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…
Wild Bergamot is an attractive, purple, flowering perennial, which supports many kinds of pollinators, including butterflies and hummingbirds. Its leaves are edible for tea, and flowers in salads. Wild Bergamot has rich globular heads of fragrant lilac-purple tubular blooms. The flower heads perch on a whorl of beautiful, pinkish bracts and bloom for weeks from…
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 Sugar Maple, a majestic tree species, possesses an impressive lifespan exceeding two centuries. Its vibrant colours reach their zenith during the autumn season, when the leaves undergo a remarkable transformation, transforming into hues of vibrant yellow, orange, and red. Recognized as the national tree of Canada, the Sugar Maple holds significant importance in the…
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…
Echinacea is an excellent flower to grow in a garden because its brilliant colours stand out against the green surroundings. They make an eye-catching colour display, especially when placed amid shorter perennials, where the spectacular purple, pink, and white blooms shine out above the leaves. It is also one of the perennial border’s longest-blooming plants….
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.
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,…
Author: Dale Odorizzi, Master Gardeners of Lanark County; published with permission One of my favourite vegetables is the carrot. They are easy to grow and store well in the fall and winter, and most importantly, they taste delicious, especially when pulled straight out of the ground, wiped off, and eaten. As I learned more and…
Author: Dale Odorizzi, Master Gardeners of Lanark County; published with permission Garlic is a wonderful crop. You plant it in October, mulching it well to help the soil stay warm enough for roots to form and to keep it cozy all winter. In the Spring In early spring, you pull the mulch back a bit…
Author: Claire Leduc, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton; published with permission There are not many treats better than fresh berries. Ripe blueberries are no exception. Growing your own blueberry plants is not too difficult once you understand their particular needs. Soil Preparation Fall is a great time to start preparing for spring planting. Blueberries grow best…
Author: Gail Labrosse, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton; published with permission Drying hydrangea flowers from your garden for a winter table arrangement is easy. The best time for picking the flowers is toward the end of the growing season, when they naturally start to dry out. Take a tall container of cool water with you when…
Author: Penka Matanska, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton; published with permission Testing the boundaries of what can be grown in Ottawa, Canadian climate Zone 5a, brings a thrill of excitement – especially when the attempt is successful. I would like to share my experience with growing ginger plant (Zingiber officinale), while providing a few tips of…
Lavender, known for its fragrant purple flowers and silvery foliage, is a popular plant for gardens and landscapes. It’s relatively easy to care for and can be used in various applications, from landscaping to essential oil extraction. Here’s how to grow, care for, and propagate lavender: Growing Lavender Choosing the Right Location Sunlight: Lavender thrives…
I love this time of year. Sometimes we get cooler temperatures, and sometimes I can pick up deals on fruits and berries at the roadside stands. Most importantly, my daylilies are blooming! Greetings fellow gardeners, I am in the midst of making lists and preparing what produce is available to me right now. Today I…
If you are fairly new to bulb planting, I suggest that you start with daffodil bulbs. Very few creatures will bother these bulbs. They do well in almost any situation, and they increase their number each year. Tulips, hyacinths, crocuses, and other tasty bulbs are more difficult. Greetings fellow gardeners, Oh, my goodness, what a…
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…
This hardy, ornamental shrub is my plant choice for January as it can be depended upon to deliver vibrant red colour to the winter landscape. At about 5-6’ tall and wide, this particular dogwood (also known as Red-twig) features a number of notable attributes including stunning fall leaf colour, attractive berries for the birds, vibrant…
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…
Fireweed, a member of the willow plant family, is distinguished by its gorgeous magenta flowers. Its common name comes from its sudden appearance after a wildfire. It may be a colourful addition to sunny, damp areas. It grows fast by rhizomes and requires little upkeep once established. It cannot, however, withstand competition; if other species…
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…
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