Visiting a home garden is one of the best ways to learn how certain plants perform in a landscape. It’s an opportunity to see how they mature and what they look like paired with others. If the garden is located in your neighbourhood, so much the better: What grows down the street from you will likely succeed in your own plot, too. However, visiting gardens farther afield also … [Read more...] about Visits inspire garden design ideas
Plant hardiness zones changing, slowly
As gardeners in a northern climate, we’re quite aware of the challenges of growing plants that may be borderline hardy in the region where we live. “Will it grow in my zone?” is the pertinent question about winter hardiness for perennial plants. Scientists have developed maps of plant hardiness zones for Canada based on seven climate variables (not only the average annual … [Read more...] about Plant hardiness zones changing, slowly
Vivid colours in President’s Choice new plants
The new plants for 2014 in the President’s Choice Lawn and Garden collection pop with vivid colours. The PC plant unveiling is annual event, displaying selections made by Peter Cantley, vice-president of floral and garden at Loblaw Companies Ltd., and his staff. Guests are also invited to take plants home to try in their own gardens, so it gets a little frenzied at the end of … [Read more...] about Vivid colours in President’s Choice new plants
Make your own winter arrangements
Now is the time when many shrubs and trees go through their annual sacrifice of branches to help fill our outdoor containers with colour and texture during winter. I fill two large containers on our front porch in early December, choosing branches that will last until it’s time to replace them with pansies next spring. Look in your garden for materials that will add interest … [Read more...] about Make your own winter arrangements
Container Gardening Basics
Start with container gardening basics. Successful container gardening depends on the right container and soil. Careful feeding and watering also keep your containers thriving. You'll learn the container gardening basics in this video featuring Garden Making Editor-in-Chief Beckie Fox: 1. Choosing a container: consider the size and weight, the material it's made from and … [Read more...] about Container Gardening Basics
