Here in southern Ontario the giveaway for 'ghost gardens' is a lilac. They were planted - the first brought carefully across the Atlantic - in the dooryards of cabins and houses. People died, moved away, farms were amalgamated or abandoned but the lilacs remain.
That is so interesting, Marian. I recently wrote a piece about lilac growing in a hedge here that I thought must be a relic of a long-lost garden. Such a lovely, resilient plant.
I'm over Seaham way and other parts of the Durham coastline quite often, on the beaches looking for sea glass. I have never noticed roses growing. Next time I am there, I will look out for these beauties and their vicious spines. ,🙏
Wonderful post, Phil! I bookmarked your link to the gooseberries post, to share when I write about the 'straggling gooseberry bushes' growing at Wuthering Heights!
Here in southern Ontario the giveaway for 'ghost gardens' is a lilac. They were planted - the first brought carefully across the Atlantic - in the dooryards of cabins and houses. People died, moved away, farms were amalgamated or abandoned but the lilacs remain.
That is so interesting, Marian. I recently wrote a piece about lilac growing in a hedge here that I thought must be a relic of a long-lost garden. Such a lovely, resilient plant.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jun/13/country-diary-life-in-this-valley-has-turned-full-circle-its-wild-once-more
Thank you! I subscribe to The Guardian, but I hadn't got to this week's column yet.
I'm over Seaham way and other parts of the Durham coastline quite often, on the beaches looking for sea glass. I have never noticed roses growing. Next time I am there, I will look out for these beauties and their vicious spines. ,🙏
The ones I’ve seen are scattered on the cliff tops between Nose’s point and Hawthorn dene.
Wonderful post, Phil! I bookmarked your link to the gooseberries post, to share when I write about the 'straggling gooseberry bushes' growing at Wuthering Heights!
Splendid - thank you