Mountain Laurel

This set is a work in progress, as one must visit botanical gardens at many points in the year to see all the various flowers in bloom.

Check out the incomplete flickr set here.

Vicky with Azaleas

The azalea is unique among species of rhododendron in that, rather than blooming in clusters or “stripers” as they are known, every terminal branch on the azalea bush produces a flower, resulting in the spectacular displays they bring each April.

Check out the complete flickr set here.

God gave us our memories so that we might have roses in December. ~ J. M. Barrie

Norfolk Botanical Gardens Rose Garden

Shakespeare wrote, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;” however, psychologists have found this is not true, that words impact the way we percieve the world. Understanding the science of roses, how they are made of carbon pulled from the air, that they are often grafted onto the roots of hardier species to survive the outdoors, and how they pull energy directly from the sun, makes them all the more lovely to admire.

It reminds me of this Feynman quote:

The World looks so different after learning science.

For example, trees are made of air, primarily. When they are burned, they go back to air, and in the flaming heat is released the flaming heat of the sun which was bound in to convert the air into tree. [A]nd in the ash is the small remnant part which did not come from air, that came from the solid earth, instead.

These are beautiful things, and the content of science is wonderfully full of them. They are very inspiring, and they can be used to inspire others.

Check out the complete flickr set here.

40 Year Old Bonzai Yew Tree Artist: Walter Lisicki / Joseph White

It was merely a happy coincidence that Vicky and I paid a visit to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens at the same time they were having a Bonzai tree show and competition. It fascinates me how artists can spend decades nurturing these trees and guiding their growth to produce such microcosms of beauty.

Check out the complete flickr set here.