
For Cee’s Challenge here: https://ceenphotography.com/2017/08/22/flower-of-the-day-august-23-2017-rose/

For Cee’s Challenge here: https://ceenphotography.com/2017/08/22/flower-of-the-day-august-23-2017-rose/
Not many zinnias this year. This little fellow was a volunteer, peeping out from underneath the stone at the base of a palm tree.
For Cee’s Daily Flower Prompt.
Is this the largest stalk of asparagus in the world? Click on first photo to enlarge all.
Nah, it’s the great granddaughter of the first century plant I planted here 16 years ago. After it blooms (this is its blooming stalk) it dies and a new one grows up in its place. Sources say it takes 10 to 20 years for it to bloom but I remember at least three blooms since I’ve been here, the last one much more recent than 10 years.

Just found this new bloom hiding out in the lower garden. Thanks, Cee, for driving me out in search of a flower for the day!
For Cee’s Flower Prompt.

Budding hibiscus. This small bud will turn into a huge orange bloom like the one I showed a few days ago.
See poem below flower collage. (All photos by jdb. Please click on first photo to enlarge all.)
Don’t Pick the Daisies
Please leave those daisies in their wrapper.
I find them just too pert and dapper.
I prefer a floral decoration
prone to promote excitation.
I’d choose something a little queer
to be used as a boutonniere.
Yes, I agree, daisies are cute
but aren’t held in good repute
for inclusion in bouquets exotic.
They aren’t sufficiently chaotic.
All their little petals are spread
in order. They are too well-bred.
I like my flowers with frisky sproutings,
curling ‘rounds and sticking-outings––
birds of paradise well hung
with orange feathers and bright blue tongue.
I admit, I am a binger
on passionflower and wild ginger,
on orchid and bromeliad.
Daisies I find a little sad––
too Doris Day and sixtyish.
A bit of odd is what I wish
for when I choose to pick a flower
for an arrangement or a bower.
Give me heliconia,
proteus or begonia.
For an occasion that is formal,
daisies, dear, are just too normal.
For my mother Pat who liked her food plain and her flowers exotic. XOXOXO
https://dutchgoesthephoto.net/2018/02/06/tuesday-photo-challenge-exotic/
This poem and floral collage were prompted by an earlier post in answer to Cee’s Flower of the Day prompt.

Bleach all the colors from the flowers. Cancel out the sun.
Stay the music. Still the dance. Tell laughter it is done.
She will not walk this way again so all must cease to walk.
Her conversation’s over. The whole world must not talk.
Earth upon its axis should still its constant motion.
The cook must quiet his cooking pots, the chemist trash his potion.
The universe must end itself now that my true love’s dead,
and I lay myself beside her on our wedding bed.
For Cee’s Black and White Challenge: https://ceenphotography.com/2017/08/10/cees-black-white-photo-challenge-take-a-new-photo-or-photos-any-topic/