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Seven Sisters Rose

Seven Sisters RoseThis striking old multiflora climbing rose was named after the seven heavenly sisters of ancient mythology – the Pleiades – who are also commemorated in the name of a star cluster in the constellation of Taurus.

The name is very apt: its scented flowers gradually change colour as they mature, so shades of carmine, purple, pink, mauve to almost silver appear on the plant, creating the effect of several roses, closely intertwined.

Photographed at Coton Manor, Northampton, England, where it grows around the traditional, mullioned windows.

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Tips for photographing roses 5: experiment with the format

Tips on photographing roses 5: experiment with the format

It’s a simple but effective tip, but from time to time, turn your camera round. Looking through Flickr, I’m always surprised that so many amateur flower photographers take virtually all their pictures as landscapes. I think they’re missing a trick: individual flowers and clusters of roses are often better suited to a portrait format.

It’s easy to fall into the habit of holding your camera a particular way round: it might be so instinctive that you may not even notice it.

Continue reading “Tips for photographing roses 5: experiment with the format”

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Hellebore heaven: Sunshine Farm

Hellebore seedling with picotee edge and nectaries

It was in Philadelphia, at my first Garden Writer’s Symposium, during the lunch this bright, generous group of garden experts holds to welcome newcomers to their wonderful event, that I first met Barry Glick. I may be maligning him, but it’s my firm belief that he was just pretending to be a fresher so he wouldn’t miss out on any of the fun. I was prepared for a few surprises, but not quite this one. Continue reading “Hellebore heaven: Sunshine Farm”