Hosta kikutii Var. yakusimensis 31 July 2022

In that other century our Kerrisdale corner garden had to be impeccable-looking all spring, summer and into fall. All kinds of garden societies wanted to see it and there were even buses coming from the US. I would have never snipped the 14 flower scapes (hosta-speak for stems) of my species hosta, Hosta kikutii var. yakusimensis. Everything had to look just right.

That was the case for the weekend in the beginning of June when I opened my Kits garden to the Vancouver Rose Society.

Now I am looking at huge clusters of open roses and I almost have no compunction in cutting off one for a scan.

With Rosemary around, we shared these individual plants. Now I find it difficult to talk to anybody about gardening, about my roses, hostas and of Rosemary’s beloved perennials. This is as difficult as doing the same with photography, be it digital or film.

The British amateur gardeners of the 19^th century usually had loads of money. Making money from their knowledge of plants was frowned upon. They were of a generation that knew about plants in gardens by the experience of observation through the years.

That concept is almost lost in this 21^st century. Now it is imperative to get a horticultural degree.

I am sure that I could impart lots of useful information about photography at Emily Carr but the folks there would demand a masters from some university including theirs.

Sharing involved a back and forth. Of that sharing, I can assure people who have gotten this far, that I share my garden with my two appreciative cats, Niño and Niña. The lounge in it.They seek the shade or in the winter sun themselves in sunny spots. I am unable to get their take on the garden and that is why I miss sharing opinions and information with Rosemary.

Unlike an archive of photographs, negatives, slides or digital storage devices a garden does not leave anything behind. Rosemary and my garden, particularly the one on Athlone Street, is only in my memory and my family’s and the few friends who may have enjoyed it.

Perhaps many years later our two granddaughters will remember of running in it and playing on the lawn. Lawns are now frowned upon as few know what it is to see a loved child playing on it.