Dave VanRaay
morning sun but avoid locations in the scalding afternoon heat. Fertilize in spring and summer with a slow release, high phosphorus all-purpose plant food but no later than early September so next year’s buds will harden off nicely for its winters sleep. Bloomerang Lilac This relatively new dwarf mauve Lilac has become quite well known over the past few years. It continues to bloom fragrantly from early spring through early summer, takes a short rest in mid-summer and then re-blooms well into the fall. Growing to just a couple feet tall it is useful in shrub or perennial borders or even large containers. Enjoy the butterflies and hummingbirds it will attract or cut the blooms and bring them in the house. Deadheading will force even more new blooms! Sonic Bloom Weigela In the gardening world, we’re excited about the new Sonic Bloom Weigela series. Weigela are natural bouquets of colour in spring. This new variety for 2013 has a very high bud count. A burst of spring bloom followed by waves of rebloom until frost will be a delight to the eyes and the butterflies. Available now in red, pearl and pink.
Bobo Hydrangea A winner of the Gold Floral medal for best novelty plant, this Hydrangea has just been released this spring. Engulfed in large white blossoms, this plant holds its blossoms up high on strong stems and resists the temptation to flop. The spectacular pure white display morphs into a soft pink at first sign of cooler temperatures in the fall. Compact to 3 feet tall, it is a perfect specimen for any small garden with colour from mid-summer through late fall. Magic Carpet Spirea The first thing that comes to mind at the sound of spirea is a waterfall of confetti. We all have memories of the oldfashioned Bridal Wreath spirea. With the name being the only similarity, Magic Carpet forms a low perfect mound of bronze and copper foliage in early spring. Dark rich pink blossoms cover the plant in May. The trick is to trim down the spent blossoms in June and watch it do it all over again. The most manageable of all dwarf shrubs and far superior to any of its predecessors, this plant will surely stand the test of time in many gardens. Bluebeard Caryopteris Every shrub garden needs Caryopteris. ‘Variety is the spice of life’ and this is what Bluebeard is to the garden. The rare blue fluorescent flowers contrast with its rich glossy green leaves. Blooming midsummer to late fall, Bluebeard fills a gap when many shrubs are past their prime. Caryopteris provides the ideal compliment to autumn’s yellows, oranges and reds and is another reason for the birds and butterflies to come visit. Flowering shrubs are the natural denizens of the garden. They are indispensible for adding colour and structure and bridge the flow of your landscape. The few mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg; look for other notable new improved varieties at your local garden centre including Sweet Summer, Incrediball, and Bombshell Hydrangea, the Lo and Behold series of dwarf Butterfly Bush, Sugar Baby Forsythia, Coppertina Ninebark and more. For more information on what varieties will perform best for your location, be sure to stop into the store and talk with a nursery expert. They are best suited to give you location and site specific advice for your yard. HOME & GARDEN MAGAZINE
SPRING 2013
_ 13