Queen, Center Stage © 2010 Bo Mackison
This simple purple flower, a Japanese anemone, is formally known as ‘Queen Charlotte’. I was attracted to this particular flower because two of the yellow stamens have bent towards the center of the flower. With a little imagination, I can see a little butterfly kiss. This flower is also called a windflower.
Photographed at Allen Centennial Gardens on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison.
Starry, Starry Night © 2010 Bo Mackison
These tiny blossoms of the Sweet Autumn Clematis remind me of masses of flowery constellations. This late flowering vine has thousands of tiny star shaped flowers and blooms from the end of August to October.
It is delightfully fragrant and is twined about the gates to the Allen Centennial Gardens, making the entrance especially attractive when so few flowers are now in their prime.
Last Summer Rose © 2010 Bo Mackison
I’ve been making almost daily trips to the gardens this summer.
Over the past five months, there have always been roses to greet me when I entered the Allen Centennial Gardens. They bloomed early this year, the first rose buds opening in the early days of May. And now, as we approach the last days of September, most of the roses have bloomed.
All, except for this one last pink rose, sheltered near the garden trellis. It was just beginning to open when I was there a few days ago. I do believe it will be my last rose of this summer.
Red Bridge Reflection @ 2010 Bo Mackison
Interesting colors towards the end of the day while visiting Allen Centennial Gardens on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison. Love the mix of bright colors – yellow-greens from the trees’ reflections, the bridge’s reflection in bright red, and the blue-green tinted lily pads.
Wild Hair Floral © 2010 Bo Mackison
What a wild end to a beautiful flower! Though I think this part of the Pasque Flower is as ever bit intriguing as the flower in its full purple bloom. The Allen Centennial Garden on the University of Wisconsin’s campus is astounding for the variety of botanicals it packs in a dense urban setting.
One of my favorite Madison spaces.
