Hydrangeas are one of the most loved and widely planted flowering shrubs in Canada. And although the Hydrangea genus is a large one, in my current garden, there are representatives of just two species: the smooth hydrangea (H. arborescens) and the panicle hydrangea (H. paniculata), both hardy to Zone 3. In the past I’ve grown other types in other gardens, notably big-leaved … [Read more...] about Bountiful midsummer flowers: Hardy hydrangeas
Reach for the top with foxtail lilies
Over the years, I’ve grown a lot of skyscraper flowers — primarily for their beauty, but also because they’re so useful for dramatic accents, focal points and floral screens. And when tall perennials are planted along the margins of small gardens, their height makes the overall space appear larger than it actually is. Hollyhocks, delphiniums, elecampane and spotted Joe Pye weed … [Read more...] about Reach for the top with foxtail lilies
My Canada 150 summer reading list
Now that the dog days of summer are upon us, many Canadian gardeners are beginning to spend less time edging, planting, pruning, watering and weeding, and more time enjoying our outdoor spaces from the vantage point of a comfortable chaise longue or hammock. And if you look closely, most of us will be armed with a book: Reading is a Canadian summertime tradition — whether at … [Read more...] about My Canada 150 summer reading list
Bunchberries make national headlines
Now here’s a line you don’t hear every day: “Bunchberry has been in the news this week!” Yes it’s true, and although you may not recognize the name, you’ve likely seen bunchberries if you’ve ever hiked through a Canadian forest in late spring (small, upward-facing white flowers) or in autumn (red berries atop burgundy leaves). It’s a truly lovely forest groundcover. The Canada … [Read more...] about Bunchberries make national headlines
Baptisias: Favourite almost-native perennials
I purchased my first blue false indigo (Baptisia australis) in 1990. At the time, it was considered a rare plant and was the only species in its genus that could be found at specialty nurseries. But within 20 years a number of excellent hybrids were released, and Baptisia australis achieved mainstream status when the Perennial Plant Association named it their Perennial of the … [Read more...] about Baptisias: Favourite almost-native perennials
