It’s on a day like today that I’m truly appreciative of the kindness of others.
photo by SVSeekins
Dan Marzocco, from the City of Victoria, related a story from way back in the 1930’s: The Japanese community produced a fabulous float for the May Day Parade. It won in both daytime and night-time parades. They donated the sizeable cash awards back to the city. The understanding was that Victoria would use the money to purchase & plant cherry trees around town.
Win – Win !!
The Japanese community shared a lovely memento of their heritage. And now, 80 some years later, I’m not exactly sure which trees are from that specific buy, but the idea sure has caught on. We’re still benefiting from that gift.
Thank you to the Japanese community, and thank you to anyone who plants a flowering tree.
My breath caught when I turned the corner along a wooded trail revealing this spring meadow. Doesn’t it evoke images of butterflies & unicorns?
In my quest to ID this tiny smiling flower, I sent these photos to Saanich Parks’ horticultural supervisor, Kelly Mulhern. She quickly confirmed my suspicions: English Daisy.
Kelly says it originated in Europe but has naturalized all over the world. Although many folks enjoy it, “lawn purists” don’t.
The Cedar Hill Golf Course is home to this particular meadow. Their white drift of spring bloom laughs in the face of the perfect golf green.
photo by SVSeekins
I reckon it might be a new version of a sand trap. The plant grows in a low rosette shape, almost making a cup; perfectly suited for catching & cuddling a golf ball. And wouldn’t it be a bugger to find a white ball in this sea of white daisies?
The Royal Horticultural Society supports this daisy’s usefulness for planting in a wildflower meadow. I’m with them (surprise surprise).
But the debate rages. 🙂
C says he prefers the even texture of uninterrupted grasses. He’s one of those purists. How about you?
A couple of years ago, in March, I started noticing patches of tiny blue flowers along the roads of older neighbourhoods. Flowers flourished in areas that hadn’t been manicured for a very long time.
I soon realized these blooming meadows are the naturalized dreams of gardeners past. I’m charmed by that romance.
These hardy bloomers are Glory of Snow, or, if you like unpronounceable names: Chionodoxa. Try to say that easily the first time around! 🙂
Glory of Snow originated in Turkey & Greece – along the Mediterranean. I’ve heard southern Vancouver Island compared to a Mediterranean rain forest, so it makes sense these plants survive well here. What surprises me more is that they’re hardy to zone 4! They can withstand a whole lot more cold. Do these grow in your neck of the woods??
photo by SVSeekins
Aside from naturalizing well, these plants are also valuable to me because they’re:
winter blooming
drought tolerant
low maintenance
Once planted, just leave them to their own devices. How great is that? I’ve even seen them surviving in shallow crevices of rocky outcroppings.
photo by SVSeekins
They seem perfectly happy in lawns, too, although I’ll bet they do better if the grass isn’t cut until late April when they’re done for the season. That would mean it’s more of a meadow than a lawn. C wouldn’t go for that. He likes lush but trim. That’s why I’ve added Glory of Snow as under-story plantings in our shrub border instead.
The best patch I’ve ever encountered is around Dunlop House Restaurant, a heritage building on the grounds of Camosun College, and their Hospitality Management Program facility. C’s mum took us there for supper the other night. The meal was lovely, and the meadow: spectacular!
Garden Variety Life 