Spring Time in the Rockies

The snow is melting fast. I took a stroll around the garden today and noticed the lilac buds swelling, daffodils peaking out, and primroses almost ready to bloom, so it won't be long!  We have had a fairly mild winter but spring has seemed to be taking its time coming this year. 

Many geese and ducks are on the river these days.  The geese seem to be busy talking all day, even in the dark.  We are lucky to see so many waterfowl, our stretch of the river seems to be a stopping and
resting spot for many ducks that we don't see the rest of the year.

Kew Gardens

 

Paris

 

Keukenhof and Floriade

 

 

 

Untitled

Amsterdam is beautiful but cold and wet today.

We walked almost all the streets of Amsterdam. They are postcard perfect.

 

Amsterdam, here we come!

This time next week we will be in Amsterdam. Looking forward to our visit to the Keukenhof Gardens.

 

ILS Convention in Nancy France

Belle de Nancy

Spring in Nancy, France

I am so excited.  We just booked our flights for our trip to the International Lilac Convention in Nancy France the beginning of May.  We will be attending the convention and also visiting the Netherlands  to view the tulips at the Keukenhof Gardens.  It is only 3 months away.

November, and the petunias still bloom

I believe these petunias have set a record for the latest bloom here in my garden at Tete Jaune.

In spite of the of the cold and frosty landscape they are still a bright spot on the deck



Halloween Snowfall

We can usually expect snow for Halloween and here it is.  A good day to stay indoors and read gardening books!

It's Fall

Fall has arrived, most of the leaves have gone and we have had our first snow fall.  One of the bright spots in this picture has been the wonderful sunrise the last few mornings.  The mountains are absolutely beautiful with all the fresh snow on the peaks.

The other bright spot is a pot of petunias still blooming bravely on the front deck.  I am hoping they break the record set a few years ago.



Bubblegum Petunias - October 27, 2011





More Lilac Walk 2011

The Lilac Allee

Linda and Vanessa - Lilac Allee

Sensation in foreground
Peerless Pink and President Lincoln in background

Lilacs at the Culp Farm this spring

I'd like to share a few pictures of the lilacs at the Culp Farm this season. Like all the other lilacs in the valley, the blooms were amazing. What a show.

Blueberry Picking Time

This has been one of the best years for blueberries that I can remember. I have been picking berries in the Valley for over 50 years, so that is saying something. We have been picking buckets of them. There are literaly miles and miles of berries. I guess the cool wet summer has been good for something!

The pantry shelves are full of delicious sauces and jellies, and the freezer is stuffed with bags and bags of beautiful berries.

The Biggest Lilac

As the summer winds down, it is fun to look at some of the images we enjoyed this year. This was one of the best bloom years we have had .... possibly ever.
Bonnie Culp's lilacs were spectacular again. Here is a picture of Villosa. I think it must be the biggest lilac in the Robson Valley.

The Last of the Lilacs

Miss Kim

The lilacs are over for another year. What a spectacular bloom it was this year. Miss Kim perfumed the garden for almost two weeks. One could not help but breath in that wonderful scent all over the yard and garden.



The lilacs were followed by a great peony display. There were hundreds of blooms this year.

Ivory Silk

The tree lilacs also had many blooms. Ivory Silk has grown to about 25 feet. The Japanese tree lilac is much smaller, but I do like its shape much more.

Japanese Tree Lilac

More Lilac Walk Pictures

Here are some more pictures of the Lilac Walk

Sensation

Albert Holden

Lilac Walk 2011 - A Perfect Day

Lilac Hedge

Sunday, June 12 was the perfect day for a lilac walk. About 150 joined us to enjoy the lilacs at their best bloom in several years.

Approximately 85 lilacs were in bloom this year. Even a few in the new Bavarian Garden showed a bit of color.

Lilac Allee

Lilac Allee

After strolling through the garden, doing the lilac quiz and guessing how many lilacs were in the garden, guests enjoyed coffee and treats.