Love them all, although I do think the petals on this red one are almost unbelievable. I’m very fond of ‘lemon drop’ as well. I much prefer the doubles to single flowers.
They are gorgeous @Ergates. I can't get over the geometry and intensity of your red camellia. Am I allowed to inquire what it is? I am in the red camp I think, but possibly because I don't have a red camellia and am discontented with my mid-pink flowering plant.
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No preference, all colours really.. I don't have any Camellias now unfortunately, but I think a deep red Japonica like this 'Deep Secret' offers outstanding colour. It's parent 'Bob Hope' is even darker and makes an exceptional upright shrub in the right location..
That is a lovely selection, @Marlorena. Thank you for the name of the red camellias, they sound like what I am missing!
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That is really helpful of you, @Fire, thankyou very much for your excellent contribution! I have often thought about properly trying my plants as plant dyes. I think you have a thread about plant dyes? I must have a proper look at it.
have to say, I can't get past my aversion to eating any flowers. I know that is a bit strange. I do drink tea, but I could not face eating, say, a nasturtium flower in a salad. I think it is because it would still look like a 'flower', but I have no problem with dried lavender or cornflower etc.
Ink-making too? Ooh, not heard of that... By the way, your camellia reminds me of a ballerina's tutu. Is that the miracle camellia that flowers for about 6months? It is gorgeous.
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Flower eating is only an option, if you are into such things. No pressure. Tbh, most flowers that are technically edible you may not really want to eat, as such - it's more that they look pretty and won't poison you. Certains, like nasturtium, borage, mint, fennel, are notable in being worth actually eating and nicely flavoured. If not keen on chomping on raw flowers some petals, like nasturiums, do very well in omlettes and the colour holds.
Making/experimenting with plant inks are easier than fabric dyes as you only need a few handfuls of petals to create a good result. To harvest enough to dye fabric well can be a big job. Nettles can be a good place start if you have lots close by and can harvest in quantity.
I haven't done any dyeing in the last year but want to get back to it. If anyone is interested in exploring, Jenny Dean's Wild Colour is an excellent place to start. Very clearly explained. https://plantsandcolour.co.uk/recommended-books
I enjoy doing petal stencilling. Get a stencil and some paper. Rub the petal over the stencil onto the paper. (I've never seen this anywhere onliine). Sometimes this works like a crayon. The thing is to time the petal accurately. Often, if just picked, there is too much liquid in it and you get a splodge. Leave it too long and there is not enough gunge to make a mark. It could work very well with a dark camellia. Worth trying a few days after picking off the petals.
Below - experiment with amarylis over stencil. The colour has held well for over a year.
We are coming into camellia season down here in Cornwall. There are lots in flower in gardens, mainly pink, at the moment although there is one "tree" which has half white flowers and half pink ones. I cannot see the main trunk hidden behind a wall, so am not sure if it is two plants grown next to each other or a single tree with a sport, very common in camellias. Donation seems to be very common. There are several around here growing in fields that I assume used to be gardens long ago, there are white flushed pink, very delicate colouring and pretty, pale pink and some are a deeper pink. All are 15ft plus tall. Several have died over the last 10 years which is probably due to the dry conditions recently I have always been attracted to yellow ones but have not so far bought one. I love the simplicity of singles but also love the formality of anemone forms. Not so keen on the fluffy doubles.
The Camellia in my garden is one of the few plants that I haven't moved or removed since moving here over 10 years ago. It's in the wrong place, full sun early morning, on sandy, neutral soil and in a windy location. It still flowers cheerfully from late December!
Haha, that is fine @Fire 😊... Yes I suppose some of them are more of a garnish for the eyes.i did have stinging nettles for a few years (unintentionally) but as the garden became more shaded, they disappeared. A shame, because the common butterflies I see probably used to give birth on the nettles.
Thanks for those links. The plant ink sounds more economical - can't wait to give it a try. I do like the antique effect you made from the amaryllis petals with your stencil - it really works, has a lovely organic quality. Just seeing your willow samples, I would never have guessed at the camel shades that emerged and the difference between with acid or not. The nettles with iron look green/grey/sage - is that how you saw them? (Difficult to be sure in a photo).
Do you find things fade quite a bit? (Can add to the charm?).
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The nettles with iron look green/grey/sage - is that how you saw them? (Difficult to be sure in a photo).
Do you find things fade quite a bit? (Can add to the charm?).
The iron tends to darken (or sadden) the dye. It can be interesting to try three versions of one batch dye - one neutral (control), one with an acid like lemon juice, and one with iron. Bicarb and others additives can make for other shades.
In recent years I have been experimenting with mordants, to make colours more fast on fabric, and fixatives for paper. I would like to get better at fixing colour - after all the effort that goes into creating the brews. Without fixing, botanical colours tend to fade to brown. Artists' pastel spray may help fix on paper - I need to do some more trials.
My neighbour has a red cameillia bush and I will ask him for a few blooms to experiment with.
Posts
have to say, I can't get past my aversion to eating any flowers. I know that is a bit strange. I do drink tea, but I could not face eating, say, a nasturtium flower in a salad. I think it is because it would still look like a 'flower', but I have no problem with dried lavender or cornflower etc.
Ink-making too? Ooh, not heard of that...
By the way, your camellia reminds me of a ballerina's tutu. Is that the miracle camellia that flowers for about 6months? It is gorgeous.
I love the simplicity of singles but also love the formality of anemone forms. Not so keen on the fluffy doubles.
Not a garish, blue-ish pink like Debbie.
White usually does not die well.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
Thanks for those links. The plant ink sounds more economical - can't wait to give it a try. I do like the antique effect you made from the amaryllis petals with your stencil - it really works, has a lovely organic quality.
Just seeing your willow samples, I would never have guessed at the camel shades that emerged and the difference between with acid or not. The nettles with iron look green/grey/sage - is that how you saw them? (Difficult to be sure in a photo).
Do you find things fade quite a bit? (Can add to the charm?).