Beckie Fox
Don’t overlook spireas
I’ve declared Spiraea thunbergii ‘Fujino Pink’ to be my favourite spirea at one point, but I’ve changed my mind; Glow Girl birchleaf spirea (S. betulifolia Glow Girl) is my new favourite.
Easygoing rhododendrons
To grow healthy rhododendrons, location is key. They need some sun and don't do well in exposed locations (winter winds desiccate the foliage and kill flower buds). I have two rosy red blooms on ‘Haaga’, a University of Helsinki hybrid I planted two years ago, and I’m thrilled.
Garden container combos to try this year
May and June are prime time to shop for vegetables and annuals, because nurseries are well-stocked with these seasonal offerings. Here are some annuals I'll be trying in containers this year.
Creating a potted topiary
I have a couple of formally clipped myrtle standards in terra-cotta pots I’ve had for a few years. They started as small plants, and have been pruned and repotted as needed; they spend winters indoors in a sunny window. Currently, I’m in the process of hardening them off so they can summer outdoors.
How to test for seed freshness
Many seeds stay viable for a year or more, especially with careful storage. (Protect them from moisture, heat and light.) If you’re wondering if some of last year’s — or older — seeds are still viable, here's how to test them.
