Story behind the art of Deborah Friedman
29th Annual International
American Society of Botanical Artists and the Society of Illustrators
Rooted Memory
Lilium henryi
It began with thirty healthy and mature lily bulbs of six different species purchased from B&D Lilies, a northern Pacific grower, known to specialize in cultivated lily species and heritage heirloom varieties. Unfortunately, it is no longer in business. My intention was to grow, study, and sketch lilies in anticipation of creating a series of paintings. In early fall, I potted up each bulb within its own five-gallon plastic container.
We had unusual ‘atmospheric rivers’ of rain that winter in southern California, and I worried the deluge would drown and rot the bulbs.But the humus rich potting soil proved to drain sufficiently with pots sitting upon a patch of gravel, facing north. I did not expect every kind of bulb to flourish in our climate, but I was mistaken and was soon overwhelmed with an ambitious collection of thirty healthy lily plants! The pots were placed under an outdoor loggia on the edge of a garden. I pulled the potted lilies into and out of the sun, monitored the watering carefully, provided staking as needed, and protected them from harsh weather conditions.
Lilium henryi quickly grew and surpassed all the rest with a robust five to six foot tall, towering flower stalk which tried to climb on any plant or structure within reach. It was incredibly strong, resilient, and competing for attention, with an inflorescence of 12-14 large buds which sequentially burst into bloom in late summer. The flowers are a brilliant palette of tangerine reflexed tepals, raised maroon spotting, lime green star throats and glittering papillae resembling fringe. I was utterly enamored with this plant! I enthusiastically sketched the full life cycle of L. henryi for an entire year before yanking out the dead brown flower stalks and shoving the spent pots into a protected corner of the garden, to be forgotten until spring…or, at least I thought.
A few weeks later, I happened to glance at a pot and noticed several leaves sprouting from the soil. What was happening? This plant did not rest, demanding attention once again.
I moved the pot into the sun as the leaves multiplied, growing stronger and greener. With curiosity, I carefully unearthed the bulb and what I saw took my breath away… the mother bulb was in the process of producing an underground clump of bulblets growing within a mass of fading stem roots. Each bulblet with its own root structure was being fed through a first true leaf and photosynthesis. L. henryi presented the perfect composition with a complexity of line work, bright colors, pattern, balance, texture, a range of values, depth, and volume. The mother bulb was quickly changing color from bright yellow to magenta when exposed to light and air, so without delay, I made drawings and color studies. My fervent hope, with love for the plant, was to capture the soul of the enthusiastic, vibrant, and strongly rooted habit of L. henryi in the painting.
Lilium henryi has roots originating in the limestone cliffs and forest slopes of mountainous regions in south-central China. It is named for an Irish medical officer and sinologist, Augustine Henry, stationed in China during the late 1800s. He was a self-taught botanist who collected thousands of plant specimens for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
The plant’s rigorous and virus-resistant characteristics have made it a species often used to create popular lily hybrids today.
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