I can remember many years ago in my arrogant youth sending my godfather a birthday card featuring a pretty rose on the front and the rude comment inside that "Old people like pictures of flowers."

Sadly I've since become old and discovered that I love pictures of flowers too. I'm hoping you do too. If any of you hang around my Facebook page, you'll know that I often go quite mad with my camera taking photos of local flora.

I thought seeing we've hit spring in the Northern Hemisphere that I'd share some of my favorite flower photos with you today - and next month. I've got a bloomin' LOT of flower photos to share! This month, I thought I'd share what to me are exotics. Next month, it's the Aussie natives.

And you may just notice a few photos familiar from the website - I thought you might be interested to know where they came from.

Cherry Blossom in Kew Gardens, London

Roses in the Lady Norwood Garden, Wellington, New Zealand

Peonies at Calke Abbey in Derbyshire

Roses climbing around the doorway at Haddon Hall in Derbyshire

Japonica camellia in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Victoria

Poppies in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Victoria

Mr. Lincoln roses in my garden, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Crabapple blossom at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Victoria

Blossom in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Victoria

Blossom trees at Penshurst Place in Kent

Camellias in Bodnant Gardens in Wales

Bluebells at Ightham Mote in Kent