The time of year when the studio is not boiling or freezing has passed, but I’m not letting that get in the way of finishing a lot of work in time for the open studios weekend next month at the Boxlift Building.
I’ve been painting seeds, sprouts, plots, cloud-like garden islands, more seeds and a […]

Kirengeshoma palmata
HYDRANGEACEAE, The Hydrangea family
This very pretty shade lover blooms in late summer when there’s not much else happening in the woodland garden. I’ve read that it is traditionally planted near entrances in temple gardens in its native Japan and Korea. The nodding flowers are seen as a sign of humility.
I grew this flower […]

Linaria
SCHROPHULARIACEAE, The Snapdragon family
Here’s a good question I got today:
“Hey Mulysa, question for you about Linaria. I had read the online USDA chart wrong (oopsy), thought it was a native species in CA and WA, but the chart actually was telling me that it has been introduced in those two states - and some are […]

Camassia

Originally uploaded by mulysa_may

Camassia quamash
LILIACEAE, Lily family
Here is a ‘pool’ of Camassia at Catherine Creek yesterday. There was also a few meadow death camas growing nearby, which has white flowers but very similar looking bulbs. And as the name suggests, it’s pretty poisonous. I was just reading about how Native Americans weeded the death camas […]

Bitterroot

Originally uploaded by mulysa_may

Lewisia rediviva
PORTULACACEAE, The Purslane family
A lovely walk at Catherine Creek - these pale bitterroot were blooming in rocky crevices and on outcroppings near the natural stone bridge. A few were much darker - almost the color of autumn crocus.
There are many cultivated varieties that can be grown in gardens. They especially like […]