In the simplest terms, a perennial is a plant that lives for at least 3 or more years.  We usually use this term to describe herbaceous perennials when talking about gardens.  Trees and shrubs last for many years too of course, but these are woody plants.  The life span of a perennial varies quite a bit, depending […]

Anybody who grows perennials in their garden is familiar with the idea of cutting off the dead tops of their plants in late fall or early spring.  By nature, most flowering perennials will die back to ground level in the fall, leaving behind their dried-up tops; cutting these back at the appropriate time is a […]

Container Garden Considerations From patios and balconies to decks and porches, container gardens can add colour and interest to any area around your home… and you don’t even need a garden.  There is a lot to consider in planting and maintaining container gardens, but these tips should provide enough information to make your first attempt […]

See Bonus Tables below 1. Gardens & Nature In addition to being beautiful, gardens can be a place where humans and nature meet and interact in a positive and beneficial way. Imagine watching colorful butterflies flitting around the border, moving from flower to flower in search of the tasty nectar within. Or sitting perfectly still […]

1. Water is not an endless resource In various regions of North America the supply of clean fresh water for human consumption is becoming a less available resource.  Many urban areas have had to place bans or tight restrictions on residential use of treated water for lawns and gardens.  Even gardeners in rural areas often […]

  To see a complete description of our ornamental grasses, simply click on its Botanical Name. Cool-season grasses begin growing in early spring and slow down or go dormant during the heat of summer. Some of these grasses tend to look a bit scruffy during July / August and may need a trim. Cool-season grasses […]

In warm summer regions, fall can be an ideal time to plant a brand new perennial garden or to rejig an established one.  The moisture is back (or hopefully will be shortly), the days and nights are cooler and as gardeners we are more comfortable being outdoors than high summer, so we will likely put […]

Moving or dividing perennials in the autumn is a great way to reduce your work next spring.  The cool, moist weather is an ideal time for perennial roots to become well established, even in cold-winter regions. Gardeners often ask us when the best season is to move specific perennials, so we have a working “rule […]

By mid-November many of us put away the lawnmower and grudgingly bring the snow shovels out of storage.  But hard core gardeners know some of the best stuff happens in winter.  Here are just three ideas to keep your garden interesting even through the coldest months. 1.  Use Evergreen Foliage We all know about Spruce, […]

Surely spring is the busiest season of the year for the avid perennial gardener.  Fortunately, most of us have been cooped up indoors all winter and are anxious to get outside anyhow, and the cool but pleasant spring weather beckons to our gardening spirit!   Is it time yet? The dead tops of perennials that […]