Brenda's Blooms

I surely wish I had read this great column from Brian Minter when I first started gardening many, many years ago. Of all the fantastic gardeners who share their knowledge one way or another in British Columbia, Brian Minter is likely my favourite. I remember earlier in my gardening life when the Gardens West magazine was still being published monthly, waiting anxiously for the January, February edition where Brian Minter would post an article on new edition plants! I went... to bed with a pad and pen to write down my wish list! This article is from the Vancouver Sun via my Dad who has an online subscription. If the link doesn't work, please let me know and I will delete the post. I hope it does! https://epaper.vancouversun.com//csb_lMqHkRgge6537_I04r1gD

The warm weather and sunny days means veggie starts are ready earlier than expected!! 6 pack vegetables $2.99 each!! We have Arugula, Beets, Lettuces, Onions,... Peas, Spinach, Swiss Chard and Turnips! Open Thursday to Sunday 12:30-4:30!

Here is the Winter Edition of the British Columbia Iris Society newsletter. It looks like an awesome 2024 conference is in the works on Vancouver Island. Looking for any type of Iris in BC ? Check out this newsletter! https://www.bcirissociety.com/winter-issue-of-the-rainbow-/

I have used heliotrope in hanging baskets and planters and tubs filled with annuals but I never knew they were so toxic. A heads up if you have dogs and perhaps even cats. A very sad story.

Not to mention how completely beneficial they are to bees.

I ALWAYS make sure I leave lots of carrots on Christmas Eve!

The Cowichan Valley Rhododendron Society is active and includes some very talented and expert rhodoholics! One of those is Alan Sandy Campbell. Actually those are two folks - husband Alan and wife Sandy, and their garden is beyond spectacular. Last night was the Christmas party for the Cowichan Valley Rhododendron Society and, of course, it was online. Every year they have a photo contest and every year it is very hotly contested! ... This year, the Best Overall Photo Winner is Alan Campbell! Over the years, this isn't his first win. The picture is of R. (cinnabarinun) blandfordiiflorum . Isn't it gorgeous???

UPDATE! - Roadside stand standing back up on its feet Tremendous heartfelt thanks to two men and a lady who took no time at all to stand it up! This is just such an awesome Community! When I asked if I could get them something one fellow said 'Just a smile'. Well here I am.......still grinning! Holy Moly! During last night's windstorm my cute little roadside stand blew right over and into the driveway. It's small but it is certainly not lightweight. I have tried and tr...ied to stand it back up and away from the gate. At this point, I can't open the gate. Could anyone heading down Koksilah to Allenby help me to stand it up. I won't try to get it back to its original spot now. Obviously more engineering needed to stop this from happening again. It's a 1-3 person job but could be done very quickly. I am across the street from Cowichan Milk Company just a bit further down heading to Dingwall. 4605 Koksilah Road. I am the one with the roadside stand on it's side in the driveway! So many thanks! See more

I have been VERY negligent in posting on Brenda's Blooms since COVID 19. My roadside stand isn't suitable for the type of buying I like to provide with explanations and garden tours. The plants have kept growing however and I am hoping for 3 - 5 perennial plant sales for next year. I hope all of you have been able to stay safe. ... This is one of the views outside my back porch today. I bought this Katsura tree at a plant sale and it was 1 foot tall seven years ago. Obviously it is enjoying the exposure and the soil! It's a perfect example of a tree I enjoy - healthy, hardy, with beautiful changing colours. Do you have a favourite tree? What are their credentials?

Tomorrow, September 10th, 5 years ago I went to Ohio and picked up Jolene. JoJo has been a cherished member of my family ever since. It would take 12 paragraphs or more to tell of all her fantastic traits and her funny quirks......so I won't. My friend Mendy has many skills (and a few funny quirks) and she decided to make a few clay Corgis..............from scratch. She made this outstanding one of Jolene and once again Jolene is going to travel from Eastern US (Indiana...) to Vancouver Island and she shall sit in a place of honour in the living room. If you have ever seen JoJo in the flesh, you will know this is a VERY good likeness. I shall have to get my will done to include this clay Corgi. It will be worth millions once the word is spread that Mendy is taking commissions! Why does an old 67 year old gal still cherish these Corgi items? Well, it's just something I love to collect. Something as special as this Jolene had to be obtained and that's one of my quirks! So there. Better pictures coming when she arrives without quite so much background and without her standing on this pointy looking mat See more