This is the time of year when garden pundits tell their disciples to bring in branches of forsythia, pussy willow or flowering quince for indoor bloom. A minority of those disciples will follow orders; the rest (and I am one of them) will wish they had actually planted some of those spring flowering shrubs last year or the year before […]
Although the outdoor landscape may be bleak right now, the greenhouse industry has found a way to bring spring into our homes. And that’s by fooling tulips and other spring flowers into blooming early indoors. The cut tulips you find at your florist shop, local greenhouse, and supermarket this time of year are “forced” tulips that were grown in greenhouses […]
September is the time to plant spring blooming bulbs. Tulips, Daffodils or Narcissus, Grape Hyacinths, Squill and Crocuses are the ones that grow well in Central Alberta. These bulbs need to be planted early in the fall, to give them enough time to develop a good root system, before the ground freezes solid. Careful consideration must be given to the […]
The flower that most often comes to mind, when we think of Easter, is the Easter lily. But there are others as well, all with rather interesting origins. Did you know that the Easter lily’s true name is Bermuda lily? It is a pure white flower, believed to symbolize purity. Coming from one bulb, the flower is said to represent […]
A perennial plant dies back to the ground every fall and grows from existing roots each spring. The longevity of each perennial differs with some being as short as 3 years while others last over 100 years. Transplanting or dividing these plants should be done in the early spring or fall. At this time the year, the temperature is cool […]
Problems with Flowers Roses Bulbs and corms Dahlias Heathers Shrubs and conifers Bedding plants Herbaceous borders Sweet peas Hanging baskets Tubs and similar containers (a) ROSES Q. Some of my yellow varieties of bush Hybrid Tea roses die in winter. Why is this and can anything be done about it? A. Some yellow varieties like Lydia are not as winter […]
Flowering Bulbs A bulb is a specialized form of underground bud containing, in an undeveloped condition, the rudiments of all parts of the complete flowering plant which will develop from it. These include the flower bud and foliage leaves, which are mounted on a thick flat stem bearing the beginnings of the roots on its lower surface. In addition, the […]
A couple of years ago I had an exhausting spring planting season. I started everything from pansies to parsley from seed, and for weeks all I did was run from one windowsill to another with a watering can.I worried constantly about damping off disease. After I put the seedlings outside to harden off, I brought them back in again on […]
The best thing about early spring is seeing something new daily in the garden. Of course, the pundits would say that if you have done your garden properly, you should see something new every day of the gardening season, but that is another issue. In spring the pace of growth accelerates, and the plants almost seem to be in a […]
Why is it important to learn how garden flowers are grouped or classified? For one, it will make it easier for you to order plants and flowers. You also will better understand terms you see in books and catalogs. And you’ll learn about some cultural or growth factors to consider when selecting flowers for your garden. To begin with, flowers […]