Dear editor,
It deeply saddens me to see the creeping loss of Courtenay’s Mile of Flowers.
Little by little the colourful annual borders are being replaced by unlovely evergreens, dry grasses and gravel. I understand the cost of replanting and caring for annuals is considerable but there are many perennial choices that would give colour over the growing year. Why not bulbs, rising every year with hope in spring? Where are the skimmias with white flowers and red berries against green? Scabiosa? Day lilies? Heuchera? Why not pieris with bright pink leaves against white flowers?
Even carpet roses, tough little soldiers, provide colour and scent.
Geometrical, soulless evergreens are not care free. To keep their largely unexciting shapes requires pruning. Does our city gardener not remember the ’70s when we all planted juniper bushes that grew to engulf our public spaces? Perhaps blocks could be cared for by different public service groups or even private citizens. Perhaps a competition in beauty and care could involve children’s groups. Let us keep our city gardens bright and cheerful. Evergreens, dry grasses and gravel provide a poor welcome to our city.
Heather Flint
Courtenay