Hunting Sedum spathulifolium

Hello plant people

It’s been a tad longer than I had expected, time flies when you’ve got your hands elbow deep in soil. I’ve been planting like crazy trying to take advantage of all this incredible spring energy. The season is starting a little earlier this year and the plants are just loving it. As to tempt the fates let me brag a little more about how frost free my back garden has been this season, it’s almost subtropical. Aeoniums growing outdoors, an echium stands proud at nearly 12 feet; perhaps climate change isn’t so bad after-all.

From the still moments of winter emerges a fury of activity. It’s finally March and it’s time to get out there and get your hands dirty. I decree it’s a prime season to do some gardening! Although heavy with rain, a pineapple express has been gusting through our island bringing in the most amazing warm temperatures. The other morning I was opening up my greenhouse to the the sounds of birds singing, a crisp freshness in the air, it’s serenity was absolute. I love my job.

Today I took some time away from the greenhouse and garden and hiked out in East Sooke Park. Would you believe it’s the first time I’ve been out there? I’ve lived in Victoria for almost 7 years now and still haven’t explored Aylard’s farm, for shame. Through raindrop and mud puddle my girlfriend and I spent an wet afternoon exploring beaches and salal meadows.  The lush temperate rain-forests prevalent on the coast of BC resemble a jungle-like setting a lot more than I often give credit. The place was absolutely bursting with life. With all the Skunk cabbage, sedums, orchids and lichen, you couldn’t imagine a place with more wild lushness. Sometimes I’m blind and nearly daft to how much diversity we have in our forests, but take a closer look, it’s picture perfect.

Oceanfront trees are naturally shaped and bonsai

Anyhow onto the topic at hand, Sedum spathulifolium. Just because I can’t make it to the deserts of the Baja or jungles of South America, doesn’t mean I can’t do a little plant exploring here at home. It’s no surprise to anyone on the coast that Sedum spathulifolium can be found pretty much anywhere moss grows comfortably. Often growing on exposed rock amongst the moss and lichens, this horticultural favorite grows effortlessly in some pretty obscure locations. It’s drought tolerant and changes colors depending on it’s growing conditions. The flowers in the spring are a electric yellow and suddenly succulent hillsides glow gold for a months on end. From the very first moment I encountered sedums I was in love. While some plant’s loose their luster over the years I still can’t help but stand and admire whenever I come across them.

Now for sedums in the wild.

Rattlesnake plantain (Goodyera oblongifolia)

Beautiful British Columbia. Mother Nature has got me beat again. . .

Until next time.