Walking through Blossom

It's hard not to be awestruck at this time of year... the bursting forth of life, the abundance of colour, and the explosion of blossoms. On this last day of April, this post pays homage to a month of blossom.

The abundant cherry and plum blossoms are such a common part of the landscape it is easy to take them for granted. I've lived here now for five years, and still am amazed by these almost other-worldly transformations of trees. 

It's the end of April... the end of cherry blossom season. Beacon Hill Park.

While the cherry and plum blossoms are pastel pink, rhododendrons are vibrant and ostentatious. This was taken on Niagara Street.

Pink just doesn't stop... Montreal street

Rhododendrons outside James Bay United Church. I like how the pink and rust tones work together.

And of course, there are other colours besides pink! Tulips at the James Bay Inn on Government Street

The bluish-purple of camas. Most of the camas meadows are not fenced, and I'm not sure why this small area in Beacon Hill Park is, other than, perhaps as a study plot. I was surprised at how many more flowers were blooming inside the enclosed area! The white are a few fawn lilies at the end of their blooming season, and there's one yellow non-native daffodil.

I loved this window design at the Visitor Information Centre, with the reflection of the Empress Hotel in the background. The artist is Brianna Bear of the Songhees Nation. Her artist statement speaks to how we view dandelions as "weeds" but, what is a weed, really? She points out how dandelions can be used for teas, and salad greens. (Note: If you look closely, you can see the photographer's reflection in the glass!)

I'll finish this post with a spring image of a different sort.

Delicate Western Sword Fern (native) emerges, with non-native bluebells in the foreground.

Enjoy this season of renewal!

Spring, and the Beauty of "Modest"

Spring is unfolding on the west coast... although sometimes it's hard to tell the change of seasons, because so many gardens have colourful winter-blooming shrubs and plantings. Take heathers, for example. They are just one of many non-native plants which bloom over the winter in Victoria. I included one image in my last post; here's another.

A February image of heather

I could devote this post entirely to the colourful imported plants which spice up Victoria's grey winter months. But, instead, I want to focus on a few native plants which are blooming for spring in a more understated style. 

Here are several native plants, all close to home.

Osoberry in flower (also called Indian plum). The flowers were beginning to bud in late January.

I loved the delicacy of these flowers emerging on the Big Leaf Maple. Photo taken March 31.

Oregon grape, March 27. These blooms take me back to my time in the interior, when these roadside flowers were a sure sign of spring. This patch was most likely planted here as part of landscaping. 

Here's a close-up of Oregon grape from when I lived in Salmon Arm.

Detail of Oregon grape.

The not-so-modest Red-flowering current. This was blooming March 26.

Within a few days I'm sure I will find other "modest" native flowers emerging, such as the delicate fawn lily.

The delicate Fawn lily. I took this photo in early April last year; I look forward to discovering them soon. The flower in the foreground ready to open is either native camas or the non-native bluebell. I suspect the latter. Both look similar before they open.

A field of Fawn lilies. This photo was also from early April 2024.

Victoria has so much incredible blossom in spring, it is easy to focus on the streets lined with blooming trees, and miss the smaller native plants hugging the ground. This post pays homage to a few native plants that are less flamboyant than the non-native florals.