Gardening with Dani Collins

When it comes to gardening, I take the attitude that enthusiasm counts for more than skill.

 

We live in a rural mountainous area with tons of deer. They’re adorable when they’re small, but they can be a real nuisance if you’re an avid gardener. You have to fence your yard or get a dog or accept that certain plants are a buffet for them.

 

 

There’s no such thing as ‘deer proof.’ They will nibble anything, especially in winter. I have a ton of lavender and oregano, since they tend to leave that alone, and we’ve had good luck with lupins and irises. My mom was moving and let me lift a bunch of irises from her yard before they sold so I have some really beautiful ones like this:

 

 

Because of the long winter, I’m always looking for early bloomers and good perennials. My latest obsession are these tiny violets called Johnny Jumps. My mom’s garden was full of them in all different colors. They even got into the lawn, which doesn’t bother me a bit so I stole a bunch and am patiently waiting for them to carpet the place.

 

 

While we can get several feet of snow through the winter,  and floods in spring, our summers are hot and dry. A few years ago, I rearranged this corner into a rockery with some tiny succulents and those hardy oregano and lupins. No, that glass of wine didn’t grow there. In the evenings, I like to wander my yard to see what’s blooming and what needs weeding. (Hint: everything!)

 

 

My grandmother was a true gardener. She loved her roses and spent much of life weeding and tending her gardens. About twenty-five years ago, she gave me a cutting from her peony and we’ve managed to keep it alive all this time. I absolutely love it. It’s beautiful and has a rose-like fragrance.

 

 

Speaking of fragrance, we’ve been working on bringing more into the yard. We have several lilacs and choke cherries release a wonderful scent in the spring. They’re also an interesting tree, changing color through the year. I really love them so we now have three. My pride and joy, though, is our mock orange, which is situated near the deck so we can enjoy the perfume during happy hour.

 

 

I had never seen a smoke bush before we moved to this area and I only wish I’d bought one sooner. (There is a proverb that says the best time to buy a tree is twenty years ago, the second best time is today.) This was very small when we bought it, but it’s starting to come into its potential (despite my lack of diligent weeding.)

 

 

Finally, while we wouldn’t have planted fruit trees ourself, there were several on the yard. We have cherry, plum, apple and two pear trees. It’s always a race to see if we’ll get something off them or if the birds/racoons/bears and deer will get there first. This apple tree actually grew itself in my vegetable garden. I was prepared to cut it down last year when it finally went into blossom. The apples were so good (once they ripened)! So I’m leaving it for now.

 

 

I hope I’ve introduced you to some new plants!

 

Dani is an award-winning and USA Today Bestselling author who thrives on giving readers emotional, compelling, heart-soaring romance with laughter and heat thrown in, just like real life. She writes contemporary romance for Harlequin Presents and Tule’s Montana Born, and Western Historical romance for Entangled Amara. When she’s not writing, she gardens haphazardly. Dani lives in Southern BC, Canada with her high school sweetheart husband. Her latest release, Awakened on Her Royal Wedding Night, features a labyrinth with a rose garden in the center, something she’s always wanted in real life.

 

Dani Collins on the web:

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Awakened on Her Royal Wedding Night

Swept away to the palace

To become his bride!

Having dived into the ocean to escape one man, model Claudine Bergqvist washes up at Prince Felipe’s feet. She’s never before felt the searing heat that flashes between them. But she hardly expects Felipe to propose marriage!

Felipe must wed promptly or lose his place in line to the throne. So, in return, he’ll provide everything needed to help Claudine’s ailing mother. Claudine agrees—this could be her only chance to experience true pleasure! But can she enjoy the benefits of their marital bed without catching feelings for her new husband?

Buy on:

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Suzanne Gilchrist Goes to Roma Street Parkland, Brisbane

Today, I’d like to share my recent trip to Roma Street Parkland which is situated in the heart of Brisbane. So much better than depicting my current garden. I recently moved interstate to South-East Queensland and my yard is now a small L-shaped barren (although I like to think of it as a blank canvas!) scrap of dirt and grass. I’m currently thinking about how to transform it into my own little piece of paradise. Definitely a work in progress!

 

In the meantime - onto Roma Street Parkland! This magnificent park spreads across 16 hectares and encompasses the unique subtropical Spectacle Garden, a rainforest walk, a lake and an amphitheatre as well as art works and water features. 

     

I particularly loved the rainforest walk and took note of the plantings in the various shady areas of the park (of which there were quite a number).

        

I also discovered someone I was glad was in the tree and not on the path in front of me!

 

Although its wintertime, there were sufficient blooms as well as cunningly planted plants with variegated leaves to provide colour, texture and interest. There is a large lake, along with various streams, ponds and waterfalls. 

       

        

        

Dotted throughout the park are some wonderful stone carvings. I’d love to have one of these in my backyard. 

 

The park also has a children’s playground and hosts various events throughout the year. 

    

I’m looking forward to visiting again in spring to enjoy the early blossoms; and also later in the year (late Nov to Dec) for the annual Enchanged Garden festival. This event is always booked out so I must get in early for my ticket. It’s a light and sound event that showcases the nocturnal aspects of the garden. Last year it was the Easter Water Dragons that were highlighted and appeared as giant holograms. The gardens are a must when you visit Brisbane.

I certainly came away with ideas for my own garden; albeit on a lot smaller scale! Gardening is a great pastime, whether it’s working with pot plants, vegetable gardens or developing a real showpiece. Personally, I gain a sense of peace when surrounded by trees, shrubs and flowering plants, especially when they bring birds and insects into my yard. Thanks so much for being here today and happy gardening. 

About the Author

 

Suzanne Gilchrist can't remember a time when she didn't have a book in her hand. Now she dreams up stories where her favourite words are … 'what if' and 'where'?  Writing as both S. E. Gilchrist and Suzanne Gilchrist, she loves combining romance with adventure and suspense across many different genres including science fiction/space opera, apocalyptic, and contemporary small towns. 

 

S. E. takes a keen interest in the environment, anything to do with space, and loves walking her two dogs and spending time with her family and friends. She co-runs the Hunter Romance Writers group and is the organiser behind the multi-author writing ventures: the best-selling Bindarra Creek Romance series, the Deadly Forces series, and the Mindalby Outback Romance series.

 

Suzanne Gilchrist on the web:

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Is he her enemy or her future?

When a handsome stranger arrives in a remote outback town, Maggie Hayes’ almost forgotten dreams are re-awakened. For too long, she’s denied her adventurous spirit and now suddenly her future is filled with wonderful possibilities. At least it will be if only this intriguing man isn’t her beloved town’s enemy.

A past tragedy has led Jace de Haven to live without the complications of family or companionship. Yet when he meets small-town Maggie, her big heart and vibrant community spirit show him what he’s been missing. Can he find it in his soul to forgive and allow old wounds to heal?

But to have the future they crave, Maggie and Jace will need to take a leap of faith - together.

***
Under an Outback Sky is a love story and the fourth book in the Edge of the Outback series. The book is about forgiving the past and finding the courage to forge a new direction in life. If you love reading about small towns, country and rural communities (like Bindarra Creek romances) then you’ll love this series – similar to books by Barbara Hannay, Bella Andre, Melody Grace, Nora Roberts, Maisey Yates, Sarah Williams, Susanne Bellamy, Annie Seaton, Fiona McArthur, Heidi McLaughlin.

 Buy on:

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