https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220882209

I can't pick a favorite because I've been photographing since about 1970, and my first camera lens was a macro lens, also suitable for regular photography, specifically for flowers.

However, one flower sticks out, Canterbury Bells, because they grew at the family home.



I took this one on a trip.

I do remember white and blue.

They were campanula persicifolia, with petals that are barely flared. You are more likely to find campanula medium, which really look like little bells. I should drop the distinction. They are all very beautiful.



More as they come to me, but I am biased by photos I took, which become "favorites" by association.

Last edited Mon Dec 22, 2025, 09:40 AM - Edit history (1)

The other post was in the wrong forum. General Discussion is a political forum. The host recommended the poster to repost it in the Lounge, which would have been okay. I waited the good part of the day for it to be reposted, but that never happened. I liked the original post enough to start this thread in the correct forum.

If I had to choose between the three, I would say it's a tie between the top two. I love bi-colored flowers.

As for other flowers, I like begonias and New Guinea impatiens because, aside from being pretty, they're so low maintenance. I also like lilacs for their color and aroma.

Do a web search for Dinner Plate Dahlias, there are many beautiful strains to choose from.

I'm learning not to trust the internet. Which is a good thing I guess.

Later:

I googled "Dinner Plate Dahlias" like Emile suggested and it is real.

Then raniculus, gladiolas, and Christmas/Easter cactuses.
I should also add crab apples, and Kanzan cherry trees!

My dad had this calendar back in the '80 with photos of flowers in places. One month had a house partly covered in wistepria (woah!). I'd never seen them before. I would eventually see them in certain areas in NYC's Village, and West Village to my delight.

Then another had beautiful pink lotuses and their fun leaves photographed in the floral pools of the NY (Bronx) Botanical Gaeden!
I was like "holy sh!t !!!".

See, I'd fallen in love as a tween (this was now like 20+ years later) with the lotus from a photograph. It was in Time Life's Science and Nature book series.

A Japanese scientist was attempting to grow lotuses from 2,000 yr old seeds found in a bog.
He was sucessful!
The stages of the flower opening were in B&W till the last one in color; a vivid lovely shell pink!
I fell instantly in love!

Peonies were in the big park i lived near for 25+ years. Had a Christmas cactus. Bought gladiolas from the green market.

I like to love most flowers.
Luckily I get to the Botanical Garden usually once or twice a year at least until recently post vid ($ isrue). But I can still go back to the big park with it's big gadden!

That white & purple dinner plate dahlia is wonderful! Quite striking.

Happy gardening! 💮🏵🌺🌻🪷