More favourite West End places

Posted on by Karen Sawatzky

My little stint of pretending to live in the West End is over. Back to my more familiar East Van turf. I’ll miss places and views like these. The gardens are under the Burrard Bridge. I think it must require a pretty expert gardener to make such a shady spot come to life like this. I’d love to meet whoever is responsible. I don’t think this garden is a community garden in the way that I normally define it (i.e a place where members of the public tend a plot and grow food) but it is open to the public, and I believe created and managed by one person – not sure. Like I said, would love to meet whoever that person or group is.

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The year that was in flowers

Posted on by Karen Sawatzky

My favourites of 2014, including ones I grew: my first rose, my first hollyhock, my first hydrangea, as well as sweet peas, gladioli, peonies, clematis, nasturtiums, cornflowers and zinnia (though not all shown). Others seen by the road, in gardens or bought.

First cut blossom from the first rose I’ve ever grown: Young Lycidas from David Austin. So glad I bought it.
Blossom from the first hollyhock I’ve grown.
My other best garden bouquet: Gladioli, hydrangea, rose, sweet peas
Garden bouquet: Gladioli and sweet peas
One of my best garden bouquets – gladioli, rose, sweet peas
One of my best garden bouquets – gladioli, rose, sweet peas
Two favourite things: my bike and my garden
Gladioli from my garden and sweet peas
My other best garden bouquet: Gladioli, hydrangea, rose, sweet peas
Not sure what these are called but seen at the Portland Rose Garden in Washington City Park.
View of Burrard Inlet from community garden off Ambleside Beach
In Strathcona Community Garden
Seen at the Portland Rose Garden
A greenhouse of nasturtiums at Fraser Commons Farm in Langley
Seen at the Portland Rose Garden
Seen at the Portland Rose Garden
Tulip bouquet arranged by the talented folks at Flowerbox on the Drive
Seen at the Portland Rose Garden
Seen at the Portland Rose Garden
My Young Lycidas
Castilleja (aka Indian Paintbrush) near Yachats, Oregon on the coastal highway
Lavender farm near Mount Hood
Seen in Queen Elizabeth Park
Perennial sweet peas by the road
Seen on East 10th. Flowers trailing over stone or concrete fences – love that..
Tulips!
A spectacular Asian Dogwood in Queen Elizabeth Park
Peonies, not mine, in Strathcona Community Garden
Irises behind a rusty cast iron fence, near the corner of Adanac and Commercial Dr.
Overlooking the Columbia Gorge at twilight, perennial sweet peas
In Strathcona Community Garden