Schizanthus

In bloom still the seed grown Butterfly flower or Shizanthus.I photographed two flowers today in shades of purple and white, with central colours like ink blot paper.

They are colloquially named Poor Mans Orchids, just from the colouration. I love the ferny leaves and bright coloured flowers. They are sat in a clay pot on the table by the Rose bench.
I have not done much today, besides tidying the garden a little. I went shopping to buy Cats birthday present (thats on Thursday when we are going to the agricultural Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate).
It has rained on and off most of the day.The sun did make brief appearances to illuminate the flowers, between clouds.

Poor Mans Orchid

My Butterfly Flower or Poor Mans Orchid flowered fully today. It is beautiful shades of lilac, purple, white, burgundy, and yellow.
I grew the plants from match book seeds, little packets of matches with seeds glued to the match sticks. You break the sticks off with the seeds glued at the top of them, put them into compost where a dark line is and water them.
I actually removed the seeds and sowed them in a pot without the matchsticks
The result of a few months of growing is a spectacular flower with a striking face. When I saw the picture on the matchstick packet I thought I want to grow thes beautys...
These are Chiliean native plants, and are annuals. You'll need to sow them every year. The foliage is very fern like and lush green.
I want to find more of this Schizanthus and grow lots of different varieties next year. The plants are in a clay pot and full of flower buds. It should flower spectacularly.
I read it is called a Butterfly Flower because it resembles a small butterfly, not because it attracts them. I have an Asclepias growing besides it so I will see if butterflys like their namesake plant.