My Potting Shed Haul

In my last post I raved about The Potting Shed in Dunnville, ON. What I didn't add was my haul from that garden-shopping trip! I had a small budget, and there was so much to choose and consider, my main goals were; Quality, Size and Collection. In general the quality and size at The Potting Shed are above average, and I don't have to worry about choosing an unhealthy plant. They also stock plenty of unique and rare varieties that are hard to find anywhere else in the area.

Here is a photo of my haul, sitting at the side of the house, in the "Bike Walk-in Area" construction zone. Its protected from any intense sun and I can water them all in one place, before direct plantings. My haul included: Giant Variegated Reed, Hosta "Final Summation", Hosta "Alakazam", Hosta "Rainbow's End", Hosta "Variegated Mouse Ears" and a pot of Candy Lilies. The other plants you're seeing are a haul from a Zehrs garden centre clearance; Hosta "Abiqua Drinking Gourd", white echinacea, and "Big Bang" Coreopsis.

This is the super tall flower stem to Hosta "Final Summation", it actually ended up flowering on three separate stems over the course of the summer. It has gorgeous semi-shiny foliage and lavender flowers.

My placement for my three mini-esk Hosta varieties in my small shade garden, it's getting very cramped in there, I think I'm going to have to expand my shade garden.

Garden Update: Late June 2012!

Welcome to my garden near the end of June, many mid-season bloomers coming to life, the main focus this year was to work on improving the structure, quality and variety of the gardens. The vegetable patch was pretty much un-planted aside from an array of tomatoes and potatoes.

Pink-Red Rose, Mini-petunia, Pink Yarrow, Yellow Daisies and "Blue" Spiderwort.

Orange-Peach Day lily, "Strawberry Short Cake" Echinacea, Spiderwort, "Fire-Cracker" Coreopsis and a basic purple geranium. 

Campion, and a variety of Daylilies blooming in the garden.

I freaking love Tradescantia/ Spiderwort!

I love Tradescantia. otherwise known as Spiderwort! It is possibly one of my favourite plants in the garden, but like having multiple children, you can never just pick one favourite. This plant is amazing!

Clockwise from top left; "Concorde Grape", "Bilberry Ice", "Osprey", "Blue and Gold"

It comes in many more forms and colour variations, with typically a purple or violet bloom and green foliage. It likes partial shade, and only a few hours of direct sun and moist soil, although it will do nicely in a drought. The flowers only last about a day or two, but bloom consistently throughout the spring/summer season and even into the fall! I also love how they look like a grass and many other types of flowers depending on where you have them, a true chameleon. 

 Here is my Spiderwort blooming this year. "Sweet Kate" is the variety.

My favourite nursery has this variety in stock now and I want it!... Canadian Tire also had a lovely variety I haven't seen around, and I'm going to investigate that one.

"Sunshine Charm"

The New Tulips

Here are the new tulips my dad found and placed in the "old barn foundation" garden. They are a medium height tulip with double/triple blossoms. I find the red and white particularly lovely due to the painted nature and detail in the foliage. They are very hardy and look like great multipliers.

In love with this variety... I think it's called 'Carnival de Nice' 

and the red variety is called 'Uncle Tom' or 'Redwood'.

My Top Pollinator Picks of 2012 Part 1

I am introducing a new segment to my blog on my love for gardening. Lately it's been very dark and gloomy in the city and I am getting that antsy feeling about getting into my gardening again. The only thing that keeps me sane and satisfying in my garden-less home in the big city seems to be creating plans and lists, doing research, reading and dreaming of my garden. Let's just say I have been doing a lot of research this winter. I am determined to have the best gardening season yet, and I'm excited to share some of my designs and ideas!

One important factor that you should always be thinking of when you plan your garden or choose plants is about your pollinators. They may not be "your" pollinators, your bees, your butterflies, they are wild guests to your party. The more pollinators in your garden, is a direct indicator of your garden's success. It's an amazing feeling, walking out into your garden and hearing a symphony of buzzing and movement.

Your garden should be a haven for wildlife, even the small, stinging variety. Don't be afraid, let them in, when they are busy collecting nectar, they are less likely to bother your family. Here I have a review list of The Top Pollinator Picks of 2012. You can buy them online or in store, I'll post updates in the summer and I hope you will like my selections.

The Milkweed Family/ Butterfly Weed - (Asclepias)

These are beautiful twists on the common milkweed variety that grows wild across Canada. Its a self-seeding perennial, with wide array of colours ranging from dark purple-pink flowers to orange, pink and white, with soft green rubberised foliage. It grows tall and blooms in the late summer. Attract bumble bees and mother butterflies with this buzz-drug. Hummingbirds also enjoy flowers in the Asclepias family.

Purple Milkweed - Asclepias purpurascens

Pink Cinderella Milkweed - Asclepias Cinderella

White Milkweed - Asclepias ballet

Butterfly Weed - Gay Butterflies

The Rudbekia Family - (Black Eyed Susan)

There are amazing rudbekia varieties on the market this year. My top pics are special, because the flower size and showy colours are outstanding. Hummingbirds, butterflies, bees and other pollinators love intense "warm" spectrum colours like reds, oranges, yellows, pinks and magenta. My picks are all very different from the transitional Black Eyed Susan, yet easy to grow from seed.

Rudbekia - Hot Chocolate, Prairie Sun, Cherry Brandy, Morrocan Sun Mix

The Cone Flower Family - (Echinacea)

Cone flowers have long been known for their medical properties and as a perennial garden staple in the 19th century. Let's cut to the nectar! These lovelies are hardy, long blooming and can draw in every kind of pollinator with just one look. At the end of the season, they also function as finch jungle gyms, spreading new valuable seed to the bed bellow. Aren't they amazing!

Echinacea - PowWow Wild Berry, Hot Papaya & Gumdrop, Tiki Torch, Double Decker, Raspberry Truffle, Green Envy, Secret Joy, Amazing Dream