Snow Upon the Allotment

I found myself walking home in a snowfall yesterday. It turned out to be the most snow the city has received on a November 9th in more than 50 years. During my walk I passed a snow-covered street sign that inspired some melancholy and a poem.

Snow Upon the Allotment

There never was a sadder scene

than snow upon the allotment green

Plants not ready to give up

yet winter says 'that's quite enough'

Worry not my little plot

Rest and wait and dream

Until the sun warms again

the soil of the allotment green

Sigh. It's never too soon to start counting down to spring.

Happy Gardening!

Glory of the Snow

Winter stuck around too long this year, or maybe an especially wintery winter made it seem that way. Either way, it is only now, nearly late April, that we are starting to see some early spring bloomers. Chionodoxa is one of those flowers. It is also known by the name Glory of the Snow for its ability to bloom and delight even when the landscape remains snow-covered.

Glory of the Snow blooming in my garden

I have a good few weeks of poetry production, and I wanted to keep my streak going, so I challenged myself to write a poem about this small flower.

In Greek, chion means snow and
doxa means glory

When inspiration failed to strike and I was at a loss as to where to begin, I decided that format would dictate the process. I decided to write an acrostic poem to speed things along. The first letter of each line of the poem spells something new when read vertically. This ended up being harder than I thought. I spent a lot of time thing of words that begin with "N" or "O".  There aren't as many as you might think. This poem took a while, and I put it away for days at a time. I think the final product turned out okay.

Glory of the Snow
Grandeur waits beneath the snow

Latent until the thaw

Opportune blue tableau

Renders muzzled winter's maw

Yielding to aurora's balm

Opens the cobalt flower

Fabled strength, resilience, calm

Temper winter's power

Hale floral star

Elicit spring's potential

Sing your sweet serenade

Navy veil gently billow

On earth's frosted mantle

Wasting not a chance to sway

Delightful!

Glory of the Snow is a prolific self-seeder. It will multiply and naturalize. For now, it is not considered an invasive plant, and I am glad for that. If I had to yank it out, I would miss the colour it brings to the early springtime garden.

Happy Gardening!

I Planted Winter Roses

The flowers that bloom at this time of year have to be tough. The calendar says April, which brings to mind the sunshine and warmth of spring. The reality, however, is much different. This week alone has brought snow, sleet, rain, gusting winds, and sub-zero temperatures. Through it all, the Hellebores bloom.

Hellebores in bloom

There's a duality to Hellebores. On the one hand, they symbolize peace, tranquility, and new beginnings. On the other hand, there is a negative view of this plant fuelled by both history and legend. Hellebores have been associated with stress, anxiety and scandal. The Victorians associated Hellebores with delirium. In Greek mythology, the plant was used to treat madness. 

Hellebore backlit by sunshine

These negative associations brought up some negative associations of my own. My childhood and early adult years were difficult. One individual was responsible, and I cut that person out of my life as much as realistically possible a long time ago. Life, as a result, is so much better. It's harder to cut out the memories and the lingering emotions, though. They spring up whenever they feel like it. This week, while admiring the Hellebores, I was reminded that the individual who made my life hell once uprooted a holly shrub I had planted and broke every branch with glee. The holly was beyond saving and I was devastated. It was another hurt in a long list of hurts. I tried to capture that tough time in my life in a poem.

I Planted Winter Roses

I shrank away
from your choleric temperament

when the yellow bile rose

and the irrational anger seared

I recoiled from unkind words

spewed with spittle

flinched at the knife cutting

through supper with spite

suffocated in the river of resentment

flowing from the icy headwaters

of your black heart

My flesh stinging

my ears ringing

at the fury of your fist

meeting the steady pulse

of my temple

pounding loose delusions

that the cruelty would end

I withdrew

I hid behind a locked door

I let my wounds weep

The melancholy swelled

and when my soul

could take no more

I stepped outside

Ignoring you

I planted winter roses

Hellebores are also known as winter roses

Hellebores are also known as winter roses, Lenten roses, or Christmas roses. They have no connection to the roses, however. They are part of the buttercup family. Despite the negative associations that come with these early springtime bloomers, the act of planting (regardless of the plant's reputation, earned or unearned) is an act of hope, and sometimes, that is all you need to keep going.

Happy Gardening!

Green Fortune

 

Pak choi sprouts grow under
grow lights in my kitchen

Did some pak choi sprouts and a seed packet inspire a new poem this week? Why, yes! Yes they did. Head over to my new blog site to read Green Fortune!

Happy Gardening!

Scatter Me

March 2025 has been a miserable month. Cold, grey, and rainy. Today, much of the southern part of the province is recovering from a significant ice storm. After the winter we just had, March has been especially cruel. I count only one really nice day this month, and that is, quite frankly, depressing. March is supposed to offer hope amid the gloom. It has failed to make any effort whatsoever in that regard. Boo!

A half-hearted showing from the crocus.
They tried, but frigid and wet conditions (plus hungry
squirrels) kept blooms to a modest display. 

A few crocus have appeared, and my heart leaped with joy to see them. The flowers, however didn't stick around for long. They barely opened, and when they did, they were quickly devoured by hungry squirrels. I guess the squirrels had a rough winter, too. All this disappointment reminded me of a poem I wrote last year that features my beloved little crocus but whose subject matter is a tad sombre.

A hint of sunshine, but not enough to
coax the blooms to open.

Scatter Me

Scatter me among the crocus
when I’m dead and gone
Let me sleep among the flowers
singing springtime’s earliest song
Leave me be where I was happy
in the woodlands and the valleys

Scatter me among the crocus
when I’m gone

Let me sleep among the daisies
when my time is done
Rest in fields that stretch forever
gaze on skies that go on and on
Leave me be where life was easy
where I felt free and light and breezy
Let me sleep among the daisies 
when I’m gone

Leave me be among the clover
when I’ve seen my final dawn

Lay me down upon the green Earth
that gave so much so long
I have one last chance to nurture
to feed a lasting future
Leave me be among the clover
when I’m gone

Scatter me among the crocus 
when I’m dead and gone
Let me sleep among the flowers
singing springtime’s hopeful song
Leave me be where I was happy
in the soil on dirty hands and knees
Scatter me among the crocus
when I’m gone

A modest display

I hope that wasn't too dark. Perhaps lightening up the mood a bit is in order, so allow me to share this story. I don't remember what inspired this poem. I do remember humming a tune as I put words to paper. It was only after the poem was finished, typed up, and the "save" button selected, that I recognized a familiar cadence and phrasing. I'm pretty sure I wrote a poem set at least partly to the tune of "Oh, Susanna." I guess stranger things have happened.

More crocus will come. The best is still ahead of us.

Happy Gardening (once we eventually get there)!

For Catherine

A colleague of mine called it a career this week and, as these things often go, I found the occasion to be bittersweet. I wanted to mark the milestone in a special way, and so a poem emerged about the garden that we cared for. The poem is called For Catherine. Check it out at my new blog My Roots Run Deeper.

Hollyhocks in the garden at Colborne Lodge

Birdsong Cabaret

I've really gotten into birds lately, and I'm very lucky that life allows me to attend places where I can see them in large numbers. Even before I took a particular interest in them, I always knew it was spring when the birds would wake me up with their songs early in the morning, before the sun came out and cast light on the day. That happened today for the first time this year, so it must truly be spring.  The experience inspired a Haiku.

Birdsong Cabaret

Four a.m. birdsong
Awakens in darkest day

Earth's bright cabaret

A haiku that happens to rhyme. Is that allowed? Lol. Here are some of the birds I have seen recently.

Red-winged Blackbird in High Park.
Listen for their unmistakable trill.
Watch out when they are
protecting their nests. 
They will dive bomb you!

American Robin in Toronto.
A true harbinger of spring.

A Song Sparrow in Tiny Marsh.
Not especially trusting of humans, but
happy to share its song.

Happy Birdwatching! Happy Gardening!

The Blue Flower of Bhutan

Be sure to check out my short story The Blue Flower of Bhutan and other garden-related posts on my blog My Roots Run Deep II.  In the meantime, enjoy these pictures of blue poppies taken in 2019 at Memorial University Botanical Garden in Newfoundland.

Happy Gardening!

Bittersweet Daylilies

As always, the summer is too short.  The appearance of the final daylilies is always bittersweet.

Exceptional colour from these daylilies

Hope you are all having a great summer!

Enjoy every fleeting moment.

Happy Gardening!

Reaching for the Dirt : A Return to Garden Blogging

After an extended absence from garden blogging, I'm reviving My Roots Run Deep ahead of the 2021 garden season. 

Keep an eye on your bloodroot.
The flowers of this early spring bloomer are
fleeting and may last for only a day.

Last March, when we first felt the seismic effects of the pandemic here in Toronto, instinctively, I reached for the dirt. I understood immediately that my garden would provide the relief I needed from events unfolding around the globe. For the first time in years, with nothing but time on my hands, I immersed myself totally and completely in rediscovering my garden: the lush greens of wild gingers and ostrich ferns; the ephemeral beauty of serviceberry blossoms and bloodroot; the unabashed flamboyance of redbud and magnolia; the intoxicating scent of lilacs and peonies; and the rugged obstinacy of epimedium and haskap. 

Lilac Ludwig Spaeth adds an exhilarating fragrance to the garden.

What a revelation it was. I had been away from the garden for far too long.

And so I have returned.

In the days and months ahead, I hope you'll join me here for garden advice and reflections. Only 37 days until spring. 

Alliums all in row

 

You can find all my latest blog posts at My Roots Run Deep II

Crocus Not As Advertised

It's great to see the crocus in bloom.  These were unexpected, however.  Planted last fall, the bulbs were a promising, new and exciting addition to the garden.

This is what I was hoping for. I'm not sure if these yellow-flowered bulbs were mislabelled or if the orange ones never came up and I'm now mistaking them for the yellow ones. It's easy to lose track of all the crocus in the garden. Has anyone ever seen an "Orange Monarch" in bloom?

First Crocus

First Crocus

After the first real winter we have had in about four years, the sight of the first crocus is more welcome than ever.  The tradition continues:  I have no idea what variety this is.

Attention Toronto Gardeners

My Roots Run Deep has been dormant for some time, but with good reason.  This gardener has been busy blogging for a great Toronto garden club.  Please check out the North Toronto Horticultural Society blog for upcoming meetings and lots of great garden information and advice.  And don't hesitate to stop by and say hello.  We get together every month at the Toronto Botanical Garden which is easy to get to by either car or transit.

Parade of Spring Bloomers

Spring marches on.  So many blooms.  So little time to blog. Here is the parade of flowers in my spring garden.

Eastern Redbud

Old-Fashioned Bleeding Heart

Grape Hyacinth

Pulmonaria "Silver Streamers"

Serviceberry

PJM Rhododendron

Wood Poppy

Epimedium "Orange Konigin"

Tulipa Sylvestris

Although there are more blooms to come, the flower parade is slowing down.  A towering Norway Maple has already plunged the garden into dense shade, creating conditions for an urban woodland garden.  These springtime blooms usher out the winter and now that their job is done, foliage and groundcovers will take over the show providing a cool and restful space at the height of summer heat.    

Three New Daffodils

Three new daffodils are blooming but I don't know what they are. I planted 15 new daffodil bulbs last fall. 5 came in a bag labeled "Variant." 10 came in a bag labeled "Sorcerer." I thought I was planting two varieties of daffodil. Apparently not. Now that spring is here, there are three distinct daffodils in bloom.

I love the pure white petals on this daffodil. The pink cup was totally unexpected (pink is not my first choice when selecting daffodils). And yet, compared to pink cups I have seen and grown, I quite like this one.

This small-cupped daffodil could be "Sorcerer." I found only one image of "Sorcerer" online and this comes pretty close.

This is the largest daffodil bloom I have ever seen. It is freakishly huge and the stems bend under the weight of the flower. The colour succession on this flower is quite dramatic: the orange cup is surrounded by yellow petals that fade to white at the tips. Very interesting.

The true identities of these daffodils may forever be a mystery to me. Just another reason to never trust a plant label.

An Exceptional Year for Daffodils

It has been an exceptional year for daffodils. One of my favourites is "Barrett Browning," with its white petals and frilly orange cup. The water droplets are a nice touch. This daffodil has under-performed in the last two years. It is said to be a good naturalizer, however, so I hope it eventually finds its stride because it really is a beauty.

"Minnow" is a miniature with a bloom about the size of a thumb print. Even a small grouping of "Minnow" looks very impressive as each stem can carry multiple blooms.

The King Alfreds (which aren't really King Alfreds) look stunning as usual.

Tete-a-Tete, another miniature, continues to bloom its little head off. The first blooms appeared in late March. This is a garden work-horse. I dare say it's a guaranteed bloomer even for gardeners who have a lot of bad luck.

This unknown daffodil variety continues to be my favourite. It has returned reliably for years.

I was worried for the daffodils during our March heatwave. But now that temperatures have returned to seasonal and even a little below seasonal, the daffodils seem quite content and I am more than happy to enjoy their long-lasting blooms.

Time for Tete-a-Tete

The Tete-a-Tete daffodils have been in bloom for a couple of days already. Through sheer luck I've managed to place them in such a way that a few clumps are poking through the cinammon-peach foliage of the "Southern Comfort" Coral Bells. Despite my various attempts at garden design, some of the most pleasing combinations in the garden are simply a fluke.

Tete-a-Tete is a miniature daffodil with a real sense of drama. Notice how the petals flare back and away from the cup? That's some serious floral attitude.

There are so many reasons to grow Tete-a-Tete. The bulbs bloom reliably and profusely. The flowers are long-lasting, much more so than regular daffodils. Tete-a-Tete is a very early bloomer. Once the crocus are done, Tete-a-Tete fills the garden with sunshine. Their diminutive size is very charming. And, perhaps the reason I love them most: the squirrels don't touch them. If you are looking for an easy bulb that all but guarantees lots of blooms Tete-a-Tete is a winner.

Three New Crocus in Bloom

The giant crocus are in bloom. Here's a nice bunch of "Pickwick."

"Pickwick" is definitely the showiest crocus in the garden with its many stripes. If it weren't a flower it might be a delightful hard candy. It's certainly a popular choice among gardeners: I've seen many of these fancy crocus in bloom throughout the neighbourhood.

Another giant is "Jeanne d'Arc." It has a massive flower that is pure white.

This is "Silver Coral," another white bloom distinguishable by its pale purple base.

I'm still waiting to see Crocus "Advance." The first time I planted "Advance" the corms were mislabeled. I got what appears to be "Spring Beauty" instead. So I tried again, planting some "Advance" last fall but so far it has not made an appearance. Despite some confusion over the names of several similar white/purple varieties and the inevitable damage by squirrels, it has been an excellent year for the crocus.

Crocus: Yalta and Prince Claus

Happy spring! There's one new crocus in bloom to welcome the changing of the season. Crocus "Yalta" was easy to identify with its distinct pattern of alternating purple and white petals.

Sadly, out of the twenty I planted, only two are in bloom. I've said it before and I'll say it again: squirrels! I hope these flowers make a comeback next spring. They are an eye-catcher.

After staring at this bunch long enough I have convinced myself that these flowers are Crocus "Prince Claus."

"Prince Claus" has what I would call "smudgy" purple highlights on the outside of the petals (as opposed to the distinct stripes and feathers of Crocus "Fuscotinctus".

There are a few crocus varieties that have yet to appear including some of the Dutch Giants but I would say the majority have bloomed and are already fading. Hard to believe that's the case on the first day of spring.