Showing posts with label higan-bana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label higan-bana. Show all posts
October 24, 2020
October 7, 2020
Higan-bana (Lycoris radiata) flowers: Eisho-ji
The transparent sunlight peculiar to early autumn is falling through the pellucid atmosphere and is filling the humble garden of this Buddhist convent with its serene and clear brightness.
As if to heartily welcome the refreshing and rich sunshine of this season, the vivid vermilion flowers of Higan-bana are blooming all together vigorously on the tips of the leafless stems before the appearance of their fresh leaves.
The stunning color of a roaring flame is blazing quietly in this monastic garden, which makes me realize that the long-awaited autumn has just arrived here definitely.
Higan-bana (Lycoris radiata) flowers: Chojyu-ji
"Higan-bana" means the flower which blooms around Higan (the autumnal equinox) and its flowering season is about the middle of September.
Its flower buds in the soil know their flowering time by sensing only the seasonal change of temperature. The flower stalks emerge from the ground before the leaves and its delicate flowers bloom in the form of radial clusters simultaneously.
When the flower stalks disappear after flowering, the leaves grow out and remain green over the winter. In early summer, when other plants start growing leaves, the leaves of Higan-bana die and the above-ground part of this plant is no longer visible.
Instead of producing seeds, this plant reproduces by making its bulbs in the soil for multiplication. The individuals in the same colony are genetically identical, and so they have similar flowering periods, flower size and color, and grass height.
October 17, 2019
October 8, 2017
Higan-bana (Lycoris radiata) flowers and Kuro-ageha (Papilio protenor) butterfly: Tokei-ji
In the gardens of Zen, the intenseness of summer is passing away stealthily and the calmness of autumn is coming closer quietly.
In the gardens where the dainty flowers of autumn begin blooming, summer butterflies with worn-out wings, which once flitted high in the dazzling sky, are gently flying low to eagerly search for the remaining floral nectar.
Without our noticing, such an exquisite butterfly of summer will soon disappear from view after devotedly fulfilling its own mission in life.
October 22, 2016
September 20, 2015
October 21, 2012
Higan-bana (Lycoris radiata) flowers in Engaku-ji
The white flowers of Higan-bana are blooming quietly in the mellow illumination from the gentle October sun.
At the outset of autumn, its flower stalk having no leaf grows high above the ground and then five to seven slender flowers bloom sideways in a cyclic manner at the tip of the flower stalk.
Late in autumn, after such a flower scatters, deep green leaves appear and pass the winter. In spring, this plant disappears totally from view and live as a bulb in the ground until next autumn comes.
Higan-bana (Lycoris radiata) flowers in Kaizo-ji
The red flowers of Higan-bana are blooming like immobile crimson flames in the sunny corner of the garden of late October.
Higan-bana is a poisonous and bulbous plant and bears no seed. Although its flower displays glaring colors and a magical figure, insects never visit this spectacularly flamboyant flower.
October 5, 2012
Higan-bana (Lycoris radiata) flowers in Tokei-ji
The long summer ended finally and autumn has come round again.
In this deep green garden where every summer flower had disappeared, the vivid vermilion flowers of Higan-bana suddenly appear like bright torches flaming beneath the sky of crisp blue.
In a little while, as autumn quickly deepens, the beautiful colors of the season of ripeness will lend calm elegance to this peaceful garden certainly.
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