Skip to main content

Featured

The New Romantic Garden - a book review

The New Romantic Garden by Jo Thompson Rizzoli, 2025 Jo Thompson is a noted UK garden designer who has won numerous awards at RHS shows. Her style is the epitome of the "romantic English garden" idea - sumptuous borders packed with perennials in pastel colors, arches covered with roses, idyllic meadows and garden rooms. But what is the "new" romantic garden? Described as a fresh perspective of utilizing this lush gardening style into the present-day world, it places an emphasis on organic gardening, biodiversity, plant and soil health.  A scene from the author's own garden... Photo: Rachel Warne In this gorgeous book, Thompson showcases thirty of her gardens, all beautifully described and photographed.  From estate gardens to a London penthouse roof garden, they provide sumptuous eye-candy and inspiration. A peek inside... A London city garden filled with roses and iris (Photo: Jason Ingram) Writer Justine Picardie's garden in Norfolk evokes a feeling of a ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Slow Thaw

 


Although we've had temperatures in the 40s all week, it is taking a coon's age for the snow to melt. I did some work in the garden today and surveyed the damage. Fortunately there isn't much damage and we were lucky here in Vancouver to not get as much ice as areas south of us.

This morning, as I was pulling out of the driveway, I noticed a big limb had broken on the strawberry tree. 

Strawberry Tree (Arbutus)
 

The  Honey Bush (Melianthus) was laying completely on the ground. I had intended to prune this anyway so I cut it back to the ground.  

Honey Bush (Melianthus major)

Last year, I remembered that the Hebe 'Sunset Boulveard' was damaged badly by the cold so I had covered it before the onslaught last weekend. It looks to be fine -

Hebe 'Sunset Boulevard'



 

The Pieris looks like it isn't fazed at all by any of this -


 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Email Post

Comments

  1. Kris PetersonFebruary 19, 2021 at 7:04 PM

    I'm glad to see you weathered the snow and ice relatively well. I love that Pieris.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lisa at GreenbowFebruary 20, 2021 at 8:54 AM

    It is good that you didn't have too much damage. Still awaiting those 40 degree days here. Maybe tomorrow. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hoover BooFebruary 20, 2021 at 4:47 PM

    Snow at least is moisture. Hopefully not too much damage yet to discover. 40's F, Brrrr!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverFebruary 21, 2021 at 10:10 AM

      I know - I was glad we got the snow. At least it keep everything insulated and like you said, moisture!

      Delete
  4. chavlinessFebruary 21, 2021 at 9:13 AM

    It's sad about that big strawberry tree limb. Hopefully the shrub isn't looking too awkward without it. You got to love Pieris for their cool, stoic unfazed nature.
    It seems my Pieris put on a good display of blooms every OTHER year. Have you noticed anything like it in yours?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverFebruary 21, 2021 at 10:12 AM

      The limb was large but it didn't affect the look of the entire tree. Fortunately, it was a limb located right on the back bottom. All of my Pieris have bloomed well every year so far.

      Delete
  5. chavlinessFebruary 21, 2021 at 9:13 AM

    It's sad about that big strawberry tree limb. Hopefully the shrub isn't looking too awkward without it. You got to love Pieris for their cool, stoic unfazed nature.
    It seems my Pieris put on a good display of blooms every OTHER year. Have you noticed anything like it in yours?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Rainy Day GardenerFebruary 21, 2021 at 6:26 PM

    I'm glad you came out without too much damage. You did get quite a bit of snow - wow!

    ReplyDelete
  7. RobinLMarch 2, 2021 at 6:19 PM

    I’d be at a complete loss trying to gardening your climate there! And yet you learned quickly, as I imagine it’s quite different than Alabama was.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts