2 Jun 2011

On This Day in History

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Forty six years ago today, at approximately eleven thirty seven in the morning, a wee lad was born. Light of hair and eyes, he was filled with energy and curiosity. More than one has commented that his first word was ‘why?’

DSC_0587 Pink and purple were favourite colours as a child, pink for the large Paeonia lactiflora that resided in the garden of his Grandmother, where he spent many of his formative years. It was under her watchful eye, that he developed his first true love and appreciation of horticulture.

DSC_0594 Many a weekend included walks in the nearby Darkling Woods were he was introduced to the magical world of shade. He was amazed [and continues to be held enthralled] by the stunning beauty that remained hidden amongst the shadows, and soon discovered that he too was a ‘shady character’ when it came to gardening!

DSC_0586 His unquenchable desire to learn more led him on a journey of discovery when it came time to create his own garden. While the tried and tested selections were definitely garden worthy, he wanted to search out plants that were as enchantingly beautiful as they were rare and unusual. It was at this point that he discovered the mesmerizing effect of the colour blue!

DSC_0581 Whether it be the pale blue of Phlox divaricatus ‘Montrose Tricolour,’ the icy blue of Corydalis flexuosa ‘Blue Panda,’ or the recently discovered electric blue of ‘Cory’s’ cousin, C. curvaflora var. Rosthornii ‘Blue Heron’ there is always room for another blue, and another, and yes, even ANOTHER! One can never have too much of a good thing!

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To mark his birthday, he created a new container planting consisting of a few of his favourite plants that he knew would be cramped if he had to find a spot in his already burgeoning garden. His trio consists of:

Hosta ‘Fire Island’

Persicaria microcephala ‘Red Dragon’

Athyrium x ‘Ghost’

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Thank you one and all for the warm birthday greetings! Amazingly, most made candid reference to my beloved blue, be it the sky or a photo!

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Happy birthday, Barry. Those are some very beautiful pictures of some great plants.What is the plant that looks like an epimedium with blue flowers? I don't think I have seen that before.

GRACE PETERSON said...

I love your container! You did a great job combining the three plants. Great contrast in color. Happy Birthday to you!

Deborah at Kilbourne Grove said...

What a great day in history it was!!!! Happy Birthday fellow Gemini

Shirley said...

Happy Birthday to you! 1965 was a good year! I love this planter design!

Unknown said...

Glad you had a wonderful birthday, Barry, and lots of blue blessings in the garden. Love, love, LOVE that container planting of all foliage stars!

Anna said...

I hope that your special day was filled with fun and flowers xxx

Paul Jung said...

Yes, 1965 was a very good year as we're about 3 months apart. Happy birthday and keep posting!

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Sweetie Sweetie Sweetie : )
I'm so sorry I am late with my best of wishes for your birthday !!
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY BARRY : )
I was lost in my garden as I ripped out the majority of plants to see what I could do to perk it up .. if you had seen me, you would have had a very HUGE laugh and that would have been a fun birthday gift to you ? wink wink
You are such a very endearing shady character .. so sensitive to every plant around you and perhaps some people ?
The plant world gained a tremendous positive force when you were born ! I am very glad to have met you sweetie : )
Rock on and keep loving that shady world of yours !
Joy

allanbecker-gardenguru said...

Happy Birthday from one blue flower aficionado to another.