In the 60’s we were Goin’ to a Go Go, in 2014 we’re Goin' to a Grotto. That’s where the cool folks will be this Friday and Saturday night, viewing a grotto, swinging in a hammock and being inspired by 19 gardens on the Blooms for Africa Tour July 18 and 19 Tickets are $20 for the evening tour and available at eight locations including Brian Prince, Kabuki Spa and La Jardiniere in Hamilton. http://www.bloomsforafrica.org/upcoming_events.html. Here are some features you'll see on the tour.

http://www.bloomsforafrica.org/upcoming_events.html

Here's a look at three gardens on the Blooms for Africa Garden Tour July 18 and 19

Here's the video I shot of the Beckett house on the brow in Hamilton

I write about the wonderful house of Patti Randazzo Beckett and David Beckett in the Hamilton Spectator today.

http://bit.ly/1muKlos


Here's a good look at modern, eclectic design.

I wrote about harmless hoarding of pots in the Hamilton Spectator today

http://bit.ly/1lZ2mv2 

This fig is in a pot at the front door

Ornamental rhubarb is so exotic, but yesterday the storm blew it right out of the pot.In the garden..

 I am loving peonies 

                                                    and blackhttp://bit.ly/1lZ2mv2 and blue salvia

  
and baptisia
    

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1. http://bit.ly/1lZ2mv2

Dead ivy, stunted wisteria, missing maples. Gardens are still recovering from the severe winter.

My neighbour's wisteria looked like this last year, this year it's only now starting to put out some leaves. 

But Hey alliums look fabulous now. Everyone should plant this easy to care for bulb.

 And the red horse chestnuts are so pretty this year, too bad they get blight later in the season. But still a magic tree to have in your yard.

The Carnegie Gallery Secret Gardens Tour June 1 will show great ideas about plants, decks, patios, small spaces. Here's a preview from a Westdale garden.

We all love going on garden tours. The Carnegie Gallery Secret Gardens Tour is coming up June 1. I'm writing about it in tomorrow's Hamilton Spectator. This Westdale Gardens makes great use of a small space.

The front has a Japanese inspired design. Restful, layered, with a careful selection of textures.

Hostas, sweet woodruff, ferns and small evergreens form the carpet.

The backyard has a dry stone riverbed, hot tub, covered patio, and plants chosen for dappled shade. There are eight other gardens on the Carnegie tour-full information at:
wwwcarnegiegallery.org

This is what the long weekend looked like last year...

Wisteria was in full bloom.

Shrubs were leafed out and ready to burst into flower.

Annuals were happily settled in their pots.
This year I'm hearing about dead roses, burned ivy and boxwood. We're still recovering from the winter.

Pots, plants and putting them together

A rex Shadow King begonia from President's Choice plant lineup for 2014 in a French style pot and golden lemon thyme in a teapot pot made by Night & Day Studio. I like the look of a specimen plant in an unusual pot. These may not stay in the pots all summer, there just small enough they would need careful attention to watering. That's why I like big pots.

I've never used this metal urn before, but for a few weeks I will enjoy this coleus and lemon grass planting. Then I will change it. 

The snake plant in the big Guy Wolff pot in the background looks a million times better planted with a sage and a small birdsnest type snake plant.
My full article is in the Hamilton Spectator.
bit.ly/1iWlGaD

A few tips about potting I have learned over the years.

Hot pots for summer

  I went to the preview yesterday of the new Loblaws President's Choice plants for this season.
New in the Calliope series of geraniums is Crimson Flame. It’s the shade of deep pink that stands out in all light conditions, but particularly on overcast days. This one notable for drought tolerance.

 I liked the new hibiscus called Fiesta. It combines pink, orange and red all in one flower. In full sun on a deck, it becomes a focal point.

 
Freeman herbs grows basil standards for the PC lineup. They do look charming, but don’t overlook the grooming.

I'll have more in my column tomorrow in the Hamilton Spectator.

Good Advice for new gardeners in my column in the Hamilton Spectator today.

Kathy Renwald garden advice



And video of favorite spring flowers..