Wednesday

Glad all over (again)

  

Sometimes I come around here talking fancy plant talk. Throwing around Latin names and cultivars and hybridizers and all that botanical business. Well, today, I come to you as a humble admirer of a plant I know close to nothing about: the Gladiolus.

For most of my life I actually sort of ignored Gladioli. They seemed too pastel, or too tall, or too something, to my garden-designing and bouquet-arranging self. When planting bulbs (or korms, as the case may be with Glads), I steered towards more exotic Fritallaria or sweet-smelling, shade-tolerating Lilium. But had I ever really LOOKED at Glads? Had I been duped by too many Dutch Gardens catalogs with boring, over-blown bulb displays? Or the red silk stalks formed into a heart in the funerary floral department? What’s my hang-up? Doing a little research, I found that Gladioli—old fashioned, under-appreciated, and available in a wide range of colors and varieties, deserve a chance.

I’m glad to say that I am fully embracing the Gladiolus. In art, in my bouquets, and in my garden.

When I illustrated Power Poppy’s Gladioli digital stamp set released this May, I was drawing inspiration from photographs other folks had taken. But to see these glorious spires blooming in person, as I did last week when Lulu and I snuck over to the Missouri Botanical Garden, put me over the edge. I feel like I owe Glads an apology, for they are sublime in their design. I might even go as far to say, they’re kinda sexy!



Ok, maybe sexy is a bit much to describe a plant. But, I am definitely giving Glads a second look, and I’m considering how to create a sunny spot in my garden to plant a few varieties. 

Speaking of giving them a second look, those of you who have been wondering if our digital Gladioli set would ever make it into a clear polymer set just might get your wish granted soon. :)

OH - be sure to check out our Gladioli Pinterest board to see some of the gorgeous cards the Bloom Brigade designed with the digi set. Much juiciness to be taken in! Have a great day, and hope you’re feeling as glad about Glads as I am.


5 comments:

Cammie said...

Gladioli will always have a special place in my heart, if not in my garden, because of my memories of them growing in my grandparents' garden. In fact those sweet memories of their garden led to my purchase of the digital stamp.
Marcella, I so enjoy your posts and your beautiful illustrations.
Have a bloomin' good day. Cammie

Anonymous said...

So very true, Marcella! I always felt the very same way about Gladioli… until last summer. For the first time, I planted them along the white picket fence of my herb garden. They were so sweet and old-fashioned! They seemed like 'happy' flowers! Now Gladioli will always have a place in my garden, too. I am having so much fun with the Lavender and Renewal stamp sets. They are a perfect combination! Keep creating beautiful stamps for us!
Sunny summer wishes!
♡Dawn

Julie Koerber said...

Well, this post will surely provide MUCH inspiration for coloring in the days and weeks to come! I already see one version that will have to make it on to paper! ;-) Love your take on plants Ms. Marce -- you plant nerd you! :-)

CherylQuilts said...

Oh, what beautiful inspiration for my digital images, Marcella! These are stunning!! Here in Delray Beach, what is now the "Delray Affair" started as the "Gladiola Festival." You'll probably find this article very interesting about how important they were to the local economy back in the late-1940's and early-1950's. And they are still very popular here. I love them, and it would be wonderful to have them as clear stamps too!! Thanks for sharing these beauties with us! Hugs!

CherylQuilts said...

Oops - forgot to add the link: Enjoy! http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-04-11/news/fl-drf-gladiola-0411-20120411_1_gladiola-festival-delray-affair-delray-beach