Some plants looks so lovely in person but are so hard to take photos of that can convey their pleasing character on to images.
I suppose it's not so much of an issue if you have a sophisticated camera and have the time to enhance images using a photo editing software, neither of which we have.
But sometimes all you need to do is to give such plants a helping hand. Like the airy Nandina domestica 'Filamentosa' below:
And this Mahonia fortunei
Rhododendron roxieanum var. oreonastes
variegated Phyllostachys aurea
Most plants however are complete show-offs, they don't need any helping hand and are ready to be photographed almost anytime like the Fatsia polycarpa below:
But these show-offs still needs the helping hand of a gardener to keep them looking good, in another way of course.
Mark :-)
I suppose it's not so much of an issue if you have a sophisticated camera and have the time to enhance images using a photo editing software, neither of which we have.
But sometimes all you need to do is to give such plants a helping hand. Like the airy Nandina domestica 'Filamentosa' below:
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| Nandina domestica 'Filamentosa' |
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| Can't wait for it to get bigger! |
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| Looks unique and distinctive from other mahonias - Mahonia fortunei |
variegated Phyllostachys aurea
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| Phyllostachys aurea 'Variegata' |
But these show-offs still needs the helping hand of a gardener to keep them looking good, in another way of course.
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
We readers also need a helping hand once in a while to enjoy all the excellent plant options out there.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Shirley :) we discover so many wonderful plants out there via gardening blogs too!
DeleteI don't really have time for lots of photo post-processing either -- but I still find it to be an essential part of the process. Although I don't have foliage like that Rhododendron roxieanum var. oreonastes... so beautiful!
ReplyDeletep.s. It's often just about getting the angles right. With the right background, the helping hand is no longer needed.
That's true as well Alan :)
DeleteI'd love to get into photography properly including image processing but alas time is lacking. Something to consider for the future.
Some lovely and interesting plants, I really must get into mahonias, other than 'Charity'! There are some good new varieties out there. Is the newish one `Soft caress'? I seem to recall you have blogged about it before and recommended it .
ReplyDeleteHi Jane, look out for Soft Caress and Sweet Winter, both great looking mahonias :)
DeleteBeautiful plants! Mahonia fortunei looks gorgeous and I have a soft spot in my heart for fatsia polycarpa! I've killed it twice but, perhaps because of our mild winter this year, my newest one seems happy and healthy. Maybe, now being well established, it will survive future years.
ReplyDeleteCross fingers Peter, and that it will do well in your for years to come :)
DeleteI had the same problem trying to photograph what I believe was the same plant at Plant Delights Nursery last summer. An unusual plant, and the photos simply don't do it justice.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.flickr.com/photos/dctropics/14888572546
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dctropics/14888571516
Thanks for the links John, will check them out in a little while :)
DeleteA hand is nice for scale too!
ReplyDeleteIndeed Loree :)
Delete:-) Love these unusual foliages.. especially the mahonia fortunei and the nandina. (I have the near same, but was sold as 'nandina orihime'). The fatsia polycarpa is amazing...and quite big !
ReplyDeleteCan't get enough of those polycarpas Laurent! We used to even have a bigger one but alas...
DeleteSuch a good point! I am glad you gave these plants a hand : )
ReplyDeleteSame here Laurin :)
DeleteI could use a helping hand with many of my photos too! Too bad my husband isn't cooperative in that regard.
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to make do with your own hands Kris :)
DeleteNandina domestica 'Filamentosa' has such lovely, delicate foliage, definitely brought out by your helping hand. Some plants can look very busy and it's nice to be able to look closely at a branch or two and see what it's really like :)
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed Amy :) with such delicate foliage it's difficult to photograph but with contrast not so much
DeleteI know it - some plants are so damn hard to capture! I have the worst time with Comptonia peregrina 'Sweet Fern'. It has these tiny little wine red little brush-like flowers when they first awake after winter - I couldn't get it with either my old camera or with my phone. Looking forward to try with the new camera. I covet that N. filamentosa and the Rhododendron. It reminds me a little of an Umbrella pine.
ReplyDeleteIt does doesn't it Anna? That Rhododendron has that conifer look to it :)
DeleteOhh! I´ve got that same nandina and you are right, is sooo difficult to photograph.
ReplyDeleteThe hand helps a lot Lisa :)
DeleteBeautiful, thank you so much for sharing. Green is my favourite colour. :)
ReplyDeleteA pleasure Linda!
DeleteI love, love the Fatsia polycarpa! The airy foliage of the nandina is also very attractive. Your variety of interesting foliage plants continues to amaze me.
ReplyDeleteBoth would be lovely additions to your garden Debs!
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