Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Why?

Why would Ford, a long-standing good neighbour and employer here Oakville decide to sell a portion of land to TransCanada who is planning to build a 985MW gas fired power plant? At its closest point the plant will be 300 meters from schools and homes. It would be the largest gas-fired power plant in Canada on the smallest piece of property closer to people and dwellings than any other in the country.



Today the Citizens for Clean Air C4CA marched on Ford to ask that they do the right thing and support the call for an individual environmental assessment of the proposed site, which would include investigating other sites.


If nothing else it was a lovely day for a protest - and well attended given we were there at 3:45 in the afternoon. I had fun shouting chants and Bart found some great new mole holes in the Ford lawn and some goose poop to roll in - an excellent dog afternoon.

Now, back to gardening and the second why of the day. Gail asked why I cut down my Lychnis viscaria atropurpurea after it was finished blooming. I sat and thought, "Heck, I have no idea." Although it's in one of the neatie-tidie areas - there are not many - by my pathway, I can't think of a good reason not to let it just be.
So I went out and had a good look at it. It might have very nice wandy stems and seeds. Did you notice the the stems have 2 different colours?
In fact my sister-in-law Joanne said how much she liked it.....so, if it were to go to seed, not only could I provide her with one, I could move a couple a round.

There is no good reason to mutilate this fine plant. I declare that I will never cut my Lichnis viscaria atropurpurea ever again. Gail, I thank you and so does Lva.
I've got a few bulbelicious photos to share with you. These were from Dugald's Garden Import - Indian Summer:
ok, not a bulb but - a very good Geranium sylvaticum 'Mayflower' (maybe one more why...why or why does Blogger turn photos on their sides randomly?) Tilt head to right to see this more accurately.

Again, not a bulb, just like using the term bulbelicious - buds on the Cornus alternafolia.

Calycanthus florida - this is a very weird colour for a flower.

Indian Summer 2 days later....

And the winner for the most bulbelicious of the all: Queensland - it looked good in bud - the blooms last forever.
In fact so long, the hosta that are supposed to be shielding the view of the dying flowers and ugly leaves are hiding the flowers that are still looking ready for their close-up.

And after all that colour - a question if you have a moment - this is another Geranium sylvaticum 'Bakers Pink'. In bud, then


in bloom - what's your take insipid or sweet? After looking at those bulbs, that are planted very close - I'm leaning toward insipid...

And another why. This is Bloomerang. It does this, then it does it again later in the summer or September as it did last year. I've got two plants and there is a flower on each one. Could someone tell me why people are making such a fuss over this plant? Maybe I don't have the right climate/conditions? Has anyone seen a really good one?

And the last photo of the day of some of my favourite things - new Hosta leaves and a few left over Brunnera blooms. And, why do I like them so much you might ask. I don't know, I just do.

3 comments:

Randy said...

I'll be glad when we can grow more hostas. Right now we have too much sun.

Barbarapc said...

R&J - the way your garden is coming along - there will be shade before you know it.

Gail said...

I am glad to have been instrumental in saving that sweet Lichnis viscaria atropurpurea's seeds and future generations of plants. Now you can share them with friends and family. If it is a rampant reseeder please forget my involvement! After all the rain I finally have good looking hostas! gail