The weather this winter was unusually pleasant. In addition, the last two days were as if nature really wanted to prove to us that it is officially spring.By now, if you've read this blog regularly, you know that Vancouver is unlike other places at this latitude. Why is this? It's the Pacific, stupid! We're blessed with some amazing meteorological effects due to the ocean.
What did surprise me after coming here is how certain plants can be coaxed and cajoled into living here. Up on 12th street there's a house that fits right in with its neighbours, save for one thing: every year there's a banana tree out front! The microclimate on that side of the hill grabs a lot of sun.
People studying a map might think that cherry and magnolia trees would only be viable hundreds of miles to the south. Yet they grow here with plant aplomb. Even palm-like trees grace many parks.
Immigration gives this area a remarkable variety of people and cultures. Similarly, importation has provided a vast number of plants types not native to the area.