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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Heronswood Botanical Garden - Early Blooms

 

The Heronswood Botanical Garden in Northern Washington State was not easy to find as there was no signage on the main road, but I didn’t give up and finally found it.  And I was glad that I persisted, as it was a beautiful woodland garden - even being amid the midst of winter.  Not far away, the hills and mountains were still covered in snow. 

In this little peace of plant paradise, I was greeted by a friendly couple who explained to me all the treasures that the garden offered.  Surprisingly, I found many flowers blooming: Hellebores in many colors, Rhododendron trees, Witch Hazel, Crocus, Snowdrops, Hazel trees, Cyclamen, and many more. 

I wandered the meandering garden paths, along small lakes and ponds.  Adding to the blooming plants were a plethora of ferns, mosses, evergreen shrubs, and even several cacti in the rock garden display.

Throughout the year, Heronswood Garden has many events, such as the Hellebores Special Sale on March 9, the Spring Sale on May 4 and 5, the Hydrangea Festival on August 10, and the Autumn Sale on September 14.  You will find more events on their website HeronswoodGarden.org

Heronswoodgarden is located off Hwy 104 in Washington State between Port Angeles and Poulsbo in the Kingston area.  The garden is open in summer from 9 am to 3 pm, Wednesday to Sunday. The winter hours from the end of October to April 1 are 9 am to 3 pm, but only on Saturday and Sunday.  Admission is $10, and youth (7 to 17) $5.

The address is 7530 288th Street NE, Kingston.  WA

Phone 360-297-9620.  Email: info at Heronswoodgarden.org

The garden is owned and operated by the Port Gamble S´Klallam Tribe. It is well worth the visit, either from Port Angeles, from Tacoma, or by a short ferry ride from Seattle.  

A hidden gem for all plant lovers and gardeners. I was fascinated by the many plants that are thriving in the Northwest States - plants that I rarely have seen before. 

Hardy Cyclamen

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Hellebores: Flowering Winter Delight

On a recent visit to Vancouver Island, I admired the most beautiful Hellebores in gardens all over the island. What a sight in the middle of Winter! In Toronto, Ottawa or Montreal their blooms might not show up before the end of April or in early May. But no matter what their blooming time is: amazing colors and beautiful, early blooms will touch the hearts of plant lovers.

Here are some practical tips for growing Hellebores:
When you purchased a small plant, it may need time to grow up. Hellebores flower between two and three years after transplanting. Like with many other plants, they will take a while to settle in. And if you purchased a larger plant in flower, it is not uncommon to take a year off after being taken out of its container and planted into your soil.

They have a very large and far-reaching root system. It is not uncommon to purchase a hellebore plant that has roots that are wrapped all around the pot. This does not necessarily mean the plant was poorly grown, it just makes a lot of roots fairly rapidly once the plant reaches a certain age.

Loosening the root ball, or cutting the roots in a couple of places, helps the plant get out of its container shape and into the nice, rich soil you planted it in. A period of adjustment is required after planting, when we try to coax the plant's roots out of the soilless potting media they have been growing in while container-bound.

Hellebores will grow in a wide range of conditions. While most of us think of them as “shade plants,” they are shade-tolerant plants. Best is to grow Hellebores with other taller perennials or shrubs that provide some relief from the burning summer sun. They like well-drained soil, don't water them too much, Hellebores don't like soggy soil. In very heavy clay soil, before planting amend the area with organic matter, such as composted pine bark or other material. And if you do plan to divide, fall is the best time to do so.

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