Roses in bloom
I’m especially impressed again this year with the yellow David Austin rose ‘Graham Thomas’… … Read More
vegetable pleasures
One of the surprises of vegetable gardening is the sheer aesthetic delight to be found in the way vegetables and herbs look as they grow. This spring the red kohlrabi has been especially pleasing. The perkiness of the leaves, the way rainwater pearls in them, the combination of the purple veins and stems with the glaucous … Continue reading “vegetable pleasures”
Zucchini in bloom
Our zucchini is blooming and setting fruit! This is one of the most fun times in the vegetable garden, when you can begin to see how the fruit will appear. Zucchini is particularly gratifying because the display of zucchinis in the grocery store gives so little away about how they grow. The plant itself is … Continue reading “Zucchini in bloom”
Choosing plants
When choosing plants for the garden, I can’t recommend browsing garden books or magazines enough. You can’t imagine something you have never seen. I have an extensive collection of books and magazines that I’m happy to lend to d.i.y.ers. I’ve always found it helpful to look through images together with my clients. It helps me to understand … Continue reading “Choosing plants”
Hardscape elements: paths, walls, patios, fences.
A lot can be done in a weekend! … Read More
Facing the overgrown garden
The key is not to feel overwhelmed or intimidated by what is growing on in your outdoor spaces. Especially if a yard has been neglected for a length of time, the confusion and profusion of plants can be daunting. It is obvious that the garden needs putting in order, but anything but obvious where to start. … Continue reading “Facing the overgrown garden”
favourite plants
One shrub that I am currently enjoying a great deal in my own garden is a white Potentilla “Abbotswood.” I know that potentilla’s aren’t very highly regarded in the garden media today, but I think that this is due to change. There have been some new developments with a variety of new colours and this … Continue reading “favourite plants”
powdery mildew
My newly planted groundcover rose “The Fairy” has been attacked by powdery mildew. I’m finding a few newly planted shrubs having the same problem. The likely cause is the very hot and dry weather we had in May, just as the shrubs were getting settled and expanding their root area. In general, powdery mildew attacks … Continue reading “powdery mildew”