There are about 4,600 native flowers to Texas. Our state has more species than most, due to the fact that we have a vast amount of different eco systems to accommodate these high numbers. The Texas Thistle is by far my favorite with its' deep rose-lavender color.
The Texas Thistle grows 2 to 5 feet tall, without branches, or sparingly branched near the top.
In 1982, Lady Bird Johnson, wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson, and actress Helen Hayes founded an organization to protect and preserve North America's native plants and natural landscapes. If you would like to learn more about Ms Johnson's efforts to preserve Texas wildflowers, click on Wildflower Center.
Years ago, I was so taken by this wildflower, that I took to my brushes and canvas and painted this stately beauty....
Meggie Mac
Oh meggie, I can't say I hold the thistle in the same esteem (I am fascinated in the contrast of the stinging nettles to that soft beautiful flower.) I am impressed with your painting -- beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHi Janet.....I love the color lavender and I also love the staying power this flower has. It holds up to the hot dry wind.
DeleteMeggie, your wildflower photos are amazing and entice me to jump on a plane for a visit. Wildflowers would make for a wonderful new book in paper, don't you think dear friend! XOXO
ReplyDeleteHello Susan...I think you should consider a book of paper wildflowers and it should be Texas Wildflowers. The world would go crazy over it! I loved your post about the "bathroom tissue".
DeleteBeautiful painting! We've taken our oldest granddaughter with us on some of our outings to look at land-she can't get enough of all the wildflowers-we are lucky to have so many!
ReplyDeleteHi Jan....You are correct, we have the most beautiful wildflowers, especially when both sides of the highway are solid with flowers for miles and miles!
DeleteWow, that's a gorgeous shot, Meggie! And your painting is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, BJ. I hope all my followers take a look at your photos.
DeleteBeautiful shot of the thistle! And you are a very talented painter!
ReplyDeleteThank you Cheryl! It's easy, when you have so many subjects to choose from.
DeleteWhen I first looked at the painting I thought wow, I really like that then I discovered you'd painted it. It's gorgeous, you a very clever to capture that. x
ReplyDeleteHi Suzy...thank you for your kind words. Sure wish I had a piece of your sponge cake from today's post.
DeleteLovely thistle painting! After my mom died years ago, I found her high school diary among her things. She had listed the thistle blossom as her favorite flower. I could imagine her as a simple school girl walking along narrow gravel roads beside ditches filled with thistles and milkweed. As she matured, she became a big fan of roses and that's what we put on her casket bouquet. If I had known about the thistles, however, I would have made sure there were some of them added as well.
ReplyDeleteOh, Ms Sparrow...what a sweet story about your mother.
DeleteMeggie, Wow! That photograph is wonderful - and so is your painting. I particularly love the delicate way you painted the thistle ... and I have to ask, is it a Monarch Butterfly?
ReplyDeleteHello Elaine...It's amazing how the highlites painted on the flower make it pop off the canvas. Yes, that is a Monarch. Thanks for remembering my Monarch Post.
DeleteNo wonder it's your favorite: this flower is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel.....and it's "our" favorite lavender color!
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