Taking hardwood cuttings in the fall is an easy, economical way to increase plants through vegetative reproduction; the new plants will be clones of the original. This method is also the only way to propagate hybrids and cultivars, which won’t come true from seed. Grow an entire hedge with cuttings from one privet shrub, or reproduce cuttings from a favourite weigela or … [Read more...] about How to take hardwood cuttings
shrubs
When to prune spring-flowering shrubs
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
Understanding blue hydrangea
Now in the fullness of summer, my neighbourhood is burgeoning with bright pink hydrangeas, but not a blue one is to be found. They have handsome foliage and hortensia-style flowers, broad corymbs of large showy clusters, and also some of the lacecap forms with masses of tiny fertile flowers on the inside of the blossom and larger infertile flowers ringing the outer edges. These … [Read more...] about Understanding blue hydrangea
New plants for 2010
Eagerly anticipated by gardeners are the new plants that nurseries, seed companies and breeders roll out every year. It could be a new colour, a novel variation, or increased pest or disease tolerance in one of their old favourites that piques their interest. Here are a few of the new annuals, herbs, perennials and shrubs available this spring that came to our attention or … [Read more...] about New plants for 2010
