Go to YOUTUBE and search for ‘Corona’ The Talking Dog . You’ll soon see why I am completely besotted!
January 26, 2012
December 13, 2011
An amazing Orchid !
Masdevallia Prince Charming ‘Yodiehead’ CCM/AOS
I have owned this cool growing orchid for about 15 years ! It is a hybrid Masdevallia that I bought in Santa Barbara at a big orchid show. It has always produced one or two (or rarely four) flowers every spring. This year it went berserk flowering ! Starting in March , the intriguing coppery- orange flowers emerged all around its 4″ pot. By September, it was amazing. I knew that the American Orchid Society had created a long-awaited regional judging centre in Vancouver, so on Sept. 10th of this year I took my plant to be judged by the team of American and Canadian judges . The process takes hours, as the experts examine all the plants brought in for evaluation that day.
My plant won a ‘Certificate of Cultural Merit’ , with a score of 85 points! As one of the judges said to me when I was leaving ‘You should be very proud , you are competing with the world’ !
I have grown orchids for over thirty years and have always found Masdevallias hard to grow ! I have killed all I have ever owned ! But not this one – it is still crazy with flowers as I type this two weeks before Christmas !
Being native to cool Andean mountain areas, these ground-dwelling plants need to feel at home – no hot air, no dry environments. I knew that, so I place mine outside in total shade for the summer and bring it into my greenhouse in October. I leave it at the cool end, away from the heat source, and water/spritz every day. I fertilize all my orchids using a hose-end sprayer with 15-30-15 mixed in it, about twice a month. The leaves absorb the food as it is a ‘foliar spray’ I am delivering this way. And that’s it- no fussing , I am too busy. It was a long wait for this reward, but worth it !
AN UPDATE :
This orchid is still going strong ….. four months after winning its big award from the American Orchid Society ! It has more flowers now than it did on judging day, Sept 10th, 2011. I cannot believe it . I took this picture on January 4th, 2012 . It will soon be one year since flowering began !
November 28, 2011
October 29, 2011
‘Corona’ The wonder Dog
I have mentioned our wonderful adopted dog ‘Corona’ before. He is an incredible being, and has opened a whole new portal for me and many others who meet him…..
I sometimes call him ‘Gandhi’, as he has amazingly kind eyes that stare, without blinking, and answer silent questions. He is very communicative (especially in the morning) with ‘whale music’ – endless moans and purrs . I speak, he speaks. I rub his belly, he presses quite firmly on my leg with a paw,making a’connection’ for sure.
Corona had a very unhappy life for his first five or six years. He was locked in a windowless ‘Grow-Op’ for years, with a ‘Pitbull’ that terrorized him. He was handed around Langley from boyfriend to girlfriend to boyfriend and through a set of very negative experiences, ended up with us.
This happy ending has two sides to it as well. When I write my next book, I will tell the whole story…. including the obese bed-bound prostitutes, friendly bikers and the RCMP !
October 8, 2011
Nerine Time is back !
Every autumn, I look forward to the flowering of my Nerines. These bulbs are originally from South Africa, and they don’t seem to realize that their ‘Spring’ is our ‘Fall’ . Oh well.
I grow all of them in pots . They love being crowded in clay pots and allowed to bake in the sun all summer. I water them only rarely, if at all. Cool nights in September initiate flower stalks, and the show begins.
The easiest Nerine to acquire is the fairly winter hardy pink Nerine, N. bowdenii. In the Vancouver area, you can plant it and not worry about hardiness. It increases rapidly in a sunny spot. Good nurseries offer a pure white form (as a bulb) in the springtime. Even better nurseries also offer a dark vermillion red Nerine at that time also. Try to find these three basic Nerines, and start hybridizing them. I have been doing this for about ten years now, and am getting gorgeous new (to me) colours in my seedlings. Hybridizing is super easy. You just pull off a stamen (the dusty yellow pollen is on the end of each one) and dabble some of the pollen on the central stem of the flower, the pistil. There is only one pistil so you can’t go wrong. It has a sticky, glistening surface. Soon, little green seeds will form behing the withered flower. Interestingly, these seeds are not inside a fruit or seed pod. They are just ripening like little grapes. When they look ripe (green, but the original flower stem is now yellow and looking dead), pick the seeds and plant them in a small pot or tray and don’t bury them. They sprout right away in a bright window or greenhouse. Grow them on like any plant….but bring inside each autumn so they don’t freeze. In about four years they bloom and you will be amazed at the variety and differences you get in each seedling. I sprinkle some slow-release 14-14-14 fertilizer pellets on the top of each pot when the leafy growth starts (around April) and let nature take care of them outside in a sunny place. The last photo, in the second row across, is of seedlings that are three years old. This coming summer they will start to grow faster and produce their first flower stalks in a year or two from now. Worth the wait for sure !
September 22, 2011
Tomato Time
This summer proved to be a very good year for tomatoes. With little rain and consecutive weeks of sun, it was like living somewhere else.
At our new property in Langley, BC., I planted only one type. ‘SUNGOLD’ has a very good reputation already, and I see why. I grew a few plants from Renee’s Seeds, which we sell at the nursery. I planted six seedlings out at the farm in late May. Luckily, I chose the very biggest ‘tomato rings’ I could find, because my plants quickly grew into a 4′ hedge. By mid-August, I was harvesting impossible quantities of delicious little fruits, each smaller than a 25 cent piece. The flavour is what you would dream a tomato would taste like ! Not too sweet….not too runny…. just perfect.
I think these plants would travel twelve feet if I let them. By September, I was cutting off long three and four foot growths to let the inner fruits ripen. Why not ? There are soooo many still to ripen, I won’t need any of that new growth anyway. This lets air and sun into the plant’s structure and good air movement cuts down on disease.
Next year, make sure to grow some ‘SUNGOLD’ tomatoes on your patio or in your garden. You’ll be amazed !
September 19, 2011
The Van Dusen Gardens Gala
On September 15th of this year, Vancouver’s stunning Van Dusen Gardens held a gala party to preview its new 20 million dollar ‘Visitor’s Centre’ !! I was asked to ‘do’ the opening decor. Being an ex-florist , I couldn’t resist. I decided to pull out all the stops and do it as my personal vision…. bold (like the amazing building), botanical (giant gunnera leaves cut from the garden itself), and creative but wacky (like me). I called in two of my most-missed ex-employees, Tyler Merkel and Richard Sehmer to help the Southlands crew by donating their time to set it all up.
Brent and I made several trips to WALMART , eventually cleaning them out of beach balls at two locations. Staff (mostly Lawrence) spent days wrapping these in green moss back at the nursery. I envisioned a sort of ‘Blade Runner’ installation at the new building, with tumbling construction rubble and these very cool spheres and leaves. I was able to locate my favourite Heliconia flowers, which came from Costa Rica. These monstrous wonders are covered in orange/brown fur and hang downward in lobster-like clusters 18″ long. We included lit-up glass icicles from Seattle’s Barb Anderson for night drama. It all fell together quickly and looked great !
For the inside, some Van Dusen volunteers and I made carnation balls for the 17 cocktail tables. These are easy and fun to make, using a pre-soaked OASIS foam ball . Each ball takes about 40 carnations. When the night ended, we handed the balls out as Thank You’s’ to the volunteers.
I did all this because I love Van Dusen gardens. Yes, there are weeds. I wish they could afford more gardeners. I wish they weren’t run by the City. I wish they were not part of a union. Then the volunteers could weed, too. But the big picture is incredibly beautiful. It is impossible to believe that you are in the middle of the city when you look around the various areas, especially near the lake.
The original lay-out and ‘natural’ design only looks better and better as time goes on. I have seen countless public gardens, all over the U.S., Canada,Australia,New Zealand and much of Europe. To me, the most over-rated is Kew Gardens in England and the most under-rated is our own VanDusen right here in Vancouver. With this incredible new entrance building (designed by Peter Busby), VanDusen is now in full bloom!
July 27, 2011
Vision’s Vision
Who voted for this ? Pity the poor residents of Vancouver, as we have been taken hostage by an idiotic city council that is causing great (and possibly irreversible) damage to everything they touch. For readers who may not live here, you cannot imagine the rapid decline in the quality of our public boulevards, parks and even the beaches.
There is a directive from someone at city hall to not mow , weed, water or even pretend to maintain our many boulevards and big chunks of parks. Supposedly, it is a ‘cost-cutting’ idea. Hmmmm….I thought we paid property taxes for a reason. With an incredible building boom happening here, the city coffers have a never-ending bonanza of cash pouring in and should not be ‘cost-cutting’ at all.
Some people already know about our last minute salvation of the fabulous Bloedel Conservatory, which very nearly closed a year ago. This ‘cost-saving’ was pegged at 250,000.00 a year. At the same time, it was no problem to find 25 million dollars for ‘temporary’ bike lanes that are widely despised and completely vacant anytime I’ve ever seen them. I am not kidding.
People visiting Vancouver expect to see a tidy, modern city, full of parks and ‘English-style’ hedges and green lawns. They used to. They liked it. You only get one chance to make a first impression.
Now, a weedy, skunk-infested weed patch waits to announce that the spirit of pride in our neighbourhoods has been snuffed out, en masse.
Even worse (for me) is the fact that I voted for this council. I am horrified at what these few people have forced upon this city . The latest concept to launch from the Romper Room mentality of our civic daycare is to grow wheat in your front yard.
Nice for the rats and mice that you can’t poison anymore.
April 24, 2011
I have seen the future….and it is ugly.
Over the past thirty years or so, I have made a point of checking out the most unique retail stores in every city I go to. It has been inspiring , and has always kept me on my toes as far as trends and display ideas went. San Francisco was an early Mecca for my retail spirit. A (long gone) store named ‘Lillian Williams’ used to import entire shop facades from France and recreate a small street scene inside each of her three spaces.
In Seattle, ‘R.David Adams’ was an incredible florist, decades ahead of his time. Rusty wire plant stands from England, Italian terra cotta pots….an adorable store in a fabulous heritage building in Pioneer Square and a bigger, modern store above Pike Place Market. Both gone.
Portland, Oregon had a whole street of independent retailers that had ‘Point of View’ shops that I used to admire. The street is still there (N.W. 23rd Ave) , but every interesting, tasteful home accessories store is gone. Also in Portland, a neighbourhood known for its dozens of funky antique shops, Sellwood, is barely worth visiting now.
In London, England, my favourite shop was a garden antiques emporium called ‘Appley Hoare’ . It was on the very chic Pimlico Road , right on Sloane Square. They sold fabulous French garden antiques, chipped up armoires and to -die-for pots. They shipped anything, anywhere. Not anymore. Was it just the rent ? I also remember ‘Clifton Little Venice’ , also in London. This was an incredible former private home , stocked with garden antiques . It was adjacent to the still operating Clifton Nurseries in London’s gorgeous ’Maidavaille’ district. I remember visiting on rainy days, with a roaring fire going and having tea with the very charming Peter Hoane, who ran the place for the real owner , Sir Jacob Rothschild! Gone, baby, gone.
In New York city, Takashimaya was a unique retailer/department store who seduced Paris’s #1 florist to open in the front entrance. Christian Tortu turned floristry on its ear. His all-green bouquets, crazy pods and seeds added to bouquets what baby’s breath never could. Both are gone. Which leads me to remember Heronswood, the astonishing nursery near Seattle. My friends Dan and Robert owned it , and it is gone, too. This one hurts the most as I spent quite a bit of time there….what a source of beauty it was.
The well has run dry. I miss my drinks of water.
I could go on, but I am anxious to get my point , my rant, my warning. All of these businesses were independent retailers who died from lack of support. This is easy, and stupid to blame on price. Price is not always unfair or high for what is actually being sold. The sad thing is that neighbourhoods benefit immensely by having charming stores in them. Real estate values increase when successful businesses draw people and create mini-villages within cities.
It used to work. Everything was fine for so long . Remember window shopping ? An idea could blossom into a business that just might make it. It seems to be not true anymore.
I have a dream, but I might as well not.
On the very rare occasion that I am ever in a ‘Costco’ store, I am stunned by the line-ups at the cashier. It doesn’t make me jealous . Mountains of crap in giant carts wait to be gleefully paid for in cash or debit card.
No Visa please. $500.00 ? No problem. That 10 lb jar of Mayo is just what you need! The tube socks will look great on the whole family ! The giant tray of apple turnovers was such a great deal, and the Borg Pile wolf jacket
takes off twenty pounds! You always wanted a Lladro goose/nun figurine !! If it’s huge and inflatable, put one on the front lawn - family heirlooms for sure. Thousands of other people do.
I won’t begin on Walmart. Or Homesense ! Landfill anyone?
By ignoring the efforts and struggles of your neighbourhood retailers,
you are creating a retail moonscape . Take a walk down your own little shopping streets and look at the ‘For Lease’ signs.
I know my own little block on West 41st Ave in Vancouver’s formerly bustling Kerrisdale neighbourhood is experiencing and exodus. There are three women’s clothing stores leaving/closing this summer.
I don’t see any of the 13 banks closing, though. I like my store.
HOBBS opened in 1989, in a former Chinese grocery store. Brent and I renovated it slightly, but tried to leave it intact as much as possible. We pioneered the entire ‘Home Store’ concept . We have watched as the neighbourhood has changed and good retailers keep on closing. Rents and property taxes are absurd ( an average store in our block pays $10,000-$15,000 a month in rent alone). I am getting tired of operating a museum there, myself. Maybe we should charge admission?
‘IF YOU FOOLISHLY IGNORE BEAUTY,
YOU’LL SOON FIND YOURSELF WITHOUT IT’
- FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
March 2, 2011
Was it effortless ?
When I look back at photos of our ‘old’ garden in Vancouver, I can’t recall planting any of what I see !! So many fabulous plants – so complex and layered I can’t believe it. Life is so much simpler now that we have moved ……
I do know that I worked at Southlands Nursery seven days a week then , as I do now, and these plants had to care for themselves. Planting so thickly certainly makes weeds a non-issue. They can’t survive the competition ! Occasionally, some tall thing would catch my eye and get yanked out (often in flower!). Sometimes it wasn’t even a ‘weed’, but a crummy lily or an off-colour poppy that had to go. It would be an instant decision and never regretted. I do recall doing everything very quickly and, suffering from A.D.G.D. (Attention Defecit Gardening Disorder), made me ruthless and decisive with plant choices and combinations.
It wouldn’t be until late December that ‘the clean-up’ took place. I would sometimes occupy myself on Christmas Day by (finally) cutting back my 10′ mess of Romneya coulteri, which led to a total nuking of the front border. I called this ‘lasering’ – a really, really thorough cutting back, hand- grooming of every square inch until dusk. Into the New Year, I would usually get a helper from the nursery to help me, and it made it a lot easier ! I guess this was actual work, but ‘gardening ’ is really a synonym for ‘work’ that transforms what could be an ordeal into a creative process.
Every two winters, I would get 120 bags of a marvellous (made in B.C.) mulch called ’SEA SOIL’ delivered. This bi-product of our forest and fishing industries (combined), is produced in Port McNeill,B.C., up at the North end of Vancouver Island. Many gardeners love its texture and overall appearance, and plants love its nutritious,organic benefits. Brent and I would spread all 120 bags in one day. All borders and garden areas received about a 3″ layer of yumminess .
The rest of the year, was mostly spent sweeping up leaves, getting ready for the next garden tour, enjoying gin and tonics and hot tubs….and hiding from the horrible neighbours that eventually made us move and, sadly, killed this garden.
It was an amazing twenty years – shared with thousands of garden tourists and visiting garden celebs like Christopher Lloyd, Helen Dillon, Anna Pavord, Roy Lancaster and so many more. I still see photos of the garden popping up in just- published books and magazines , which is good as in that respect the garden lives on….
January 2, 2011
‘Corona’s’ best Christmas ever !
Many of our customers and nursery visitors now have met (and fallen under the spell of) ‘Corona’ – our adopted dog. He is often out in Langley….but loves to be at ‘work’ at the nursery, too.
He is a nine year old shepherd x lab cross that we are so lucky to have ever met. He could write a book….grow-op ‘guard dog’ (fired), obese bed-bound prostitutes guest, chop-shop/mysterious compound kidnap victim, and who knows what else. All this has created a magical, happy creature who wishes you all a Happy New Year !!
December 12, 2010
Bloedel Conservatory Christmas Light Show is On !!
What a difference a year makes ! Last year, the Bloedel Conservatory was slated for closure . Thanks to public outrage and our little group ‘The Friends of the Bloedel’ , it is saved !
You should see the fabulous light show that we have done in there this year ! With lots of hard work from the loyal staff and some financial help from our group, ‘The Jewel Box of Lights’ is now on inside the Bloedel until January 4th. There is the regular admission charge , and a lot more to enjoy. I was astonished by the lasers ……. wait until you see the hard -to-believe gold dusting/snowstorm/fairy dust/shimmering emeralds over huge darkened areas !!! I suggest you go later in the day ( it is open until 8 PM !!) and enjoy it in the dark. Kids will love it and all the birds are out to meet you !
There is a large coffee wagon on the plaza now !! The Blue Parrot Cafe (how appropriate !) from Granville Market is doing this !! They have great lattes, hot chocolate, lots to eat…. and you can look at the great views and the stunningly redone fountain plaza too ! 
December 10, 2010
That Christmas feeling….
At the end of the day, it occasionally hits me that I am surrounded by beauty. With lots and lots of help, we at Southlands have created a self-fuelling environment to bring visual pleasure. I think that is what makes Southlands so unique in the retail moonscape.
Just the other night I stayed late and took some ‘night shots’ of our place at Christmas. I hadn’t a clue how to operate my camera in the dark, but I like the atmospheric blurring that appears in these pictures.
We are selling lots of cut Christmas trees , more than usual. I think word is out that our trees are the same price as everywhere else, but a lot nicer. I especially like the Noble Firs. These are very ‘alpine’ looking, with a bluish tinge and stiff, well-spaced tiers of branches that really show-off ornaments and lights.
If you are able to, drop by a bit later in the day (we close at 5:30) and wander around in our magical vision that the lights, plants and fresh cut evergreen fragrances have created ! You’ll definitely leave feeling that ‘Christmas Spirit’ ! 
November 5, 2010
Mother Nature knows best
When we were looking for property to create a new garden, this wonderful native maple was a big reason we chose this particular plot.
Acer macrophyllum is found along almost the entire west coast of North America, from Alaska to California. When I first saw this one, it was in the middle of winter. It was knee-deep in blackberries and swampy grasses. I got a strong vision of it hovering over a lake, with a path to walk under it. SHAZAM ! Here it is !
A local ‘artist with a backhoe’ was hired to clean up the area and create a lake . I outlined the basic shape by driving our John Deere ‘Gator’ around and around in the bushes, trompling out a nice shape. Clay was abundant once digging began. It was put aside and used to line the lake to hold water. Voila! Winter rain filled it, and it stays full with rain. There is an escape route for excess water, using a previously existing natural ditch out the back end.
The top photo was taken at the very end of October and I thought it was so beautiful, I had to share this vision. I know many people are curious about our new garden, and I will be revealling bits as they shape-up. With twenty acres to play with, I only wish I had moved to the country years ago !
October 25, 2010
Birds of a feather….
It was beyond a thrill to meet Kathy Griffin recently at the local River Rock Casino in Richmond, B.C. I have always loved her, going way back before her hit show ‘My Life on the D List’ . At first, I twigged to the fact that she tried to be annoying and offensive , which made her stand out…..it made me bond with her . It is as if Sandra Bernhardt and Margaret Cho had a baby who was born with permanent potty mouth.
In this photo, Brent and I are giving her a gift of yummy ‘Dollar Sign’ petit fours from Moore’s Bakery in Kerrisdale . They are inside the ‘book’ she is holding. It is a reproduction antique book box from HOBBS ( our other store). Brent enlarged the cover of Kathy’s book ‘Official Book Club Selection’, and tea stained it to look old. We wanted to give her something unique and that she (hopefully) wouldn’t throw away or leave in her hotel room. She loved it !
October 18, 2010
Vonderful Vitis vinifera
‘Walk On By’ seems to be the song written about this fantastic plant. At Southlands, we always have a few of Vitis vinifera ‘Purpurea’ in stock (because I love this plant) and nobody ever buys them. The ‘Purple Leaf Grape’ is a truly beautiful small vine for a sunny spot and any soil conditions. It is slow growing…. at first. My experience with it is that it takes three years to find its way, then life begins. Never a monster, this hardy deciduous vine will reach 12′ in time, but is easily pruned and trained any way you want. The foliage is a lovely grape purple (how ironic) all through the spring and summer. In autumn, the purple darkens and takes on a blackish purple sheen. Frosty tempertures turn the foliage lovely shades of yellow and flaming red before falling off. Very cute, miniature clusters of purple grapes are produced. Although decorative, they don’t taste good at all. They look great on the vine, or as table decor.
I love this plants airy growth habit and self-clinging tendrils. I am training two of them on a split rail fence at my new garden in Langley, BC. I am surprised that the occasional visiting deer have not devoured or even nibbled at them. Roses nearby are often de-budded by these voracious visitors.
The next time you visit Southlands Nursery, don’t ignore this fabulous plant. I had it at my old house and it was one of the first things I planted at my new place. I would never garden without it ! It’s not new or flashy. It is subtly mesmerizing ! I don’t have much personal interest in so many of the plants we offer - no matter how nice they are . But, I think that this unsung superstar will be the best $14.99 you ever spent on a vine !
September 12, 2010
I Dare You to do Dahlias
When I first became besotted with daylilies, many of my best and most highly regarded plant friends thought I had lost my mind. ” Too long in retail, poor thing” , or “Well, he is a Gemini…” they said amongst themselves. But, now I also like dahlias very much! Maybe not the ones in the above photo (yet) , but I have amassed quite a collection out in Langley at my new garden. I have purchased some at the Seattle Garden Show , which has several tempting booths of vendors each February. They also have a USDA inspector there issuing permits for Canadian shoppers to get their treasures home legally. I also go to the Vancouver Dahlia Society’s tuber sale in the spring . This is held at Van Dusen Gardens Floral Hall in Vancouver, and it is like a giant bake sale for dahlia tubers. The selection is just amazing ! This year I bought ‘Hissy Fitz’, ‘Bad Hair Day’ and about twelve others.
A few of my current favourites are shown here in some pictures I just took (in early September) in my own garden. I am growing these dahlias for cut flowers . I think my favourite has to be ’Bracken Palomino’ . This is a very tasteful soft peach colour with a ‘ formal decorative’ (I think) type of flower. Each bloom is about 6″ across, and I’ve had cut flowers of this variety last for over a week. My second favourite is ‘Bracken Sarah’ . Another peachy one, with flowers that are bigger and paler in tone. Next in line is ‘Bedhead’, which is outstanding. The flowers are a pleasant shade of orange, with twisted cactus-type petals that give it its well-chosen name. This plant gets amazingly large. My one tuber became a mass of blooms on a Vokswagon-sized plant TWELVE FEET across , with hundreds of flowers and branches to the ground ! ‘Bedhead‘ is a fantastic variety for cutting, as the stems are long and clear of the foliage. We will have them for sale next spring.
There are many other varieties that I am fond of, and some I am going to throw away. After the first frost, dahlia plants turn brown immediately. This is when I cut them down and dig them up. I store them in a bit of the clinging soil. dry, in plastic crates in the dark. i make sure to label each clump. I have a cold, dark workshop, that is just above freezing in winter. The tubers must not freeze, as they are tropical. In spring, I haul them out and clean them off, dividing them into clumps, making sure each divided piece has an eye or atleast a section of last years plant stem at the top. This is really essential as no eyes will appear on broken tubers (which will not grow a plant) without a piece of ‘mommy’ – last years stalk/neck. I pot them up in one or two gallon pots are start them in a greenhouse, waiting until May to plant them out. By giving my dahlias this headstart, I get flowers earlier that planting dormant bulbs straight into the ground. If this is your only option, you will still have a mass display by August.
Next year, try to source some interesting dahlias to provide you with buckets of beauty and to horrify any plant snob friends!
Dahlia ‘Bracken Sarah’ 
Here I am with a few cut dahlias and sweetpeas from my new garden in Langley, B.C. Deer have not been much of a problem, but this area is fenced, just in case. 
Dahlia ‘ Bedhead’
August 24, 2010
Shouldn’t these be on Letterman ?
Be sure to check-out our new YOUTUBE carrot video ‘I’m Too Sexy For My Carrots’ and send it to anyone with a sense of humour ! Or to horrify anyone without one !!
August 10, 2010
Sexy Carrots
Although I am a lifetime gardener, I have never indulged in vegetable gardening until recently. With my new plot, I am dabbling and learning.
I am amazed at my enormous heads of red lettuce, but was unprepared for my wacky carrots ! I ( or was it Brent?) pulled a single handful of carrots out of the ground to see if they were ready . Out of six carrots, four were hysterical ! These are shown in the photos here. I cannot wait to see the rest of the row. I got my seeds here at Southlands, from the Renee’s Seeds rack. I planted three or four kinds of carrots, and can’t tell which is which.
Stay in touch to see what else nature is up to …..
July 25, 2010
A Vine Worth Owning
Solanum crispum ‘Glasnevin’ is a wonderful choice for a sunny spot. This selection was made in Dublin, Ireland, at the botanic garden of the same name. It is really a lax-growing shrub native to Chile, that is easily trained to grow up a trellis or against a wall. Everyone who sees one in bloom somewhere (usually on a tour of ‘open’ gardens) wants one.
This plant has a very long flowering season, and is rarely out of bloom. Flowering begins in April and contines on in flushes of gorgeous blue well into November. The foliage is evergreen, and will only fall if the winter is cold (for zone8) . One thing I and others have noticed is that this plant is relatively short-lived….. about eight years seems its life span.
The Solanum family is a huge and varied group of plants, that includes many weeds and poisonous species. It also includes the potato and the tomato ! This particular Solanum does not self-seed, and produces yellow pea-sized fruits that are probably toxic (so don’t eat them).
We have them in stock most of the time in a variety of sizes and prices.
Solanum crispum ‘Glasnevin’
July 24, 2010
Hanging Basket vs: Hanging Hideousness
With the heat of summer upon us, most hanging baskets are needing daily watering and weekly feedings of a fertilizer like 20-20-20. Even so, lots are already dried up messes of tortured annuals bewilderingly suspended from eaves and porches.
I thought about what could be a better solution…. something that would last . I chose a beautiful hanging basket with built in candlabra arms, and lined it with fresh green moss. For plants, I avoided the common annuals and used a coppery- hued Heucherella called ‘Sweet Tea’ . This hardy, evergreen perennial likes shade, with some filtered sun to bring out the brightest colours. For a bit of trailing /cascading plant material, I used the evergreen Rubus pentalobus ‘Emerald Carpet’ . This tough cookie is a UBC introduction , and in the garden makes a substantial groundcover. In my hanging basket, it will cascade nicely, but stay managable . A basket like this needs to kept moist . It will probably need a bit less care and water than a ‘normal’ hanging basket as these perennials are both survivors of considerable neglect.
So, look at your hanging baskets with a critical eye. If they are looking fried and finished, rip them out of their wire prisons and replant creatively using anything that looks good at this time of year !
July 10, 2010
In My New Garden I Planted…..
Upper photo :
A very hot, sunny bank hosts David Austin Rose ‘Teasing Georgia’ , which I think is one of the best roses on earth. I love its long bloom season, colour, fragrance and blousy habit. Here it is combined with Lavender ‘Provence’, Berberis ‘Rosy Glow’, Eryngium ‘Sapphire Blue‘, Nepeta ‘Six Hill’s Giant’, and Achillea ‘Terra Cotta’ against a split rail fence. All I do is cut things back in the fall, and weed. Nothing receives any water unless it rains. I chose these plants on purpose as they are tough cookies!
There is a long sweep of this planting, with random ‘repeats’ and a few other toughies like Stipa gigantea and the giant form of woolly lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina ‘Helen von Stein’) randomly thrown in. The wonderful, single-flowered shrub rose ‘Golden Wings’ is also here, as is ‘Sally Holmes’ , another must-have single-flowered shrub rose.
Lower Photo :
David Austin Rose ‘Lady Emma Hamilton’ (orangy), Rose ‘Sally Holmes’ (white) with California poppies (Escholtsia) , Stipa gigantea grass and a bit of Lavender ‘Provence’
It is hard to believe that it has been three years since starting this new garden in Langley, B.C. Switching from a mere 7,000 square foot lot in Vancouver, to 20 acres is quite intimidating , so we are taking it slowly. It really is landscaping, not gardening . Envisioning the big picture seems to be a natural process that is unfolding itself as we get to know the property. Clearing blackberries is nearly done, a lake has been made, about 200 trees planted, (including 12 Weeping Silver Pears to replicate an olive grove in the distance) and a few gardens created. My rule is that the plants have to take care of themselves, as I have little time to fuss. It is much windier, sunnier, hotter and also colder out there. My plants love it ! I took a few photos the other day ( early July) to show you some colour combos I am playing with……
Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ and the annual-but-self-seeding Papaver somniferum ‘Lauren’s Grape’ compliment each other colourwise, but also enjoy hot sun and zero upkeep !
June 26, 2010
And Don’t Forget Ferns
Why do we take ferns for granted ? Are they the Switzerland of the plant world ? Everyone is neutral towards them… nobody professes to hate them. A few fanatics love them, and I am becoming one of those people. It began long ago.
I remember travelling to England when I was sixteen years old, and stumbling into an antiquarian book/print seller in Oxford. I bought four amazing botanical prints of ferns , (for five pounds each) and I still have them. One is of my favourite – Phyllitis scolopendrium, the ‘Hart’s Tongue ‘ fern. It turns out that my prints are from a very famous book called ‘London Planiflorus’ and are quite valuable !
The ‘Hart’s Tongue’ fern is a lovely evergreen, producing a new set of fronds every year. It looks best if you clip off all of last years fronds just when the new ones are unfurling. It grows happiest in moist shade, but will survive in sun as well. Brighter light creates a bleached-out look to the entire plant. This fern self-sows in rock walls in England, and often in the sun. You may find unusual forms of Hart’s Tongue ferns by looking thoroughly at nurseries’ offerings. I have collected about a dozen different crested/lacinated/ruffled ones. I grow them in pots in the shade . They survive unprotected in our zone 8 winters.
There are thousands of other ferns, hundreds that are hardy for us, and dozens of available species and selected forms for sale at nurseries. Think about ferns for design solutions in your own garden or patio spaces. Sophisticated, understated and generally pest-free , these survivors deserve a place in every landscape. 
When you think about it, ferns have been around for millions of years, and pre-date mankind entirely. I’d try to stay on their good side .
May 23, 2010
Do you really need a lawn ?
Driving around Vancouver this spring has often made my jaw drop. Not just the usual horrors and pleasures, but the new visions of bombed-out lawns . The European chaffer beetle attack has caused crows to go crazy tearing up lawns. It is the grubs they are after, and there must be millions of them, judging by the damage.
So, maybe nature is telling us to plant differently. Plant a lawn alternative. There are plenty of groundcovers that would create a new texture, a hipper overall look, and not attract the chaffer beetle.
I drive by one house every day that has done a clever job of low maintenance lawn alternative using the ground-hugging Leptinella squalida ‘Platt’s Black’ . This hardy perennial forms a thick carpet that is drought tolerent and fairly evergreen. Growth is so thick and solid (in sun), that weeds etc cannot easily penetrate its tight shag surface. It is also a very interesting texture of tight feathers, and a unique colour. New leaves poke out green, but turn gun-metal grey/purple quickly. A sophisticated colour that combines well with rock and concrete.
Being low and dense, Leptinella can stand light foot traffic. Constant wear will show, so consider paving stones in high traffic areas. If doing a mass planting, it is more economical to saw your purchased plants in half . Just remove them from each 4″ pot and cut them sideways all the way through into two halves. They won’t mind ! Regrowth is so fast, you won’t be able to tell they were cut in a week ! You may also cut them into quarters. These smaller sections are perfect for fitting between pavers. Water often if the weather is hot and sunny, but soon they will knit together and take care of themselves.
4″ pots are $3.99 each. Plan on one plant (or plant section ) per square foot. Watch for weeds for the first year or so.
May 10, 2010
What a difference a dog makes
These little July nursery visitors loved petting our new mascot ‘Corona’ , a very gentle 9 year old German Shepherd x Lab cross that we adopted last March .
We first met ‘Corona’ out in Langley, where he was living in a house we rented out. Over the last two years , we appreciated his company and friendly nature every time we visited. Quickly, we fell in love. Prior to that, Corona was locked in a ‘Grow-Op’ for four years , without even a window to the outside world! Because he is so nice and gentle, he lost that job, and was handed over to various people….. including our tenant, who was very kind to him.
Just this past March, his owner was moving, and we hoped he would give him to us. ‘Corona’ was happy in Langley, and we all wanted him to stay that way! So, his owner gave him to us and we are thrilled and amazed by his wonderful nature !
‘Corona’ is often at the nursery, following me around like a shadow. So, next time you are visiting us, give him a pat and fall under his spell !
April 13, 2010
Discovering Southlands neighbourhood….
It has taken twenty years for me to discover the beauty in my own neighbourhood. All of this happened because I (we) am the lucky owner of an incredible new dog ! ‘Corona’ is a nine year old German shepherd x Lab cross that we met in Langley. His previous owner rescued him from a ‘Grow-Op’ , where he was too gentle to be of any use as a guard dog. ‘Corona’ is the nicest dog I have ever met. He is amazing. Being a dog owner means going for walks. This is good for me, too.
Luckily, the nursery is in a magical country-like location, right in the city . I knew this , but never bothered to explore my equestrian neighbourhood. I often drove around, checking out the new houses, or making a delivery, but it is sure better walking ! Today, I remembered to bring my camera and took these pictures . I could have taken thousands more . I only ventured four blocks in any direction from the nursery, as ‘Corona’ gets pooped out by then. Every month brings change. Lots of new houses are being built, some very tasteful . The styles range from Old English to uber-modern/community centre look-alikes. All are in the millions of dollars and sit on very large lots or acreages .
April 5, 2010
April 4, 2010
April 2, 2010
Time to go.
Some people might know that we ( Brent and I) sold our well-published and much visited Spanish/Mediterranean style home in Vancouver, BC, in 2008. For those who didn’t know this, it was a case of realizing that it was the right time to leave. Home prices in Vancouver were at an all -time high, and the garden, which we loved, was simply no fun anymore. The best way to express this is by using my good friend (and Dublin-based garden superstar) Helen Dillon’s phrase : we were tired of curating, not creating. The succulent/echeveria thing was over for me. The garden was actually very small, and after 20 years, it was full.
The fact that one of the very few nice neighbours had moved the year before did not help. We were left in an unfriendly Peyton Place of indulged monster-children, alcoholic party- seniors and aesthetically blind millionaires. People planted trees and refused to prune , specifically to block other people’s views . Saying ‘Hello’ went unreturned. We planned our escape.
In 2006, we started looking around… thinking of options. We have always loved Portland, Oregon, and could live there legally for 6 months out of the year….our favourite house there was for sale…. at a ‘bargain’ compared to Vancouver prices.
We also have great friends in the Seattle area… but decided that the border hassles etc were just too great. After a year of working with a terrific real estate agent, we decided on South Langley, B.C.
We looked at many properties (about 75), and finally knew when we found ‘the one’ . We originally were looking to find about five acres, hopefully with trees, at least. We ended up buying a twenty acre farm with incredible potential. But, I don’t want to spill the whole story here all at once. There is a whole book in what has happened since then…….
Moving meant leaving behind many fabulous plants. Whole clumps of cypripediums (hardy orchids), patches of double-flowered bloodroot (sanguinaria canadensis forma multiplex ‘Plena’) , choice magnolias, ferns and hundreds of treasures I will probably never find again . I did lift my favourite podophyllums, martagon lilies, hellebores and daylilies.
I decided that to create a new garden meant leaving most of the old garden behind……
Tackling a huge project like this is like a drug. We are taking it slow, and letting the vision create itself. It seems to ‘just happen’.
I have never used drawings or blueprints, preferring to squint at a space and see what pops into mind. I thought an olive grove would look good in one very open area. But, real olives aren’t very hardy here, so I planted 12 silver-leaved weeping pears (pyrus salicifolius Pendula’) in a random grove. They are very hardy, and will form a dozen lovely silvery ‘haystacks’ in the sun. Underneath them, I have planted random dabs of the lovely small and special peach narcissus ‘Katie Heath’. I also scattered in some pale denim blue muscari ”Valerie Finnis’. I envision the three colours (silver, peach and pale blue) creating a living, walk-through Monet painting every spring. Brent slaved for months fighting blackberry haystacks , creating pastures and lawns . Existing trees suddenly became ideally located once clearly visible ! Crumbling fences and corrals were demolished, and two abandoned llamas were given away to a good home , with a bit of the movie ‘Witness’ thrown in…..
One of the first things we did was to erect a 600′ long split -rail cedar fence along the entrance drive. A local company that recycles old telephone poles (by splitting them into quarters and cutting them into 10′ lengths) supplied the rails. The guys erecting it managed to puncture the only (one inch in diameter) natural gas line with a piece of rebar. Incredible, considering there are twenty acres…. big drama as the gas company cordoned off the entire street.
I have planted a few purple-leaf grapes (vitus vinifera ‘Purpurea’) here and there along this fence, as well as the odd climbing rose (I chose the lovely ‘Royal Sunset’) in a terra-cotta peachy tone. Along this drive, I also randomly planted small-flowered white narcissus in a naturalized fashion. I chose ‘Toto’,'Trasemble’ and ‘February Silver’. They are lovely , easy and more ‘wild -looking’ than the yellow ones I see all over. I planted 1500 in total. My quick, easy way to plant these was to dig with a normal, full-sized shovel. I actually didn’t really dig… I just tipped the shovel forward, poked in three or five bulbs, and stepped the sod back in place. Easy.
Spring is now a vision of fresh green grass, dappled shadows from the big old trees along the drive, and these little white beauties. It seems complete. Now, only 19.5 acres left to play with.