Field Trips, Garden, Garden Design, Grasses, Perennials, Plants, Roses, Shrubs, Trees

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

Unknown's avatarrainyleaf7 Comments
Conifers, Field Trips, Garden, Garden Design, Grasses, Perennials, Roses, Trees

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

Unknown's avatarrainyleaf4 Comments
Perennials, Plants

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

Unknown's avatarrainyleaf4 Comments