You’ve done it. I’ve done it. We’ve all done it. At one time or another, we’ve all stepped back and thought “job well done.”

We had finished the account service. We had worked hard. We were sweaty, dirty, tired and a little smug. We knew we’d done a good job, and that the exotic, interior tropical plants were the better – much better -- for our efforts.

In the car home, we were quiet. Sherri startled me with her sudden exclamation of “look at that!” As I was driving and negotiating a tricky turn it was a difficult moment but, ever trusting, I scooted into the right lane and went around the block. Was I ever glad I did.

Sherri’s attention had been drawn to a unique and special exterior planting. A pyramid of colour – a magnificent surprise. What an exceptionally clever idea, we both agreed. Great use of space on a busy sidewalk. To achieve a block of colour, the Parks Board had built a pyramid of rectangles and filled them with magnificent hues. A splash of cheer among the grays and groans of concrete. Ah, we both agreed: nice job!

For well over 20 years my specialty was interior tropical plants. I knew some about exterior, but since the late ‘70s, have been passionate about bringing plants to people indoors. Over the last three years, however, in order to fulfill client needs and requests, our company has offered select exterior services to complement our interior programs.

I’ve been doing a lot of studying, surfing the net and learning these last few years. When working with interior plants you need to know about light, growing habits, pests, root composition and many other details. When working with exterior plants, there are also many variables. The basic knowledge requirements are the same. One needs to know about light preferences, growing habits, which pests plants are susceptible to, and more. Like weather. While they are different sciences, there are many similarities. It’s been challenging and exciting, learning species and related varieties for exterior.

And here’s where the spice – well, herbs, more accurately, come in to play. It’s apparent that good eating is the road to good health. For my son’s health, my own health and my neighbours’ good health, I do not cook. This is not so much a general rule as it is a heart-felt plea for abstinence on behalf of good health and safety for all.

Can you imagine my dismay when a favourite client asked me to plant up a garden of herbs for cooking. Huh? My first and most immediate reaction: You wanna eat my tenderly planted, lovingly tended little friends? Surely not!

Notwithstanding my immediate reaction, I figured what the heck – they’re not exotic tropicals. So what do I know? Not a lot at all, but what a great opportunity! My helpmate at the nursery, Jen, laughed enthusiastically when I explained my dilemma. “You really are an exterior neophyte,” says she.

Ask me about a ‘trandescantia’, a ‘plectranthus’ or a ‘dizygotheca elegatissima.’ I was grateful when Jen admitted she didn’t know what I was talking about. And so, with the help of a few wise folk, a couple of cook books to learn what spices and herbs are used most and a live-and-learn attitude, we created the herb garden of my customer’s dreams.

If I had not been on this quest, I might never have fully appreciated the beautiful Coquitlam pyramid plantings, or the marvelous, natural landscapes being designed and installed throughout the Lower Mainland.

Hence, variety, in the form of growing my gardening knowledge, has spiced up my life immensely. Not so much my cooking skills, though. Remember to bloom wherever you are planted!

Gail Hirst is an interior Landscape Specialist
604-984-6341 or plantpal@telus.net

Copyright North Shore Magazine Issue Oct - Nov 07