Flowers are the true stars of the growing season, and they shine in these reader snapshots.
With my trusty Nikon D5100 in hand, I headed out to photograph flowers early one morning while the dew still dotted the petals. I thought this purple iris bloom was absolutely breathtaking.
Lynn Erdely
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA
A short afternoon stop at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello estate resulted in this lucky shot of cherry blossoms. The vivid color of the blue sky provided the perfect background for the delicate petals. I happily continued on my way to the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
Shannon Anderson
ELIZABETHTOWN, KENTUCKY
I visited a dahlia farm in Oregon last summer. This was one of their experimental varieties, and I absolutely fell in love with this small flower. It’s simple and elegant, with a great color combo. I just felt like it had personality. Lori Naanes
GOSPORT, INDIANA
This photo of a purple water lily represents summer for me. The vibrant colors of these beautiful blooms catch your eye as they stand out among the floating pads.
Marlana McTague BROOKSVILLE, FLORIDA
This story is from the April/May 2019 edition of Birds & Blooms.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April/May 2019 edition of Birds & Blooms.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Basics of Hydroponics
Use these top tips and plant picks to have a successful soil-free garden
Rooted in Resilience
These hardy perennials will thrive in most zones
Social and Supportive
Brown-headed nuthatches take a helpful approach to raising their young
All About Owl Pellets
And why you should give a hoot about them
Ask the Experts
Advice from our pros about houseplants, bird feeding and more
BRING THE OUTDOORS IN
Making a terrarium is about as close as you can get to a Zen DIY project. Once you have gathered the proper materials and squared away your plant selections, it's as simple as layering it all together and watching your mini ecosystem thrive. Here, I'll walk you through my foolproof process and cover all the required elements for good filtration, healthy soil, strong root growth and resistance against fungus and disease.
GROW THIS. NOT THAT
Six easy-to-grow houseplants—and six that may not be the right choice for you
Winter MAGIC
Forecasts may be frigid, but grab your binoculars because birding opportunities are still incredible
Sense or Nonsense? - Why some birds can taste and smell - but others can't
Does a porcelain berry taste like a blueberry to a gray catbird? Does a block of lard smell like frying bacon to a northern flicker? The short answer is no. While some avian species do have a well-adapted sense of taste or smell, they can't distinguish between flavors and odors the way humans can. They're not picking up every ingredient in the suet you put out, says José Ramírez-Garofalo, an ornithology researcher at Rutgers University in New Jersey and the director of Freshkills Biological Station in Staten Island, New York.
Maple Mania - Amazing facts about this fall foliage mainstay
Amazing facts about this fall foliage mainstay
