This year has been a good year for the yellow foxgloves, too good an opportunity not to get the oil paints out! Digitalis grandiflora is a clump-forming perennial which is native to woods and stream banks from central Europe. These large, funnel-shaped, pale yellow flowers with brown speckles peaking from the drooping flowers bloom in late spring to early summer, always a welcome sight!
Llwynogod Melyn- a google translate! if i am honest, from the Welsh for llwynog-fox, foxes-llwynogod and melyn-yellow.
Dancing in the background is a splash of orange from the nasturtiums. Nasturtium seeds were first brought to Europe from Peru in 1684 and were first recorded in England in 1688. The name nasturtium comes from the Latin words for nose (nas), and tortum (twist). Botanists named it after watercress, Nasturtium officinale because it has a similar peppery taste. Incas used nasturtiums as both a salad vegetable and a medicinal herb, their seeds were used in World War II as a replacement for black pepper because of their peppery taste. The plant has antibiotic, antiseptic, and antifungal properties and the leaves and petals of nasturtium have been used to make ointments to treat minor cuts, acne and other skin irritations. You can also make a tea by steeping the leaves and petals in hot water- helping with respiratory infections, urinary tract diseases, and helping the digestive tract. The flower is also said to be a great source of vitamin C!
I have used a little bit of 18ct gold leaf on the nasturtium flowers- continuing to experiment with gold.
Gold of course has been mined in Wales for over 2,000 years and gold jewellery was used by the wealthy and high ranking people of ancient times as a mark of their status. The workmanship of the goldsmiths was of exceptional standards, producing some remarkable pieces.
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Pethau Bach 