Precisely one month ago, I was industriously clearing up assorted mounds of clutter and generally cleaning and tidying the area around the garden shed, and loving it. That may sound odd, but one person鈥檚 drudgery really can be another鈥檚 delight.
I find enormous satisfaction in sorting out muddles 鈥� an activity that could even be viewed as approaching the divine. It is, after all, a process of creating order out of chaos.
Perhaps it was the heavenly fragrance from a nearby Himalayan sweet box (Sarcococca humilis) shrub that helped to prompt and validate the audacious thought 鈥� one that elevates the care of a garden to rather lofty levels.
That same day, as I took a break to stroll around the winter garden, I noticed the first of the winter irises (Iris unguicularis, Algerian iris) in bloom, the flat, pale mauve blossom nestled in a mound of bright green foliage.
On the front boulevard, the long, sweeping branches of a deodar (Himalayan) cedar were bent down with the weight of huge cones that have taken on lovely mauve-gray tones as they mature. There have never been so many cones on the tree. Their abundant production in 2015 can probably be traced to the long, hot, dry summer. A plant that senses a threat to its existence (the boulevard is never watered) will ramp up procreation activity (flowering, fruiting, seed production) to ensure survival of its kind.
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Pollinator gardens. A theme I鈥檓 seeing highlighted in gardening news and 2016 catalogues is planting for pollinators. The West Coast Seeds catalogue encourages everyone to support the 鈥淢illion Pollinator Garden Challenge鈥� and plant pollinator-friendly plants. The challenge鈥檚 aim is to nurture the creation of one million pollinator-friendly habitats.
To guide readers to the best flowers and herbs for a pollinator garden, the WCS catalogue uses a bee symbol to indicate plants that feed pollinators. A bright red ladybug symbol points to plants that attract beneficial insects.
The catalogue also has a page of beekeeping supplies, and 14 wildflower mixtures that support both pollinators and beneficials. Among them are bee-garden, beneficial-insect, butterfly and hummingbird flower-seed blends.
T&T Seeds has a bee-feeding flower mixture. William Dam Seeds has a two-page pollinators layout that lists individual flowers and herbs, as well as several seed blends that feed bees and other pollinators. There are tips: Bees love broccoli and arugula left to flower. Kale in bloom is a bee food-fest.
There is also an extensive list of flowers, herbs and vegetables for a pollinator garden. Among them are marigold, zinnia, thyme, tomato, alyssum, basil, dill, parsley, echinacea, sunflowers, lavender, salvia and verbena.
Last year鈥檚 William Dam Seeds catalogue noted that as we assume our roles as stewards of the Earth, 鈥渟imple things can make a difference: Grow a flower; save the bees.鈥�
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GARDEN EVENTS
Seedy in Qualicum. The 14th annual Qualicum Beach Seedy Saturday will take place on Feb. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3听p.m. in the QB Civic Centre, 747 Jones St. in Qualicum Beach. The event鈥檚 theme 鈥� meeting garden challenges 鈥� will be addressed by speakers Linda Gilkeson with 鈥淒o You Really Know What the Problem Is?鈥� (10:30) and Connie Kuramoto鈥檚 鈥淲ater, Water, Everywhere鈥� (12:30). Look for Linda鈥檚 new publication Resilient Gardens 2016 on adapting gardening to climate change.
More than 70 vendors will be selling seeds (many heritage), plants, tools and more. A farmers鈥� market will feature vegetables, fruit and various delicacies. Bring your own saved seeds to swap. Master gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and Milner Garden鈥檚 Shoots with Roots program will offer activities for children. Admission is by donation. The Town of Qualicum Beach will be collecting garden chemicals for disposal.
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Pruning workshop. The Horticulture Centre of the Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd. in Saanich, is offering a workshop on Pruning Ornamental Plants with Patty Brown on Monday, Feb. 8 and Wednesday, Feb. 10, from 6:30 to 9听p.m., with a followup hands-on practice session on Saturday, Feb. 13, 9听a.m. to 12 p.m. Cost to members is $95, others $110. To register, call 250-479-6162 or email [email protected] for more information.
