Painterly Peonies
Impressions of an exotic bouquet….
Hyacinths in Blue
I’ve been meaning to post these hyacinth photos for the longest time but life gets busy as you may know and the seasons pass. Delft blue is an unusual color for flowers but I love this crisp colorful hue in early spring. When these hyacinths bloom in their blue and white porcelain pot I know that spring on the back patio has officially begun!
Garden Journal: Remnants of the Summer Garden
I’ve realized that I measure time in flowers, that each year is summarized in the form of a home grown bouquet. This season dahlias in a range of pinks and burgundy were most memorable and are still blooming beautifully now in late September.
Magnificent Magnolias
As spring approaches I find myself looking through the many floral and garden photos I’ve taken over the years. The star magnolia photos are some of my favorites because they symbolize the birth of spring to me and our magnolia tree is the first tree we purchased and planted for our home.
Garden Journal: Gifts of the New Season
The growing season here in California lasts well into the fall. In fact October is one of the most beautiful and fruitful times in the garden because the stifling high temperatures of summer are gone and the growth cycle begins again. We often find a surge of warm season edibles and flowers just as the first cool season vegetables start to sprout.
Summer Garden Beds
The garden this year is filled with experiments as I am learning to grow new varieties of flowers and vegetables. It has been a cool June in central California, so the yard is lush and green. Our elevated garden beds are packed with herbs and vegetables while most of the flowers are still in seed trays waiting to be planted for late summer blooms.
Painterly Peonies
I have been wanting to move toward a new color palette lately and these dramatic and earthy blooms seemed like the perfect way to experiment with heavier more opulent hues in my work.
Spring Obsession Art Show
The 26th Annual Spring Obsession Art Competition at Ironstone Vineyards is a lovely celebration of art, wine and flowers. It is an art show and sale that coincides with the annual release of the Ironstone Obsession wines and the splendor of spring which is marked with daffodils blooming throughout the property.
Growing Cafe au Lait Dahlias
Cafe au lait dahlias are cultivated for their beauty and stunning colors. They are often used in wedding bouquets and are well known for their unique, frilly petals and large size.
The Joy of Botanical Painting
Creating botanical paintings is a joyful and rewarding process. It celebrates the beauty of something simple and abundant in nature while capturing the essence and individuality of flowers.
Coral Charm Peonies
The coral charm peony is one of the most fascinating late spring flowers. Over the course of just a few days, it transforms itself from an intense coral bud to a bright watermelon pink bloom then turns a soft apricot tone and finishes as a faded cream color.
Daffodils of Spring
It is that beautiful time of year again when the daffodils spring from the ground in honor of the season to come. The garden is starting its symphony of color and our pink charm daffodils have begun to naturalize. They add a touch of seasonal splendor before Easter arrives.
Highlights of the Early Summer Garden
Some of my favorite floral varieties this season have been grown from seed along with our vegetable garden which is contained in elevated beds.
Summer Vegetable Garden
This summer we have been focused on growing fruit, vegetables and herbs in the garden instead of flowers.
Summer Flower Paintings
The studio has been a busy place this summer as I have been working on a new collection of paintings along with commissioned works.
Styling Cymbidium Orchids
Cymbidiums have always been my favorite variety of orchids. I've been collecting them since I was in college and fell in love with a neighbor's wine barrel full of amazing blooming orchid stalks.
Collecting Artful Floral Containers
There is something so sublime about the combination of flowers and exquisite pots or vases. It is a beautiful marriage of nature and art. Lately, I've been starting to enlarge my collection of floral pots and vases while I pass on those that no longer suit my style to others.
Four Favorite Summer Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas provide spectacular summer blooms and now there are many new and unique varieties available. Here are just a few of my favorites which have been added to the garden over the last year or two.
Early Summer Roses
Roses add a touch of classic beauty to the early summer garden with their lovely colors and sweet scent. In May ours begin blooming as the air becomes warmer and the sunlight lasts into evening. Shades of orange, red and yellow fill the patio garden and welcome the beginning of a new season.
A Luncheon in the Garden
A centerpiece that features home grown flowers is simple to create and ties the table design to the surroundings.
How to Make a Hydrangea Wreath
The midsummer heat is starting to fade the bright pinks and lavender hues of our hydrangeas to soft mauves and greens. This is when I usually cut the remaining blooms to bring inside to use for decorating.
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The Joy of Painting Botanicals…
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The summer high temperatures are often a challenge for gardeners but with a little bit of planning and the right choice of plants, a summer garden can be filled with flowery fun.