Bulbs can bring spring cheer indoors and brighten up your home, particularly in the middle of the long winter.
Bulbs can be planted in almost every type of container, providing it has good drainage. The bulbs will be planted closer together in containers than outdoors. You can combine bulbs with other plants or with other bulbs to prolong flowering enjoyment.
Popular Varieties |
Planting TimeMth/Day |
# of Weeks of Cold(2-9 Degrees C) |
Earliest Bloom FromMth/Day |
HyacinthsPrepared (pre-cooled)Not Prepared |
09-15 / 12-15 |
10-12 |
12-15 |
TulipsBlenda |
10-01 / 12-01 |
14-15 |
01-15 |
DaffodilsFebruary Gold |
10-01 / 12-01 |
12-13 |
01-15 |
Special BulbsCrocus |
10-01 / 11-01 |
14-15 |
02-01 |
Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association represents the leading garden centres in Ontario. As one of the select garden centres which has achieved “Approved Member” status, we assure our customers receive a high level of service, a good range of quality plants and associated products, together with professional advice and information.
]]>As the snow melts away, you may be surprised to find that your once, lush green lawn is less vibrant. The accumulative effect of salt, snow, wind, and frosty weather can cause damage to both the roots and tips of your grass. But that’s not all, winter may have been hiding some unexpected surprises, including mould and root damage from voles.
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Lawn Burn |
Tell-Tale Sign: Brown or Yellow GrassGrass thrives in a naturally alkaline environment. However, a season of salt spray and build-up can create patches of yellow and brown grass. If left alone, these weakened areas will become prone to weeds and insects. |
TreatmentSalt not only burns the tips of the grass, but it can also seep into the soil, creating an acidic environment where grass may struggle to survive. When treating salt-impacted areas, the first goal is to neutralize the soil. This includes rinsing away any salt build-up and adding Dolomitic Lime to help rebalance the PH of the soil. Once the treatment plan is done, remove the dead patches of grass and replenish the area with nutrient-rich compost and grass seed. |
Snow Mould |
Tell-Tale Sign: Pink or Gray PatchesRemember that surprise snowfall we had in early November? Well, early and late snowfalls can result in snow mould growing on your lawn. A tell-tale sign of mould is pink or gray patches in your lawn. |
TreatmentRake the area to allow the mould to dry and loosen the grass. In severe cases, remove the dying grass and fill in the patches with nutrient-rich soil, like Garden Gallery Triple Mix, and grass seed. |
Voles |
Tell-Tale Sign: Trails of exposed dirtIf you’re noticing trails of turned-up dirt, you most likely have voles. These little rodents tend to feast on grubs and as a direct result may also end up nibbling on roots and tubers as they forage for their food. |
TreatmentReplenish the bare areas with Garden Gallery’s Triple Mix and grass seed. To help manage the voles, remove any wood chips or piles of leaves, trim any low layer of branches and mow your lawn regularly. Voles like to burrow and are attracted to areas that have a lot of vegetation and spots to hide. This clean-up process will help limit any potential hiding spots for these rodents. This walk-around will help you target and treat any damage that may have occurred over the winter. However, all lawns need care and attention after a season of nutrient deprivation and stress. These six simple steps will help get your spring lawn off to a great start. |
Raking will help remove any grass that may have died over the winter and prevent it from growing into thatch. The process will loosen up the soil, any dead/damaged grass, and remove any debris (leaves, branches) that may have been lingering since fall.
Areas in your lawn that are compacted, typically high traffic areas, will make it harder for your lawn to get the nutrients and water that it needs. Aeration will help break up the soil so that both your existing and new grass roots will have room to grow.
Spread a thin layer of compost or Garden Gallery Triple Mix over your entire lawn. This will add moisture and nutrients back into your soil. Seasonal topdressing is the key to improving the overall health of your lawn, creating an environment that grass will thrive in. As an added bonus: top dressing will also help breakdown thatch and smooth out uneven areas in your property.
Adding new grass seed to your lawn is the best way to create rich, lush turf. Garden Gallery has a full line of Elite Grass Seed, including all-purpose, shade, and sun, making it easy to choose the right seed for your area. As an added benefit, regular reseeding your lawn will help keep weeds under control as the empty spaces in your lawn will now be filled with healthy, grass.
For an extra layer of protection, add a layer of Corn Gluten to your lawn in Early Spring (the sooner the better). When applied to lawns, corn gluten can be a very effective natural pre-emergent herbicide stopping weeds from taking root. Apply the first application of corn gluten early in spring, during a short (two to three days) dry period. These dry days are necessary to make sure that the corn gluten is effective in stopping any emerging crabgrass or weeds from rooting. For best results, apply corn gluten every four to six weeks to help prevent weeds from rooting all season long.
Give your lawn a bit of a kickstart with a boost of fertilizer. Products like Garden Gallery Spring and Summer Fertilizer 22-4-10, for general application or Garden Gallery Sod and Seed Food 10-22-10 to help new seeds and sod establish strong roots.
Weeds and insects like to seek out lawn that is either dead, damaged, or weak. Following this six-step process each spring will help establish a healthy foundation for your lawn. The end result-a lawn that is green, healthy, and able to resist disease and weeds.
]]>March 20th marks the first day of spring. This hopeful season is full of growth and new possibilities. It is a time to explore activities, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy a little bit of sunshine.
]]>Did you know that the name spring is all about flowers? According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word spring comes from the Old English Word "Springan" which means “to leap, burst forth, fly up, spread and grow”. It’s the perfect name for the season that marks flowers bursting from the ground, new buds on trees, and fresh starts.
As much as we want to get planting in the ground. It’s still about two months too early. So, what can you do to capture that spring feeling when snow or frost covers the ground?
It’s simple-bring spring indoors!
Are you thinking of starting a vegetable garden this year? Growing your own vegetables is a great way to get exercise, enjoy fresh flavours, explore new varieties, and save money.
Seeds should be started at least six to eight weeks before they get into the ground, which makes the end of March the perfect time for planting. To get started all you need are a few simple tools including potting soil, small pots (or a seed starting tray), and of course the seeds.
Seed starting kits, like the line of products from Jiffy, make it easy for both beginners and vegetable garden veterans to sprout their seeds indoors.
Beans, peas, sunflowers, lettuce, and pumpkin are just a few of the seeds that are the simplest to get started. However, don’t stop there. Why not add some colour to your plate with rainbow carrots, rainbow swiss chard, and an array of tomatoes and peppers? Introducing these new and innovative varieties into your garden is an inexpensive way to treat yourself to a gourmet experience. Shop Seeds & Seed Starting Supplies.
Got Spring Fever? We get it. Spring is an opportunity to give your home a bit of a refresher. So, open those windows, listen to the birds and let’s add some spring décor into your home.
Bursts of teal, orange, and cobalt blue will beautifully brighten your home. For a quick fix: simply replace your cozy winter blankets with spring-themed throw pillows. Our favourites this year include beautiful images of hummingbirds, butterflies, and dragonflies.
Brighten up your doorway with a spring everlasting wreath. These beautiful wreaths are easy to maintain and are a great way to refresh your door year after year. Make your own or buy one that is already made, like our cherry blossoms or lavender wreath.
There are so many ways infuse your home with the feeling of spring. Change up your place settings, rotate your prints, or simply add some spring hued flowerpots to brighten up your space. Shop Décor.
Spring is all about the flowers. Potted spring bulbs are a fun way to bring the colours of aromas of spring into your home. Bright-coloured kalanchoes and tropical hibiscuses are two other varieties that will help add that splash of spring.
Spring package kits (including bulbs, primulas, and ranunculus) are a fun way to enjoy your favourite spring bulbs early. These kits can easily be started indoors and then transplanted into your favourite outdoor urn for a burst of spring colour in your entryway.
There’s no need to wait for the snow to melt to enjoy the first hints of spring. Bright colours, newly sprouted seeds, and the aroma of spring flowers will help transform your indoor space into a spring oasis. Shop Bulbs.
]]>The first thing you will need to do is decide what to plant. If this is your first time sowing seeds, a good plant to try is marigolds: they germinate quickly and are not too picky about their conditions. For the more experienced gardener this is the time to explore the seed racks and see what’s new.
Take the time to read the seed packets as they contain a lot of important information. The key things to look for are the planting date (often listed as how many weeks before the last frost) and if you are growing vegetables or fruits, the days to maturity.
Start Indoors: | Plant: |
10 weeks before last frost | Celery, eggplant, leeks, onion, peppers, impatiens, lobelia, verbena and perennials |
8 weeks before last frost | Early head lettuce, begonia, coleus, nicotiana, petunia, salvia |
7 weeks before last frost | Tomatoes and early basil |
6 weeks before last frost | Early leaf lettuce, early cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, kale, and small seeded annuals. |
4 weeks before last frost | Melon, late basil, cucumber, squash, pumpkin, large-seeded annuals, and flowering vines. |
2 weeks before last frost | Corn, tender bulbs such as glads, and annual vines such as morning glory |
Week of last frost | DIRECT SEED beans, carrots cauliflower, cucumber, squashes, heat-loving flowers such as zinnias, marigold, and lavatera. Transplant tomaotes, cauliflower, squash and cucumbers. |
1-2 weeks after last frost | DIRECT SEED lima beans, soybeans, melons and herbs such as basil, summer savory and sweet marjoram. Start second crop of kale seedlings, and reseed spinach and peas for second crop |
One of the most common mistakes made with seeds is starting them too early. While it may seem like a good idea to get a head start, your plants may become leggy or spindly, leading to weaker plants. Unless you are prepared to transplant your seedlings into larger pots, it is best to stick to the suggested timelines.
If you have the itch to get something started now, consider growing some spouts! They are a great way to enjoy some fresh, homegrown veggies during the long winter months. Try Alfalfa, Radish, wheatgrass, or a salad mix: they are easy to grow and are ready for harvest from 5-12 days.
Starting seeds indoors is a great family project! You can even make it into a fun experiment and log which seeds sprouted first, then measure them weekly throughout the season to see which plants thrive in our area.
One of the fun things about seeds is there are often many unique plants that aren’t available later as seedlings. You can inexpensively try a new variety or two, or even a new plant every year and see what works for you. Another way to try new seeds out is to see if a neighbour or family member wants to swap a few seeds of another variety and you can decide at the end of the season which you liked better.
After you have selected your seeds, you will need something to plant them in. Seeding trays are often the easiest way to sow seeds, but you can also use peat pellets which can be found at most garden centres. Make sure your tray comes with a lid as it helps to keep the seeds warm and damp during the initial growing period. If you are re-using trays be sure to give them a good wash before starting this year’s seeds.
When starting seeds indoors it is important to use a soil specifically for seeds. These mixes are lightweight and help ensure your seeds do not become waterlogged, or too dry. We recommend Pro-Mix Premium Organic Seed Starting mix. Seeds like consistent moisture, and we recommend using a misting spray bottle to keep them damp.
Once your seeds are planted (and covered) they will need good, bright light. Place them near a bright window, or you can use grow lights. As soon as your seeds show signs of germination (sprouts) remove the lid or cover to ensure the seedlings receive fresh air. It is a good idea to turn your trays every week so your plants grow straight and don’t lean towards the light. Some varieties of seeds require some extra warmth during the first week or two of germination: place them on top of your refrigerator, or you can purchase a heat mat for seedlings.
The final step for your seeds is to transplant them outdoors. Plants grown indoors need hardening off before they are planted outdoors. After the last frost date, start by setting them outside in a shady, sheltered spot, initially for half a day, then gradually leaving them out all day. Progressively move them into sunnier and windier areas to acclimatize to garden conditions.
Sowing seeds indoors is a great way to try fun new varieties, and a budget friendly way to fill the garden. Don’t just dream about your garden, start your seeds indoors and you will be enjoying it sooner than you think!
Snake plants, or Mother-In-Law’s Tongue are one of the most recommended plants for improving air quality in a home. What makes this plant so great for improving air quality is that it releases oxygen at night. Most plants do the exact opposite and absorb oxygen during the night. This plant also acts as a filter for toxins such as formaldehyde. The snake plant is also very cost effective and easy to obtain making it an ideal choice for your home.
Another great plant to improve air quality is English Ivy. English Ivy is known to improve air quality by eliminating mold particles. This means that mold allergy sufferers will be able to breathe easier with the presence of an English Ivy Plant. English Ivy is also an easy to care for plant, and with minimal upkeep will make an excellent addition to the home. It is widely available and fairly inexpensive as well. One thing to note about English Ivy is that the leaves and berries can be poisonous to humans and animals if ingested, so if you have pets, it may be a plant to skip!
Spider Plants are another choice to help with airborne toxins in the home. Spider Plants can help to filter out many different toxins such as carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. Spider Plants are also very resilient, making it an easy to care for plant, and a great place for beginner plant owners to start with. Spider Plants are very easy to regrow as they flower into “spiderettes” which can be cut off and planted. This makes them another inexpensive choice to improve air quality.
Peace Lilies have been found to help with the reduction of many different airborne toxins. Two toxins they can help to clean are Benzene as well as Trichloroethene. Peace Lilies can also assist with keeping moisture in the air. The soil Peace Lilies grow in can also assist with absorbing airborne toxins so long as the plants are kept trimmed at the soil level, and the soil is partially exposed to the air.
Another easy to care for plant that can reduce airborne toxins is Boston Ferns. Boston Ferns require little attention aside from frequent watering, making them another great option for beginner plant owners. Like Spider Plants, Boston Ferns can filter out formaldehyde, but can also help to filter out ozone in high pollution areas.
Overall, plants can be an inexpensive way to assist with airborne allergens and toxins as well as a great way to improve the look of your home. From Spider Plants, to Boston Ferns this list of plants will help you get started with the improvement of air quality in any living space! Will you incorporate any of these plants into your home?
Terrariums are the perfect way to perk up your indoor space! These mini tabletop gardens are easy to care for and maintain. All you need is a glass container, soil and a pinch of creativity!
]]>Terrariums are the perfect way to perk up your indoor space! These mini tabletop gardens are easy to care for and maintain. All you need is a glass container, soil and a pinch of creativity!
In this case, we use spikes or hard foam. With five flowers of equal length, we outline the circumference and the height of the arrangement. The remainder of the flowers, which should all have equal stem lengths, should be inserted in between. Fill out with leaves.
Mark the outline with three flowers, two of equal length and the one to be inserted in the middle of the arrangement, a little longer. The remainder of the flowers can now be divided within this triangle. Here, also some leaves or berries can be used to add accents.
The first stem should be twice or three times as high as the vase. The second stem should measure two-thirds of the first, and the third stem should be one-third of that height or even lower. In the centre, a firm leaf can serve as a transition between flowers and the vase or bowl. Now, add some smaller leaves to soften the straight lines and the arrangement is complete.
Want to keep your blooms lasting longer? Follow a few of these simple cut flower care ideas and you will keep your blooms vibrant and long lasting.
]]>Be sure to use a clean the vase, fill it with room-temperature water mixed with a G.G. Floral Life extender packet, which is included with your flowers. The Floral life extender is basically sugar that helps keep the bacteria count in the water low.
Re-cut the stems, every few days. Remove ¾” from the bottom of the stem, cutting the stems on an angle is the best for the flowers to continue to take up water. Be sure to use a sharp knife or floral snips/scissors to prevent squishing the stems. Also, remove any blooms or foliage that end up below the waterline in the vase.
Tip: want to keep the flower arrangement looking like the pros, tie a piece of twine or wire around the top of the stems before you remove them to re-cut, this will keep all the blooms in their place.
Last but not least – check your flowers daily, see if they need a top up on water. If you need to completely replace the water make sure to clean the vase thoroughly, add room temperature water and a new G.G. Floral life extender.
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Succulents are fascinating plants that are great for windowsills, desks, or just about any spot that gets lots of light. Succulents are able to store water in their leaves, much like a cactus in a desert. This makes them able to survive with little water. Plant owners only need to water this plant once a month. However, succulents love the sunshine, making a windowsill the perfect place for them to grow.
Fun Fact: You don’t have to stick to the colour green. With over 60 varieties, succulents have a range of colours and textures available.
As the name suggests, a snake plant looks like green snakes coming up from the ground. This plant does not give up easily either. It is able to survive for weeks without water, but most experts recommend watering once a week. A snake plant can survive in sun or shade, making it the perfect plant to care for all year long.
Fun Fact: Snake plants are nocturnal and purifying. This means that while you sleep, this plant will be working to clear the air of toxins.
This plant looks beautiful in a home and also has healing properties. Aloe vera have lengthy leaves with white detailing that look almost like teeth. The plant does well in both direct and indirect sunlight, although less sun makes the leaves grow longer and thinner. Aloe plants are more delicate with water. When planting, make sure to leave the plant for a week without watering so their roots can establish. Then, water enough so the soil is moist but not wet. Too much water will rot the roots!
Fun Fact: Aloe has many healing properties. You can cut off an aloe leaf and slice it down the middle. This will reveal the gel that can be scraped out and applied directly on a mild sunburn to help with healing.
Peace lilies are a unique houseplant to have. The amount of light they get will determine the colour of their leaves. In lower light their leaves will remain a classic green. To get the peace lily’s signature white leaves, the average light found in an office with well-lit windows is suffice. Make sure the soil is completely dry before watering, since peace lilies do not like to be overwatered.
Fun Fact: Peace lilies are also known as closet plants since they are so popular for indoor growing.
If you’re looking for a large plant to fill your space, a monstera is a perfect pick. The plant produces full, lush leaves. It is the ideal plant for a corner beside a window, as they like indirect sunlight. It is best to sit them outside on a sunny day at least once a year, since this encourages better growth. This plant doesn’t do well when overwatered, so it is best to wait until the soil is on the drier side.
Fun Fact: This plant is also known as a Swiss cheese plant because of the holes in the leaves.
Pothos plants are great if you don’t have floor space but want some greenery. As the stems grow, they droop and create a beautiful weeping willow effect when placed in a hanging pot. Pothos are sensitive to light and prefer something less direct. The interesting thing about this plant is that it can be fully grown in water or in dry soil, but the planter must choose one. A pothos that was started in water will have a very hard time growing in dirt and vice versa.
Not-So-Fun Fact: This plant is poisonous to people and pets if ingested, so please be careful!
Orchid have a bit of a reputation for being hard to grow and maintain, but they actually make amazing house plants. They thrive in humid areas but prefer watering only once per week.
They are most successfully grown in bright but indirect light. Placing it near a window would be best. There are specific soil mixes for orchids that are highly recommended for the longevity of your plant. This is a tougher house plant to manage but will look amazing in your home.
Fun Fact: Don’t worry if the flowers fall off — hey will rebloom from the bulb of the plant by cutting down the stem. If treated well, orchids can outlive their gardener!
Credit: By Gail Pope, Journalism Intern, Landscape Ontario
]]>All trees and shrubs will provide something of value to birds nesting sites, insect food, shelter from weather and predators.
There are, without doubt, birds in your garden now. If you wish to encourage more birds and more varieties of birds around your home, you can do so by providing a variety of trees and shrubs, particularly those that provide food in the form of fruit, berries, nuts or seeds.
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]]>All trees and shrubs will provide something of value to birds nesting sites, insect food, shelter from weather and predators.
There are, without doubt, birds in your garden now. If you wish to encourage more birds and more varieties of birds around your home, you can do so by providing a variety of trees and shrubs, particularly those that provide food in the form of fruit, berries, nuts or seeds.
If you grow Sweet Cherries, you know they have to be netted to prevent the birds from taking them. Mayday trees and Shubertís Chokecherry have fruit we do not find palatable but is enjoyed by birds. Sour Cherries that we use for pies also make a nice ornamental small tree.
Many trees have desirable fruit for birds, which we hardly notice, however the birds find with ease since the fruit is not highly coloured. Russian Olive is a good example and with its silver foliage and fragrant yellow flowers, it makes an excellent choice for gardeners.
If your garden is large enough for those tall trees, you will attract Orioles, Tanagers and the Red-eyed Vireo as they prefer the safety of the high upper canopy.
Small fruit, such as Currants, Raspberries, Blackberries and Gooseberries will certainly attract birds. Blueberries will have to be netted as they are so desirable. Among ornamental shrubs, there are many with choice fruit. The dark mature fruit of Elderberry is ravenously eaten by many songbirds, including Thrushes and Warblers. All Viburnums except the double-flowered Snowball, have berry fruit. The fruit of the High Bush Cranberry is not usually taken by birds, but can be a life-saving source of food in severe winters. Nannyberry fruit is found more palatable and is a favourite of the Brown Thrasher. Other shrubs with berries are: Oregon Grape Holly, Flowering Currant, Bush Honeysuckle, Rugosa Rose, Redleaf Rose, all Dogwoods, Serviceberry, Privet, Coralberry, Snowberry, and Autumn Olive. The fruit of the Cotoneaster and Firethorn are not usually taken by birds.
The brilliantly coloured berries of Mountain Ash are eagerly devoured by Robins, Cedar Waxwings and other birds. Many varieties and forms of Mountain Ash are available and they are highly ornamental trees. (The birds do not like the fruit of the variety Leonard Springer). If not eaten in the fall, they persist on the tree all winter. Their height above snow cover provides food when mid-winter sources are scarce and are also used in early spring by the first returning migrants.
Seed-eating birds such as Redpolls, Pine Siskins and Goldfinch find an abundance of seed on this attractive tree. It is particularly valuable to those birds which stay with us all winter.
The dense foliage of Spruce, Pine, Fir, Larch and Hemlock provide secure nesting sites for many birds and an ample supply of seeds from their varied cones. Cedar Waxwings love the red fruit of the Yew in the early fall.
If you can provide a wild spot in your garden for tall Grasses, Thistles, Goldenrod and Ragweed, you will add greatly to your list of bird visitors Horned Lark, Meadowlark, Butings, Bobolink and others. In a cultivated garden, ornamental grasses can be used, leaving them to stand into the winter with their supply of seeds. So too, with many annual and perennial plants, which we normally remove or cut down in the fall; if left in place, they provide abundant seed for birds in winter. For example, Sunflowers, Cosmos, Zinnias and Asters.
A climbing vine with brilliant foliage in fall, Virginia Creeper’s bountiful harvest of shiny black berries is enjoyed by many birds, including Kingbirds, Flycatchers and Bluebirds.
The preferred flower for the Hummingbird is red in colour and tubular in form. Hummingbirds prefer a massed bed as it has to visit about one thousand blooms per day to meet its requirement of sweet nectar. Next to red, hummingbirds prefer orange and pink but also visit other colours of flowers. Other summer flowers that attract are Petunias, Phlox, Snapdragon, Cleome, Sweet William, Nicotiana and Zinnias.
Favourite perennials include Gladioli, Red Hot Poker, Monarda, Bleeding Heart, Columbine and Penstemon. Vining Honeysuckles like Dropmore Scarlet and Heckrot’s Goldflame have the correct shape and colouration. Also, Morning Glory, Trumpet Vine and Scarlet Runner Bean. Flowering shrubs include Weigela, Beauty Bush, Butterfly Bush, Coralberry, Flowering Currant and Flowering Quince.
Hummingbirds need eight times their weight in water everyday. If your property does not include a pond or stream, providing water in a birdbath or large saucer will bring birds to your garden and keep them coming back. Sugar-water dispensers designed to attract Hummingbirds are also available.
The larger the menu you offer, the more types of birds you will attract. Try bread crumbs, dried fruit, suet, cracked corn and Sunflower seeds. Many birds will feed from an elevated tray, while some will feed only on the ground; for others, a seed encrusted ball of suet suspended from a tree is ideal.
Enticing birds to your garden with desirable fruit and seeds will help greatly in controlling insect populations, as most birds prefer a varied diet. The importance of insect control by birds can hardly be over-rated. Robins may take garden-friendly earthworms, but also feasts on Ants, Beetles, Cankerworms, Caterpillars, Cutworms, Crickets, Flies (puppae and adults), Slugs, Snails, Sowbugs, Spiders, Termites, Wireworms, and Weevils. Wood Warblers are almost 100 per cent insect eaters.
In bringing birds to your garden, you add a new dimension of interest and will be rewarded by their colour, movement and song. The trees and shrubs will enhance your garden so you benefit again.
Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association represents the leading garden centres in Ontario. As one of the select garden centres which has achieved “Approved Member” status, we assure our customers receive a high level of service, a good range of quality plants and associated products, together with professional advice and information.
Try these two easy ways to style your wreath! Play around with different textures, styles and accents to create a style that you like. Whether you want a natural look with pine cones and berries or a festive look with snowy accents, you can get creative!
]]>Try these two easy ways to style your wreath! Play around with different textures, styles and accents to create a style that you like. Whether you want a natural look with pine cones and berries or a festive look with snowy accents, you can get creative!
As Christmas draws near, it is time to start thinking about decorating the main focal point inside your home… your Christmas tree! There are so many different styles, themes, colour combinations, the decorations and possibilities are endless.
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Here are a few quick guidelines, along with products we can offer that can help assist you decorate on a budget:
Also known as décor mesh, or cool tulle. This item comes in various colours, sizes and widths. Not just utilized in your tree, but also table runner, gift wrapping, bows for inserts, wreaths, and garlands. This product is quite versatile and is a staple for adding weight to your tree, filling holes where it may be sparse, and achieving a garland effect. 1-2 rolls can make quite the statement & a cost effective alternative to that of standard ribbon. This is also a great option for a tree skirt to put around the base of your tree.
An item, again, that can be offered in many different sizes, colours. Offered in shiny-matte- or glitter. Utilize throughout your tree to achieve a unified look from top to bottom. An assortment of sizing will give you a nice variation.
Either singular picks, or long garlands, items that could be cut up & separated into numerous pieces, that could go a long way & inserted into your Tree. A bunch of everlasting poinsettias, of 5-7 blooms versus single stem.
Designer Tip – This question gets asked A LOT... almost daily, “I have keepsake ornaments that I have collected over the years that I cannot part with. What is the best way to still use them… and have them look good.. and on a budget?”
Collect all of your keepsake items. Lay them all out on the floor or on a table and look for a common colour. Lets say red, as it is most common in Christmas ornaments. Use the above mentioned items in that colour. So for example, red mesh, red balls, and a few red glitter picks. You will then have a complete cohesive looking tree, where your keepsake items will give you that “pop” and be the highlight of your tree. These items will be easy to switch out from year if you wish or choose to change it up!
Most importantly, Have fun!
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The Ontario countryside in the fall is a spectacularly colourful landscape that we all admire and enjoy. Many of us make special trips to view the brilliant colours of Maples and waysides adorned with Goldenrod and Asters. But where is the colour in our own garden?
]]>In planning our gardens, we very logically begin at the beginning. Spring flowering bulbs are followed by the early flowering shrubs such as Flowering Almond, Japanese Cherries and others. We realize that these flower only for a short time and look for other shrubs and trees for continuing colour throughout the summer: Deutzia, Mock Orange, Weigela and of course, Roses.
Soon, our garden space is fully planted and only in September do we realize that we have neglected to include the late flowering shrubs and those with brilliant fall foliage. Burning Bush (Euonymus alatas) is one popular shrub that is widely used but there are many more that can enhance your garden in the fall and extend your season of colour to the fullest.
It’s that time of the year again – pumpkin decorating time! However, this year, why not put a spin on your traditional funky carving by putting the knife away and exploring the potential in paint?
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Before heading to the store, take some time to think about your future pumpkin creation so that you can select the shape and size that best suits your design. Try to avoid any ridges or bumps (unless this is part of your décor), as they will be a bit more difficult to paint over. Instead, choose pumpkins that are smooth to the touch.
It’s time to clean your pumpkin. For this step, take out a small bucket, a little bit of dish soap, a sponge, and a small brush (to get into the crevices). Begin by removing all of the dirt from the surface so that the paint does not stick to the grit. Next, rinse the pumpkin well and allow it to dry.
The pumpkin has become your new canvas, which means you don’t have to stick to orange. In fact, you can quickly transform the colour of your pumpkin with a little bit of spray paint. The benefit of using spray paint is that it will stand up to the rain, sleet, and even snow, while completely covering the original colour of your pumpkin.
If spraying outdoors, make sure to choose a sunny day to allow the paint to dry. For best results, apply at least two applications.
Social media is jam-packed with examples of incredible pumpkin transformations. The beauty of this fall trend is that anything goes, so choose the style that best suits your personality and fall décor.
Here are just a few of our favourites:
It may seem strange to describe a pumpkin design as something elegant; however, a few simple techniques will transform that pumpkin into a beautiful showpiece.
Stencils are a quick and easy way to create a unique design on your favourite squash. From monogrammed pumpkins to unique patterns, stencils are a simple way to create a stunning centre piece.
Who says splatter paint needs to be confined to a canvas? This year, why not take your creativity to an entirely new level with a splash of paint.
Warning: this craft activity can become a little messy
Have you fallen in love with the marbled look? Then it’s time to try out Pumpkin Paint Pouring. This beautiful effect can be done with only a few simple tools, including acrylic paint, Liquitex Pouring Medium, and a bit of patience.
Calling all Cricut lovers: it’s time to place your favourite design on your pumpkin. Using outdoor vinyl is a great way to transform your pumpkin into a picture-perfect design. This technique can be used in a variety of ways including, showcasing your favourite phrase, a unique pattern, a Jack-o’-lantern face or a spooky image.
This fall, discover your inner pumpkin artist and create a unique design with the power of paint. From refined designs with stencils to abstract showpieces – the only rule with creating these funky pumpkin masterpieces is to have fun!
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There are many ways to use pumpkins, other than just carving! This dried flower-filled pumpkin centrepiece is a beautiful way to compliment your autumn décor. Use our pumpkin vase or a real pumpkin as a base, grab your favourite bouquet, moss, floral picks, a foam base, scissors and you’re on your way.
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Lanterns are super versatile and add warmth and ambiance to your home. Why not try adding your own spin with some autumn décor! Simply adding gourds, pumpkins, leaves, twinkle lights and ribbon will bring a whole new life to your centrepiece this fall.
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Hardy fall bulbs such as Daffodil, Tulip, Hyacinth, Crocus and Snowdrop are spring flowering plants that must be planted in the fall. They are mostly native to mountainous areas of Europe, as well as Turkey and Afganistan. They actually need the dormant rest period of a long, cold winter. The melting snow and ice in early spring provide needed moisture as they start to grow and flower. Plant from September to December, even after the first frost if the ground can still be worked.
]]>Hardy fall bulbs such as Daffodil, Tulip, Hyacinth, Crocus and Snowdrop are spring flowering plants that must be planted in the fall. They are mostly native to mountainous areas of Europe, as well as Turkey and Afganistan. They actually need the dormant rest period of a long, cold winter. The melting snow and ice in early spring provide needed moisture as they start to grow and flower. Plant from September to December, even after the first frost if the ground can still be worked.
Bulbs can also be planted in individual holes. Dig a hole and sprinkle a tablespoon of a high phosphorous (middle number) fertilizer like Holland Bulb Booster in the bottom of the hole. Place the bulb in the hole with the pointed end up.
Cover the bulb with soil and water thoroughly. A 5 cm layer of mulch on top of the bed will help prevent winter weeds, retain moisture and insulate against severe winter cold and temperature fluctuations.
Prepare the bed. Double digging will help to make a well-drained planting bed.
Condition the soil. Improve soil by adding three inches of peat moss and one inch of composted manure. Then work into depth of 30 cm. Add 1 kg Bonemeal for every 92.9 m 2 (1000 sq.ft.)
Plant the sooner the better. Point bulb upward. Dust with Bulb Fungicide to prevent root disease. Use Bloodmeal to deter squirrels from stealing bulbs for food.
Add 2-5 cm of mulch.
The foliage must be allowed to remain to soak up sunshine and replenish the stored energy in the underground bulb. Only the flowering stems should be removed. In a few weeks, the foliage withers and dies down. This is a natural defense against the too hot summer sun in their original habitat.
Replanting your flower bed with summer annuals gives you the opportunity to use more bone meal which, with its high phosphorous content, is beneficial to both the new planting and the bulbs.
The chart below contains all the information you will need for successful bulb gardens.
]]>Are you looking for a drought tolerant, fuss-free solution for your gardens? Then ornamental grasses may be the perfect perennial for your landscape. Dramatic in appearance and easy to care for, ornamental grasses are the ideal addition to almost any garden. These perennials add height and texture with their unique variegated leaves and plume-like blooms.
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Unlike the grass on your lawn, ornamental grasses are fairly low maintenance. This is a large family of perennials with a range of leaf textures and growth patterns. Most grasses thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. However, ornamental grasses tend to be highly adaptive and will thrive in a range of soil types, and can even be drought-tolerant, making them an ideal choice for cottage gardens. If you have a boggier spot in your garden or a pond, why not try one of the sedge varieties? These grasses prefer moist or even wet soil and will thrive near ponds or bogs.
The form and texture of these perennials make it easy to create an aesthetically pleasing design. Before choosing your grass, spend some time looking at the plant’s foliage to determine the best spot in your current landscape. Several varieties are also winter hardy, adding unique textures to your snowy landscape.
This season, take a few moments to explore the wide range of ornamental grasses. These perennials make it easy to add points of interest to your landscape with their unique foliage and delicate feathery plumes. They are also the ideal choice for fall containers, instantly transforming a pot into a dramatic showpiece. The only challenge is choosing which ones to add to your landscape.
]]>One of the most exciting parts of growing a vegetable garden is harvesting. Regular harvesting will not only bring fresh produce to your table but will actually keep the plants healthier. However, sometimes it can be tricky knowing when your freshly grown produce is ready to be picked. Sunshine, warm weather, and rain can all impact when your crops are ready to be harvested.
]]>The best tool to use is your own eyes. Check your garden regularly, ideally daily, to see how your vegetables are doing. Don’t be afraid to move the leaves so that you can get a closer look at the produce. While surveying your garden, look for the following cues to help guide you on when to harvest your produce.
Vegetables will often change their colour when they are ready to be harvested. Tomatoes, peppers, and squash are easier to identify as they usually change from green to a bright red, orange or yellow.
Cucumbers and zucchini are a bit more challenging. These vegetables do change their colour, but it is a slight shift, usually from a lighter to a darker green, which can make it a bit harder to identify. If you’re uncertain, check to see if it’s firm to the touch and that there are no yellow or sunken areas. If that’s the case, these vegetables most likely need a bit more time.
Leafy greens, like lettuce, kale, and spinach are one of the earliest crops to harvest. If done carefully, these vegetables can be enjoyed for at least three to five harvests per plant. The secret is to leave the crown, the centre of the vegetable, intact.
Lettuce, spinach, and kale leaves are ready to be harvested when they are about 10 centimetres long. However, don’t remove the entire plant. Instead, simply remove the outer layer of the leaves, removing them just above the crown of the plant. For a clean cut, use scissors or sharp pruning shears.
Getting your garlic ready for the dinner table is a two-step process: Harvest and curing.
The best way to gauge when your garlic is ready to be picked is to watch the leaves. When between 30-50% of garlic leaves are brown and wilting, it is time to harvest. However, getting these cloves out of the ground can be tricky. To make this process a little easier, loosen the soil around the garlic cloves.
Once the cloves are removed, it’s time to cure your garlic. The curing process will remove the moisture from the garlic cloves helping to make them storage ready.
If the next few days are sunny, simply lay your garlic in rows on the ground to dry out. The leaves of the garlic can be used to cover adjacent bulbs to protect them from burning.
If rain is in the forecast, bring your cloves indoors and hang them in bundles to dry. Once dried, the bulbs can be stored in a dry, cool area.
If you’ve planted an herb garden this year, then you are in for a treat. Fresh herbs can be picked and enjoyed all season long.
Here are a few simple tips to keep your herb garden healthy:
Pesto is a delicious and easy way to use your fresh herbs, specifically basil. Use this delicious recipe to adorn your favourite pasta dish, chicken, or even fresh fish.
Pesto has evolved to include several different flavour experiences. Why not try adding sundried tomatoes to the mixture or switching out the pine nuts for almonds for a completely different taste experience? Remember, part of the fun of cooking is putting your own flair on the dish.
The tail end of summer is one of the busiest seasons in the garden. The slightly cooler weather gives the plants a burst of energy, with beautiful summer blooms, a bounty of vegetables, and unfortunately, weeds. It is also the ideal time for planting fall perennials, spring bulbs, and get your garden ready for the cooler weather.
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September is the perfect time to reflect on the past growing season, including considering any changes you would like to make for the following year. But, before you head to the garden centre, take a close look at your gardens and containers to help create that fall wish list.
Create two lists. On the first one, write down any plants that need to be separated or relocated; now use the second list to write down any areas that need more plants.
This strategy can help you quickly determine the plants that need to removed or separated, while also discovering the best spots for the new additions.
Fall is an opportunity to refresh your garden with stunning hues of gold, orange, and rust. However before picking up your mums, pansies, and sunflowers, take the time to clean up the existing space. So, pull out those pruners, garden gloves, empty pots and compost bags and let’s get ready for fall.
Vegetable gardens are at their prime in the final weeks of summer. With all of the harvest ripening at once, it can feel a little overwhelming. However, don’t leave these ripe or near ripening vegetables on the plants. Overripened vegetables will go to waste.
Stock up your pantry with sauces, jams, and pickled vegetables. Excess tomatoes can easily be converted into sauce or salsa. While beets, cauliflowers, cucumbers, and beans are all great options for pickled vegetables.
Instead of discarding the extra vegetables, freeze them. Almost all vegetables can be preserved in the freezer. Corns, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, and squash all freeze well. Although most vegetables can be frozen as is, some people prefer to blanch their vegetables to help retain both the colour and nutrients. Beans, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and brussels sprouts should all be blanched before freezing.
Blanching involves places vegetables in boiling water for a few minutes, and then immediately placing them into a cool ice bath.
Once the blanching process is done, dry the vegetables and arrange them on a baking sheet to freeze. As soon as they are frozen, remove and place them in a freezer bag or airtight storage container.
One of the best things about having your own vegetable garden is sharing your bounty with friends and family. Put together a care package that includes fresh produce and a few canned items, so that others can enjoy the harvest into the fall and winter.
Make life simpler next spring, by removing annual vegetables from the garden and pruning perennial herbs. The vegetable gardens are also the perfect location for spring bulbs, so why not plant a few tulips, daffodils, crocuses and irises in the freshly tilled soil.
]]>If you’re familiar with mosquito repellant, or a product called the citronella candle, you may have heard of citronella grass! This lemon scented plant is a popular one, making it one of the most common used in natural repellants. Sitting near citronella grass is often said to be enough to protect you from mosquitos.
]]>If you’re familiar with mosquito repellant, or a product called the citronella candle, you may have heard of citronella grass! This lemon scented plant is a popular one, making it one of the most common used in natural repellants. Sitting near citronella grass is often said to be enough to protect you from mosquitos. You can also crush up the leaves, and rub them on your skin, but it is important to test a small patch first to ensure you don’t have an allergic reaction such as a rash.
It is important to buy citronella grass, not a citronella plant as the citronella plant doesn’t work in the same way the grass does. If you are having trouble finding or growing citronella grass, candles can be used in its place. The most effective citronella candles have a citronella oil percentage of 5 to 10%.
Citronella grass is technically a perennial but the climate we live in in Ontario makes it an annual. It should be planted in planters during the summer, as it cannot survive our climate’s frost well enough to be planted outside. Citronella grass also deters whiteflies, and other garden pests which don’t like the lemony scent it produces.
Part of the mint family, catnip is also a natural mosquito deterrent. Interestingly, some studies even claim that catnip oil is more effective than DEET at repelling mosquitos and other insects. DEET is a chemical used in commercial bug sprays that is safe for humans. A downside is that some people can be allergic to it hence the need for more natural options. The ingredient in catnip/catnip oil which does the repelling is called nepetalactone. This chemical has been found to repel not only mosquitos, but also cockroaches and flies.
Catnip is easy to grow, and a fairly hardy plant making it an easy to care for option in regards to repelling mosquitos. All catnip really requires to grow is adequate sunlight. You can harvest the leaves once winter comes and dry them, using them in tea, or giving them to cats.
A downside to some may be the possibility that catnip will invite kitties from far and wide to your garden! If you have a cat of your own, or aren’t fond of cats this may be an option to avoid.
Popular in many relaxation products, lavender is also great at deterring mosquitos and other bugs. Most humans absolutely love the scent of lavender, its relaxing properties a favourite of many. However, insects such as mosquitos absolutely loathe the smell of it. Lavender can be planted in pots near doorways or windows to deter mosquitos and other insects from entering.
Lavender works best when put directly on skin, and as mentioned before should be tested in a small patch to ensure no allergies to the plant are present. An added benefit to lavender is that the scent is very relaxing and as well, lavender nourishes skin. There are a few ways to apply lavender to skin, one being mixing the plant’s oil with coconut oil and rubbing on skin, or by drying the flowers, mixing them with other flowers/herbs, and creating a natural bug spray.
Lavender thrives in poor soil and also self-seeds, making it an easy to grow option for any gardener. Lavender only requires sporadic watering and adequate sunlight so the upkeep of this plant is very minimal!
Marigolds are a common springtime flower, and can you believe it? They are also a great mosquito deterrent as well. Insects such as mosquitos don’t like the smell of marigolds which makes gardens with them less attractive. Marigolds are what is called a companion plant, meaning that if you plant marigolds in your vegetable gardens they will help protect the plant from bug infestations. They are especially great to be planted in tomato gardens.
Marigolds are hardy flowers which will grow all season long as long as they are taken care of. They will grow in all soil, including untouched or poor quality. They grow best with abundance of sunshine. To aid their growth, you can add slow release fertilizer to the soil. They can withstand hot summer months, which makes them an excellent option for a gardener of any experience!
Once planted, marigolds will begin creating seeds. This means that with the growth of one marigold plant, you will be able to get countless more from them as they have an abundance of extra seeds. This is also helpful because for the best results of mosquito prevention, it is best to plant marigolds around all windows and entrances of your home.
Commonly found in most gardens and sometimes even indoors, geraniums are also a natural mosquito repellant. These aromatic plants develop beautiful flowers, making them a great addition to any garden. Their unique lemon scented leaves cause mosquitos to avoid them, even awarding some varieties the name of mosquito geranium.
Geraniums can be grown fairly easily, and they also grow quite quickly in the right conditions. Geraniums require lots of sun, 4-6 hours daily and they typically like sunny, dry climates. If you want your geraniums to last more than one season, they should be planted in pots so they can be brought inside during the winter. Geraniums won’t survive outside in the cold weather. Geraniums can be made to last in a few different ways, either by taking cuttings, allowing the geraniums to continue to grow inside as houseplants, or allowing them to go dormant inside for the Winter and bringing them back outside come Spring. If you are going to allow them to grow as houseplants, it’s important to store them near the window allowing them to get lots of sunlight, and keeping them in a window that doesn’t have a draft.
For the best results in mosquito repelling, place the plants near where you will be sitting or near windows and doors in your home in an attempt to barricade the area. Geraniums are most effective in mosquito repelling if the leaves are rubbed directly onto the skin. A small area should be tested first to ensure no allergies are present.
If you have questions about mosquito prevention for your home or garden, feel free to visit your local Garden Gallery location! We would be happy to assist you in making your garden as close to mosquito free as possible!
]]>Rocks are best situated where the plants will receive maximum sunshine and not be shaded by trees.
In addition to perennials and small spring flowering bulbs such as Crocus, Snowdrop and Winter Aconite, using dwarf evergreen enhances and maintains year-round interest in any rock garden. Many varieties of Dwarf Spruce, Yew and Hemlock are very suitable and widely available.
Sedum is a very important rock garden family. Dozens of varieties are readily available and hundreds are possible. All sedum varieties flower in their season from early summer to late fall. Flower colours vary from pink, red, white or yellow. More important than their flowers, however, is their interesting and colourful foliage. Sedums are a MUST in any rock garden.
Another important rock garden plant, Sempervivum has fleshy rosettes of foliage with the mother plant surrounded by many small plantlets. These can be detatched and planted in another spot.
There are many named varieties, all with interesting colourful leaves. They include:
Many varieties of Thyme are available. All are flowering plants but are valued more for their foliage ñ in shades of green, plus gray, gold and silver.
Many small Violet-Viola, Veronicas, or Speedwells are available, including creeping varieties.
The smaller, clump-forming (non-invasive) grasses add great charm and quite a different touch in a rock garden. Recommended ñ Blue Fescue varieties, Tuberous Oat Grass, Blue Oat Grass, June Grass (Koeleria), plus grass-like plants such as Sedges (Carex) and Wood Rush (Luzula).
Common Name |
Botanical Name |
Wooly Yarrow |
Achillea |
Lebanon or Persian Cress |
Aethionema |
Bugle Flower |
Ajuga |
Lady’s Mantle |
Alchemilla |
Ornamental Onion |
Allium moly and others |
Basket of Gold |
Alyssum |
Pearly Everlasting |
Anaphalis |
Rock Jasmine |
Androsace |
Pasque Flower |
Anemone or Pulsatilla |
Pussy Toes |
Antennaria |
Dwarf Columbine |
Aquilegia |
Rock Cress |
Arabis |
Thrift |
Armeria |
Silver Mound |
Artemisia |
Silver Brocade |
Artemisia |
Alpine Aster |
Aster |
Dwarf Astilbe |
Astilbe |
Purple Rock Cress |
Aubretia |
English Daisy |
Bellis |
Heartleaf |
Bergenia |
Slipperwort |
Calceolaria |
Carpathian Harebell |
Campanula |
Dalmation Bellflower |
Campanula |
Silver Thistle |
Carlina |
Dwarf Coreopsis |
Coreopsis |
Dianthus/Pinks |
Dianthus |
Dwarf Columbine |
Dicentra eximia |
Draba |
Draba |
Cushion Spurge |
Euphorbia |
Indian Strawberry |
Fragaria |
Yellow Bedstraw |
Galium |
Creeping Baby’s Breath |
Gypsophila |
Rock Rose/Sun Rose |
Helianthemum |
Coral Bells |
Heuchera |
St. John’s Wort (Dwarf) |
Hypericum |
Houstonia |
Houstonia |
Hardy Gloxinia |
Incarvillea |
Dead Nettle |
Lamium |
Golden Flax |
Linum flavum |
Catmint |
Nepeta |
Prickly Pear |
Opuntia |
Dwarf Beardstongue |
Penstemon |
Perennial Potentilla |
Potentilla |
Rock Soapwort |
Saponaria |
Dwarf Blanket Flower |
Gaillardia |
True Geranium |
Geranium |
Geum |
Geum |
Strawflower |
Helichrysum |
Hosta (sun tolerant varieties) |
Hosta |
Hutchinsia |
Hutchinsia |
Candy Tuft |
Iberis |
Dwarf Iris |
Iris pupils |
Edelweiss |
Leontopodium |
Dwarf Feverfew |
Matricaria |
Evening Primrose |
Oenothera |
Iceland Poppy |
Papaver |
Creeping Phlox |
Phlox |
Gold Moss |
Sagina |
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Creating that resort experience at home is easy with our stunning variety of tropical plants. From bougainvillea to the Majesty Palm, the distinctive leaves and brilliant blooms make it easy to mimic the look of your favourite getaway.
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Warm colours including fuchsia, red, orange, and brilliant yellow are often associated with the tropics. When planning your tropical “getaway”, tie in these colours throughout the area including adding in tropical blooms, bright cushions, umbrellas, and patio accessories that showcase bursts of colour.
Patios or small courtyards provide the perfect setting for this trend, as these spaces are traditionally used for small gatherings and relaxation. When choosing furniture, light neutral tones and natural materials (think wicker, rattan, and wood) work really well in this setting. Hammocks or lounge chairs are also great additions to this space providing you with a comfy place to recline for your afternoon siesta.
The tropics are known for their lush greenery, so don’t just stop at one plant! Group several plants in a range of sizes, leaf textures and blooms. Make sure to choose plants in a variety of heights to provide a natural layered effect. Now close your eyes and imagine the sound of gentle lapping waves and the light scent of salt wafting in the air.
Keeping your plants in containers will make it easier to transport inside, outside, or or add a quick pop-up tropical garden in another area on your property. Pots offer another opportunity to be creative, so have fun exploring the different colours and patterns to create a space that is uniquely your own.
Known for its cheerful pink blooms, the Mandevilla vine is a stunning addition to any outdoor space. This plant thrives in indirect sunlight, making it an ideal plant for patios and sheltered areas in your yard. At its peak, this vine is full of beautiful blooms with delicate green tendrils trailing behind it.
The bright pop of colours on this gorgeous tropical will immediately transport you to your favourite island. This versatile plant can be enjoyed as a vine, as part of a plant grouping, or as a centre piece in a large container. It can even be trained as a bonsai for those that have experience in this pruning technique. The paper-like flowers come in a range of colours including fuchsia, white, yellow, and orange, and do best in full sun (at least 6 hours a day), especially if you’re looking for a lot of blooms.
Nothing says the tropics more than a stunning palm tree, and the Majesty palm will instantly provide height to your outdoor tropical garden. This slow growing tree can grow up to 10 feet in captivity. Known for its long arching foliage, with feather like leaves, the Majesty Palm prefers indirect sunlight and will even do well in shade (Full Sun Alternative: Date Palm or Chinese Fan Palm).
Native to Australia, this bright green fern is known for its graceful and compact leaves. This clean air plant is sometimes called the Sword fern because of its upright growth pattern. The exotic feathery leaves make it the perfect container plant for those shaded corners on either a deck or patio, or plant it in the garden for an infusion of the tropics throughout your property. (Full Sun Alternative: Ostrich Fern).
If you’re dreaming of the tropics, then Hibiscus is the plant that will instantly transport you there. The distinctive large blooms of this tropical will add an exotic touch to every property. Available as a standard tree or in bush, the hibiscus is stunning on its own or as a brightly coloured addition to your tropical grouping. (Full Sun Alternative: Bromeliads).
]]>Shade gardens offer a place of refuge during those hot summer days. These spaces naturally attract plants in cooler tones (think blue, purple, and green) creating a space that is designed for relaxation. The secret to success is choosing the perennials, evergreens, and annuals that thrive in these lower-light spaces.
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First a bit of clarity, shade is not darkness. All plants need sunlight to grow, however, the level that they need will vary depending on the variety.
Shade is defined as any area in your garden that gets less than 4 hours of direct sunlight a day. Plants that prefer this lower level of light, often tend to like either morning or late afternoon sunlight as it tends to be a bit cooler.
Unlike animals, plants are stationary which means that over thousands of years they’ve developed strategies to ensure that they are healthy. However, to tap into these strengths, you need to plant them in an environment that mimics their natural one and they will thrive.
On the flip side, if you plant a sun-loving plant in the shade or a shade-loving plant in the sun, it may struggle making it more prone to parasites and disease. Placing plants in their preferred light conditions sets them up for success.
One of the easiest ways to know the preferred light level of the plant is to check an online plant guide or with your local garden centre. As a general rule, if the plant has bright yellow, orange, or red in its leaves or flowers, it is most likely a sun lover. However, there are always exceptions to the rule, the bright blooms of Astilbe, for example, will burn in the sun.
Available in a wide range of varieties including shrubs, vines and even trees, the colourful blooms of hydrangea will fill your shade garden with colour and fragrance. These resilient, low maintenance shrubs don’t even mind the cold, in fact, some varieties are rated as a zone 3.
Add texture and a bit of drama to your shade bed with the feathery, lengthy, bloom of Astilbe. Available in a range of colours including bright red and pastel pink, this perennial will fill your garden with its beautiful bloom all summer long.
Known for their dramatic foliage, hostas are a beautiful addition to any perennial shade garden. These plants prefer rich, moist soil, products like Garden Gallery’s Organic Triple Mix, can be added to provide the nutrient-dense soil that these plants love. Although they do bloom, it is the beautiful tones and variegation of their foliage that make them one of the top perennials for Ontario shade gardens. For best results: plant variegated hostas in areas with filtered sunlight as the lighter tones do require a bit more sunlight.
If you’ve wandered through any forest, you will notice ferns peeking in almost every corner and for good reason. This delicate looking species of plants love popping up in darker corners, which makes them a natural addition to any shade garden. These easy to grow plants prefer rich, moist soil similar to what you find on the ground of your local forest. When choosing your fern, double check the zone. Zone 4 or lower are ideal if you’re looking for a fern that will return year after year.
Evergreens add year-round foliage making them a garden favourite. Japanese and Hick Yews are two varieties that will grow well in indirect sunlight, making them the perfect addition if you’re looking to add a hedge or a bit of height to your garden. These easy to grow shrubs are known for their small needles and bright red berries.
]]>Beautiful gardens are designed to be enjoyed. However, sometimes it can feel like the maintenance, watering, pruning, and fertilizing, leaves little time to simply sit back and smell the flowers. One simple way to reduce the amount of maintenance is to choose a well-drained area in your property to plant a drought tolerant garden. These low maintenance gardens are ideal for cottages, large properties, and for gardeners who want to cut back on the amount of water they use in the summer.
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Put simply, drought tolerance means that adding in specific plants that can survive, and sometimes even thrive, with less water. This doesn’t mean that the plants don’t require any water. However, they use the water more efficiently which means less watering for you.
Plants get all of their nourishment including their water, through their roots. So, the healthier the root system is the more resilient the plants will be. To get healthy roots, you need to create a well-drained area with soil that is full of nutrients. This will help develop a root system that expands deep into the soil making it easier to find the nutrients the plants need to stay healthy.
So, if you’re wanting to create a drought tolerant garden, begin with the soil. This includes adding compost, peat moss , and manure to develop an area that is rich in nutrients. Products like Garden Gallery’s Organic Tri-Mix help create the ideal growing medium.
The next step is watering. Creating a drought tolerant garden includes changing how you water, so put away that sprinkler. Instead, water your plants well and right at the roots so that it seeps into the soil. This technique is the secret behind growing healthy deep roots allowing you to stretch the time between each watering.
If you want to water less, you need to choose plants that can naturally sustain lower levels of water. Thankfully, there is no shortage of choices. Ornamental grasses, succulents, and a selection of perennials and shrubs tend to do well in cottage gardens or the spots in your home which tend to be a bit drier.
Canada Day is a perfect opportunity to celebrate the great outdoors. This year, why not make the nation’s celebration memorable by making your outdoor living space a tribute to Canada.
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Most Canada Day’s decorations are centered around the theme of red and white. These colours are symbols of our national pride and are a simple way to make your outdoor space feel a bit more celebratory.
Annuals are one of the easiest ways to change up the décor in your space. These plants can either be put directly into your garden or used in a hanging basket or a planter if you’re wanting a more temporary look.
Impatiens, petunias, geraniums, calibrachoa, and begonias are all available in both red and white making it easy to put a festive planter together. We also have ready-made hanging baskets, patio containers or come on into Garden Gallery and choose one of our ready- made hanging baskets, patio containers, or potted plants to create an instant vibe of Canada to your yard.
Decks, patios, and balconies instantly provide that festive feeling. This year ramp your Canada Day celebration by adding in a few simple décor techniques.
Canada Day is based on the celebrations and achievements of our country. However, it is also an opportunity to reflect on and learn from our past.
This symbol of the maple leaf has been a part of our culture for centuries. It is a tree that pays homage both to our indigenous people and the arrival of the early settlers. This year, why not take a moment to plant one of these beautiful trees into your space. There are close to 100 species of maple trees, and 10 which are native to Canada.
Sugar Maple: The national tree of Canada, the sugar maple is known for its distinctive leaf shape (it is found on our nation’s flag) , sweet sap (perfect for maple syrup), and beautiful fall colour. This sun-loving maple can reach up to 35 metres tall and has a life expectancy of 200 years.
Black Maple: This native plant is often confused with the sugar maple. However, if you look closely, you may notice that the leaves are slightly rounder with fuzzy undersides. The wood from this tree is often used for furniture or flooring.
Silver Maple: Native to Central and Southern Ontario, this large tree is often a favourite refuge for small animals and birds who can be found nesting directly in the trunk. Each fall the leaves will turn pale yellow or brown before shedding for the winter season.
Big Leaf Maple: Found in the Southwestern corner of British Colombia, this unique variety is easily identified by its massive leaves, which span between 15-30 centimetres, and height.
Red Maple: This showstopper is known for its brilliant show of colour each fall. Native to the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region, it will survive in a variety of soils and will even tolerate some shade making it the perfect addition for Southern Ontario homes.
Mountain Maple: Don’t be deceived by this maple’s name, the Mountain maple is actually one of the smaller varieties of native maples growing to be about 5.1 metres. This species can often be found in the understory of forests in Eastern Canada.
Striped Maple: Native to Central Ontario, this smaller variety (10 metres) of maple grows well in the shade and is a favourite for deer and even moose. The species of trees is probably best known for the stripe pattern on its bark, in fact, the green stripes on the new growth helps the tree photosynthesize each spring.
Douglas Maple: Often called the Rocky Mountain Maple due to its prevalence in that region, this specimen grows to approximately 10 metres and has a multi-stemmed trunk.
Vine Maple: Found in Southern British Colombia and in two spots in Vancouver Island, this shade-tolerant species can often be found along streams or riverbanks.
Manitoba Maple: Sometimes referred to as the ash leaf maple or box elder, this mid-sized specimen, can grow up to 20 metres. This Manitoba and Eastern Ontario native has a shallow root system with leaves that usually consist of up to 3-9 leaflets per stock.
Whether you commemorate July 1st with a celebration or something more reflective, remember to take a few moments to get outdoors and enjoy this incredible land that we have had made our home.
Summer is the peak growing time for gardens. However, sunshine and heat can make it tricky for your plants to stay hydrated. This summer, avoid wilted and dying plants by creating an environment that will help you use water more efficiently.
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Plants get all their nutrient needs, including their water, from where they grow. The secret to a healthy, hydrated garden begins with the soil. Over time, the nutrients and the moisture conserving properties of your garden are absorbed by your plants. To avoid this challenge, regularly replenish your garden with triple mix and/or compost. However, if you have sandy soil, your garden may need a little more help. This is because the pore size of sandy soil is extremely large, so water simply seeps away.
The solution is simple: Soil Amendments.
Adding in soil amendments like peat moss, compost, and coconut husk will help lock in the moisture in the soil. For best results, mix the amendments at least 10 centimetres into your soil bed so that the water-retaining properties get right to the roots.
Adding mulch to your garden will improve its overall health by helping keep moisture in and the weeds out. Mulch provides shade for the roots, which dramatically reduces the frequency that you need to water. This coverage also helps keeps weeds out of your garden so that the water gets to your plants not some random dandelion.
But that’s not all; during heavy periods of rain, that layer of mulch will reduce water run-off helping hold the water in the soil so that your plants can access it. As a final note, mulch degrades which will add in additional moisture-retaining properties to your soil.
One of the biggest challenges with keeping plants hydrated is the way that they are watered. To keep your plants well hydrated, water slowly and at the soil level so that the moisture seeps into the lower levels where the roots are growing.
This method will eventually reduce the frequency that you water. This is because this method of watering trains the plant to grow deeper, stronger roots that will gather water efficiently.
These techniques will help reduce the frequency that your garden will need to be watered. However, the summer heat does take a toll and your garden will require regular watering to thrive. Drip irrigation and sprinkler systems can help reduce the stress and strain from watering by placing your plants on a regular schedule.
Watering isn’t about just getting the soil wet. It’s about understanding how plants take in their water and finding ways to get that hydration right to the roots. These simple shifts to your landscape will help you maintain a happy, well-hydrated summer garden. Happy watering!
One of the most common problems with shade in the garden, is the lack of it!
In a new home, in a new subdivision, where can you grow lush leafy ferns, Astilbes and Hosta? There are so many plants that actually like shade! If you can create a garden in the shaded north side of your home, then you can enjoy a broad range of plants that thrive in shade.
]]>In a new home, in a new subdivision, where can you grow lush leafy ferns, Astilbes and Hosta? There are so many plants that actually like shade! If you can create a garden in the shaded north side of your home, then you can enjoy a broad range of plants that thrive in shade.
At our latitude in summer, even the north side of the house gets sun. Rising in the far north-east in the morning, it catches the north side and again from the northwest as it sets. Plants on the east and west side get at least six hours of sun in the summer, sufficient for all plants except the true sun worshippers.
Deep shade is often moist since it does not receive the sun’s heat, but it can be dry under large trees that take all available moisture. There are very many plants for moist shade; dry shade is more difficult but the problem can be overcome by watering and mulching. A good perennial for dry shade is Barrenwort (Epimedium).
On the north side of the house, but open to the sky. Plants listed for light shade will do well.
The north side of the house, further obstructed by overhead branches. A shade-tolerant lawn grass will still grow and now we can plant Astilbe and Hosta.
Dappled shade; light or shadow move with the sun, like under a Locust or Birch. Lawn grass does well and so do most plants. Not shady enough for true shade lovers.
Permanent year-round shade from buildings and large evergreens and shade trees. Usually found in the older residential areas. Grass will not grow well, but ferns will. (In the plant list below, those for deep shade are indicated with a “*”)
All shade is not the same. Deep shade is usually found in older gardens where trees are mature. In deep shade, the soil will usually be cool and moist, perfect conditions for Ferns and Hosta.
(Those that can handle deep shade are marked with “*”)