The several dozen species of peonies that are grown mostly by enthusiasts, specialists and researchers are often reproduced by seeds. Seeds are occasionally employed to establish the principal horticultural peonies, but of course seeds will rarely reproduce the beautiful flowers of cultivars that have been maintained as clones. Peony seeds may have complex dormancy requirements,…
Summer is a season that is harsh for not only for humans but also for plants and crops. The scorching heat and dehydrate the plants that can lead to damage. Some plants even die due to excess heat and dehydration. Every gardener and farmer try to water their gardens and farms every day to save…
By Patricia Mosher While our gardens are snoozing this month, it’s easy to forget that bark, (yes, bark!), can add colour and texture to a landscape throughout the growing season, even into the depths of winter. The following suggestions will add a surprising amount of vertical intrigue to your garden all year round but have…
Berries are an irresistible treat for birds, particularly in winter when food is scarce. The fruits produced by these shrubs provide calories and crucial nutrients that birds need, particularly during the cold winter months when other natural food sources are nonexistent or buried in the snow. Here are some of my favorites to consider for…
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…
Staghorn Sumac puts on a startling display of color in the fall. It is a pleasing sight, especially in the fall, when the leaves turn extremely colourful. It is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants. Male and Female Flowers Female flowers produce showy pyramidal fruiting clusters (up to 8″ long), each containing…
Judith describes her simple process for drying sage. I stopped and drank in the view this morning on my way to open the chicken house. The trees were putting on such a show. I moved here over thirty years ago at this time of year, and these were the colours that welcomed me. Every year…
Judith discusses a slightly different method of saving tomato seeds, which involves fermenting the seeds to improve their quality. It is a dark morning with mist and fog. It would seem that autumn has sneaked in when I was not looking. The temperatures are starting to drop, so I am watching for frost. So far,…
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…
By Owen Clarkin, Ottawa Field Naturalist Club. All photos courtesy of Owen. One particularly interesting story from this summer is a population of apparently wild Swamp White Oaks discovered this summer (by Clayton Shearer) near Oak Valley (south of Winchester), including this magnificent roadside specimen: Swamp White Oaks have been found along an at least…
Wondering how to use neem oil as a natural fungicide on plants? Find out below. Neem oil is a vegetable oil that, in addition to its many benefits, protects plants from insects, mites, or fungal infestations. It is completely safe to use, and won’t harm people or animals or endanger wildlife in any other way….
White pine uses include the sensation of opening the lungs, throat, and sinuses, leading to a feeling of warmth, comfort, and stimulation. Eastern White pine, scientifically named Pinus strobus, is a tall and mighty conifer tree falling under the Pinaceae family. Also known as the soft pine, this species is native to eastern North American…
Gardenia varieties are striking and fragrant flowering plants in the Rubiaceae, or the coffee madder family. It is a genus native to various regions around the globe, including the tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. Learn more on how to care for gardenia. The plant’s name was assigned in…
Cubanelle pepper, beautiful, sweet, from the species Capsicum annuum, is almost ready to pick. It has gone through some tough times with chipmunks digging in the pot. The too-many cats and I are watching the rain through the front windows. The drops are dancing and splashing all over my thirsty plants. I was able to get…
Early Goldenrod, also known as Solidago juncea, is a herbaceous perennial wildflower of the family Asteraceae. Once started, it requires little maintenance and grows quickly. It thrives on ordinary, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun, and it can withstand poor, dry soils, especially soil with a lot of clay. It is a tolerant…
Over 500 species of succulent flowering plants belong to the genus Aloe. Houses, apartments, businesses, and other interior locations frequently have aloe plants. The most well-known type of aloe, or “genuine aloe,” is aloe vera. This is due to the fact that it is grown as the primary source for a variety of pharmacological uses….
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…
If you love seeing wildlife, the white spruce provides nesting sites and shelter as well as food for many kinds of wildlife. Birds and ducks prefer the seeds. Leaves are eaten by rabbits and deer. Red squirrels eat the seeds from the pinecones, and the spruce shoots. The bark is enjoyed by both porcupines and…
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…
Native to eastern North America, the American beech will stand out in any forest. It is a large deciduous tree, sometimes growing up to 120 feet tall . Its crown is typically dense, upright-oval to rounded-spreading. It blooms yellowish green flowers in the spring, the male flowers in drooping, long-stemmed, globular clusters and the female…
It is widely used as a Christmas tree and for wreaths. It smells great! It’s a good specimen fir for the landscape, and as an ornamental yard tree. However, it should not be planted in a Zone number higher than Zone 5. The pungent resin yields Canada balsam, used in the manufacture of varnish as…
Basswood is an adaptable native tree with aromatic flowers and pleasant foliage. Its flowers attract a large number of insect pollinators. Basswood honey is delicious. Basswood can serve as a statuesque street tree. It is a medium to large deciduous tree which typically grows to 50-80’ (infrequently to over 100’) tall with an ovate-rounded crown….
The Ironwood makes a great backyard tree as it is resistant to many diseases and insect problems. It tends to blend in with other trees and is commonly labelled as inconspicuous. Low to moderate pollution tolerance. Ironwood has the hardest wood of any native tree species, and is therefore not generally used for lumber. It…
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