The Art of Ecology
Building visual connections between people and nature.
Tag: Flowers
Flower Morphology: Why does it look like that?
Flowers are such incredible organisms! I love the diversity of shape, color, and scents that can be found not just globally, but even regionally. But what is the point of a flower? Why care about flower morphology? Is it just something pretty that feeds pollinators nectar? Pollination Purpose Well, yes. Pollinators do love nectar – …
Viva Magenta – Pantone’s 2023 Color of the Year in Nature
Hibiscus, orchids, and chrysanthemum blooms are always so vibrant and colorful. The color of these flowers are so striking, but what exactly is that color called? This year, Pantone selected Viva Magenta, a reddish hue to be the 2023 color of the year! Viva Magenta 18-750, vibrates with vim and vigor. It is a shade …
A World Without Pollinators
Could you imagine a world with no berries or melons? No pumpkins during the fall or chocolate to indulge in? Or what about a world with no coffee in the morning and no flowers to water? Unfortunately, this is most likely the path we are headed on due to the declining population of pollinators. According …
Eco Spring Recipes to Inspire You
Spring is here! The trees have beautiful green leaves again, animal babies such as goslings, fawns, and squirrels are about. Early pollinators such as Carpenter & Honey Bees are out in full force examining the early blooms. So what’s available for us foragers? Spring is a great time to take advantage of the colorful wildflowers …
Herbalism: a Reason to Forage!
Herbalism is the practice of using plants as a tool to maintain overall physical and mental wellness. How do Herbalism & Foraging Go Together? The best plants to maintain our health with are wild ones! These plants have had to work hard to produce chemicals to deter insects, prevent over-browsing, and stay strong against fungi …
Foraged Floral Arrangements
Spring has sprung and it’s definitely a great time to be getting outside, exploring nature, and re-establishing our connection with the ecosystems around us after a long winter! One great way to do this is to explore the plant life around you, and bring home some foraged floral arrangements. Benefits of Fresh Flowers Inside Having …
Amazing Air Plants: Exploring Trichomes, Pups, and Epiphytes
Air plants have become quite trendy to have around the home or office, and they definitely live up to the hype! These incredible plants are easily-maintained, have stunning blooms (unlike many other common houseplants), and are great for the both the beginner house-plant enthusiast and master botanist & plant expert! What are Air Plants? These …
Share the Love of Gardening with friends on Seed Swap Day!
Are you missing gardening and getting your hands in the lovely soil? Fortunately, just in time to stave off the winter blues, is Seed Swap Day! Get your soil, little pots, and seeds ready to trade with a friend (or a stranger!) on the last Saturday in January each year. Why Participate in a Seed …
Eco Winter Recipes to Inspire You
Winter is here! The trees have lost their leaves, small mammals are eating their caches of black walnuts and acorns, and the birds are picking away at the last of the sumac and crabapples. So what’s left for us foragers? Winter is the perfect time to take advantage of the many edible coniferous trees and …
Kokedama: What is it & how do you make one?
Kokedama translates to “Moss Ball” and is a Japanese method of creating beautiful live plant decorations! Creating these kokedamas can be very rewarding and is a fun way to explore some unique epiphytic plants, however they do require extra care. Potted plants are only exposed to air only on the top, however kokedamas are exposed …
