Fall Purple Deadnettle

Talking of purple, which we were yesterday (only yesterday’s was really faded, on the way out), today’s plant is really very dark purple, even at this late stage in its life. It is growing low down in the undergrowth behind my blackberry bushes, almost hidden. Even if it doesn’t fit the classic picture of a beauty, or even a flower, its curiosity value more than makes up for it. This seems to be the seed pods of that lovely tiny flower I featured in the post I shared in the summer. You can see that one here -“Purple Dead-nettle“. A close inspection showed me these wonderfully textured bristly little heads above those richly coloured fall leaves below. The post linked above gives more details about the possible medicinal use and potential risks of it, so I won’t repeat that information here. Enjoy today’s spiky offering, which I hope you get to examine up close in the full screen view. And have a lovely day, everyone! View all posts on the Home page.  A Flower a Day #404 

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Fall Purple Coneflower

Time is going so quickly, the fall is really gaining momentum here. When I tried to ID this flower, the app pointed me to the Purple Coneflower, which made me think it was wrong. But of course the flower of that name that I posted here from the summer was in the bloom of youth. This is the fall, or autumn view, I assume, looking faded but still beautiful. It is not as faded as the ‘Fruition’ which you saw here 2 weeks ago (and can see in the gallery). This is a kind of intermediate stage in the natural progression. Each phase has its own beauty. There is a special elegance in the aging of flowers, without the attendant sadness when people and animals get older. If we aged with the same grace as these I wouldn’t mind. But I would happily let the plants go through these lovely changes knowing they will return with fresh vigour in the spring, and I would retain all of the promise of youth, myself. That is, of course, not possible at the moment. Keeping the post upbeat, let us appreciate all of the qualities that aging brings, including wisdom, experience, tolerance and compassion from a life well lived. And let us not worry too much about our own fading and wrinkling petals and weakening stems. I hope you see some fall beauty around you today, or, if you live in the Southern Hemisphere, enjoy the glories of spring! View all posts on the Home page.  A Flower a Day #403 

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Mexican Zinnia

I do seem to be on a bit of a Zinnia roll these days and so I might as well continue it while I can, as long as no one minds. This richly coloured one also seems to be like a party-goer or a Flamenco dancer, another Maria from Westside Story, with her skirts flaring as she twirls around, exposing the creamy white petticoats under her bright red skirts. She is in better shape than the last one, as if just freshly arrived at the dance. I hope the energy this flower throws off, like some terrestrial firecracker, gives you a boost to start your day, my friends! View all posts on the Home page.  A Flower a Day #402 

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Candystripe

This is another zinnia, a flower that I am really getting to love, with its wonderful variety of colours and patterns. There is something endearing about the simplicity of the petals that contain what appears to be an odd assortment of central parts. They almost seem to clash and yet they work so well when you see them together. If I were to go out dressed in a pink candy striped dress like this, with burgundy, cream and gold accents, I would be the talk of the village (and probably not in a good way). Yet this beautiful flower carries off the combinations with distinction and grace. A perfect Pink Flower Day offering, especially for my friends who look forward to them. Have a lovely, colourful day, friends, and don’t worry about what anyone says about how you look. View all posts on the Home page.  A Flower a Day #401 

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