Hezekiah Goodson Jr. Nature Photography
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ELEGANCE OF FLORA
Royalty Of The Garden
Azalea
Azaleas in spring are almost overwhelmingly beautiful ! to the eye. I can understand why they are sometimes referred to as "Royalty Of The Garden". Azaleas bloom in spring, in damp places, in the shade and mostly under trees. I couldn't decide which of the three images of these fabulous magenta colored azaleas to offer. Now you have a decision to make, but believe me, you can't go wrong with this royalty.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
The Rose Tree
Rhododendron
The name Rhododendron comes from the Greek words "rodon" which means "rose" and "dendron" which means "tree". Hence the "Rose Tree". Rhododendrons are referred to as the King of Shrubs since they are regarded by many as the best flowering evergreen plants for the temperate landscape. Although beautiful, all parts of the Rhododendrons are toxic and should not be consumed.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
The Winter Rose
Japanese Camellia
How could something so beautiful bloom during the coldest months of the year? In this case February. Maybe the Gods were thinking of flowers for sweethearts on Valentines Day. Camellias are highly valued in Japan and elsewhere for their very early flowering, and are often among the first flowers to appear in the late winter. They are native to Japan, and the state flower for Alabama. Camellias are also seen as lucky symbols for the Chinese New Year.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
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The Rainbows
Iris
Iris is a name taken from the Greek word meaning rainbow, referring to the wide variety of colors found among the numerous Iris species. The Iris flower also has been used in art and symbolism by some of the world's greatest painters. Vincent Van Gogh painted several famous pictures of the Iris flower, and James Audubon used them in his paintings "Birds Of America" series. I can't seem to decide on my individual preference because of the unrelenting beauty of these creeping rhizomes. However, the Iris Slovak Prince tops the list for the moment.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
The Hanging Lobster
False Bird Of Paradise
This beautiful flower, the Hanging Lobster, or the False Bird Of Paradise really stood out among all the other flowers. it is easy to understand why it is sometimes referred to as the "Hanging Lobster"; its' distinctive shape and somewhat orange color strikingly resembles a freshly cooked lobster claw! This downward facing tropical flower is also a source of nectar for many birds, especially the Humming Bird, because of their attraction to its brilliant color.
Spirit Of The Heart
Banana Tree
While visiting East Africa, I was surprised to see a large, smooth, purple cone hanging from a banana tree. Turns out this cone is called the "Banana Heart" which can be eaten, just like the banana. In African mythology, if you go to a banana tree and stand under the banana heart at night, during a full moon, a small object will drop from the banana heart. If you are worthy, you can use the small object to obtain special powers.
Large Brash, Bright, and Sometimes Gaudy
Canna Lily
These large bright yellow flowers remind me of hats that are traditionally worn by southern women on special Sundays of the year, e.g. Easter, Mothers Day, and Church Homecomings. However, in Thailand, Cannas are a traditional gift for Father's Day. With its large attractive foliage the Canna Lily is one of the worlds richest starch sources, grown from swollen underground stems, correctly known as rhizomes, which store starch.
Ms. Edwina's Tuna
Prickly Pear Cactus
Imagine a plant that can provide you with several foods, year round, serve as a sweetener, and ice cream flavoring, a red dye, a hair conditioner, flour, and still function as a drought tolerant burglar fence. The red fruit of the Prickly Pear Cactus can also be used to make drinks, pies, jam, jellies, and other desert items, and is sold in stores under the name "tuna". All Prickly Pear Cacti have flat, fleshy pads that look like large leaves which can [yes] be eaten. Studies have shown that pectin contained in the prickly pear pulp lowers levels of bad cholesterol while leaving good cholesterol levels unchanged.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
The Healer
Chinese Peony
Because its roots are sometimes used to reduce fever and pain or applied to wounds to stop bleeding and prevent infections; the Chinese Peony is often referred to as the "Healer". Native to Central and Eastern Asia, Eastern Tibet, and across Northern China to Eastern Siberia; the Chinese Peony is widely grown as an ornamental plant in gardens in addition to its use as a medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Spider or Hurricane Lily
The Spider Lily, sometimes called the Hurricane Lily from the Lycoris family is a fall blooming bulb [often during urricane season in the Carolinas]. Overlooked in many landscaapes, after it flowers, the foliage may stay green through the winter and into late spring.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
What's The Story Morning Glory
Morning Glory?
Morning Glory flowers curl up and close during the warm parts of the day, and are in full bloom in the morning, thus their name "Morning Glory". In early September this beautiful vine covered a corner of the fencing in my organic garden.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Magical Blue
Salvia
This mysterious plant is rumored to have magical healing properties and is considered to be tremendously helpful to spiritual growth. Salvia is an evergreen perennial native to the high desert of the Sierra Madre Oriental Mountain Range in Mexico. It is one of the showiest plants for containers, annual borders, and mixed borders. Butterflies and hummingbirds also love them.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Flowers, Flowers, And Butterflies
Lantana
One can hardly see the butterflies for the flowers or the flowers for the butterflies on this late summer day in Union Point Park, New Bern NC. The yellow Lantana seems to be very attractive to the yellow butterfly. The fruit of the Lantana is also a delicacy for many birds, who distribute the seeds.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Joseph's Coat
Rose
This beautiful rose takes its name from the biblical story in the bible (Genesis 37.3) concerning the coat [of many colors] given to Joseph by his father, Israel. This hardy,large flowered variety branches and climbs while producing showy clusters of urn-shaped to cupped, double yellow flowers that suffuse to orange-pink and red as the flowers grow older, thus the name "Joseph's Coat" .
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Light In A Window
Texas Rose
With rich complexity of color, this rose radiates warmth like a "Light In A Window". It's beautiful light yellow buds open with a surprise peachy pink center that matures to buttery yellow blossoms. This rose is a favorite of many as a house warming gift.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Snowy Mass
Japanese Snowball
Ever tried an ice cold snowball made of crushed ice with flavored sugar water poured on top? How cool and refreshing on a hot summer day in the south. The mass of flowers on the Japanese Snowball bush are equally refreshing to the eye, touch, and smell. Although a native of China; Japanese Snowball blossoms resemble a snowball, giving them the popular name "Japanese Snowball Bush". The flowers are beautiful when cut and brought indoors for spring bouquets.
Hezekiah Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Endless Summer
Hydrangea
From the time I was old enough to know what a flower looked like, the hydrangea [even though I didn't know its name] was always a favorite of my parents and the majority of the neighbors in our community. This French Hydrangea actually called "Endless Summer" is unlike most hydrangeas in that it has the ability to bloom as far north as Minnesota. In the south where hydrangeas rarely bloom more than once per summer, Endless Summer will often produce a full set of blooms twice each summer.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Uncertain Ancestry
Crinum Carnival Bulb
So stunningly beautiful, yet so much uncertainty. The Crinum Carnival Bulb is surrounded with considerable mystery in regard to its history. Seeming to have originated from Africa, it also appears in scattered sites throughout the Caribbean, and in some locations in the southeastern United States. But where exactly it originated is not clear.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Better With Time
Asiatic Lily Bulb, Red Alert
It is stated that this flower multiplies well and that bulbs left undisturbed for two or three years often reach 10 to 12 inches or more in circumference and get "Better With Time". These hardy, and easy to grow hybrids from the lily family simply scream with color. The vibrant red color or "Red Alert" makes this flower one of a kind, with a light sweet scent, and extra strong stems.
Little Feather
Common Yarrow
The name "Little Feather" was derived from Spanish speaking people of New Mexico and Southern Colorado, who thought the leaves resembled the feathers of a bird. Native to the northern hemisphere, Common Yarrow in antiquity was used for staunching the flow of blood from wounds, and treating cuts and abrasions. The mythical Greek character, Achilles, reportedly carried Common Yarrow with him on his military expeditions to treat the battle wounds of his army.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Perfume The Entire Room
Gardenia
Because of its powerful and sweet fragrance, a Gardenia bloom could in fact "Perfume the Entire Room". A tropical evergreen plant, the gardenia was cultivated in China for at least a thousand years before being introduced to English gardens in the mid 18th century. However because of common names such as Cape Jasmine,Cape Jessamine, it was an earlier belief that the flower originated in Cape Of Good Hope, South Africa.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Cool And Refreshing
Water Lily
What could be more "cool and refreshing" during the hot days of summer than basking in a canoe on a calm lake, floating among the quiet serenity of water lilies? Most water lilies open for three days in succession, closing at night. There are also night blooming water lilies that similarly open over a three day period, however the blossoms unfold from evening to mid-morning. In warm conditions and good health, water lilies can produce numerous clusters of several flowers from a single plant.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
The Autumn Stag
Staghorn Sumac
As far as the eye could see, growing out in the middle of nowhere on the Appalachian Trail, in the Shenandoah National Park, were the Staghorn Sumac bobs standing tall like mature stags. Capable of growing under a wide variety of conditions, the Staghorn Sumac is mostly found in dry and poor soils, on which other plants can not survive. The fruit can be collected, soaked and washed in cold water, strained, sweetened and made into pink lemonade. Some beekeepers use dried sumac bobs as a source of fuel for their smokers.
Gorgeous Cluster
American Beauty Berry
American Beauty Berries are hidden in spring and summer amidst their large green leaves. However by October, the tiny fruit ripens and forms a "Gorgeous Cluster" clinging to the branches. The leaves are simple, while the flowers occur in clusters that yield berries with a highly distinctive metallic luster situated in conspicuous clusters on bare branches. The berries last well into the winter or dry season and are an important survival food for birds and other animals, though the animals will not eat the berries until other food sources are depleted. American Beauty Berries have been found to be a natural insect repellent, especially to mosquitoes which can carry yellow fever and malaria, as well as the deer tick which carries lyme disease.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Tulip Fairies
The explosion of different colors of the tulips is like the blinking lights of spring. Like fairies they pop up in pots, gardens and cover forgotten hillsides. The tulip is a bulbous plant comprising 109 species with showy flowers of various colors. Although associated with the Netherlands, the tulip is a flower indigenous to a vast area encompassing parts of Africa, Asia, and Europe. Tulips do best in climates with long cool springs and early summers.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
The Height Of Beauty
Wisteria
When I look at the enormous height of the twining, climbing, and overwhelmingly beauty and aromatic flowers of the Wisteria, I think of the "Height Of Beauty". Wisteria vines climb by twining their stems either clockwise or counter clockwise round any available support. The flowers may be purple, violet, pink and white, and appear in early spring. Wisteria is hardy, fast growing, and very invasive.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Flora In the Park
Madison Square Park, Manhattan NY
Bordering Madison Avenue, Madison Square Park was named for James Madison, fourth President of the United States. Located in a part of the city that was once a center for the aristocratic, it is formed by the intersection of the popular Fifth Avenue and Broadway. The Oak Leaf Hydrangea and Variegated Liriope were putting on a show in the shade of other flowering shrubs and trees.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Not For Hummingbirds Only
Hummingbird Vine
This delicate, lacy vine with bright red flowers and fern-like foliage is quite elegant but "Not For Hummingbirds Only". Bees, butterflies, and other insects love this plant as well. In this case a dragonfly enjoys the nectar.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Night After Night
Saguaro Flower
Saguaro National Park
The Saguaro Flower is big, bold, and creamy white. Sitting atop the Saguaro cactus in the dry, arid deserts of the American Southwest, each flower blossoms after sunset in the cool night air. By the next afternoon the flower has wilted. This spectacle repeats itself "Night After Night" for about four weeks until as many as 100 flowers have bloomed on each Saguaro Tree. Flowers pictured are from the Saguaro National Park in Tuscon, Arizona.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr
Delirium
Sacred Datura Flower
The sacred datura is classified as a deliriant because of its intoxicating affect on the body. This mysterious plant/flower was prevalent throughout an area in the Grand Canyon known as the "Box". It was sometimes used by Native Americans in the Southwest during cultural ceremonies. (Photo taken in the Grand Canyon National Park)
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
