One of the sad consequences of moving from a large garden to a very small one is that one has to play Noah in a botanical Noah’s ark.

When we moved from our large Kerrisdale corner garden almost two years ago to a Kitsilano duplex I suffered anguish with my hostas and roses. Rosemary had the same situation with her perennials.

With the roses I took the ones that would be hardy to my eldest daughter’s place in very cold (and very hot) Lillooet. Most of my Gallicas transferred just fine.

One our favourite plants was Camellia x williamsii ‘Donation’. We brought it to our new place. It did not like to move and in last spring all its buds fell off. Many of the branches were dead. Rosemary was almost in tears. I told her to have some patience.

Patience won out and our camellia today has its first bloom. It opened a couple of days ago so it shows some wear. I was reluctant to cut it for the scan as there were two unopened buds below it.

To me the resurrection of Donation so close to Easter brings me hope that endurance is something we should all be able to experience particularly when things do not seem to be going one’s way.

Last night Rosemary and I went to our old house (it is in a sorry state of affairs). We did not trespass but did liberate three roses that were in the back lane. 

We both have some cuts and scratches. The three roses are in buckets with water. I will have to decide what to do with them. I think I can plant two. Perhaps Alexandra will take the larger one to Lillooet.