A compressed spring of disappointments and delights.  The trials of "the winter of all winters " that divided and conquered garden plants in a hit and miss fashion that has no explanation. A front garden with established boxwood hedges is untouched while the neighbour only a few feet away has burnt offerings?.....

Cedar end caps to a yew hedge

The smell of spring

Pride and Joy

Another fantastic show of a clients wisteria. I truly enjoy pruning this beast several times a year. It grows on a hefty 1 inch square steel pipe frame.

Out with the Old and in with the New

The emergence of fresh new Beech leaves ejecting its winters cloak...a true sign of spring.

Hanami Season

Its Hanami Season in High Park and the Sakura blossoms are at peak. On April 1, 1959, Japanese ambassador to Canada, Toru-Hagiwara, presented 200 Japanese Somei-Yoshino Sakurathe on behalf of the citizens of Tokyo a gift to Toronto for their support of Japanese-Canadian refugees after the Second World War.

Spring Treasures

I am fortunate to have several garden mentors. Those that have encouraged me and helped feed my ongoing knowledge of plants and gardening. Marion Jarvie would be one of these Its always a pleasure to go help out in her incredible garden. So well designed,tended and cared for. Here are some pictures of the garden in this long cool spring we are having. Flower power is still abundant !! The Jarvie Garden is open to the public several times a year the first one this season is April 27 - 28 10 am til 4 pm check her website for the remaining dates this year.....enjoy.

 

Lonicera fragrantissima

The sweetest smelling harbinger of spring.......

Starting to fill in.......

Well my time in Barbados and this garden project is drawing to a close....Now into my 15th week and coming home to Toronto next week. Its been a challenging go of it but rewarding none the less. Several pounds lighter and several shades darker I prepare to hand over the garden to mother nature and the capable hands of a gardener neighbour to look in on things. Here are a few pics of how things are looking these days. Its amazing how quickly plants grow and mature here. And how quickly they can be destroyed by munching pests too!!!