A spontaneous drive out to Mayfield Lavender Farm near the Surrey Downs, in beautiful, warm late afternoon sun (…even the bees trying to attack my lavender scone couldn’t upset the mood).
Fields of purple
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Category Archives: Flowers
Walking in a Fynbos Wonderland
Botany 3.0
O WERE my Love yon lilac fair,
Wi’ purple blossoms to the spring,
And I a bird to shelter there,
When wearied on my little wing;
How I wad mourn when it was torn
By autumn wild and winter rude!
But I wad sing on wanton wing
When youthfu’ May its bloom renew’d.
O gin my Love were yon red rose
That grows upon the castle wa’,
And I mysel a drap o’ dew,
Into her bonnie breast to fa’;
O there, beyond expression blest,
I’d feast on beauty a’ the night;
Seal’d on her silk-saft faulds to rest,
Till fley’d awa’ by Phoebus’ light.
– Robert Burns
Dreamy Pond (New Orleans, 2012)
Standing to Attention (Kent, 2010)
Keeping Busy (Olympic Park, 2012)
Stamen Envy (Montreux, 2013)
Gently Does It (Canterbury, 2010)
Seemingly Perfect (Basel, 2013)
I like Lilies, So Sue Me (Lake Maggiore, 2013)
Folk Woodland (Yorkshire, 2014)
Pushing Through (Greenwich, 2014)
Painting With Orchids II (Kew, 2013)
Botany 2.0
I heard a thousand blended notes,
While in a grove I sate reclined,
In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts
Bring sad thoughts to the mind.
To her fair works did Nature link
The human soul that through me ran;
And much it grieved my heart to think
What man has made of man.
Through primrose tufts, in that green bower,
The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;
And ’tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes.
The birds around me hopped and played,
Their thoughts I cannot measure:—
But the least motion which they made
It seemed a thrill of pleasure.
The budding twigs spread out their fan,
To catch the breezy air;
And I must think, do all I can,
That there was pleasure there.
If this belief from heaven be sent,
If such be Nature’s holy plan,
Have I not reason to lament
What man has made of man?
– William Wordsworth
Pollen Call (Ilkley: 2008)
Against the Blue (Chatsworth: 2012)
On the Topic of Green (Kew Gardens: 2013)
Painting with Orchids (Kew: 2013)
Royal Blooms (St James’ Park: 2013)
Dreaming (Canterbury: 2010)
Sunrise (Dulwich: 2013)
Clinging On (Forest Hill: 2009)
An Introduction to Botany
There is a flower that bees prefer,
And butterflies desire;
To gain the purple democrat
The humming-birds aspire.
And whatsoever insect pass,
A honey bear away
Proportioned to his several dearth
And her capacity.
Her face is rounder than the moon,
And ruddier than the gown
Of orchis in the pasture,
Or rhododendron worn.
She doth not wait for June;
Before the world is green
Her sturdy little countenance
Against the wind is seen,
Contending with the grass,
Near kinsman to herself,
For privilege of sod and sun,
Sweet litigants for life.
And when the hills are full,
And newer fashions blow,
Doth not retract a single spice
For pang of jealousy.
Her public be the noon,
Her providence the sun,
Her progress by the bee proclaimed
In sovereign, swerveless tune.
The bravest of the host,
Surrendering the last,
Nor even of defeat aware
When cancelled by the Frost.
– Emily Dickinson
My Lily (London Wetland Centre, Barnes: 2009)
Perfect White (Chelsea Physic Garden: 2011)
Gathering Dew (Kew Gardens: 2013)
Delicacy Made Real (Canterbury: 2010)
Still Life (Begur, Spain: 2011)
On Purple (Kew Gardens: 2013)
Spikes (Kew Gardens: 2013)
Springtime (Dulwich: 2011)
Victoria's Secret Blog 