walk around the burb

So I was having quite the day last week.  Thinking that there was absolutely no hope for any gardeners in this here town, I thought I would go on somewhat of an impromtu plant safari.  I should preface this to say that I had just visited 4 nurseries around town without any plant lust! WHAT?! Either I went to all the wrong places, or nurseries are feeling the FUNK of this colder than cold Junuary weather.  I was so upset by my lack of plant lust that I exclaimed profanities about living in the "armpit of the world" (I don't mean any offence; I can tend to be quite dramatic).  I needed to find some inspiration!  And while being very, very nil, I did stumble upon a few gems.

This grouping of timber bamboo and yucca gloriosa superba (I believe) was a definite winner.  Albeit somewhat ratty, I was very happy to see such a bold planting.  I really should have snapped a few more pictures but there seemed to be some weird exchanges going on across the street and I hurried myself along.  The yuccas actually had nice trunks to them.  I'll have to go back and pay this garden a visit.

And of course how could I not include a palm!? I absolutely love this palm tree!  Behind all of the other plants is a house built in a quasi Spanish Mediterranean style.  So what better than a palm tree! They are definitely on the right track with this one.  Imagine the very front by the house number replaced with an opuntia patch!  Would it be bad to guerilla garden that in?  Just so happen to drop an opuntia pad?

So I did manage to find some hope. "Some." And all that is to say, no, it's not the armpit of the world, but with all this rain and cold I feel justified in my usage of arm pit.  Equally nasty, smelly (liquid manure on the farms), and just down right dank.  I leave you with a rendition of "Where are you Christmas" from the The Grinch:

"Where are you summer?

Why can't I find you?

Why have you gone away?

Where is the warmth that, 

you used to shine down?

When are you here to stay?

I cannot take this this.

My heart is breaking.

Won't you please visit me!?"

drive by surprises

I was driving along, minding my business a few weeks ago when to my surprise two towering trachies just jumped out at me!! Along one of the busiest roads, someone appeared to have just planted two massive palm trees! While I don't condone most of what else is going on here, these palms are absolutely stunning!  So screech went the brakes, out came the camera phone, and here they are...

You can tell a lot of work actually went on here and so maybe it's still in pre-liminary stages. We shall wait and see.

impromptu palm safari!!!!

What a glorious morning! This morning I got up bright and early to meet a dear friend for breakfast and after went on an impromptu palm safari! What else would I do on a morning like today?  I was pleasantly surprised about my findings.  I should say that Abbotsford is no palmy place.  In fact, beautiful yards of any variety are seriously lacking.  Thankfully I have good palm radar!

But first, check out this stunning view of the Sumas flats!!

on a sunny day, Abbotsford is one of the most beautiful places!  We're even getting some nice fall colour

And the palm trees.... This first one I have known of for quite a while and so I thought it would be a great start to my safari... sorry I was a bit sheepish about getting up close and personal in this neighbourhood.  Notice how tall the palm is though? it is as tall as the garage and extends beyond the railing... 15 feet at least?

I was pretty stoked after the first stop ... and then around the corner - SURPRISE!  I love how fat that palm trunk is!  if only it had some yucca and agave friends!

This one has duck friends! maybe its a new trend, ornamental ducks and palm trees.

This palm is so welcoming!

This next one is a bit of a "where's Waldo"... on the left is a small trachycarpus fortunei and to the right is a potted canary island date palm!  I like their thinking!

UH OH!? I don't think these people expected their palms to survive. I sure hope they sacrifice the roof over the palms in the years to come! Besides the unfortunate issue that these homeowners will be facing, these are amazing palms!

I've been following this palm tree for a while now... It pops out against the dark colour of the house!

The Mac Daddy palm!!! Not only that, but I love the fire engine red door!  

I often forget that I can do my own palm safari in my backyard!!!!

Can you believe it was 40F when I took these photos!? palms literally make things feel all warm and fuzzy!!!