Sunday, November 30, 2008

Lychnis Coronaria



First saw this biennial growing in a part shade flower bed of a cottage garden. The colour of the flat one inch flowers is best described in Garden to Vase
as shocking fuchsia. The author also recommends them as cut flowers. Something I intend to try next season.

Left to reseed they are easy to pull up or move. The Angel Blush variety is snow white with a hint of pink that slowly deepens to a rich rose with a white edge. I will be starting some inside in March. You can find seeds for Lychnis Coronaria Alba at the StokesSeeds site.

The old fashion look of this flower is ideal for a Keepsake box

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Art Pad digital canvas

While surfing the net I stumbled on the Art Pad site and I'm impress. Though I use Painter X with a
Wacom Pen Tablet myself, I like the idea that a digital canvas can be used online for free. It gives you a chance to get a feel of one before making the investment.

I draw a great deal more now that I don't have to waste so much paper. It's also ideal to enhance photos.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Pine tree shadow



Though I've tried to draw it several times over the years, it's not until I completed the Trees in winter step by step project in Learn to Draw with Pencils, Pens and Pastels that I felt confident enough to tackle my morning view.

Larger view

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Gleaming Mahogany

capucine
Tropaeolum majus, better known as Nasturtium have a wide variety of colours. Gleaming Mahogany from Mr Fothergill's Seeds is one of my favourites. As you can see in the photo they grow well in pots. They are also good companion plants.

Another reason I grow these gems is because ants don't like them much. With my sandy loam, ants can be a problem. I also plan to use the photo as reference in a drawing.

Apothecary rose

Old Garden Roses
 
According to Complete Roses: Featuring 100 Easy-Growing Favorites the Gallica rose is one of the oldest rose in cultivation.
Whenever I need to learn more about a specific plant, I prefer books written by experts and my favourite way of finding these books is google book search.

You can order a Gallica Rose from Hortico
P.S: These roses make a wonderful hedge.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Cloud reflection

lac bataille quebec

Took this from a beach on Lake Bataille, Quebec. I was there to photograph a cottage surrounded by autumn colours. I liked the way the leaves on the lake's bottom showed through the clouds reflection. A perfect postcard image.


Zazzle

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Cherry Rose Sunflower

Annuals

Early blooming pollen free Helianthus Annuus the Cherry Rose performed very well in my flowerbeds. I'll grow them again in the 2009 season. If you can't find seeds at your local garden center, you can order them online from Ontario Seed Company

Tip Apricot Nasturium

capucine


Tip Top Apricot tropaeolum minus. The flowers sprouted from seeds that were left to overwinter in an unheated garage (forgot to bring them in). I use them in the garden to attract pollinators and other beneficial insects. They also look nice growing at the base of tomato plants. As you can see by the photo, their seeds are well worth saving.

You can find the seeds on the Thompson and Morgan website.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Blue Hydrangea


The bloom came from a garden where I was hired as a helper. Some of the blooms were more pink while others more blue. This one has a little of both. I now grow a few moheads of my own.

The shades and fine details of the petals made it perfect for practicing close-ups. Then with Photoshop Elements, I modified the not so great background.



For more information on Hydrangeas, visit Hydrangea.com



Thursday, November 13, 2008

Shoo-fly

Nicandra physaloides

If you ever grown shoo-fly in you garden, you know how large and beautiful this annual can get in just one season. I first saw one growing in a friends garden and loved the flower's blue shade. Now I collect seeds from my own plants to make sure I have fresh seeds for the next neason. The actual name is Nicandra Physaloides but they are also known as Apple of Peru.

Visit the Photo Art Gallery

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Night time sky

Night Time Sky by Joanne McKinnon
Night Time Sky by Joanne McKinnon


Before getting a Canon EOS 40D I couldn't take this kind of shot. With a DSLR camera I can practice as much as I want.

See more in the Photoart Gallery