The Greenest Branch Collection: Vibrant Foliage and the Greening Power of Nature
The lush greens of the forest, the delicate forms of ferns, and the quiet beauty of leaves in the high desert — these are the moments that inspired The Greenest Branch Collection. This series of 8×10 framed botanical artworks captures the rich textures and forms of foliage collected from the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico, bringing the serenity of nature into your home.
Inspired by Hildegard of Bingen and the Power of Viriditas
The Greenest Branch Collection draws inspiration from a 12th-century visionary, Hildegard of Bingen, a German mystic, prophetess, and abbess. Hildegard observed the living power in all creation and called it viriditas — the greening force of life, fertility, and spiritual renewal. She called this life force “the greenest branch,” connecting it to growth, creativity, and spiritual vitality.
I was drawn to Hildegard’s teachings because of my own affinity for the green forests, and my connection to Rhineland where Hildegard and my own German ancestors lived. I also resonate with the way she connected ecology, spirituality, and the maternal Divine. In spring, I am reminded of her wisdom every time seemingly dormant branches suddenly sprout green buds or rhubarb stems push forcefully through rock and cold earth. This greening power of life, waiting patiently beneath the surface, is at the heart of this collection.
“There is a power that has been since all eternity, and that force and potentiality is green!” — Hildegard of Bingen
A Walk Among the Greens
The Greenest Branch Collection focuses on foliage rather than flowers, highlighting the intricate shapes, textures, and shades of green that make up the landscape of the Jemez Mountains. Ferns, mayflower, strawberry leaves, and other native plants are carefully collected and pressed to celebrate the artistry inherent in nature.
Each piece features a herbarium-style label, echoing the style of traditional botanical documentation, and a maple frame that complements the natural tones of the foliage.
Just as Hildegard described, “The soul is for the body as the sap is for the tree…Thus, the soul provides the inner solidity and strength of the body.” Each piece in this collection invites reflection, calm, and connection to the living world around us — the visible expression of viriditas.
What’s Included in the Collection
Original pressed plants: Real leaves and foliage harvested in New Mexico.
Plant variety: Ferns, mayflower, strawberry leaves, and other native foliage.
Size: 8×10 inches, ideal for walls, shelves, or grouped displays.
Mounting & framing: Maple frames, handmade deckled-edge watercolor paper, top-matted on acid-free, fade-resistant dark grey art paper.
Labels: Herbarium-style with plant names and collection information.
Ready to hang: Each piece arrives complete and display-ready.
Why You’ll Love It
The Greenest Branch Collection is more than decoration — it’s a meditation on life’s greening power and the quiet beauty of foliage. Each piece connects you to the natural world and to a timeless tradition of reverence for plants as living expressions of vitality and spirit.
Bring the Greening Power into Your Home
Just as nature renews itself in spring, so too can our spirits blossom. The Greenest Branch Collection embodies this concept, inviting you to experience the vitality, creativity, and renewal that Hildegard of Bingen described nearly 1,000 years ago.
