FOR THE LETTER " B "
May I introduce the lovely flower: Bird of Paradise as my letter B word for this round..... an unusual stunning flower that represents joyfulness and paradise.
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| Shaped like a bird's beak and plumage.....makes me wonder are you a bird or a flower! |
Doesn't he look like he's laughing?
But before I go any farther, I want to thank the lovely and wonderful Miss Jenny, (who brightens my/our world just by being here, and posting these fun games for us all)
Also, (drum roll please!!) ..... I happened to be the lucky number winner this time during Miss Jenny's fun fall autmness! Sorry I'm like a week behind, but I was on vacation when the news came out but I have the unbelievable prize now!
I couldn't believe my eyes when I opened the box tonight! Thank you so much Miss Jenny, from the bottom of my heart!
Did I mention the runner is designed for Thanksgiving/autumn on one side and Christmas on the other!
Okay, now on with my letter B and the lovely "Bird of Paradise" Flower....
I came face to face with this lovely flower just recently. It sure doesn't grow in Minnesota but it was everywhere I went in California.
The Bird of Paradise Flower is an herbaceous perennial plant that belongs to the genus Strelitzia, or crane flower. It has about five species, native to South Africa as well. It thrives in Southern Florida, California and Hawaii.
Did I mention it resembles the actual Bird of Paradise?
(Sorry I didn't get to photograph the bird....)
Did you know: The Bird of Paradise flower is the 9th wedding anniversary flower?
This unusual shaped showy flower or rather genus Strelitzia more commonly called is classified in the family Musuceae as being closely related to the (banana family).
The plant is trunkless, and its oblong leaves, growing to 1 foot, often rise 3 feet high directly from the rootstock. The large flowers are orange or scarlet, combined with blue and white.
Can you spot the Bird of Paradise flowers growing in the picture?
This is why they resemble brilliantly colored birds ready to fly from a boat-shaped nest, which is a purple bract as long as 8 inches. They require rich soil, (Minnesota does have that) and abundant water, we sure have that too, but it's the sunlight and of course Minnesota's nature to become rather wintry that makes their taking root here probably not such a good idea!
Have I teased you enough with this lovely flower, and perhaps you have a special B something you care to share........ just go here
http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/2011/11/alphabe-thursdays-letter-b.html
32 comments:
This is such a stunning flower I'm not surprised to hear how popular it is. I love them.
Congrats on winning Miz Jenny's giveaway, lucky you.
Happy AT.
If I am lucky enough to get remarried ( divorced ) I would love the church decorated in these flowers I LOVE them
Here from Alphabe-Thursday. I have a few of these just starting to bloom in my back yard. They are even better in real life, don't you think?
Jen, oh my gosh yes they are! I took probably way too many photos of them, but I just never felt I captured their true essense! They just seem to almost speak to you, and you are so lucky to live with them everyday! How wonderful!
Tracy- yes that would be the best for a wedding! ;)
Thanks Maggie!
And did you know Karen that they are very common here in in Lanzarote too. Whole gardens are filled with them. Lovely pictures.
an informative post
about a Beautiful flower!
~victoria~
Stunning flower! Lovely post & blog too!
I have Birds of Paradise in my garden!
=)
Great pictures - I live in sunny So. Cal and we have birds of paradise in our backyard.. Love them..
I have a giveaway for $25 Godiva chocolate gift card.. Come on by!
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I love Bird of Paradise! They of course don't thrive here in NC either but back when I was a florist, it was one of my favorite flowers to work with. :)
My mom always loved the bird of paradise flower. She lived in Bermuda for awhile so I'm thinking they must have been there.
A colourful post... and no they do not grow in Northern Canada either.
Dana
Your post on the Bird of Paradise plant takes me down the street.. we have them planted in just about every yard here!
Your post did them justice!
Thanks for your visit to my blog today and your kind words..
Have a great Thanksgiving!
Sandy
We had a Bird of Paradise in our yard for a while. It was an albino, with white and blue flowers on it! It was killed by an unusually hard freeze, however. Too bad! It was lovely!!
Exquisite ...! Beautiful light, delicious approach. Delicious flower. I like it
Awesome photos! Wow! ~ namaste, Carol ^_^
Congrats on winning the prize, it looks like fun:-). The flower is a beauty, I've never seen one in person but lots of pictures:-).
Thanks for stopping by my b blog, croutons are an awesome idea!
Congrats, please share your Maple Leaf cookie recipe if you make them and like them. I'd love to know how to make them!
I love the idea that the runner is dual purpose, now that's a brilliant idea.
Your "B" is beautiful, they are such colorful flowers and I didn't know that it is the flower for the 9th anniversary, IF I ever get married again I'd best stay married for the 9 years if for nothing else, well to get some of these beautiful flowers! lol
Have a wonderful weekend!
These are such lovely flowers! What a great prize.
These are such lovely flowers! What a great prize.
how did I miss this cool post????!!!!
Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
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Beautiful flower, that top photo is wonderful. I've never seen one in the wild.
That is such a beautiful flower. I love your B post
Just imagine living in a place where Bird of Paradise flowers grow. They are so very beautiful.
poor little b of p, taken for granted in CA and other sunshine states. But now that I live in UT where there is snow on the ground more than half the year I appreciate the colorful and cheery little guys much more!
I missed the posting deadline for Alphabe-Thursday this week...feel free to stop by, tho... :)
Wow! You're pictures are awesome and the flower is more awesome. Very pretty! Congrats on your win..See ya again..))smiles))
It is a beautiful flower; so elegant and colourful, clean sharp edges and crisp lines. You have some beautiful photos of it.
that is a beautiful flower!! i remember them from my california days!! beautiful pictures of it. OH and congrats on your PRIZE/GIFTS!
(wow, karen...i/m dizzy from scrolling down here... :) sorry i'm a little behind...)
Hello.
WoW! These flowers are gorgeous! I've never seen anything like them. They do indeed deserve to be called Bird Of Paradise.
Awesome photos & congratulations on your special gift from Miss Jenny! She's a very special person with a loving heart.
Nice post.
Thanks for sharing & visiting. I appreciate your comments & yes...we have backgrounds in common...lol!
Seasons Of Beauty
Wow, just loved this post! We live in a sunny place but I don't think I've ever seen one of these growing here.
Beautiful! :)
Oh hooray! I'm glad you liked your prize. Do you love those cookies? They are my favorite...and I rarely buy them because I can't just eat one.
Coffee, tea, milk, plain.
Oh boy oh boy!
I never noticed the little happy face on the Bird of Paradise before.
Thanks for the smile.
And thanks for linking to Alphabe-Thursday!
A+
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