This is the blue version of this species which is a Mediterranean native with 1-1 ½” blooms in pink, white and blue. The fine threadlike leaves cover the foot tall plant and form a collar under the flowers, making the “mist”. It the fall it forms a large paper like, balloon shaped seed pod topped with five curling horns. It always gets lots of comments from visitors to the garden. This is an old fashioned favorite that grows in almost any climate and has seeded itself all over the yard.
This was a very complex flower so I did a study of the petals, about 24, the unusual center with the horns and the small pollen holders that are suspended from thin lines originating at the center of the flower. I then did a detailed drawing with a hard lead pencil before starting painting. The blue flowers range in shade from light to dark blue to a purple tone and I used ultramarine blue with a violet wash, lightly touched with white to capture the unique color of this bloom.
Happy Summer Solstice!
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