Spring is Here - Photo Impressions from Vancouver Island

Rhododendron Bush

Vancouver Island has the mildest climate in all of
Canada.  Especially in the Southern Part of the Island, 
colorful blooms are seen already in February
and early March. 

Small botanical gardens (and nurseries) in woodland
settings invite visitors, some are even free, like this one:

I discovered these flowers and blooming shrubs in
a woodland garden in North Saanich at the southern 
end of Derrick Rd.  Take Hwy 17 north from Victoria,
Exit 31, turn left into Wain Rd, and drive approx.
4 kilometers, turn left into Derrick Rd

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Rhododendron Bush
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Between Victoria and Sidney are several small botanical gardens
and a butterfly garden which are charging only low admissions. 
I prefer these intimate, natural settings to the
one, much hyped and overrun by tourist busses, and charging
almost a $40 entrance fee... Native and ecological -
compared to a Disneyland-like tourist garden.

Daffodils

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Rhododendron Blooms

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Hellebores Bloom

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Rhododendron Tree

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Rhododendron Tree

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White Hellebores

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Winter Heather

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Camellia Bloom

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Cherry Blooms

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Heather White
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Daffodils blooming in masses
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Oregon Grape

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Red Currant

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Pieris Japonica

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Moss

Read more here about botanical gardens and gardening in BC:

https://garden-dream.blogspot.com/2017/12/horticulture-centre-of-pacific-in.html

https://vichortsociety.org/winter-garden/

https://vichortsociety.org/local-area-gardens/

https://vancouversun.com/homes/gardening/in-the-garden-best-flowering-shrubs-for-spring

https://www.gardenworks.ca/news/137/the-wild-plants-of-bc

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Why Are My Daffodils or Tulips Not Blooming?

A Checklist of Causes:

Are you feeding with high-nitrogen fertilizer? The first number in the N-P-K ratio should be low; high N=no flowers, so bulb fertilizers aren’t high N?  Use instead one, low in nitrogen with these numbers:  3-6-6 or: 5-10-10.

Did you neglect to feed for more than a year or two? Feed bulbs when they begin active growth - when the green shoots are emerging.  Use an all-natural organic fertilizer intended for bulbs.  Apply according to label directions.

Did you cut foliage back too soon last year?  At least 6 weeks of “ripening” time is needed, with their foliage growing and intact.  In order to hide these yellow leaves, plant the bulbs behind large perennials or shrubs.  They will grow up or bloom at a time after the Daffodils are finished blooming.

Is the area very dry?  Bulbs need ample moisture when they are growing actively. On the other hand, a soggy area is harmful to them.

Is the area filled with tree roots, or with other competing plants who grab all the nutrients and moisture? Areas under evergreens can be inhospitable, for instance (ad well as too shady).

Dividing may be called for - or transplanting to another, better-suited area.

Were the bulbs recently planted or recently transplanted? Both can set back the bulbs for a time.

With daffodils - and bulbs in general - there are some additional triggers of diminished bloom, says the American Daffodil Society.  Read their full list of possible causes:
https://daffodilusa.org/growing-daffodils/non-blooming-daffodils/


What About Tulips?
They need similar care: In the spring, when leaves emerge, feed your tulips the same bulb food or bone meal which is low in nitrogen, the same you use for Daffodils: 5-10-10. Water well. Deadhead tulips as soon as they go by, but do not remove the leaves! Allow the leaves to remain on the plants for about 6 weeks after flowering.

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List of Fabulous Shade Flowers

As longer I garden as more I prefer shade - not only because it is a more pleasant spot to garden in summer.  But also because plants for shade have a more subtle, elegant appearance.  Another great benefit is that flowers which are grown in shade last longer and maintain their color intensity better than those grown in full sun. 

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You Might Ask:
What perennials, annuals or shrubs can I plant other than Hostas?  Well, there are dozens and dozens of shade-loving plants out there.  See the long list below, that doesn’t even cover those for a warmer climate or the native shade plants.  But first things first, lets start with the soil:

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Nutritious Soil and Sufficient Water Are a MUST:
No matter where you garden - in shade or sun - your plants will only thrive when you feed them well with the right soil, compost, and regular watering, especially near or beneath trees and large shrubs.  Trees take up all the nutrients and moisture (even prevent rain to reach the soil), so there is nothing left for your attractive flowers - if you don't soak the soil every other day.  A great help is also to cover the soil with mulch to even out temperature difference, avoid weeds and yes, help to reduce watering.
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Have This List Handy When Shopping for Shade Plants:

PERENNIALS:
Hellebores
Salomon’s Seal
Ladies Mantle
Hostas in blue and yellow
Astilbes: white, red, or pink-flowering
Japanese Ferns
Deadnettle
Spurges (Euphorbia)
Alyssums
Heuchera Copper or Lime
Daffodils
BlueBells
Bleeding Heart

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Azaleas
Wild Ginger
Pulmonarias (Lungwort)
Siberian Iris
Bigroot Geranium
Anemones
Trout Lilies
Shooting Stars
Trilliums
Foamflowers
Japanese Forest Grass
Primulas
Periwinkle

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ANNUALS:
Pelargonias
Begonia
Impatiens
Lobelia
Pansies
Coleus
Caladiums

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SHRUBS:
Mock Orange (Philadelphus)
Hydrangeas (PeeGee, Annabelle, Climbing Hydrangea)
Rosa Glaucia
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See descriptions and more images for shade plants:
http://garden-dream.blogspot.ca/2016/06/benefits-of-shade-in-your-garden.html
http://garden-dream.blogspot.com/2009/06/new-to-gardening.html
https://www.sunset.com/garden/flowers-plants/shade-plants
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Spring Bulbs to Plant This Fall

Plant these classic bulbs in autumn 

for a glorious flower show next spring.

While it is still early fall and warm outside, the garden centers and nurseries are already fully stocked with spring bulbs for a marvelous, colorful spring garden.

Planting bulbs this fall will reward you with a sea of flowers next spring. While your garden is cold and dreary, the bulbs will be forming roots and preparing to bloom when the weather warms up again.  Popular varieties sell out fast, so buy or order your favorites ahead of time.

If You Have Already Spring Bulbs in Your Garden:

See how you can divide your bulbs and plant them - and also plant new spring bulbs:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sd9cBEx2SC0

Delightful Gardens - Even in the Midst of Winter

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Winter doesn’t need to be a boring time in the garden. Changing seasons gives you a chance to appreciate the details in your garden landscape that you often miss once the leaves are out.
A few winter stars will take center stage and look best against snow and blue skies:
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Start with one or several blue-silver Colorado Spruce and, trees with colourful or tactile bark: Paperbark Maple, Paper Birch, colored-twig Dogwoods, a Crab Apple or Strawberry Tree will act as an anchor for the rest of the planting.

Mid-level shrubs that are blooming in Winter such as Witch Hazel or shrubs with berries: Winter Berries or interesting evergreen leaves such as Boxwood, Ilex / Holly or Bay Laurel can be a fantastic underplanting.

Low-growing ground cover such as Snowdrops, Lenten Rose, Crocus and Winter Aconite or foliage such as Bergenia Cordifolia should be planted in generous numbers, anywhere from fifteen to thirty young plants at least to make an impact. The same is true for other plants and shrubs: as more are planted from one type as greater the visual epiphany.
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Prepare Your Garden for Winter and Spring

• Don’t cut down late fall blooms, especially not Sedum Autumn Joy or ornamental grasses. They are show pieces in frost and snow.
• In areas where it snows all winter, all the available water can freeze, which makes finding drinking water a challenge for birds. Ensure regular visits from a variety of birds by using a bird bath with a warmer, or even a simple heated dog bowl to provide a steady source of water.
• Plant lots and lots of bulbs, fifty to ninety of each for Daffodils, Tulips, Allium etc. 

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Have a look at winter garden images on Houzz.

And if you live in the UK, don’t miss to visit these gardens in Winter, recommended from The Guardian:

Cambridge University Botanic Garden
A south-facing valley makes the most of the winter light.

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Romsey, Kent
Features more than 650 plants that shine in winter.

Wakehurst Place, West Sussex
Beautiful winter beds and a host of witch hazels and daphne.

Bodnant, Conwy, Wales
A winter garden that opened in 2012 is already captivating visitors.

Impressions from the Niagara Area in Spring

The Niagara area is not only a wine-lovers paradise, but also for gardeners. And April is the best time to visit: very few tourists but blooms in abundance: Magnolia trees, Forsythias, Cherry and Peachtrees, Tulips and Daffodils as far as you can see. Enjoy a wonderful day in bloom!

Early Blooms

Provident gardeners are now rewarded with early blooms - even earlier than usual this spring.
If you planted bulbs last fall you are enjoying now a cheery, colorful garden. Nothing says spring more than waves of yellow and blue flowers, seen in your garden everywhere. Best of all: many of these spring bulbs such as Scilla, Snow Drops and Daffodils naturalize and will bring more color into your garden in following years.

Blooming Parks
If you live in the Ottawa area visit Maple Lawn Garden on Richmond Road or Springfield Road in Rockcliffe (corner Mariposa) to find spectacular seas of blue Scilla.

Daffodils at Rockcliffe Park and the Rockeries
The pavilion and surrounding area has turned into a popular location for outdoor weddings. The Rockcliffe Rockeries has literally hundreds of thousands of Daffodil bulbs. The best time to view this display is now in April or early May, when flowering trees provide a burst of spring colour that complements the Daffodils.
Location: Rockcliffe Parkway, between Princess Avenue and Acacia Avenue, Ottawa


Fall Planting:
Mark your calendar for late August bulb purchasing and try to find bulb varieties of early and late bloomers and several heights. Plant them generously in wide groups. These bulbs are hardy to zone 3 and 4:

Galanthus (Snowdrop)
Hyacinthus (Hyacinth)
Muscari (Grape Hyacinth)
Narcissus (Daffodil)
Tulipa (Tulip)
Crocus (Crocus)
Scilla (Bluebell)

- Plant the bulbs in early October in well-prepared soil. Planting depth varies by the type of bulb (8cm deep for Crocus, 12 deep for Daffodils and Hyacinths, 15cm deep for Tulips).

- Cover with chicken wire to deter squirrels from eating your precious bulbs, water well and add another layer of soil or mulch.

- Fertilize plants immediately after their flowering ends generously with compost soil.

- Let th bulbs go dormant naturally. Important: Don't remove foliage after bloom.

- Plant groups of Achillea, Poppies, Euphorbia, Heliopsis, Lambs Ear, Purple Cone Flowers or blooming herbs between the bulb areas. They too don't to be watered and will cover the drying foliage of the spring bulbs

- Allow the bulbs to dry out (just quit watering) after the foliage begins to turn yellow. Most spring bulbs prefer dry soil during summer.

- Every three years: dig, divide and replant the bulbs when crowded.


My favorite early bloomer: Periwinkle
In shady gardens Periwinkle will strive, rewarding you with lots of dark green ground cover and blue flowers short after the last snow melted. They are not fussy with soil and spread themselves over the years.
Much nicer than boring brown lawn in spring - and less work!

Tulip Festival Ottawa

If you like TULIPS: mark your calendars for May 1 - 18, and plan for a trip to the National Capital of Canada.

The Tulip Festival has grown into the largest tulip festival in the world.

It began from a gift of 100,000 tulips given to Canada five decades ago by the Netherlands' royal family. This gesture showed their appreciation for the safe haven they were granted in Ottawa during the Second World War, and for the role Canadian soldiers played in the liberation of the Netherlands. Since then, the tulips have become an important symbol of peace, international friendship and the beauty of spring in Canada.
http://www.tulipfestival.ca/en/galleryphotos/gallery_mhp_cs.html

Getting to Ottawa

To make it easier (and a little cheaper), contact ViaRail and ask for their special Tulip Rate to Ottawa. There are several bus routes in Ottawa that can be used to reach the park sites. The bus ($3, or buy a DayPass $7 - exact fare, no change) is easy, planet-friendly, and saves you the hassle of looking for parking!
http://www.tulipfestival.ca/en/tulip_route_map.html

And these are the most popular festival places:

International Pavilion - Lansdowne Park Bank Street, closed to the Rideau Canal

FREE ADMISSION !!!
The International Pavilion is home to 24 participating embassies and local community groups. Enjoy a variety of international entertainment on the Friendship Stage, taste exquisite international cuisine, dip into history, explore traditions, shop for your favorite souvenirs and discover tourism hot spots.
These countries are presented or give several performances: Argentina, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Israel, Korea, Kuwait, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.

Commissioner’s Park - Carling Avenue and Preston Street
FREE ADMISSION !!!
An estimated 300,000 tulips shape and illuminate one of the National Capital’s most prestigious parks in the city. Throughout the Festival, street performers will grace the Park’s grounds, providing a musical and entertaining ambiance. There will also be local painters amongst the flowerbeds. The Tulip Boutique is back, as well as Music in the Tulips, a community and school oriented music program. School bands will serenade visitors as they stroll through the Park. Performances are given daily at 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

The National Capital Commission (NCC) will provide a Tulip Legacy Exhibit, which recounts the history of the Dutch Royal family’s refuge in Canada during the Second World War and the contribution of Canadian troops to the liberation of the Netherlands in 1944-45.
While touring Commissioner’s Park, visitors can pick-up a free copy of the “Experience the Beauty! The National Capital Commission’s Tulip Beds” brochure, which provides information on the tulip legacy story, the different varieties of tulips planted in the 27 floral beds, and the location of designated photo sites in some of the Park’s most beautiful tulip displays of flowerbeds.

The Canadian Tulip Festival is also "greening" its practices: Banning Styrofoam, and allowing only compostable, degradable, or 100% recyclable dishes and cutlery on site, providing bike rental and bike parking to encourage bicycling.