Orchids aren't that hard to grow

My story in the Spectator

Like plants, dyeing, fabric and embroidery? Watch for my story in Spectator Go Thursday.

Joe Pye Weed, coneflowers, butterflies and bees in the garden. There's still so much to enjoy

Joe Pye weed grows naturally in moist areas, but is a good garden plant where the soil isn't too dry.

Coneflowers are my favorite in all stages

Ornamental corn

Sweet pepperbush

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.

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

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.

Still time to see Canada Blooms at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto

It's all edible at this charming garden at Canada Blooms. 

Recycling boxes to grow veg. Why not?

I like the look of these easy to assemble raised beds.
My story in the Hamilton Spectator today:http://bit.ly/1eoR4wm 

Peonies, perennials, and trees. My January 6 column in the Hamilton Spectator.

Some great plants and fine gardeners coming up in my garden column in the Hamilton Spectator this Friday January 6th.

Tender plants moving indoors

Brought my philodendron inside today after a summer outside. Sad. It's a wonderful plant though, transforms a boring room.

Photos from Philadelphia, from Longwood Gardens and Terrain at Styers-a lifestyle garden store.

I am writing about upcoming garden shows for the Hamilton Spectator, and have an article about this beautiful Hamilton garden in this month's Gardenmaking magazine.

I am writing about plants that will survive in an office, in today's Go section of the Hamilton Spectator.

Finished a story on plants that will survive in an office for this Thursday's Go section of the Hamilton Spectator.

Just finished a video on Gage Park tropical greenhouse for the Hamilton Spectator website. Even though I worked in TV all my career-shooting and editing my own video is still a work in progress.

Amalfi amaryllis with pure pink flowers on sturdy stems. I am writing about them in this Thursday's Hamilton Spectator.