a copy of "The Painted Veil"! You are right, it is my kind of movie and yes, a tear jerker, at that. Sounds like it made your Chinese carryout even saltier. :^)
Were you able to see "Brideshead"?
Beautiful quilt you made. Just beautiful. So, why do you call it an "easy Quilt?" Is there some secret? Is the pattern easier or something? Please share!!
Blessings,
Sher
Good Morning.
So I am having a bit of a computer problem this morning...I just posted but don't see my post so here I go again.
Thank you for sharing your lovely blue flowers and giving more information on them as well. You have taken lovely pics of them.
I also love your blue quilt. It does not look so easy to me. You've done a lovely job and the recipient is going to love it I know!
Thank you for sharing blue monday and come by and see mine also.
Judi
Lovely flowers, beautiful quilt! We have three boys, and when they were younger everything had to be equal.
Afrikaans -- do you live in South Africa? I have American friends there, the Paynes and the Yoders.
Thanks for the lovely blue Monday pix. I really enjoy seeing your plants and learning about things that grow on the other side of my world!
I was somewhat aware that a lot of our plants derive from South Africa. Now your post has given me a better understanding of the great scope of different plants which come to us from your country.
Hi Eleanor. It is so nice meeting you, and I already know that I will be back for a visit.
I so enjoyed reading about the flora in your part of the world, and the example you shared is stunning. Blue tends to be a rare color in flora, and it makes it even more special.
Hello and Happy Blue Monday!!
Your flowers are beautiful and that quilt you made is gorgeous. What a special and lovely gift for a little girl to receive.
That flower looks blue to me, too. But I love your quilt! What lucky little girls you have! ~ Robyn
Lovely blue flowers and the quilt will be a lovely gift. Get busy on the next one. Smile. Nice blue post.
Hugs...Jeanne
Your doggies are adorable...especially Gal swimming. Beautiful quilt...beautiful blue.
love the quilt!
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