Royal City Nursery Spring 2018

Making life beautiful, naturally

INSIDE: • 2018 perennial plant of the year is...

• It’s about Home Healthy gardens this year

LET’S GET GROWING Naturally, Proven Winners plants are pretty, but it’s the remarkable way they flourish from spring through fall that makes all the difference. So, when it’s time to dress up your front entrance to boost your home’s curb appeal or improve the view out your kitchen window, Proven Winners is at your service. We are honored that you’ve trusted us for over 20 years to enhance your garden with exquisite flowers and plants. Cheers to another amazing season!

Find Proven Winners at your local retailers.

For a listing of retailers visit provenwinners.com

22

12

CONTENTS

20

6

Royal City Nursery Workshops & Events!

11

The Dirt On Dirt

12

Nature’s Nurture

14

Recipes

18

Gardening With The Kids

20

Queen of Vines

22

The Colour Purple - Garden Style

24

Look Good, Feel Great

This publication may not be reproduced, all or in part, without written consent from the publisher and Royal City Nursery. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all content in the publication, however, the publisher will not be held accountable for omissions or errors. Note that products may vary between retailers and regions, and supplies may be limited. Pricing is subject to change and is not valid with any other offer. Home & Garden Showplace is a registered trademark for use by its members, of which the Garden Centre Group Co-Op is an alliance member. A selection of photos in this magazine provided by Proven WinnersÂŽ.

SPRING IS

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A Bright Idea!

Join us as we celebrate in style!

y a D h Eart y ! a d h t r i B From our Family to yours...

Dave and I are so excited to be sharing this Spring with you! It is Royal City Nursery’s 56th spring serving Guelph and the surrounding community.

We have experienced a great deal of change over the past two years but this is what keeps us going; looking forward, looking for new challenges and meeting them head on.

This season Royal City Nursery has so much to share with you. Our Earth Day Birthday Celebration will be extra special; not only will there be cake, live demonstrations, kids activities and savings, we are launching our Stupendous Sunflower Saga contest. Game on if you are up to the challenge. This is just one of so many exciting and new events we have happening this year at Royal City Nursery.

In our Tsuga Boutique, we are thrilled to welcome back Tribal and Simply Noelle and to welcome Marble Fashions to our line of easy care and great fitting fashion. These lines join our made in Canada designs by Modes Gitane and Parkhurst.

Along with the designer fashion, accessories and footwear, the boutique also has wonderful home décor items.

If you need some help gardening or working out your landscaping design our staff will walk you through the processes, providing guidance and insight. This is what we do best!

Thank you for partnering with us. We look forward to continuing our relationship as you make life beautiful, naturally.

Happy Planting!

SPECIAL PRICING THROUGHOUT THE STORE!

April 21 & 22, 2018 Live Demos April 21st

OF COURSE THERE WILL BE CAKE!!

• Lawncare 11am • Prune it right 2pm • Kids make and take 11am and 2pm

6838 Wellington Road 124 Guelph ON N1H 6J4 Royal City Nursery

RCNurseryGuelph

@RCNurseryGuelph

Royal City Nursery

519.824.4998 | info@royalcityursery.com royalcitynursery.com

Our online store is open.

You can shop 24/7 for everything from custom planters to gift cards. Visit us at royal-city-nursery.myshopify.com

GIFT CARDS

GET THEM WHAT THEY REALLY WANT! You can purchase a $100, $50 or $25 denomination. This card never expires and can be used at the Royal City Nursery Garden Centre or Tsuga Boutique.

SPRING 2018 • 5

ROYAL CITY NURSERY

Workshops & Events!

FESTIVAL OF HERBS AND ORGANIC EDIBLES

MAY 19 10:30 AM

DID YOU KNOW ROYAL CITY NURSERY WILL CUSTOMIZE AN EVENT JUST FOR YOU?

You bring together a group of eight (8) or more and we do the rest. We work with you to tailor a workshop specifically for you; corporate workshop, Birthdays, Bridal Parties, or a fun night out with friends. Your guests leave with something they created themselves, we do the cleanup, and you are crowned most enchanting hostess!

Call us at 519.824.4998 or email info@royalcitynursery.com with “I want to host an event” in the subject line.

WATER FEATURE OPENING

Part of the 2018 Free Seminar Series APRIL 28 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM

Our expert will give you all the tips, tricks and best practices for opening your pond or water feature. You will find out how to navigate the plumbing and pumps as well as about the best plant materials and keeping fish. Bring all your questions. WE are here to help.

Do you know how many organic edible flowers there are? Our very own Chef Kerry Kollar will talk about which flowers you can grow in your own outdoor spaces, which herbs are best for local gardens and then show you how to use them all in your own kitchen. Infusing oil and adding zest to your cooking is just the start.

Cost: $65 + HST.

CREATIVE CONTAINERS MAY 24 & 29 6:30 PM

With the help of our designers you will create your own summer, annuals planter in a liner. Learn about design, proportion and maintenance while you create. Please note sun or shade planter when registering.

Cost: $65 + HST.

CURVACEOUS SUCCULENTS JUNE 7 6:30 PM

Diminutive meets impressive impact. Create a large, or a small crescent shaped succulent garden. Our designers will walk you through the process and you will learn how to care for your succulent garden as you go. Price includes all succulents, moss and small, large or both wicker crescent, additional material will be available for purchase during the workshop.

Cost: $40 + HST. Small, $60 + HST. Large, $90 + HST. both.

SAVE YOUR MANICURE! BRING A GOOD PAIR OF GARDEN GLOVES IF YOU HAVE THEM.

6 • ROYAL CITY NURSERY - 519.824.4998 - ROYALCITYNURSERY.COM

For kids only

No parents allowed MOTHER’S DAY MINIATURE

Saturday, May 12 • 10:30am THUMB-PRINT POTS WITH POTTED ANNUAL A great way to say, “I love you”. Kids will decorate a flower pot with paint and their finger prints, and then pick a plant from the selection provided to put into their painted pot. This is a wonderful, lasting gift for Mom or Grandma or any other important ladies in your child’s life.

Adults will work with the children to help them complete their project.

THANK YOU, NO PARENTS ALLOWED

Saturday, June 9 • 10:30am Children will paint a terracotta pot and put a plant in it as a way to say, ‘Thank you’, to someone who has inspired them.

A great way to show appreciation for a teacher, a coach or anyone who has helped your child succeed.

Cost: $10 + HST per child for one pot.

Cost: $10 + HST per child includes one pot, one plant and art supplies to complete the project.

Stupendous

Sunflower Saga CONTEST WILL LAUNCH APRIL 21, 2018!

Purchase your seeds and register!

LARGEST COMPLETE HEAD WINS Grand prize is $500 Royal City Nursery Gift Card and $200 worth of seeds from West Coast Seeds.

Check out our website for contest rules and how you can register.

Sponsored by

SPRING 2018 • 7

A HOTBED FOR

Hops!

gardens. ‘Growing hops isn’t difficult but, like any plant, they have some specific planting and care instructions’, says Curtis VanQuaethem of VHQ RCN 2018 PERENNIAL OF THE YEAR Farms in Norfolk County.

Curtis went on to say. ‘A sunny or partly shaded area with plenty of available headroom will work best for these plants. Work the soil well and make mounds about 18 inches wide and six inches high.

Plant Hops with the entire root-mass under the soil. If planting more than one, they should be spaced about two feet apart.’

Hops should be watered once a week if there’s no rain, and fertilized with a 18-10-30 solution every other week until burrs (flowers) form. To harvest your hops for brewing, cut the plant down two to four feet from the base; if you are using Hops as a decorative plant, cut the plant down close to its base in late fall.

Apart from their use in brewing Hops are verdant and versatile plants; interesting in their own right.

They are well suited as privacy fences, for aesthetic Craft breweries have become a passion for those value on strings or trellises, as pergola coverings of us who live in Southern Ontario and enjoy for shade or as a ground cover. finding newly-brewed inspirations. We have Whatever use you choose for Hops plants, you can suddenly been given access to a whole range always count on them to be a conversation piece! of micro-breweries and a whole new world of As always, our knowledgeable and friendly staff is flavours. happy to provide you with all the information you This passion for beer has brought about resurgence need to help them thrive. in home brewing. Not the wretched brew kit The varieties: you may have tried when you were younger; this Chinook hops have a strong and distinctive kind of brewing is about the careful selection of locally grown or even home-grown ingredients for pine-like aroma and flavor that is not common among other varieties. They are also somewhat unique, signature batches. spicy with a mild fruitiness though definitely not The Hops plant sprouts the small cones which give as strong. The distinctive aroma and flavor make beer its distinctive flavour; however not all hops these hops best suited for hoppy American-style are created equal. We wanted to make sure we Pale Ales. Chinook grows well in this region. got it right so you could brew with confidence. We Cascade hops are one of the most popular used scoured the market to source the tastiest, most by craft breweries. This Hop has two main flavour hardy and easiest-to-grow hop varieties for you. notes – citrus and floral – and it’s a real workhorse!

We drew on the generous expertise of some local It is the hop most widely used by craft breweries. brew-masters to determine which varieties of hops The plant has visual appeal because of its dark would be most suitable, and most delight home green elongated cones. brewers.

Our expert: This year (drum roll, please), we pop the cap off Curtis VanQuaethem of Eden, in Norfolk County Cascade and Chinook hops – two Hop varieties and at www.vhqfarms.ca co-founded the offering distinct tastes which will suit aspiring hops farm with his brother Joe and cousin Jared fresh, local ingredient home brewers.

Hevenor. Grown on quality, sandy soil, these hops At Royal City Nursery, our hops are locally have a uniquely Ontario flavour. VHQ supplies hops sourced and have started to vine out so you can to breweries from Chatham to Gravenhurst. Fun transplant them from our pots directly into your fact: VHQ is proud to be a fourth-generation farm.

8 • ROYAL CITY NURSERY - 519.824.4998 - ROYALCITYNURSERY.COM

New

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PRO-MIX® ORGANIC FLOWER BOOST GARDEN FERTILIZER

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• Ideal to encourage quick establishment of roots • For general garden use, vegetables and flowers 1 800 667-5366 VISIT PROMIXGARDENING.COM PRO-MIX® is a registered trademark of Premier Tech Ltd. or its affiliated companies © Premier Tech Ltd. All rights reserved. * When compared to unfertilized plants. For optimal results feed every 3-4 weeks. / En comparaison avec des plants non fertilisés. Pour des résultats optimaux, fertiliser toutes les 3-4 semaines.

10

THE DIRT ON

DIRT

By John DeGroot, DeGroot’s Nurseries, Sarnia, Ontario

W

hat can we add to soil to rejuvenate it? Let’s look at the most common soil amendments to get the scoop on healthy soil.

PEAT MOSS: Hands down, peat moss has always been every green thumber’s favourite soil amendment.

Peat moss helps sandy soil hold moisture and loosens clay soil to improve drainage.

Peat moss improves all important soil texture but does little to improve soil fertility. Use liberal amounts and mix thoroughly with your existing soil.

BONE MEAL: Use bone meal to build soil fertility. Bone meal contains lots of phosphorous for bigger bolder blooms and stronger roots. Bone meal improves all soils, and especially benefits roses, bulbs and blooming plants. Bone meal releases slowly and steadily, keeping your plants healthy over time.

BLOOD MEAL: High in nitrogen and fast acting, blood meal is a perfect complement to bone meal, which is why they are often mixed together in the same package. Use blood meal to give anemic plants an organic shot in the arm. Blood meal has the added benefit of repelling mice and other unwanted rodents.

MANURE: Like compost, manure improves the structure of soil while increasing its organic nutrient value. Mix manure up to 50/50 with your existing soil. And no, there is little difference between sheep, cow, horse and your neighbour’s manure. If you are a city slicker with a pickup truck you might be able to bum manure from a country farmer friend. If not, bagged manure is odour-free and more highly concentrated.

GREEN MANURE: Follow the advice of an old farmer and grow a green manure cover crop for a year. In the fall plough the crop into the soil and your garden will be grateful.

Use alfalfa, sorghum, legumes, clover or any annual crop that will produce lots of vegetation. Green manure serves as a source of food and energy, stimulating valuable microbial activity in soil. Other benefits are a reduction of weeds in your garden patch and improvement in soil aeration.

GYPSUM:

To break up the heaviest clay soil, spread gypsum on the surface. Be generous and put down about 20 kilograms of gypsum for every 100 square metres of surface area. Repeat for three consecutive years. Gypsum contains calcium and sulfur, but will not boost general fertility.

LIME: My high school chemistry teacher taught that if soil is too acidic, plants are unable to use nutrients that probably already exist in the soil. The solution is to add lime in order to raise the pH and sweeten or neutralize the soil. Apply 10kg dolomitic lime per 100 square metres of surface area. The application of lime may also serve to reduce moss and mushroom formation. While lime is not a moss killer, it will neutralize highly acidic soil where moss often thrives.

“GARDENERS

COMPOST: Let’s define compost as anything organic that has sufficiently broken down to look like rich dark soil. Compost can include everything from egg shells to leaves, to grass clippings, to banana peels. Compost trumps most other soil amendments because it improves soil texture and is chock full of nutrients. Mix generous amounts of compost with your existing soil.

ALL

KNOW THE DIRT.” ...Tips and tricks to optimize your dirt.

MULCH: Good gardeners know that mulch is the ticket to healthy soil and strong plant growth. Mulch keeps weeds down, retains soil moisture, reduces temperature fluctuations and insulates soil to minimize winter injury. Like the forest floor, organic mulches break down over time, contributing to soil health. Top up once a year to refresh appearance and maintain a depth of 2 to 3 inches.

SPRING 2018 • 11

Nature’s NURTURE!

By Tanya Olsen Royal City Nursery, Guelph, Ontario

• Sunlight: Soaking up the sun provides an influx of vitamin D and the fresh air is good for your body and your soul!

• Getting in touch with nature: While we may not have the time for a walk in the woods, gardening for even 20 minutes will help create the primal connection to nature lost with the pressures of daily life.

• You create a space that is beautiful and restful. Our garden centre’s mission is to assist in the creation of your outdoor living space, to suit your lifestyle, as an extension of the indoor space.

W

ith an increasing awareness of the value of gardening as a means to reduce daily stress and anxiety, the therapeutic benefits of nature and cultivated horticulture have been sought after for generations.

The Japanese have a medical practice called forest bathing or Shinrin-yoku (森林浴) which is literally a short leisurely trip to a forest. The theory is that “visiting a forest for relaxation and recreational purposes provides the opportunity to breathe in wood based essential oils like α-Pinene (a bronchodilator that increases air flow to the lungs) and limonene (antimicrobial volatile organic compounds) emitted from trees to protect them from rotting and insects.” http://www.hphpcentral.com/article/ forest-bathing In Canada, the profession and study of horticulture therapy is growing rapidly. Many hospitals, nursing homes and mental health facilities have established horticulture therapy programs as part of their mainstream practices. Study after study shows that if we take the therapeutic concepts that benefit patient, staff and visitor, and apply them on a smaller scale, we can bring the anti-stress benefits home.

• Reaping the rewards of the garden through wildlife and bird observation and a harvest of vegetables, fruits or cut flowers for your kitchen table.

When you start your healing garden experience, the active benefits include physical activity, cognitive stimulation and a sense of accomplishment. The more passive benefits include:

• The calming effects of being in the moment as you view your green space through the window. Simply put, we decrease our illness recovery time if we enjoy the view!

12

In order to realize the benefits, we need to engage and connect with the landscape. Keep in mind that it is not so much gardening itself that is the key to stress reduction, so much as the way it is approached.

Healing gardens can be gardens created for a single purpose or existing gardens renovated to include new ideas. Before you head to the garden centre to start creating a healing garden at your own home or office, here are a few recommendations:

1. Understand the available space you have. A healing garden does not need to be large. A collection of pots on the balcony can bring as much value as a fully landscaped backyard, if that is the space you have. Know how much sun or shade the space will receive so the plants can thrive properly.

2. Think about your overall maintenance requirements and be realistic about how much time and energy you will need. Your independent garden centre can help you plan for both available space and required efforts.

Your landscape must suit your lifestyle. If the garden is at its best when you are not home, it is not functional. To reap the benefits of the experience you have to be in the space. When you come home after a long day, what better way to unwind than to sit on your patio and see the lights turn on one by one and reflect off the white edges of your favorite variegated plant, or watch the dusk blooming pond lilies and perennials come to life.

To make your garden effective:

1. Select plants that tickle all

Spring

five senses. How the garden sounds, Summer Photo courtesy of Proven Winners smells or feels - www.provenwinners.com. will transport you to another time. To harvest is to taste the garden.

Winter When engaging your sense Fall of sight, don’t forget the views out your window during winter, as landscapes should be functional 365 days a year, both up close and from a distance.

2. Choose plants to signal the change of seasons and place them where you can see them from your window or as you enter the house. The blooms of a forsythia mean spring, the changing colours of a maple triggers memories of playing in

piles of leaves on a crisp fall day, while the dark green of a white spruce tree provides shelter in the winter. Sage, be it ornamental or edible, reminds everyone it is time to get into the summer BBQ season.

3. Bring the outdoors in with the use of a small greenhouse.

If you don’t have room for a greenhouse structure, use a row cover on your vegetables to extend the season, or start seeds indoors with a mini greenhouse tray, available in the seed section of your independent garden centre.

Specific plants known to reduce stress…

OUTDOORS Lavender – A fragrant Mediterranean perennial herb to reduce irritability and prompt relaxation. The essential oil can be consumed as tea or in a dried form.

Chamomile – The dried flowers make a tasty tea, whose compounds assist in feeling calm.

Lemon Balm – Used to reduce anxiety and help with sleep.

It is also a magnet for pollinating insects.

St John’s Wort – A small easy to grow shrub, hardy to Zone 5. Tablets can be found in health food stores to help treat depression and insomnia.

INDOORS Studies have reported many benefits to keeping plants indoors – not just for their psychological effects, but because many of our simple houseplants will help clean the air we breathe of chemicals and toxins. Use these sustainable solutions for improved air quality in both your home, your office or your dorm room or in a living wall!

Spider Plant – One of the best for air exchange, as the daughter plants (plants produced by aerial roots) develop thick fleshy roots outside of the soil. These fleshy roots exchange gases and airborne nutrients quickly and easily.

Peace Lily and English Ivy – Both have large volumes of leaves with porous openings on their undersides called stomata. These stomata release moisture into the air through transpiration, oozing humidity. Use these to help fight the dreaded winter cold and boost the overall humidity of a room by as much as 5%.

Janet Craig Dracaena – With a high transpiration (gas exchange) rate, this plant will filter the local toxins and volatile organic compounds in the air.

Whether you are just starting out with a raised vegetable garden, a pot overflowing with your grandmother’s favourite flowers or you are creating your first dynamic garden at your home, it is important to recognize that it is YOUR space.

Go on, get your hands dirty! The benefits of your healing garden and your staycation are only a few short steps away!

Happy planting!

SPRING 2018 • 13

PERFECT FOR THE WEEKEND, EASY ENOUGH FOR A WEEKDAY.

Beer and Honey BBQ Chicken Skewers Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Total Time: 20 mins

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Cut chicken in small pieces, about 1 ½ inch cubes.

2. In a medium bowl whisk all the ingredients together.

Add chicken. There should be enough marinade to cover the chicken. Cover with plastic wrap and place in fridge.

Let it marinate for at least 2 hours to 24 hours.

Incredibly delicious Beer and Honey BBQ Chicken Skewers – Perfect for a weekend or even a busy week night. Just prepare the night before, let marinate overnight and grill when ready.

3. Fire up grill.

Servings: 6 Calories: 197 kcal per serving

5. Place chicken on grill and turn every couple minutes or so, at the same time brushing some of the leftover marinade over the chicken. Grill until chicken is cooked through.

INGREDIENTS 3 cloves minced garlic ¾ cup beer 1/3 cup honey 1 tsp red pepper flakes 1 tsp Dijon mustard ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce 1 tbsp olive oil 4 chicken breasts cut into small cubes cilantro for garnish 14

4. Thread chicken on skewers, about 5 pieces per skewer.

Do not throw away leftover marinade.

6. Garnish with cilantro and serve.

RECIPE NOTES Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Healthy Kale Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette Prep Time: 10 mins This Kale Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette is fresh and delicious, loaded with good for you ingredients like kale, blueberries and apples then drizzled with a yummy blueberry vinaigrette!

Servings: 6 Calories: 278 kcal

INGREDIENTS 8 cups curly kale leaves stems removed and finely chopped 1 tbsp fresh lime juice 1 tbsp olive oil salt and pepper to taste 1 apple, cored and sliced 1 cup fresh blueberries 1 avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced ½ cup crumbled feta cheese 2 tbsp sunflower seeds FOR BLUEBERRY VINAIGRETTE ½ cup fresh blueberries 3 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp honey 1 tsp balsamic vinegar 2 tbsp water salt and pepper to taste INSTRUCTIONS 1. In a large bowl add the kale, lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.

Toss really well making sure that all the kale is covered in oil and lime juice.

2. Add the chopped apples, blueberries, avocado, feta cheese and sunflower seeds.

3. In a blender add all the vinaigrette ingredients and blend until smooth.

4. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and serve.

JO COOKS, JOANNA CISMARU Jo knows her readers so well they might as well be neighbours. She has a sixth sense for what they want to make on any given day, from warming comfort foods like chicken noodle soup to morning indulgences like iced cinnamon rolls. She also knows what’s in their cupboards (never calling for something that’s hard to find) and how much time they’ve got to cook.

Add to that her spunky attitude, her endearing writing style and her love of food, and it’s clear why she’s so loved. www.jocooks.com

Available at select Garden Centres.

GREAT FOR SUMM ENTERTAINER ING!

1/2 package of mix Cup of mayo / cup of sour cream Great for veggies, potatoe chips, pretzals or bread sticks

Baked Parmesan Artichoke Dip ½ cup (4oz) cream cheese ½ cup (4oz) real mayonnaise 3 tbsp Dip Mix ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 can (13.75 oz) artichoke hearts (drained and chopped) 2 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional) Squeeze out excess liquid from artichokes. In a small bowl, combine dip blend, mayonnaise, cream cheese & grated Parmesan. Stir in artichoke hearts. Transfer to a heat-proof dish. Top with Parmesan cheese if desired.

Bake in a 180° C (350°F) oven until hot, about 15 to 20 minutes. Serve with crusty sourdough French bread, breadsticks, pita chips or crackers.

SPRING 2018 • 15

CROCS

GARDENING WITH THE

Kids

HOW TO SHARE

YOUR LOVE FOR NATURE

By Bernie Whetter The Green Spot Home & Garden, Brandon, Manitoba

G

ardening is one of the most rewarding experiences we can share with our children. It is a chance to spend time together learning about the natural world, enjoying the outdoors, growing and harvesting food, and appreciating being in the moment. There is no greater way to pass on a respect for nature and a love for living things than teaching our children about gardening. Here are some ideas to help get your kids involved.

During the winter months, do some research with your children to choose plants for the garden and help them learn the benefits of each, to allow them to think about questions such as: why are carrots good for your eyes? Do sunflowers make good wild bird food? How do marigolds keep pests away? What makes a zinnia attract a monarch butterfly? How can beans make nitrogen available to the soil? Does catnip really attract cats and repel aphids? If we plant basil beside a tomato, will the tomato taste better?

Once you have put together a list of candidates, have your child make the final selection and let the excitement for spring begin.

Seeds are available at your local garden centre early in the new year, and frequent visits keep the kids interested in growing plants. It’s also a good time to collect child friendly garden tools with short handles and ergonomic grips.

Tools that are brightly colored will add an element of fun.

"Grandpa, will you come to the garden with me?"

18

It is important that the garden is a fun place to be, so create activities around the work. Kids love to play, they love to make things, and they are all about motion so make an “activity centre” right in the garden. Build a play structure or shelter to provide protection from the sun, rain, and wind, and that can house a small table, a couple of chairs and a small storage container

for paper, crayons, paints etc. Drafting a garden map is a good starter project making areas for vegetables, flowers, butterfly gardens and the activity centre.

Incorporating an entrance gate and walking paths will make the space more interesting.

Garden projects relating to nature will allow for learning opportunities. Pressed leaves and flowers provide a great lesson in botany and can be used to make cards. Have a picnic or a tea party and enjoy fresh produce from the garden for snacks. Draw and colour pictures of things you see in the garden like flowers, bugs, and birds. Children can make signs for each variety of plant in the garden on waterproof paper stapled to a short stake.

With some soil, pots, and bedding plants, make a hanging basket or a planter that can be displayed in the garden or used on the patio. Ant farm kits can be purchased and once populated will capture the attention of children as the ants busily go about their daily chores in full view.

Other additions to the garden will complement the experience. If a building is nearby, set up a rain barrel under a downspout. Not only will the kids have a source of water for the garden, but they will also learn about

conserving natural resources. Start a compost pile in the back corner. A rain gauge and a windsock or a wind spinner will make the kids aware of the earth’s elements. A bird house, lady bug house, and a mason bee house will provide living quarters to beneficial friends in the garden and provide interesting viewing. Add a bench for relaxation after the day’s hard work and a garden gnome for good luck.

The biggest challenge is to create incentive to maintain the garden. Weeding can feel like a chore, even for adults, but if done frequently for short time periods, added to the compost pile and rewarded with a game or snack, it can become fun.

By giving your child their own watering can, you can help them take ownership over keeping the plants well hydrated. On a hot day, get the hose and sprinkler out and combine watering the garden with water play. Even though harvest is some of the hardest work, digging potatoes and carrots, the fruits of their labour, just might be enough gratification to retain their interest.

One of the most rewarding activities I had with my children was planting a tree. About the same time as my oldest began school, we planted a small tree. Every year, on the first day of school, we took a picture of her and later on, her brother.

These became treasures as we watched both the children and the tree grow and flourish.

Above all, let the children make the decisions (or at least feel like they are making the decisions). Keep it fun and always be willing to respond with a resounding YES! when asked “Grandpa, will you come to the garden with me?”

SPRING 2018 • 19

Queen of Vines

By Brian Minter, Minter Country Garden, Chilliwack, British Columbia

C

lematis truly are the ‘queen of vines’ in terms of hardiness, resilience and massive colour over a significant part of the spring, summer and into the fall.

Many new varieties debut every year, each bringing something unique to the vine table. One clematis family, however, is often overlooked, according to Rob Wein of Clearview Horticultural Products, one of the largest clematis growers in our country.

“When folks go into garden stores, the tendency is to buy the newest varieties and those in bloom,” says Wein. “There are so many beautiful early-bloomers out there, they are hard to resist.

The ones not in bloom, however, tend to be passed over, and it’s a huge miss for our summer gardens.”

"The 'C group' is for charming.

Beautiful Clematis to be enjoyed all summer every summer!"

According to Wein, what’s being overlooked are the summer-bloomers, otherwise know as ‘group C’ clematis.

Their blossoms are not as large as some of the early-blooming stalwarts, but they produce in great profusion and over a long period of time (8-12 weeks) during the summer when you will enjoy them the most. Among the hardiest (zone 3) of the clematis family, they are also some of the most disease and pest resistant.

Wein says ‘group C’ varieties will grow almost anywhere in our country if they get some sunlight. In areas that have very hot summers, it may be best to plant them in a morning sun location with some protection or shade from the day’s most intense heat. Wein recommends planting a smaller shrub in front of the clematis to shade its roots in extreme heat situations.

Some of Wein’s favourite group C varieties are: • “Jackmanii” and “Jackmanii Superba” are among the most well-known in this group, often blooming from June through September with 4 to 6-inch (10-15cm) flowers.

• “Ville de Lyon”, a striking red with a silver sheen, is another great one. Again, with 4 to 6-inch blooms (10-15cm).

20

Jackmanii

Ville de Lyon

Huldine

Honora

Comtesse de Bouchard

• For a white, “Huldine” is one of the best performers. Its massive display of 3 to 4-inch (8-10cm) blooms is outstanding.

• “Polish Spirit” is a very strong flowering Polish introduction with small 3 to 4-inch (8-10 cm) deep purple flowers produced June through September.

• “Honora” has attractive velvety red-violet purple blooms and is a great performer.

• “Venosa Violacea” has streaked purple veins on a white background with six petaled 4 to 6-inch (10-15cm) flowers.

• “Comtesse de Bouchard” is one of the better pinks, producing lots of 4 to 6-inch (10-15 cm) blooms.

• “Perle d’Azur”, a distinctive purple, also features 4 to 6-inch (10-15cm) blooms that fade to an attractive blue.

• “Pink Fantasy”, one of the few bi-colours in this category, sports shell-pink blooms with rosy pink bars.

• “Madame Julia Correvon” has 3 to 4-inch (8-10cm) deep wine-red flowers with twisted sepals.

• “Rouge Cardinal” is a rich burgundy-crimson with attractive brown stamens that blooms from June till September with 4 to 6-inch (10-15cm) blossoms.

When planting clematis, make sure you prepare a planting hole about 18 inches deep. Then carefully set in the root ball and bury the stems about four inches below the top of the soil.

Clematis are ‘stem rooting’ and if the top is broken, this will ensure a fast recovery from the root system. Be careful not to bend the stems when setting in the clematis roots. Water the clematis well to help get it established, but once growing, be sure not to overwater.

Another nice thing about summer-blooming clematis is the ease of pruning. When they are beginning to decline at the end of summer, they can simply be pruned down to about 12 inches. Over time, as the stems become thicker, prune them back in stages, down to around 3 feet one year and down to 12 to 18 inches the next – this will lessen the shock to older plants. Any time the leaves look unsightly or get burnt in the sun, a simple haircut will clean them up, and they will soon grow back fresh leaves and blooms.

Today, the emphasis is all about the new clematis varieties while the proven success stories are often passed over. So, when adding these wonderful vines to your garden, please consider these amazing summer-bloomers.

SPRING 2018 • 21

The Colour Purple GARDEN STYLE

By Carla Hrycyna, St Marys Nursery and Garden Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba

T

he colour purple. Some may think of the movie or a familiar song, but it is so much more than that! Purple is a secondary colour that ranges from the warm tones of red-violet magentas to the cooler side of violet blues and lavenders, and harmonizes well with yellow. The 2018 inspired Pantone “Ultra Violet” colour was described as a “dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade that takes our awareness and potential to a higher level.”

Historical accounts show that for the Phoenicians the colour was valuable and rare due to the painstakingly difficult process of extracting the dye from sea snails. This shade was worn mostly by royalty and often associated with magic and religion. In Eastern cultures, and in Feng Shui, purple is associated with nobility, dignity and 22

abundance. The colour purple is viewed as peaceful, soothing and having spiritual qualities while also having a correlated reference to creativity and independence. Most recently, purple has taken on associations with contentment and passion and has come to symbolize success.

In flowers, fruit and vegetables the pigment anthocyanin creates purples, reds and blues. The deep tones of these purple pigments protect the plant against harm from the sun while also acting as an attraction to pollinating insects.

Purple fruits and vegetables also posssess medicinal qualities.

Studies have shown that antioxidants produced by purple edibles can be effective in preventing diseases. Purple power foods can: • Reduce the risk of high blood pressure and lower cholesterol • Help prevent obesity and diabetes • Assist in lowering the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurological diseases • Reduce inflammation and therefore chronic disease • Aid cognitive functions • Have properties which help prevent urinary tract infections, fight ulcers, and reduce liver damage and diseases which affect cell development

In a garden design, plants with intense dark purple foliage and blooms add a vibrant colour element. These standout plants punctuate the landscape, providing depth and contrast. They can bring focus to a design as either an opposing tone or as a strong complement to yellows and greens.

BLOOMERANG LILACS – This fragrant lilac blooms in spring, and again mid-summer. Its small form will fit nicely into most gardens. Can be used to obtain cut flowers.

Whether choosing annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, fruits or vegetables, opt for purple to celebrate health and happiness for 2018.

SUPERTUNIA BORDEAUX PETUNIA – A vigorous petunia with a slightly mounded habit that functions as both filler and spiller in containers. The medium to large sized flowers are excellent landscape plants.

Top Pick Purples PERENNIALS

FOREVER PURPLE HEUCHERA – A coral bell variety with dramatically fluted, glossy deep purple leaves dressed with short purple-pink flowers. This perennial performs well in part shade to full shade.

HIDCOTE AND MUNSTEAD LAVENDER – Lavender is coveted for its oils and beautiful fragrance, which are used as stress relievers. It is a tough plant, and drought-resistant once established. Plant in a sunny location, in an area protected from harsh winter winds.

ANNUALS

FRAGRANT BLUE HELIOTROPE – Fragrant, long lasting flowers will attract butterflies and hummingbirds. An easy care annual that is great for containers or in the garden.

PERSIAN SHIELD – This easy to care for plant is heat tolerant and boasts beautiful iridescent leaves of purple, green and silver.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS – Morning Glory, Viola, Annual Sage, Salvia, Alyssum, Sweet Pea.

EGGPLANT

ALLIUM

LILACS

HELIOTROPE

MILLENIUM ORNAMENTAL ALLIUM – This “Perennial of the Year” has bright, purple rounded flower clusters above a clump of glossy, green leaves. It is fragrant, late blooming and drought tolerant.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS: Clematis, Bellflower, Dwarf Iris, Salvia, Verbena, Phlox, Veronica and Sage.

VEGGIES AND FRUIT FAIRY TALE EGGPLANT – A plant that produces mini 4” eggplants that are super tasty. Perfect for small gardens and patio pots.

PURPLE BEAUTY PEPPER – The pepper this plant produces has a blocky full body with thick walls and a mild, sweet flavor.

PURPLE RUFFLES BASIL – This plant has large and ruffled leaves, with a strong fragrance and flavour. It adds fantastic colour and flavour to herb vinegars.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS: Blackberries, Blueberries, Purple Asparagus, Purple Cabbage, Purple Carrots, Purple Potatoes and Currants.

TREES AND SHRUBS ROYAL PURPLE SMOKEBUSH (COTINUS) – Its dramatic oval, deep purple leaves form masses with clouds of pink blooms. This compact, drought tolerant variety is a fantastic accent plant. Resists deer and rabbits.

SPILLED WINE WEIGELA – A beautiful three foot purple foliage plant that produces bright pink blooms for the sunny garden. Easy to care for, grows wider than tall. Proven Winners Landscape plant of the year. Resists deer.

Photo courtesy of Proven Winners - www.provenwinners.com.

Attracts Hummingbirds

Attracts Bees

Attracts Butterflies SPRING 2018 • 23

Look Good, FEEL GREAT

By Donna Moss, Meadow Acres Garden Centre, Petersburg, ON

S

pring 2018 is all about comfort, femininity and natural fibres with an upscale flair that won’t stress your wallet.

Your must have this summer is a pair of embroidered denim jeans. Featured here is a pair of distressed butterfly jeans topped with a beautiful feminine silk blend top with a flared sleeve and tie detail. Combine bold floral cotton blend shirts for a punch of colour with your basic jeans to make a statement and show off your personal style.

Bamboo, linen, silk and cotton blends are staples that should be in every woman’s closet.

Cotton and linen have always been favourite summer fabrics with our customers and are now making a strong showing in fashion boutiques. Look for pieces that will continue to grace your closet for several years. Mixing and matching with new pieces of jewellery will freshen up your look and will keep everyone wondering, “Is that a new outfit?”

Bamboo, linen, silk and cotton blends are staples that should be in every woman’s closet.

If you haven’t tried bamboo, you must!

Bamboo keeps you cool and dry on the warmest of days and will carry you into the evening with comfort. A wide range of bamboo fashion will become staples in your closet.

From tanks to bras, underwear, leggings and tops you will be singing bamboo’s praises to all of your girlfriends.

A girl can never have enough shoes, sandals or boots. Whether it is a sandal, flats or bootie, footwear is as important as the clothes above the ankles. Your choice of footwear can make or break an overall look. Take your time and choose wisely. However if you like more than one look, why not purchase them all! The same is true for your handbags. Choose the one that says “Yes this is ME”.

Courtesy of Orange Fashion Village

Style should reflect your personality and taste. Check your image in the mirror before leaving your home. There is nothing worse than a dropped hem, a stain or a frayed seam. Step out of your home and wear those clothes with confidence and grace and you will receive compliments that will make you smile and confirm your choices.

Remember when you look good, you feel good and when you feel good, you look GREAT!!

24

Courtesy of Papa Fashions

BOUTIQUE

Gifts we

BOUTIQUE

Good taste never goes out of style Distinctive Home décor for every season at Tsuga Boutique.

6838 Wellington Road 124 Guelph ON N1H 6J4 GPS coordinates: 43.473708, -80.304282

519.824.4998

info@royalcitynursery.com

royalcitynursery.com SPRING 2018 • 25

FASHION UNDER GLASS BOUTIQUE

A fashion show presenting Spring/Summer 2018 designer lines from Tsuga Boutique

Wednesday April 25

All proceeds go to Boys Hope Girls Hope in Guatemala

Fashion show starts at 7 PM

TICKETS ARE $20 EACH BOUTIQUE

with a limited number available Attendees will enjoy the luxury of exclusive after-hours shopping, and special pricing throughout the store.

Royal Rewards Members save an additional 5% on their purchases.

Tickets are available by contacting Royal City Nursery @ 519.824.4998

Showcase

your style!

BOUTIQUE

See what’s new for Spring & Summer 2018 at Tsuga Boutique.

We have this season’s best in home décor and designer fashion, handbags and footwear.

Welcome our new line of designer-wear from Marble Fashion; joining our great lines from Tribal, and Simply Noelle.

BOUTIQUE

6838 Wellington Road 124 Guelph ON N1H 6J4 GPS coordinates: 43.473708, -80.304282

519.824.4998

info@royalcitynursery.com

royalcitynursery.com 7 • • ROYAL 26 ROYALCITY CITYNURSERY NURSERY- -519-824-4998 519.824.4998- -ROYALCITYNURSERY.COM ROYALCITYNURSERY.COM

LANDSCAPE DESIGN SERVICES Inspired landscape design.

Making life beautiful, naturally

Well-conceived plan and professional installation services mean you have exceptional outdoor living spaces.

Call 519.824.4998 to arrange an on-site landscape consultation.

FERTILIZER Go ahead have the best lawn in town, Healthy Lawn Annual Fertilizer program only $62.00 Spring Thicken Annual Fertilizer program only $84.00 Weed Prevent Annual Fertilizer program only $94.00 Each program includes an entire year of CIL Golfgreen Fertilizer for up to 4400 sq. ft.

Ask us which will work best for you!

SPRING 2018 • 27

WATER FEATURES

Bubbling, Burbling, Gurgling Water We plan, install and maintain your water garden, pond or water feature.

CUSTOM PLANTERS FOR EVERY SEASON Create a distinct statement for your home or office.

Captivating design and breathtaking colour are always in style. Add the finishing touch to your already beautiful home with a custom seasonal planter.

28 • ROYAL CITY NURSERY - 519-824-4998 - ROYALCITYNURSERY.COM

NATURAL GARDENING TIPS FROM THE PRO’S Controlling pests in the vegetable garden When planning your vegetable garden, make sure you understand know your soil and sun. It all starts with a plan. Planting crops with similar soil and sun requirements in a suitable location will help ensure a thriving crop with little intervention from you.

Proper plant spacing will increase air flow through your crop, decreasing diseases caused by high humidity.

Amend your soil - loosen the top 12” of your garden plot with a spading fork and add a healthy layer of Fafard’s Sea Compost to add much needed organic matter to the soil.

Weed control is essential - place a 2” layer of All Treat’s Canada Red Mulch to block the sunlight from stimulating weed seed germination, increase moisture retention and adds nutrition and texture to the soil.

Mix up your garden - incorporating flowers can encourage beneficial insects to call your garden “home” and defend it against aphids and other pests. A bird bath is a beautiful focal point which will invite birds to hang out and munch on some caterpillars while they are there.

A floating row cover lets light, air and water reach plants, while keeping pests such as carrot rust fly, cabbage loopers and groundhogs at bay. A raised bed or fencing may also help discourage some furry neighbours.

Water earlier in the day - plants will draw in the moisture before it evaporates in the hot sun, reducing the humidity build up which will decrease fungal growth. If evening watering is your only option, use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to reduce the risk of disease.

If an insect problem arises using organics such as Insecticidal soap, Horticultural Oil, or BTK (Bacillus thuringiensis) are good bets for controlling an outbreak before it takes hold.

Know your crops, know their pests, maintain a healthy environment and you can reap the harvest of a summer spent nurturing your crop.

LADYBUG RELEASE This lady makes a big impact in the garden.

Ladybugs are a beautiful, eco-friendly way to eliminate unwanted insects Join us for our annual LADYBUG RELEASE Saturday June 16th @ 11 AM Help us release ladybugs into our garden centre Register by visiting royalcitynursery.com SPRING 2018 • 29

Nematodes work hard, so you don’t have to.

Nematodes are microscopic worms that seek out and kill lawn grubs in soil.

Available at

Kills Grubs Dead

L AW N G U A R D I A N 100% Effective Natural Control for Lawn Grubs 100% Safe for people, pets and plants

Available at

GARDENA®

GARDENA®

• Precision, non-stick coated blades, soft component for a better grip • 25 year warranty

• Ideal for vines, roses and small branches • Stainless steel lower blade • 25 year warranty

GARDENA®

GARDENA®

• High performance versatile saw • Harden chrome plated saw blade, made of quality spring steel, impulse-hardened toothing for staying sharp!

• Non slip ergonomic handle • Great for a lifetime of yard work • 25 year warranty

• 6.7” teflon coated blade • Gel padding in handles absorbs shock from cutting action, reducing stress on forearms.

• 25 year warranty

COLOURWAVE®

COLOURWAVE®

Classic Bypass Lopper

Garden Saw

9 Pattern Nozzle • • • •

Thumb control nozzle 9 position spray head Heavy duty hose nozzle Easy to use thumb control for flow and shut off

Bypass Pruner

Hedge Trimmers

8 Pattern Telescopic Wand • Thumb control wand • Expandable to 60” • Reach to the back of the flower garden with 8 pattern nozzle head • Easy to use thumb control for flow and shut off

COLOURWAVE®

RAINWAVE®

• 6 pattern rotary sprinkler • Adjustable multi pattern gear drive sprinkler • Full or partial circular coverage up to 70’ diameter • 3,800 sq ft coverage

• 5/8” x 50’ long Superior all weather hose • Stays flexible in low temperature • No memory hose will lay flat and coil easily • Aircraft grade aluminum fittings • Drinking water safe

Rotary Sprinkler

Prem-A-Flex Hose

SHOW-OFF.

Fire Light® Hydrangea: DRAMATIC COLOR, HARDY, STRONG STEMS, LONG BLOOMING AND LOW MAINTENANCE

2018

Before they reach your garden, our flowering shrubs undergo years of trials and testing for color, quantity of blooms, cold tolerance, foliage and ability to thrive with ease. Only a few prove they’re worthy of the #1 plant brand.

provenwinners-shrubs.com