When it’s grey and drizzling in Victoria, it’s still a good day to go for a walk with my sweetheart. It’s even better when the early cherry trees (or plums?) burst into blossom for Valentines Day.
Isn’t Life Beautiful?
(You might like to check out the April blooms, too.)
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How many treasures disappear over winter & re-appear in spring?
It’s magic.
How many are then weeded out by mistake?
Tragic!!
Some treasures, like crocus, send out blooms straight away, so they’re safe.
Others, like cyclamen, have really distinctive leaves, so they’re safe too.
But there are so many others…
The wee Blue Eyed Iris is one treasure I’ve weeded out. (I mistook it for grass…. turns out its also called Blue Eyed GRASS! Go figure. )
Shooting Star is another victim. (I mistake the young leaves for dandelion.)
From these tragedies, I’ve become a little more cautious.
The other day I was crawling around on our mountain (rocky outcropping), looking closely at plants growing in the moss.
So what is this – – Treasure ? Weed??
My twitchy fingers pluck out those blades of grass, but cautiously hold off on the other little plants.
Today I rejoice! They’ve proven themselves to be the native annual: Sea Blush. (I can recognize the flower.)
Yippee!
Caution pays off.
Thank goodness they’ve thrown a couple early blooms. I don’t know how long I’d have held off from weeding them. Now I’ll carefully tidy any competition around these gems & look forward to the moss blushing a lovely pink this April.
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Snowdrops are the wonderful winter blooms that last through the dark season.
Their January promise pulls me outside again & again to delight in their tenaciousness. Each year I plant more bulbs around our garden to extend seasonal interest. In my dreams, I imagine a meadow, like the one Dad & I just came across in real life.
Initially home to a tea house, but better know as Maltwood Manor estate, it’s no wonder the attached Garry oak meadow inspired art.
Who knows when these snowdrops were planted? (Maybe 60-70 years ago?) Happily, they’ve naturalized, spreading through at least 1 of the 3 acres of property at the Fireside Grill.
Now I’m curious to see the seasonal progression of this meadow. What other bulbs are planted here? Do any of the native wildflowers of the Garry oak ecosystem remain? And – – what’s the name of that cat who so obviously enjoys this garden??
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P.S. Here are some other snowdrop patches I admire:
P.S.S. And here are some other meadow faves:
Garden Variety Life 