Thursday, September 12, 2013

Le Potager At The Reford Garden

One of the reasons for our trip up to Gaspé was the time to visit the Redford Garden / Jardins de Métis [link here] famous for their blue poppies. It was too late in the year for those but the gardens are a treat. I deliberately left the camera in the car as I wanted to totally enjoy wandering about and not thinking of the next shot. And that worked well until I came upon the newest garden, the kitchen garden or "le potager". There I found plants I definitely want to grow; a bronze fennel called Foenicuiam vulgare "Smoky", leeks called Allium porrum "Lancelot" and common teasel called Dipsacus fullonum. As I read more about teasel, it sounds like a plant to be cautious with, [some sites name it as an invasive] so I'll try in a dry spot, It really is magnificent, and would be great in the fall and winter. An added plus is the goldfinches and blackbirds love feeding on the seeds.

Teasel  /Reford Garden

Teasel head / Reford gardens

You can see why I an so taken with teasel



6 comments:

  1. We have the growing in our garden this year - self seeded. They are so beautiful but, although my daughter has reminded me of their invasive tendencies, I can't bring myself to uproot them before they've seeded.

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    1. So Charlton, it sounds that as long as you keep an eye on them, all will be well, the flowers are gorgeous but the seed heads are a wow!

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  2. I have been sad to lose the teasels - ruthlessness was not a good idea because I have not so many lovely goldfinches now. Next year the beautiful teasels will be back. I love them as sculptural seedheads, but also it is just a joy to see the sun through their translucent leaves.

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    1. I read that teasels were b-iannual, so maybe I need to do 2 seedings, and I love thistles so maybe some of them too, in fact maybe a garden of prickly plants, that could be so beautiful.

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  3. Looks like these plants will be good for photographic inspiration and maybe some drawings too!

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    1. I think so too Rosie, and they should be wonderful with snow on them.

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