Name/Title
Broom and ArbutusEntry/Object ID
2014.08.05Description
Photograph
This black and white Pictorial-style landscape shows shrubbery, identified as [Scotch] Broom, and several Arbutus trees, the only native broadleaf evergreen tree in Canada. The location is unknown, but could well be Victoria, B.C.Photograph Details
Type of Photograph
Black and white photo on paperSubject Place
Region
Pacific NorthwestContinent
North AmericaContext
Native to the British Isles and the Mediterranean areas of Europe, Scotch broom (Cytisus scopariuswas) with its bright yellow flowers, sometimes with red detailing, and leathery stems, was introduced to Vancouver Island in the 1850s as an ornamental shrub. Its spread continued following planting as a bank stabilizer during road building, and as discarded whiskey crate packing for the gold camps. It now grows prolifically throughout southwestern B.C. including Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, as well as P.E.I. and Nova Scotia.
Growing to 3m in height, Broom is considered an invasive species, a serious threat to biodiversity, eliminating native plant communities and destroying wildlife habitat. Broom is also particularly flammable, increasing the fire hazard of properties.
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In B.C., Arbutus (Arbutus menzeisii) is found in the dry southeast regions of Vancouver Island, as well as the Gulf Islands, and the lower mainland. Arbutus is found as far south as Mexico, giving this tree one of the longest north-south ranges of any North American tree. It is Canada's only native broad-leafed evergreen tree, and of note, is found no farther than 8 km from the Pacific Ocean.
These striking looking trees have waxy green leaves, drooping white flower clusters, orange-red berries and smooth reddish-orange bark which curls up and falls off, revealing a fresh new greenish layer. They are tough, sun-loving trees that weather summer drought conditions well and can grow up to 30 m high. The wood is hard and beautifully grained, making it very suitable for woodworking and carving. Various First Nations peoples have also used arbutus bark and leaves for medicinal purposes and arbutus was important in their myths.Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Harry Upperton Knight (1873-1973)Role
PhotographerDate made
n.d.Time Period
20th CenturyNotes
PHOTOGRAPHER BIOGRAPHY
Born in Tillington, Sussex, England, Harry Upperton Knight was a successful Canadian photographer out of Victoria, B.C. specializing in portraits and landscapes. In particular he was noted for his artistic "camera sketches" that reflected his interest in the Pictorial photography movement. This international movement, that began in the 1890s and remained popular until the 1920s, was intended to advance the status of photography as a true art form.
Knight started his career by apprenticing to another photographer and then opened his own studio in Cranleigh, England. In 1910 Knight immigrated to Canada, first selling real estate in Vancouver and Duncan, B.C., and in 1917, he moved to Victoria. Following a short period working in the Wilfred Gibson studios, Knight opened his own commercial studio at 707 ½ (later 715) Fort Street in 1918.
Until his retirement in 1965, Knight continued to specialize in portrait photography, copy work and his artistic work, mostly landscapes, which emphasized his use of a soft focus lens. He photographed the City of Victoria, as well as Vancouver Island, its people, the streets, the houses and the changing landscape, such as the development of The Butchart Gardens. He also traveled to Vancouver, Los Angeles, Seattle and Mexico. Knight died at the age of 100. The City of Victoria Archives acquired his photographs in 1972.Inscription/Signature/Marks
Type
SignatureLocation
Lower left on card? mount in pencil: KnightDimensions
Dimension Description
Support and mountHeight
34.3 cmWidth
41.9 cmRelationships
Related Entries
Notes
By Harry Upperton Knight:
2014.08.04 A Turn in the Road
2014.08.05 Broom and Arbutus
2015.04.13 Portrait of Harold Mortimer-Lamb (reproduction photo after photograph by Knight)
By Gil Allen:
2001.01.80 Arbutus Patterns
By Annie Amelia Rose Bushby Bullen:
2001.01.74 Lake View or Arbutus Tree Landscape II
2001.01.75 Park Pathway or Arbutus Tree Landscape III
2001.01.76 Goldstream Park July 4, Arbutus Tree Landscape I
