About Drought Smart Plants...... and me
My Life in a Nutshell...I've always been a gardener, it just took me a long time to figure out the rest of the equation - growing plants for other people to enjoy! I was born in England, and for those that don't know, the British as a nation are intrepid plantsmen (and women). My parents and their parents were enthusiastic gardeners, making new gardens and improving the ones they had every year.
Transplanted...We made the biggest move of all in 1968, when we emigrated to Canada. What a huge adventure; thinking back, what brave and intrepid people my parents were.After we arrived, the first thing my Dad did was - you guessed it - build a garden. 
My two brothers, my sister and myself were always included in the planting and harvesting vegetables, as well as designing flower beds and planting and caring for those as well. In my older brother's case, his favorite thing was to start up the horrible noisy old roter tiller, and build from scratch, while the rest of us followed along behind and planted. Transplanted Again...Later, after my two daughters were born, I happened to move to a farmstead in Aldergrove, British Columbia. The property was rented, but that didn't stop me - I had the bug! The old lilac trees and spindly bushes were identified, pruned, and fertilized; a compost bin was built.
Branching Out...Then the day came when I saw an ad in the paper for a course on Ornamental Horticulture at the Fraser Valley College Chilliwack Campus. I was hooked from that moment on. I took the one year very intensive course, and due to my fanatical interest in the subject matter, I passed with flying colours and received my diploma. Now that I can call myself a Certified Horticulturist I've never looked back.Finally, Roots...After working for several nurseries and gaining valuable experience, I've put down roots in my little nursery called Blue Fox Farm, eventually narrowing the focus to Drought Smart Plants. It's had a few wobbles, but now it has taken on a life of its own.I wasn't sure people would want to plant gardens simply for pleasure in times of economic uncertainty and climate change... 
I'm happy to say I was wrong! I get many requests for information about the tender succulent plants I grow, and inquiries relating to the Sedum, Sempervivum, and huge interest in thyme plugs and the other fascinating plants in my nursery and garden. It makes me so excited to turn other gardeners, knowledgeable or novice, on to using all these gorgeous drought loving and smart plants in their gardens. I have renewed hope that we can all do one (or several) small things to help heal our planet, and I want to help others do their part. If you have any questions about the plants I grow or to arrange a tour of Blue Fox Farm, contact me directly. Are you interested in how I built this website? Click on the tortoise.
If I had a mission statement, this is where I would tell you about it. I don't have a mission statement, but I do have a philosophy which is pretty close. I'm in the News!Kootenay Biz Magazine has done an article about me - Check it out!
Go to Drought Smart Plants Home Page
|
We moved around a lot from the time I was little, and each time we got settled in each new house, my Dad built at the very least, a potato patch, a spot for some raspberries, and oh, yes, Dahlias; and don't forget the compost bin. 
