Amherstia Nobilis

Walking through a friend's garden (an extensive botanical garden is more appropriate), I spotted this amazing tree that just took my breath away. The last time I saw these gorgeous blooms of the Amherstia Nobilis or Pride of Burma was in Chang Mai, Thailand visiting the hundreds of temples in that beautiful city. It made sense seeing this growing here, since this ornamental tree originates in Burma.

Among the amazing ruin, I first spotted this mature tree about thirty feet high and bursting with amazing hot coral inflorescence or stalks of huge orchidlike flowers, It was quite showy and I took alot of photos of the flowers instead of the temple that I was visiting.

Confused by many to be part of the bauhina or orchid tree genus, Amerhstia Nobilis is its own unique genus and is part of the legume family.

While visiting my friend's garden in the late afternoon, I noticed the tree right away because of its intense coral and orchid shaped flowers. The afternoon light was capturing the beautiful coral/chrimson color cascading down long stalks to reveal their showy colors and large petals highlighted with yellow and hot pink borders.

 

 

I would love to find one of these rare trees for my garden, I did spot a five gallon size speciman at a specialty shop selling for $150 and bulked at the price - and it was the only one available. Hmm, I wonder if I can propogate these from cuttings - more research is in the immediate planning if I want to take one of these prized possessions home with me some day. But for now, I can just enjoy them on this gorgeous property.

 

 

©Noel Morata, All rights reserved

 

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A Walk Through Golden Gate park in January

It was a chilly morning in San Francisco for early January, but the day was clear and dry outside, so it was a perfect day to spend roaming around Golden Gate park.




Being cooped up the past few days of wet weather really brought out the explorer in me, I hiked all over the park, enjoyed new discoveries and old favorite spots worth re-visiting in the park.






Surprisingly, there were quite a few blooms still going on in the midst of winter (well at least a cold for me). I could always count on a beautiful display and visit to the Conservatory of Flowers in the park. A whole section of the entry walk way to the conservatory was filled with colorful spring-like icelandic poppies and blue pansies
. 












These guys will lift up any spirits during the cold doldrums of winter.










A new installation inside is in progress so its closed for visits - no worries, there's still alot of things outside to see. At the dahlia dell to the left side of the conservatory, the last few scrappy survivors were struggling to put on their last show during the new year – I'm amazed to see these few blooms in January!


















Still gorgeous to see with its last ‘hurrah’ of winter….








Around the dahlia dell is a succulent and cactus garden that it is coming out with full blooms from the various varieties of aloes and yuccas.  Their winter blooms dazzle like sculpture, and project spiked blooms all over the garden and up into the blue skies.









I love how the sun is highlighting these flower spikes below.

























The yuccas are also giving a great show with huge spikes of yellow-drop florets.  Its so beautiful seeing them at this time of the year when mostly everything else is quiet in the park.







Close-by to the dell is a shady area filled with these beautiful calla lillies, so perfect and with huge white blooms. Their bright yellow spadix attracting a slew of hungry bees flying everywhere – it was so nice to see them here, active and plentiful.












A busy bee inside the calla working its magic.





I can always count on my visits to the Conservatory of Flowers in the midst of wintertime in the park. It’s a nice bright spot to visit.






Here’s a nice last shot with a detail of the glass pavilion and insignia of Golden Gate park below
.




 

La Majorelle

I’m revisiting this beautiful garden again with photos I’m finally completing from my archives, why did I forget about this beautiful garden?  Oh well, I’m glad to rediscover this treasure of Le Jardin Majorelle and the home of Yves Saint Laurent in Marrakesh.







The front entrance has these pink stucco walls with interesting layered and carved motifs fronting a simple fountain. The reflecting pool is lined with beautiful blue, purple and green mosaic tiles and a marble fountain base. It felt very welcoming and intrigued visitors to come into the bamboo grove  with colorful pots in primary colors.







The tall culms of bamboo with colorful pots draw you further into this oasis, I’m shocked to see a whole grove of bamboo in this more typical mediterranean and desert environment.








The collection of cactus and succulents is impressive with large and mature specimens offering large sculptural vignettes.  Here visitors have placed their marks on some cactus away from the usually pestering guards wandering around.







Tall palms and desert cactus give a more realistic appeal to the exotic Moroccan topography.









The signature blue color predominant all over the gardens and villa and gives
Le Jardin Majorelle  instant recognition with its famous blue color.






Totally loving the huge yellow pots with the all blue fountain adding to the exotic
allure of this amazing place.







An enticing courtyard with sitting areas invites you to lounge and admire the views.







More natural sculpture found in the garden.
















Here, the signature Majorelle blue predominates this walled garden and is filled with the
heavenly scent of brugmansia or angles trumpet.












A large water lily garden creates layered vistas through the entire garden and all the amazing palm collections growing in the gardens. Its easy to sit on the many benches and contemplate the scenery unfolding before you.









YSL loved his dogs and created many montages that became posters and Christmas cards,
here’s one of my favorites of his dog Moujik.







I’m wearing blue as a tribute this this amazing place, even though its not Majorelle blue.










One of my favorite vistas with a hint of blue from the villa with striking yellow curtains.






Lots of blooms happening with various cactus, here I’ve capture gorgeous blooms from this magnificent specimen.





So glad to discover these photos again and relive my visit to this alluring garden, hope you also enjoyed the tour of Le Jardin Majorelle.

An Estate in Papaikou

On a visit to a gorgeous estate in Papaiko with the Hawaii Island Palm Society. We are walking through an old Hawaiian estate with an extensive palm collection along with other beautiful flora.


The main gate is impressive with large bronze bamboo like stems curving in many directions and sweeping around large lava rock pillars which secure an entry gate for walking through.







After passing through the gate, we are facing a beautiful moss covered lava rock wall graced by this Ganesh with interesting purple leaved elder.







The main driveway is quite grand and dotted with beautiful statuary, pots and mature palms along with these stands of variegated miniature ficus trees.






Tall palms line the driveway accented with red ti and mondo grass.









I love seeing this vignette with the moss covered lava rocks and mondo grass next
to this variegated ficus.






A bigger view of the expansive driveway.






Large chinese pots are used for a water garden filled with water lillies and bromeliads
surrounding the pot below.








Towards the end of the driveway from the house, two huge urns grace another rock wall with tree ferns adding tall lacy details from their fronds.










Facing the main home is this balinese inspired entry to the interior garden with orchids
attached to the intricate stonework.









A beautiful sitting area for meditation or conversation, it was a perfect spot for the group
to picnic with the food served in the large pavilion next door.






A cycad detail with its huge cone prominent and projecting a sharp, textured pineapple like top.
 





A beautiful and deadly detailed shot of an unusual palm.







There are orchids growing everywhere along the various palms on the property, they
are pretty effortless growing in these environments.
















The interior garden with covered pergolas leading to the main house.







I’m fond of these obake type anthuriums, there’s a whole collection growing along the interior garden facing the main home. Each flower is large, at over a foot and a half in length.






Walking through this densely planted area of palms, we happen onto this rare palm Johannesteijsmannia Altifrons from Borneo. You can see from the scale, the leaves are huge!






I spot a small stand of birds of paradise, I’m always fond of taking pictures of the colors
and shapes from these beautiful flowers.






A stairway leading down to the lower gardens with Licuala Grandis providing shade along the pathways.







We finally make it to the large grassy area in the lower garden, filled with fruit trees like abiu, mountain apples, mangosteen and lychee.







A detail shot of pods developing on this palm, I love all the texture on the pods.

 

This place is a truly magical botanical garden  filled with amazing plants. I’m glad I had a chance to visit with the palm society and take some wonderful photos.


Thanks for taking the tour with me, to visit other gardens for bloom day today go to http://www.maydreamsgardens.com