Deeply Rooted

Life is hard on the frozen prairies. Though not nearly as hard today as it used to be, of course. While we have furnaces, insulated housing and warm clothing to protect us from the cold nothing much has changed for the plants in our environments.

Helping customers pick out plants for different areas of their yards is a big part of my job. Finding the right plant for the right place is critical for success.

Though here in Manitoba we ogle over the beauty of the Thunbergia vine, in other parts of the world it is just your common weed, just another invasive species that is difficult to eradicate.

A very commonly asked question of us is “when is the best time to plant?” You would think it would be an easy answer. Unfortunately I tend to look off in the distance, thinking about my words, and then give a long-winded answer.

Karl Foerster grass has become a staple of our landscapes. Whether as a centerpiece in a garden, a privacy wall for your patio, or simply a plant for those tough areas, we all have come to appreciate this graceful grass.

I recently added a fresh layer of wood-chip mulch to the shrub beds in my yard. Honestly, I don’t mind weeding but the mulch really does help keep things from getting out of hand.

I often find timing is a Mockorange’s greatest asset. As spring arrives Spireas and Lilacs bloom and the flowering crabs put out their brilliant display.

I like to think that there are only two kinds of lilacs; the kind that spread, and the kind that don’t. Lilacs can largely be split into two major families, either Preston (non-suckering) or French (suckering).

Geraniums, such a classic! With their iconic looking leaf and unforgettable scent, geraniums have always proved to be a tried and true bloomer.

Courageous flowering crab is another unknown and underrated tree. It offers pink spring bloom, summer interest and fall color. It is also a tidy tree – it produces virtually no fruit. You may find a handful of half inch fruit on the entire tree.