Wednesday, April 21, 2010

The Multi-Hued Greens of Spring

This month's Gardening Gone Wild 'Picture This' photo contest theme is Green World.  Ahh--green! Spring is green. Green is spring. I can barely blink and see colors other than green! This was a difficult one for me, I have to admit.

First, let's look at some greens from last year's garden. A couple of them, admittedly, are summer bloomers--but I liked them so included them 'just because'. A clematis seed head makes for an interesting shot:


The green center of this petunia draws the eye in, don't you think?


Perhaps the center of this dianthus spells green to you? Or is it the ant that holds more of your attention?


The round, leaf-enclosed buds of peonies are a riot of green...


...but does the red edging takes the focus too much away from the green?

I really wanted to choose this shot of a fully-packed lily bud before it explodes...


...but it's from last year as well, and since these lilies aren't blooming just yet I wasn't sure it would be appropriate to enter it.

After looking through some more 'recent' photos, I wasn't able to find any that filled the bill for me.  I went out earlier this evening (about 7:30 pm) to snap a few--but found that the battery in my 'good' camera (the SLR) was dead. So I used the point-and-shoot instead. It was getting a bit dark but I didn't use a flash for any of these. It had been a dreary rainy day today so the foliage was covered with water droplets.

The light green of the fresh, new leaves of the crepe myrtles really shines:


This is the first year I've ever planted Euphorbia in my garden (this is 'Blackbird') and I have enjoyed it's interesting foliage and flowers--with just the flowers shown here:


Artemisia schmidtiana 'Silver Mound' is new this year in my garden, as well. I've heard some people say it looks gangly and scruffy when wet, but I think the water droplets add further interest to this low-growing, non-invasive perennial:


Hostas are popping up all over the gardens. Some varieties are still in the process of opening up, such as this water-drop-speckled one which I planted just last year (the variety, I think, is Frances Williams):


...just a little closer view shows the two-toned blue/green of the leaves, especially at the very bottom of the photo:


Anyway...I finally made a decision to use the photo of the lily bud, above. I don't believe there is a rule that says the photo has to have just been taken, and after some consideration, decided it was the one, in my mind, that expressed the 'concept' of the assignment best.


Just as there are too many subjects in green to choose just one, there are also a multitude of excellent garden-blogging photographers out there. I always find it hard to pick a favorite. Check out the April photo entries at Gardening Gone Wild and see if YOU can choose a winning shot.

Today I am thankful for the multi-hued greens of spring!



Words and photos ©Thanks For Today, by Jan Huston Doble

38 comments:

  1. I just love the Clematis seed head. Reminds me of one of my bad hair days! :P

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  2. What beautiful photos you had to choose from. I do love the Clematis seedhead, but can see why you chose the lily bud. It is beautiful.

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  3. All of these photos are winners Jan. I've hesitated about using older photos too, getting a little more comfortable doing so. Good Luck!

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  4. Such beautiful photos, Jan! I'm just green with envy . And very happy for you ;)
    I love that shot odf the clematis seed head ... so unusual (for me, at least)

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  5. Jan,
    That Euphorbia is much different than most I have seen. We planted a common Euphorbia last year in the neglected garden it has not done much yet. Looking forward to peonies blooming ours are about to open also.

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  6. Lovely...all wonderfully beautiful!
    Kiki~

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  7. I like the clematis shot at the beginning! Very neat. 'Silver Mound' can get straggly when heavy amounts of rain come. It causes the branches to fall open revealing a vacant center. I still like it though. A periodic trim back would probably help it.

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  8. They are all pretty pictures Jan but the clematis caught my eye!

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  9. I think the clematis seed head is my very favorite. I like the poppy bud outlined in red too.
    Marnie

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  10. Oh, Jan, I love the way you see the world! Wonderful perspectives on the color green!

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  11. How can you pick just one when they are all so pretty in Green?

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  12. That is certainly a winning shot, Jan! All your greens are lovely.

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  13. Jan, Good choice, but can see how difficult it was to choose. Your macro shots are stunning as usual. Pam

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  14. Hi Jan. Girl those are some wonderful pictures. I love the clematis center. I would have never guess that. LOL! They all look so fascinating in macro. Good luck with the contest.

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  15. Wonderful pics. I especially love the hosta pics. jim

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  16. With all of these beautiful different hued green, it would be very difficult for me to just choose one. That lily bud is gorgeous! I also love the clematis seed head one. And, I always love the plants with water drops on it, so fresh and pretty!

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  17. Lovely pics Jan, and I think you made the right choice. But the whole time I was reading your post I was thinking "Don't choose the water speckledled hosta!" because that's what mine is going to be! LOL

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  18. Wonderful photos! I never tire of looking at the many shades of green. I especially like your hosta shots. I have Frances Williams; it is one of my favorites.

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  19. beautiful photos! I love the euphorbia. I'm a sucker for euphorbia.

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  20. Those are lots of lovely photos to choose from Jan and the lily just waiting to burst into bloom is wonderful. I really liked the Hosta just starting to uncurl too!

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  21. Jan - I can see why it was so hard to pick just one photo for the contest. I just love the hosta leaves unfurling (the subject of my last post).

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  22. I see your dilemma... they are all so beautiful! I love the first hosta shot! I also love your new layout and seeing your picture!

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  23. Hi Jan - you have some beautiful pictures here and I'm sure it was so hard to choose. The lily one does it for me too - and in the closeup you have alittle critter just perched up on the top of it. All the best in the competition.

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  24. I like the clematis best. Your photos in the previous post are also nice. Good luck with the contest.

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  25. I would have a hard time choosing a favorite from your photos, Jan, let alone all the other entries! Good thing I'm not a judge:) I am partial to the clematis, though. There is something about the swirly seed head that is so different from any other plant. Good luck in the contest!

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  26. Jan -

    I have a whole new appreciation for green! The clematis seed head photo was simpley spectacular, and I covet your crepe myrtle! Silver mound is on the 2010 wishlist...

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  27. I love all of your greens (I think I concur with Les - the clematis might be my favorite). Today - I am hoping that we will get a decent rain here in South Carolina, one that lasts long enough to wash the pollen off of all of the green! Best of luck with the contest!

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  28. hello jan,

    i was very happy about this months choice for a topic. i am so happy to have green back after such a long dreary winter. once you start looking there is an abundance of green things to choose. i am partial to peonies and love that shot. the clematis seed head is stunning. your choice for entering the lily bud was a great one too. i absolutely love every stage of the a flower. i wish you the best in the contest...so glad i am not the judge.
    happy april.

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  29. Great shots !!
    You look like a pro. Gotta love nature.
    ps my hubby had to do the same with a leyland cypress being tied to the fence plus one other small tree,it's helping to straighten the fence that almost fell down.

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  30. Jan, this is gorgeous, especially the clematis seed head! I've given you the Sunshine Award over at my blog, in recognition of the creative and positive work you do here. :)

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  31. Hi Jan, You've been having a great time outdoors! Great close-ups. :-)

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  32. Beautiful photos Jan ~ especially the clematis seedhead. Love that one!

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  33. Ooh nice shots Jan. I love the Clemmie seed heads, always interesting huh? :)

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  34. Beautiful post Jan!! I'm so glad your blog opened for me today. So many shades of green, the clematis seed head is especially lovely. I really like Silver Mound, I hope to add some, I don't think they look scruffy at all! :)

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  35. My favorites are the Clematis seed head and the peony bud. If I were you I'd frame them and put them on a wall! They are beautiful.

    You asked about the azaleas -- the ones that I featured in the Bloom Day post are native. I have some Encore Autumn Amethysts and a passalong double pink but I think the natives are my favorite. I have R. austrinum (Florida Azalea), Piedmont Azalea, and Coast Azalea (R. atlanticum) -- R. viscosum grows wild here. I just got an Alabama azalea to replace one I'd lost. All of the above azaleas have outstanding fragrances with the Alabama having a lemon edge.

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  36. Great composition and the saturation of colors really packs a punch! I have to agree with Curbstone Valley- that clematis seedhead is pretty spectacular, too.

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  37. All the photos are great but the close ups are really amazing!

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Thanks so much for visiting and taking the time to comment! Please enjoy your TODAY and all of the gifts in YOUR garden of life!

Jan

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