What winter? Flower Friday - FF11

Hot, Hot, Hot today, who’d thunk it was still winter,  a leisurely walk along the prom at Balmoral followed by Fish and Chips at the Boatshed, all in all, a very enjoyable afternoon.
 
This is a lonesome Grevillea (no idea what type) planted in my front garden about three years ago and I’m pleased to report that although still only quite small,  has several buds at the ready!  There are about 350 species of Grevillea, so if anyone knows which one this is..........


They are good bird-attracting plants, goodness knows how they get at the honey though!
 
The second image is a shot of one of my few remaining orchids, this white one, usually gets nibbled on, but for whatever reason, the flowers have very few imperfections this year.  I’ve just picked several blooms to give to my neighbor who’s father is recovering from a serious operation.


Sorry, but I’d already taken the shot before noticing the theme of “leaves”
whoops..... so a poem will have to do instead!  “Which is fairer, flower or leaf?"




Leaves Compared With Flowers (Robert Frost)
A tree's leaves may be ever so good,
So may its bar, so may its wood;
But unless you put the right thing to its root
It never will show much flower or fruit.

But I may be one who does not care
Ever to have tree bloom or bear.
Leaves for smooth and bark for rough,
Leaves and bark may be tree enough.

Some giant trees have bloom so small
They might as well have none at all.
Late in life I have come on fern.
Now lichens are due to have their turn.

I bade men tell me which in brief,
Which is fairer, flower or leaf.
They did not have the wit to say,
Leaves by night and flowers by day.

Leaves and bar, leaves and bark,
To lean against and hear in the dark.
Petals I may have once pursued.
Leaves are all my darker mood.