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. 

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.

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?

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.

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.