My Bit of Heaven - by Kristl Walek

[Kristl Walek]

Heaths and Heathers are of course commonly known in this forum; however, this is not the case in Canada; where one struggles to grow them in many areas; if it is at all possible (I was not able to get them to survive in my area of Ontario). Now finding myself in a much warmer location, and on acid soil; means I might, in time, be able to grow some of Jill's progeny.

[cohan]

what fun to have new ennvirons and species to discover/view, and great luck to have a neighbour like that!

[Gerdk]

Yes, Gerd, this is Impatiens capensis (Jewelweed), which is native throughout North America.

Thank you Kristl! The species looks fine. There are citations it already grows as a newcomer in my region - have to look for it near the Rhine close to Düsseldorf.

Gerd

[Arykana]

Kristl,  your garden  really a "bit of heaven"

[Ragged Robin]

A wonderful nursery to have close by, Kristi, with some great combinations of heaths and heathers....very inspiring

[Kristl Walek]

I had never heard of Corema conradii until last year, when I sat with the Flora Of Nova Scotia, making lists of the species unique to this part of the world.

Corema (a two species genus) is a member of the Empetraceae (the Crowberries) and quite difficult to differentiate from the closely related Empetrum nigrum and E. rubrum (which are both present in the province) when not in bloom or in fruit. It is known as "Broom Crowberry."

It is a small, evergreen shrub, forming mats up to 2m wide, with needle-like foliage and pinkish/purplish flowers in early spring. Corema has dry fruit, while the Empetrums, which flower much later, form berries.

While at risk or threatened in many parts of its Atlantic USA range, it is secure in Nova Scotia.

Yesterday morning I drove up the Valley (the roadside a steady stream of Anaphalis margaritacea)  to a stretch of "sand barrens"  just along the highway. This ended up being one of the easiest botanical explores I have done: drive an hour; look for the sand; stop and walk a few meters. Had it not been over 30C in the shade, I could have handled a more extensive explore.

The area was in fact drifts of Corema, interspersed with drifts of  Comptonia peregrina, Arctostaphyllos uva-ursi and Vaccinium angustifolium. Kalmia angustifolia was dotted here and there.

Hudsonia ericoides is here as well, but I was unable to tolerate the extreme heat of the day to continue looking for it. Rubus hispidus trailed along in the moister, shadier areas.

[Kristl Walek]

and...

[fleurbleue]

Hello Kristl,
I have a Comptonia peregrinans in my garden. What does it need to thrive ? Here it grows very slowly 

[Kristl Walek]

Nicole,

Am cleaning Comptonia seed today---a beautifully fragrant reminder of why it is called "Sweet Fern".....

I know this shrub is rather rare in Europe. I also know it is difficult to establish---although one could never guess why when you see it in the wild, forming massive thickets where it is happy, spreading through rhizomes.

Everywhere I have encountered it, it is growing on well-drained, dry, acid, sandy, gravelly almost sterile soils. It is a fairly shade intolerant invader of newly opened canopies in the woods and on open disturbed sites.

In the garden, a hot, dry site, in acid sand would be ideal.

I am attaching a few more pictures.

[fleurbleue]

Thanks for all these informations Kristl, my garden should be suitable for it and my Comptonia has already got new sprouts.

[Kristl Walek]

Hurricaine Bill's arrival in Nova Scotia this weekend did not deter artists from all over the province arriving in Annapolis Royal for an annual event called "Painting the Town". Yesterday, the artists set up in various locations outdoors, created all day, with the results displayed in the Legion in the late afternoon, for a silent auction.

For some of the established artists, this event must have been charity, at best; to the delight of us bidders. David Lacey's "corner" was particularly packed as the clock ticked towards the close of the auction, bidder pencils in all hands, as the minutes were announced.

When the bidding ended at 6:00pm sharp, I was still in the midst of some last-second bidding wars and ended up going home with 3 new pieces to grace my new home (two of them David Lacey's).

And this morning I awoke to the rain and the winds of the hurricaine....mild, thus far....as I sit trying to catch up on long-overdue seed orders. I sit here wondering where the artists are working today --- as I intend to return to the gallery in the late afternoon to again peruse.

[Regelian]

Kristl,

what a great event!  Wish I could have been there, or even taken part.  For an artist, such gatherings are really fun, letting the inspirational juices ebb and flo in all directions, breaking out of the mold.  Sounds like a perfect spot for this, as well.  OK, post of shot of your new treasures!   I rather liked the colourfull 'marsh' scape in the third foto.  Nice use of colour, form and abstraction.

[Kristl Walek]

Jamie,

I can't even hang them yet until I get my walls painted....

David Lacey's
Fish -"Big Mack"
Red Sky

Pat Lohrenz
"Seaweed"

Terry Drahos
"Red Above Yellow"

[Maggi Young]

But Kristl.... get enough paintings and you won't need to paint the walls! 

Loving your selection.... especially the fish!

[Kristl Walek]

Maggi, that fish is so heavy (solid oak) that the artist had to carry it to the car for me...

This one won't go on the walls.