Tulip "Lilac Wonder"

Coincidences are interesting. As my wife and I walked through Hereford we were discussing colour combinations. I remarked that I particularly disliked the combination of lilac with yellow. A short while later, in the ruined cloister at the cathedral, I photographed these lilac and yellow flowers in its garden. I took my shots because the flowers were in full bloom and I didn't know their variety. When I closely inspected the leaves I discovered they were tulips, possibly the most cultivated flower, and one that has been made to produce blooms quite unlike those found in its original form. When I got home I looked up this variety's name and found it was "Lilac Wonder". It's well named. I too wonder why the breeder produced the plant!

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

Stigma, style, stamen and petals

It's remarkable how episodes from childhood can pop up in your memory as though they were yesterday. When I was looking at this photograph on my computer of an open tulip bloom I mentally checked off the botanical names for the parts of the flower. In so doing I was transported back to the time in school when I drew a labelled diagram during a lesson about plant reproduction. As a botanical illustration this photograph lacks clarity. However, the contrast between the sharp centre and the soft surround gives it qualities that I like.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Sony DSC-RX100