Friday 28 December 2012

LION'S EAR SKIES

Leonotis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae. It comprises 9 species. One of these, Leonotis nepetifolia, is native to tropical Africa and southern India. It is naturalized throughout most of the tropics. The other 8 species are endemic to southern Africa. Leonotis was named by Robert Brown in 1810 in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen. The generic name means "lion's ear".

A popular garden hybrid is illustrated here. It is the rather magnificent Leonotis menthifolia - 'Savannah Sunset'. Depending on the climate of your region, this is an annual/perennial plant with an erect growth habit. In mid-Summer, Leonotis menthifolia repeatedly produces showy whorls of round, furry, orange blossoms around the tall erect stems followed later by seeds. Butterflies and bees are magnetised by the nectar-rich blossoms. The plant is easily propagated from seeds and thrives best in well-drained neutral soil in a sunny location. Lion's Ear is low maintenance and tolerates drought well. Mass plant in the back of the border for a striking effect.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme,
and also part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.





13 comments:

  1. This is beautiful flowers in front of a gorgeous blue heaven.
    Happy New Year !

    ReplyDelete
  2. What cheerful flowers!! My first time to see.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Happy New Year!

    Pretty flowers.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful flowers, vibrant colors and perfect against those blue, blue skies! Terrific captures, Nick!! Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year!! Enjoy!

    Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful! I love the colour and the shape of these, very interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What gorgeous shots!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Can't recall ever seeing this flower... and they look cool against the blue sky, All the best in the coming year, Nick!

    ReplyDelete
  8. WOW - what stunning flowers - I don't think I have ever seen them before ;-)
    visiting from FFF
    http://anentreeincolour.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/floral-friday-fotos-fff58.html

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wonderful colours.

    Please have a good weekend ahead.

    ReplyDelete
  10. spectacular skies and blooms!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lovely flowers below the perfect blue sky the pic really wonderful, full of nature friendly colors and the elevation from which you have capture the pic just add to its beauty.

    snurken

    ReplyDelete

Feel free to comment, I'd really like to hear from you!
Please do not use this comment box to advertise your goods and services!