Begonia Sutherlandii

Photo by Gayla Trail  All Rights Reserved

Another plant from Barry’s garden. He had this one growing in a large green pot and sitting on a table with other orange-themed plants.

I think it might be time for me to publicly recant every bad thing I have ever said about begonias in the past. Especially now that I am in love with tuberous begonias and have been growing a few of my own for years. I love the soft orange flowers and deep orange veining in the leaves of this type.

I’m sorry begonias of the world. You are not all ugly little plants destined for a cheap public parks garden in the shape of a maple leaf. Or giant clock. Or a giant clock backed by a giant maple leaf.

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Handy Garden Tip: Hair Bobble Tomato Tie

Photo by Gayla Trail  All Rights Reserved

A friend gave me a pack of these “I Double Heart Jesus” hair bobbles years back and I’ve been trying to find an excuse to keep them ever since.

I lived the bulk of my life with long hair until I cut it all off around age 30. Chances are good that I’m well over the long hair phase. Say in the future I did fancy long hair again, would I really tie it back with “I Double Heart Jesus” flower-shaped hair bobbles? While pushing 40? And not attending raves or under the influence of any drugs whatsoever?

Never say never, I suppose.

I’m on a Get Rid of it All bender lately, which is oddly corresponding with a Must Preserve Everything bender. So basically I’m casting things aside and hoarding simultaneously. There’s a paradox. When I’m not spending my free time canning, I’m digging through drawers and closets searching for items to purge.

And then I came upon the “I Double Heart Jesus” hair bobbles. Stay or go? They can stay, but only with the provision that they serve a purpose.

And that is when it occurred to me that a hair bobble would make a simple to add and remove tie (just pop it on and off) for my growing tomatoes.

Some would be horrified. Some would say I am cluttering my garden with junk (too many pieces of flare!) and should stick to tasteful ties such as carefully knotted lengths of jute or quietly camouflaged pieces of green wire. I like those too, but right now, I’m enjoying the giggle I get whenever I spot an “I Double Heart Jesus” flower-shaped hair bobble while watering or tending to my plants.

One can’t always practice good taste. It can get a bit dull.

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Clematis fusca

Photo by Gayla Trail  All Rights Reserved

I am getting a first-rate education in the wide world of clematis from my visits to Barry’s garden. So far, I seem to lean towards the bell-shaped flowers and this may be my very favourite yet. It’s velvety!

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Bee Balm (Monarda)

Photo by Gayla Trail  All Rights Reserved

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Tansy & Spider Webs

Photo by Gayla Trail  All Rights Reserved

I recently happened on this year-old photo taken on a spring 2008 bike ride to The Leslie Spit. Looking back, it seems I take a lot of photos of tansy there. They’re one of those plants that are sorely overlooked as wasteland weeds but they have such good bones and are often the home of an interesting assortment of critters, at times an ecosystem in themselves.

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