In digging a planting hole for a new treasure, I found a splendid example of the wild violet root system. How deep do you think they grow?
photo by SVSeekins
Deep. And Strong.
The primary root went at least 6 inches into the clay before sending out its feeder roots.
Who knows how much further those fine roots reach down to get moisture in a dry summer!
photo by SVSeekins
Can you imagine the mess I’d make trying to dig the wild violets out of our lawn? (I don’t bother coz I enjoy seeing them there … but…) Undoubtedly, some root would be left in the ground & in no time, the bees would be feeding on the violet’s sweet nectar again.
Some plants are so resilient. 🙂 Let’s hope my new treasure does half as well as the wild violets.
How often do you stop mid-errand to admire a roadside garden? I did just that the other day.
photo by SVSeekins
Cycling along Haultain in Fernwood, on the way to downtown Victoria, I’m caught off guard by a snowdrop meadow. I pull over & take a closer look.
The meadow runs the whole outside length of the fenceline. AND as it is a corner lot, so it runs along Forbes street, too! There was even a mini meadow on the wee boulevard right at the crosswalk. 🙂
photo by SVSeekins
The patches of snowdrops are interspersed with patches of daffodils. This winter meadow will morph into an early-spring meadow in another few weeks.
On closer inspection, I recognize Calendula (Pot Marigold), too. Even with our summer droughts, they’ll flower all summer & well into the fall!
photo by SVSeekins
All three are deer resistant.
The calendula will self-seed a crop for next year as well as feed the birds.
These folks put care & attention into the city boulevard beside their property. (Can you see him painting his fence in the distance?)
In my mind, this meadow has so much more going for it than the regular grass lawn. I’ll bet the bees & other beneficial insects like it a whole lot more, too.
There seems to be a buzz about Playfair Park this spring – and it’s not just the pollinators. Several people have told me about how spectacular its Camas meadow is. Of course, I had to check it out.
photo by SVSeekins
I used to think that Camas meadows were beautiful gifts from Mother Nature, but it turns out she’s had a helping hand. First Peoples farmed Camas for its food value. Their work created more intense swaths of blue each spring. Left untended these fruitful fields decline & are overtaken by more dominant species.
photo by SVSeekins
The Camas fields that are now Playfair Park succumbed to invasive grasses and introduced species. Fortunately, volunteer Colleen OBrien came on the scene around 2010 with grand ideas, determination and stamina. Over many years she’s gained the respect & cooperation of Saanich Parks, and their Pulling Together Program.
photo by SVSeekins
The Common Camas bloom (Camas quamash) was pretty much over when I arrived, but the Great Camas (Camassia leichtlinii) was in full glory. I stopped in my tracks, slack-jawed. It was so much more intense than I’d expected.
photo by SVSeekins
What a joy to wander the paths of this paradise. The over-the-top spectacle of the Camas is complemented by a striking variety of native companion plants:
photo by SVSeekins
Seablush (Plectritis congesta) on rocky outcrops will grow happily at only ankle height. In a deep soil meadow, it reaches my knees in little explosions of pink joy.
photo by SVSeekins
Spring Gold (Lomatium utriculatum) is the most recognized punch of color contrasting the Camas. Even its ferny foliage contrasts the long straps of the Camas leaves. The flat tops are great landing pads for pollinators to gather their wits until they decide where in this smorgasbord to head next.
photo by SVSeekins
Western Buttercup (Ranunculus occidentalis) is the royal relative of the common creeping weed that is the bain of Seekers-Of-The-Perfect-Lawn. This tall cousin also has a long bloom but is welcome in my garden anytime.
photo by SVSeekins
Pacific Sanicle (Sanicula crassicaulis) is a sturdy plant with palm-shaped leaves at its base & small pom-pom flowers on tall stems. Its deep tap-root reaches moisture even when the summer drought kills off other plants.
photo by SVSeekins
Fawn Lily (Erythronium oregonum) blooms early, often with the first of the common Camas. The white of the lily is a dramatic pop of contrast against the blue of the Camas. By the time the taller Great Camas blooms, the fawn lily bloom is completed and it’s setting seed.
photo by SVSeekins
Shooting Stars (Dodecatheon hendersonii) are spectacular on their own with their delicate, cyclamen-like blooms. They’re early bursts of colour in rocky outcrops and path edges. Once the taller Great Camas start to bloom, the Shooting Stars are easily overlooked.
photo by SVSeekins
Chocolate Lily (Fritillaria affinis) is much larger in stature (knee-high) but its color is so muted that it’s also easily overlooked among the blooming Camas. Sightings are few & far between. SM spotted a patch of them beneath a tree & pointed them out, otherwise I’d have walked past unknowing. Perhaps there are more around than I realized… perhaps not.
photo by SVSeekins
Yellow Montane Violet (Viola praemorsa) is the darling of the meadow. When Colleen first started the restoration, she was over the moon to find this endangered plant surviving. It’s red-listed in BC. Now, because of her attention, others have taken up the cause & also work at restoring populations.
photo by SVSeekins
This piece of land has gone through many changes since colonization. I’m glad that it was protected from more intense development. In the 50’s the park was ear-marked for an arboretum, but that didn’t go beyond the incredible planting of rhododendron that’ve made the park famous for decades.
photo by SVSeekins
I don’t think anyone really expected that those spring-blooming Rhododendrons would ever play second fiddle to this renewed native landscape. Colonization meets nature in this lovely garden.
Garden Variety Life 