Thursday, 29 May 2014

Another Spring plant show with an abundance of great plants


Recently I made a lightning excursion across the Salish Sea, from Vancouver to Victoria, BC. I was on a mission to judge another alpine plant society's show. There was amazing diversity of plants offered to the public, even some great trophy hardware!




Wednesday, 14 May 2014

Reimagined former quarry becomes garden hotspot in city center




Just a short stroll from my home near Vancouver's center is a marvelous sunken garden. It lies within Queen Elizabeth Park, and it's a huge draw for plant and nature lovers. Join me on my walk!















Tuesday, 29 April 2014

Rooftop beauty among Vancouver's concrete canyons




Another weekend presents a fresh opportunity to explore a truly unique urban garden. Among the highrises of Vancouver's Coal Harbour, it looks out on the ocean and local mountains. 


Thursday, 24 April 2014

Rhododendron walk at Van Dusen botanical garden



As I mentioned to some visitors I met, I like to see how the other half lives, it gives me perspective! My leisurely stroll on Van Dusen's Rhododendron walk was both pleasant and informing.






Thursday, 17 April 2014

Big, small, high, low, Japan, Canada, alpine!





In my garden, I grow plants from all continents with temperate climates. These plants are not all technically alpine, but they are certainly plants that look well associating with rock. They also co-exist well in my alpine garden near the sea! Now how does that work?





Thursday, 10 April 2014

Alpine Garden Club of B.C. Spring show from a judge's point of view

Thursday April 10, 2014 


It's my happy task to yearly play a part in judging the Spring alpine plant show for the garden club I belong to. I anticipate this extra burst of plant growing intensity, as competitors up their game and try for the many trophies available.












Thursday, 3 April 2014

A Spring moment in my alpine and rock garden

Spring is definitely not just Spring.  It's different things to different people, at different times, in different places.  No single Spring is the same, either.  Earlier, later, colder, warmer, drier, depending where you live, across the road or around this globe.  It may even be different down the street, but that's not my Spring!  So I want to show you my Spring's plants, right now, just as they're unfolding in this moment.