Growing Orchids… The Lazy Way!
By Jane Ying, Master Gardener In-Training, SCMG Why grow orchids? Stunning flowers lasting for months Very affordable price and widely available With a little care, it will re-flower many times and live for many years…
SHEroes of Horticulture #2: Jennie Butchart
By Christine March, Master Gardener, SCMG This is the 2nd instalment in a series celebrating the women who helped shape horticulture and gardening in Canada. Jennie Butchart - Creator of The Butchart Gardens, Victoria, BC…
Each August, we go to stay with our friend in Bethany Beach, Delaware at her beach house to photograph hummers. She has the perfect spot for this, and it's something we love doing. This was a serendipity shot! We had hoped that the hummers would go for her hibiscus flowers, but the whole time we were there, no dice. I had begun packing up my camera equipment, preparing to leave for home when this ruby-throated hummingbird finally showed up. I loved the colors both in the bird and in the hibiscus, but what really caught my eye was the contrast between the tiny bird and the big, bright blossom. I used a Nikon D610 camera to take the photo. I think a used a Tamron 28-300mm lens also
Calling All Beneficials!
By Stephanie Jansen Master Gardener in-Training, SCMG Do you know plants can communicate? When it comes to calling the birds, bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects to your garden, one way the plants can communicate,…
The cardinal flower has adapted to be dependent only on the ruby-throated hummingbird for pollination. It is by the hummingbird's forehead coming in contact with the bloom that collects the pollen; which the hummingbird then carries to another cardinal flower bloom; to complete the pollination process.
Seeing “Red”? Plant it in the Garden!
By Katie Goulbourne, Master Gardener In Training, SCMG There is no denying that colour influences our everyday life. Colour selection has the ability to shape our well-being and mood. Many decisions we make, either consciously…
“Annuals” You Can Overwinter!
By Linda Peacock, Master Gardener, SCMG It is that time - frost is coming or at least has come to my house. But what a year! Many annual baskets and planters still look great, and…
Is Your Garden Waterlogged? Plant a Rain Garden!
By Inez Mitchell, Master Gardener, SCMG What is a Rain Garden? A rain garden is a shallow, depressed area in the landscape that is planted with deep-rooted native plants and grasses. This shallow depression…
Drip Irrigation for the Garden
By Katie Goulbourne, Master Gardener in Training, SCMG Drip irrigation is a system by which water is consistently distributed to the roots of plants. It usually consists of a polyethylene tube system that lays alongside…
Edible Reds
By Marilyn Hovius, Master Gardener, SCMG Plant Red and to add to the thrill of it all, why not Eat Red? It’s 2022 and this is the year of the garden and to celebrate,…
Xeriscaping – Not Just Cacti, Yucca and River Rock!
By Kevin Van Andel, Master Gardener, SCMG Xeriscaping it’s not just cacti, yucca and river rock. Of course, it can be... But it can be so much more! While it has a reputation for cacti…
Why Are Some Flowers Red?
By Linda Peacock, Master Gardener, SCMG Continuing our celebration of “The Year of The Garden 2022” we have been studying many aspects of red flowers with a series of articles. It prompts an obvious question…