I had no idea that southern England in spring was so gorgeous: the downs, the moors, the public pathways and small lanes that crisscross the countryside. In May there were flowers everywhere, along each road, sprouting from stone walls, lining every path. We walked for hours, identifying flowers and ferns, some old friends and many we’d never seen. There is one flower missing here: the English bluebell. While we saw thousands of them, I know England is struggling with the Spanish invasive bluebells which were introduced to the UK in the 17th century as a garden plant and then escaped into the wild; I know the British feel strongly about this, so I didn’t pick any of their iconic English flower. I hope this piece charms you the way that England charmed me and draws you to walk paths near where you live, slowing down, noticing, and being grateful for the beauty of nature.
 
cress, hemlock water dropwort, buttercup, lilac, foxglove, trailing bellflower, dianthus, violet, fleabane, field sorrel, azalea, sweet briar, grass, rose campion, herb Robert, euphorbia, wisteria, hard fern, speedwell, stitchwort, silverweed, broom, European black elderberry, laurel, poppy, cicada wing
 
20x30
 
Matte giclée print on watercolor paper