Category Archives: Spring

Seduced by Annuals

Posted on May 13, 2014 by hortophile

You’ve probably noticed that my garden lust is generally fulfilled by regular food gardening flings and that I’m tantalized by trees. I’m also passionate about perennials and have an endless desire for deer proof plants, but every year during May, … Continue reading →

Posted in Greenhouse, Spring | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Shed Construction

Posted on June 3, 2013 by hortophile

We’ve finally progressed to actual building construction!  Now I get to see if all of my design ideas and colour choices come together the way I envisioned.  Well, of course they will come together, but will I like the result?  … Continue reading →

Posted in Greenhouse, Spring | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Greenhouse Construction Part Three

Posted on May 16, 2013 by hortophile

What a lovely spring we are having here on the west coast!  Beautiful BC indeed; mild temperatures, even a few record-breaking HOT days, interspersed with just enough rain to keep the garden happy, we have no complaints this year. Unfortunately … Continue reading →

Posted in Greenhouse, Spring | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Fritillaria Meleagris

Posted on April 18, 2013 by hortophile

Fritillaria meleagris, commonly called snakes head lily or (as I prefer) checkerboard lily is an exquisite spring blooming member of the family Liliaceae.  A bulbous perennial native to Europe, it can be found in the wild anywhere between southern England … Continue reading →

Posted in Deer resistant plants, Front Garden, New Garden, Spring | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Greenhouse Construction, Part Deux

Posted on April 10, 2013 by hortophile

My new greenhouse project proceeds at a snail’s pace, just as I expected it would. My husband assures me that once the foundation is in it will move much more quickly, right now I’m practising patience, a virtue that I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Garden Plan, Greenhouse, Spring | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Oh Painted Fern, Where Art Thou?

Posted on March 16, 2013 by hortophile

Sometimes my lackadaisical attitude to gardening and haste to ‘get things done’ backfires.  Last fall I engaged in a flurry of transplantation, shifting plants from one part of the garden to another for various reasons. Some, like a couple of … Continue reading →

Posted in Autumn, Blue, Shade Garden, Spring | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Your guide to spring plant sales | Vancouver Sun

Posted on March 15, 2013 by hortophile

See on Scoop.it – Common Sense Gardening Dozens of gardens clubs all over B.C. are busy at the moment preparing for their annual plant sales. It’s a big deal. It’s how clubs raise money for their programs and charity activities … Continue reading →

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Inspiration in My Mailbox

Posted on January 8, 2013 by hortophile

I almost skipped back across the road after gathering my mail today… because it arrived; the 2013 edition of West Coast Seeds Gardening Guide!  This valuable (and satisfyingly substantial this year) tome serves as their seed catalogue, but it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Garden Advice, Garden Plan, Spring, Vegetables | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The Coldest June On Record?

Posted on June 21, 2012 by hortophile

Halfway through what may be the coldest June on record, my garden has stalled.  Well, not everything; my cabbage, broccoli, radish and other cool weather crops are very happy and lush with all the liquid sunshine they’ve had. I’m pretty … Continue reading →

Posted in Spring, Vegetables | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Meconopsis baileyi – Himalayan Blue Poppy

Posted on June 14, 2012 by hortophile

  There is something almost magical about blue flowers, and one of the most beautiful, elusive and magical is the lovely Himalayan Blue Poppy – Meconopsis baileyi.  Many years ago I was thrilled by a great swath of Meconopsis blooming … Continue reading →

Posted in Blue, Shade Garden, Spring | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments