Annuals......

The other night I attended a meeting with speakers who were speaking about their garden. They announced quite proudly that they grow 'only perennials, no annuals'. The way they spoke it was like they were dissing annuals. Well, I beg to differ. I love annuals with perennials and think that they have a lot to offer the perennial garden. In fact, many people who I respect, who are great gardeners, designers and just the expert woman who likes to get down and dirty in the garden would agree with me.
I think if you restrict yourself to growing 'just perennials' you are limiting yourself, closing the door on opportunities of visual delight and a bounty of fragrance. Also annuals bring a host of pollinators to your garden which is a benefit for any farmer or crop grower.

Vancouver Olympic Medal Bouquets

Those beautiful bouquets that were handed out to the medal winners at the Vancouver Winter Olympics were stunning and modern, no roses there, just a wonderful tight plethora of green. I found out from a friend just how truly wonderful these bouquets were, turns out they also had a hand in giving a hand to women in British Columbia who need a helping hand. I am copying here part of an article written by Amanda Ryder for Canadian Florist. Be sure to click on the video link at the end of the story.