LAURENTIA

Isotoma axillaris is a heat-loving plant native to Australia that is hardy in zones 7-10 but is easily grown as an annual in colder climates. The common name laurentia comes from its previous classification as Laurentia axillaris; that name, as well as another synonym, Solenopsis axillaris, is still often used in the nursery industry. This species in the bellflower family (Campanulaceae) has other common names including blue star or star flower.

A profusion of star-shaped flowers are produced just above the foliage throughout the season until frost. The fragrant, 3cm wide flowers are produced in shades of blue, pink or white. The plants shed spent flowers on their own so do not need deadheading, although shearing in midseason will encourage more flowers on a more compact plant.

Grow laurentia in full sun to partial shade. Purchase plants in spring or grow from seed or cuttings. Seeds should be sown indoors very early Spring or late Winter as it takes about 4 months for the plants to come into flower. Place plants in the garden after the last frost. This plant has few pests, although it can be attacked by mealybugs, and is not favoured by deer or rabbits.

The cultivar illustrated here is "Pop-n-Fizz Glowing Purple".

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.

BY THE CREEK

The Darebin Creek at Preston.

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,

and also part of then My Corner of the World meme

and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

EARLY SUMMER

Our cool, wet early Summer makes for gardens and parks that are green and refreshingly inviting. 

This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Travel Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme.

YELLOWS

This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme,

and also part of the Seasons meme.

CHRISTMAS APPROACHING

At the South Melbourne Market, with restrictions easing it's easier to get into the Christmas season spirit and remember the good old times pre-COVID-19! 

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme.

WARY

Just a little wary of strangers, but friendly when you get to know him...

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme.

BLUE SKIES

Of Southern Summer. A perfect day today: Warm, sunny, no wind and perfect for a walk outdoors.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.

AGAPANTHUS

Agapanthus is the only genus in the subfamily Agapanthoideae of the flowering plant family Amaryllidaceae. The family is in the monocot order Asparagales. The name is derived from scientific Greek: αγάπη (agape) = love, άνθος (anthos) = flower. Some species of Agapanthus are commonly known as lily of the Nile (or African lily in the UK), although they are not lilies and all of the species are native to Southern Africa (South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique) though some have become naturalised in scattered places around the world (Australia, Great Britain, Mexico, Ethiopia, Jamaica, etc.).

Species boundaries are not clear in the genus, and in spite of having been intensively studied, the number of species recognised by different authorities varies from 6 to 10. The type species for the genus is Agapanthus africanus shown here. A great many hybrids and cultivars have been produced and they are cultivated throughout warm areas of the world.

In Melbourne, these are planted widely in gardens, parks but also median strips of roads and nature strips. As they bloom around the time of Christmas, most Melburnians associate this flower with the Festive Season.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.

MYSTERIOUS STEPS

Well, no great mystery really, they lead from someone's garden right down to the Parklands. However, they do look mysterious, hidden as they are by the surrounding greenery...

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,

and also part of the My Corner of the World meme,

and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

"COVID NORMAL"

Now that our lockdown No 2 is over and restrictions have been minimised in Victoria after 30+ days of no community transmitted cases of COVID-19, things are beginning to go back to "normal" in our city. Melbourne is coming back to life and people look cheerier, the roads are full of traffic, shopping centres are full of shoppers, public transport is beginning to fill up and cafés, restaurants and public venues are beginning to reawaken. The "Marvellous" is coming back to Melbourne...

This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Ruby Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Travel Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme.