Trout lily, a plant with stunning yellow flowers that bloom in the early spring, is quite photogenic. Large colonies of trout lilies can entirely blanket the forest floor as they mature. The colonies take a very long time to grow to this magnitude and can be hundreds of years old. Naturalize in moist, shaded areas…
Lance-Leaved Figwort (Scrophularia lanceolata), and figworts in general, offer a substantial quantity of nectar, notably attracting bumblebees and bees but also butterflies and other insects, as well as birds such as the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. The Lance-leaved Figwort, a herbaceous plant native to North America, is regarded a pollinator magnet and a must for pollinator gardens.. Their…
Barren Strawberry is a perennial plant that produces an abundance of vibrant yellow daisy flowers at the ends of its stems from early to late spring. These flowers are most effective when planted in groups. Its round, compound leaves retain their green colour throughout the growing season, even into the winter months. Barren strawberries thrive…
The Downy Serviceberry (Amelanchier rubra) is a food source for over 40 bird species. Its berries can be utilized to produce jams and pies, offering a flavour reminiscent of those of the Highbush Blueberry. The serviceberry thrives in acidic, moist, and well-drained soils, though it demonstrates adaptability to various soil conditions. In natural habitats, it…
The serviceberry is highly adaptable to diverse growing conditions. They typically reach a height of 20 to 30 feet, making them an ideal choice for numerous urban lots. Their conspicuous presence is evident due to their white flowers that bloom in early May. The serviceberry fruit ripens in early summer and is highly sought after…
Dutchman’s Breeches is an ephemeral spring woodland species. It blooms in the early spring, when sunlight hits the forest floor before the canopy of trees fills in. The nectar on the blooms will be easily accessible to the first emerging bumblebees. The foliage, which resembles fern leaves, begins to yellow in early summer and eventually…
Author: Nancy McDonald, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) are wonderful flowers for both our gardens and kitchens. This vibrant annual comes from South America, was brought to Europe in the 1550s and was found in Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, Virginia, garden in the late 1700s. Some nasturtiums grow as climbers (3 m), others as…
Caring for a Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) in Lethbridge, Alberta, requires attention to the plant’s preferences and the unique climate of the area. Nannyberry is a hardy native shrub, often used in landscaping for its attractive berries and fall color. This guide is based on firsthand experience from the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden in Lethbridge, Alberta—a city located in hardiness…
If you’re looking for a tough, low-maintenance shrub that can handle unpredictable weather, Globe Caragana (Caragana arborescens) is a great choice. Globe Caragana is a compact, ornamental evergreen that can tolerate cold winters, dry summers, and a variety of soil types—making it an excellent addition to your yard. Here’s how to keep your Next Spruce…
Successfully growing a Preston Lilac requires thoughtful consideration of your local climate and soil conditions. This guide is based on firsthand experience from the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden in Lethbridge, Alberta—a city located in hardiness zone 4B, where winters are cold, and the climate is relatively dry. You can also see Preston Lilac by visiting Nikka Yuko. Planting Location: Full Sun:…
Veronica liwanensis was recognized as the Plant of the Month for February 2025 by the Ottawa Valley Rock Garden and Horticultural Society. Over the past four years, I have cultivated this plant in various locations within my yard, primarily in full sunlight. Some specimens thrive in a relatively dry garden, while others have spread and are…
The Forget Me Not flower, by any other name would not be so sweet to gardeners, nor would the other numerous little blue forget me not flowers affectionately given the same name by their admirers.
True forget-me-not flowers have been prized by gardeners for generations.
Perhaps the little blue flowers of the forget-me-not are cherished because they are reminiscent of gardens of the long ago childhood gardens, or those of a beloved mother or grandmother.
You’re likely familiar with the big, impressive blooms of the hydrangea. What you might not know, though, is how simple hydrangea care can be. Hydrangeas are hardy fellas that don’t require a whole lot of fuss. They produce beautiful flowers that form various shapes from large globes to pointy cones. And not only do the…
Author: Nancy McDonald, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton; published with permission. If you are like me and grow lemon verbena, you now have a very large plant. What started as a small seedling in the spring has grown in size, approaching 60 cm (2 feet). So, what to do with this abundance? A Delightful Herb Let…
Lantana plants are low-maintenance and easy to care for with the right materials. Lantanas can grow in any sunny location with well-draining soil. They’re usually planted in the spring once the last frost has passed and the cold has begun to subside. Why grow lantana? Lantana plants are commonly used as an indoor or…
Veronicastrum virginicum, also known as Culver’s Root, is a tall, hardy perennial with lovely whorled leaves. In the early and middle summer, the plants are topped with prickly racemes that are densely packed with small tubular white florets. The inflorescences have many branches that resemble a beautiful candelabra. Prairies, damp meadows, and open forests are…
Virginia waterleaf, Hydrophyllum virginianum, is an excellent choice for shady areas and woodland gardens. It can spread quickly from rhizomes and fill open areas, where some gardeners use it as a groundcover. Where to find Virginia Waterleaf Virginia waterleaf is a perennial typically found in low woods, thickets, ravine bottoms, bluff bases, river flood plains…
The Saskatoon Berry Bush is a woody, perennial shrub that can yield fruit and adapt to a variety of soil types and climatic conditions. The Saskatoon is a small to medium-sized shrub or tree that is a member of the Rose family. It shares a kinship with the mountain ash, apple, and hawthorn. Saskatoon berry…
Blackberry bush is the plant for you if you are searching for simple fruit to grow in limited space. In many areas, these sweet-tasting blackberries grow untamed in the forests and alongside trails. In the wild, they successfully contend with a range of weeds. They’ll grow easily if you put a few of them in…
Partridgeberry is a low-growing, creeping, and woody herb that is evergreen, perennial, part of the Rubiaceae family. From Newfoundland down to central Florida and west to eastern Texas, partridgeberry can be found all across the eastern United States. It naturally occurs in woodland settings, primarily on sand slopes along creek or river banks. However, it…
The white trillium (Trillium grandiflorum), also known as the wake-robin and the white lily, was officially adopted as Ontario’s floral emblem in 1937. These perennial wildflowers are ideal for shade gardens and wooded wildflower gardens. The Eastern North America piedmont and mountains are home to the perennial wildflower known as the white trillium. In nature,…
Red trillium, one of the most popular forest wildflowers, ushers in spring with its lovely, fragrant, maroon-purple blooms. It is one of the most iconic native perennial flowers. It has three leaves, three petals, and three sepals. This beautiful plant looks best when planted in groups or blended with other forest wildflowers and ferns. It…
The hoary vervain, or Verbena stricta, is a type of herbaceous plant falling under the Verbenaceae family. The flowering plant is most commonly found in different states of the United States, namely Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Kansas, among many others. While it is native to most of the states, it has…
Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) produces fantastic fruit and it is easy to grow. This berry bush provides a second pleasure: It is an ornamental beauty with beautiful colours throughout seasons. White flowers in the spring, dark green leaves thorugh seasons that transform into blackish purple berries with dark red leaves in the fall. Various jams and…
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