Castlegar Garden Tour

Thanks Donna. It was actually 10 different homes. I missed a couple, but it was very enjoyable.

Yep, I enjoyed the tour just as much as you did. Thanks!
:) Donna

Yes, Donna!! There is a very SLIGHT resemblance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL
That gunnera is amazing. I look at those leaves and think OH MY GOD< what beautiful leaves for casting! It looks absolutely huge!!!
Our new gunnera is sitting in it's pot in the new hole, and getting watered with water from the slough. We will be keeping a very close eye on it, and if there is any indication of wilting or browning, it will be taken out right away. If not, we will actually plant it in a week or so and hope it gets gimongous!!
Great pics Donna. Thanks.

Glenda

what a great day that would be Donna.

Yes that is yukky yucca

Thanks Donna for going on that tour. I like seeing the pictures. I don't think we have things like that here.

That, Gunnera would look good in my yard. lol

I want one. Where can I get it?

Is it a seed? Plant? Bulb? I've never seen anything like it.

What a spectacular garden! I did'nt think Gunnera would survive in 6b...do they provide extra protection?...I'm seriously thinking I should try one.

And their pond is to die for..I'm now turning various shades of green.

Wow, what a unique romp! doing the Gunnera casting, do you think it's hard to accomplish?? Glad you had a great day, Donna! Elaine

Beautiful pictures Donna, thanks for showing us. That fellow's bonsais are amazing, I've always wanted to try one. And the ponds are just so lovely and peaceful. This must have been the weekend for garden tours, I saw some advertised in a few towns east of us.
Christine

Elaine, I tried my first gunnera casting last fall, and it turned out well. Got leaves from a friend, three different sizes. The leaves themselves were very hard to get off the cement. I let them sit out all winter in the rain, but I think it would have been better to have them inside where the leaf could dry out more. I finally finished them up just a couple of weeks ago, and set them in front of the house. These are much more difficult to do than regular leaves, as you want to keep the indent of the leaves, and it's hard to fiddle with the sand that much. I rolled up newspaper into little logs to actually support the indents, and that worked well.
Just my 2 cents worth!!!

Glenda

Here's one of the three of them together. The smallest leaf was my first attempt, and it ended up being pretty flat with no indentation. Lesson learned!!!

ggd

This message was edited Jun 27, 2005 8:12 AM

Wow Donna what a great tour!
We have a pond tour coming up in Edmonton on the 10 of July and I hope that jagonjune will bring her camera so we can show you all.
In reguards to the leaf not coming off the casting .... I have heard that you can put vasaline on the leaf just before or use the cement release stuff they use on wooden concrete forms. Has anyone heard of these tricks as I don't have first hand info.
Its super to see the gardens that are ahead of our zone so we too can have a mini tour.
Talk to you
Ann

Thanks for the nice comments everyone. I wish I was a better photographer as my photos certainly didn't do justice to the actual scenery.

Todd, we have quite a few Gunnera plants growing around here. Although the one pictured was definitley the biggest I have ever seen. As far as I know, my neighbors don't use any extra protection here in the winter, but our winters are fairly mild.

I don't have a Gunnera, Darrell, but I'd like to grow one someday. So I can't help you out as to whether you grow them from seed, bulb or what. They didn't have them in Edmonton so I know nothing about them. I don't remember seeing them at the Greenhouse here when I was working, but then again, I wasn't looking for them either. Does anyone else know?

Thanks for the Leaf Casting help Glenda. You would certainly be the one that knows. I just have to try it this summer. :Donna

Those are beautiful Glenda. If I should ever come across the plant, I'm going to grow it and look for you to help me with the casting. Your castings are perfect!

Thanks Donna. I'll look around for it and if I find where we can get one, I'll be sure to let you know.

Darryl, well thanks for the compliments, but they are certainly far from perfect. That was my first attempt and I think there will probably be many more. I have a lot more success with smaller leaves!!
Darryl and Donna, we just bought our gunnera plant at the local nursery. I would suggest if you are getting one, to get a fairly established one, rather than a small puny one. Our first attempts at growth were very sad, and I think it was because the plants were small, had been grown in water, and their roots sytems had not developed enough when they were planted. We are hoping the third try is the charm for us. The plant cost 20.00, compared to 9.00 for the tiny ones we initially bought. So if it grows well, it will be worth the extra money!!
Cheers!

Glenda

I am going to Trail this week and Kelowna next week, so I'll check the bigger nurseries there. Thanks Glenda.