Category Archives: attracting birds

attracting birds, drought tolerant, months 04-06: spring, months 07-09: summer, months 10-12: fall, natives, urban deer

Oceanspray

07/11/2015 svseekins Leave a comment

Splashes of frothy white flowers are reminiscent of ocean spray.
Well named.

Some call it cream bush, and it’s easy to see the reason for that, too.

Another name is ironwood because of the strength of trunk.

The west coast first nations call it arrow-wood. That’s self-explanatory.

So, it’s a pretty AND useful shrub. I like that.

The Latin name is holodiscus discolor. Doesn’t that name just sound ugly?? But realistically, the 2nd part of the name is what makes sense to me. Discolor. The flowers fade, turning to brown seed clusters.

I’m reminded of hydrangea & lilac – so pretty at the beginning, but looking more like used tissue paper later on. ick.

oceanspray, — ocean spray
photo by SVSeekins

That complaint aside, I still like the idea of having such a showy shrub in our yard.

I’ve seen some looking lovely on rocky outcroppings in full sun. That’s gotta be the epitome of drought tolerant & low maintenance.

Oceanspray is a multi-season work horse:

spring – flowers that attract pollinators
summer – pretty flowers persist
fall – leaves color & seed heads form
winter – seed clusters continue to feed birds (especially bush tits) even past some tough storms

Oceanspray is also deer food.. The urban herd that uses our yard nibble on the 2 oceanspray that I bought from Swan Lake Nature Sanctuarys Native Plant Sale. I don’t know if either bush will ever reach full height (15 ft / 5 m) unless I cage them in for their own protection. Once they’re tall enough (6 ft/ 2 m) I reckon the upper limbs will survive the grazing.

Cages just don’t seem decorative to me, so I’m looking for other suggestions.

In the meantime I enjoy 2 short (1 ft /.3 m) bushy shrubs.

-30-

attracting birds, months 04-06: spring, months 07-09: summer, months 10-12: fall, natives, perrennials

Bunchberry

06/27/2015 svseekins 2 Comments

Native to the moist Pacific Northwest, bunchberry is at home in the forest shade around Buttle Lake and the Ralph River Campground of Strathcona Park.

It also happens to be comfortable growing at the base of an old stump in PS’ fern garden here in Victoria.

PS has nurtured her garden for 40+ years and is particular in what she grows. I understand why Cornus canadensis (aka dwarf dogwood) makes her list.

Extended Seasonal Interest

late spring: white flowers
mid-summer: edible red berries
autumn: burgundy leaves
winter: darn near evergreen

It’s almost enough to make my list too because it invites wildlife into the garden. The birds like the berries and I’m willing to share. It’s the local deer that I have little faith in. With small juicy plants like this, they’re not likely to leave anything for me to enjoy.

-30-

Mt. Tolmie’s Camas in Bloom

04/24/2014 svseekins 4 Comments

camas blooms cu garry oak meadow garden Victoria BC — photo by SVSeekins

It was well worth the half hour walk up the neighborhood trails into Mt. Tolmie Park this morning. What a sight – – the camas is in bloom!

I like garry oak meadows. They’re especially inspiring when colored with a sea of blue. Spring is really here.

early camas bloom Mt. Tolmie, garry oak meadow, garden Victoria BC — photo by SVSeekins

Who would expect wilderness just a short 5km from Victoria’s inner harbour?

Checking out the wildflowers in April & May is at the top of my list for reasons to be a tourist in Victoria.

early camas bloom Mt. Tolmie, gary oak meadow, garden Victoria BC — photo by SVSeekins

AND if you’re fortunate enough to be around during the last saturday of April, it’s worthwhile checking out Camas Day in Beacon Hill Park. Its hosted by Friends of Beacon Hill Park & has wildflower tours & speakers. 🙂

-30-

Other places to see Camas Meadows: