Winter Plants on Gabriola Island 2015

Clothed in a multitude of layers, including underwear, I am off to do a tour of our garden to see how the plants have survived the heavy rains we have been having.  It is 3* C today with high humidity and it is chilly out.  It is a day when it isn't pouring down rain.  There aren't many other gardeners on this island who are going out to check to see how their plants are doing.  Most are content to stay indoors by the woodstove until things warm up a bit more out there.

Our plants haven't liked all the rain and the cold snap and they stand forlornly waiting for it to pass.  It seems like the rhodos  have pulled their leaves in towards their bodies as if they are cold.  I have been assured it is the plant's way of taking it's external energy from it's leaves back into it's core until the temperature warms again.  It is hibernating.  As the temperature warms, the leaves will open again and reach up to the sun.

Then I notice that the rhodos that have pulled their leaves in close also have new flower buds growing. At the same time do they think spring is near?

Our camellia tree has started to form some nice flower buds on it, too.  This tree had a lot of seed pods on it this fall.  Most of the seeds have dropped off but some have burst open and remain on the tree.

Snowdrops are magically peaking through the composting dead leaves which cover the ground.  This is astounding as it is only December.


I lift the leaves on the helleborous "niger", commonly known as the Christmas Rose to find new flower buds just pushing up out of the ground.

Quiet Winter on the Island

It is the start of winter here.  The ground is cold but not frozen.  The trees have lost their leaves.  I feel the retraction of the sun and the shift to cloudier days and longer nights.  On this island, winter brings with it a dragging grayness in the sky.  I will admit I do struggle through the winter.  I miss the blue sky and sunlight.  At home I seek out warmth,  a wood fire, a cup of hot tea, a cozy blanket, extra socks and a good book.  I read, I write, I paint and I cook.

It is quiet on the island, the tourists and summer companies have all gone home.  Although I love the peace and quiet I find that I must discipline myself to get out of the house as I could turn into a hermit. I use photography as a means to record things that appeal to me.  Color, shape, line, texture and mood can be caught in a photo.  I find it interesting to take photos of the winter fog.

...and the fog rolls in again ... a white darkness...