by hankinslawrenceimages | Jan 10, 2011 | Apocynaceae Family, Flowers, Wildflowers
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
Last spring I discovered a beautiful light blue wildflower growing in Tennessee. With a little research, I learned that it Eastern Bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana), a member of the Dogbane (Apocynaceae) family. I photographed the Eastern Bluestar at Reflection Riding Arboretum and Chicamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, both in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
Eastern Bluestar is a perennial that grows up to 3 feet tall with multi-stemmed clumps of blue flowers. The flowers are tubular at the base, flaring out into a five petaled star. Each flower is less than an inch across.
Also known as Willow Amsonia, Blue Dogbane, and Woodland Bluestar, Eastern Bluestar is native to much of the southern and eastern United States, growing as far west as Texas and as far north as New York. It is listed as threatened in Kentucky and of special concern in Tennessee.
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
Eastern Bluestar thrives in many home gardens as a low-maintenance plant that prefers full sun to partial shade. In the spring, it has lovely blue blossoms, in the fall turn golden yellow. It is hardy from zones 3 through 9.
The genus Amsonia is named after a 17th century physician, Dr Amson of Gloucester, Virgina. The species is named in honor of Jakobus Theodorus Tabernaemontanus, a 16th-century German herbalist.
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
Like many members of the Apocynaceae family, Eastern Bluestar contains chemicals that can skin irritations. Eastern Bluestar tends to be only mildly irritating, while other members of the family have been used as everything from medicines to poisons.
If you’d like more information about Eastern Bluestar, you may want to visit the following sites
USDA Plant Profile
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Perennial Resource
Missouri Plants
Illinois Wildflowers
by hankinslawrenceimages | Jan 8, 2011 | Flowers, Rosaceae Family
It’s been awfully gray here in the DC area recently. Lots of clouds and wind – with very little snow. So in the yard I can see brown grass, brown tree trunks, and hints of where my perennials will be coming up in the garden in the spring. Not a flower in sight.
So just in case your yard looks like mine – I thought a dose of roses to brighten your day were in order. Here are some more of the rose photos I’ve taken recently.
Eureaka – a 2003 AARS award winning floribunda rose known for large yellow-apricot blossoms.
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
Mardi Gras – a 2008 AARS selection floribunda rose known for it’s pink, orange and yellow blossoms
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
Flutterby – a shrub rose known for it’s orange, pink and yellow single blossoms
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
I hope these rose photos have helped brighten your winter day. Just looking at the photos as I put together the blog post certainly brightened up my day.
by hankinslawrenceimages | Jan 7, 2011 | On the Web
Wild Geranium (c) 2010 Patty Hankins
Here are some sites I found interesting recently. Hope you enjoy them.
Photography and Art Links
Photo Attorney has Morel Clears First Hurdle in Infringement Lawsuit for Tweeted Photos
Chicago Magazine has The Life and Work of Street Photographer Vivian Maier
A Photo Editor has Morel vs AFP and Getty: New Developments
Flowers, Plants & Gardening Links
Beautiful Wildlife Garden has Resolve to do More and 5 Books for the Butterfly Garden
National Park Service has Chestnut Blight and the Good Virus
National Park and National Wildlife Refuge Links
Refuge Watch has Refuge: Pea Island — the DVD, Video Monday: Winter Life at Blackwater NWR , President Signs NWR Volunteer Improvement Act of 2010 and Controversial Request for Beach Fencing at Chincoteague NWR
National Parks Traveler has Looking Back On 2010 Across the National Park System, National Park Stories We’d Like To See In 2011, Political Lineup For House Natural Resources Committee Sure to Produce Fireworks Over Public Lands, 111th Congress Did Well When it Comes to National Park Wilderness, But It Could Have Done Better, What Are The Top Issues Confronting The National Park System?, Interior Secretary Sets Aside 17 Fee-Free Days Across the National Park System and Big Cypress National Preserve Superintendent Defends “Addition” Lands ORV Use
Wildlife Links
BBC has Secret lives of baby American beavers filmed and Rare monk seal colony found in the Mediterranean
ZooBorns has Back to Back Cheetah Cubs – 2 Firsts for Smithsonian
ABC has Researchers Find “Alarming” Decline in Bumblebees
TreeHugger has 10 Invasive Species that Changed the World Forever
Miami Herald has A plan to rid Keys of predator species
Environmental Issues Links
Washington Post has EPA Unveils Massive Restoration Plan for Chesapeake Bay
BBC has China official warns of 300-year desertification fight
Slate has Will The Gulf Ever Be Oil-Free?
by hankinslawrenceimages | Jan 5, 2011 | Flowers, Liliaceae Family
I’ve been working my way through some of my unedited photos (trust me – there are lots of those on my hard drive) and I came across several photographs of lilies that I’d never shared. I’m always amazed when I go back and look at some of my photos just how many varieties of some of the flowers I’ve photographed.
Here are some lilies in shades of pink. All of these lilies were photographed at Longwood Gardens.
Florian Lily
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
Chili Lily
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
Pink Twins Lily – with incredible double blossoms. These are the only double blossomed lilies I’ve ever seen.
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
Tiny Athlete Lily
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
I’m always amazed at the shades of pinks in the various lilies. I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing these wonderful pink lilies.
by hankinslawrenceimages | Jan 3, 2011 | Flowers, Photo of the Month, Rosaceae Family
Madame A. Meilland Rose (c) 2010 Patty Hankins
I’ve photographed several peace roses over the years – but recently I’ve been wanting to offer a new peace rose photograph since the ones I had were several years old. So you imagine how pleased I was to see this amazing Madame A. Meilland Hybrid Peace Rose in full bloom last September. I love the way the petals are opening up – with the soft pinks around the edges – with all the shades of yellow in the center. The morning dew adds to the magic of the moment for me.
Until January 31, 2011, SAVE 20% off the regular prices for Madame A. Meilland Rose. The photograph is available through my website in two sizes of gallery-wrapped canvases.
Save $ 20 on the 12X18″ Canvas – regular price $ 99 – January Photo of the Month Price – $ 79.00
Save $ $ 80 on the 20X30″ Canvas – regular price $ 399 – January Photo of the Month Price – $ 319.00
Free shipping to U.S. Addresses for either size photograph.
As with all photographs from BeautifulFlowerPictures.com, Madame A. Meilland Rose comes with my Unconditional Happiness Guarantee. You have one year to decide that it is the perfect photograph for you. If it’s not, just return it (in original condition) for a full refund.
