Springing Forward

It's the first week of Spring, and the season has not been shy in its arrival. Just last week the Lenkin Gardens were still sleeping through a chilly and damp winter, with mainly the narcissus awakening early. But with a sudden heat wave with temps in the 80s, the gardens have burst into amazing floral scents, colors, and textures.

We've been really busy with the projects here at the studio, but it's hard to resist taking a break to shoot some beautiful blooms here.


Scilla peruviana beginning to bloom


Double white flowering peach tree, Prunus persica 'Icicle' has exploded with beautiful flowers.




Beautiful bright orange blooms from Clivia miniata


Aeonium tabuliforme 's new growth


Just in case you missed it from the left side, here's a right side shot


Words can't even describe how beautiful Flora is and how amazing all of the Jasminum polyanthum smells!


Can you spot the busy bee?


We found him in Arcadia where all of the Wisteria sinensis 'Cooke's Special' is blooming.


Saving the best for last, Americana springtinius (Amy) showing her happy spring time cheer.

PS:

Oh, and it's pretty much impossible to shoot anything in the garden without getting caught in the crossfire of what could definitely be called a new Cold War...

iPhone Phantasies

Both of our fancy cameras have gone out of town with their owners. Good thing we have an iPhone here!

Sunday and Monday's 100˚ temperatures were a bit hard on the gardens. The roses, however, have taken this as their cue to bust out in style.



Also enjoying the weather is the Queen's Wreath (petrea volubis). Outside our office window, it's a flurry of dusky stars (and happy bees), like a reversed out "Starry Night," and also snows purple blooms onto the walkway below.



The succulents seem to like the sun, at least...



While Mom and Dad are away, Sam needs a little extra love…



And we'll let you figure out what the relationship between these last two photos is: