Poodle Hibiscus and frogs carry love across the miles.

Years ago when my non gardening youngest daughter was living with me in Florida USA, we bought a hibiscus together.  I don't know if that was its official name but we called it poodle hibiscus.   She has always requested that I try to grow that beautiful flower again. I live in Australia  now and she in New York, so I love to find connections that reduce the miles between us.  Over the weekend this bloomed :
 I must have at some stage found one and taken  a cutting.   I nurtured that little slip not really remembering which one it was.  I e-mailed my daughter, and she confirmed it was just like the first poodle hibiscus we grew together.  Don't you love those delicate red veins running through the petals?
the lower "tail" part looks so lush and full, yet delicate, and what a gorgeous salmon color.
My daughter is at the moment in Paris for a couple of months and says she will look out for more flowers I can grow for her.   ;)
My eldest daughter took a photo of a frog on her daily walk, and said it made her think of me and the frogs she enjoyed in my garden.  She is a magnificent photographer - this is her frog, used with permission.
I am so glad that I live in an age where we can share images, real time conversation, and have instant connection with loved ones far away.

Comments

  1. MaureenMon Jun 04, 10:10:00 AM

    I often wonder exactly how I would keep in touch with so many over a short space of time if it were not for the internet, I posted a photo of my new Grandson on facebook and within 30 minutes I had had comments and likes from all over the world.
    Love your photos, keep them coming....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. africanaussieTue Jun 05, 08:18:00 AM

      Hi Maureen,
      thanks and hope you get better soon and can go and visit that grandson and cuddle with him.

      Delete
  2. AlanMon Jun 04, 11:23:00 AM

    Beautiful story. Plants often have a sentimental meaning attached to them. There are ones I grow because they remind me of someone or of a special occasion.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. africanaussieTue Jun 05, 08:19:00 AM

      I read a book a while back called the language of flowers and it really resonated with me.

      Delete
  3. RoslynMon Jun 04, 11:37:00 AM

    Love the French frog - wondering whether he croaks with an accent. I don't think I will ever take for granted the way the internet opens up the world and keeps us connected with loved ones. My grandchildren, on the other hand, have never known anything else and think it's quite normal to talk to Grandma on the computer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. africanaussieTue Jun 05, 08:20:00 AM

      Missy,
      Oh the frog is in the US. Isn't it amazing how these young kids grow up knowing things that take us so long to learn? - sigh.

      Delete
  4. TracyMon Jun 04, 01:04:00 PM

    What a magnificent looking frog. And the hibiscus is beautiful. I know the Internet has its downside but the opportunities for learning and making connections it opens up surely outweigh the negatives.
    Tracy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. africanaussieTue Jun 05, 08:22:00 AM

      Tracy,
      I think so, definitely for me, although I often have to pull up short and limit my time.

      Delete
  5. AnonymousMon Jun 04, 05:07:00 PM

    I love the frog but am not so sure I like the strange Hibiscus; I do so agree about communications and how they have changed even from the days when a letter took one day to arrive it is so different to be able to read something written seconds ago accross the world and being able to share images brings us all closer together. I agree with Tracy, above, that the positives far outweigh the negatives especially for those of us living far away from family and friendds. Christina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. africanaussieTue Jun 05, 08:23:00 AM

      I am a big fan of hibiscus, so many varieties here. I am sure you would find one to love. It seems everyone has someone living far away.

      Delete
  6. Mary SlavkinMon Jun 04, 05:34:00 PM

    Cette fleur est tres belle! I do love the poodle hibiscus, and the fact that we can post, photos, skype, etc.! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. AndreaMon Jun 04, 07:00:00 PM

    Oh africanaussie, i love that hibiscus, i also love its name as you call it. I wonder where can i get a cutting from somewhere, i haven't seen it here, especially that color.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. africanaussieTue Jun 05, 08:28:00 AM

      I see that Floridagirl has the "proper name" El Capitola Sport. that might prove helpful in your search.

      Delete
  8. MarisaMon Jun 04, 09:54:00 PM

    I love your hibiscus. I saw a similar one here in Jakarta, and a friend asked me about it. She'll be pleased to know they are in Australia too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. africanaussieTue Jun 05, 08:32:00 AM

      I saw that, and not long after seeing your photo, mine flowered!

      Delete
  9. FloridagirlMon Jun 04, 10:20:00 PM

    That is an awesome frog photo! I've had that same hibiscus for many years...it's one of the few that survived the hibiscus culling in my garden in winter of 2011. It is called 'El Capitolio Sport,' but I like the name "poodle hibiscus" better. : )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. africanaussieTue Jun 05, 08:35:00 AM

      Floridagirl,
      I remember seeing it on your blog and now too I remember the name.

      Delete
  10. africanaussieTue Jun 05, 08:34:00 AM

    I never grow tired of looking at different flowers in my garden. Sharing them with others around the world extends that joy outward.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousTue Jun 05, 09:02:00 AM

    Isn't it wonderful when beautiful things also bring beautiful memories? Your garden has it all. And, yes, it's fantastic how we can share our lives with loved ones who are in different hemispheres and living different lives through the internet. I hope I never get blase about it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. africanaussieTue Jun 05, 01:52:00 PM

    It sure is, and the older I get the more memories I accumulate :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. JacquelineTue Jun 05, 09:25:00 PM

    Your crested single hibiscus is gorgeous, Gillian and your close-up images of it is simply awesome! We had planted a similar looking apricot hibiscus, Hibiscus 'Madeline Champion' before but without the attractive extended cluster of petals as in yours.
    By the way, I enjoyed reading your lovely quotes at the sidebar... thanks for presenting them.

    ReplyDelete

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