Up close and personal

130_WALTER_SEPT15

First row: Summerific “Berrylicious” Hibiscus hybrid; Agave ovatifolia; Cynara cardunculus. Second row: Hosta “Stained Glass” hybrid; Dasylirion texanum; Summerific “Cherry Cheesecake” Hibiscus hybrid. Third row: Opuntia macrorhiza; Ardisia japonica “Hakuou”; Dasylirion texanum

Photographer Shawn Rocco took a trip to the N.C. Arboretum in late June. Using a 100mm macro lens, he captured some of the botanical beauties in the early evening light before a summer storm rolled in. The magnified perspective makes the plants seem otherworldy.