Flowers for Frida

 Hello m' furry antlers,

I wonder what the artist Frida Kahlo would have made of a national lockdown. With her stern mono brow stare, nationalistic folk dress and cigar smoking attire, she looked to be a woman who wouldn't have liked being told what to do. However, Frida was no stranger to confinement. Having a crippled right leg from contracting polio as a child, she reached her teens only to have her spine, ribs and pelvis crushed in a bus accident, resulting in years of operations, multiple miscarriages and chronic pain.

Henry Ford Hospital (1932), The Two Fridas (1939), The Broken Column (1944), The Little Deer (1946)

Detailed paintings can be viewed at www.fridakahlo.org

 

Turning away from her previous career choice of medicine, Frida started painting. And what did she choose to paint in her constant bed of non-convalescence? The subject matter closest at hand - herself. 

Only one look at some of her self-portraits exposes the true frustration, heartbreak and real life suffering behind Frida's modern day 'kitsch' poster image. Aside from her physical trauma, there was also a second "grave accident" in her life - her emotionally turbulent relationship with her fellow artist husband, Diego Rivera.

A closer look at these paintings uncovers personal resilience and a passion for life. Frida stares out at us knowingly, unflinching, accepting of her condition. The bold painting style and vibrant colours reflect her character; the subject matter is deeply imbued with references to Mexican culture and politics.  

In her blue house 'La Casu Azul', Frida created a sanctuary for herself, surrounded by pets (monkeys, dogs, even a deer), plants (fruit trees, cacti, palms, flowers galore) and the occasional lover.

Dahlias at Long Mizzle

Frida said that flowers had their own provocative language - "[they] teach us things that are hidden". She was well known for wearing native flowers in her hair, including Dahlias, Marigolds and Fuschia. It is no small coincidence that Dahlias are the national flower of her homeland, Mexico.

                                                          (C) Jamie Akrill Photography

In my twenties, I used to wrap my head in silk Dahlias before getting on stage with my wonderful band sisters. [The band will go unnamed for this post due to some questionable video footage!] The stomp box was full of illegal contraband in those days. Now it has succumbed to woodworm and is in the greenhouse, full of garden paraphernalia.

                                                                       Dahlia 'My Love'

In 2020, I grew Dahlias for the first time, having admired them for years...

                                           (My favourite Dahlia, thus far - 'Totally Tangerine')

Just as 'Fridamania' has taken off in recent years (Frida tea towels, Frida dressing gowns, Frida water bottles etc.) , Dahlia mania seems also to be in full swing, with a spectacular choice available: singles, cactus, semi-castus, pompom, ball, anemone, decorative and collarette. Unlike Frida's complex life, Dahlias are actually quite simple to grow.

                                               Dahlia 'Decorative White' and  'Heatwave'

'Totally tangerine' and Heatwave'

                                                                            Dahlia 'Duet'

There will be no demureness for me in the Dahlia patch this summer. I am going full out gaudy!!! I'm even breaking into the veggie patch to accommodate my growing collection.

 

These will hopefully be this year's additions (pictured above). They were ordered back in December from Halls of Heddon and should arrive within the next month, as small rooted cuttings - 

  • Collerette types: Dilys Ayling, Pooh, Mary Eveline
  • Semi Cactus: Weston Spanish Dancer
  • Single type: Hadrian's Midnight

 


Here are last year's tubers (from Sarah Raven and Lidl). They have been taken out of their winter storage, potted up, watered and popped above the radiator in 'the snub' (home office).


Did you know that the Aztecs used Dahlias for food and medicine? To this day, the tubers are edible but I've never met anyone who's cooked one up for dinner, have you?

This summer, when I pick some Dahlias and pop them in my hair, I will raise a glass to dear Frida and think of her enduring art and perseverance of character.

Are you excited to grow anything inspired by an artist?

Lulu xXx

 

p.s. Van Gogh sneaked a couple of his sunflowers into this bouquet -


Thank you for visiting!

Most recent posts can be found here -

https://longmizzle.blogspot.com/



 

 

Comments

  1. Well I never knew that dahlia tubers are edible. They have earned a bit more respect from me and a place in my garden this year. Tony and I will try anything once... If you don't hear back from me this summer they weren't edible :-)

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    1. Hello Cherie, haha, I may be brave this year too and cook one up! Although always starchy, the taste can be anything from celeriac to beetroot, and some are tastier than others apparently. Lulu xXx

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  2. That photo of you and your bandmates is wonderful. I think you need to email me your band name so I can watch you in action!
    I've got The Two Fridas & Broken Column earrings.
    I'm sowing dahlia seeds along with Monty later. I didn't even know you could grow them as seeds until he mentioned it last week. I did think of getting some tubers from Sara Raven this year, she has some beauties in her catalogue! xxx

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    1. Hello Vix, The Two Fridas is a heart wrenching, beguiling painting. I would love to see the paintings for real. Most seem to be either in Mexico City, New York or private collections. I spend most of the winter day dreaming through the Sarah Raven catalogue of cut flowers. I had a tip off back in December that this season the tubers would sell even quicker. I am also reliably informed that growing them from the small rooted cuttings provides better yields than the tubers. It will be interesting to see how the seeds do. (I may send you a PM with some music when I'm feeling brave). Lulu xXx

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  3. Great post! That's a brilliant photo of you and your bandmates! I love Frida Kahlo. What a life. Have you seen the colourised photographs of her in New York taken by Nickolas Muray? I had no idea that Dahlia tubers were edible. They are beautiful flowers. I really would love some in my garden, but I'm not sure it sees enough sun. x

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    1. Thank you Claire, the photographer Jamie did some great pictures of us prating around and drinking tea (or was it tea?) in my old living room, for a music magazine. Yes, I have seen Nickolas Murray's photos. I've just found a wonderful one of Frida laughing with a friend. Dahlias are sun lovers and seem to like the same spots were cats sit! Lulu xXx

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  4. thank you very much for writing about the "real" frida - i hate it when shallow "fashion`n lifestyle" bloggers use her to merchandise cheap produced crap.
    ´cause i adore her. especially for the "dark sides" of her life - to be so strong in all the weekness and the deep love.... awesome.
    lovely band shot with the young mizzle! now i´m very curious!!!
    i grow dahlias since i have the garden - the first one i have rescued from a shop´s sale rack - half dead. she has made babies since and blooms wonderful in pastel colours. later i added two darker ones - not more - they must live in a container over summer ´cause of the dreaded voles here......
    thanks for the insight into the dahlia tradition in mexico!
    speaking of - my "mexican look":
    http://bahnwaerterhaeuschen.blogspot.com/2016/10/midlife-fun-blogparty-pumpkin-squash.html :-D
    the dahlias: http://bahnwaerterhaeuschen.blogspot.com/2020/10/herbstmond.html
    happy gardening! <3 xxxx

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    1. Thank you Beate, I agree. Frida's paintings are so powerful and beautiful, it is a shame that her actual artwork gets sidetracked sometimes. How lovely your rescue Dahlia has had babies. Eugh, voles! Our neighbours at the bottom right of the garden have had rats in their veggie pots, so I am tentatively probing around down there.

      Thank you for your lovely links. Day of The Dead is a fascinating festival. (The Mexican Marigold is the purest of offerings to the deities. I always associated Marigolds with ropy, garish park displays up north, but I am coming round to them again) Your Dahlias look absolutely stunning! Lulu xXx

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  5. I really enjoyed this post, I had no idea who Frida was but she certainly was a strong lady.
    Dahlias I like, my grandma grew them and I enjoyed examining the ones of honeycomb pattern bloom in particular, there are so many though with vibrant colours.

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    1. Hello Betty, glad you enjoyed it :) The honeycomb patterns are amazing aren't they! I am a fan of the pom pom ones, that look like old frilly swimming caps, but I've just realized I don't have any. How lovely that your grandma grew them. Lulu xXx

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  6. Dahlias to me are my childhood - my mother had them everywhere - growing up in Africa meant that they did not have to be lifted and stored and then replanted every year - something that puts me off - a lot. However, the idea of seeds sounds a lot more inviting .... hmmm may give that a swing (or may be not!!) lovely photos - full of joy, colour and mischief 😁

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    1. Hello Kate, wow, depending on whereabouts in Africa you grew up, I wonder if you saw the wild Agapanthus? A neighbour of mine has a spectacular dahlia patch. He keeps his in the earth over winter and doesn't even bother to mulch over them. His drainage is much better though, and I'd worry not so much about the cold, but the wet in my garden.

      Vix is giving the seeds a go, sowing along with Monty, so it will be interesting to see how they turn out. I have banned myself from buying any more seeds, as my seed to soil and hands ratio is all off! Lulu xXx

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    2. erhmm - I may have 'accidently' purchased some dahlia seeds (clears throat and shuffles somewhat sheepishly 😂) Yes, agapanthus were rife and beautiful and I can't grow them here (in the soggy and cool north) to save my life!
      I do have a get out clause when it comes to excess seed purchasing - I blame work!!! haha

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  7. Excellent post. I enjoyed everything about it.

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    1. Hello Liberty Belle, fellow Lemony Snicket lover! Great to meet you and thank you for leaving such a nice message. I have just had a giggle looking at you Madame Tussaudes post. My monsieur and I have been to the one in Amsterdam and Blackpool... where we got some very silly photos. I got to sing with James Brown and Prince. One particular staged photo with Antony Hopkins looked so real, it even fooled Monsieur's mum! I will be over soon to take a proper look. Lulu xXx

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  8. Love this post, darl! I admire Frida's complex life and wonderful artwork. You have paid great homage to her. Xxx

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    1. Thank you Jess love :) Very kind of you. Lulu xXx

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  9. I love Frida, she reminds of a woman who had so much pain to deal with in her life. I love looking at her work you can see so many sides of her she and van goh would have got on well. She reminds me of early feminists as well, like don’t tell me what to do or I will kick your ass.
    I didn’t really appreciate frida the the movie it was good, but it missed a lot out.
    The photo of your band reminded me of katzenjammer but sadly they no longer exist either!! I still like to listen to them though.
    The kids were funny showing me these seeds all proud and happy and then I asked why veg they looked prettiest of them all.
    And yes they are manic label swoopers . Then look all sweetness and light as they have done nothing.

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    1. Hello Allie jane, I too never tire of looking at Frida's work. I'm not a fan of the movie really. I've seen Van Gogh's work in Amsterdam - but that's a story for another day. Have you seen 'Loving Vincent' ? It has been on my movie list for a while.

      I have just looked up Katzenjammer - they look great! I love a bit of accordion and banjo. It makes me want to play in a band again... but maybe be fifteen years younger. You know some great bands.

      Bless the kids, them manic label swoopers, with a veggie tooth :) Lulu xXx

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  10. Superb post. Love dahlias too, ideal for a lazy gardener as I leave them in position and they come back in all their beauty every year. Luckily Cornwall has a mild climate. All good wishes ~ Mike.

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    1. Thank you Mike :) I dug up my tubers as I wanted to re-locate them, but I am tempted to leave a couple in next autumn. I am really enjoying your Lost Garden of Heligan pictures. I shall have to find mine from a past visit! Take care, Lulu xXx

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  11. I didn't know they were edible either, but I adore dahlias - well done you, such amazing productivity! XX

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    1. Thank you Sue :) You have good taste. Take care luvely, Lulu xXx

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  12. I DID know Dahlias were edible but I can't remember HOW I knew! I really like them though-so pretty!
    Thanks so much for the information about Frida Kahlo- I am ashamed to say I knew nothing about her!xx

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    1. Thank you Kezzie :) Please, please have a flashback soon that you were served roasted dahlias at an autumnal feast with wild boar and mushrooms! Lulu xXx

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