Flower Photography

Flowers are the reproductive structures in flowering plants. Flowers produce nectars. The nectars attract pollinators. When pollinators gather nectar from the flowering plants, they help to pollinate the plants.

As such, most flowers are brightly coloured to attract the pollinators. Where the flowers are small and insignificant, they have brightly coloured bracts to help attract pollinators to them.

Colourful flowers brighten up a room, and their fragrance fills the atmosphere with a nice scent. Fragrance from flowers is said to calm one’s nerves, raise one’s spirits, and helps in reducing stress. Seeing beautiful blooms and taking in the nice fragrance is sure to lift one’s spirits. That is why a walk in the garden always improves one’s mood.

Here are some close-ups of beautiful flowers. I am not really a photography enthusiast. But occasionally, inspiration hits me on the head and I will do my best to capture the beauty that caught my eye. Most of them turned out ordinary. Once in a while, some turn out to be quite brilliant.

This is a Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) flower, known for its fully fringed, double pink petals.

Lilium longiflorum, commonly known as the Easter lily.

Grandaisy Pink, a variety of Argyranthemum frutescens.

White rose

A Beaumontia grandiflora, commonly known as the Easter Lily Vine.

Desert Rose also known as Adenium obesum

“Earth laughs in flowers”. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Flower Photography

A flower is also sometimes called a bloom or blossom. They are the reproductive structure in flowering plants. They come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colours. They are the seed-bearing part of a plant, consisting of reproductive organs that are typically surrounded by brightly coloured petals and a green calyx.

Here are some photos of lovely Dahlias in bloom from the Flower Dome. In the Flower Dome, where the temperature is maintained at spring temperature, visitors get to see flowers from all continents.

These were taken with my cell phone. They turned out quite well, don’t you think?

Dahlias are a genus of bushy, tuberous, herbaceous perennial plants. They are members of the Asteraceaae family. Dahlias come in vibrant colours, and their blooms range from tiny pompons to massive dinner-plat sizes.

"Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower." - Hans Christian Anderson

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Adenium Obesum aka Desert Rose

Adenium obesum – also known by their common name ‘desert rose’. However, they are classified as a succulent shrub and aren’t actually from the rose family at all! It is an evergreen, or drought-deciduous succulent shrub. They also go by many names such as Impala Lily, Mock Azalea, Sabi Star, and Dwarf Bottle Tree. The locals here call it ‘Flower of Prosperity’, or ‘Prosperity Flower’.

They are a poisonous species of flowering plants belonging to the dogbane family Apocynaceae. The sap of the Adenium obesum plant is toxic. They are said to be used as arrow poison throughout Africa for hunting large game.

This flowering succulent plant is a popular house plant, popular for their vibrant blooms and unique stem structure. The flowers are trumpet-shaped, in shades of red, or pink.

Adenium obesum requires bright, direct sunlight and a well-draining soil mix. As succulents, they are drought-tolerant and prone to root rot if overwatered. They are quite easy to grow and relatively low maintenance once they are established. Just remember that they like the sun, but not too much water.

They are also very easy to propagate. Just cut off a section of the plant and stick it into a pot. Give it some water. Once it takes root and settles into the new environment, it will reward you with beautiful blooms.

These are home-grown Adenium obesum. Four of the six branches bloomed at the same period. Naturally, we are very pleased to see the blooms.

You can click on the picture for a better view.

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Wisteria Vines

These are Wisteria vines. They were on display at the Flower Dome, together with the Hydrangeas recently.

Wisteria vines are fast-growing, woody climbing vines from the pea family (Fabaceae) renowned for their cascading clusters of purple, pink, or white flowers. The flower clusters can grow up to 60 cm long, blooming, cascading downwards from the top of the cluster.

These ornamental vines can climb trees high into the canopy. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, these vigorous climbers bloom from mid-spring to early summer and can live for up to 50 years or more.

Although stunning, they pose significant drawbacks. They are aggressive, invasive growth that can choke out local vegetation. Their woody vines can damage home structures and foundations while their vigorous root systems can push against retaining walls and crack foundations. This makes them high maintenance plants requiring consistent pruning. Their seed pods are toxic and are dangerous to children and pets. 

Fun Fact:
Wisteria flowers symbolize longevity, love, endurance, and grace. Because the plant is incredibly resilient and its vines twist and intertwine as they grow, it is a classic emblem of long-lasting affection, deep romantic bonds, and immortality.

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Lupinus

Lupinus, commonly known as lupin, lupine, or regionally bluebonnet, is a genus of plants in the legume family Fabaceae. The genus includes over 199 species. - Wikipedia

I saw these lovely lupine flowers in the Flower Dome during my recent visit. Their colourful blooms on spikes caught my attention.

According to information on the signboards, Lupines are generally easy to grow. Once they are established, they are fast growing and require very little maintenance. They are classic, hardy cottage-garden plants. Hence, caring for them requires minimal effort:

They thrive in cool, sunny spots with well-drained soil that stays slightly moist. They don’t mind a bit of sun as long as not too much. Their lifespan is typically 2 to 6 years, as they are considered short-lived perennials.

They are widely cultivated both as a food source and as ornamental plants. The flowers are produced in dense or open whorls on an erect spike. Blooms open gradually from the bottom of the stalk to the top. The whole spike lasts for about 3 to 5 weeks before fading.

Lupine flowers primarily symbolize imagination, creativity, and transformation. They are also powerful emblems of renewal, inner strength, and overcoming adversity. 

The pea-like flowers have an upper standard, or banner, two lateral wings, and two lower petals fused into a keel. The flower shape has inspired common names such as bluebonnets and quaker bonnets.

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Snapdragons

Antirrhinum is a genus of plants in the Plantaginaceae family, commonly known as dragon flowers or snapdragons because of the flowers' fancied resemblance to the face of a dragon. They are also sometimes called toadflax or dog flowers. - Wikipedia

They were amongst the flower display in the Flower Dome recently.

The bright, rich coloured blooms of the snapdragons are gorgeous. They stand out in a garden, and are favoured as cut flowers.

Snapdragons grow on tall, upright spikes, each bearing numerous blooms arranged in a staggered pattern. Their flowers are bilaterally symmetrical and tubular, featuring two distinct ‘lips’, designed so only the buffest bees can open them.

If you gently squeeze the base of the flower, it snaps open and shuts like a dragon’s mouth. I guess that’s where the name ‘snapdragon’ comes from. After the flowers wither, what remains are dry seed capsules that hauntingly resemble little skulls.

Snapdragons grow equally well in containers and pots as in beds. They usually live for about three years, attracting not only hummingbirds but also butterflies and bees, making them ideal for a pollinator garden.

The leaves and flowers have been traditionally used as poultices for various inflammations. Crushed snapdragon flowers were also used to treat burns, rashes, and insect bites.

The snapdragon flower is a symbol of strength and graciousness.

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Hydrangeas

I captured these beautiful hydrangeas at the ‘Blue Beauties 2026’ display in the Flower Dome recently. From the display, I was able to glean the following information on Hydrangeas.

What most people call a hydrangea ‘flower’ is not a single flower but an inflorescence, or a compound cluster of dozens to hundreds of florets. The large, showy, papery structures are sterile florets, containing no pollen or nectar and serving to attract pollinators. The smaller, star-like fertile florets bear stamens and pistils, producing pollen and nectar and setting seed. The proportion of sterile to fertile florets determines the inflorescence’s overall form.

An interesting fun fact about Hydrangeas which you may not be aware of. Hydrangeas are by default pink or red. In acidic soils, aluminium becomes available to the plant and alters the flower’s anthocyanin pigments from pink to blue, making hydrangea one of the few ornamental plants whose colour responds to its environment.

In acidic soils, aluminium becomes water-soluble and is absorbed by the plant’s roots. It travels to the sepals where it binds with the pigment and alters its light absorption from the red end of the spectrum to the blue.

Without enough aluminium, even acidic soil will produce pink flowers. This is why commercially sold hydrangeas grown blue with added aluminium sulphate in nurseries might turn pink after planting, if the garden soil lacks enough aluminium to sustain the blue complex.

Hydrangea macrophylla cultivar, commonly known as a "Sumida Fireworks" hydrangea.

This is the Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata), recognizable by its elongated, conical flower clusters.

Hydrangea macrophylla – these are the more common hydrangeas

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