Last week, I had the joy of going to the VanDusen Botanic Gardens as I have already mentioned. Here are some more pictures of just how lovely a space it is. Anyway, it is the time for Six on Saturday, when The Propagator encourages us to share what is going on in our gardens in all parts of the world.
Date of visit: 4 September 2022
First up, these gorgeous hibiscus, found near to the entrance by the pond. Amazing vibrant colours.
There were signs of autumn, berries and fruits and glorious rosehips.




And these Eryngo, native to Argentina, with their fabulous spiky seed heads.
We spotted these bright red honeysuckle fuschia – absolutely gorgeous.


And so to trees, of which there were many magnificent specimens such as this weeping giant sequoia which looks like…well, what do you think? Donkey or dragon or something else? As well as giant sequoias, there were a few spectacular monkey puzzle trees such as this one below.
So to what I am calling ‘miscellaneous’ – lobelia, an unusually shaped hydrangea, an expanse of heather, gazania, and what I think is a form of lantana? With beautiful shiny berries? Help in identifying appreciated! On a different note, there were black eyed Susan’s everywhere around the city.







Finally, the lily pond where I started. Stunning water lilies can be seen all over the pond.
That’s all from me folks for this week. Normal service from Wellington will resume next week. As usual, I am looking forward to seeing everyone’s beautiful gardens in other parts of the world. Hope you are all well and enjoying your gardens in whatever the season is with you.
You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram @thistlesandkiwis. As for Twitter….am totally inactive these days. If you want to get in touch, email me on thistlesandkiwis@gmail.com
Spectacular! I love that fountain in the water lilies. All of your photos are beautiful.
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Thank you!
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Wonderful photos! I think you have an Oakleaf Hydrangea there. Hydrangea quercifolia, an American native to the woods of the Southeastern US, there are numerous cultivars.
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I enjoyed this look at the garden. The monkey puzzle tree is wonderful.
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I love monkey puzzle trees too.
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That does look like a dragon!!!! Such a beautiful public garden.
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It really is – well worth a visit.
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Beautiful pictures! Nice shot! 👍👍
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The monkey puzzle looks fabulous in that setting. Lantana camara does produce berries like that done you photographed, I like the aroma of their crushed leaves.
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Oh thanks for confirming the lantana – the berries were quite lovely. I should have tested the leaves! Yes I love that monkey puzzle too.
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The weeping giant sequoia is fun, I didn’t know it came in a weeping variety.
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New to me as well…I agree it is such fun!
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It was certainly an extraordinary visit to this very pretty garden. Thank you for sharing it with us and for taking these lovely sunny photos. (and in my opinion it really looks like a dragon!)
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It is well worth a visit should you be in Vancouver. I initially thought it looked like a giant rabbit…but think a dragon is a better choice 🙂
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Fantastic! Giant sequoia = Giant goat !! 🤣
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Oh yes!!! Never thought of that…. 🙂
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This is such a lovely post about what seems to be a fantastic garden. I especially enjoyed seeing the hibiscus. I was gifted one earlier this year, and it was gorgeous all summer long. It’s too cold for it now, but I am amazed that it lasted for about four months, the flowers just kept coming. Have aw wonderful rest of your weekend!
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Hibiscus are so gorgeous. The gardens are really worth a visit. Thanks for stopping by Maria!
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Living in Wales, I have to say the weeping sequoia must be a dragon 🙂 I wonder if the Eryngo is related to teasles?
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Yes of course it is a dragon 🙂 I should look up eryngo and see.
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I love the Sequoia. The gardens look lovely and you featured some lovely and interesting plants!
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A lovely tour around a beautiful garden, I last visited in September 2010 so saw pretty much the same kind of plants and lucky to find there was also a sculpture exhibition “Zimsculpt” in the gardens.
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The gardens are lovely aren’t they? I would definitely go back. There were two weddings going on when we were there – what a fantastic setting.
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Goodness! Vibrant is an understatement! What beautiful colours and shapes……I vote for donkey rather than dragon.
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I think it is pretty even donkey – dragon 🙂
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