June gardening

I got quite a bit of gardening done before we left on our trip at the end of June.  The roses, were doing very well.  This is the fragrant English rose, Gertrude Jekyl.

 The California lilac and the smoke bush were trimmed to fit their space.  As usual they make a fine combination in the front garden.

 A close up of the Dutch Iris with one of the golden rocks of the front inner garden for a background.

 The Dutch Iris and the little veronica in the garden bed next to the street.  This bed was weeded and fed more compost this year. 

 The newly planted Geum with the backdrop of silver sedum in the inner garden.

 More of the inner garden showing the new geum, a new blue daisy, and a tiny balloon flower.  These plants have survived the hot temperatures while we were away. 

 The new wallflower in the front garden by the cement vase.  The wall flower looks good with the ladies mantle.  This spot needs to fill in more, with less ladies mantle. 

 The Siberian Iris clump in bloom.  All of my Siberian Iris are shades of blue.  I like how they look as a background for the david statue and in front of the bamboo. 

 More of the roses that are under the tall liquid amber tree. 

The iceberg rose by the front door constantly needs to be pruned to keep it off the entry way.  This makes for some nice boquets in the house.  Most of the photos were done with bracketing and hdr feature in photoshop, last month.

Gardening and travel in June

 We traveled back to Sask.  and home through Waterton National Park and the highway #20 across the top of Montana, Idaho and Washington.  This is the hdr version of Cameron Falls.

 Cameron Falls without hdr, both of the above using my Canon SX40.  I still have some dslr RAW photos to process, but am happy enough with the SX40 for my stuff. 

 Bkakiston Falls which was a bit of a hike to get to see.  Cameron Falls are just a short drive from downtown Waterton.

 This is the dry stream, lantern and the moss garden in June in the back garden.  The neighbor's ugly orange fence is a distraction in the background.  The moss is coming along nicely.  It has been really hot while we were away, so it needs water to continue to green up and grow.

 The rhododendrons and the hosta in June next to stepping stones that lead through the moss and under the deck where I am encouraging more moss and ferns.

 This is shooting from the front of fern and moss garden under the deck.  The cedar bare trunks are what is left of the privacy screen.  I have planted a bamboo and will see about getting some evergreens to fill in the screen, in the Fall.  There are a few other evergreens but it is too dark for them to grow well.    I hope to have the ferns and moss fill in.  Just in front of the fern you see on the left I have a sitting area.  It is very nice and shady to rest there when I am working on hot days.  The broken pot shards are set into the ground as an artifact and a place for the little lizards to hibernate.

 A closer view of the lantern and the mountain laurel with its mound of moss.  This area gets weeded once or twice a year and is otherwise easy care, and easy on the eyes.

This is the red rock canyon in the Waterton Peace Park.  Some information on the park that I researched some time ago:
" International Peace Park 

Waterton is quiet, uncrowded National Park. The Perfect place to view spectacular scenery, wildlife and enjoy outstanding recreational opportunities.

Discover nature at its best... Year Round!... A rare gem tucked into the southwestern corner of the province of Alberta, Canada.

In this breathtaking part of the world, the majestic Rocky Mountains rise suddenly out of the rolling prairies.

Amid the peaks are the lakes of Waterton Lakes National Park, carved out of the rock by ancient glaciers.

Waterton Lakes National Park borders Glacier National Park in Montana to the south, together making up the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, the first of its kind in the world. A place like no other, the uniqueness of Waterton Park is a blend of unusual geology, mild climate, rare wild flowers, and an abundance of wildlife. It is a scene which has remained unchanged for centuries.

Waterton Lakes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an International Peace Park, and a Biosphere Reserve! The only park in the world that has these three designations!

URL:  http://www.watertonpark.com/


Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park
Waterton Lakes National Park Waterton Lakes National Park
© Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada and Glacier National Park in the U.S.A. have a special relationship as the world’s first International Peace Park.

The Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park celebrates the peace and goodwill existing along the world’s longest undefended border, as well as a spirit of cooperation which is reflected in wildlife and vegetation management, search and rescue programs and interpretive programs. The two parks continue to implement many joint initiatives, and have extended their experience to build close working relations and projects with surrounding neighbours and jurisdictions.

How was the Peace Park established? In 1931, the first annual goodwill meeting of Alberta and Montana Rotarians was held at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton. It was at this meeting that members unanimously approved a resolution to establish an International Peace Park.

In 1932, American legislation approved a bill to create the Peace Park which was signed into law on May 2. On June 16, 1932, the Canadian bill was proclaimed.
There are now over 170 peace parks worldwide.

    “I know of no political movement, no philosophy, no ideology, which does not agree with the peace parks concept as we see it going into fruition today. It is a concept that can be embraced by all.

    In a world beset by conflicts and division, peace is one of the cornerstones of the future. Peace parks are a building block in this process, not only in our region, but potentially in the entire world.”

    Nelson Mandela

URL:  http://www.pc.gc.ca/progs/celebrations/themes/avril-april/waterton.aspx  "