Silver Fern

Iconic symbol of the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team and other national sports teams and athletes. I photographed this frond fragment on a trail in Otari-Wilton’s Bush, Wellington, NZ in March 2022.  Alsophina dealbata, can grow to 30 feet and the full fern frond can be 10 feet long. It is the underside that is white/silver.

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Butchart Gardens, Victoria, CanadaButchart Gardens, Victoria, Canada

Our club president recently had the chance to see the Butchart Gardens and loved it.  British Columbia may be a very different climate to San Diego but seeing a garden vision come to life is motivating for all gardeners.

Set on and in 55 acres of an abandoned quarry it is restorative living art.

The Butchart Gardens – Over 100 Years in Bloom – Victoria, Canada

 

My Spring BarometerMy Spring Barometer

Daffodils (Narcissus sp.) are classics of spring but not so common outdoors in San Diego gardens because of our warmer climate.  Many years ago, I planted the bulb from a (supermarket) potted gift bouquet into my garden.  Each year if it flowers (like this year) I know it has been cooler and wetter than normal.  Most years only the leaves emerge without a flower.

Shilin Gardens PavilionShilin Gardens Pavilion

The Shilin Gardens surround the official residence of past President Chiang Kai-shek and his wife Soong Mei-ling (Madame Chiang) in Taipei, Taiwan. The gardens contain ponds, rose gardens, fruit trees, orchid houses and native forest. The home itself is now a museum.