Botanical Art by Laura Watson

Thimbleberry, Rubus parviflorus by Laura Watson Welcome back to the Featured Native Plant Series, where we take a closer look at the incredible wild flora of British Columbia through both a botanical and artistic lens. Today’s plant is one you’ve likely encountered along trails or forest edges—soft, sprawling, and bearing bright red fruit in early summer. Thimbleberries were on my childhood list of 'safe berries to eat,' and I have many fond memories of foraging for them from a young age on northern Vancouver Island. With a slightly fuzzy texture reminiscent of a peach, they taste just like jam. Let’s explore the thimbleberry. Thimbleberry,  Rubus parviflorus, Photo by Laura Watson Scientific Name, Common Names & Family Scientific Name: Rubus parviflorus Common Names: Thimbleberry, Western Thimbleberry Plant Family: Rosaceae (Rose Family) As a member of the rose family, thimbleberry shares many traits with its relatives, such as five-petaled flowers and compound frui...

Watercolour and ink Tiger Lily by Laura Watson Lilium columbianum , known as the Tiger Lily, is a vibrant native wildflower of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest. With its brilliant orange petals speckled in dark spots and gracefully curling tips, this striking lily lights up summer meadows and forest edges. A proud member of the Lily family (Liliaceae), it is one of the tallest and most dramatic native wildflowers in our region, reaching heights of up to 1.5 meters in ideal conditions. Blooming in midsummer, the Tiger Lily is beloved by hummingbirds and butterflies, and by artists who are drawn to its fiery palette and bold structure. Its presence in the landscape is both energising and ephemeral, reminding us to pause and marvel at wild beauty when it appears. I first discovered Tiger Lilies as a child while walking to catch the school bus. Tiger lilies used to bloom along the roadside in late spring where I lived on Southern Vancouver Island. Lilium columbianum , Tiger Lily ...

Fairy Slipper Orchid, Calypso bulbosa by Laura Watson Calypso bulbosa , more commonly known as the Fairy Slipper Orchid, is one of the most enchanting spring wildflowers found in British Columbia and across the Northern Hemisphere. A member of the Orchid family (Orchidaceae), this delicate plant is instantly recognisable by its vibrant magenta petals, slipper-shaped pouch, and golden beard-like fringes that adorn the lip of the flower. Despite its showy appearance,  C. bulbosa  is elusive, shy, sensitive, and often hidden in the quiet hush of old-growth forests. An early childhood memory of mine is being out in the woods with my sisters when we lived in a small community on Northern Vancouver Island. I recall my oldest sister pointing out the beautiful and mysterious orchid to us. This native orchid is a dream for botanical artists. It demands close observation and gentle handling. Rarely growing in large numbers, the Fairy Slipper is a species that invites reverence, both fo...

Coastal Pink Fawn Lily, Erythronium revolutum , by Laura Watson Erythronium , commonly known as fawn lilies, glacier lilies, or dogtooth violets, are spring ephemerals that bring a burst of grace and colour to the forest floor. These charming members of the Lily family (Liliaceae) are easy to recognise by their nodding, lily-like flowers, paired basal leaves, and slender, arching stems. Their presence is often short-lived, making them a treasured early spring discovery for naturalists and artists alike. In this article, we’ll explore three native species of Erythronium found across British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest: Erythronium revolutum — Pink Fawn Lily Erythronium oregonum — Giant White Fawn Lily Erythronium grandiflorum — Yellow Glacier Lily Each one is distinct in its colour palette, habitat preferences, and ecological role—yet all are beloved signs of spring's arrival. Coastal Pink Fawn Lily,  Erythronium revolutum , by Laura Watson Erythronium revolutum – Pink F...