Plumbago

The past couple years I have become more mindful about looking after my houseplants. A couple are looking a little the worse for wear just now, however they all survived the summer. I didn't get anyone to come in, just ensured I was never away longer than nine days. I have stopped buying anything, no matter how lovely, that will not tolerate that much neglect. One of my succulents actually bloomed for the first time this June.

One thing I'm missing badly just now is the beautiful Cape leadwort featured in my user icon. It bloomed almost continuously for nine months, but perished sometime last winter when I went away for a few days and forgot to move it out of the hot southwest window in my bathroom. It was my favourite houseplant (partly because of the icon) and I almost cried when I got home. It was not finicky, just a victim of my absent-mindedness.

While I have a car, I must remember to drive out to Belgian Nurseries and replace it. They have a huge specimen covering a wall at the end of one greenhouse.

Coming later today: a description of the cottage woodland garden with photos. Now I'm off for my first visit to the Eramosa River since July, and then some much needed housework. All summer I have been stopping just long enough to dump camping gear and junk, and water the houseplants. The place is a shambles and I keep losing my keys and other essentials. This afternoon I'll start by tackling the kitchen and my desk.

Woodland garden

At the cottage I have a woodland garden. It arose from the clearing over the new septic bed, which was constructed in about 1996. Few trees needed to be cut, but the area lay in the deep shade of two large hemlocks and some other trees. My parents didn't want a lawn that needed to be cut, so I volunteered to build a garden. I had recently left my marital home with its big garden, and my hands were aching to work the soil.

I made a serious beginning one summer, then the garden was neglected for several seasons. This summer I returned to the project with help from Brenna.

I envisioned the garden incorporating those elements which characterize the land around our cottage property: rock, trees, water and woodland plants. My vision was partly inspired by photographs of Kokadera, the moss temple, in Kyoto, Japan. It would include mostly native flora with a few ornamental accents.

( A long descriptive ramble with two photos and links to more )

The complete photo tour appears in this gallery: 2004 Woodland Garden.