I was out looking for some easter picks to dress up my spring pots and couldn’t find any. So off I went to my trusty dollar store and came up with these. A dozen styrofoam easter eggs, two curly ribbon swirls for presents (all ready cut and when I pulled out the staples, one had 12 pieces and one had 24 pieces…how convenient), and bamboo skewers. Take … Continue reading Easter Baskets
There’s nothing more cheery for me than when the early spring blossoms burst out of the ground and bring cheery colour to a late winter or early spring day. even better when the sun is out! Everyone is familiar with crocuses, the dependable bulbs that come back year after year and feature bright primary colours guaranteed to lift your spirits. There are also lesser known … Continue reading Early Spring Blooms
From tight buds to blossoms in mid February and still blooming at the end of March You can’t beat hazels for an amazing show in late winter and they are as tough as nails. The delicate petals roll up in a cold spell and unfurl when it warms up again and their scent fills the garden on a mild sunny day. Be sure to plant … Continue reading Early Spring
Enjoy but don’t be fooled by this tempting spring weather. We may be lucky and have an early spring or get walloped in March by the proverbial lion! This weather has me in the mood though and thinking about what to put in the garden this year. One thing you should check before you buy is the plant hardiness zone for your area and zones … Continue reading Plant Hardiness Zones
Back in 2009, I had the privilege of visiting my dearest friend in Sweden and seeing some of the loveliest gardens and historic landscapes in northern Europe. She lived in Uppsala, the home of the famous “father of taxonomy” Carl Linnaeus. He first studied at the University of Uppsala and later became a professor and rector of the University. His home is now a public … Continue reading Gardens of Sweden – Carl Linnaeus
Flowers have been associated with mankind since ancient times. The earliest evidence of flowers and rituals was found in a grave, over 13,000 years old, in Israel. Aromatic plants and flowers lined the grave in which two skeletons were found. Earlier controversial evidence of pollen found in Neanderthal graves is still being debated on whether it was deliberately placed there by humans or naturally by … Continue reading The Language of Flowers
One tree/shrub that should be in every garden is the magnificent magnolia. Ranging in size from compact shrubs like M. stellata to large majestic trees like M. grandiflora, there is a magnolia for every size garden. Magnolias have an ancient lineage. Fossil records show magnolias first came on the scene over 100 million years ago across North America and Europe. Back then there were no bees so it was … Continue reading Magnificent Magnolias
via Daily Prompt: Yellow Continue reading Yellow
Going through my photos of plants and flowers from Chile, I realized I have way too many for one blog. So here is the first of a couple of blogs on plants from Chile, both native and introduced. With its wonderful Mediterranean climate, Santiago boasts both tender and hardy flowering trees. Outside of Santiago is semi-arid but in the city with water, hardy magnolias rub … Continue reading Trees in Santiago
Garden Graces 