Photo of Bluebells in a Forest

There's a winter wonderland out my front window and while its pristine purity has a beauty of its own,  I really do miss the splashes of colour the warmer seasons bring.  So as there are months to go and quite likely a thicker blanket of white over the ground before it's done, here's a photo of a more vibrant cover to warm your spirit.

A Chrysanthemum for Christmas

Today is Christmas Eve and in honour of this we are sharing a festive floral photograph. The rich colour of the wrapped gift is a perfect contrast to the purity of the beautiful white chrysanthemum. 

The Lovely Gardens at Villa Carlotta

Seeing flowers at this time of year for those of us north of the equator, generally means a trip to warm and sunny locales. So for anyone who can't make it, here's a beautiful photo of gardens in Lake Como, Italy's Villa Carlotta.

Now a museum and botanical gardens, the  villa was built in 1690  for the Milanese marquis Giorgio Clerici. It extends over a 70,000 square metre area in Tremezzo, facing the Bellagio Peninsula.

A Photo of Flowers to Brighten Any Day

It can say so many things.. "I'm sorry.", "I love you.", "Thinking of you", "Get well" or "Surprise!"

There is nothing like a simple bouquet of flowers to convey a message and brighten a day. 

In the romantic movie Bed of Roses, actor Christian Slater's character explains his decision to leave the corporate world and become a florist, saying that delivering flowers brings joy, even in times of sadness.

To some, as they are hardly a gift that endures forever, they may seem a waste, but there is no denying that the presentation of a bouquet will coax a smile, beg forgiveness or warm a heart — guaranteed. 

Today's Floral Image a Study in Contrast

The image chosen for this week's flower picture is one of contrasts: a lovely young woman standing outside in winter,  wearing icy blue and holding a hot pink hothouse flower. The combination of the exotic bloom against the crisp colour palette is striking. You can almost feel the chill and sense the fragility of the gorgeous orchid.