I totally love this plant! Got my first seeds from Hubby's sister. As you can tell from the leaves, they are in the pea family. But oh my goodness... the blooms are just gorgeous... and ever-changing. When they first open they look yellow/orange. pride6111 ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) By the next day, they are all orange. pride6112 ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Here's a wider view. They slowly start to open, further towards the tippy-top. pride6113 ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Another day... a little less yellow/gold. pride6114 ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) and more orange and then red as they "age". pride6115 ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) I was hoping all the buds of one plant would be opened at the same time, but I think the lower ones die off as the upper one's open.
Lovely colours Cheryl,..it adds to the plant that the young blooms are yellow then the older a orange,..almost tangerine!,..very nice!.
I've got three in this bed (this is the oldest... the other 2 were started from seed this past winter). In another bed I two more that were started from seed. I can't decide on which of the color stages I like the best... this way, hopefully I can have some of each color at the same time. I've had that one for a couple of years, but in a container, which meant it got protected during the winter. This year, will be a test to see if they can survive on their own. You can bet I'll save every seed that I can... just in case!
Forgot to mention... they have thorns too! A friend that lived in the Cayman Island said that there, they're tree-sized and grow over the paths/roads. I'd love to see that (just wouldn't want to get tangled up in their thorns).
A very pretty flower indeed. I wish I had a conservatory. It would fit right in along with all the other plants I would place if I had a conservatory. *dreaming*
Hi Cheryl, i really liked the colour variation of this flower that i just had to go check up on it,..alas it wouldn't survive here in Ireland or this side of the pond,..but it does have a great history,..take a look at the link below,..it even gives information re the care of this beauty. http://www.vacation-in-barbados.com/pri ... bados.html
Thanks for link Philip. I didn't know it was the official flower. I've grown them for a couple of years, but in containers. From what I've read, they should be able to handle our winters... goodness knows, the heat, sun & drought hasn't affected them.
