All flowers are miraculous but some more than others. Omphalodes cappadocica ‘Starry Eyes’ is one you’ll recognise next time you see it, even if, like me, you have to look up its name.
The flowers all look as if they’re holding out their arms for a hug – most of us can empathise with that feeling at this stage.
The blue pattern fascinates me – it’s not rigid, like so many decorative flowers, each splash being a little different. What stops the blue reaching the edge?
Thinking of nature’s curiosities reminds me that I’ve been trying again to read Walden by Thoreau. You would think it would be just up my street – the right era, living simply, about nature, etc – but I’ve had a copy for decades and can never manage to do anything other than restlessly skim through a few pages. Walden always makes me think I’d rather spend time in a forest or gazing at a flower or getting a good night’s sleep.
I’ll have one more go tonight and if that doesn’t work, it’ll go back on the shelf, waiting for the next Surely, I must be ready now to read Walden? impulse. If you have any getting-to-grips-with-Thoreau tips, now’s the time to share them!
For Cee’s Flower of the Day – her picture is a radiant dahlia.
Susan Rushton 
No idea about Thoreau – but I do like this plant. Keep meaning to buy one and keep forgetting. Anyway I probably have nowhere to put it.
It only needs quite a small space…
And if it likes dappled shade I may have found one!
The name Omphalodes made me think that the flowers of at least one species looked like a bellybutton to someone. When I checked online I found that it’s the seed that bears the resemblance.
The folk name is navelwort, but perhaps you knew that?
I saw that when I looked for information about the genus name.
Navelwort here is something quite different / also called pennywort or penny pies – Umbilicus rupestris
Love ‘Starry Eyes’, especially that blue-white combination. As for Walden, I’ve never read it myself.
I did give it another try without much success. Shoreacres suggested that his journals might be more interesting. When our library reopens I’ll see if they have a copy, but I’m not going to take the plunge and buy them!
Aren’t they amazing! Looks like someone has used a paintbrush on them 🙂
They remind me of handpainted countrys’ flags – a plant version. 🙂