Christmas Bells

Artist: blossom
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Christmas Bells

Blossom’s_Photo_Gallery

Christmas Bells

Christmas Bell (Blandfordia grandiflora)

Blandfordia...After the Marquis of Blandford
grandiflora....large flowered

Found in coastal areas of central and northern New South Wales and south-east Queensland.

Blandfordia is a small genus of 4 species all confined to south-eastern Australia. They are slow-growing, grass-like plants with narrow leaves and bell-shaped flowers produced on stems arising from the centre of the clump. All are commonly known as “Christmas bells” as they generally flower in December-January.

B.grandiflora is the most robust of the 4 species. It is usually found in wet coastal heaths on sandy soils. The tubular flowers occur in groups of 6 or more on stems about 30-60 cm long. The flowers are quite large being up to 50 mm long and flared towards to tip. Typically the flowers are red with a yellow tip but forms with all yellow flowers are also known. The flowers contain nectar and a frequented by honey eating birds.

After flowering, seeds are produced in papery pods. The seeds ripen about 3 months after flowering.

This is a popular plant in cultivation although it is very slow growing and easily “swamped” by more vigourous plants. It requires moist, well drained soils preferably of a light texture such as sandy loam. It appreciates some protection from full sun but should not be grown in heavy shade. It is tolerant of at least moderate frosts. It is very suitable for growing in pots.

Christmas Bells belongs to the following groups:

Australian Native Plants, Fabulous Flowers and Happy Haven

blossom, 6 months ago
Karin Taylor, 6 months ago

I love reading the information you provide to go with the image, i wish more people did that…it really helps me to appreciate and understand the value of a piece of art …..this is lovely, i love the colours, with the stem having a purply tone….and the other green grassy bits shooting up through, they really are pretty xmas bells…i have seen the paper seed pods they produce too :)
Karin Taylor, 6 months ago

looks lovely as a print with the black matt
fdgl65, 6 months ago

I agree, the print looks great :)
blossom in reply to Karin Taylor’s comment, 6 months ago

How lovely of you to say – I think it adds a little something also!! Thanks Karin, you are too kind!! I really appreciate your comments.
blossom in reply to Karin Taylor’s comment, 6 months ago

Thanks Karin – I like it too!
blossom in reply to fdgl65’s comment, 6 months ago

Thank you Tammy for your vote of confidence – Much appreciated!!
Joanne A. Bradley, 6 months ago

Beautiful macro. Wonderful description.
pat oubridge, 6 months ago

Beautiful plant image blossom
reflector, 6 months ago

Very well captured ! Sharp clarity, and strong colors.
digitalmidge, 6 months ago

Gorgeous colors, I wish we had plants like this to photograph where I live, although we do have a nice spring here in the mountains, and now and then I capture a pretty bloom. Nothing like this though, this is exceptional…great work!
George Lenz, 6 months ago

nice floral capture
debsphotos, 6 months ago

These used to grow quiet thickly on the way to a local beach called Red Rock….always new christmas was getting close when they apppeared!!! Lovely image Blossom!! You only see the odd one now!!!
blossom in reply to Joanne A. Bradley’s comment, 6 months ago

Thanks Joanne for your very kind comments – Much appreciated.
blossom in reply to pat oubridge’s comment, 6 months ago

Thanks Pat. So glad you like it! Much appreciated.
blossom in reply to reflector’s comment, 6 months ago

Thank you Reflector for your very kind comment – appreciated!
blossom in reply to digitalmidge’s comment, 6 months ago

Thank you for your lovely comment – Much appreciated!
I found these when I was bushwalking at a place called Greenpatch, Jervis Bay, South-Coast, New South Wales, just before Christmas.
blossom in reply to George Lenz’s comment, 6 months ago

Thank you Gemlenz – lovey of you to comment – Much appreciated!
blossom in reply to debsphotos’s comment, 6 months ago

I know of Red Rock – shame they still don’t grow in abundance.
Thank you Deb for your very kind comment – Really appreciate!!
pinkyjain, 6 months ago

So gorgeous blossom, such a lovely name for a flower
whisperingruth, 6 months ago

What a beautiful shot….........awesome work blossom!
blossom in reply to pinkyjain’s comment, 6 months ago

Thank you so much Pinkyjain. It is a lovely name! Appreciate your comments!
blossom in reply to whisperingruth’s comment, 6 months ago

Hi Ruth. Thank you for dropping by to comment. I really appreciate it!!
Irish, 6 months ago

Very Pretty!
blossom in reply to Irish’s comment, 6 months ago

Thank you Mil. Yes, they are pretty!!
Claire Farley, 6 months ago

Great shot Blossom! Like your comments also, very imformative
blossom in reply to Claire Farley’s comment, 6 months ago

Thank you Claire. Really appreciate!
aspectsoftmk, 6 months ago

very expressive…the photo takes my eyes and i feel the life…..and the words lets me see more into the life….terri
blossom, 6 months ago

Wow!! Such beautiful words Terri. I am so very touched!! Thank you!
jlynn, 6 months ago

Wonderful colors, I love how they hanging down, kind of humble in all their splendor! Fantastic image!
blossom in reply to jlynn’s comment, 6 months ago

Thanks Jlynn for your kind comment. Yes, the do look humble, but elegant!
dinghysailor1, 6 months ago

a really beautiful flower – and so well captured , well done indeed
Antanas, 6 months ago

fantastic capture
blossom in reply to dinghysailor1’s comment, 6 months ago

Thank you – you are too kind!! Much appreciated!!
This is one of my favourites!! Haven’t seen many in their natural environment like this one was!
blossom in reply to Antanas’s comment, 6 months ago

Thank you Antanas – Very much appreciate your kind comment!
Sylvia Huggair, 6 months ago

This is wonderful
Sylvia Huggair
Richard Stanley, 6 months ago

A wonderful image blossom – love the colours especially!
blossom in reply to Sylvia Huggair’s comment, 6 months ago

Thanks Sylvia – Much appreciated!
blossom in reply to Richard Stanley’s comment, 6 months ago

Thanks so much Richard – Glad you like!
lareejc, 5 months ago

interesting bio about these beautiful flowers! thank you for the info..and thanks for sharing your wonderful art with us!
Norman Winkworth, 4 months ago

Beautiful work.
blossom in reply to lareejc’s comment, 3 months ago

You are too kind Lareejc!! So appreciate!!
blossom in reply to Norman Winkworth’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Norman for your very kind comment.
Sorry for the delay in replying, have been away on holidays!