My holly has holly leaf blight. Oh dear.

I bought a house a few years back that had a holly tree. I was very happy to have one. I have had Holly's for about 40 years. It seemed to have some weird little quirks that I figured was due to it being an unknown variety. It would drop a lot of leaves in the winter. The berries turned black very quickly. And the tips of many branches died back every year. It had not been cared for so I assumed it was neglect. Then it did this!! 

Notice how few leaves are left. Just a few at the top. So I googled it. I was stunned to find out that it is Holly Leaf Blight. That was yesterday. Today we cut it down. And picked up every leaf I could find since we have had lots of west coast wind storms over the winter. It took us all day. Sterilising everything I used because I have a variegated holly from a cutting I took from my old tree and I do NOT want it to get this. 

The garden is a spectacle this year.

This huge hosta is about 5' across

A wonderful oriental lily, flowering here for the first time. 

 

This is an indoor plant. A cutting from a dear friend. 

A flowering Elephant Ear Begonia. 

Patisson Panache Jaune et Verte Squash - (pre 1856)

It took me a long time to find seeds for this amazing Pattypan Squash. About a decade ago I bought some seeds from Botanical Interests. I ran out of seed and they no longer carry them. It took me years of searching to find a company with any in stock. I found them in Canada from Heritage Harvest Seed. I find them beautiful and delicious. These are my first pattypans with the beautiful green stripes. I am so happy. 

The cottage garden is doing so beautifully this year

Iris Pallida "Argenta Variegata"

Iris " Feel the Thunder" ?

Chives

Sorbet peony

Edith Wolford iris

Butter and Sugar Siberian iris

Pinks NOID

For only the second time in my life, I've seen Aurora Borealis

I feel blessed to have been on the planet for many decades, and it never ceases to astound me with its beauty and constant gifts to us. I have been an astronomy geek my whole life and last night was amazing. We had a G5 Solar Storm that made this magic happen.