Isn't this an idyllic sight?The ground is covered in Vinca, a.k.a. Periwinkle, a vine which produces small purple trumpet-like flowers all summer long. Sprinkled throughout are Lily-of-the-Valley, and Bluebells - beautiful spikes of purple for spring - and in the upper part of the ground covering can be seen a lighter green patch of 'false-lily-of-the-valley' (Maianthemum dilatatum). These are native plants (the others are not) which offer a smaller, unscented white flower, and heart-shaped leaves.
This is the glade, between the house and Highway 28, also known as Campbell River Road.
In 1936, when Rod and Ann Haig-Brown bought this place, Highway 28 was a narrow dirt track that cut through the wide open space of a clearcut - a completely logged off tract of land that went on for miles.
No glades or bush or clumps of trees; only stumps, occasional fruit trees, and the odd house along the river.
In short order, Ann and Rod planted their own fruit trees and vegetables to feed the family, and crops to feed the cows, sheep, and chickens.
They also busily planted other trees, including the beech trees you see in the second picture.
But back to picture #1; notice the shadowy line running across the lower part of the photo, from the tree on the left. That's known as the daffodil walk, also a "folly" - a pathway that simply ends.
Rod planted the daffodils only months before his sudden death, and so never got to see them bloom. His wife and family decided to distribute his ashes amongst his beautiful daffodils, under the canopy of trees that he so lovingly planted forty years before.
Upon Ann's death, her family spread her ashes there as well, so she would rest with her beloved.
And every spring, the daffodils still offer their charming blooms for the rest of us to enjoy.
Sandra
In 1936, when Rod and Ann Haig-Brown bought this place, Highway 28 was a narrow dirt track that cut through the wide open space of a clearcut - a completely logged off tract of land that went on for miles.
No glades or bush or clumps of trees; only stumps, occasional fruit trees, and the odd house along the river.
In short order, Ann and Rod planted their own fruit trees and vegetables to feed the family, and crops to feed the cows, sheep, and chickens.
They also busily planted other trees, including the beech trees you see in the second picture.
But back to picture #1; notice the shadowy line running across the lower part of the photo, from the tree on the left. That's known as the daffodil walk, also a "folly" - a pathway that simply ends.
Rod planted the daffodils only months before his sudden death, and so never got to see them bloom. His wife and family decided to distribute his ashes amongst his beautiful daffodils, under the canopy of trees that he so lovingly planted forty years before.
Upon Ann's death, her family spread her ashes there as well, so she would rest with her beloved.
And every spring, the daffodils still offer their charming blooms for the rest of us to enjoy.
Sandra
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