Think of the colour white and the image of a wedding dress, eggs or snow will likely spring to mind. But with a little stretch of your imagination, visualize instead a small corner bed or a border around a patio filled with white plants. Single-colour schemes are sometimes referred to as “monochromatic” — a term that takes the romance out of any flower arrangement — but be … [Read more...] about Design a white garden
clematis
Plant picks: New for 2015
We asked nurseries, plant breeders and wholesalers, and seed companies to tell us about new plants they’re excited to offer to gardeners in 2015. We featured dozens of their top picks on four pages in Garden Making No. 21 Great Plants to Grow. We didn’t have room in the magazine for all of their recommendations, and have included more below. For more on favourite … [Read more...] about Plant picks: New for 2015
Making more clematis supports
I often try to get clematis to weave itself into supports that are less than traditional. Each year I’m faced with the same challenge. Finding myself without enough of the usual lightweight trellis devices, and entirely without fences, I’m letting necessity be the mother of invention. When clematis vines are jolted awake by warm days, they begin to come up gangbusters. They … [Read more...] about Making more clematis supports
Plants struggling with the heat
It’s hot as Hades (again!), and I frequently need to remind myself that this is early July, not August. Plants are struggling to stand in the heat and wind — or perhaps I could say that I’m the one struggling to keep them going. Strong sunlight has made beds by the front walkway inhospitable for plants like Durand’s clematis (Clematis x durandii, Zone 6) that bleaches to … [Read more...] about Plants struggling with the heat
New spirea: the last colourful plant
The leaves fell from most every plant this week, with the exception of a new spirea that surprised me with its late vivid colour. I had a gift of two small pots of Double Play Artist spirea (Spiraea japonica ‘Galen’, 2 x 2 feet / 60 x 60 cm, Zone 5). I planted them, and as leaves fell, the little plants were concealed. Sweeping leaves around in the beds, I uncovered these now … [Read more...] about New spirea: the last colourful plant
