Finally we’ve had a decent rain here in southern Ontario and more is on the way 🙂  The leaves are beginning to turn as the daylight shortens and the evenings cool down.  One of the first in my garden is Aesculus pavia or red buckeye chestnut with glowing sunshine leaves. On the other hand, the roses have gained their second wind and are showing a … Continue reading First Days of Fall
Silken wings flutter Dancing among the flowers Winter what is that? Continue reading Ephemeral
It was a chilly 8 deg this morning in southern Ontario…fall is in the air!  Now is the time to take stock of what survived over our scorching summer and grab some deals as the garden centres get ready to empty their inventory.  Just make sure what you buy has been watered well and looks healthy or it may be too stressed to survive the winter. … Continue reading Fall Planning and Planting
As gardeners and environmentally conscious people, we try to lessen the impact in our own homes and gardens. Â We plant for the bees and butterflies and try to plant a few plants for the larva so they won’t eat our prize roses! Â A great idea is to visit your local markets to buy local produce and reduce the transport carbon footprint. Â However not everything grows … Continue reading Unintended Consequences
The heart of a rose A bed for a sleeping bee Dreaming of honey Continue reading Queen
We are in high summer in Southwestern Ontario now with temperatures in the mid thirties, humid as a sauna and no rain in sight. Â Remember to water early in the morning or in the evening after the sun is low enough for shade. Â Morning is best so the foliage can dry off and helps to prevent mould, mildew and black spot from forming. Â Here in … Continue reading Sunny Summer Stars
There is nothing more romantic than an englsh garden dripping with roses. Rosa alba, “Cuisse de Nymph” Roses are undisputedly the Queen of flowers and rightly so when they are in full bloom.  Old Moss Rose And as a queen they are temperamental, fussy and prone to all kinds of attacks.  With the trend towards organic and fuss free gardening, one tends to give up … Continue reading Romantic Roses
While working at the garden centre, I was often asked “What’s that plant on a long stalk with a ball on top that looks like fireworks?” Â Well, that’s an ornamental onion. Â Then I usually heard “A what?” Ornamental onions or alliums are one of the lesser known bulbs but they are an invaluable addition to the garden. Â Carefree and elegant, they can be as delicate … Continue reading Audacious Alliums
After magnolias, viburnums are my favourite flowering shrubs.  A large family, Michael A. Dirr has devoted an entire book to them called “Viburnums  Flowering Shrubs for every Season”.  From our native species like the nannyberry and arrowwood viburnums that grow by the roadside to the highly scented spring flowering burkwood and koreanspice viburnums from Asia, there is a shrub for every garden. Viburnum juddii My favourites are … Continue reading Vibrant Viburnums
Garden Graces 