Spring Clean Up
Hello, I trying to grow a native garden and I have a couple of questions on maintenance for spring. What do I do to help them grow in spring? I will be adding a layer of compost to the surface…
View ArticleVeronicastrum dieback
For years we had beautiful veronicastrum (alba) that was a main feature in our garden. In subsequent years the plant would grow vigorously in the spring and early summer and then one by one the leaves...
View ArticleGardener to help with spring and fall garden clean up
O have a small sunny garden in West end Toronto. The front yard and back garden need raking and some pruning. Also edging along front walk. The picture I have is old and I have new fencing now. It gives…
View ArticleSome plants have not come back yet
Hello, My garden is located at north east Scarborough. The soil seems to be compacted clay but I have been amending it with compost and mulch. I am trying to grow a native garden, it’s quite young,...
View ArticleNative perennials for shade: your living landscape
Gardening with native plants Our wild spaces are being increasingly impacted by encroaching urbanization, agricultural practices and invasive species, with a consequent decline in pollinators, other...
View ArticlePeony disease
There is something wrong with two of my peonies. The leaves are shriveled and curling but there are no visible insects on it. On one of the peonies the edges of the leaves are black. What can I do? They…
View ArticleIrises changing colour
I live in downtown Toronto (Cabbagetown) and I have many irises in my backyard which gets full sun all day. All of my irises come up purple and yet I only planted white, pink, and black. One year I...
View ArticleCan I cut back milk weed in July and not lose butterfly eggs?
I have probably a hundred milk weed plants that have popped up in my garden. I did want them but they have taken over the garden. I did remove several early in the season but I also wanted to have…
View ArticleGrowing balloon flowers from seed
I have successfully grown very small balloon flowers from seed and wonder if I bring them in during the winter or leave them outside…,they are in a flower box with a good depth of earth…
View ArticleEarly blooming perennials
Hi there, I would like to plant some perennials that will bloom in the spring, but I don’t know much about gardening! I know that poppies are beautiful, but I’m wondering if there’s any other plants...
View ArticleSweet Bay magnolia leaves are yellow
Hi. My sweet bay magnolia’s leaves are very yellow… with faint green in the centre (see photo). I’m sure it’s lacking something in the soil. Would you be able to tell me what to ad? It’s growing in...
View ArticleCanada Thistle
My garden is being taken over by Canada Thistle. I have pulled and sprayed and tried planting to crowd them out to no avail. What is the best way to get rid of them?…
View ArticleSturdy short plants – recommendations
I’d appreciate your advice for types of plants we should consider for our small church garden located at 101 Manor Street in Toronto ( Yonge Eglinton area) This garden was established six or seven (?)...
View Articlecontainer outdoors in March
Can I plant bulbs or small plants outside by my front door in a container? I cannot find any pansies at all at local garden centres which I used to purchase in February in the past.…
View Articleto mulch or not to mulch
Hi – I am redoing 3 garden beds, incorporating hydrangeas for the first time, and then sticking with the basics i.e. speedwell, lavender, phlox, echinacea, etc. I have been gardening for many years,...
View Articlefront door plants
Looking for some long blooming, fragrant, heat tolerant and 4 to 6 feet height plants for my front door entrance sides (west facing). Please advise.…
View ArticleWhat Should I Be Planting In Ravine Garden?
CONTEXT: We back onto the Cedarvale Ravine. Our backyard feels like an extension of the ravine and we mostly like it that way, but last year we added an outdoor sauna set out to make the backyard a...
View ArticleBaptisia
I have an area next to my deck approximately 4′ X 2′ and am considering Baptisia for this spot. How many plants should I place in a plot this size? Thanks!…
View ArticleChoosing Flowers To Grow Alongside a Climbing Vine in Planter Boxes
I have two garden boxes (6′ wide, 2’deep, 2′ high that sit in front of a chain link fence. After our neighbour removed a large cedar hedge that had grown between the yards we installed two screens with...
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