I learned about Flower Friday last year from Lorilin@Bugbugbooks and have been having a blast sharing some flower pictures and information. Please check out Lorilin’s blog if you haven’t already for book reviews and more!
Today’s flower probably seems unusual, but this is one that I grow every year for food and for blooms.
The flowers remind me of hibiscus, but they aren’t as big. The colors are quite stunning and different types of okra yield different colored flowers.
This is an annual that grows fairly easily with little care. The one I’m growing this year is burgundy and the flowers are yellow. The stems, pods, and leaf ribs of the plant are a beautiful burgundy while the leaves are green. The pods keep their color even after cooking.
There’s a lot to do with okra, but I tend to just eat it raw. What’s nice is that you can start picking okra as soon as 60 days after planting.
The seeds are so easy to collect for the following year. Just dry a few pods! Break open the pods after they’ve completely dried and the seeds just fall out. A fun fact about this plant is that the seeds were roasted, ground, and used as a coffee substitute during the Civil War.
ReadRantRock&Roll 
If it ever stops snowing in Michigan I may need to plant some of these in my yard!
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I know! How wild this weather has been. I hope you see spring soon. 😉 ❤
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Mmmmmm love okra; especially fried! Had no idea they flowered though! How neat! Thanks for sharing Mischenko. 🙂
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Glad you like it too! I can only really eat it raw. Guess I need to try some new recipes. 😂
Thanks for checking it out! 💜
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I live in California and grow a large vegetable garden every year. I’ve never even heard of anyone growing okra in this area and I’ve never even tasted it. The blooms really are beautiful. Maybe I’ll step out a little and try putting some in the ground this spring and see what happens.
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I believe it’s common in the south so I bet it would grow good for you. I’m jealous because you have such a nice growing season! It’s fairly short here. 😉
You’ll have to let me know if you try it! 💙
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Great picture ❤
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Thank you 😉
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Very beautiful and informative post.
My neighbour has a hibiscus with this same colouring as well.
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Thanks so much! Our white hibiscus look a lot like this. I wonder if that’s what your neighbors is? So interesting! 😉💜
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It’s very possible. Lol.
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I love Flower Friday! Your posts are always pretty, plus I learn something new. Thanks, Jenn! 🙂🌺
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Thanks, Bonnie! I’m so glad you like these flower posts. I appreciate your positive comments. Take care! 💜
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The flower is just lovely, MIschenko, but have to admit, I’m not an okra fan.
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Teri, I’m honestly not a huge fan either and really only munch it raw. Hoping to try an okra salad or something this year so I’ll let you know how it is. 😉 Thank you for checking out the post!
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Awesome civil war fact. Thanks fer sharing. I love okra but haven’t had any since I was last in the deep south. And I didn’t know that it came in different colors. Happy weekend.
x The Captain
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Thank you! I thought that was interesting too. I’m glad you love okra! It seems that people either love it or hate it. Hoping to try some new recipes this year. Thanks for your thoughts. 😉💙
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Beautiful!
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Thanks, Jennie. 💜
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You are welcome. 🙂
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Uhhh you are so great Mischenko! I can’t believe you grow okra and eat it raw too… I am so, so lazy in comparison. I didn’t realize the flower of okra was so much like a hibiscus though… that is very neat to learn. ❤
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Aww thanks, Dani! You are awesome! 💜 It’s so easy to grow. Aren’t the flowers neat though? I’d grow it just to see the flowers every year haha. 😁 Hope all is well with you!
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Wow, that flower is really pretty! 🙂 Love the fun history fact, too, btw. 😀
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Thank you! 💜
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Well, I have to say I have never thought to eat okra and never even tried raw okra so I will have to check it out. I think it would be fun to try the coffee thing to. Great post Jen! 🙂
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I think you’ll like it! I don’t much care for it when cooked, but I might look for some new recipes. Thanks! 💜
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Goodness! That really is beautiful! The stems remind me of rhubarb. Okay–I’ll have to post some flower photos–will be visiting the Chicago Botanical Gardens next week with our gkids. Can’t wait.
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