If the love of flowers is in my DNA I owe it all to my grandfather. He and my grandmother lived with us in the Oakland hills when I was a little boy. The gardens around our home were always lush with an amazing array of flowers of all types. I cut his iris leaves for imaginary sword fights when he wasn’t looking. Grandma Browne was an expert gardener as well. Grandpa died when I was only 8 but I will always remember all the flowers and the fragrant smells when I went into his greenhouse. I do not have their gifts for cultivation but I sure love photographing beautiful flowers like the incredible lotus flower above.

I found this old photo of my grandfather( with hat and tie) showing some new blooms to my aunt, my Mom, and my uncle.

My grandfather built this greenhouse at our Oakland home and filled it with orchids, gardenias, and other exotics. This is my Mom with my little brother Gary. When Mom was a teenager grandpa made orchid corsages for her and her sister.

Flower power at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.

Our good friend Lea, was always sweet to my Mom. She brought these lilies to Mom and you can tell by the smile how much she loved them! Mom definitely had a green thumb as did her younger sister who excelled at orchids.

Purple beauties,…Marla,… and the bougainvillea in Kapoho on the Big Island.

My grandparents took me to the Japanese Tea Gardens as a small boy. It quickly became one of my touchstones. I have tried to pass this unique and special place to my children and grandchildren.

My brother Gary has our family flower DNA as well. This is an orchid grower at the Waimea Farmer’s Market on the Big Island.

A gorgeous orchid on Gary’s back porch.

A love of flowers at my niece’s wedding! Elan, left, and Marlena, right, looking beautiful!

Marla has been able to get 4 of our orchids to rebloom this month, never easy in our dry climate.

While on a morning walk with grandson Owen we spied this exotic bloom near the ocean in Waikoloa on the Big Island. I said it would be great to know what it is. He quickly replies,…’ Papa…just use “Google Lens’!” Wow, the things you can learn from a 12-year-old! Turns out it is a Calotropis Procera plant.

The lupines in Vail during the summer months are just fabulous!

The flowers at Filoli Gardens near Woodside south of San Francisco are just fantastic! This is one of my favorite places to visit!

A wonderful Hibiscus.

Saturday morning at the Hilo Farmer’s market. Love the Anthuriums!

A gigantic spider lily in my brother’s backyard.

Gary also has a few of these beautiful Mandevilla Vines, Or Allamanda plants.

Chandelier Plant at the Hawaii Tropical Botanic Gardens north of Hilo.

I’ll finish “Part 1” with the Flower Towns and Villages of France. I first encountered these wonderful “flower villages” while cycling during the “Tour de France.” As I rode through various little towns, I was amazed at all the buildings bedecked with gorgeous flowers. There is great pride in having your village stand out from the rest, especially if it is shown on TV during the Tour de France with millions of viewers! There is a yearly competition and each town & village receives a flower rating. Click on the link above.

PHOTOS: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.