On a recent trip to Longwood Gardens, I spotted some very unusual plants called Painted Tongue (Salpiglossis Grandiflora). The plants were at least 3 feet tall, with lots of flowers. The flowers came in many colors, most with veins in a contrasting color.

Painted Tongues are an annual plant that originated in Chile. It was very popular in the late 19th century with Victorian-era gardeners.

Here are some of the Painted Tongue flowers I photographed at Longwood Gardens.

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins