Pacific Northwest Gardening: Laurie's Garden Tour, 1 by Laurie1

Laurie1 wrote:
Wow - keeping up with all the dialogue! I never expected to generate this much talk - I am flattered. I'm going to try and run back through the questions - but I will have to dash in a couple of minutes - I'm between patients.

Lillimerci (wonderful name - this is up there with Tillysrat and Pixydish) - this photo is for you - this is dierama pulcherimmum donal slieve (two m's or one - never remember) I think this is possibly the one that is most grown. Tall, rich pink, it was bred in at the nursery in slieve, Ireland. The other one that was mentioned, and I do grow is D.P. Blackbird - deep deep purple. There are also pale pinks and white (snowball) in the tall Dieramas. Oh shoot, I just can't get this to come out the right direction. I'll have to leave that for you to lie down to gaze at.

The murder mystery with the maze is The Chinese Maze by Van Gulik. He is an interesting writer, wrote from the 30's thru the early 60's I believe. He was a dutch diplomat, based in China, very interested in chinese culture. he went through a period when they would not allow him to work, so to keep himself busy he researched chinese literature. In particular Chinese murder mysteries (there is a very strong tradition of them). He wanted to also introduce the West to Chinese popular culture. The series is called the Judge Dee Mysteries, and Judge Dee was a real person in the T'ang Dynasty - served as a magistrate, prefect, and then was promoted to the Capital to serve the emperor as an advisor. Apparently he is still a considered historical figure. I really enjoy them, they are quite odd. The books have just come into reprint - I think through Chicago University Press.

I'll have to come back to the other questions and comments, but I do note the group trip to England is back on. We've got to get that flying purple bus up and running.