Early Appearances in the Spring Garden
In the first week of spring at the end of March, the first flowers are in bloom and many plants are leafing out. Work is underway in all of the garden beds, but a bit of time was also … Continue reading →
Soapwort in the Garden
Soapwort (Saponaria sp.) is a perennial plant which spreads horizontally and blooms for a long period starting in late spring. The flowers open at night and last for about 3 days each, but new buds are always on their … Continue reading →
Perennial Sweet Peas in the Garden
Perennial sweet peas (Lathyrus latifolius) are vigorous herbaceous vining plants that produce showy (unscented) flowers in late spring and continue to flower for a long time. They are best planted near a fence, trellis, or a wall to climb … Continue reading →
Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is a herbaceous perennial (in the Asparagus family), native to woodlands. It forms colonies by spreading through underground rhizomes. Small green leafy shoots with green leaves rise in spring, followed by small, white flowers … Continue reading →
UBC Botanical Gardens in April
We have visited the UBC Botanical Gardens a few times, and depending on the date, there will be different plants in flower each time. On this April day, we enjoyed a variety of flowering plants, including Rhododendron, Magnolia, pennycress, … Continue reading →
Yellow Alyssum in the Garden
Yellow alyssum (Aurinia saxatilis) is a low-growing hardy evergreen perennial for the home garden. It blooms for 4-6 weeks in the spring with vibrant yellow flowers and grey-green foliage. It is best planted in a sunny and drier … Continue reading →
Yarrow in the Garden
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a widespread native plant in our area, flowering in late spring and summer. It grows up from rhizomes with ferny foliage. White flowers in “flat” clusters” can be spotted in a variety of habitats. … Continue reading →
UBC Botanical Gardens in Spring
We have visited the UBC Botanical Gardens a number of times. On this day, we toured the gardens in the spring, enjoying flowering both native and imported flowering plants, taking some photographs, and planning for a return trip. … Continue reading →
Showy Stonecrop in the Garden
Showy stonecrop (Hylotelephium spectabile) is a deciduous herbaceous perennial in the Sedum family. They are drought-tolerant succulents with thick, fleshy leaves. Showy sedum fit into the “upright” category, standing 20 to 50 cm tall. When the Sedums bloom … Continue reading →
Arboretum Tour
We traveled to Tuscon, Arizona for some late-winter (March) hiking and exploring in the Sonoran Desert hills and canyons. We encountered many wildflowers and flowering shrubs beside the trails (featured on A Wildflower Journal), but we also visited a number … Continue reading →