If you wheeze and sneeze when you set foot in the garden, just think about sex — plant sex, that is. “What people don’t realize is that many plants are either male or female,” says Tom Ogren, pollen expert and author of Allergy-Free Gardening: The Revolutionary Guide to Healthy Landscaping (Ten Speed Press, 2000). “Male plants produce huge amounts of pollen, the biggest … [Read more...] about Allergy-free gardening
impatiens
What impatiens plants can be grown?
Question from Helen in Ajax, Ont.: Just wondering if there is any news about impatiens plants. As you know, we have been told not to plant the regular garden-stand impatiens due to the downy mildew issue that hit them a few years ago. Have the growers been able to develop a replacement? Will we see them in the nurseries this spring? If so, are they safe to plant? Beckie’s … [Read more...] about What impatiens plants can be grown?
Bedding plants catch the eye
Is it too early to think about what to plant in next year’s containers, even though many of this year’s displays are still going strong? Especially when I haven’t even planted my fall bulbs yet? However, after seeing some of the new bedding plants that will be introduced next year, it’s hard not to think ahead. I got a peek at what's in the growers' greenhouses at the 35th … [Read more...] about Bedding plants catch the eye
Problem-solving SunPatiens catch the eye
I was recently surprised to see a display of large and vigorous impatiens plants, looking so robust that I had to check their tags to be sure I wasn’t mistaken. They were SunPatiens, a new strain of New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) that has been bred with wild impatiens species to produce hybrid plants with an impressive list of assets. SunPatiens thrive in full sun to … [Read more...] about Problem-solving SunPatiens catch the eye
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
