The amazing diversity of wild plants, bushes and trees festooning our island paradise never ceases to be a wonder. Many of the most prolific are not naturally occurring, for example the summer abundance of digitalis, the common foxglove, a plant that is not in the least native to the Americas, let alone an isolated pacific island like Orcas, but roots and propagates in the most unwelcoming of soils with absolute delight, whenever allowed.
Lilac, azalea, rhododendron, all seem to thrive, flowering with great profuseness, in a manner that would make many a Western European plantation owners blood boil in envy. Vegetation of eastern hemisphere origin and flavor seems to particularly enjoy our climate, whether the undoubted Ottoman export the lilac, or of less obviously derived, the naturalized azaleas, rhododendrons, and magnolias.
I myself thoroughly enjoy the scent and appearance of the exotic, a perfect balance to the lush vert of native evergreens.
