Trying a few new plants for mixed containers is something I look forward to every year. But when I’m at the nursery, I also consult my list of favourites — the ones that never let me down, look good all season and don’t use up my whole plant budget. These are my insurance plants in case the new ones don’t live up to their billing or just don’t work out. Most on my list have … [Read more...] about Perfect container plants
begonias
4 steps to overwinter tender plants
Dahlias, begonias and other summer-flowering bulb-like plants are as common in our gardens as tulips, daffodils and crocuses are in the spring. But unlike their hardy cousins, these tender plants that grow from corms, rhizomes and tubers hail from warmer parts of the globe — Mexico, South and Central America, Asia and South Africa — and can’t withstand our deep-freeze … [Read more...] about 4 steps to overwinter tender plants
Starting tuberous begonias
When you consider that tuberous begonias can flower continuously from June until frost, have blooms that last more than a week, are easy to grow, and come in just about every colour, it’s a wonder more gardeners don’t grow them. If this is your year to try growing tuberous begonias, now is the time to get them started. Bulb basics The neat thing about … [Read more...] about Starting tuberous begonias
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
Growing tuberous begonias
If you’ve been to a garden centre this past week to look at the packaged summer bulbs, you might have noticed a small open bin of begonia tubers. The tubers are sensitive to humidity and they’re packed in an open mixture of peat and straw to prevent them from developing mildew fungus. These lumpy, brown potato-like forms will grow to produce large double blooms on upright or … [Read more...] about Growing tuberous begonias
