Beautiful Fall Day on the Oakville Garden Tour

With pre-ticket sales low, organizers were a little apprehensive about Sunday's tour. The Oakville Beaver, our local rag, didn't give us the coverage they usually do - something sorry excuse about a federal election or something? Anyway, not as many people as we get for the summer tours - but still a good turnout - and we couldn't have asked for a better day!

All seven gardens were gardened by their owners, which was nice to see - and most, if not all garden organically, or as close to as possible - so again, a really good example of what you can do in your garden without relying on man made chemicals. There were gardens using mainly natives and those with plants from around the world. And best of all, maybe it's the snoop in my, but it's always fun to find out what's going on behind the garden fences!

Come See Fall Treasures at Oakville Garden Tour

This intrepid gardener is Catherine Kavassalis, President of the Oakville Horticultural Society, welcoming us to her garden and six others on Sunday September 28th between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Catherine is a passionate environmentalist. Her garden abounds with natives that she has collected from near and far. She grows fruit, vegetables and flowers organically. In addition to all the wonderful birds that seem to appear as on cue, there are raspberry eating turtles, bug eating toads, and a great little dog named Molly who ensures that the green beans don't over mature.

So if you want to take a break from all your own fall clean-up and get ideas for next year - come join us on Sunday! Tickets are $15.00 - available in limited supplies at each garden - full ticket information available at www.oakvillehort.org email gardentour@oakvillehort.org.

Whoo-Hoo Just Back From Oregon

Had a fabulous time at the garden writers convention and trade show in Portland, Oregon. Portland is an exceptionally livable city - light rapid transit from the airport, free transit downtown, excellent scenery, clean air and just a really pleasant vibe. And the gardens...nothing like living in a climate where you can plant a stick and have it be something remarkable in no time at all.

Just have to share some of my pics from Ernie and Marietta O'Byrne's garden near Eugene. They have the sort of collectors garden that had me running from plant to plant, fondling anything within touching distance. And the collection has been so carefully thought out and placed that I could wander around for days in a state of enchantment. Not only were the plants beautiful they were immense - leading me to believe that they must only sell the miniature versions on this side of North America.

Bits of Colour in the Garden

I went out to get a few snaps - the bunch I took this a.m. were a total snore. Very weird and flat light and for a few moments the sky looked quite fierce. However, now that I'm at my desk, the sun is out, the wind has died down and the dinner guests are on the way.

I find it interesting to see what I find when I'm looking for colour. These Phlox 'Starfire' have been brilliant all summer - and considering the amount of mildews on everything else - their leaves look great. I'd whacked them back not expecting much, but think that this is quite pretty.

And, the Hibiscus are still blooming away. I'd normally trash a photo with such a high contrast and big black holes with no information, but there's something a little Bergman'esque about the way they're all facing. The little dots are seeds from a massive Eupatorium that needs to be deadheaded before every little seed takes off and germinates. And finally - good colour from the Talinum - lovely chartreuse and self-seeds reliably. With such shocking foliage - it's easy to find and remove those you don't want.

A Little Noisy - But Gorgeous Weather

This summer has been pretty blissful in comparison to the last 5 - when we endured full summers of houses being raised and rebuilt around us. In fact it was so peaceful, I was reminded of why we decided to live here in the first place - lots of trees and so nice and quiet. During the mad summers of construction there was no sleeping past 6:30 a.m. from Monday to Saturday as the trucks did their back up and beep into position to start their work at 7:00.

Well, we almost got through the whole summer without construction - this is across the street. Fingers crossed it will be over quickly!



The last two sunflowers are in bloom this morning and just had to capture them - so pretty. Tried to get proper photos of my mess of tricyrtis and was astounded how much they move around in the breeze - once I had my focus they proceded to move right out of the frame. Will try again tomorrow - they really are a cool flower to see up close.

Bits of Colour at the Cottage

Rain, on and off all weekend. Drove home through the worst of it - remnants of Ike - received 60mm south of Barrie - last night. At home, it looks as if there was some wind and perhaps a bit of rain - we were very lucky.

Walked up to and around some of the holes of the local golf course - apparently they're going to a no-phosphate fertilizer next year - more expensive in the short run, but much better for the surrounding lakes. I was horrified to see folks right down on the lake with grass lawns that looked like they were force-fed nitrogen. So much for that "welcome to the Canadian wilderness look" - almost swear you were in Disney Land.

Between rain fall tromped into my sister-in-law's meadow and took some snaps - anyone have any idea what the ferny bit with the little red berries is?

Animal Tales

If you don't have your own new puppy, the next best thing is to have your brother's family get a new puppy and photograph him in the garden. Percy is on the left - Owen on the right. 9 weeks old and perfectly adorable.

While Owen and Joanne were corralling the new baby - Kevin and I were having our own animal adventures. I was strolling through the living room with the phone when I saw a chipmunk running across the sofa. I excused myself from the phone conversation and went charging down to find Hercules the highly satisfactory (inside) cat. Turns out he'd made a break for it and had made an 8" hole in the screen - leaving the house open to any little creature who might want to come in and say hello. I'd like to mention that this was Kevin's fault as he felt it would be educational and enjoyable for the cat to be able to sit in all the windows next to the screens. From time to time, we'd seen him pounce, but I guess this time, something was so tempting and he just managed to hit the screen in the right place and presto - he was free.

I madly went around closing all the windows and charged outside to see if I could find Herc. As a bit of background, he's a rescue cat - he'd been found in Milton as a kitten with an arrow in his back. I always had this fear that if he got out he'd be smacked by a car - we're close to the street - or would just decide to go on a long toot. Well, fortunately he came when called & I scooped him up and brought him inside. As he struggled to get free, I kept saying, "I have a nice chipmunk for you Herc!" If anyone heard me, they'd think I was mad.

Well, Kevin arrived home just in time to watch Hercules catch the chippy. While we were impressed with his hunting skills, Kevin didn't want the chippy to be hurt - so he got Herc to let go - (did I mention he didn't take the cat back outside). He took Herc - threw him in the bathroom and locked the door - then set out to re-catch the chipmunk. We had him in the livingroom - Kevin tried to get him into a pail - my job was to block with two Pimpernel placements to keep him from running from the room. Well, Kevin managed to get the chippy in the pail - only to have him leap 6 feet in the air and climb up the drapes and out of the dining room. It was at this moment he decided to redraft Hercules.

Hercules was not nearly as enthusiastic to capture the chipmunk this time after being benched for his last capture. Kevin went as far as posing on all fours showing Herc where the chipmunk was hiding. Well, after a further 10 minutes, Herc did indeed get the chipmunk. And, Kevin once again removed him from Hercules. This time they were all trapped in my office - between the squeaking of the chippy, the cat ricocheting off the furniture and finally Kevin shouting "OPEN THE DOOR - I'VE GOT HIM". Kevin then ran down the hall, out the door into the backyard where he dumped the little creature out. I said, "I think he's playing dead." Kevin looked at him and said, "I think he is dead."

Well, good news - playing dead, or just stunned - he jumped to his feet and beat a hasty retreat. So, all's well that ends well. Windows now closed, screen to be fixed next week & Hercules enjoying a celebratory dinner for being such a clever kitty.

Heavenly Heptacodium is in Bloom

I purchased this Heptacodium about 10 years ago or so from the Royal Botanical Gardens - and this is the best display so far. I believe its common name is Seven Son Flower and according to the tag it was supposed to be about 10 feet high . Well, this is what happens when you get a plant from China that few people have grown in this area. It is well over the roof of the house - and it may grow larger. It is one of the few trees that bloom in fall for me. And, as the flowers fall, the calyxes turn dark red - so when the branches are bare, it looks like it has dark red blossoms. Last year I got an inkling of what this might look like - hope to post a good photo this year. Aside from its blooming pattern (and I've discovered almost intoxicating tropical floral scent), it also handles shade very well - in fact at the RBG they have theirs growing in a dense forest situation. It has exfoliating bark - which is always a plus in the winter. And, the bees adore it as you can see. I was trying to focus on one of these blossoms, which are well above my head, when this little creature flew into the shot.

Sad Day for an Old Friend

Last night I learned at our hort society meeting that the Emerald Ash Borer has arrived in Oakville. Our former horticultural society president said that one of her own trees has been identified by the town and is now part of the "experimental treatment trial" to combat these insects. Originally from Asia, the Emerald Ash Borers were thought to have travelled here in packing crates and then spread within the North American continent on their own wing and also by the movement of firewood. At first when it was discovered that they were in the London Ontario area, thousands of trees for miles around were clear cut to provide a buffer zone that was supposed to stop these insects in their path - no food, no bugs. No dice apparently.

The Emerald Ash Borer is a very tiny insect - its name comes from its pretty green colour. It will feed and lay its eggs on your ash tree & you'll be none the wiser, until you notice its decline. By that time, the cambian of the tree has been destroyed by the feasting of the hatched creatures.

So today, I'm posting photos of my dear old Ash tree that I took this a.m. It's my only "needs two people to hug it tree" on the property - and you can see that because of the rain, now the Eastern White Pine, the neighbour's Beech and the Ash all touch. You can also see there's a bit of balding along some of the old branches...the beginning of the end? Poor old tree.

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/pestrava/agrpla/agrplae.shtml

It is Starting to Look Like Fall

The first leaves have started to fall from the Beech; the older varieties of hemerocallis are brown and tattered at their centre; and the Tricyrtis are about to bloom! In my shaded back garden I was amazed to see that practically overnight Hosta 'Yellow River' has begun its show of fall colour. When it dries up today, I'm going to see if I can get out and tidy things up. The rain and wind have thrown some of the larger plants to the ground. Looks like it'll be an afternoon of staking, trimming and grass cutting.

A Little Blooming Wonder - Erodium manescavii

Maybe it's because we can't garden outside all year, that we go a bit nuts when a perennial provides us with flowers all summer long. This plant has me under its spell. I know it's not the most spectacular plant in the world, but if you consider the first photo is June 5th of this year and the second was taken today - that's quite an achievement for any perennial. Notice how the leaves still look great without a mark on them and it continues to send up stems with a bright pink cranesbill-esque blossoms. It's about a foot high and as wide, and much to my delight, it has self seeded and it's little offspring has started to bloom. I've got it growing in a half sun/shade position in very good soil. I got mine from Belinda Gallagher of Triffids - if you're close to the Halton Hills region - she'll be having her open house next week. She's got a great garden so you can see many of the plants she has for sale growing in her Zone 4 garden.

Looking for Blues in the Fall

This is Eritrichium sibiricum, a reliable annual that has self sown in my garden since 2004. It takes almost all summer to bloom, but I really appreciate its beautiful clear blue blossoms so late in the season. It would be classified as an alpine - grows no higher than 15 cm in my garden. And seems to do well in the half sun/shade area where I have it. I got my seeds from Chiltern - they have tremendous variety - but when you factor in the Cdn $ exchange rate at the moment - quite expensive too. However, for a reliable self seeding pretty blue annual - maybe not so expensive after all?

SculptArt at the Royal Botanical Gardens

Took a mid-afternoon break to go visit the RBG and take a good look at the art exhibition that I'd skipped over the last time I was there. The art show was great, plus there was lots of activity as the new Helen M. Kippax perennial garden takes shape. Volunteers, staff, plants and earth movers were everywhere in what looked like organized chaos. The new reflecting ponds are being planted up - all that is missing is the water - can hardly wait! We ducked around all the activity and saw some neat installations - from Lee Vivot's Icetime at a mere $215,000 to smaller pieces such as Jean Pierre Schoss, Musky on a Stand made out of recycled steel and oil tank for $6000. Certainly worth a visit if you are in the area.

Laura Hollick's Journey Walker 1 thru 4

Long September Shadows

It was a brilliant Labour Day w/e. Unbelievable sunshine. Had to water for only the third time this gardening season. The lawn would normally be an unremarkable tan colour going into the fall as the blue grass and fescues go dormant in the heat and dry. However, here we are September 2nd and the grass is a wonderful green. The starlings have made their return to do their "The Birds" movie thing in the beech trees in the early evening devouring the beech nuts. There are so many of them it really makes my skin crawl. Then, in the morning it's the squirrels who risk life and limb climbing out and upside down to get whatever's left behind.

It's been a year of more squirrels - but far less bunnies - thanks either to Parker the cat who has a serious case of bunny-belly.....or one of those 15cm slugs that's turned to protein after a good feed of ornamental horticulture. Nothing like a summer of record rainfall and lots of leaf growth to provide ideal growing conditions for those slippery, slimy, not-so-little creatures.

Chubby Bees Too Big For Japanese Treasure

It has been several weeks since the Kirengeshoma koreana has finished blooming. Taking its turn in the garden to bloom is Kirengeshoma palmata. Often people will say this is the superior of the two varieties. However, if you live in an area with beefy bees, you'll notice how their knees, posteriors and general size is just too big for these pretty blossoms - leaving the petal edges in tatters when they come and go in search for pollen.



So, for those with super-sized bees, my advice would be to grow K. koreana instead - link noted below.

(http://barbarasgardenchronicles.blogspot.com/2008/07/kirengeshoma-koreana.html)