(not) Hollyberry (Also... the new site is live!!)

It may have taken three months longer than anticipated, but I think it looks pretty darned good.  There are a few more pretty pictures to add, but it is now (fingers crossed) fully functional.  I would be enormously grateful for any and all feedback, both from an esthetic and a functional point of view.

This week's colour inspiration: Hollyberries (NOT - see below).

 

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EDIT: I have now been informed by 3 reliable sources (4 if you count DH's bookmark in Plants of the Whistler Region, which I keep by the computer but inexplicably did not consult this time), that these are in fact Oregon grapes.  Whose leaves look almost exactly like holly leaves, except they are not.  I hereby swear before these assembled blog witnesses that I will never again post so much as a blade of grass without checking its botanical pedigree.  And because I cannot stand waiting for the rest of the yarn to sell in order to alleviate my feelings of public dumbness, I am going to change the name in the store, DH's protestations of over-reaction notwithstanding.  (Those of you who already bought some - I will put both names on the tag so as to make it match up with the invoice.) So there.  They're still awfully pretty.

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They stray a little towards purple in the highlights, but offset that nicely with some blue-green lowlights, and for the most part, tread the straight and narrow Royal Blue road.

 

The lace-weight and the merino/silk blend are the most purely jewel-toned this week - as you turn the skeins over in the light, the shades and variations are all there, but very subtly blended.

 

 

The BFL has a little more variation in depth and hue:

 

and the sock yarn has the most of all, alternating the highlights and lowlights round for round:

Comments

[Phiala]

The photo and the yarn are both gorgeous, as always. But I'm curious: what's usually called a hollyberry (a la Christmas cards) is from Ilex opaca (American holly), and the berries are bright, gorgeous red. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ILOP

I've run through all the other Ilex species I can think of, and most have red berries. Inkberry (Ilex glabra) has blue berries, but not like that.
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ILGL

Both of those are native to the eastern/southeastern United States, but are widely used for landscaping.

So, since I can't figure it out: Do you have any idea what your hollyberry is? Common names vary so widely by region that it's difficult to figure out sometimes. Or if you don't, how about a photo with leaves too so I can ID it?

Er, yes, I am a professional botanist, and a bit obsessive. Why do you ask?

[--Deb]

I think the new site looks great. You should be proud! I just wish I could afford to buy something, but money is too, too tight... (grin)

[Kathleen C.]

I found the site quite easy to navigate... I just spent a while going in and out of every category and clicking links and it was simple and functioned great!
Esthetically it seems attractive and clean. Lovely banner. clear layout. Good quality photos captured the colors and detail well. Loved the larger images!

I tried to think of more critique like suggestions but I really don't have any. It's a very good site!

[Gwyndolyn O'Shaughnessy]

I'm with Phiala on the holly (Ilex) question. Are these what I'd call Oregon grape (Mahonia spp.)? Mahonia leaves are very holly-like -- though not as tough and, erm, mean. I can't recall which is high-growing shrublike guy and which is low; one of 'em is Mahonia nervosa (which amuses me enough to remember offhand). Oregon grape bloom very early, a bright yellow elongated cluster, then green berries shading to the above when ripe. The leaves turn RED! at this time of year. Both Mahonias (Mahoniae?) are native to the Pacific Northwest.

Beautiful picture, as always, and GORGEOUS yarn (also as always).

[Ronni]

I'm with Kathleen. I wandered about and I think it's lovely!

I think the Hollyberry yarn is lovely too and was thrilled to discover it was blue and not the shades of red I was expecting from the name. I'm having a great deal of difficulty not doing a full test of the system all the way through a purchase. Only I feel I should let some other folks collect for a while. ;-) (This generous letting others have a turn may not last all that long of course... LOL)

[Deb]

I just saw the new site- Wow! You guys should be very proud of yourselves- it looks wonderful-and easy to move around in, as well!!

[Dave]

Yippee, it works! :-)
And it looks great too. Love the big pics.

[Phiala]

I was excitedly bouncing back to say that I figured it out, but Gwyndolyn beat me to it. It must be a Mahonia of some sort, maybe this one: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MAAQ2

Okay, I admit it - I didn't figure it out. Someone just asked me about the tall holly with blue berries growing next to my front door. Duh! I _have_ one, and it still didn't register that that's what you had photos of.

Oh... just read the revised post. Don't feel stupid, please! I didn't want that, I was honestly curious as to what the plant was! The plant you have is called a "hollyleafed barberry" or "hollyleaf mahonia", so it's a perfectly legitimate thing to call the berries hollyberries. And they are awfully pretty, and the yarn is lovely.

Let me tell you about the botany professor at a very well-rated Southern university whose name starts with a D who identified a tree as a willow to his entire large class.
It wasn't, but was a willow oak, which has remarkably similar leaves. So even professionals can make that kind of mistake (and I should know, having made plenty myself).

[netter]

Love the new site!

[Priscilla]

I love these beautiful colors! And a great pic, as usual.

[Gwyndolyn O'Shaughnessy]

We all have gifts: you take gorgeous pictures, dye gorgeous yarn, and make amazing jewelry (while raising kids and running an entire household on an artist's budget). I manage to remember trivial things about plants. :-)

I love the names -- both Hollyberry and (not) Hollyberry -- and the yarn: the lovely shades-of-blue warmth when one expects eye-zinging red. It's fun. I give you permission to NOT feel dumb, and to feel creative instead. :-D

[Ronni]

Silly girl, we don't care if the name is right or not. I do have to confess to wishing there was a blue berried holly though. But I guess I could just try planting oregon grapes instead. Well, maybe later.

Hmmmm, if it is still still there, I might succumb... I'm gonna be all will-powerful and not look until later on tonight. So that I only fall down once a week here.