Last weekend I went with some friends to the National Botanic Garden.  We missed the infamous Titan arum blooming by just a few days… but we also missed its accompanying blockbuster lines.  And we did get to see its fallen — and odor-free — aftermath.  (Have you all seen this time-lapse video of its blooming?  Amazing!)

Though we didn’t get to see the Titan arum, we found plenty to admire at the Botanic Garden.  How much in the human history of pattern and design must be inspired by plants.  I kept looking at the leaves and bark and blossoms and thinking how great they’d look transferred onto textiles and paper goods and architectural details.  In fact, I actually have a print-making project up my sleeve for this fall.

In the meanwhile, enjoy this crazy, impressive aloe.