Observations in the Spring Garden
Published 1:30 am Saturday, May 30, 2026
Finally! Some warm…really warm…weather.
No sweaters and toque required once the sun is above the tree line. I can finally enjoy sitting under the grape arbour with a cup of coffee and enjoy the view in John’s back garden.
Okay. I admit I always claim the chair bathed in sun to offset any rogue breeze which randomly persists from the north.
One of the first eye-popper vistas I encounter as I duck under the pear tree on my way to my chair is Rhododendron ‘Scintillation’. Her regal 2.4×2.4 m (8×8 ft) frame is currently draped in masses of deliciously vibrant pink flower trusses.
I have mentioned this rhodo in one or two columns in the last 22 years … maybe more. But I am feeling nostalgic enough to mention ‘Scinty’ as we affectionately call her, yet one more time.
In case I have not told you, I found ‘Scinty’ in the delightful little nursery we had in Gold River. The owner, Mrs. Anderson, always offered a wonderful selection of plants for a small community of less than 2,000 residents. Feeling the need to find something suitable for a new bed near my front door, I took a wander through one day when I did not have my three “little monsters” in tow. It was a real treat to shop without kids even if it was for a plant.
The plant options were impressive so making a decision was agonizing. Do I buy a few perennials? Huh. The house sat several metres above the road and just on the downside of a curve to boot. No one would spot perennials driving by. And chances are I would not even enjoy them from my front room window as the deck jutted out a fair distance. Needed something bigger so I wandered through the shrub section and the rest is history.
‘Scintillation’ just happened to be in bloom which stopped me in my tracks but I must confess it was the name which convinced me I had to buy it. Who could resist such a moniker? Its very definition oozed beauty, lust and pleasurable interaction.
Needless to say, when moving day arrived and I had to leave my home in Gold River, ‘Scintillation’ was moving to the new home too. Thankfully, she transplanted nicely and has shown how much she likes her placement in the new garden each and every year since.
Have I raved enough about ‘Scinty’? Time to switch from large to small and introduce you to Sisyrinchium, or blue-eyed grass as it is commonly called.
Taking a tour around my front garden one sunny afternoon, I stopped dead, completely gob-smacked to utilize one of my 11-year-old grandson’s favourite words. The flower buds on my diminutive patch of Sisyrinchium ‘Devon Skies’ had broken open and looked absolutely stunning in a spotlight of afternoon sun. Took my breath, I swear. Quite a feat for a plant which only reaches about 15-20 cm (6-8 in) tall. The light was radiating on the pale sky-blue flowers, with the bright yellow centres back lit as they were against the darker blue throat.
I have another Sisyrinchium plant on the front edge of my island bed, called ‘Californian Skies’ which I also enjoy. However, it gets more shade so it is not even in bloom yet. And I don’t ever remember being gob-smacked by sunlight showcasing its flowers. Either I have never hit the right time of day to observe such an occurrence or the centre stage effect just does not reach this tiny plant. But for all of that, ‘Californian Skies’ is still a delight to behold as we enjoy our afternoon tea on the front porch.
Going back to nostalgia, I must mention one more plant – peony. And boy! Were the tree peonies ever gorgeous this year. Always thankful they transplanted so well, especially since they were dug up from the family garden in Victoria and planted in my garden, in January of all months! Now the herbaceous peonies are taking their turn to shine.
Rather fitting the peonies which came from our mothers’ gardens flower throughout the month when we celebrate Mother’s Day.