“When life is not coming up roses
Look to the weeds
and find the beauty hidden within them.”
― L.F.Young
Today’s drawing is of the wild flower (or weed if you prefer) Rosebay Willowherb.
As a child at primary school we listened to nature lessons on the radio – I’ve no idea what the programme was, and it was a long time ago! The programme was accompanied by a glossy booklet.
The only thing I remember about the programme is a photograph of a big clump of Rosebay Willowherb. I loved the sound of the name, and it stayed with me, so when I saw some on my lockdown walk, I had to draw it.
This isn’t a particularly good specimen in that it doesn’t have a lot of flowers, but I love the shape of its stalk, and those wonderful lance-like leaves.
Rosebay Willowherb is a survivor. The only other thing I remember being told about it at school was that it grew on bomb sites. I think the idea of this plant trying to bring beauty among the ruins also appealed to me. Drawing it today I see it as a symbol of hope.
