Garden Wisdom

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant." -Anne Bradstreet

 

 

 

 

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Jeff, Gardener in Chief

Contrary to popular opinion, some people in the Hamptons enjoy getting their hands dirty. I'm a self-taught gardener in East Hampton, NY that enjoys sharing my gardening experiences and inspiration with others. Hope you enjoy my blog and galleries.

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Entries in Watercolor Wednesday (5)

Wednesday
Feb262014

Floral Fortuity

It's Watercolor Wednesday.  This photograph, transformed into a watercolor by the Waterlogue iPad App, is of a climbing clematis 'Jackmani Superba'.  This purple-blooming vine is growing on an arbor that serves as the back entrance to my Hamptons garden.  

I am so excited that this clematis has survived and thrived in my garden.  I haven't had much luck with most clematis varieties in the past.  In fact, before now, most have died in their first season.

When I first bought this clematis, I didn't know where to put it so I just placed the pot in shade next to the arbor. For the whole gardening season, it made itself at home pot-bound.  It was somewhat forgotten until all the the surrounding vegetation lost its leaves in late fall.  I never suspected it would last the winter above ground. However, when I saw new growth the following spring, I removed the plant from its nursery pot and popped it into the ground exactly where the pot had resided.  

I know that clematis like cool roots and warm sun on its leaves.  But it is coincidence that the roots of this one are shaded by native azalea shrubs and the stems achieve dappled sun near the top of the arbor.  But if you have been reading my blog regularly, you know some of my best plantings are unplanned.  I think my ego is strong enough to let my garden design itself on occasion.

 

Wednesday
Feb122014

Watercolor Wednesdays

With the help of a new iPad app named Waterlogue,  I can now transform my ordinary garden photos into charming impressionistic watercolor images.  As beautiful as photographs may be, there's something more special and mysterious about watercolor paintings.  Great watercolors often resemble candid snapshots where just the essence of the subject matter is distilled into brushstrokes.  Waterlogue does that to my pics without having me dip my brush into paint.

I do admit that it does feel like cheating.  I was never a really good painter (even after adolescent art lessons).  However, I've started to gain confidence as a photographer.  Now with Waterlogue, I can remake my favorite photos and be the "painter" I've always romanticized about being. 

I'm not a techie so I won't even begin to decipher the mechanics behind this photo alteration. But I am anxious to explore all the unique opportunities this technology provides.  I can craft beautiful screensavers, personal greeting cards, gift tags and even artwork "suitable for framing".  

I think I'll dedicate Wednesdays to showcasing watercolor treatments of some of my favorite Hamptons garden photographs.  Here's a few before-and-afters to kick things off.  Hope you enjoy.

 Sweet Black-eyed Susan growing on the New York High Line

 

 

Sailboat on Georgica Pond

 

 

'Nikko Blue' hydrangeas in my Hamptons garden

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