Skunk Cabbage Flowers

Skunk Cabbage flowers (Symplocarpus foetida)

Skunk Cabbage flowers.

 

Yesterday I went out with the Virginia Native Plant Society (VNPS) to a site new to me: the Cool Spring River Campus of Shenandoah University. Cool Spring was the site of a famous battle during the Civil War that took place in 1864, and was acquired by Shenandoah University in 2013 as a way to preserve the historic battlefield. The 195-acre parcel lies along the eastern shore of the Shenandoah River and contains many lovely old trees and fields.

Our excursion focused mainly on the Skunk Cabbage that is currently flowering. The Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetida), a member of the Arum family, produces a curious flower consisting of a spathe that contains a spadix, which has numerous small flowers along its surface.

This plant exhibits one botanical oddity: it is thermogenic--it can generate heat from cellular respiration alone. The flowers, which emerge in early spring, can melt snow on the ground. This allows the spadix inside the ovoid-shaped spathe to maintain a constant temperature up to 20 degrees higher than the ambient air, for optimal development of the flowers. The female flowers in each spadix mature first, then the stamens emerge, thus preventing self-pollination.

 

Skunk Cabbage Spathes emerging from the muddy ground.

The morning started out with a bit of rain, but by afternoon, when we assembled, the rain had stopped and it was unseasonably warm--about 64 degrees. Gradually the sun came out and it turned into a beautiful afternoon. 

There wasn't much to see here--botanically speaking--except for the Skunk Cabbage, so after a while I peeled off from the group and got my sketching gear from the car while the rest went on to explore the trail along the river. 

 

Field sketch of Skunk Cabbage flowers, watercolor, 6" x 9".

 

I set up right by the first couple of flowers--the stinky scent was perceptible, particularly the pollen when touched, but it was not overwhelming, thank heaven. Bees were buzzing around the flowers, despite the fact that they smell like carrion and are supposed to be pollinated by beetles or other ground insects. The colors, particularly the mottling, were challenging, and the shapes too. I spent about an hour creating my small sketch. By then the sun was coming out, but it was a bit late to rejoin the VNPS group, they were just returning from the river trail.

 

The river bank

I continued on the trail along the river on my own. There were many lovely old trees here, many of them Sycamore maples of noble proportions, and many people were about, enjoying the first stirrings of spring. It hadn't rained for a couple of weeks, and the water was crystal-clear.

 

Old Sycamore maples along the river.

Trail along the Shenandoah River.

I got back to the parking lot a little after four, as the clouds were starting to move in again, and headed home. This is a promising new area for botanical sketching, I hope to return when the spring ephemerals begin to emerge.

The First Snowdrop

 

Giant Snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii 'Mount Everest')

 

Giant Snowdrop 'Mount Everest'

 An extraordinary break in the weather sent the thermometer up to a delightful 72 degrees today! I took the opportunity to look around my yard to see what, if anything, might be sprouting, and found the first blooms of the Snowdrops I'd planted last fall.

Nearby was one small species crocus flower--yellow with purple feathering on the outer petals.

 

Yellow Crocus

Along the bed on the east side of the house I saw that my Hellebore 'Flower Girl' was displaying its first bud! I planted this one the fall before last, but it didn't bloom at all last spring, so this will be its first flower! Let's hope my plant will bloom profusely later on.

 

Bud of Hellebore 'Flower Girl'

My other Hellebore, 'True Love' is well-established now, and bloomed well last year; I hope it will do as well this spring, but I've yet to see any buds on that one. The buds of the witch hazels are still tightly closed, but the early daffodils are starting to nose up through the mulch. I hope the coming weather won't be so inclement as to blast all these buds. After all, we still have two more months of winter to get through... somehow it seems harder to accept that after getting a taste of spring with a beautiful day like today!

Gardener's Bloom Day, January 2024

Dried Hydrangea blossoms with snow

 

It's Gardener's Bloom Day once again, sponsored by Carol Michel's Blog "May Dreams Garden." What a lovely surprise to wake up to see about an inch of snow on the ground this morning! It's been two years since we had any significant snow here in my USDA Zone 6b garden. I believe we're supposed to get another 1-3 inches tomorrow, let's hope. I love having a bit of snow cover at this time of the year, it seems fitting and proper.

 

Princess holly, lavender and barberry shrubs.

It was about 23 degrees outside when I took these shots with my phone--why won't these phones work when you are using gloves? My hand was an icicle by the time I got back inside!

 

My cut-leaf Japanese maple 'Viridium'

Muhly grass with dried perennials.

The Little Indians bed.

The west bed with sedge and grasses.

I love the way some plants look when they're dusted with a bit of snow, but there are definitely no blooms here to be seen, unless you consider these "snow blossoms." Indoors, however, I always have a few flowers to console myself with. My collection of indoor plants is a weird mix of exotics and very eclectic, so here we are.

My Gardenia Tree (Tabernaemontana divaricata 'Flore Pleno') likes to bloom at this time of the year--I suspect this may be its blooming season in its native habitat in southeast Asia. The flowers have the most marvelous perfume for the first 6-8 hours after opening--after that the perfume fades.

 

Gardenia tree (Tabernaemontana divaricata)

 

My home-grown orchids continue to bloom: the oddly colored hybrid I bought at a roadside stand in Florida is probably a hybrid of Oncidium and another species. I brought it into the master bath after the flowers opened to enjoy its blossoms. The other orchids have been blooming for a couple of months now. The plant stand in the family room below is where most of my orchids live--as you can see I have collected quite a few over the years, mostly as presents, and a few from my botanical art classes. My students love to paint orchids, even though they're really difficult flowers to render.

 

Mystery orchid in the master bath.

Miltassia orchid flower spike.

Phalaenopsis on plant stand in family room.

Here are a few other blossoms: an Anthurium one of my sisters gave me, and a Brazilian begonia. I bought the latter because it was touted to have perfume, and I'm a sucker for perfumed flowers, but it has disappointed. This specimen, at least, has no scent that I can detect, but likes to bloom during the winter, which few begonias do.

Pink Anthurium

Brazilian begonia.

 

Someone gave me a waxed Amaryllis for Christmas but the downstairs of my house is so chilly it's taking its time to open. I thought it would be interesting to document the process of the buds opening in a painting, so that's what this last photo is about.

 

Waxed Amaryllis and painting.

I'm saving the center of the painting for the fully open flower, which will probably happen later this week. I'd love to save the bulb to grow, but have no idea if these bulbs will survive if potted once the blooms have faded. I have about four pots full of red Amaryllis bulbs that re-bloom every spring, but I don't know if these waxed ones will grow if freed from their wax covering. Have any other gardeners reading this tried it? If so, I'd appreciate any advice!

Not A Snowy Day

 

Bits of ice and snow on ground.

I had really been looking forward to seeing a nice picture-postcard snow yesterday, on January 6--it would be the first snowfall of the year. We've hardly had any snow in the past couple of years. But mother nature did not grace us with the lovely snow I'd hoped for. It started to come down as sleet--tiny BB-sized pellets, which adhered only our deck and the mulch on the flower beds. After a few hours of that, some actual snow descended, but the big, wet flakes lasted only for about fifteen minutes and then turned to rain--a slow drizzle.

With the temperature hovering around 32 degrees, the rain froze slowly, leaving droplets on the branches, and tapered off in the evening. When I got up this morning, the ice crystals shimmered on the trees, making the foggy morning seem even colder than it was. I didn't get out to take photos until the ice had melted quite a bit. What there was, was interesting, but hardly spectacular.

 

The cherry tree in the front yard.

The yard on the west.

The back yard this morning.

 

Hard to make photos of some remnants of ice and snow look interesting. But, taking a closer look at some of the frosty vegetation, one could find some pleasing sights, like the icing on the pavement and ground cover.

 

Ice crystals on the front walk.

 

Some of the small evergreens looked particularly lovely with their icy decoration. The red leaves of the dwarf Nandina are gorgeous at this time of the year! I guess we'll have to hope for a better snowfall the next time around.

 

Dwarf cypress

Frozen blue rug juniper

Dwarf Nandina.

Last Day of 2023

Mystery Orchid blooms again.

New orchid display in the master bath.

 

 

It has been several years since this "roadside" orchid bloomed--in fact, it has been in decline for a long time. But a few weeks back I noticed a blooming spike emerging from a new shoot, and the flowers started to open just a few days after Christmas--what a treat for the end of a difficult year! 

As soon as the flowers opened, I moved it to the master bath for a change in the display. I hope this will be the beginning of a good period of growth and bloom for this strange little orchid I bought at a roadside stand during a trip to Florida many years ago.

 

New mosaic, Carolina wren with nest

I finished a new mosaic just before Christmas--a Carolina wren with her nest. I need to complete one more mosaic before grouting both, and am trying to decide which bird to tackle next--a pair of bluebirds maybe? I'm running out of certain colors, but there's still plenty of blue tiles left, so that's a possibility.

Tree Peony (Paeonia suffruticosa)

 But I also must paint some new botanical pieces for upcoming spring shows. Here's a photo of the watercolor I'm currently working on--a lovely tree peony I came across at Blandy Farm, photographed last spring. It's still a ways from being finished. I need to finish this one and do one more painting, of what, I've yet to decide.

 

Red impatiens with Meyer lemon.

Houseplants in foyer.

Here's a few more houseplants brightening the foyer--a red New Guinea Impatiens, assorted begonias, a pepper vine and a night-blooming Cereus that has yet to bloom. Maybe it'll bloom later this spring, after it's been outdoors for a while? One can always dream, and this is a good season to dream of next year's garden. Happy New Year!

Christmas 2023

Christmas lights for 2023.

 

Every year I take photos of our outdoor Christmas decorations. I thought it would be appropriate to post this on the shortest day of the year--the Winter Solstice. I can't wait for the days to begin to get longer again!

This year hasn't been one to go all out on spending, so I used the strings of lights accumulated over the years--it's not even a fraction of all that we have, but it was all I had the energy to do this year. It's not what I would call outstanding, but festive enough.

 

 

A nice picture postcard snow would help, wouldn't it? But there's nothing in the forecast to indicate we'll get any snow before next year. Our neighbors across the street have gone all out in the lighting department--Herb says that it's the Chinese Restaurant theme! It is pretty, though.

 

Our neighbors across the street.

I keep telling myself that there will be better years ahead... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

December Bloom Day

 

Streptocarpus '7007'

It's the fifteenth of the month again, when we post what is blooming in our gardens and link to Carol Michel's blog May Dreams Garden. December isn't offering any blooms in my outdoor garden, but there are a few in my indoor gardens (which are spread out through my house). The Streptocarpus '7007' above is the best-looking specimen of several I've reproduced by cuttings from one I bought years ago. My other variety of Streptocarpus below is 'Wow' offering just one bloom so far.

 

Streptocarpus 'Wow'

The orchids in the master bath continue to bloom, as well as the African violet (Saintpaulia hybrid). Another orchid that had gone into decline is sporting a new blooming spike--I don't know if this is an indication of its dying swan song or if it's going to come back stronger.  As a devoted gardener, I shall hope!

Orchids blooming in the master bath.

Orchid with flowering spike developing.

 

My indoor collection has expanded over the years with more tender succulents. Among them the Moses-in-the-cradle or Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida) is the only one blooming.

 

 

Succulents in my foyer.

Moses-in-the-cradle (Tradescantia pallida)

My Thanksgiving cactus has finished blooming, but has a few more buds developing, so it will probably have another flush of bloom in a week or two. Since I learned from Carol that mine is a Thanksgiving cactus and not a Christmas cactus, I too am on the lookout for a real Christmas cactus specimen.

These African violets are from a set of 'Optimara' hybrids I've had for over forty years. I used to have six different colors but with time, only two varieties have survived. It's hard to keep these healthy, as they are very susceptible to spider mites as well as mealy bug (the plague of my outdoor garden!).

I routinely spray these and other houseplants with insecticidal soap, but it seems that no matter how much I spray, some insects survive and start to multiply right after.

 

Vintage African violet 'Optimara' hybrids.

Not exactly blooms, but this is a view of the balcony overlooking my two-story foyer. The south-facing light here is so favorable, I overwinter some plants along with some exotic tropicals that stay here year-round. The two large-leaved small trees are young mamey seedlings (Pouteria sapote) grown from seeds that a friend sent me. There's a saying in Cuba that a Cuban will walk a mile for a mamey, and I miss this delicious fruit more than anything else I left behind sixty-some years ago. It tickles my fancy to try to grow these small trees even if I know they are not likely to ever bloom or produce fruit.

Plants on the balcony overlooking the two-story foyer.

My Bearss lime, on the other hand, is setting a lot of fruit right now--it has been faithfully producing about a dozen limes or more every year for the past ten years or so. I recently acquired a Meyer lemon tree, but I expect it will take a few years to start producing fruit.

Bearss lime setting fruit.

There is no sign outdoors of any of the snowdrops or other bulbs I planted this fall--wait a minute, it is still technically fall until the solstice on Dec. 22!  But that's about it for December. I wonder what the New Year will bring?

New Artworks

Fragrant Pinesap (Montropsis odorata), watercolor on vellum, 10" x 8"

 

I finally finished this piece and submitted it to ASBA's juried exhibition "Curious Allies." It's my hope that it will be selected by the jurors, but who knows? The competition is very tough. It's the first pieces I've done on this very expensive medium of botanical vellum, and it was particularly difficult because the vellum is not white, but a warm cream color. In order to bring out some highlights, I used Titanium white watercolor.

This painting is a re-statement of a watercolor I did in 2017 after visiting Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest where I encountered this very rare plant of the Monotropa family. These plants are mycotrophic, that is, they have no cholorophyll, and like fungi, they must rely on other plants to supply the nutrients they need. I've been fascinated by these botanical oddities ever since I came across some ghost pipe flowers on a Fourth of July in Maryland many years ago. I wish I could find more of these species but the majority are found only in the western part of our country.

 

Goldfinch mosaic, 8" x 8" before grouting.

Just for fun, I did another small mosaic of two goldfinches--I purchased a mosaic starter kit after I took Anne Atkin's workshop at the Red House, thinking this is a wonderful distraction from more serious art! After I finished it, I traveled to Richmond to meet with Anne so that she could teach me how to grout this mosaic and the one I'd done at the workshop, where there was no time for this last finishing step.

My two mosaics after grouting.

Grouting is a messy task and probably best done outdoors, but Anne had prepped me beautifully; I brought two drop cloths (one for the table and one for the floor) and several plastic containers for the water and grout so we could work indoors. Once we were done, we just picked up the plastic drop cloths and grout bucket and tossed it in the trash. The mosaics sure do look different once they've been grouted!

 

Blandy's Wetlands in November, watercolor, 11" x 14"

The weather was still warm in early November, and some of the Blandy Sketch Group decided to have one last plein aire session. I wasn't able to join them on the particular day, but I went by the afternoon before and painted this watercolor of the wetlands seen from the back forty. It was a bit breezier than I expected, and once the sun started going down it got chilly, but I had enough down that I could finish this one at home the next day.