As I was uploading the photos for this post I suddenly noticed the monitor shaking... and the windows rattling... and OMG--the ceiling's going to come down on me! That's when I took off downstairs, seeking the safety of a nice, solid doorway. The cats ran off to find shelter, as well.
Of course, by the time I got downstairs it was all over. I wasn't even entirely sure if it had been an earthquake or if there was something seriously wrong with the house (roof caving in--who knows)! But within a few minutes I had confirmation that the entire city felt it, and within about half an hour the SO sent me:
AUTOMATIC EARTHQUAKE NOTIFICATION FROM THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA
The epicentre of the earthquake of 2010/06/23 at 17:41 (Universal Time) 34 KM N OF BUCKINGHAM, QUE.is located at latitude 45.88 N, longitude 75.48 W with a Richter magnitude of 5.1
Which was a shock as we're about five hours (by car) from the Quebec border. I can't believe we felt their quake in Toronto. I also just found out that it lasted 20 seconds, which is pretty long in earthquake terms, and much longer than I thought it lasted. Crazy. I hope everyone else affected is okay and not too freaked.
It's a good thing we have these photos of my garden to soothe our frazzled nerves! Click photos to enlarge...
I love the way the stem of this poppy has looped around:
I don't grow them for their flowers, but potatoes have surprisingly pretty blooms:
With a cluster of buds about to open:
I've probably mentioned it before but I'm not a fan of orange. Especially bright orange. Especially in the garden. Same goes for bright yellow. But for some reason I love my California poppies! They're so cheery. I just make sure to plant them off to the side where they won't get in the way of sightlines and clash with the rest of the garden.
A fresh bloom with a recently spent one:
Not only did this hydrangea bloom much earlier than the other two in my garden, but the individual flowers are huge (the flower clusters are average sized)!
The potato flowers again, taken a couple of days later; the cluster of buds is now a cluster of flowers:
I have an inordinate love of pansies and violas. I don't know what it is--maybe their colours or their cheery little "faces." The only time I've contemplated plant theft was over some johnny-jump-ups (hey, the garden had plenty to spare, but I'm happy to report I didn't give in to temptation--although I might ask the gardener for some if I ever see her/him out there).
Anyway, the first growing season after we moved to this house we bought and planted some pansies. Not only were they pretty but they lasted the entire summer (they usually prefer cooler weather). Despite my effort to keep up with deadheading, several of the plants must have gone to seed because ever since we've had pansies come up on their own each spring. I love it--no need to buy plants and every year there's a few more, not to mention new colour combinations. And that was a rather rambling introduction to the next few photos of our self-seeded pansies...
My 'Sorbet' peony (if that's what it is--I'm guessing) did really well this year. This flower happened to flop over onto the deck, and I thought it was purty...
Larkspur is a fantastic plant. If you want a smaller, less fussy version of delphiniums--this is the plant for you! It also has insecticidal properties, so in theory it'll keep the nasty bug population at bay. I need to plant more of these.
The last blooms of my Apothecary rose:
The nameless roses we brought from our last place:
Speaking of too-tall delphiniums:
Some photos of my 'Viking' rose:
'Sealand Gem' clematis mingling with the 'William Baffin' Explorer rose:
And yet more of the 'Viking' rose (I love pink roses--can you tell?)
Rose petals on one of the English lavenders:
I'm not sure what the point of potato flowers is (they don't seem to produce seeds) but I'm glad they're there. By the way, these are 'Yukon Gold' plants.
And one last look at the pansies...
My garden may not be fancy, professionally designed and full of the trendiest plants (who gardens according to trends, anyway?), but it's a happy place and I love it :)
Photos by Whimsy Bower
[Edited for formatting and to update links. Follow me on my official site: AspasiaSBissas.com]
5 comments:
Good to know that you are well. A friend in Toronto felt it too.
Love your flowers and take care.
Thank you :) Apparently people in parts of the States felt it too. Too much excitement for these parts!
Your right your garden may not be fancy, professionally designed and full of the trendiest plants, but its YOUR happy place :) and that is the most important part I think.
I've enjoyed looking at the colours of your flowers. I don't have many flowers in my garden, just a small veg plot. Small as it is - it too is my happy place.
Its been a while since I felt an earthquake, not a good feeling at all. Good to read all is well where you are.
Oh I forgot to add, I too like the potato flowers, as well as eating them, thats the potaotes - not the flowers. :D
Happy growing.
Gardens are magical places, no matter what their size :) I haven't planted very much in the way of veggies in the past several years, but I'm getting back into it now. There's something kind of awesome about stepping outside your door and gathering food you've grown!
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