The song of the dahlias is still going strong in my garden, even at the start of fall. I’m smitten with the picotee edges on Dahlia ‘Lake Michigan’. She isn’t fully open yet, but I had to share the glow anyway. om1 90mm #dahlia #lakemichigan #dahliaseason #cutflowergarden #macro_perfection

Found a fallen star in the garden. Earthstar mushroom (Geastrum sp.) with its rays spread and the spore sac ready. Plains peoples called them fallen stars, a sign of something special. OM-1 90 mm macro. #earthstar #geastrum #mushroom #fungi #mushroomphotography #macrophotography

Dahlia ‘Tahiti Sunrise’ living up to its name. Lemon cream petals brushed with rosy pink, like first light on water. #dahlia #tahitisunrise #dahliaseason #flowerphotography #macroflower #macro_perfection #gardenphotography #cutflowergarden #OM1 #90mmmacro

Aloe blooms today, coral pink tubes arcing over Colocasia ‘Redemption’. Hoping a hummingbird stops in for a sip. OM1 90mm macro. #aloe #aloebloom #colocasia #colocasiaredemption #tropicalgarden #hummingbirdgarden #flowerphotography #gardenphotography #macro

The queen has taken her throne. This passion flower only unfurled halfway, but that purple coronet and fringe still rule the garden while her bee subjects buzz around. OM1 90mm macro. #passionflower #Passiflora #flowerphotography #macro #macrophotography #gardenphotography #purpleflowers

@actordougjones.bsky.social Thank you for the kindness and empathy you show your fans. I really felt valued today. What a gift. Thank you!

It was a dark and dreary day, but this variegated SunPatiens lit up the moment. Those gold and green leaves make the magenta bloom pop. om1 90mm #SunPatiens #Impatiens #variegatedfoliage #flowerphotography #macro #macrophotography #gardenphotography #summerblooms #feralflowerphotography

Spotted this zinnia in the pick-your-own bed at Ort Farms. In a patch of pinks, this one wore streaks and freckles, and that’s what made it sing. To everyone with your own streaks and freckles, you’re outstanding. #zinnia #flowerphotography #macro #gardenphotography #cutflowergarden #OrtFarms

Butterfly ranunculus are pure magic. When they open, the petals look glazed like porcelain and catch every bit of light. Snagged this bunch at Trader Joe’s and it’s glowing on the table. OM1 90mm macro. #butterflyranunculus #ranunculus #cutflowers #flowerphotograph #dailyflower

Terrarium joy: my miniature begonia popped a fresh bloom today. The petals are lying perfectly flat, so the flower looks like a bright yellow bowtie. It thrives in its closed jar w/a drink 4x a year. #begonia #terrarium #houseplants #macrophoto #macro_perfection #flowerphotography #yellowflowers

One fading hydrangea, one floret in the spotlight. Up close those silky “petals” are sepals, and the tiny stars in the middle are the real flowers. Fading can glow. #hydrangea #macrophoto #flowerphotography #floralart #botanicalart #njgarden

Trialing Mandevilla Sun Parasol Original XP Pink. Electric petals &a golden throat light up the pot, and Colocasia ‘Redemption’ makes the perfect moody backdrop. Heat loving and bloom crazy, total porch showstopper. #mandevilla #sunparasol #summercontainer #trialgarden #macrophoto #flowerphotography

Trialing Dipladenia SUNDENIA SUPREMA ‘Vivid Pink’ and loving how yesterday’s bloom fades to raspberry while today’s opens candy pink, two colors on one vine. #dipladenia #sundenia #flowerphotography #trialgarden #macrophoto

One zinnia floret still points skyward long after its neighbors have fallen. A reminder to trust your gut even when you stand alone. #zinnia #macrophoto #gardeninspiration #summerblooms #njgarden #photo

Penny the baby mantis hitchhiked in on a hydrangea bloom tonight. Snapped a quick portrait, returned the flower to the bouquet, then set Penny into the border to hunt. First mantis here in two summers and it feels like luck. #prayingmantis #tinywildlife #macrophoto #gardenhelpers #njgarden #bugs

Six 4-inch pots of Zinnia ‘Benary’s Giant Mix’, already three feet tall, went into my cut-flower row. They’re tossing dahlia-size heads nonstop and will keep the vases full all summer. #horticulture #benarysgiantzinnia #cutflowergarden #summerblooms #macrophoto #flowerphotography #photo

Summer isn’t official without cicada song. I watched Aiden the cicada split his nymph shell on the porch rail, then snapped him again a few hours later as a fresh green adult. 2–5 yrs underground, only weeks to fly and sing. #cicada #neotibicen #macrophoto #insectwatch #naturephoto #tinywildlife

Volunteer sunflower appeared in the same spot for the third year, but this time it opened on the 14th anniversary of Dad’s passing. Russet ring around the center, earliest bloom yet. I like to think it’s a quiet hello from him, a garden memory. #horticulture #sunflower #macrophoto #photo

Agapanthus ‘Alan Street’ blooms at last. Bought at Chelsea 2021, the root spent 6 months forgotten in a plastic bag, lived in a 4-inch pot, then moved to the garden fall 2024. Survived a NJ winter, now flaunts the deepest purple. #horticulture #agapanthus #flowerphotography #macrophoto #garden

Back porch break with my container: cobalt Lobelia ‘Techno Blue’ spilling over, pink lisianthus cupping open, red cuphea flickering like sparks, and one tough viola still blooming through the heat. Small pot, big color. #horticulture #macrophoto #flowerphoto #containercolor #gardenjoy #photo

Down at the Intracoastal in Port Salerno, I watched bait fishermen turn the shoreline into a living pinwheel. Twist, coil, spin, & a perfect circle of net hissed across the water twist, spin, splash, gather, repeat #coastallife #castnet #waterphotography #portsalerno #motioncapture #everydaymotion

Indian Pink Spigelia marilandica peeks through the hydrangeas, flashing red tubes tipped with yellow stars. Deer steer clear thanks to bitter pinkroot alkaloids. Hummingbirds haven’t shown yet, but the nectar bar is open. #horticulture #macrophoto #nativeplants #indianpink #flowerphotography #photo

Meet Jay-bee, our first fledgling blue jay. He hoplanded in the mulch, all fluff and big feet, while Mom & Dad zip in with snacks and scold anyone who gets too close. Watching those tiny wings grow stronger by the hour is pure backyard magic. #birdwatching #wildlifephoto #backyardbirds #tinywildlife

Yesterday’s calla visitor gets a solo moment: a metallic green long-legged fly, garden bodyguard. It snaps up aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, and its larvae munch mosquito wigglers in damp soil. Tiny jewel, mighty appetite. #horticulture #macrophoto #tinywildlife #gardenhelpers #insectphoto

Calla bloom pierced an allium seed head, a bright orange burst inside a second firework. A sesame seed sized long-legged fly (Dolichopodidae) gleams green at the core. Garden surprises like this keep me looking closer. #horticulture #macrophoto #flowerphoto #naturephoto #tinywildlife

Five straight days of rain and most petunias look like soggy napkins. But Surfinia Heavenly Cashmere Pink (2026 intro from Suntory) is still flawless in my trial pot, posing against the black leaves of Colocasia ‘Redemption’ #horticulture #petunia #macrophoto #flowerphotography #plantportrait #photo

Rainy NJ morning but raindrops on my Tropicanna canna remind me the sun will return. Each leaf is its own paintstroke. Discovered in 1992, this sterile showstopper pours all its energy into fresh color. Monrovia keeps the vibe alive. #horticulture #tropicannacanna #macrophoto #photo #plantportrait

One of my favorite daily feeds to follow. Shantha shares flower joy daily, and it makes me feel good.

Third poppy from @curiousfloranursery just opened in a shower. Papaver ‘Drama Queen’ unfurls fringed red-plum petals that flap like butterflies. Caught it in the rain because by tomorrow these silken wings will be history. #horticulture #poppy #macrophoto #flowerphoto #plantportrait #naturephoto

Second seed-grown poppy just opened. Double red petals from my Curious Flora sampling. Cool season star now, maybe next spring if pods set seed. #horticulture #poppy #doublepoppy #macrophoto #flowerphotography #curiousflora #photo #flowerphoto

My clematis exploded in growth this season, threading itself across an old steel gate and popping a soft pink bloom. Rust and petals make a pretty good duet. #horticulture #clematis #macrophoto #flowerphotography #gardencontrast #climbingbeauty #photo #clematis #gardwn

Picked up a sampling of 4” poppy pots at Curious Flora on my CA trip. First to open in Jersey: Papaver hybridum ‘Sugar Plum’—ruffled violet petals glowing at dawn. Can’t wait to see the rest. #horticulture #poppy #flowerphotography #curiousflora #photography #photo #papaver

Was strolling through the garden, felt eyes on me. Turned—just my allium sporting googly eyes. If you think flowers deserve googly eyes share my post. #garden #photo #flowerphoto #googlyeyes #horticulture #allium #macrophoto #iseeyou #gardenwhimsy

Yesterday’s rain kept me inside, but the garden soaked it up. This pink ‘Nonstop’ begonia is showing off fresh raindrops and even brighter petals—proof nature does great work without us. #horticulture #begonia #macrophoto #spring #rainyday #photo #photography #flowerphotography

It feels like I added pink clouds to the garden. This Thalictrum aquilegiifolium (meadow rue) is in full bloom—and after barely catching it last year, I’m finally seeing it in all its delicate, feathery glory. #horticulture #meadowrue #macrophoto #flowerphotography #springblooms #perennials #photo

The Tulip ‘Blumex Favourite’ has been spectacular this spring—huge, 6-inch parrot-style blooms in fiery red, orange, and yellow with ruffled petals. A true showstopper, both in the garden and as a cut flower. #horticulture #tulip #parrottulip #macrophoto #flowerphotography #springblooms

When you can’t pick a favorite color—just be both. This double tulip at Holland Ridge Farms is a chimera, showing two colors side-by-side thanks to different tissue types growing together. #horticulture #tulip #flowerphotography #macrophoto #springblooms #plantanatomy #photography #photos #chimera

Sometimes spring doesn’t whisper—it shouts. Bright yellow tulips reaching for the sky at Holland Ridge Farms in Cream Ridge, NJ. Sunshine on stems, and a reminder that some days are just meant to be bright. #horticulture #tulips #flowerphotography #macrophoto #springblooms #yellowflowers

First peony bloom of the season—a lavender tree peony from Quality Greenhouses in PA. It’s the star of an early spring container, surrounded by soft-toned stock. Short bloom time, but absolutely worth it. #horticulture #treepeony #macrophoto #flowerphotography #springcontainer #paeonia

English daisies (Bellis perennis) are a fun addition to early spring containers. Packed with color and personality, they’re cool-season favorites with roots in folklore and herbal medicine. #horticulture #englishdaisy #macrophoto #plantportrait #springcontainer #flowerphotography #photo

Primula vulgaris ‘Oakleaf Yellow Picotee’ is holding its own in one of my early spring containers. Bright yellow with red-orange edges and unique oakleaf foliage—short-lived, but worth it for that cool-season pop. #horticulture #primrose #macrophoto #flowerphotography #springcontainer #plantportrait

This early spring container is built around the new Senetti® Blue Spoon from Suntory. That electric blue with spoon-shaped petals steals the show paired with Amsonia ‘Storm Cloud’ and a cool mix of textures. #horticulture #containerdesign #springflowers #flowerphotography #senetti #newfor2025

Thousands of daffodils in bloom at Fairview Cemetery’s Tribute Meadow in Westfield, NJ. The bright yellow lining the lake was a welcome sight beneath that dramatic spring sky. #horticulture #daffodils #landscapephotography #springblooms #photo #flowerphotography #photography

This amaryllis came from our Jersey shop years ago—my mom brought it down to Florida, and it still flowers every spring. Likely ‘Picotee,’ with its delicate red edge. A memory in bloom. #horticulture #macrophoto #flowerphotography #amaryllis #picotee #plantportrait #garden #flowerbulb

Just got my early sample box from Suntory—and I’m thrilled to trial the new SENETTI® Blue Spoon (Pericallis hybrid). That royal blue with spoon-shaped petals is wild! Can’t wait to use it in a spring container. #horticulture #senetti #macrophoto #newfor2025 #pericallis #springcolor #daisy

Grabbed this Tiger Eye Yellow pansy for an early spring container—grown by Landcraft on Long Island. The bold yellow and dark veining give it a fierce, graphic look. A true standout on gray days. #horticulture #pansy #macrophoto #flowerphotography #springcolor #plantportrait #gardenphotography

It may have been drizzling, but under the pink canopy of a weeping cherry at Warinanco Park, it felt like cherry blossoms were raining down instead. A soft, spring moment I won’t forget. #horticulture #cherryblossom #spring #warinancopark #treephotography #photo #photography

Just emerged and already facing the wind like a seasoned traveler. This monarch had only been out of his chrysalis for a day when I spotted him at the butterfly garden at Miles Grant, FL #horticulture #monarchbutterfly #macrophoto #floridagardens #butterfly #naturephotography #metamorphosis #macro

Heard the lone swan at Warinanco Park had a companion, so I went to see—and sure enough, there they were. First time I’ve photographed them together. One turned its head, almost like it was waiting for me. #horticulture #swan #WarinancoPark #photography #photo

We put this Ranunculus Maché™ Vanilla Bicolor in our spring containers. Each bloom reminds me of giant tissue-paper flowers my grandmother taught us to make. Memories in petals. 📸 OM-1 | 90mm Macro #photo #photography #ranunculus #spring #garden #macro #flower #flowermacro