Christmas Bells
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.
Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
Karin Taylor
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
looks lovely as a print with the black matt
fdgl65
I agree, the print looks great :)
Joanne Bradley
Beautiful macro. Wonderful description.
pat oubridge
Beautiful plant image blossom
reflector
Very well captured ! Sharp clarity, and strong colors.
digitalmidge
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
nice floral capture
debsphotos
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!!!
pinkyjain
So gorgeous blossom, such a lovely name for a flower
whisperingruth
What a beautiful shot….........awesome work blossom!
Irish
Very Pretty!
Claire Farley
Great shot Blossom! Like your comments also, very imformative
aspectsoftmk
very expressive…the photo takes my eyes and i feel the life…..and the words lets me see more into the life….terri
jlynn
Wonderful colors, I love how they hanging down, kind of humble in all their splendor! Fantastic image!
dinghysailor1
a really beautiful flower – and so well captured , well done indeed
Antanas
fantastic capture
Sylvia Huggair
This is wonderful
Sylvia Huggair
Richard Stanley
A wonderful image blossom – love the colours especially!
lareejc
interesting bio about these beautiful flowers! thank you for the info..and thanks for sharing your wonderful art with us!
Norman Winkworth
Beautiful work.
Marilyn Harris
Anna D'Accione 29 days ago
As kids we used to pick them in the scub. One hardly sees them these days. Beautiful Image Marilyn. Makes one very nostalgic. Thank you and also for the information on these beauties.