More Sea Blush

I wrote yesterday that, "the Sea Blush are painting the hillsides with broad splashes of pink..." but the Sea Blush photo I posted doesn't capture that well so here's another photo of the Sea Blush on the slopes of Highrock Park where you can see how they grow in beds where the glacial grooves in the rock have gathered a little soil. Highrock Park is basically just a huge rock with only the shallowest pockets of soil in these grooves. The green in the foreground of the above photo is moss that clings to the bare rock beneath. Over the next few weeks the pink of the Sea Blush will be replaced by the blue of Camas Lilies that grow in the same grooves.

Sea Blush

These pink Sea Blush have taken over the upper slopes of Highrock Park but the Camas Lilies are hot on their heels and by the end of the week most of those slopes will be clothed in their brilliant blue.

Satinflower 2

So I went up to Highrock Park again today to check on how the local wildflowers are doing in this colder-than-normal spring. Usually there is a fairly predictable progression. Satinflowers first and about the time they are finished the Shooting Stars and Fawn Lilies start, then the Sea Pink and then Camas, etc. This year, however, I am seeing Satinflowers, Fawn Lilies and Sea Pink simultaneously. I took this photo of Satinflowers today and you can see the small pink Sea Pink (Sea Blush) flowers at the bottom of the photo. Satinflowers are usually long gone by the time the Sea Pink blooms.

Sea Blush

Here's another favorite spring wildflower, Sea Blush (Plectritis congesta). It paints the upper reaches of Highrock Park pink at this time of year.

Sea Blush

It wouldn't be spring or Victoria Daily Photo without sea blush in all of it's lovely pink and green. - Fern

Sea Blush (Plectritis congesta)

Highrock Park in Vic West is lovely at any time of year but is outstanding in the spring. The magnificent carpet of Sea Blush (Plectritis congesta) pictured above is only one reason and I'll post a few more photos later this week to show some others. Following sharp on the heels of the blooming Sea Blush will be the Camas Lilies and their rich blue-purple will provide the perfect counterpoint to this vibrant pink. Most of the taller grass-like leaves visible in the foreground of the above photo are Camas and they will probably bloom en masse next week. To the left is a close-up of a Sea Blush plant. They are quite small, little more than ankle-height in Highrock Park, but more than make up for their diminutive size with their lavish profusion.

Sea Blush (Plectritis congesta)

My first stop to check on the progress of spring here in Victoria was nearby Highrock Cairn Park in Vic West. There I found Satinflowers and Giant Fawn Lilies as well as these patches of Sea Blush that carpet the hillsides with pink at this time of year.

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While I've been away my daughter, Fern Long, has posted a terrific collection of daily photos here. Check in on Sunday and Monday every week to see more of her work. Thank you Fern!