Well, I’ve finally decided to apply to the UBC Garden Design program. As part of the application process, they ask that you list five books, journals, and/or magazines that you have found influential. I’m kind of struggling with it, because at different points during my life and growth as a gardener, I’ve required different information. […]
The revolution is fertile
Yippee, we’re going to Cuba! Ben and I have been attempting to go for years now, but one thing or another always prevented us. Now, in a spontaneous and daring manuver, we’ve booked a flight to Havana for mid-January. Of course, I started researching gardens immediately. They do have a botanical garden and several smaller […]
Thanks, Snowberry!
When I was a kid, snowberries, (Symphoricarpos albus) grew wild all over our heavily-wooded property, along with other BC natives like ferns, Mahonia nervosa (Oregon grape) and Rubus spectabilis (salmonberries). I called snowberries “pop berries” because they made a delicious popping noise when you crushed them underfoot. I think my fascination with them terrified my […]
Ethical bouquets
With all the open houses and cocktail parties to attend at this time of year, think twice before you buy flowers for your host or hostess. An increasing number of the roses and other cut flowers we buy have been imported from large flower plantations in Latin America and Asia, where workers, primarily women and […]
Upside down Christmas tree
Honestly, what is the deal with these upside-down Christmas trees I’m seeing everywhere? More room for presents? A way to differentiate oneself from the neighbours? I suppose I can’t argue against them on the basis of being contrary to nature – your basic Christmas tree does that already – but really: an upside-down tree. I […]
Heronswood
It’s kind of lame that I’ve never visited Heronswood, Dan Hinkley and Robert Jones’ Kitsap Penninsula, Washington nursery, especially since we’re only a couple hours away. I heard Dan speak at a Vancouver Rose Society talk a few years ago – he’s a delightful speaker. And from what I’ve heard and seen in photographs, the […]
Pyramidal European Hornbeam
The garden in our new townhouse comes “fully landscaped;” I tried to see if they’d just leave it unplanted, but apparently it’s not an option they’ve ever heard of. Anyway, the tree that the landscape designer chose for our yard is a Pyramidal European Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’). It wouldn’t be my first choice of […]
Christmas-season houseplants
Around this time of year, the number of plants inside my house nearly doubles. Succulent planters come indoors for the winter, as do the houseplants that live outdoors during the summers. Then there are the seasonal plants: amaryllis, paperwhites, poinsettia. I’m more of an outdoor-plant person, so I get kind of nervous when I’m charged […]