Since European settlement, Australia has embraced plants from around the world. Some flourished, while others struggled in our harsh climate and poor soils. Over time, many exotic species became cherished features of Australian gardens.
Growing up in Sydney in the 1960s, I remember gardens filled with frangipani, jacaranda, crepe myrtle and liquid amber trees. Hydrangeas, azaleas, camellias and roses were garden favourites, while most backyards also had a lemon tree and, often, a vegetable patch.
Gardening trends have changed over the years. Today we grow more Australian native plants, many of which are better suited to our changing climate. Yet exotic plants continue to bring beauty, colour and diversity to our gardens. I have a large and varied garden, and I enjoy capturing many of these plants through my botanical art.
African Sausage Tree
Kigelia africana
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 68 x 51 cm
‘Certificate of Botanical Merit’, SBA’s Plantae, London, 2024
Original Available
Monkey Cups
Nepenthes hybrid cultivar
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 42 x 29 cm
Selected for the ’16th International Exhibition of Botanical Art and Illustration, 2019′, at the Hunt Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh
Pitcher Plant
Sarracenia hybrid cultivar
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 42 x 29 cm
Original Available
Pitcher Plants
Sarracenia hybrid cultivars
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 42 x 59 cm
Original Available
Canna Lily
Canna indica
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 42 x 27 cm
Cattlianthe Orchid
Cattlianthe Starstruck ‘Imperial’
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 42 x 30 cm
Day Lily
Hemerocallis ‘Buddha’
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 44 x 31 cm
Cymbidium Orchid
Cymbidium
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 55 x 41 cm
Deciduous Magnolia
Magnolia x soulangeana
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 50 x 36 cm
Original Available
Green Slipper Orchid
Paphiopedilum
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 39 x 39 cm
Flowers on Sydney Harbour
Dutch iris, tulip, ranunculus
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 42 x 29 cm
Original Available
Spring Flowers
gaura, african daisy, hardy geranium, viola, pansy, narrowleaf blue-eyed grass
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 29 x 42 cm
Clivias
Clivia hybrids
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 38 x 39 cm
Original Available
Bromeliads
Guzmenia ‘Torch’, Vriesea duvaliana, Vriesea hybrid
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 46 x 52 cm
Original Available
Bird of Paradise
Strelitzia reginae
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 73 x 51 cm
Camellia
Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide’
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 25 x 25 cm
Original Available
French Lavender
Lavandula stoechas ‘Avonview’
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 29 x 42 cm
Candy Striped Ginger and European Honey Bee
Curcuma gracillima, Apis mellifera
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 45 x 34 cm
Hibiscus
Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Galaxy’
Coloured pencil on archival board
Paper size: 30 x 25 cm
Original Available
African Hemp Leaves
Sparrmannia africana
Coloured pencil on archival paper
Paper size: 21 x 30 cm
Original Available