Echinacea Purpura Maxima

A shift in color.

Echinacea Purpurea Maxima

This cone flower has been in the garden for years but never has thrived. It doesn't get enough sun. This year, however, it has produced multiple blooms. I think it deserves some praise.

Datura, Another Point of View

Datura Metel, also known as Angel's Trumpet, Devil's Trumpet, Thorn Apple.
Datura metel grows in the wild in all the warmer parts of the world, and is cultivated worldwide for its chemical and ornamental properties. It was first described by Linnaeus in 1753, but no botanically correct illustrations or descriptions were made until after the New World was settled. It is not possible to be sure about its original home. According to
Preissel, Ulrike; Hans-Georg Preissel (2002). Brugmansia and Datura: Angel's Trumpets and Thorn Apples. Buffalo, New York: Firefly Books. pp. 120–123. ISBN 1-55209-598-3. 5"x7" oil on board and gold leaf.

Datura, Another Point of View

The datura is an interesting flower to grow. It blooms in the evening or sometimes early morning and wilts as the sun rises in the sky. The dew on it in the morning reminds me of Man Ray's Tears. And the flower is so delicate that the light shines through like through silk.

Dature, Another Point of View

Been taking a lot of pictures of the garden and some cut flowers set against black. Hurricane Irene is going to destroy the flowers.
Today I worked a bit on the whites of the bloom.

Datura, Summer 2011

I added the botanical name because I consider the painting in the vein of botanical illustration. The first try I thought the font was too large and disrupted the balance of the whole. The smaller font is what I settled on.

Dature, Another Point of View

Today the wind has blown a steady 20 mph, but the air is crisp and the sky clear. It is one of those days that the sailors love on Buzzards Bay when you can set the spinnaker and race. We are on alert for a category 2 hurricane, Irene, to hit Saturday or Sunday. That will be the end of the garden.