There’s not much happening to photograph out in the garden at the moment. Instead, I’m looking back through some older photos that have been hiding in my PC as unconverted RAW files. Processing them is one of those jobs that I never fully catch up with and sometimes I find an image I like lurking there.
These lewisias were bought a couple of years ago because I couldn’t resist the gorgeous deep pink and the orange with pink veins of their vibrant flowers. They just had to be photographed! (These are Lewisia cotyledon ‘Sunset Strain’.)
The petals make me think of light, silky fabrics. Like something you might wear on a summer’s day – rich, bright and full of the joy of life.
Photographing the flowers makes me aware of how delicate and translucent they are. As you’ll see in the last photo, the studio lights can shine through the petals, revealing their veining and the texture.
Unfortunately, I’ve never managed to keep lewisias growing for very long. They are natives of dry, rocky places in North America and need really good drainage. I have been able to keep some alive for a few years in clay pots, until I have eventually over-watered them. These, however, were planted in a very dry garden border and were happy until winter rains got to them. So it will be back to the pots for the next lot! Then I’ll be able to bring them under cover in winter.
These little beauties may not last long with me but that won’t stop me from buying more and trying again. I hope that I’ll learn how to look after them properly at last!
Ann Mackay: Inspired by Nature 
I do love that pink and orange; the photos are beautiful, and you certainly captured the delicacy of the flowers.
When you said they prefer dry, rocky places, that (combined with the genus name) made them seem familiar. Sure enough, they’re related to a flower that a friend in Montana has photographed: Lewisia rediviva
Lewis and Clark encountered them on their famous expedition, and they’re named for Meriwether Lewis. You probably know that a common name is bitterroot , since the roots are edible but bitter until prepared, and Montana’s Bitterroot Mountains are named for the plant.
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Thanks! It’s intriguing to know that there are mountains named after the plants. 🙂 I googled Lewisia rediviva – what a lovely plant! (And someone in the UK sells them…very tempting.)
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This really is the best way to see Lewisia as it should be. The drainage problem is obviously why I’ve always struggled to grow in the damp unpredictable Colne Valley.
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We’re very dry here in summer but winter can get very wet – makes it difficult for plants that like to be well-drained.
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These look stunning Ann!
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Thanks Liz! 🙂
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Lovely photographs Ann and I really like the way you use high key. These are beautiful flowers and images.
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Thanks Steve – I enjoy using high key for flowers. 🙂
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So vibrant and gorgeous flowers, Ann! You presented the essence of their beauty!!
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Thank you Indira! I just wish I’d been able to keep them alive – will try again next year!
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Pictures to brighten anyone’s day – the light and colour are beautiful yet again!
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Thank you Phao! I love the idea that I might be able to spread a little bit of brightness! 🙂
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Ann – love this flower! I really like the way you are photographing them to make them so light and airy. Wish I could do that! Absolutely gorgeous!
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Thanks Syd! Digital photography makes the lighting part so much easier and I enjoy it. 🙂
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Ann, these pictures are gorgeous! They look like watercolor paintings. Thank you for sharing.
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Thanks Shelly! They were lovely flowers to have around – will certainly get more this year! 🙂
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Spring is just around the corner!
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🙂
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