Clearwing humming bird in Lawrence gardens

Here i am again with another edition of macro monday. Because of my coverage with annual spring flower show (see below post) i could not take much macros but still those i got were worth posting.

This one was shot at lawrence garden lahore. I am not sure what it is but it seems to be a hummingbird moth. Though we do not have hummingbirds here but sunbirds. Lovely sight though.
update: This is some species of clearwing hummingbird moth.

 Stock is the most fragrant annual of spring. And bees love them too. This one shot at my terrace.

This bee seems to be too involved in california poppy. Again captured on my terrace.

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Annual Spring Flower Show Lahore - Part 1

This year's annual spring flower show was held at bara dari in lawrence garden aka jinnah bagh lahore. It was 152nd annual flower show and lasted for about a week. The special feature of the show was that it was collaborated with iran's culture centre, they are also celebrating their spring these days. There was a special corner for iran's flowers and their floriculture. I must say they had one of the beautiful flowers i have ever seen which i will share in next part. So here goes the flower show:
This was joint flag of pakistan and iran.
Helichrysum also known as paper flowers planted in groups. Very pretty indeed.
Geraniums, and these seemed to be geraniums not pelargoniums.
These are the cranesbill geraniums.
Another beautiful plant whose name i am forgetting right now but but very pretty in masses.
There were many stalls and few were selling bonsai at very high cost. Although personally i do not like bonsai but people seemed to be interested in them.
succellents were also displayed and people bought them with interest.
There were many mass plantings of petunia but this one just caught my eye.
This iris was about 3 feet high probably raised from bulb.
Statice are becoming popular at cut flower shops as well due to their lasting capabilities.
Many types of roses were displayed. This one is miniture rose.
This is hybird tea rose.
The floribunda rose.
Another mass planting of these beautiful yellow flowers i was unable to identify at first glance.
Many types of gladiolus were also displayed including imported ones and local ones. This one was gem of all.
Although digitalis foxglove do not grow very well here in plains, the sellers do manage to get them bloom and sell at high prices. This one was one example. I discourage buying high altitude plants in plains, ahhm okay i admit aquilegia is an exception.

What do you think a spring annual show can be complete without mums? here they go. By the way here is exclusive coverage of chrysanthemum flower show few months back.

Sparaxis, Freesia, gazania in my garden

It is a pleasure to be part of another Booming friday hosted by Katarina at roses and stuff. There are lots of blooms in my garden, Spring at the peak. First comes this beautiful freesia. I planted lots of freesias this year as they are sure to bloom in our weather and adapt very well to our hot climate. I have never seen such lovely color before. And do i need to tell you the fragrance is just outstanding.

I also planted sparaxis bulbs but not all of them showed the blooms. This one did send up some awesome blossoms. A treat to watch if you have planted them in masses. Another warm climate bulb from south africa. so here goes the Harlequin Flower.

Here comes another heat tolerant dazzling bloomer, gazania. Even in this 90F temperature, they will endure drought. What a tough plant it is. And what a splash of colors they provide.

Pink ranunculus blooming in clay container. I grew them from the corms/tubers.

Dianthus and shirley poppy flowers

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