As the saying goes..."April showers bring May flowers"... and I bring you all yet another flower quilt block that falls in line perfectly with that thought. Actual pictures of Mountain Laurel here, here, and here.
Between May and June, the native mountain-laurel blooms far and wide within the north and south eastern United States, with a frothy explosion of delicate pinkish white flower clusters. This beautiful evergreen shrub grows naturally on rocky slopes and in woodlands, and in large thickets covering vast areas of forest floors. In warm climates it can grow to the size of a tree, but remains shrub-like further north. Its leathery leaves are lance-shaped, glossy and dark green, resembling those of its cousin the rhododendron, preferring a similar habitat, in cool, moist areas in full sun or deep shade.
It's botanical name is Kalmia latifolia, and is a distant member of the heath family, which includes azaleas, rhododendron, huckleberry, blueberry, and the cranberry, just to name a few. But as good as that sounds, take note that all particles and parts of this plant are poisonous. It's highly toxic to humans and animals alike, with the exception being cats and dogs. (Imagine that!) The good news is, deer won't go near it either, making it a popular and lasting landscape companion. Some of us here can really appreciate that.
Mountain-laurel contains two substances in particular, andromedotoxin and arbutin, that if ingested can cause severe symptoms and suffering death within hours. This may account for some of the other names it is know by such as, Sheep Laurel and Lambkill. Other names include, Calico Bush, Ivy Bush, and Calmoun. The native Indians called it "spoonwood" because they carved spoons from its wood. Early American settlers also used the wood to make arbors, fences, and for a time, primitive clocks.
Its election as the official state flower of Pennsylvania was a lengthy one, taking years of deliberation by the legislation. In 1931 a state tree was finally adopted, but the commonwealth was still lacking a flower so the Pennsylvanians began to gather their support for two choices; the pink azalea and the mountain-laurel. Both sides were vocal and adamant, causing the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, unable to reach an agreement, to defer the decision to the Governor of the State, Gifford Pinchot, who was a professionally trained forester and no stranger to flora and fauna. Well, the story goes, that Gov. Pinchot preferred the pink azalea, but that he allowed his wife to make the final decision. And so, on May 5, 1933, the bill was signed into law and the Mountain-laurel (dubbed "ambition" in the language of the flowers), became the official flower of Pennsylvania.
COLORS: petals #761; buds #899; flower centers WHITE; stems & leaves #702 and a lighter green. (Do the embroidery using 3-4 strands of floss, in any colors you choose--these are the ones I used here.)
Block Size: Images should be about 4 x 4-inches or so to fit a 6.5" block----re-size them if necessary.
Thanks, Vicki, for all these lovely flowers! I love all the info. you post about each one--it's so interesting. They are all so lovely! Have a great day! :)
Posted by: Sharon M. | April 19, 2010 at 08:27 AM
Okay-so I am finally caught up with you. So this new one came at a perfect time. I like that they are small and sort of a side project that will turn out to be a beautiful large project. Thanks for the patterns.
Posted by: Toni | April 19, 2010 at 10:16 AM
These posts are so informative, and I really enjoy them. This would be a wonderful project for a classroom, be it a homeschool, or any other. Thank you Vicki.
You know, I was thinking, it would be sort of a neat project to photoshop a photo like you have, and make it large, then truly try to paint an Impressionist style of painting on canvas. I bet many of us would surprise ourselves, as it is a different way of "seeing". You are always an inspiration.
Posted by: Lena | April 19, 2010 at 10:53 AM
Very sweet work!
Posted by: Camila F. | April 19, 2010 at 12:33 PM
Loved reading all the information about this one, too. My daughter Laurel would really enjoy my getting to this one quickly. I think that I'll make her some pillowcases.
Posted by: Vee | April 19, 2010 at 01:48 PM
Vicki,
Yes, the Mountain Laurel is definitely *the flower* for Pennsylvania !
I live on the continental divide in Pennsylvania and am right in the midst of it !
Your design is really creative.
I was blog hopping and landed on your blog and what a nice visit I had !
Hugs,
Linda
Posted by: Linda | April 20, 2010 at 04:51 AM
Yay, for Pennsylvania! I wish we had Mt. Laurel on our property but there's lots of it all around us. So pretty!
Just wanted to mention the Gifford Pinchot State Park near York, PA since you mentioned Gov. Pinchot. Acres and acres of hiking trails and, I'm sure, plenty of mountain laurel. I know you don't live anywhere close but some of your readers might.
Posted by: janet | April 20, 2010 at 06:16 AM
Hi ,
I just wanted to ask you if I could mention your blog in my blog. Your dollhouse bakery really inspired me to make my own version. I'm doing a little post about mine and wanted to credit you with being my inspiration. I love your blog! Thanks
Leslie
Posted by: leslie Hernandez | April 20, 2010 at 12:13 PM
I've just become acquainted with a blog called Exuberant Color. She's cleaning out her basement and has come across her daughter's doll house. It made me think of your wonderful doll house(s) and I thought you might like to see it. http://exuberantcolor.blogspot.com/
Love these embroidered blocks!!!
Posted by: Nancy | April 21, 2010 at 01:38 PM
Love the pink you chose for your flowers. You are just chuck full of information aren't you?
Posted by: Mom Wald | April 22, 2010 at 04:47 PM
I finished my PA flower and will be posting soon!
Posted by: Miss Paula | April 24, 2010 at 04:43 PM
Thank you for yet another reason to get out my needles and get busy! I just finished the "forget-me-not" redwork design in your free patterns - so pretty! We are moving to Africa in a few weeks. Thank you for posting patterns that I can get half a world away :) Have a blessed week!
Posted by: Mary | April 25, 2010 at 05:55 AM
I'm excited to find your state flowers! I can stitch them as we visit states in our RV travels... however I feel I am far behind! lol Your stitches are lovely!
Posted by: www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawltVhp2sEveH-cZ9mJAvfujz3dhaCZykWE | April 25, 2010 at 10:21 AM
I love Mt. Laurel...we have it in the mountains of NC, too! Lovely design! ♥
Posted by: Lavender Dreamer | April 26, 2010 at 06:30 PM