Clerodendrum
Enjoy the Clerodendrum from last Spring. The butterfly is folded up and hard to see, but enjoy that too.
As I understand it, the bush is native to China and India. It does well under the shade of the holly tree in the back yard. It spreads like crazy by sending out runners under ground – and it smells like peanut butter when you break the leaves.
“Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.” Psalms 50:2 ESV
Moon Flower with Bugs
I found this one hiding in the bushes out behind the garden. I didn’t think we would have any this year but there it was! (and actually another one is now blooming on the fence.)
I don’t know what kind of bugs are on the flower, but it doesn’t really matter. It’s still spectacular. And wonderful is appropriate too. It’s one of the wonderful things our Lord has done.
“I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” Psalms 9:1 ESV
Black Swallowtail Butterfly
The nights are cooling off a little, but it is still warm during the day. So the butterflies aren’t completely gone yet.
Moth on Duranta
Neither are the moths (I don’t know what kind this one is, but it is neat looking). And the closeup of the Duranta does show the blue color well.
Monarch Butterfly
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 ESV
And then, everything else beautiful.
Tibouchina bush
Here’s one that’s not usually from around here – but it’s adapted wonderfully. As I understand it, it’s more of a tropical or semi-tropical plant. So, the winters are cold enough in south Georgia that it dies back to the ground each year.
But, it comes back in the spring and forms a perfectly shaped bush with beautiful flowers. It continues to bloom for several months. In the picture below you can see the blooms, and the many buds that will follow behind.
Tibouchina flowers
Yet another example of being strangers in a strange land and blooming where you’re planted!
“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.” Hebrews 11:13 ESV
And, we who are blessed with faith, by grace, have received the things promised. Yet, even though, like the saints of old written about in Hebrews 11, we are still strangers and exiles on the earth, we are called to spread the blessings where we are.
I Was Thinking the Other Day About... 