Alison...Her Garden Is True

It was bitter sweet tonight at the party for Alison…Alison is entering an exciting new phase of her life but it means that we will not have her constant presence in our beautiful garden. Although it's a huge loss to our garden community, all of us wish her well in her new situation. Her legacy in the garden will continue through the relationships she has nurtured and her generous sharing of her wealth of knowledge of all things garden. For those of us who have had the privilege of knowing her in the garden we can always glance at the permanent sign installed in her honour "Alison's Garden" and remember her contribution to the Kitsilano Community Garden. Kind thanks to all the members and special guests who contributed to making Alison's goodbye party a wonderful event. The food and chat was wonderful… so great hearing about Alison's rockstar experiences! Special thanks to Tara and Inessa who designed and created the beautiful banner 'We will miss you Alison" - a work of art and a sensitive and thoughtful homage to our guest of honour Alison - Her Garden Is True.

Photo Credit: Ellen

Photo Credit: Ellen

Wonderful summer work party






A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken. ~James Dent
A wonderful work party on a wonderful summer's eve. This is the time of the season where everything in the garden is entering a new phase of actual summer. I kinda of love it at this time of year but I'm a little conflicted because it also makes me feel like I want to suspend all growth. I look forward to the carrots and peas and beets and and and… the harvest… at the same time I think about the end of summer. Oh, but I do love the fall too. Ah, and the winter too in the the garden. Ok, I love it all!

Images from our wonderful summer work party and our wonderful summer gardeners.

Take note :)
Clematis Head
Pretty in Pink
Garden Foxes amongst the Foxgloves
Detail - edible pea flower
Nectar gathering - Scabiosa and Bee

Asparagus archway - framing edible Amaranth

Shades of White

Universally, Gertrude Jekyll's white garden is inspiring.  In the early evening and the start of the shades of night as darkness sets in...white flowers and the lighter hued plants are truly glorious. This week, after a very long day I had a quick and privileged 1/2 hour in the garden and snapped these shades of white in our own wonderfully inspiring garden. Our garden may not be formal and carefully composed but it's beauty is something dear to behold.
White Dianthus - smells like spicy gloriosity
Neutral coloured rose by any other name...
Hosta hosta the fresh and lovely one
Foxglove central - the elusive biannual

The humble Dandelion - gone to seed
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The ubiquitous goutweed flower - nice huh? 
Wild Astilbe - brought by birds

Iris - our spring glory now just a memory