Zinnias and Cosmos are one of the easiest and most prolific annual combinations for endless blooms from summer through fall. Bonus: This combination makes an instant cutting garden! One of the best things about wildflowers is how easy they are to grow and maintain, but designing a thoughtful wildflower garden can take time, research, and…
For the past several years, the Vallarta Botanical Garden has been purchasing parcels of land that adjoin the VBG, thanks to the generous donations of some of our members and benefactors. These land purchases are not intended for an expansion of the Garden, but are a buffer zone that will forever remain in its pristine…
Our region’s flora and fauna are worth protecting. While the real estate boom in Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit may be a blessing to our region’s economy, aspects of its current development are of great concern for those who love and appreciate nature. Many places that were inaccessible refuges for wildlife just a few…
If you love the effect of an evergreen tree and the brilliant fall color of a deciduous tree, you can have both with a larch tree. Larch (also known as Tamarack) is renowned as Ontario’s only native deciduous conifer! These needled conifers resemble evergreens in spring and summer, but in the fall the needles turn…
Harebell, Campanula rotundifolia, is delicate, attractive, and graceful. Each plant produces an abundance of purple bell-shaped flowers. Harebell is a tiny wildflower that only reaches a height of about one foot, and it is native to many of the dry grasslands and partially shaded forests of North America. Its bell-shaped, deep bluish-purple flowers bloom from…
White Turtlehead, Chelone glabra, has masses of beautiful white hooded flowers at the ends of the stems from late summer to mid-fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. They are attractive in gardens. The flowers are excellent for cutting. It is a good choice for shaded or woodland gardens, rain gardens, bog gardens,…
The Cup Plant, Silphium perfoliatum, is a beautiful plant native to large areas in the central and eastern US and to Ontario and Quebec in Canada. Its large stature, (6 to 9 feet tall) and wide, tapered leaves are further complemented by an abundance of open yellow flowers. The flowers will re-bloom well into the…
The Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa) is Canada’s only native cactus, and is a great conversation piece. The Prickly Pear Cactus is a unique addition to any garden, indoors or out. Plant it in dry, sandy soil and enjoy vibrant yellow flowers. It is also one of the most common cactus genera in the United…
The wintergreen shrub is accentuated with either gorgeous, white bell-shaped flowers or brilliant, pinkish-red berries, depending on the season. Beautiful, fragrant wintergreen has evergreen foliage. This plant does well indoors, though it is typically used as ground cover. It’s the ideal addition to make your house cheery in the winter. Wintergreen makes excellent ground cover…
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…
Foamflower can be a great addition to many gardens. It has an interesting, attractive leaf when not in flower. It also produces masses of lovely, lightly-scented white star-shaped flowers that rise above the foliage. Shell pink flower buds appear from mid-spring to mid-summer. It is most effective for visual effects when planted in groups. Green…
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…
Gardeners who covet a crimson crush of color in October should look no further than a burning bush, Euonymous alatus. Almost any garden site and soil condition is sufficient for this super hardy shrub, although the brightest fall leaf colour appears on only those planted in a full-sun location. Burning bush shrubs are incredibly eye-catching,…
Canada Milk Vetch is great for attracting hummingbirds, birds, butterflies, and bees. The flowers and seed heads are excellent for bouquets, and the leaves have great texture. This is an excellent plant for heavy clay soils. It is deer repellent and spreads via rhizomatous growth. Good for use in restoration gardens and erosion control. Extreme…
Borage is a tall, attractive plant, often grown in flowerbeds with bright blue star-shaped edible flowers. Also known as “starflower,” the borage herb is a beautiful perennial with blue flowers that self-seed. Its flowers are cucumber-flavored, and all parts of the plant, except the roots, have medicinal or culinary uses. This plant is best grown…
Rhodora is a thin, erect-branched shrub that seldom grows taller than 3-4 feet. This small northern shrub has stunning blooms that appear before or alongside the leaves. Rhodora canadensis, also known as Canada rosebay, is a deciduous shrub native to northeastern North America and a member of the heath family. It is most commonly found…
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant native to eastern North America, known for its distinctive white flowers and reddish-orange sap. The plant has historical significance in native medicine and, more recently, has attracted interest for its potential medicinal properties. However, it’s also appreciated for its ornamental value in gardens. Here’s what you…
Barren Strawberry has masses of beautiful yellow daisy flowers at the ends of the stems from early to late spring, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its round compound leaves remain green in colour throughout the season. This is a high maintenance plant that will require regular care and upkeep, and should not…
The Miterwort, Mitella diphylla, is the jewel of the spring shade garden. Plant close enough to a path that the small flowers can be enjoyed up close. Welcome mitewort to shady gardens, cottage gardens, woodland gardens, and naturalized areas. This plant has a 20 to 45 cm long hairy stem. It bears two opposite leaves…
Bellwort is an excellent early-blooming native shade plant for the woodland garden, shaded border, wildflower garden, or naturalized area. It spreads slowly by rhizomes, so you can achieve a mass planting look under shade trees or along wood margins in a relatively short amount of time. Bellwort is easily grown in average, well-drained soil in…
Twin flower is a charming evergreen creeping vine that forms large mats in moist, shady woods. Its sweet-smelling blooms attract bees. After the flowers have faded, the plant’s evergreen leaves remain beneath the snow all winter. The Twin flower (Linnaea borealis) is a plant found throughout the northern hemisphere in circumboreal habitats. It occurs across…
Lance-Leaved Figwort, and figworts for that matter, are plants which may not have the most attractive appearance. However, they provide a large amount of nectar, and they equally attract bees, butterflies, and other insects, in addition to birds such as the Ruby-throated Hummingbird! Think of them as pollinator magnets. It grows easily and you can…
Wood Betony is a valuable and attractive native flower that is an indicator of pristine prairies. Its roots attach to the roots of nearby plants and uptake nutrients. Therefore, wood betony parasitizes other plants, using them as a water and nutrient source. This parasitism helps reduce the vigor of the tall prairie plants. Flowers are…
Eastern Redbud is an easy-going ornamental that can be grown as a shrub or as a small tree. Plant this one in full sun to partial shade for a stunning display of spring colour and for the emergence of heart-shaped leaves. Its natural habitat includes woodlands, thickets, and rocky streams. Eastern Redbud is not an…
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