I had a walk around the block this weekend, and it seems like all the spring-flowering shrubs are in bloom at the same time. The alternating weeks of warm and cool temperatures in southern Ontario have confused the orderly progression of bloom, and they’ve expressed their frustration by just getting on with it. I saw Japanese quince, Japanese kerria, magnolia, honeysuckle vines … [Read more...] about When to prune spring-flowering shrubs
lilacs
Tree peonies and their kin
The natural elements can be cruel. The fabulous, 10-inch (25-cm) blossoms on my mauve tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa, Zone 5) are all smashed up, the result of an unpredicted heavy rain one recent evening. That was certainly a low blow to a gardener who, with a little advance notice, would gladly have stood there holding an umbrella over the blooms during the deluge. That … [Read more...] about Tree peonies and their kin
Coping with clay soil
Simple clay amending techniques for a clod-free garden After almost 40 years of gardening, I’ve learned that the limitations of climate, shade and space are nothing compared to coping with heavy clay. Wise plant choices help mitigate the shortcomings of shade and a small lot. Careful cultural practices lessen the impact of drought and unwelcome frosts. But coping with sticky, … [Read more...] about Coping with clay soil
