Botanical Art by Laura Watson

  Bearberry by Laura Watson Common Name: Bearberry Scientific Name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (pronounced Ark-toh-STAF-ih-los OO-vah-UR-see ) Family: Ericaceae ( Heath family ) Habitat: Dry, open slopes, rocky outcrops, coastal bluffs, and pine forests Bloom Time: Spring Range: Widespread across Canada and the northern United States A Groundcover of Strength and Beauty Bearberry is one of those quiet plants that often goes unnoticed — a resilient, low-growing evergreen that carpets rocky slopes and dry hillsides across the Pacific Northwest . It thrives where little else will, spreading in glossy green mats that hold the soil together and provide shelter for mosses, lichens, and insects. Here on Vancouver Island , I often find Bearberry growing behind my home in Harewood Plains , weaving through the sun-baked rocks and thin soil alongside native stonecrops and kinnikinnick moss . It’s a place where spring wildflowers appear in vibrant bursts — and Bearberry, with i...

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 L...

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, bo...

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...

  Wild Ginger, Ink & Watercolour  by Laura Watson Wild Ginger Botanical Illustrations by Laura Watson Discovering the Beauty of Asarum caudatum : Western Wild Ginger Asarum caudatum , commonly known as Western Wild Ginger , is a fascinating native plant found in the moist, shaded forests of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest . This intriguing plant has captured my curiosity as a naturalist and inspired my creativity as a botanical artist. In this article, I’ll share some intriguing facts about wild ginger, its habitat, and my personal connection to it—all complemented by my watercolor illustrations. Wild Ginger Botanical Illustrations by Laura Watson A Closer Look at Asarum caudatum Despite its name, Western Wild Ginger isn’t closely related to the culinary ginger we use in cooking. Instead, it belongs to the Aristolochiaceae family , which includes a variety of woodland plants with unique adaptations. The plant’s common name comes from the strong ginger-like sce...

  Rattlesnake Plantain , Ink & Watercolour by Laura Watson Rattlesnake Plantain illustrations, watercolor, Laura Watson, 2025 Discovering the Beauty of  Goodyera oblongifolia : The Western Rattlesnake Plantain Goodyera oblongifolia,  commonly known as the Western Rattlesnake Plantain, is a captivating native orchid found in the forests of British Columbia and beyond. This fascinating plant has inspired both my curiosity as a naturalist and my creativity as a botanical artist. In this article, I’ll share some intriguing facts about this orchid, its habitat, and my personal connection to it—all complemented by my watercolour illustrations. A Closer Look at  Goodyera oblongifolia Despite its common name, the Western Rattlesnake Plantain isn’t related to plantains at all. Instead, it belongs to the orchid family , a detail that surprised me when I first learned about it. The "plantain" in its name refers to the resemblance between its patterned leaves and the introd...