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I love higanbana (spider lilies) but not everyone does. (If you want to know more about how they are viewed in Japan, visit here: https://grapee.jp/en/155319 ) Regardless, every year I rejoice when they show up in my garden. Although they are basically wild flowers, I have managed to grow a few red ones in pots and this year I found some cream-colored ones at a farmers market in Nara. A rare find, indeed! So pleased!  Higanbana in my garden, Osaka  Higanbana in my garden, Osaka
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It's gloomy outside, threatening rain, and the forecast says to expect thundershowers. And, it's very hot and humid to boot. As you can imagine, it's not a very nice day to be outside or to take photos but that's what I did. While many of my plants are suffering in the heat, I have a few that seem to be doing fine. Hello, lilies and morning glories! \(^.^)/ This is what they looked like this morning in my garden.  Lilies in my garden this morning.    Morning glories climbing up the side of our house.  I've included this just for scale. This lily was huge! Not too far away is a research garden run by a prefectural university. In front of the office (just a hut, actually), they often have seedlings for sale. This usually consists of one or two small trays of seedlings from the same type of plant. I always buy a few even if I don't know what they are and add them to my garden. Today, this paid off and you can see the results of my efforts below! Ta-da! To be honest, I have no idea what this plant is called. I made a point of noting the name when I bought it, but today my filing system is failing me. Regardless I am so pleased that it is blooming! (If you know what it is, please let me know. Thanks!) Update: A friend just let me know that this is a passion fruit plant (also called passionflower)! This variety is blue passionflower (passiflora caerulea). It does produce fruit but apparently, it's quite bland.
 My garden is full of blooming Saxifraga Stolonifera. Quite the mouthful, isn't it! Actually, it's one of over 300 species of saxifrage (genus Saxifraga), also known as rockfoil. I have several other saxifrage plants but this one is the most prolific. It's the only saxifrage species that is widely grown as a window or basket plant. It's also called strawberry begonia, strawberry geranium, or mother-of-thousands. (Note that it is not actually a begonia or a geranium!) I love this plant! It requires little care, the bugs leave it alone, and every year the multiple stalks of tiny, white, 5-petaled flowers turn my garden into a fairyland!  The world of succulents has been a relatively new discovery for me. First, I bought a few and then promptly killed a few. (I'm the queen of over-watering.) However, I've slowly figured out how to keep them happy and healthy and am currently enjoying several blooming outside on my patio. Cacti, however, are another matter. I have several, but they aren't very happy. (I still have much to learn!) This one, however, was a recent purchase. It had one small bloom when I bought it and, to my delight, it has proceeded to bloom and bloom and bloom! What's the secret? I have no idea! I'm hoping its enthusiasm will rub off on all the neighbouring cacti! (They are all located in the same area.)   |
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I'm a photographer based in Osaka, Japan. I love to take photographs. I like to share.
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