Category: Perennials
Fantastic Flowers for the August Garden
As we head into late summer in the garden we begin to see a slow transition. Gone are the dewy daffodils, the misty meadows, the bright spring show of giddy annuals. Arriving is the dry earth, the baking sun and the crowded garden where annuals get pushed out and perennials take center stage. If your petunias are petering out or your geraniums have been dead-headed … Continue reading Fantastic Flowers for the August Garden
Swimming With the Squid at VanDusen Gardens
Any garden with a large wooden squid swimming through a field of grass is my kind of place. I’ve always had a fascination for these slippery cephalopods. It began with those stories of the giant squid that lurked in the depths of the oceans. As a kid I imagined huge monsters, as big as my bedroom with large glowing eyes and night black ink. I … Continue reading Swimming With the Squid at VanDusen Gardens
VanDusen Botanical Gardens
Today I had the privilege of visiting the beautiful VanDusen Botanical gardens in Vancouver, British Columbia. It’s only a few hours north of my home in Washington and what a great collection of plants! Here are a few preliminary pictures from this wonderful garden, including our botanical hero, Carl Linneaus, Calamagrostis and flying squid, and something I’ve wanted to see for a long time, the … Continue reading VanDusen Botanical Gardens
Epimedium
Epimedium is a plant with some funny names: Barrenwort, Bishop’s Hat, Horny Goat Weed, Fairy Wings and Yin Yang Huo. Fairy wings for the tiny graceful flowers and Horny goat Weed for the aphrodisiac qualities popular in asian cultures. The thing I like about this plant is its texture. The leaves are papery rough. They sound like rustling paper when rubbed together. They toughen with … Continue reading Epimedium
Rainyleaf 