For Catherine

A colleague of mine called it a career this week and, as these things often go, I found the occasion to be bittersweet. I wanted to mark the milestone in a special way, and so a poem emerged about the garden that we cared for. The poem is called For Catherine. Check it out at my new blog My Roots Run Deeper.

Hollyhocks in the garden at Colborne Lodge

Birdsong Cabaret

I've really gotten into birds lately, and I'm very lucky that life allows me to attend places where I can see them in large numbers. Even before I took a particular interest in them, I always knew it was spring when the birds would wake me up with their songs early in the morning, before the sun came out and cast light on the day. That happened today for the first time this year, so it must truly be spring.  The experience inspired a Haiku.

Birdsong Cabaret

Four a.m. birdsong
Awakens in darkest day

Earth's bright cabaret

A haiku that happens to rhyme. Is that allowed? Lol. Here are some of the birds I have seen recently.

Red-winged Blackbird in High Park.
Listen for their unmistakable trill.
Watch out when they are
protecting their nests. 
They will dive bomb you!

American Robin in Toronto.
A true harbinger of spring.

A Song Sparrow in Tiny Marsh.
Not especially trusting of humans, but
happy to share its song.

Happy Birdwatching! Happy Gardening!

The Blue Flower of Bhutan

Be sure to check out my short story The Blue Flower of Bhutan and other garden-related posts on my blog My Roots Run Deep II.  In the meantime, enjoy these pictures of blue poppies taken in 2019 at Memorial University Botanical Garden in Newfoundland.

Happy Gardening!

Bittersweet Daylilies

As always, the summer is too short.  The appearance of the final daylilies is always bittersweet.

Exceptional colour from these daylilies

Hope you are all having a great summer!

Enjoy every fleeting moment.

Happy Gardening!

Reaching for the Dirt : A Return to Garden Blogging

After an extended absence from garden blogging, I'm reviving My Roots Run Deep ahead of the 2021 garden season. 

Keep an eye on your bloodroot.
The flowers of this early spring bloomer are
fleeting and may last for only a day.

Last March, when we first felt the seismic effects of the pandemic here in Toronto, instinctively, I reached for the dirt. I understood immediately that my garden would provide the relief I needed from events unfolding around the globe. For the first time in years, with nothing but time on my hands, I immersed myself totally and completely in rediscovering my garden: the lush greens of wild gingers and ostrich ferns; the ephemeral beauty of serviceberry blossoms and bloodroot; the unabashed flamboyance of redbud and magnolia; the intoxicating scent of lilacs and peonies; and the rugged obstinacy of epimedium and haskap. 

Lilac Ludwig Spaeth adds an exhilarating fragrance to the garden.

What a revelation it was. I had been away from the garden for far too long.

And so I have returned.

In the days and months ahead, I hope you'll join me here for garden advice and reflections. Only 37 days until spring. 

Alliums all in row

 

You can find all my latest blog posts at My Roots Run Deep II

Crocus Not As Advertised

It's great to see the crocus in bloom.  These were unexpected, however.  Planted last fall, the bulbs were a promising, new and exciting addition to the garden.

This is what I was hoping for. I'm not sure if these yellow-flowered bulbs were mislabelled or if the orange ones never came up and I'm now mistaking them for the yellow ones. It's easy to lose track of all the crocus in the garden. Has anyone ever seen an "Orange Monarch" in bloom?

First Crocus

First Crocus

After the first real winter we have had in about four years, the sight of the first crocus is more welcome than ever.  The tradition continues:  I have no idea what variety this is.