STORY BEHIND THE ART OF MONIKA DE VRIES GOHLKE

23rd Annual International

American Society of Botanical Artists at Wave Hill

Ponderosa

Citrus x limon ‘Ponderosa’

Late in winter I visited the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to experience something “green” in the conservatory. Upon entering I was “greeted” by an impressive lemon tree, the ‘Ponderosa’, living in a large container, heavy with fruit and blossoms. I had never seen this type of citrus before and felt amazed and awed by the beauty and size of the plant and its fruits.

‘Ponderosa’ is a hybrid of a pomelo and a citron and has been grown in the U.S. since the 19th century, but never commercially for fruit; it certainly makes a glorious ornamental, though.

I read that the fruit tastes just like a regular lemon, and as the little kid standing next to me commented, it wouldn’t take many of these to make a whole pitcher of lemonade. Mmmmm! Dreams of summer overcame me, the temperature in the conservatory rose by a few degrees, and I didn’t want to leave either place or plant.

Next best thing, I returned with my drawing pad and for several days sketched the tree until I had enough information in my mind and heart to try to recreate the experience, the shiny dark leaves, flowers, fruits, and thorns.

It is a hot day today—lemonade, anyone?

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Read more about this artist’s work: America's Flora