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…
Ohio Goldenrod (Solidago ohioensis) has a compact form that belies its large, exuberant floral display late in the season. It has flat-topped clusters of vivid yellow flowers, while lance-like leaves form a basal rosette. Seeds are produced with fluff, which is dispersed through the wind. Native Americans and early settlers used this plant to make…
Slender Blazing Star is an upright, clump-forming perennial with fluffy, purple flowers that bloom in late summer. It is best to plant it with slow-growing perennials or as a border plant, as it is a shorter, non-competitive plant. The long-blooming perennial Liatris, a slender blazing star or gayfeather, is native to eastern North America. It…
Hostas are lush, leafy perennials that generally thrive in shade to part sun. They are sought after for their leaves, and their ability to thrive in shade, although, every year there are new introductions whose flowers are extremely fragrant, adding to the mix. These plants come in tiny form, like Hosta Blue Mouse Ears, or…
Obedient plant, true to its name, its flowers are “obedient” and can bend in any direction. The obedient plant is a flowering plant in the mint family that is easy to grow. It boasts tubular pink to pale lilac flowers in upright terminal spikes. The flowers bloom bottom to top on each spike. This is…
Lavender is a popular and fragrant plant for both commercial and personal use. It is also one of the simplest plants to cultivate from seed. Growing and caring for Lavandula angustifolia in your yard can provide you with a pleasant fragrance all year. It has a peaceful and tranquil aroma, which provides therapeutic benefits that…
The Hairy Beardtongue possesses many beneficial characteristics. It is, for example, small and controllable, does not compete or spread widely, has attractive and delicate blooms, and is tough (meaning it is hard to kill). It is a larval host for the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly and is an excellent choice for a butterfly garden or many…
Butterfly Milkweed is valued for its magnificent clusters of bright orange to yellow-orange blooms that bloom all summer. They tend to be a great additon to many gardens. The lush vegetation creates a dark green backdrop that enhances the colourful blooms. This plant is a well-known choice for all sorts of gardens due to its…
Foxglove Beardtongue is a fantastic addition to native plantings, wild gardens, cottage gardens, and naturalized areas. Plant a solitary plant among shorter companions that have vibrant green foliage to create a specimen, or group several plants together to create a mass of dark foliage and numerous white flowers. It performs well in rain gardens despite…
Rhododendron are highly valued in landscaping. Their gorgeous pink flowers brighten up any location. The flowers also attract bees and the rare bog elfin butterfly (Callophrys lanoraieensis) that drinks its nectar after hatching. They are a remarkable flower because of their explosive, butterfly-like look. Where to Plant In nature, find rhododendron in acid soils and…
The more than 900 species more commonly known as sages are related to Nepeta (Catmint) and Monarda (Bee Balm). The common sage The common sage Salvia officinalis is extensively grown as a culinary herb for flavoring and seasoning meats.
You may be surprised to know that pineapples are a type of terrestrial bromeliad, and they have a quite complex root system. They grow in a manner that is very similar to other types of plants, in that the roots gather water and nutrients to nourish the growing plant. Epiphytic bromeliads, on the other hand gather nutrients and moisture from the air. Tillandsia usneoides, or “air plant” is one example of this type of bromeliad, and Spanish moss is another.
There is something about the fresh smell of a flowering lemon tree. Lush, dark green, oval leaves shining in the sunlight. Their fragrant, white blooms, sweet smelling and alluring quality makes one want to own their own tree. Too hard to do?
The Jasmine plant (Jasminum polyanthus) is a beautiful plant that smells great. It grows well in containers, as a hanging plant, or over a wire frame. We share information on care and propagating the Jasmine plant as an indoor plant. But you can also grow it outside on a trellis! The Jasmine Plant is Attractive…
Peonies are a wonderful, lush addition to any garden. With their gigantic, radiant, colourful blooms and delicate greenery, they are certainly a feast for the eyes. Young peonies take a few years to develop. The stems are their weak spots due to oversized blooms, so if needed, ensure you use metal peony rings or wire…
The Marigold, a cheerful and easy plant to grow, and the first choice among those who want a bright and splendid natural display for their homes! This annual plant flowers with radiant sprays of multi-colored brass, copper and gold flowers all throughout the summer season.
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