Raven Ridge Gardens: sparaxis

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Sparaxis In Red And Yellow

Get your yellow on!

I took this yesterday (Saturday in the northern hemisphere) when the sun came out for a few precious minutes. I love the contrast of the bright colors of the petals of this Sparaxis, also known by its common name Harlequin Flower, against the brown earth.

Sparaxis comes in many colors, another of which you can see here. They propagate easily by dropping bulblets that form in the stems when they die back, and then pop up everywhere in my yard in early Spring - even in the lawn.

Photographers are posting photos featuring yellow over on Monday Mellow Yellows.

Friday, March 06, 2015

Early Spring Sparaxis

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This is another one of those harbinger-of-Spring flowers that will pop up anytime in February or March. They are a sweet indication that Spring is just around the corner - and, yes, I do purposefully capitalize Spring; it's been a long time coming for so many.

Sparaxis are easy-growing, care free little bulbs that will drop their bulblets at the end of the season, which will then sprout and multiply for the following Spring. They come in myriad colors and patterns, seem to be slug-proof and deer-proof, and will bring a spot of much needed color to late winter/early spring.