Just sneaking in before Jude’s topic for April’s garden challenge comes to an end. Earlier this month i posted the unopen bud so i’m happy that it blossomed in time to reveal it’s full beauty. The Serruria protea genus has 55 species and ‘florida’ falls under the Mountain Skirted Spiderheads and this gorgeous specimen is known colloquially as “The Blushing Bride”. Curiously it is blooming early, it’s season should start from July through to October. The close-up view shows it’s cunning design – how the flowerhead divides into a headlet of 45- 60 flowers. Involucral bracts form a base and a ‘skirt’ of white tipped perianth with long, silky hairs hold the pollen.
The species in the wild is “Critically Endangered” but it’s popularity as a cut flower promotes it’s cultivation as a bedding plant. We were fortunate to purchase this one from the Kirstenbosch nursery and it takes pride of place in our garden.
For further information check out the excellent site PlantzAfrica.
Nature on the Edge 
I am not surprised it is pride of place in your garden, what a stunning plant! And what exquisite photos! Love those clashing colours in the second image. And I want one 😀
Isn’t it gorgeous! And there’s quite a story as it was thought to have gone extinct but then a small population of about 1000 was discovered on the mountain slopes of Franschoek. Brought back from the brink….
Pride of place sounds perfect for this beauty. I want one too!! 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous photos, Liz.
Really chuffed with this first flower!! It’s a new shrub in our garden and we’re hoping it survives as it’s a mountain species. Might be too protected here, should be exposed to cooler temperatures, more altitude….
Beautiful plant.
Thanks Lena 🙂
A lovely plant expertly photographed.
Nice compliment 🙂 Thanks Gilly.
It looks like a beautiful crown – Love the fuzzy stamens.
Yes, it’s a crafty design 🙂 I’m keeping out an eye to see if there are any pollinators interested.
Exquisite, Liz – and that goes for your photos as well. The proteas we have here are nothing like this – and i applaud the name – so suitable in every way. Lucky you! I WANT ONE too!
Yes, it is gorgeous, and as the stamens open it gets blushier! It’s a delicious little story too on how it got it’s name 🙂
http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantqrs/serrurflorid.htm
Ah, thank you. I love the intricate ways in which we name our plants. And this time there was a Swede involved as well… I must say your photos are far more beautiful than these in the text…Yours are heavenly.
Those Swedish guys were fearless – Thunberg was a true adventurer; but Linnaeus a genius 🙂
something to treasure in your garden! beautiful images of a beautiful flower!!
: ))
Beautiful photographs and informative blog. Thanks so much.
Thanks for the visit Anina. Had a quick browse through your www and very worthy work, especially the educational initiatives. Have signed up for your newsletter.
Super. Especially the middle one
Oh good, that’s a powerhouse full of dynamic stamens and pollen etc!
It is
Lovely pics Liz!
Thanks Karen, hoping that this serruria will hang in at coastal level.
Really stunning flower, Liz. Your macros are exquisite. 🙂
Thanks Sylvia 🙂
So beautiful and lovely photos
Thank you!
Very pretty colors. Loved these macros.
Thanks Nandini. This is the first flowering so this plant has me enthralled by it’s developing colours😊 It’s ‘blush’ is deepening by the day as the stamens burst and lay into the skirt.
What an intricate and beautiful plant. I need to try some macro photography–yours are great.
Thanks for your lovely comments Stephen 🙂 Macro opens up another realm; you’re sure to get hooked.