In case some faithful readers wonder if I have passed on, I haven’t. I have had an over-the-top busy year with some trying elements – but the sun is finally out in Cobble Hill and the garden is growing and I’m baaaaack!
I posted something similar last year, but to kick off a little tour around my garden, here is the pride and joy of the garden at this time of year every year, R ‘Pride & Joy’. Just a spectacular variety……
The magnificent Rhododendron 'Pride & Joy'
We had the wettest, coolest long spring in the history of man (at least it seemed like that) and on the wet coast of Canada most plant development is about 3-4 weeks behind. But, lots of plants which love cooler temperatures and lots of water are thriving. Everywhere our hostas are busting out:
Hosta 'Great Expectations' (I think)
Here are the driveway plots. We are hosting the Cowichan Valley Rhododendron Society next Wednesday night (May 25th), hosting the Mill Bay Garden Club for their AGM/Picnic on June 28th (my swan song as President of the Club) and Gardens West is featuring us in their magazine this year. Awaiting when the photographer is coming – I will have to weed right through the night, I think! We are very, very flattered.
Driveway plots
We went with the Cowichan Valley Rhododendron Society on a tour to some Lower Mainland gardens the past weekend. We also stopped and had a BIG shop at Brian Minter’s nursery in Chilliwack and Cedar Rim Nursery in Langley. At one of the private gardens in Surrey belonging to the Dodd’s – a spectacular garden in every respect – they have a beautiful collection of Acers – both Japanese and otherwise. Check this one out -
Acer 'Bellissima' or 'Brilliantima'
Well, I want one! (so did a few other tour members). The caption on the picture is wrong. I’ve just learned (thanks Sharon) it is an Acer Pseudoplantanus ‘Brilliantissimum’ Any reader who knows where I could get one for my garden? Minter’s will have it next year, Cedar Rim hadn’t heard about it, and the Outback Nursery heard about it, but don’t have any.
The iris bed - fingers crossed
Regular readers on the blog last year saw this bed in full bloom when we were included on Cowichan Family Life’s garden tour June 4. Well, let’s pray that there are iris blooms at Finnerty Gardens at the University of Victoria, at Government House in Victoria, at Royal Roads/Hatley Castle in Colwood and at Glendale Gardens in Langford as there are huge Iris plantings there to be judged at the American Iris Society’s annual convention. This is only the second time the convention has been held in Canada and this cold spring hasn’t provided ideal Iris growing conditions. I am the Host Garden coordinator of the convention and many devoted individuals have kept the beds weeded, watered, fertilized, and loved for over two years. I pray this upcoming week has some heat and sun in the forcast!
I love Brunnera
Brunnera seem to come in so many colour combos. This one almost looks like a hosta. We have them here, there, and everywhere in the garden!
Bleeding Hearts LOVED this cold, wet spring
For me, a bleeding heart is just about the most durable, attractive, and long-loved perennials available. This was originally purchased at the Mill Bay Garden Club Plant Sale for $10 5-6 years ago. It has spread, never failed to bloom and is underplanted with four leaf clover groundcover. Hey, I know some latin names, but not all. Bleeding heart is Dicentra spectabilis.
Yup, this is Ivy and yes, its still challenging to garden with a corgi
Readers last year may remember my blog post ‘Gardening with a Corgi’. Ivy still plunks that ball in front of me just when I am getting into my weeding stride………..and I still love her.
Went on an excellent Rhododendron Garden tour in #Nanaimo today and saw a particularly spectacular garden filled with specialty plants. Next post I will show you pictures and hope you can help me identify a few. Happy Gardening!
