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Writer's pictureMegan Banich

Painting with Vegetation: Using the Primary Colors to Create a Living Masterpiece

Enter a world where the Earth itself is your palette and the flora and fauna are your brushes. Step into the magical realm of "Botanical Painting," where we will uncover the secrets of using nature's own colors to craft stunning works of art.


Explore the diverse landscapes of Colorado, with its array of plant life thriving at different altitudes. Discover the ten shades of red, yellow, and blue that can be found in the state, each providing a unique opportunity to create vibrant and dynamic compositions that showcase the beauty of Colorado's natural environment.


Join us on this journey of creativity and innovation as we unlock the potential of botanical artistry, turning the natural world into a living canvas of color and beauty.



Red Vegetation


1. Scarlet Gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata): A striking wildflower with vibrant red, trumpet-shaped blooms that attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

2. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata): A resilient perennial with daisy-like flowers featuring bold red petals and a yellow center.

3. Bee Balm (Monarda): A fragrant herb with showy red, pink, or purple flowers that are a magnet for pollinators.

4. Penstemon (Penstemon): A diverse genus of wildflowers with tubular, red-hued blooms that thrive in sunny, well-drained areas.

5. Firecracker Penstemon (Penstemon eatonii): A drought-tolerant, native penstemon with bright red, tubular flowers.

6. Scarlet Globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea): A hardy, low-growing plant with vibrant red-orange flowers that bloom throughout the summer.

7. Scarlet Paintbrush (Castilleja miniata): A semi-parasitic wildflower with striking red bracts that resemble paintbrushes.

8. Scarlet Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus coccineus): A compact, drought-tolerant cactus with stunning red, tubular flowers.

9. Scarlet Sage (Salvia coccinea): A fragrant, nectar-rich plant with bright red, tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds.

10. Coral Bells (Heuchera): A versatile perennial with red-tinged foliage and delicate, bell-shaped flowers.


Yellow Vegetation


1. Sunflower (Helianthus): A cheerful, iconic flower with large, golden-yellow blooms that thrive in sunny, well-drained areas.

2. Goldenrod (Solidago): A hardy, native wildflower with vibrant yellow plumes that provide a late-season burst of color.

3. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): A drought-tolerant perennial with clusters of bright yellow, flat-topped flowers.

4. Sulphur Flower (Eriogonum umbellatum): A low-growing, mat-forming plant with clusters of yellow, button-like flowers.

5. Beebalm (Monarda): In addition to its red varieties, this fragrant herb also comes in yellow-hued cultivars.

6. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia): Another versatile plant with yellow-petaled blooms that complement its red counterparts.

7. Coreopsis (Coreopsis): A cheerful, daisy-like flower with vibrant yellow petals and a dark center.

8. Marigold (Tagetes): A classic garden annual with bold, yellow-orange flowers that thrive in sunny, well-drained conditions.

9. Sundrops (Oenothera): A low-growing perennial with bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers that open in the evening.

10. Daffodil (Narcissus): A beloved spring-blooming bulb with cheerful, yellow trumpet-shaped flowers.


Blue Vegetation


1. Larkspur (Delphinium): A stately, tall wildflower with striking, blue-purple spikes of blooms.

2. Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica): A hardy, clump-forming iris with beautiful, blue-violet flowers.

3. Bluebell (Mertensia): A delicate, bell-shaped wildflower with clusters of blue, nodding blooms.

4. Forget-me-not (Myosotis): A charming, low-growing plant with small, sky-blue flowers.

5. Lupine (Lupinus): A robust, native wildflower with tall spikes of blue, purple, or white flowers.

6. Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana): A native shrub with clusters of fragrant, white flowers that turn into blue-black berries.

7. Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia): A delicate, bell-shaped wildflower with nodding, blue-violet blooms.

8. Columbine (Aquilegia): A graceful, native flower with blue, purple, or white spurred blooms.

9. Penstemon (Penstemon): In addition to its red varieties, this genus also includes blue-hued species.

10. Flax (Linum): A dainty, blue-flowered plant that adds a pop of color to the landscape.

By incorporating these hardy, pollinator-friendly, and low-maintenance plants into your garden or landscape, you can create a living, breathing masterpiece that celebrates the beauty of the natural world. Embrace the primary colors and let the vegetation around you become your canvas, transforming your outdoor space into a vibrant, ever-changing work of art.

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