This is my personal growing guide. I use it to track seed sources, when to start seeds and if I should adjust growing conditions in my own greenhouse and garden. Please don’t consider this professional grower’s advice. Favourite & new varieties I’m trying – Swallowtail Garden Seeds Capriola (Cosmos bipinnatus) Apollo Pink (Cosmos bipinnatus, hybrid)… Read more »
Alternanthera Purple Prince For Container Pots
I’m always looking for new annuals to use in pots and containers that are deer-tolerant. I decided to try Alternanthera and what a beautiful foliage plant. Grows quite large although you could clip it as it branches easily. The foliage of Purple Prince is brown-red and best of all showed no signs of pest damage… Read more »
Growing Guide Alyssum
My first try with Alyssum was a McKenzie Seeds package picked up on a whim at a big box store – Carpet of Snow. I quickly fell in love, except Carpet of Snow is leggy, so needs frequent shearing if grown in a container. I’ve since switched to shorter varieties. My current favourites – Swallowtail… Read more »
Hydrangea aborescens ‘Invincibelle Spirit’
Height: 1.2 m (4 feet) Spread: 1.2 m (4 feet) Bloom: Large, pink, globe shaped heads June to Frost Exposure: Full sun to part shade Foliage: large medium green leaves Pluses: long bloom, winter interest Finally, a pink aborescens hydrangea is here. Until now, all aborescens have been white with the best known being Annabelle.… Read more »
Carol Mackie Daphne Sudden Death
I am sad to say my 6 year old Carol Mackie Daphne, planted in 2005, succumbed to what I believe was root rot this past spring. Despite not disturbing the roots and only pruning out damaged wood, my once thriving Carol Mackie started showing signs of branch wilt in 2010. By 2011 the damage was… Read more »
Cupressus macrocarpa Wilma Goldcrest
Attracted by the bright and cheery lime green foliage, I picked up two Monterey Cypress Wilma Goldcrest at my local grocery store just before Christmas 2011. I thought their bright green fern like foliage would look particularly attractive on either side of our mantle, already decked out for Christmas. Wilma Goldcrest was discovered in the… Read more »
Hemerocallis ‘Salieri’ Daylily
Height: 90 cm (36 inches) Bloom: early season Colour: Huge, very deep red-purple blooms with green throat. Another of my favourites. The blooms sit very high (truly close to three feet), are absolutely huge, there are loads of blooms, not much more you could ask for. Beware picking off dead flowers after a rain though,… Read more »
Hemerocallis ‘Ruby Stella’ Daylily
Height: 45-60 cm (18-24 inches) Bloom: Midseason, repeat bloomer. Extended bloom. Colour: Bright red small flowers with yellow throat. About the same time as I planted some Pardon Me, I put in some Ruby Stella. They are remarkably alike, almost impossible to tell apart. Hmmm, hope I haven’t mixed the two up! Ruby Stella is… Read more »
Hemerocallis ‘Rosy Returns’ Daylily
Height: 45-60 cm (18-24 inches) Bloom: Very early, repeat (constant) bloomer Colour: Raspberry pink with yellow throat. Rosy Returns is one of the longest bloomers I have seen. It starts in early June and blooms until frost. The only disappointment is that the blooms are set too low in the foliage and the foliage gets… Read more »
Hemerocallis ‘Regal Heir’ Daylily
Height: 55 cm (22 inches) Bloom: Midseason, repeat bloomer Colour: Lavender purple star shaped narrow petals with yellow green throat. I have this planted with Heuchera Marmalade and the colours complement each other beautifully. I have not noticed that it has rebloomed for me though, either because of our colder climate or because this area… Read more »