Dirt Therapy

Despite several hot periods (and another one starting Thursday, lovely), it has been a good year for hydrangeas. We have them in various places throughout the garden but the largest concentration is on the terraced area underneath the dogwood tree. Taking a closer look... Four hydrangeas are visible in this photo - 'Pistachio' in front left and 'Twist-n-Shout' on the right. 'Bloomstruck' is on the back left and an unknown variety at the back right. A closer look at 'Pistachio'. Lime green and pink - an odd combination for sure but it seems to work. 'Pistachio' alongside Persicaria 'Golden Arrow' and 'Eldorado' grass in a pot behind them. 'Annabelle' is really nice this year with more blooms than ever and sturdy, upright stems (it still needs support). A new  arborescens called 'Invincibelle Ruby'. I didn't expect to like this one but it has surprised me.  'Fire Island' is really, really pink. 'Tuf...

In this day and time, I would hope gardeners understand the importance of bees and other insects in the garden. However, from time to time, a person comes into the nursery and asks for plants that will NOT attract bees (sigh). They are not really gardeners though, they are just looking for a plant to fill a space. I find myself more and more intrigued by bees although I don't know that much about the different types. I do make note of plants that they like and try to add as many as I can to the garden. Over the past weeks, with watering a daily activity amidst a lingering heat-wave, I've conducted an informal survey and noted the plants that they seem to like the most. Butterfly Weed ( Asclepias tuberosa ) Butterfly Weed ( Asclepias tuberosa ) is one of my favorite perennials and the bees love it too. I don't think I've ever seen a butterfly on it but we don't seem to have many of those. Everybody wants the "Showy Milkweed" (Asclepias speciosa) but I knew ...

Lobelia is a diverse genus encompassing more than four hundred species. When it come to the perennial types, most are familiar with Lobelia cardinalis , the "Cardinal Flower". I've never been able to grow it successfully. I have learned that it is one of the few perennials that can be recommended for wet soils. Usually sitting right next to it on the nursery table is the Mexican Lobelia (Lobelia laxiflora ) which is completely different in looks and temperament.  A native of Mexico, Central America and Arizona, it thrives in drought-tolerant conditions and neglect. Too much water can result in the plant becoming rampant. I had first planted this in the hodgepodge border along the back of the house where it quickly became lost among its neighbors and no doubt, getting too much water. I moved it last fall to the border along our driveway. I didn't expect it to come back after the harsh winter we had (the hardiness factor is listed as 7) but was thrilled to see new growt...

Catalpa 'Aurea' - I just discovered that the flowers are  quite fragrant, similar to honeysuckle. The heat wave lingers - today we reached 100 and tomorrow is expected to go higher. The one thought that keeps me from wanting to jump off the nearest bridge is that I remember Alabama where it is always like this. Although the heat breaks a bit on Wednesday, the long-term forecast shows temps in the mid to upper 80s. This isn't really "back to normal" at all! It is disgusting and even Michael, who said he would never make another move after this one, is wanting to move to the coast!  In the meantime, here are some cooling shots taken in the days before the inferno hit. Pinus contorta 'Taylor's Sunburst' and 'Sea Foam' Rose  with a bloom from Clematis durandii peeking in. Outside the front window is a mix of heathers ('Firefly' and 'Multicolor'), Allium 'Millenium', Hibiscus 'Midnight Marvel' in a pot and annual sna...

The last garden on the East Vancouver Mini-Tour was that of Judy and Roger McElhaney. I had visited their garden previously in 2016 and was just blown away. It is hard to believe that it is now eight years later. At first, I didn't recognize their garden. It is astounding how things have grown. The majority is very shady with the exception of one side (pictured above) that is open to the sky.  A beautiful Mock Orange Acer palmatum 'Shirazz' This was the most beautiful shrub, about 5 feet tall and wide and covered with blooms. Judy could not remember what it was but we decided it might be a deutzia. Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy