These Hearts
May 3, 2009 · By Deb Phillips – The Photo Gal
The flower, Dicentra spectabilis, is also known as a bleeding heart.
Some hearts are cold and closed — but these hearts are tender and free.
Photo 2
Multiple blooms of a bleeding heart are shown with the inner petals extending below the pink outer petals.
Photo 3
The flowering season for bleeding hearts is from early spring to mid-summer.
Photo 4
A closer view of the petals of a bleeding heart.
A Favorite?
Of the above photos, do you have a favorite view? Please share your preference in the Comment section below.
Deb, my favorite is #3. I love this plant. I got a cutting from my mother’s garden in Virginia about 6 years ago. My mom passed away in 2006 and so each spring, it’s a joy to see this plant come back to life. The beautiful color is a delight to see, and the bleeding heart is a reminder of my mom’s tender heart for me and my siblings.
Jone, that’s a beautiful tribute to your mom. I had actually thought of saving this post for Mother’s Day, because it does seem perfect for exemplifying a mother’s love.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Hi Deb,
These photos are beautiful. I was just admiring this plant yesterday as my Mom and brother and his family and I were walking around Reynolda Gardens. In fact, I even picked a bloom (when no one was looking!) to open it up. My son Timothy and I have been studying flowers in science and I wanted to “disect” it to see if any eggs were visible inside. Sure enough, Brandon, Michael and I saw some. I did not even know that flowers had eggs until a few years ago when Abby told me what she was learning in science. God continually amazes me as I learn more about his creation. Thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures!
Omega
Wow, Omega. I didn’t realize these flowers actually have eggs inside them! I’ve only recently become more interested in flowers and birds, because I’ve been photographing them more.
As I observed the bleeding hearts closely — both while photographing them and while processing the images — I found them wondrous to behold. Their details and colors are so stirring. Only the “Master Artist” can birth such exquisite creations.
Thanks so much for writing, Omega.
HI Deb,
I forgot to mention my favorite — I love both #1 and #2! I can’t decide which I like better. I think for a small photo (like on a note card) I would pick #1, but for an enlarged, framed shot I would love #2. My Mom shared your website with me. I have already subscribed. I love photography and hope to take a class soon to learn how to use my camera I purchased last summer.
Blessings, Omega
Thanks for sharing your faves, Omega. I bet you’re going to really enjoy your photo class, and will do very well at translating what you learn into some great shots.
Photography is such a great activity, because you can go in so many different directions with it and find you’re always learning and experiencing something new.
I met a gentleman this past Saturday who fought in the Korean War. On his way over to Korea, he bought a camera and began learning how to use it. During his time in Korea, he documented his experiences and his fellow soldiers. Now, over 50 years later, those photos are precious treasures to him. You’ll have the opportunity to do something similar when you and your family travel to Okinawa soon. (You’ll have to send me some of your favorites!)
Thanks for subscribing to the blog. I hope you’ll enjoy following my ventures through Lewisville.
All the best to you and yours,
Deb
Beautiful~ I like #1, looks like a drop of blood on it.
One person mentioned eggs inside of blossom so if you come across larkspur blossoms, look at them as they have a little bunny face in it~
Thanks, Polly! The look of the drop of blood is exactly why I chose that photo as #1, because it was the best one I had that illustrated the “bleeding” heart (before those outer petals open up to reveal the inner petals).
Hmmm…larkspur blossoms. I’m such a flower novice that I’ll have to Google that and then see if I can find one. That’d be awesome to be able to photograph the bunny face. That’s so amazing!