Tag: Summer Garden

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All Indoor Plants SPRING SUMMER GROW YOUR OWN

INDOOR SEED STARTING

Indoor Seed Starting

 

The days are getting warmer, and Spring is finally here! Get a head start on the growing season by starting some of your favourite flowers, fruits, and vegetables indoors from seed. The risk of frost will have passed in no time at all, and you’ll have strong and healthy seedlings ready to transplant once the regular growing season begins.

 

Tomatoes are by far the most popular choice that Canadians grow in their home “vegetable” gardens, but there are so many other easy options that you may want to explore.

 

Here are some helpful hints on how you can start sowing the seeds of your summer garden right now.

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All Outdoor Plants SPRING SUMMER

YEAR OF THE GLADIOLUS

Gladiolus flowers

The gladiolus, also known as “glads”, is a beautiful symbol of summer’s arrival. These impressive flowers look stunning in the garden or as an elegant arrangement in a vase.

 

Easy to grow, gladiolus are ideal for novice gardeners. The corms are planted in the spring and within a few weeks, their orchid-like blooms will quickly fill your garden with colour.

 

The gladiolus originated in Africa and Eurasia, finding its way to North America in the mid-1900s. Their impressive size prompted experts to deem them the Latin term Gladius or “sword”, leading to their appropriate nickname, the sword lily.

 

Standing on stems that can reach upwards of five feet, gladiolus come in a variety of striking colours, with each flower adorned with smaller blooms. These blooms reach a width of about 3 to five inches across.

 

Here are some helpful hints on how you can grow delightful gladiolus in your garden.

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All Indoor Plants HOUSEPLANTS

2022 IS THE YEAR OF THE PEPEROMIA

2022 IS THE YEAR OF THE PEPEROMIA

As 2022 welcomes the year of the Peperomia, it is an excellent opportunity to add this easy-to-manage tropical plant to your home.

Native to Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean, the Peperomia is a member of the pepper family that allows you to incorporate lush tropical vibes into your decor.

Not only do plant lovers choose the Peperomia for its hardiness, but also for the stunning foliage that sets it apart from other houseplants.

Leaves come in a variety of colours, including red, grey, green, and purple, beautifully blended to create a marbled effect. This plant makes a statement with heart-shaped leaves that come in assorted sizes, so you can easily find a colour and size that fits your taste. Blooms are long, narrow stalks in green or brown. They don’t actually resemble flowers, and often people pinch them off as they can take away from the overall aesthetic of the plant. In a home setting, blooming can be a rare occurrence.

The Peperomia is known by several other names, including:

  • Baby rubber plant
  • Pepper elder
  • Radiator plant
  • Shining bush plant
  • Emerald ripper pepper
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All Outdoor Plants SUMMER

Summer Flowering Shrubs

Summer Flowering Shrubs

Once spring trees, shrubs, and perennials have leafed out and filled your beds with colour, it’s time to find late-blooming plants. We put together the best summer flowering shrubs for every garden style.

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All Outdoor Plants SUMMER

Summer Blooming Perennials

Summer Blooming Perennials

As the summer heat arrives, some early flowering perennials have finished blooming and your outdoor space may need some colour. Get inspired by our favourite summer blooming perennials.

Many of these summer blooming perennials can be planted from spring to autumn so keep an eye out when you are visiting the garden centres.

After planting, be sure to water two to three times a week thoroughly. Adjust watering according to drought and rain conditions. The best time to water is in the morning or late in the day to avoid evaporation. A one-inch layer of bark mulch can stop moisture loss and help keep the soil cool.

After that, sit back and enjoy your summer garden.