In December around where I live in Western Australia there is a burst of colour before the summer heat dries off everything. Some of our native trees put on a glorious show for us, as you can see here.
Another glorious yellow flowering tree are the Banksia family. I think they look like giant Christmas candles. The flower cylinders grow up to 10-40cm long and 8-10cm wide. There are many different varieties of Banksias - named after botanist Sir Joseph Banks who came to Australia with Captain James Cook. Banksias seem to be one of the plants in Western Australia that has been adversely affected by climate change, as many are now dying.
And of course one of the colours of Christmas is red - and here is the Red Flowering Gum - Eucalyptus ficifolia, now reclassified as Corymbia ficifolia. These trees will grow in most areas of Australia, except for tropical and mountain zones
And the Jacaranda - Jacaranda mimosifolia. This is not an Australian native - it is actually native to Brazil, where they are deciduous, not because of cold winters, but because of the monsoonal wet and dry season. These trees can reach a height of around 10-15m, and a spread of the same size. They drop their flowers in a beautiful blue-purple carpet, which might be why, in our area at least, you see this tree more in older housing areas, rather than new. Although not an Australia native, I have included it because it is so beautiful. Actually they seem to bloom better here in a dry season.
And with all this colour and intoxicating nectar - the bees think they are in heaven -
I hope you have enjoyed my selection of December flowering trees in Western Australia.
I am linking into Mosaic Monday at Little Red House. To see the work of Mary and other wonderful contributors from across the world, please click on the link - Mosaic Monday
Have a wonderful week. I look forward to hearing from you.
So lovely! Love seeing this opposite season from ours. Beautiful color!
ReplyDeleteSo many vibrant color! Beautiful photos! Happy holidays! ♥
ReplyDeleteBeautiful colour in the trees. Must be heavenly to see. V
ReplyDeleteGorgeous blooms...the saturated colors are just stunning!
ReplyDeleteI am in awe of the beautiful colour from these trees and look at all those bees!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are so beautiful and these flowers are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteMy Pearls
Wonderful colours!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week,
Markus
I've just spent well over half an hour reading your blog posts Jill as well as enjoying your stunning photography. Your writing is gentle, thoughtful and inspiring and although I live in WA it reminds me of so many small things that on a day to day basis I completely miss. Your photography also highlights images that sometimes I overlook as too small or even mundane in the day to day grind - but they are beautiful and astonishing. Keep up the great work. (Are you on Twitter?)
ReplyDeleteHi Jill, your trees are gorgeous and I love all the pretty blossoms and colors. Thanks for sharing on Mosaic Monday. I wish you a great week ahead.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful blooms for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteWhat is it they say about great minds and fools? I see we both had the same idea for our posts this week. The colours in your photos are fantastic! The Bull Banksia flowers are lovely, and those Red Flowering Gum blooms are just magnificent. I have a soft spot for the beautiful Jacaranda blooms though. I simply love the Jacarandas when they're in full bloom.
ReplyDeleteThat shot of summer colour was a treat! We are nearly at the height of our darkest, rainiest time and I am looking forward to the end of the month when, little by little, the days will get longer....but we'll not have colour like you've shown, even in high summer.
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