Scented Leaf

Thuja Occidentalis, Eastern White Cedar

2012-01-30T16:02:00.000-08:00

Thuja Occidentalis, known also as Eastern White Cedar, Northern White Cedar, Eastern Arborvitae, Cèdre Blanc, Yellow Cedar or Thuya du Canada happens to be an evergreen native to North America, with the common name derivating from its lighted color of the wood.

Thuja Bonsai at Taguchi Bonsai Show 2011

Native trees are always a plus in growing bonsai since are easier to deal with climate conditions. White cedar is a member of Thuja genus, North American Cedars, ideal for bonsai, featuring deadwood, shari and jin. The photos depict nice specimens featured last spring at Taguchi Bonsai Show 2011. There is no problems wiring branches, either to pruning and pinching - it is a dwarf tree with relative small foliage having an almost pruned look, which do back buds on younger twigs and on the trunk, close to the old branches and has the ability to produce new branching. In the wild, its age can exceed 800 years - so it is one of the oldest trees of North America's woods. Its fibrous bark, red-brown to gray is a plus since it give an old appearance to bonsai.

Thuja Cascade Bonsai featured at Taguchi Bonsai Show 2011

Accordingly with "Flora of North America: Pteriodophytes and gymnosperms" book, published by Oxford University Press in 1993: "Thuja Occidentalis is widely utilized in ornamental silviculture and has more than 120 cultivars and was probably the first North American Tree introduced into Europe (ca. 1566). It is an important timber tree; the wood is used for applications requiring decay resistance. (p.411) "

Eastern White Cedar is a relative fast growing evergreen tree and, when young, it had a pyramidal shape and the shoots are flattened with short points and opposite fan-like leaves. It is very popular in landscaping and in Vancouver's parks and gardens is used as an ornamental tree and hedging plant. Its timber is widely used for log cabins, poles, wooden-ware, paneling and rustic fencing.

VanDusen Hedge Maze ( up to 3000 Thuia Occidentalis)

VanDusen natural Hedge Maze , the most impressive living labyrinth from British Columbia, has been created with up to 3,000 Thuia Occidentalis.


Minter Garden logo contains also Thuja occidentalis hedges

Minter Gardens' logo, has been also realized with thuja occidentalis.


Thuja Occidentalis at Kia Palano Totem-poles park at Capilano Suspension Bridge

Thuja Occidentalis is also present in Kia Palano Totem-Poles Park from Capilano Suspension Bridge park and nearby Totem-poles and Coast Salish Gateways from Stanley Park.

Similar with other conifers, the foliage, the fruits, the bark and the wood are strongly scented. The essential oil extracted from plant it is widely used in cosmetics products, homeopathic remedies and medicines. The foliage is also rich in Vitamin C and is used to make disinfectants, tincture and teas against constipation and headache.
Thuja Occidentalis is also a beneficial plant for wildlife habitats and source of nutrition for white-tailed deer, hare, squirrels and birds.

Pelargonium Rober's Lemon Rose

2012-01-27T21:08:00.000-08:00

Who can resist to the beauty of a Rober's Lemon Rose pelargonium? Its soft and hairy delicate leaves call to those who see it, begging people to touch and smell them.

One of the most prized scented plant in our garden, it has an intriguing evergreen foliage exuding by a pleasant lemon-rose aroma with irregularly lobed and toothed shape.

Some said that the leaves resemble the tomato leaves, perhaps for the triangular shape of the leaves and the hairy looks of them.

Rober's Lemon Rose is another larger-leafed pelargonium cultivar which hasn't a problem with watering, it is really tolerant to over- or under-watering due to its tuberous roots. It has a robust, upright growing habit; has semi-woody stem and its leaves respond well to reduce their size when potted in small pots ... these making it a good candidate for miniature gardens or bonsai.

Miniature Garden with Rober's Lemon Rose Scented Pelargonium

In the last few years we have grown nice specimens of this variety. We are sure that it is a hybrid, although we still have some doubts about the real origins of this cultivar. Unfortunately, like some other hybrids, there are no viable seeds produced from the multitude of flowers when in bloom and we propagate them by strong and healthy cuttings from mother-plant material.

Rober's Lemon Rose Flowers

Ya, I know, it's so easy for information to pile up and overwhelm... you may judge it by yourself:

In the "Aromatic Pelargoniums", (1974), Roger Swain referred (page 106) Pelargonium Rober's Lemon-Rose as a Pelargonium Graveolens cultivar.
On the "Pelargoniums Guide" published on the "The Herb Society of America" website, Pelargonium Rober's Lemon - Rose it is also referred (page 23) as a Pelargonium Graveolens cultivar.
In addition to other published books and online scientific works where it is reffered as a Pelargonium Graveolens cultivar, I found on "The Encyclopedia of Herbs" by Arthur O. Tucker and Thomas DeBaggio, at pages 375-376, that 'Rober's Lemon Rose' is a hybrid of Pelargonium Graveolens x Pelargonium Tomentosum that came from Ernest Rober in California in the 1940's, but the morphology and essential oil pattern suggest a chimera of Pelargonium Graveolens.

Why I was digging about it? I'm sure next pictures might lead you to think about their origins, too. Please let me know if you found some more info.

My challenge to you is to appreciate this unique foliage of a Rober's Lemon Rose stock plant, which become last year a "two-in-one" plant. If you look closely you'll find what I am talking about.

Two in one pelargonium sport; different leaves shapes and fragrance.

Surprisingly, last spring it made some new shoots and suckers with leaves looking and smelling differently - as you may notice in the photos. What?! You can't smell it ?! Hmmm, I'm still looking for a way to share the flavors ;-)

Close up of Pelargonium Two-in-one; please note the differences between leaves (right and left)

What are you thinking about its sports? Is the look of new leaves inherited from its parent: Pelargonium Graveolens?

ScentedLeaf Etsy Shop Grand Opening

2012-01-07T18:59:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

With the New Year, comes of course, resolutions. Our first one is an Etsy Shop, extending our experience selling online with eBay and Craigslist. Is not hard to fall in love with Etsy's artsy atmosphere and Community. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Our shop hasn't got much in it at the moment, but we will be adding things over the next coming weeks: miniature gardens, bonsai with our: "Edible, fragrant, very useful, showy, flowering, drought resistant, little care and very forgiving" Scented Pelargoniums and other fragrant & aromatic plants and seeds.

There are a lot of voices who predict that something spectacular may happen in 2012 ... we just hope that the only thing that will change human civilization forever will be ... our new scented plant which will peak in our garden as a result of our efforts to bread new varieties of scented pelargoniums :-)

Limited time offer: use coupon code SCENTEDLEAF001 for free shipping on our new Etsy shop: http://scentedleaf.etsy.com

May 2012 be a better year for all of us!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2011-12-24T19:48:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone from ScentedLeaf Team!

Did you hang up a stoking on your wall? Santa Claus is coming to town!
Just wanted to wish you and all yours a very happy Holiday.

Santa Claus Vancouver Parade 2011, The Spirit of Giving

2011-12-19T17:17:00.000-08:00

Santa Claus was coming early to Vancouver this year ... on December 5th.

Did you attend such an event before? Believe me, the spirit of Christmas was nurturing in everyone during that happy and festive hour of parade with a fantastic reaction of people to the beauty and joy, no matter what cultural or religious background they had.

The main sponsor of this event was Rogers, but was a real pleasure to see all teams who were featuring the Santa's Parade 2011 to Vancouver (the pictures proved this) : Vancouver Police, Vancouver Community Policing Centres,Toys4us, Worksafe BC, Kijiji, Naden Band from Victoria BC, Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services, Vancouver Ambulance, FALUN DAFA Organization, Purdy's Chocolate, Genesis Security, International Vancouver Airport, Eagle West, WAR AMPS, Vancouver Aquarium, Gingerbread Lane, Scouts Canada and Spartans.

Russian Theater Show was concurred by some music, dancing, gymnastics bands from Vancouver's, Burnaby and Richmond Schools - so many children giving of their time and skills for the others delight. Media was represented by CityTV, Breakfast Television BT, Mountain FM and Jack FM

The Spirit of Giving is in the air. Stay around for Santa Claus' return on Christmas Eve and join to Santa's and ScentedLeaf Giveaway 2011.

Santa Claus and ScentedLeaf Giveaway 2011

2011-12-17T09:37:00.000-08:00

The Christmas Eve is almost here ... and Santa Claus is Coming To Town, ScentedLeaf is helping him and brings you this "SCENTsational" Giveaway:

How would you like to win one of the 5 Great Prizes - pack of 10 Apple Scented Pelargonium seeds (Pelargonium Odoratissimum)

You better watch out ... this "SCENTsational" Giveaway from ScentedLeaf!
You better not cry... There are 5 great chances to win seeds of Apple Scented Pelargonium
Better not pout ... Edible, fragrant, useful, showy, flowering, drought resistant and very forgiving plant
I'm telling you why ... you can win by following this simple instructions
Santa Claus is coming to town ... yaaa, that's for sure

He's making a list ... Ok, Pack of 10 seeds of Apple scented Pelargonium seeds ... Check!
And checking it twice ... hmmm, there's more: 5 packs of Apple scented Pelargonium seeds!!!

Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice ... be nice and follow us on Twitter and Facebook
Santa Claus is coming to town ... Told Ya So!

He sees you when you're sleeping ... Hurry up ... only couple of days left!
He knows when you're awake ... Don't just sit here reading and singing ... enter this Giveaway!
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O! You better watch out! ... What I'm gonna do with you ?!
You better not cry ... Ok, take it easy ... there will be be other chances ... soon.
Better not pout ... Thank you for visiting.
I'm telling you why ... Merry Christmas!
Santa Claus is coming to town ... Merry Christmas!
Santa Claus is coming to town ... We wish you Merry Christmas ... and a Happy New Year!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Growth of a Tree, by Meish Goldish

2011-12-07T13:30:00.000-08:00

Planting a tree is an unforgettable practical experience for any kids. We keep our children attuned to many little gardening projects we do. Few days ago, when we've packed the outdoor bonsai and the seedlings in insulated packs for outside wintering, we started to talk again about the changing colors of autumn leaves (one of our preferred themes those days).

Then the discussion did take a new direction: what poems and songs they know about trees.

We had fun reciting or singing together many pieces. This one was our favorite.
I hope you enjoy it, too.

"Growth of a Tree"
by Meish Goldish.

I'm a little maple, oh so small,
In years ahead, I'll grow so tall!
With a lot of water, sun, and air,
I will soon be way up there!

Deep inside the soil my roots are found,
Drinking the water underground.
Water from the roots my trunk receives,
Then my trunk starts making leaves.

As I start to climb in altitude,
Leaves on my branches will make food.
Soon my trunk and branches will grow wide,
And I'll grow more bark outside!

I will be a maple very tall,
Losing my leaves when it is fall.
But when it is spring, new leaves will show.
How do trees grow? Now you know!

Saint Nicholas & ScentedLeaf Giveaway

2011-12-05T22:03:00.001-08:00

Saint Nicholas is coming to fill your boots with surprises ;-)
ScentedLeaf is helping him and offers one Giveaway: a FREE pack (10 seeds) of Coconut Scented Pelargonium aka Pelargonium Grossularioides.

Simply enter your information on the Rafflecopter form. There's no mandatory entry ... all of them are strictly optional and easy to complete. If you don't have these social media accounts, get them! They're totally free and worth the extra entries.

Happy St Nicholas Day!

P.S. We can take no responsibilities for any taxes (if applicable) and/or they are stopped at customs (we are selling seeds worldwide on Ebay so far without issues, but just in case ...)

UPDATE December 12th, 2011: The winner has been announced and contacted.
Thank you to all participants and good luck next time at
"Santa Claus and ScentedLeaf Giveaway 2011" .

The Secret Life of Plants

2011-12-01T14:39:00.001-08:00

There are many studies suggesting that plants do indeed react to music. Despite those facts that the effect of sound waves make plants to grow healthier and larger, I'm sure our plants are sensitive to music :-)

We like to listen music and maybe this is one of the best reason why our plants feel good, the scent of their foliage is so pronounced and their shoots are growing more quickly ;-)

(photo courtesy of wikipedia)

Long time ago I was listening Stevie Wonder’s album ‘Journey through the Secret Life of Plants’. Also, I have watched again ‘The Secret Life of Plants’ documentary realized in 1979, for some time now. This documentary, directed by Walon Green, was based on " The Secret Life of Plants" book by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird.

Well, I saw it on TV for the first time and remains one of my favorite documentary. Thanks to Joetuuper to share it on his youtube channel. If you have some time, you should see it by yourself.

I'm still in awe, after years and years...I'm sure you're really gonna enjoy it, too.

Pumpkins in Vancouver

2011-11-24T11:12:00.001-08:00

The harvest fall-themed decorations with pumpkins, hay, corn-shock, scarecrows, wheel barrows were very popular in Vancouver: at Capilano Suspension Bridge, UBC Botanical Garden, VanDusen Botanical Garden and in front of many stores and community gardens.

Fall- themed and BC native decorations at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Vancouver

I'm a big fan of autumn decor: the pretty foliage and the pumpkin patches, and believe me, in Vancouver you could enjoy fascinating displays at almost any step.

Pumpkins and scarecrow sitting near a bench at Capilano Suspension Bridge

Some of them really impressed me... hope you like them, too.

Fall-themed decor at VanDusen Botanical Garden

The scarecrows always look a little funny... and I really like to take a sit on a bench near them even I can't talk to them ;-)

Pumpkins at Capilano Suspension Bridge

Well... with the Holiday coming up, the pumpkins are always a hit ;-) Their taste and a traditional pumpkin pie aroma never fail to give something special to upcoming winter days.

Pumpkins Patch at UBC Botanical Garden

Hmm, I'll already miss them... it's just the time to make a move to the Christmas decorations and ornaments ;).

A Pleasant Urban Refuge for Birds

2011-11-23T11:23:00.001-08:00

We love to gather up the family and take a short ride to the Lost Lagoon any beautiful day.

Lost Lagoon remains a pleasant urban refuge for birds

We are very fortunate to have access to a large surface of water where ducks, geese, blue herons, seagulls and pigeons take refuge.

We saw them landing, sitting or swimming on the water, fishing and trolling for food: small fish, insects, grubs ... and chips, peanuts or biscuits ;-) (because people really enjoy to feed them!!!)

Birds trolling for food

Indeed, as the plaque reads: "Humans greatly influence waterbird habitat"... but "Lost Lagoon" remains a pleasant urban refuge not only for the birds and native plants... outdoor lovers will always find a way to spend couple of hours birdwatching and walking on the sidewalks.

Birds on the water

So, anytime when we are wondering alongside the Lost Lagoon pathways, we are taking another set of pictures, hoping to obtain another good shot even closer to them... to photograph their eye's view or their movements on the water?!

Geese family swimming on the Lost Lagoon

Sometimes the walking dogs bark loudly to scaring them ;-) The flocks may suddenly fly in the air and wing their way across the trees...

A flock of geese over Lost Lagoon

Well ... this is happening in the beautiful days, like this one.

For the rainy ones, when we can not take a Lost Lagoon's sightseeing tour, we are just daydreaming in our room, looking at our "indoor refuge". We tried to recreate a part of this wild beauty and this time I'd like to share with you this ficus benjamina tray landscape. If you look closer, you can even see the grass growing

;-)

Bonkei with Dwarf Umbrella Trees

2011-11-18T14:20:00.001-08:00

Dwarf Umbrella Tree with variegated leaves named also Dwarf Schefflera Arboricola is a plant very suitable for Bonkei (盆景, tray landscape), or miniature three-dimensional landscapes with dry materials like rocks, akadama, sand or driftwood.

Seashore landscape - Dwarf Schefflera Arboricola potted in Driftwood

The leaves have a mild lemony note if you gently squeezing them and the umbrellas of splotches will make a delightful showy centerpiece at anytime. Start by selecting a setting that will suit with your landscaping idea and you'll appreciate the growing habit of these plants and the adaptability to any indoor environment.

Running Horse - bonkei with Dwarf Umbrella Tree

Don't you think that some figurines added to the whole setting like a GO-player, a running horse or a friendly dog give a warm look to any bonkei?

Aphrodite, Goddess of Love

2011-11-16T12:25:00.000-08:00

Aphrodite, known also as Venus, Cytherea, Cypris, Hathor, Cerigo or Afrodita, the Goddess of Love rises from the foam of the waves, enchanting anyone who sees her ... and spreading the fragrance of flavorful Mediterranean Thyme hanging out of her basket.

Don't you think that her magical powers to compel love wherever she goes will spread inciting feelings in any room?

Thanks to everyone who visited our stand

2011-11-15T11:56:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all who attended our booth at the Holiday Craft Fair 2011, Vancouver, West End Community Centre. The craft fair was held on Nov 12th, 13th in the spectacular Auditorium and adjoining spaces of the West End Community Centre and we are grateful to them for hosting such an event.

We have spent many frenzied hours preparing our fairy gardens and bonsai items for the craft fair and we were happy that the fair was a real success, with a big attendance.

We got as much out of the experience as we can while we were there, and this is about the people we met and the contacts we made. We dedicated some creative energy to our green display and we were happy that our artworks and our scented live presentations were appreciated by most visitors.

Well, the traditional Christmas tree and dried flowers wreaths have welcomed the visitors in the main lobby.

The shoppers have found many seasonal items for autumn and the holiday: jewelry, hand sewn items, clay, metal, wood and glass crafts or paintings - and, of course, scented edible living arrangements ;)

The craft fair has come and gone, but stay tuned - after we enjoy the Christmas and the Holidays with our families and friends, we`ll be back to 2012`s events.

A special thanks to all those who made possible this experience.

Vancouver Mushrooms Show, Fall 2011

2011-11-04T10:13:00.000-07:00

On October 23th, I attended Vancouver Mushroom Show, Fall 2011 organized by Vancouver Mycological Society in the Floral Hall of VanDusen Botanical Garden. I couldn't resist snapping a lot of pictures of almost everything.

Edible mushrooms display - Vancouver Mushrooms Fall Show 2011

I was attracted by mushroom's world since ever. In fact, I like more to discover them near pathways or hidden in grass, on logs or under leaves in my walkings.

Mushrooms display at the entrance of Vancouver Mushroom Fall Show 2011

Thinking more about them, I don't know what is more attractive: their colors, their shapes or textures... but I can easily spend from an hour to most of a day overlooking some new mushroom growing in the wild.

Vancouver Mushrooms Fall Show 2011

I did not know what to do first after I passed nearby the entrance displays : to walk alongside the over 4 dozens of beautifully arranged displays of freshly picked mushrooms, to read info from posters and displays about identified mushrooms, truffles and other fungi, with their poisonous, edible, medicinal and sacred status

or to buy the various artworks with mushroom and fungal motifs, and some books about mushrooms cultivation, identification, usage or preservation.

Poisonous mushrooms display - Vancouver Mushrooms Show Fall 2011

Medicinal mushrooms poster - Vancouver mushrooms show

The Sacred Mushrooms poster - Vancouver Mushrooms Show Fall 2011

Anyhow, I've learned to identify more than 20 edible mushrooms: Boletus Chrysonteron aka Cracked Cap Bolete, Calvitia Gigantea aka Giant Pufball, Clavulina Coralloides, Gomphus Clavatus aka Pig's Ears, Hygrocybe Miniata, Hygrophorus Eburneus, Leccinum Scabrum aka Birch Bolete and other varieties of bolete, Marasmius, Lyophyllum, Armillaria, Pleurocybella Porrigens aka Angel Wings, Russula Aeruginea aka Green Russula, Russula Brevipes, Suillus various types and Lactarius.

Rusulla varieties - not all of them edible mushrooms

It was an interesting lesson of identifying mushrooms, but I'm not sure I will be so courageous to hunt them in the wilderness of Canadian Rockies because some mushrooms from same family (like Russula, Suillus or Lactarius) are edible and other not.

Suillus varieties - not all of them edible mushrooms

Lactarius varieties - not all of them edible mushrooms

Very strange seems to be Giant Pufball aka Calvitia Gigantea (it was indeed huge) which is "edible if is white inside" ;-) .

Calvitia Gigantea aka Giant Pufball - edible if white inside mushrooms

So, for cooking and studying how to grow mushrooms at home, we bought two kits of "grown your own mushrooms at home": one of Shiitake / Lentinus Edodes and other one of Tree oyster/ Pleurotus Ostreatus. We respected the instructions shared by experts on cultivation and I'm very curious to see how will appear the mushroom pins and how will grow undisturbed the caps through the slits created in bags. Hope to harvest my first crop of mushrooms before first winter freeze.

Boletus Chrysonteron aka Cracked Cap Bolete - edible mushrooms

Clavulina Coralloides - edible mushrooms

Gomphus Clavatus aka Pig's Ears - edible mushrooms

Hygrocybe Miniata - edible mushrooms

Hygrophorus Eburneus - edible mushrooms

Leccinum Scabrum aka Birch Bolete - edible mushrooms

Marasmius, Lyophyllum, Armillaria - edible mushrooms

Pleurocybella Porrigens aka Angel Wings - edible mushrooms

Russula Aeruginea aka Green Russula - edible mushrooms

Russula Brevipes aka The Dipper - edible mushrooms

"A picture is worth a thousand words", so, it is much better to see by yourself how amazing were the mushrooms displays at the Vancouver Mushrooms Fall Show 2011.

Medicinal Mushrooms

Fairy Gardens for Holiday Craft Fair 2011, Vancouver

2011-10-31T20:56:00.000-07:00

"Life imitates art far more than art imitates Life" Oscar Wilde

"Life on Farm" - miniature fairy garden with Pelargonium Citrosum " Citronella"

Most visitors come to the Holiday Craft Fair 2011, Vancouver, West End Community Centre to view and buy holiday crafts. This year, on Nov 12th, 13th, 2011, on the West End Community Centre, 870 Denman Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, it is time to experimenting with the idea of miniature landscapes created as pictures of nature loveliness for those who are seeking out a new relaxing way of contacting nature in an urban indoor space.

"Mountain Seashore" miniature landscape with Attar of Roses / Pelargonium Capitatum

"Big things do come in small packages" proverb

Buying a ready made miniature garden like "Mountain Seashore", "Life on Farm" or "Mountain Meadow", could be just the beginning of a past time that may well become a passion.

"Camel in the Desert" - miniature garden with Rober's Lemon Rose Scented Pelargonium

"Peaceful Sunset" miniature landscape with Pelargonium Capitatum

A fairy landscape can be used as a whimsical centerpiece on a festive dinner . Pelargoniums trained as bonsai with lemon, mint, rose or fruit scented foliage; mini-roses, rosemary, scented-leaf rhododendrons will add a touch of magic fragrance to any miniature landscape. Accent plants like creeping thymes, hen-and-chicks (Jovibarba hirta) or sedums, are carefully chosen to stay in scale with each other and the main bonsai.
Contrasting shapes, colors, smells and textures make the miniature gardens more realistic.

The rocks make awesome boulders, low-hills or an inviting mountain-top landscape.

The bonsai and accent plants are combined with miniature accessories and characters on a tinier scale to give a focal point and mimic elements of real life.

"Mountain Meadow" miniature landscape with Attar of Roses / Pelargonium Capitatum

Stepping stones laid on diagonal curved shape give the illusion that the scenes continue ... in a parallel universe ;-) or is just a piece of a larger one (as in the " Holiday Carriage" where the road is stretching out to the second miniature garden)

"Holiday Carriage" fairy landscape with a collection of scented pelargoniums

Best of all, your fairy landscape can be considered "an ultimate pet" for those living in an apartment ;-) and not only ... Your senses will be always delighted to have a delicious - smelling edible fairy garden at your convenience.

Images of VanDusen Visitor Centre

2011-10-24T12:03:00.000-07:00

Sunday, Oct. 23th, 2011, was the opening ceremony of the new VanDusen Visitor Centre, and we had the opportunity to visit it and to spend a great day wandering through the VanDusen Botanical Garden.

VanDusen Visitor Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada

"The VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor's Centre was completed with funding contributions from Canada's Economic Action Plan, The Province of British Columbia, and the City of Vancouver.
L'amenajement du nouveau centre des visiteurs du Jardin botanique VanDusen a ete mene a bien grace au financement du Plan d'Action economique du Canada, du gouvernement de la Colombie - Britannique et de la Ville de Vancouver" reads the plaque from nearby main entrance of the new building.

It was a nice event (you may see the pictures), and people whose attending, found a few more options to spend time that can choose from:

together with the visiting various gardens from the VanDusen Botanical Garden and to learn about plants, they could make a "mushroom trip" through the Mushroom Show organized in the Floral Hall by Vancouver Mycological Society or buy dried flowers arrangements from The Dried Flower Sale from the Entrance Pavilion.

VanDusen Botanical Garden, New Visitor Centre, Vancouver, Canada


Opening Ceremony - Atrium of VanDusen Visitor Centre, Oct. 23th, 2011

VanDusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver, Opening Ceremony of New Visitor Centre

It is, indeed, an amazing building that stands out for a dynamic and undulating architecture in harmony with the nature, having a landing roof section that is smoothly joining with the flora of the garden.

View of New Visitor Centre from VanDusen Botanical Garden

VanDusen Visitor Centre - main entrance

VanDusen Visitor Centre Inauguration

2011-10-21T15:11:00.000-07:00

Sunday will be the Inauguration of the Visitor's Centre of Vandusen Botanical Garden.

The maquette of the new Visitor Centre of VanDusen Botanical Garden

It is more than one year since we saw first time the maquette of the New Visitor Centre in the main hall of the garden, that will be built at the VanDusen Botanical Graden. Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation together with the VanDusen Botanical Garden Association started the "Capital Project" in 2007 to develop a new Visitor Centre for the garden.

This new botany centre should be a great place for social and cultural activities where people would learn about the world of plants and the living building philosophy. According to the project, "the building will contain design features for human delight and the celebration of culture, spirit and place", like the native orchid leaf which conveyed inspiration for the unusual shape of the roof.

I liked the idea of "sustainability in the built environment". The building's energy needs will be supplied by on-site renewable energy and the water will come from captured precipitation. Challenging seems to be to make the building 100% water independent and to clean and filter the water using plants grown in the garden.

Visitor Centre of VanDusen Botanical Garden - ground floor plan

On my ways to Vandusen Botanical Garden I passed the construct area many times... and sometimes I noticed the construction progress. This Sunday, Oct. 23, at 1pm, in the Atrium of the New Visitor Centre (5151 Oak Street at West 37th Avenue ) will be the official opening ceremony for the new building. It is time to visit it, and if you pass by, you may visit also for free the Vandusen Botanical Garden (as gift to Vancouverites the admission to the garden will be free).

The 2011 Dried Flower Sale will be in the same day in the Entrance Pavilion (10am to 4pm) where anyone can sellect an autumn symbol from a range of dried flower topiaries, wreaths, bouquets and arrangements made from materials gathered in the Garden.

See you there!

A Walk to Capilano Suspension Bridge

2011-10-21T12:38:00.000-07:00

What else can be more fun for a Family Thanksgiving Day than walking through the park and spending happy time together? So, we spent this day walking again to the spectacular bridges and rainforest-ways built at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.

Capilano Suspension Bridge and the Canyon of Capilano River

Started as a simple bridge made in 1889 of hemp ropes and cedar planks, the bridge was upgraded many times over the years, nowadays being a very sturdy one, made by steel ropes anchored by concrete stairs at both ends.

Capilano Suspension Bridge

After we passed alongside the Story Center, Kia'palano and Totem Poles Park, before entering the bridge, we read the information about Capilano Suspension Bridge's dimensions on the plaques installed nearby:

- "How high up is the bridge?":
" The bridge is 230 feets(70m) above Capilano River. This means if dinosaurs still ruled the earth, it would take a stack of four full-sized Tyrannosaurus Rex to reach the bridge from the river. Yikes! Or, if you put the Statue of Liberty in the canion, the bridge would be at shoulder height."

- "How long is the bridge?" :
"It's very long! To be precise, Capilano Suspension Bridge is 45 feet (137m) long. In other words, it's just about as long as two Boeing 747 airplanes wingtip-to-wingtip. And it's just as aerodinamic!"

- "How strong is the bridge?"
" The bridge is supported by two thick steel cables, which together can hold more than 200,000 lbs (90,000kg) and sustain the weight of over 1300 people standing on it at the same time. You could parade 96 elephants across the bridge at the same time, no problem. At least it woudn't be a problem for the bridge. (Good luck with the elephants!) "

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Anyhow... we did not see elephants ;-)... It was a little bit alarming when the bridge was changed the rhythm of the sway because a group of high spirited persons tried their best on getting the bridge to swing to their steps ;-) The best part was that we made it to the other side of the canyon and none of us felt any touch of fear ;-)

Treetops Adventure sign at Capilano Suspension Bridge

Our way continued with the "Treetops Adventure" along the rainforest trails where we breathed a sigh of relief as we walked high in the Hemlock, Red Cedars and Douglas Fir trees (enjoying their scent) to a series of suspension bridges above the forest floor.

Observation Deck and rope-bridges built high in the trees

Around the trees trunks were built various observation decks without damaging the tree in any way.

Overall, we and the kids really enjoyed our walking through Capilano Supension Bridge Park and the views of forest, the Canyon and the Capilano River were really amazing.

View from Capilano Suspension Bridge : Capilano River Canyon

Holiday Craft Fair 2011, Vancouver, West End Community Centre

2011-10-18T18:49:00.000-07:00

For all of Vancouverites' bonsai and miniature gardens lovers: West End Community Centre will organize the Holiday Craft Fair 2011 on Nov. 12th, 13th, 2011 at their location 870 Denman Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

We will working hard putting together a table full of gorgeous bonsai, fairy gardens and " Edible, fragrant, very useful, showy, flowering, drought resistant, little care and very forgiving..." scented pelargoniums and few more green crafts to show and sell at this event.

It is time to come to see, touch and smell by yourself our scented pelargoniums bonsai at the Table 25, in the Auditorium. The admission is free and we will be there in both days Nov. 12th and Nov. 13th from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m.

You'll find there a huge selection of booths: each overflowing with one of a kind goodies, fair specials crafted by 60+ talented local artisans and I’m sure you’ll choose the perfect and unique gift for your loved ones in 2011 Holiday Season.

I hope to see you there!

Last Day of UBC Apple Festival 2011

2011-10-16T21:00:00.000-07:00

We were happy to join again "Friends of the UBC Botanical Garden (FOGS)" for the last day of Apple Festival 2011, the organization who're in charge of organizing and coordinating this popular family event.

UBC Apple Festival 2011, vendors area

Sinta apples

Today we enjoyed the sun, volunteering in the apple sales area. Before opening the gates, we rearranged the apple bags on the tables and learned a little bit about the varieties from our area: Silken; Sinta; SPA 493; Spencer; Spigold; Splendour; Stayman Winesap; Sundance and Winter Banana.

Sundance apples

It was a new experience... dealing with a lot of strange questions about apples' taste (crisp or soft, mild, tar or sweet), usage (desert type or good for cooking), best storage conditions, the size and vigour of the apple trees or the differences between the apples grown conventionally and organically. We tried our best with the answers, but, believe me, it is really hard to explain what means a "sprightly and sweet" taste or to convince people that, as example, the Spigold variety (a cross between a Northern Spy and Golden Delicios) has an "outstanding complex flavour" ;-)

Spigold - the last variety of apples available for sale

Anyhow... after two hours (around 1.00 p.m.) all the apples were sold, the last variety of apples being Spigold. So, unfortunately, the good weather did create a bigger crowd than normal which led to all the apples (and not only) being sold out before the festival was over.

A full crop of apples at UBC Botanical Garden

After we done our job, we went for 3 hours in the crowd walking through The Physic Garden; The food Garden (where people enjoyed to see a full crop of apples in the apple trees), The David C. Lam Asian Garden and the Alpine Garden; listening live concerts in UBC Botanical Garden Amphitheater; eating apple pies and fudges; and drinking apple juice.

UBC Botanical Garden - landscape close to the main entrance

We found it as an educational and fun event for us, who got there at the beginning and stay there till the end, and ... we are happy that helped make this successful fundraising event for UBC Botanical Garden.

First Day at UBC Apple Festival 2011

2011-10-15T20:26:00.000-07:00

Autumn is in the air, and what else can be more representative than freshly harvested apples, changing leaves and a pumpkin patch?
Today was the first day of the 2011 UBC Apple Festival and as volunteers we had the chance to see it from a different angle. Here there are pictures behind the scene, before the start signal of the festivities.

2011 UBC Apple Festival, main entrance

UBC Apple Festival 2011 - 41000 pounds of apples (75 varieties) available for sale

UBC Apple Festival 2011 - Apple trees for sale area (more than 200 varieties)

2011 UBC Apple Festival, autumn display with dried flowers arrangements

2011 UBC Apple Festival - Pumpkin Patch

2011 UBC Apple Festival - vendors set-ups

2011- Apple Festival Vancouver - vendors area

In the Apple Testing Tent more than 60 of heritage or new crossed varieties of apples were available for tasting. We've offered samples of Jubilee, Karin Schneider Kent and Jonagold. The full list of them is available here apples_for_tasting_2011 web.pdf, but I want to mention few of them which I liked more: Grimmes Golden, Bramley seedling, Ambrosia, Rosu de Cluj, Early Fuji, Honeycrisp, Tentation, Kent, Cox’s Orange Pippin.

The Apple cultivar "Rosu de Cluj" meaning "Red of Cluj" (misspelled "Rosu du Kluj") was obtained in 1966 at Fruit Research Station Cluj-Napoca Romania as a cross between Jonathan and Senator varieties. How do I know? Just because it is one of my favorite Romanian apples ;-)

Apple Testing samples at 2011 UBC Apple Festival

You know that " An apple a day keeps the doctor away" ... so, see you there tomorrow!

Totem Poles at Capilano Suspension Bridge

2011-10-12T19:40:00.000-07:00

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park continues to be one of the most popular tourist attractions of Vancouver, whose history started in 1888, when George Grant Mackay set about purchasing and developing land and businesses among them Capilano Suspension Bridge, located today at 3735 Capilano Road in North Vancouver.

Kia'palano, BC's earliest human connection to nature at Capilano Suspension Bridge

Our last visit at Capilano Suspension Bridge started with an infusion of Canadian History. We saw again the beautiful collection of totem poles made by First Nations of British Columbia, Canada when passing along the Story Center, Kia'palano and the Totem Park. We read in the Story Center that this Native Theme was added after 1930's, when Mac MacEachran invited First Nations to place their story poles in the Capilano Park. I really like to spend time looking at these colorful poles with finely chiseled features, reading the nearby plaques and thinking about the meaning behind them. This time I had with me the photo camera and I will let you see by yourself few pictures taken in our tour.

The Totem Park has an welcome log with "Capilano Suspension Bridge" carved on it and features authentic BC Totem Poles. The plaque that give general information about the native Kia'palano', is proclaiming them as "BC's earliest human connection to nature".

Totem Poles Park at Capilano Suspension Bridge

Similar with The Indian Totem Poles of Brockton Point and Coast Salish Gateways from The Indian Village of Stanley Park , each of them tells fascinating stories .

Bear Pole

1. Bear Pole

The following text is from plaque at the totem pole display in Vancouver's Capilano Suspension Bridge Park:
" Poles are carved out of one tree and are accented with pieces of copper, shells, or, in this case, real human hair. The pole tells the story of an abandoned blind man saved from starvation by a bear who brought him fish to eat. The blind man's descendents became known as the Bear Clan."

2. The Raven Story Pole:

The Raven Story Pole

Text from the plaque at the totem pole display:
"Ravens frequently appear in First Nations' stories and are often featured on poles.
This pole tells the story of a selfish chief who long ago had stolen the sun, moon, and starts and was keeping them in a box in his home. Raven, being a trickster and lover of shiny things, swooped in, grabbed the sun in his beak and dropped it in the sky, returning light to the world."

Wolf Guardian Pole

3. The Wolf Guardian Pole

The plaque at the totem pole display reads as follows:

"All poles tell stories. The story, depicted in this pole tells of a family of fishermen who dramatically rescued a wolf drowning in the ocean. From that time on the wolf remained the loyal companion and guardian to the family who became known to their people as the Wolf Family."

4. The Honour of the Salmon Pole

The Honour of the Salmon Pole

The following text is from the plaque beside at the totem pole:

"This pole tells the story of how the eagle helped a blind man by fishing for him.
The blind man's family then became known as the Eagle Family. Poles are the way that people of First Nations passed on legends such as this, which traditionally took weeks to tell at Potlatch feasts."

Centennial Pole (left) and Mosquito Pole (right)

5.Mosquito Pole

" This pole tells the story of a village that was terrorized by a giant cannibal. The cannibal was finally defeated and burned, but the villagers' triumph was short-lived when out of the ashes of the giant, mosquitoes were born. Like the cannibal, they take tiny bites of all humans. "

6. Centennial Pole

" This Pole was raised in 1989 to commemorate our 100th anniversary. The bottom figure is Sky Brother. His arms are outstreched in welcome. Traditionally a Sky Brother figure without arms is a warning not to proceed any further because danger lies ahead. Above Sky Brother is the killer whale, above that the grizzly bear and then finally, the raven is at the top."

Interesting seems that the "Pole carving tradition at Capilano continues" at the Kia'palano' First Nations' Cultural Center (as you can read on next plaque).

"In June 1993, native carvers James Lewis and Wayne Carluck began work on a series of Totem Poles for Capilano Suspension Bridge, continuing the long tradition of native carving in the park.
Lewis and Carlick both studies under Taltan Tlingit master carver Dempsey Bob. The poles they have carved reflect the traditional skills, stories and artistic forms of their north coast native culture.
As each pole is finished, the carvers raise their pole in a ceremony that combines traditional songs and dances with a spiritual blessing."

I was thinking about how great looks such a ceremony, but till I'll participate at such an event.... I will return soon to tell you our story about visiting the Capilano Suspension Bridge, and walking on suspended bridges and walkways during the Treetops Adventure and the new addition Cliffwalk journey.

The Giving Tree narrated by Shel Silverstein

2011-10-07T01:26:00.000-07:00

Animated Adaptation of "The Giving Tree" Narrated by Shel Silverstein (1930 - 1999)

Once there was a tree ...
and she loved a little boy.

And everyday the boy would come
and he would gather her leaves
and make them into crowns
and play king of the forest.
He would climb up her trunk
and swing from her branches
and eat apples.
And they would play hide-and-go-seek.

And when he was tired,
he would sleep in her shade.
And the boy loved the tree....
very much.
And the tree was happy.

But time went by.
And the boy grew older.
And the tree was often left alone.

Then one day the boy came to the tree
and the tree said, 'Come, boy, come and
climb up my trunk and swing from my
branches and eat apples and play in my
shade and be happy.'
'I am too big to climb and play' said the boy.
'I want to buy things and have fun.
I want some money! Can you give me some money?
'I'm sorry,' said the tree, 'but I have no money.
I have only leaves and apples.
But, but ... take my apples, boy, and sell them in
the city. Then you will have money and
you will be happy.'
And so the boy climbed up the
tree and gathered her apples
and carried them away.
And the tree was happy.

But the boy stayed away for a long, long time....
and the tree was sad.

And then one day the boy came back
and the tree shook with joy
and she said, 'Come, boy, climb up my trunk
and swing from my branches and have fun.'
'I am too busy to climb trees,' said the boy.
'I want a house to keep me warm,' he said.
'I want a wife and I want children,
and so I need a house.
Can you give me a house ?'
' I have no house,' said the tree.
'The forest is my house,
but you may cut off
my branches and build a house.
Then you will be happy.'
And so the boy cut off her branches
and carried them away
to build his house.
And the tree was happy.

But the boy stayed away for a long time.
And when he came back,
the tree was so happy
she could hardly speak.
'Come, boy,' she whispered,
'come and play and have fun again'
'I am too old and sad to play,'
said the boy.
'I want a boat that will
take me far away from here.
Can you give me a boat?'
'I have no boat' said the tree,
'but cut down my trunk
and make a boat,' said the tree.
'Then you can sail away...
and be happy.'
And so the boy cut down her trunk
and made a boat and sailed away.
And the tree was happy

And after a long time
the boy came back again.
'I am sorry, boy,'
said the tree,' but I have nothing
left to give you -
My apples are gone.'
'My teeth are too weak
for apples,' said the boy.
'My branches are gone,'
said the tree. ' You
cannot swing on them - '
'I am too old to swing
on branches,' said the boy.
'My trunk is gone, ' said the tree.
'You cannot climb - '
'I am too tired to climb' said the boy.
'I am sorry,' said the tree.
'I wish that I could give you something....
but I have nothing left.
I am just an old stump.
I am sorry....'
'I don't need very much now,' said the boy.
'just a quiet place to sit and rest.
I am very tired.'
'Well,' said the tree, straightening
herself up as much as she could,
'well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting
Come, boy, sit down. Sit down and rest.'
And the boy did.
And the tree was happy.

Saikei and Bonsai for Thanksgiving Day

2011-10-06T22:58:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving Day is a Day of Thanks for the good things of the last year, when families gather together, giving and sharing whatever the year bring to them. Started as American religious holiday to thanks for a good harvest and to celebrate the survival of the English pilgrims arrived in North America, it was made Official American Holiday by Abraham Lincoln in 1863.

Saikei / Miniature Garden with "Apple Nutmeg" Scented Pelargonium for 2011 Thanksgiving Day

In the second Monday of October (October 10th, 2011) Canada celebrates Thanksgiving Day with traditional Canadian Thanksgiving Day Parades and Harvest Festivals.

This may be the last chance in a while for some Canadian people to spend an enjoyable long weekend participating on public events, hiking, biking, or spending time outdoor before winter sets in.

Miniature Garden with Pelargonium Capitatum and Mini-Roses

Like usual (you may read more about our centerpieces in shells for 2010 Thanksgiving Day here), we did some special crafts for this special day.

Atomic Snowflake Pelargonium potted in giant shell - craft made for 2010 Thanksgiving Day
Have you spotted the yellow canoe ?

For this Thanksgiving Day we'll like to show you this miniature garden ... with an old Castle alongside the mountains' cliffs, sheltered by an old and healthy "Apple Nutmeg" pelargonium in bloom - as symbol for the apples harvested this fall. I'm almost sure this one will be the centerpiece for our Thanksgiving dinner.

"Show and Tell" table - Canadian Geranium and Pelargonium Society

The final retouch of this saikei (miniature landscape) was done last week, just in time for the "Show & Tell" category at 2011 October Meeting of the "Canadian Geranium and Pelargonium Society".

Now, let's return to our 2011 Thanksgiving Day crafts.

From our entire collection of scented-leaved pelargoniums, the powerful rose fragrance (with some notes of musk) emanated by "Attar of Roses" ( Pelargonium Capitatum) ) is by far the most loved one.

Pelargonium Capitatum, "Attar of Roses" bonsai (Japanese pot)

This variety of rose scented pelargonium, no matter how you call it (wildemalva, kokulu sardunya, Drusaim, 玫瑰天竺葵, РОЗОВАЯ ГЕРАНЬ, ローズゼラニウム, or muscata parfumata) reinstates our childhood memories, when the Holiday's apple pies and jellies were flavored with its leaves.

Not just decorative, the rounded scalloped leaves of our "Attar of Roses" spread a powerful rose essence in the entire house, making the home a pleasant place for gatherings.

Pelargonium Capitatum, Attar of Roses bonsai (handpainted pot)

Changing the note, let me explain my joyful meanings of Thanksgiving Day (in some funny ad-hoc verses)!?

T = Time to spend Together when roasting Turkey on a special day.
H = Home decorating with bonsai and miniature gardens for Happiness and joy in this Holiday.
A = Abundance in the feelings when harvesting Apples and pumpkins in the Autumn's feast.
N = Nice things to remember when cheering and talking with Nephews and Neighbors; listen to Native songs and rest.
K = Kindness with the Kin coming over for scented pelargonium flavored dishes at Thanksgiving Dinner.
S = Sighting on Special pics, Sizzling for the finer foods which won't make us thinner :-)

GIVING thanks for our blessings and for the cinnamon-apple pies,
and for another colorful autumn DAY greeting the eyes.

Happy Thanksgiving Day!