While Europe freezes Canada is having a very mild winter. In fact it's so mild flowers are blooming in February.

Flowers Past Present and Future.

October 23 is another beautiful fall day in Niagara. As I was doing some tidying around the garden I noticed a lot of color still. All pictures were taken today. Click on pictures for a closer look.

There's one thing that can be said about gardening, you can never be sure what to expect.


After a longer winter and a cool spring, I didn't expect much from some of my "marginally hardy" plants. It turns out many are doing things they've not done before. Three out of the four Magnolia grandifloras bloomed well this year. The Eucomis (Pineapple Lily) and Lagerstroemia (Crape myrtle) are both flowering for the first time, although both have been in the garden for years. The Fig has set fruit much earlier than normal, they might even ripen before frost.

View the slideshow below. All pictures were taken today and all plants are winter hardy in my garden without extra protection.

It's been a weird spring. After a very slow start, we had tons of rain, then the mercury shot to 33C. Today it's 20C. For a closer look click on the pictures

Magnolia Victoria is ready to bloom in spite of some winter damage.

Magnolia Edith Bogue has less damage, but no buds yet.

Magnolia DD Blanchard will bloom for the first time, which is strange because the winter was a bit longer and colder than last year.

Magnolia Brackens Brown Beauty was new last year, and it lost every leaf this winter. But it's making a comeback.

Yucca elata

Australian Tree Fern (which spends the winter inside)

Spotted Ligularia is a zone 7 plant that has done well here.

A new Fernspray Cypress

Satomi Dogwood

Sweet Shrub (Calycanthus) has flowers with a Pineapple fragrance.

Cactus patch

more Cactus patch

Aucuba

Alium and Foxtail Lily (Eremurus)