Sunny Summer Stars
We are in high summer in Southwestern Ontario now with temperatures in the mid thirties, humid as a sauna and no rain in sight. Remember to water early in the morning or in the evening after the sun is low enough for shade. Morning is best so the foliage can dry off and helps to prevent mould, mildew and black spot from forming. Here in … Continue reading Sunny Summer Stars
Romantic Roses
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
Tolerance
Audacious Alliums
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?” Well, that’s an ornamental onion. 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. Carefree and elegant, they can be as delicate … Continue reading Audacious Alliums
Vibrant Viburnums
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
Containers
Remember to water your container plantings every day, maybe even twice a day on scorching summer days. Nothing will kill your beautiful plants faster than a hot dry container. Think about sitting in the middle of Death Valley in July! Container plantings are your personal bit of living art, a garden in miniature. You can use colourful annuals, perennials, textured foliage for a sophisticated look … Continue reading Containers
Garden Critters
I found this little guy in an oak tree at Sheridan Nurseries, Georgetown. He’s a gray tree frog and was singing his little lungs out until I showed up. Then he made like a piece of lichen, very convincing 🙂 Continue reading Garden Critters
Global warming my spade!
We might be undergoing climate change but it sure isn’t global warming here in Ontario!!! Continue reading Global warming my spade!
Cats and Gardens
Cats and gardens go together, like cats and artists, cats and writers, cats and pretty much anything as far as I’m concerned. This is Moses, my beautiful one eyed Arabian Mau who came from the streets of Dubai as a tiny kitten. He loves the garden and peruses his territory, nibbling on grasses and catmint like some feline connoisseur. Only a cat can take a wheelbarrow … Continue reading Cats and Gardens
And Plant!!
It helps to have some young brawn (in this case my son) to dig the holes for you 🙂 This is the gorgeous magnolia “Butterflies”, one of the rarer yellow magnolias. Magnolias are an old group of flowering shrubs and trees dating back to the Cretaceous period. Just think these beauties were around with Tyrannosaurus Rex! It is theorized that they developed before bees and … Continue reading And Plant!!
Garden Graces 