Buds vs. Flowers

Moving on from the impressive Agapanthus (so January, don't you think?), here we have a small gathering of mighty Meyer lemon tree buds.
Wondrous things they are, too. From their interesting dome-like shape, to their gradual shading from deep purple through to white, with a central fruit stem that wouldn't look out of place in a Phallus Festival, these buds make an intriguing display in their own right.
Better - dare I suggest - than the flowers that succeed them (see today's Extra photo).
Don't get me wrong: they're lovely little citrus flowers, with creamy white unfolding petals and a cluster of stamens with bright yellow pollen hammerheads balancing on top.
But next to those majestic buds, the flowers can look a little like an anticlimax.