words + pictures from the studio of Joan Colbert
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What a feast for the senses! When the epiphyllum blooms the deck is redolent with its heavenly scent. Knowing that it will be gone by morning only adds to its allure.
The flower only lasts one night, but a painting keeps the memory alive. From many years ago this watercolor was inspired by one of the early blooms on the first epiphyllum I owned.
Tags: epiphyllum, watercolor
Following it’s short-lived, but no less stinky bloom, the Dragon Arum, Dracunculus vulgaris, has gone to seed. This arum is best kept downwind – pollinating flies find the stench irresistable.
Tags: dracunculus vulgaris, dragon arum
This morning’s golden tortoise beetle sighting was the first in a long time. The following was written when I first discovered these elusive insects a number of years ago:
The Beetle and the Bindweed
September 7, 2009
This summer’s garden seems to have had a unifying theme: beauty and the beasties, with a subtext of appearance and deception. Even the bindweed, which spent the month of July wheedling its way into the perennial and vegetable beds and tried to disguise itself among the clematis, provided a backdrop for some garden magic. This bit of enchantment appeared in the guise of the golden tortoise beetle, Charidotella sexpunctata bicolor. In a true sleight of hand performance, what appears initially as a drop of molten gold disappears the moment it is disturbed, replaced by an insect looking much like a nondescript, drab ladybug. Catching sight of a golden tortoise beetle was compensation enough for tolerating a few weeds.
Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick aka Corkscrew Hazel, Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’, shows off its snow-covered blooms.
For several years now, the overwintering hibiscus has brightened the cellar with a few holiday blooms. This year Christmas came and went without even a bud. Just a week later I caught a glimpse of scarlet on a smaller plant that usually stays leafy green all winter, and, sure enough, it was flowering – just in time to welcome 2016. Happy New Year!
Tags: hibiscus
Making leaf prints at last week’s workshop was inspiring, even for the instructor! This Castor Bean, Ricinus communis, leaf was printed with oil base ink on mulberry hosho.
Tags: as potent as a charm, castor bean, leaf print, printmaking, relief print, ricinus communis
Really, who wants to be outside bloomin’ all night when it’s so chilly? Last night’s drop in temperatures did not please the queen – her slow motion opening act lasted well into the day. The visiting bee probably couldn’t believe such good fortune!
The last three buds on the night blooming cereus, Epiphyllum oxypetalum, probably won’t open – it is October after all. Next week she will move to her winter residence, AKA the basement.
Tags: cereus, epiphyllum, honeybee
It’s been nearly a year since the Bradford pear was cut down and the bottom slice (cookie?) is now quite dry. Putting it to use in potential printmaking projects will have to wait, but in the meantime it can be enjoyed simply as is.
wall artwork: Coppice, monotype
It’s been years since the Night Blooming Cereus, Epiphyllum oxypetalum, bloomed, but tonight’s the night! The spectacular flower and heavenly scent definitely make it worth staying up late. My patience may be further rewarded – I spied four more tiny buds!
This watercolor was painted about ten years ago following its first bloom.
Overnight Sensation
watercolor
private collection
Tags: epiphyllum, watercolor
Never one to trust that spring temperatures are here to stay, I seldom plant outdoors until Memorial Day weekend. Although this year that weekend arrived a bit earlier than usual, I was eager to visit area greenhouses despite the (remote) possibility of frost. In the garden the flowering bulbs have been spectacular and the perennials are reappearing, which makes the window boxes top priority. Each window box (there are eight) hold plants in gallon pots. After years of trial and error I’ve come to rely on geraniums and petunias – not very exotic, but definitely forgiving of heat, wind and storms. Vinca vines are overwintered in the garden, then dug up for the second floor boxes.
