Sure Looks Like Summer Here!

Although summer doesn't officially begin for a few more weeks, it's warm and abundant in blooms here. For gardeners in the Shuswap, obsession is not an over statement. The garden nurseries are filled with smiling but driven people of all styles of attire and of all ages, and they are on a mission. Advice is freely offered even if not asked for, everyone's some sort of expert! Nursery staff are harried to keep up with watering their charges as the weather heats up, while trying to avoid hearing another tragic story of the sudden unexplained death of a plant, or being commandeered to recognize a criminal bug in a pill container, or give an opinion on whether the timing of this spring is earlier or later than last year. A whole culture of investigative plant detectives emerges from households everywhere, and yes, I'm one of them. 

This is my woodland bed, at the feet of two cedars, made up of Galium's tiny starlike blossoms, Lily of the Valley, and Creeping Jenny. This sight is one of freshness and delight. 

 This Iris bed has a story. When we first moved here, it was a show that the neighbourhood enjoyed, deep purple blooms. In my zeal, I thinned out the tubers, cut off the dead portions, dipped the raw edges in rooting hormone, and prayed I didn't destroy them. Well, I almost did. Their prominence was definitely diminished for the next two years, and I was chagrined. However...this year their ship came in, full on wonderful, with some light lavender ones at the back which makes the display more lovely. Whew.

The lowly fern which grows in abundance around here, also puts out some great blossoms. White is so clean against the green.

Columbines are luscious. These are the first ones which will be followed by their more velvety ornate friends.

These are a type of geranium, given to me by Laura Fisher, which I really appreciate. They are a class act,with leaves with a dark centre, and blooms that are elegant, delicate, and loved by the bees.

For those who know Ladies Mantle, you'll recognize how the leaves unfold like little accordions. So exotic, and lovely when they have droplets of water riding on them.

Ah, Hostas. They talk texture and form. They are so dependable and shade loving under the cedars. Their blossoms are just as impressive, coming later.

These snow-in-summer really do form a carpet. 

And now some photos of a road trip of a  few days ago

A hayfield beside the Thompson River.

The most beautiful Palomino sauntering along to join his pals.

Some Sage with stretching Cottonwood branches which made us curious. We thought it was some new variety of tree. No, just Cottonwood doing the Sun Salutation.