Original watercolour painting
Artwork: 26 x 18 cm
MAHONIA AQUIFOLIUM SYN. BERBERIS AQUIFOLIUM
With it's distinctive yellow flowers followed by black-purple berries, similar to bunches of grapes, hence the name. This curious plant with it's varying colours of leaves throughout the year, also has medicinal properties and has been known as a material for basketwork.
From the best selling book 'A Short History of Flowers', by Advolly Richmond OBE.
Original watercolour painting
Artwork: 26 x 18 cm
HYACYNTHOIDES NON-SCRIPTA
Over half of the worlds Bluebell population grows in the UK. As a native flower, the Bluebell is an important indicator species when identifying ancient woodlands, since these environments have quietly evolved over hundreds of years.
From the best selling book 'A Short History of Flowers', by Advolly Richmond OBE.
Original watercolour painting
Artwork: 26 x 18 cm
LATHYRUS ORDORATUS
An idyllic summer that has become so engrained in British society, could be signalled by the multi-coloured and most deliciously scented sweet peas, arranged on gingham table cloths, surrounded by an array of perfectly cut, (crustless) cucumber sandwiches.
From the best selling book 'A Short History of Flowers', by Advolly Richmond OBE.
Original watercolour painting
Artwork: 26 x 18 cm
MAHONIA HORTENSIA SYN.MYOSOTIDIUM NOBILE
Endemic to the Chatham Islands, off the east coast of New Zealand, this is the sole member of this genus. Known to be a challenging plant to grow-with varying levels of success. Gardening methods such as preparing a mulch of rotten fish, shark carcasses and seaweed have been used in attempts to recreate its natural habitat just above the tideline. It's hard to imagine the lengths the people of the 1800's went to for this pretty bloom!
From the best selling book 'A Short History of Flowers', by Advolly Richmond OBE.
Original watercolour painting
Artwork: 26 x 18 cm
STRELITZIA REGINAE
Plant hunting has always been know as a dangerous occupation. As far as first hand accounts go, Swedish botanist Carl Peter Thunberg came across this striking bloom, almost coming a cropper after a run-in with a very ruffled buffalo. An emotional encounter, that cost him his steeds, bereft and distraught he came upon 'the most beautiful plant, the Bird of Paradise.
From the best selling book 'A Short History of Flowers', by Advolly Richmond OBE.
Original watercolour painting
Artwork: 26 x 18 cm
SYRINGA VULGARIS
White scented Lilacs have long been a representative of purity and innocence, with a scent so luscious they have been acquired as a sought after commodity. With Victorians adoring the heady white blossoms, the aroma of these beautiful blooms picked up a name for themselves, known to some as the boudoir scent.
From the best selling book 'A Short History of Flowers', by Advolly Richmond OBE.
Original watercolour painting
Artwork: 26 x 18 cm
WISTERIA FRUTESCENS SYN. GLYCINE FRUTESCENS
Throughout the world the two most widely cultivated species of Wisteria come from China and Japan, but not many people know about their North American cousin. This summer flowering species, was the first to be introduced into Europe in the early 18th century from South Carolina, described as the 'Carolina Kidney Bean Tree'
From the best selling book 'A Short History of Flowers', by Advolly Richmond OBE.
Original watercolour painting
Artwork: 26 x 18 cm
HELIOTROPIUM ARBORESCENS SYN. HELIOTROPIUM PERVUVIANA
When Heliotropian Arborescens was first introduced to Europe it was said to have a scent reminiscent of a freshly baked Cherry Pie. With hints of vanilla and almonds, the mouthwatering description gave it a very sweet common name 'Cherry Pie.
From the best selling book 'A Short History of Flowers', by Advolly Richmond OBE.
Sarah is an award-winning botanical artist whose distinctive style and meticulous attention to detail has made her one of the most sought-after illustrators in her field. She has been honoured with four RHS Medals from the Royal Horticultural Society - one of the most prestigious botanical art exhibitions in the world - including a Gold Medal in 2023 for her acclaimed collection of seaweed paintings exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery in London.
Sarah is currently pursuing doctoral research, with a practice based PhD at Falmouth University, specialising in the entangled fields of seaweed and esotericism.
Original watercolour painting
Artwork: 26 x 18 cm
HERMEROCALLIS FULVA
With many qualities, Daylilies were known to the early Roman, Greek and Egyptian doctors as medicinal plants brought from China along the silk routes about 2000 years ago. Unbeknown to the everyday gardener, beyond a mere garden ornament, admired for their beauty, they are of gastronomic interest particularly in East Asia, where they're grown on an industrial scale for culinary use. Hemerocallis means 'beauty for the day'.
From the best selling book 'A Short History of Flowers', by Advolly Richmond OBE.