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my garden mockorange
As a landscape designer my love of gardening ,flowers and other plants sometimes gets lost in' the business of being a gardner' . Walking in my own garden, I find criticizing the design with an objective eye is impossible so I am able to get lost in the beauty and uniqueness of each plant. Often the back of the herbaceous border is where i find my' secret garden'. A plant hidden by more showy ,pushy cultivars will be waiting patiently to be noticed. Called by a whiff of a scent on a breeze, I discover the old fashioned mock orange behind the big bold rhododendron that looks like a huge cotton candy balls. Having been nourished by the snow and then the early warmth in Virginia this year it screams "Look at me! Look at me!" Lush and unusually large from this spring's weather- not bitten and scorched by a late frost it is sensuous and bold . But there ,behind the rhododendron and the lush peonies, is the gentle mock orange waiting - lovely in its softness and smell . It's old fashioned softness reminding me it's scent has not been bred out of it as so many of its showier ,new sister cultivars. In its simplicity it is beautiful. It reminds me of Thich Nhat Hanh " the miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth in the present moment, to appreciate the peace and beauty that is available now.... It is not a matter of faith, it is a matter of practice."
When we paint to be present is so important so we can notice the colors ,the air,the beauty and the hidden secret garden.
Carrington, lovely soft colors. Thank you for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteSo soft & so delicate. This is just lovely.
ReplyDeleteYou have a very nice touch with petals, and I like what you wrote about your garden. I grew up with mock orange in my yard. I've also noticed that some of the very attractive new pittosporum trees don't have the fragrance.
ReplyDeleteVery loose and painterly. Thank you for your first submission to the Calypso Moon Artist Movement.
ReplyDeleteI love what you wrote about mock orange. I never heard of it, but will now certainly seek it out.
ReplyDeleteI love this painting. So soft with beautiful, gentle light.
Beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully painted.
Lovely blue greens.Your style really suits this flower I think. I've always loved this plant too, particularly for the scent as well as the simplicity of the flowers. I have a couple in my garden grown from cuttings , but they aren't as spectacular as yours sounds. (I think they've become a bit smothered by various other shrubs.)
ReplyDeleteI love the colors in this. ...and so peaceful.
ReplyDelete