Little Blue Pill Bug

Has anyone ever see a blue pill bug before?? First time for me. Bev kept finding them around her big ash street-tree today. I took one picture on her garden table before my battery died.

Autumn lights

A week of fabulous fall colour, and I've been remiss recording it with my camera! These last few evenings, the dying light (around 6:00) has filled the sky with a luminous glow that pops the autumn colours like a technicolour scene from The Wizard of Oz. And I've been too busy scrabbling the last few bulbs into the soil like a frenzied squirrel to run for the camera. So here's a couple trippy spinning shots on the way home--in the dark.

Proof.

Do you believe? Love it.

Even on Halloween, I'm working...

This bush kept running away and jumping at people. A very odd species: difficult to control. I generally choose plants that are more...rooted. If you are new or prospective client, seeking assurance of my reliability and professionalism, I really have no idea who that white-haired lady is.

Crown Imperial...

I've never planted Crown Imperials/Fritillaria imperialis before: tall and decadent (apparently) and a common sight if you were hanging around the imperial court of Austria around the 18th Century (I think I made that up, but it might be true). So there will be a toast of Crown Royale on the pool deck at Roswitha's when the Crown Imperials bloom next...late spring (it says on the package).
Note: I did plant these sideways (bulbs always find their way up, even if they are upside down) because they are strangely bowl-like, and I wonder if a soggy Vancouver winter of rain would rot them out. So, I figure tipping them sideways is a safeguard.

Pink Pagoda...

Nice tree--took these pics about a month ago at Van Dusen Gardens. Have been trying to track a Pink Pagoda down for Daphne's woodland garden, to no avail. Possibly available in the spring. Except for the large construction crane (small detail) the bottom photo is almost idyllic. Love Mountain Ash in general--so do birds--but the pinks are not in common use. Wonder why. Nice tree.