APRIL WRITING PROMPT
Spring Flowers, Aussie Style
The beauty of travelling between hemispheres.
Regardless of where you live, flowers have a way of making us smile. From afar, their colourful hues and vibrant aromas tweak our hearts and nostrils, evoking happiness and tranquillity as they draw us into their aromatic and serene world.
Whether hand-picked from one's garden or thoughtfully chosen at the florist or market, a bunch of flowers is a welcome gift to express gratitude, sympathy, apology and love. Individually, each bloom can suggest a deeper meaning.
Yes, flowers have their own language — but that’s another story.
Each country offers different species, particular to their climate and habitat. As a born and bred New Zealander, there’s a distinct rivalry between us Kiwis and the Wallabies who live across the Tasman Sea. We’re supreme in sports like rugby and cricket, but they beat us hands down regarding flowers. (I welcome the flak from sporting enthusiasts, btw!)
Why? Because of their climate.
Springtime in Australia differs remarkably from Springtime in Canada — or New Zealand. Their global position welcomes a drier heat and more tropical vegetation.
I was fortunate to capture a selection of floral photographs in Sydney and Perth late last year when I visited family for the first time since the Pandemic thwarted any travel plans. I’m grateful for this Globetrotter April writing challenge, ‘Flowers of the World,’ to share some of my memorable Spring photos with readers, writers and followers.
Perth, Western Australia
My lead photo has been identified by my ‘Seek’ app as Ohi’a Lehua. However, according to lovebigisland.com, the species is endemic to the Hawaiian islands. I spotted this bush in Mandurah, Perth, which foils that endemic theory!
Either they’re wrong, or my App is.
In the grander scheme of things, who cares what species it is? It’s a fine example of the intricacy of a bloom. The gorgeous long red spindles with minuscule dots at each end even remind me of the New Zealand Pohutukawa, a stunning tree that flowers around Christmas.
Fake is fashionable these days. Perhaps plants have cottoned on too?
Joke aside, the true beauty of flowers is only appreciated when one takes the time to examine their elaborateness up close. As an amateur photographer, capturing the minute details of a bud with clarity is an accomplishment. Since I often shoot blind, I relish my macro photography results even more.
Who knew the magnolia was so detailed? The hairy fingers emanating from a latticed, maroon base are breathtaking. Alas, their delicate blooms have often barely flourished before they’re blown from their perch.
It’s rather tragic. Such hard work giving birth to a gem that only survives for a brief period seems terribly harsh.
These pictures — and a dozen-plus more — were taken at my girlfriend's house in Perth. We hadn’t seen each other in over a decade! Her pool area was lined with gorgeous magnolia bushes, so I just had to get my camera out…
Frangipani is known for its symbolism of wealth and perfection. Their hardy greenery glows in remarkable uniformity to support the delicate blended petals that waft their alluring fragrance.
I was delighted to see these delicate flowers growing abundantly in residential gardens, lapping up springtime warmth in Perth.
In contrast, this colourful bush looked thoroughly wayward. It camouflaged an ugly fence line, but its rugged beauty was appreciated regardless.
I’m unsure of the species.
At the Sandalford Winery in the Swan Valley, a small garden near the restaurant and wine-tasting headquarters was dwarfed by the extensive grounds in the distance.
Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli had performed on this site a month earlier. It was hard to imagine the chaos of people, picnic chairs and paparazzi in such serenity.
This perfect rose beckoned my attention — for obvious reasons.
A meal at the Millbrook Winery was the highlight of my Western Australian trip. Tucked away in the Perth hills, I was enchanted with the grounds, the food, the wine and the garden. It was also a thrill to see the hills in the distance come alive — with kangaroos, not music!
The pathway from the carpark to the restaurant in Spring is lined with agapanthus. Although considered a weed in some places, their natural beauty provided a welcoming scene.
Since my brother’s partner used to work at the vineyard, we were privileged to visit the garden that predominantly supplies its fine restaurant with produce.
The garden produce is hand-picked daily and features prominently in the Millbrook restaurant’s magnificent seasonal menu.
These cornflowers are harvested to compliment a salad for their flavour or used as a pretty garnish.
Fennel in flower has an extraordinary radiance. Its aniseed flavour is popular in salads, teas and deserts hence its inclusion in the restaurant garden.
Sydney, New South Wales
The temperature was decidedly cooler on the eastern side of Australia. The locals were moaning about how cold it was while this Kiwi/Canuck relished in significantly more balmy temperatures than in Montréal.
The scenery is the first thing I always notice. Jacaranda trees were visible through dirty train windows on the hour-long ride to the northern suburbs from the airport.
They’re stunning in their purple glory. This South American native does well in the heat and humidity that is typically Australian. However, it is considered a weed in some places as its root system is invasive, and they make one helluva mess on your car when the wind blows!
Unless grown and maintained indoors over Winter, Hibiscus is not seen in Montréal until the height of summer. This beautiful bush was growing in my cousin’s front yard in early December — or Spring in Sydney!
Seeing this sensational lily growing wildly in suburban Sydney gardens was incredulous. The ‘ Large Fortnight Lily’ reminds me of an iris with its purple centrefold.
For the record, the term ‘fortnight’ is not commonly used in North America. It refers to once every two weeks. Instead, bi-weekly, is used.
To me, that infers twice a week. For the love of the English language, eh?!
Anyway, I was excited to see this lily on my first day in Sydney, and then they seemed to be everywhere. They’re considered robust perennials that thrive on a fortnightly schedule of life and death.
Do any of my Aussie writers and readers know what this flower is? I took this photograph while walking in Killara, Sydney. I was enchanted with its butterfly-like shape, speckled tones and transitional colourings.
The more I study this photo, the more incredulous I am about the depth of beauty this unknown bloom offers, despite my all-around focus being off.
Thanks to Michele Maize for this prompt that got my fingers to the keyboard to share some floral pics I’d meant to write about since my hellish trip home from Aussie in December.
If you want to share your springtime bloom pics, here is the link. But be quick! There are only 6 days left.
A shout-out to a couple of fellow Globetrotter contributors and their Spring stories:
Brad Yonaka wrote about his visit to an orchid park in Borneo. I’m a big orchid fan and loved seeing his pics, especially the glam tiger one.
Tim Ward, Mature Flâneur for his poetic introduction to the lotus and some incredible shots that have me running to….Philadelphia!
