Green Spaces 2017

2017 GREENHOUSE GUIDE OUTSIDE THE BOX Growing

Top gardening trends for 2017

Whether you have a backyard or just a few containers on the patio, sunny days are your cue it’s time to garden.

Growing your own flowers, herbs and vegetables is a lot of fun, and with some simple tips, it can be pretty easy to make sure your outdoor space is a showstopper.

Experts can offer insight into the year’s top gardening trends so you can plant with confidence and creativity:

Create curb appeal

Your home’s exterior will influence the first impression of anyone that visits.

Give your entryway an instant beauty boost with begonias. They’re perfect for the time-starved gardener, grow well in sun or shade, and fill in fast and full. At the forefront of this trend are Megawatt begonias. New for 2017, they feature exceptional performance and a unique bronze-leaf color that is sure to be noticed by guests.

2: Tablescapes

Bring the beauty of gardening indoors with tablescapes. Use your harvested vegetables as decor inside in display bowls; you’ll give your interior design a fresh look. There

are also non-edible potted veggies like Hot Pops Purple Ornamental Peppers. They mature in multiple colors to keep you in color all season.

3: Fresh food fascinations

There’s nothing like pulling fresh food from the garden, but 2017 is trending toward more unique flavors. Replace your traditional pepper plants with specialty hot peppers like jalapenos or chiles. And you don’t need tons of space to enjoy multiple tomatoes. Try Take 2 Tomato Combos which give you a slicer and a

cherry tomato in one pot, providing twice the flavor in half the space. Travel the globe through herbs: Plant a kitchen garden of different basils, lavenders and mints. Use them in your next cocktail! Trend number

4: Customize with color

A great garden is more than just a food source, it’s also a thing of beauty. One of the hottest trends for 2017 will be accenting your garden with unique colors that reflect your style. If

your favorite color is purple, pink or white, weave some petunias into your garden design. If you adore red, try Archangel Cherry Red Angelonia for a delicate texture that weathers any extremes. Fill your garden with plants to match your favorite team’s colors for a fun customized twist. Whatever you choose, a splash of color is sure to get your space noticed.

Get started on your garden project today.

The 2017 gardening season is just beginning, so now’s the perfect time to make friends with your local garden center for the best plant selection. Incorporate any or all of the top trends listed above and your garden will be beautiful and rewarding throughout the entire year.

Natural ways

Warm weather welcomes flowerbeds, gardens burst with color and fragrance, and in many yards, roses are the stars of the show. They’re the most popular and prized flower in American gardens, one of the most-beloved flowers for weddings, and staples of Valentine’s and Mother’s Day bouquets. Americans love their roses - and so do a host of harmful pests, including Japanese beetles, aphids, mites among other insects, and let’s not forget about deer.

Pests can cause a great deal of damage to roses, especially considering many varieties have a reputation for being tenderly delicate. While some types of roses are hardier against disease, no rose alive can fight off an aphid infestation or fight foraging deer without some help from the

gardener. However, growing awareness of the environmental impact of some common pesticides may have many rose gardeners looking for more natural ways to protect their blooms this season.

Brand-name neonicotinoid pesticides, commonly used to keep pests off plants, are being banned in states across the country, including Maryland, Connecticut and Minnesota. North Carolina is currently considering a similar ban. This class of insecticides is believed to contribute to the devastation and decline of honeybee populations across the country. As more states prohibit the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, and some garden retailers remove neonics from store shelves, many garden-

SEE ROSES: Page 7

A Plus Landscaping and Garden Center

6150 Old Miller Trunk Hwy Duluth, MN 55779

218-729-9079

Open: Apr 24, 2017

Close: Oct 29, 2017

Hours: 9am-7pm

What is unique about your business: We offer a large selection of hanging baskets, containers, perennials, shrubs & trees. We also have the best customer service in the Northland.

What are you excited about this year: We’ve added a lot of varieties of flowers & shrubs to our greenhouse and our plants look better than ever!!

A-1 Asphalt

Duluth/Superior

218-940-3530

Open: Apr 29, 2017

Close: Nov 29, 2017

What is unique about your business: Professional grade sealcoating, asphalt patching & hot mix available.

What are you excited about this year: Honest, Reliable, and Quality Service Since 1991

AJ Landscape Center

6386 Hwy 2 Duluth, MN 55810

218-729-4686

Open: May 2017

Close: Oct. 2017

Hours: Open 7 days a week

What is unique about your business: One stop shop for all your landscape materials

What are you excited about this year: Excellent variety of trees, shrubs, perennials along with mulch, rocks & soils

Anderson’s Greenhouse/Florist

1403 7th Avenue

Two Harbors, MN 55616

218-834-4837

Open: Open year round

Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5:30pm, Sat. 8am-4:30, Sun May 14 thru June 25

What is unique about your business: We are a greenhouse/flower shop and we grow the majority of our plants from start to finish. I do not apply any neonicotinoid insecticides to our plants and I’m very careful of any products used.

What are you excited about this year: We grow very nice pansies & violets and every year there are new and exciting garden plants to try.

Barb’s Perennials

214 Erickson Rd

Esko, MN 55733

218-879-8071

Open: May 12, 2017

Close: Sept. 27, 2017

Hours: Tues-Sun 10am-5m. Closed Mondays. Summer hours start after July 6: Tues-Sat 10 am-5pm. Closed Sundays & Mondays

What is unique about your business: Locally grown tested perennials. Custom designing for 3 season bloom. Deer & rabbit products - organic tested. What are you excited about this year: New phlox varieties King Kong ligularia, new hardy echinaceas, milkweed, & new lily varieties. New hardy hydrangea varieties plus other shrubs. Tree Peonies and Fern Leaf Peonies.

Greenhouse DIRECTORY

Beier’s Greenhouse

2707 Midway Lane Grand Rapids , MN 55744

218-326-5357

Open: NOW

Close: September 1, 2017

Hours: Open 7 days a week - See our website for our hours: www.beiersgreenhouse.com

What is unique about your business: Beier’s is proud to have been a family owned business for over 60 years. We have a knowledgeable and experienced staff to assist you in all your gardening needs. We grow quality annuals, perennials, gorgeous hanging baskets & container planters, vegetables, trees and shrubs in the North, for the Northern gardener. Beier’s Fairy-Gardens are enchanting. Come experience the magic of our Fairyland area with all the latest Fairyland accessories for you to make your own magical garden. We also promote education by offerning a variety of seminars and classes to our customers. To register, please visit: www.getlearning.org or visit our website at: www.beiersgreenhouse.com

What are you excited about this year: New this year we have hundreds of adorable Fairy Gardening accessories on display. We also have a brand new website, so make sure you check it out: www.beiersgreenhouse.com - and let us know what you think! We love your feedback! Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter, where you can get sneak peeks at the weeks’ specials and are first to know about upcoming events and special coupons! Like us on Facebook! We love posting pictures of all of our plants as they start blooming!

Bending Birches Greenhouse

5996 Cant Rd

Duluth, MN 55804

218-525-1994

Open: May 1, 2017

Close: Jun 25, 2017

Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-3pm

What is unique about your business: High quality, environmentally-friendly bedding plants, custom hanging basket and container design, wide selection of heirloom tomatoes, herbs and vegetables. Colorful hanging basket combinations, pollinator garden plants such as beebalm, milkweed and flowering herbs.

What are you excited about this year: Eye-catching species plants such as Datura (Angels Trumpet). 7 varieties of Morning Glory and other beautiful vines, special order days for trees and shrubs.

Bloomers Garden Center

18839 Adair Rd.

Grand Rapids, MN 55744

218-326-0668

Open: Apr 17, 2017

Close: Oct 27, 2017

Hours: Varies throughout the season

What is unique about your business: Fun staff, unique yard art, large selection of fairies, trolls & gnomes & their accessories. We work with our customers to ensure they get the plants that will work in their environment

What are you excited about this year: We’ve expanded our beautiful hanging basket selection to over 2100. Our new whimsical courtyard displays.

Byrn’s Greenhouse of Zim

1990 HWY 7

Zim, MN 55738

218-427-2634

Open: Apr 27, 2017

Close: Jul 1, 2017

Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat. 8am-5pm, Sun. 9am-5pm

What is unique about your business: We are all natural and sustainable. No pesticides or herbicides.

What are you excited about this year: We are excited about everyone getting behind the pollinators and the bees! We grow everything on site and have a fun and not-too-serious atmosphere, however we are !00% serious about what we grow. www.byrnsgreenhouse.com

Cherry Greenhouse

9960 Townline Rd, Iron MN 55751/800 SW 6th St, Chisholm, MN 55719

218-263-9304-Iron, 218-254-3404-Chisholm

Open: Apr 29, 2017

Close: Summer 2017

Hours: 8am-8pm M-F, 9am-6pm Sat & Sun

What is unique about your business: 43 Years of greenhouse growing & understanding our zones specific needs, especially with trees, shrubs & vegetables

What are you excited about this year: The new “Night Sky” petunia is unique & will probably be an early sellout. Many new proven winners & varieties of petunias, , expanded selection of patio planters & perennials

Country Craft Shed and Greenhouse

7016 Van Road

Duluth, MN 55803

218-721-3258

Open: May 20, 2017

Close: Aug 5, 2017

Hours: Sat-Sun 10am-4pm

What is unique about your business: Perennials and garden gifts

What are you excited about this year: Fairy garden supplies, garden junk, air plants, primitive benches

Cummings Greenhouse

4112 W Arrowhead Rd

Duluth, MN 55811

218-728-3785

Open: Apr 29, 2017

Close: Mid June 2017

Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun Noon-6pm

What is unique about your business: An all kale salad mix, rhubarb, raspberries, blueberry & grape plants in large nursery cans. Bedding plants, annual & vegetables, hanging baskets, herbs and herb gardens.

What are you excited about this year: Large blooming tomato plants, hanging baskets of all sizes 6” & 16”

dj’s daylilies

1071 Sorenson Rd Holyoke, MN 55749

218-522-0284

Open: June 3, 2017

Close: Sept. 10, 2017

Hours: Open by appointment and for Daylily open house week

What is unique about your business: We grow and sell over 300 varieties of northern hardy daylilies

What are you excited about this year: We are offering 3 new Daylily collections and are hosting Daylily open House Week once again. July 29-August

6. See website for details, www.djsdaylilies.com

Duluth Farmer’s Market

Corner of 14th Ave E & 3rd St Duluth, MN 55812

218-591-0632

Open: May 6, 2017

Close: Oct. 28, 2017

Hours: Wed 2pm-6pm & Sat 7am-12noon.

What is unique about your business: Very local. Grown by person selling the products

What are you excited about this year: Many new vendors to come and meet

Engwall Garden Center

4749 Hermantown Rd

Hermantown, MN 55811

218-727-8961

Open: May 1, 2017

Close: August 2017

Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm

What is unique about your business: The area’s oldest and largest greenhouse growing quality annuals & perennials since the late 1800’s.

What are you excited about this year: More vegetables than ever, new variety of annuals & perrenials and new container garden combinations.

Engwall Kenwood Garden Center

1200 Arrowhead Rd Duluth, MN 55811

218-727-8961

Open: May 4, 2017

Close: Aug 31, 2017

Hours: Mon-Sat. 9am-7pm, Sun. 10am-6pm

What is unique about your business: Known for our large selection of outdoor hanging baskets, over 300 varieties of perennials, great quality annuals. What are you excited about this year: Helping our customers try new plants in their gardens!!

Evergreen Lawn Service www.evergreenlwnservice.com

Duluth, MN

218-525-0160

Open: Early Spring

Close: Late Fall

Hours: Call for appointment

What is unique about your business: Locally owned and operated, and committed to providing our customers with the most effective lawn care available, helping you to achieve the many benefits of a thick, healthy and beautiful turf. The Evergreen Lawn Program is designed to multiply your existing turf through timely fertilization as we eliminate the controllable weeds from your lawn. In just one season, we can multiply your turf considerably (10 to 15 times) and reduce up to 95 percent of the controllable weeks. The combination of proper lawn maintenance and the Evergreen Lawn Program can bring tremendous results for your lawn! The best-looking lawn is a green, healthy, weed-free lawn. And heatlhy lawns are what our nitrogen-balanced lawn feeding program is all about.

What are you excited about this year: This year we are introducing our tree and shrub program and welcome your calls and questions regarding scheduling an appointment to make your home’s landscaping healthy and beautiful.

Four Seasons Outdoor Services

See our ad in the Greenhouse Guide on Page 8

218-624-9385

Gardening Junky

4776 Hermantown Rd

Hermantown, MN 55811

218-626-JUNK (5865)

Open: May 5, 2017

Close: Sept. 2017

Hours: Tues-Thurs 10am-6pm, Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm and Sun., May 21 & 28 11am-3pm - see www.GardeningJunky.com for Winter Hours

What is unique about your business: An eclectic mix of New and Repurposed Garden Art & Vintage Treasures to embellish your gardens.Check out our hanging baskets, succulents, locally crafted garden art. A FUNky greenhouse shopping experience!

What are you excited about this year: Project parties in the greenhouse, hypertufa trough planters, and lots of Succulents. Check out our EVENTS page at www.GardeningJunky.com

Greenhouse DIRECTORY

Gordy’s Gift & Garden Center

4899 Miller Trunk Hwy

Hermantown, MN 55811

218-722-8666

Open: Apr 24, 2017

Close: Open year round

Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30-7:00, Sat-Sun 9:30-6:00

What is unique about your business: Huge selection of hanging baskets, annuals, perennials, veggies and herbs

What are you excited about this year: New varities of plants!

The Good Garden Company

2724 N 21st St. -Billings Park

Superior, WI 54880

715-398-5524

Open: Apr 28, 2017

Close: Oct 31, 2017

Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-4pm

What is unique about your business: Our customers constantly comment on the great health, vigor and variety of our annuals, perennials, trees & shrubs.

What are you excited about this year: The best garden decor! Beautiful pieces arriving daily. Lots of variety in fruit trees and edibles, so you can grow your own healthy food.

Grindstone Greenhouse

21594 River Chase Rd

Hinckley, MN 55037

320-384-7661

Open: May 1, 2017

Close: Sept 1, 2017

Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat. 9am-5pm, Sun. 9am-3pm

What is unique about your business: We have unique designer containers, Fairy garden designs

What are you excited about this year: The new variety of petunia’s Night Sky, Citrus twist

Grussendorf Nursery Inc

4124 Midway Rd

Hermantown, MN 55811 218-729-7351

Open: May 1, 2017

Close: Oct 31, 2017

Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-7pm, Sun closed

What is unique about your business: 3 Generations of family knowledge on trees, shrubs and landscaping

What are you excited about this year: Huge selection of fruit trees and shade trees

Hauser’s Superior View Farm

86565 Cty Hwy J Bayfield, WI 54814 715-779-5404

Open: Apr 28, 2017

Close: May 31, Farm thru Oct. 31

Hours: 9am-5pm thru May, 10am-5pm June-Oct.

What is unique about your business: Our own field grown perennials, climatized for northern hardiness. Grow our own annuals and baskets as well

Hillside Acres Greenhouse

1875 Cty Rd 1

Wrenshall, MN 55797

218-969-2030

Open: May 5, 2017

Hours: Mon-Sun 9am-7pm

What is unique about your business: Custom hanging gardens, locally grown annuals & tropicfals, vegetables grown from seed, large perennials

What are you excited about this year: New exciting varieties. Come early for best selection

Kerrick Sod & Landscape Company

2923 Midway Rd

Duluth , MN 55810

218-624-1811

Hours: Please see our ad on Page 7

Kunnari Greenhouse

7873 Bodas Rd

Eveleth, MN 55734

218-744-5853

Open: May 1, 2017

Close: End of June or by July 4

Hours: 9am-7pm Mon-Sat, 12:30-5pm Sun.

What is unique about your business: We have many unique flower arrangements in a country setting.

What are you excited about this year: We expanded and put up 2 new greenhouses!

Lake Superior Garden Center

5137 Jean Duluth Rd

Duluth, MN 55803

218-525-7477

Open: Apr 28, 2017

Close: Oct 8, 2017

Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm

What is unique about your business: We try to cover all facets of gardening. We carry annual flowers, veggies, herbs, perennials for sun and shade, trees, shrubs, vines, etc.

What are you excited about this year: Even more succulents, large selection of veggies, tomatoes, peppers, herbs, basil, rosemary, lavender; Gray Griller Square

Northern Landscape & Garden Center Inc

2103 Hwy 37

Hibbing, MN 55746

218-263-9739

Open: Apr 24, 2017

Close: Oct 1, 2017

Hours: 9am-6pm Closed Sundays afgter July 1.

What is unique about your business: One stop garden center

What are you excited about this year: New varities of annuals, Mixology specialty vegetable plants, new inventory in gift shop

Northstar Landscaping & Garden Center

15677 W County Rd B

Hayward, WI 54843

715-634-8644

Open: Apr 17, 2017

Close: Dec 20, 2017

Hours: 8:00am-7:00pm (Mon-Sat) 8:00 am-4pm (Sun)

What is unique about your business: Unique combo hanging baskets, large variety of annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, large gift shop, large variety of ceramic pottery.

What are you excited about this year: Lots of new varieties of annuals for 2017, lots of new items in the gift shop

Petersons Greenhouse

4515 South Crystal Lake Rd

Iron River, WI 54847

715-372-4364

Open: Apr 22, 2017

Close: Jun 30, 2017

Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 9am-5pm

What is unique about your business: Excellent quality hanging baskets at an affordable price

What are you excited about this year: Some new petunia varieties, assorted succulents, nice selection of perennials

Plant Place Garden Centers

Duluth Hill, Duluth West, Cloquet @ Superior One Duluth/Cloquet, MN 55811

763-441-8022

Open: Early May

Close: Early June

Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 9am-5pm

What is unique about your business: We’ve been serving these communities for over 30+ years and bring our best to you.

What are you excited about this year: We have many exciting changes & new products! Join us on Facebook for contests & prizes.

Rice Lake Gardens

5563 Rice Lake Rd Duluth, MN 55803

218-729-7299, 390-1745

Open: May 5, 2017

Close: July 24 Greenhouse, Oct 30 Farmers Mkt

Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm

What is unique about your business: New Petunias beautiful hanging basket combinations, vegetable selections.

What are you excited about this year: More potted fruits and vegetables, trees and shrubs

Rosie’s Garden

208 Ratika Road Esko, MN 55733

218-879-5027

Open: May 15, 2017

Close: Oct 15, 2017

Hours: 9am-8pm

What is unique about your business: We have one of the largest collections of Hostas in Minnesota

What are you excited about this year: The new Hosta Angel Falls and more exciting Blue Mouse Ears Sports

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Greenhouse DIRECTORY

Sam’s Florist & Greenhouse

6616 Cody St

Duluth, MN 55807

218-628-1091

Open: April, 2017

Close: Open year round

Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 8am-3pm, Closed Sunday

What is unique about your business: Our plants are grown on premise, great quality

Susie’s Country Greenhouse

4148 Normanna Rd.

Duluth, MN 55803

218-721-5148

Open: May 1, 2017

Close: Mid June

Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-7pm. Sat 9am-5pm. & Sun 10am-3pm

What is unique about your business: The wide variety of plants including proven winners and our beautiful baskets and containers.

What are you excited about this year: Heartbeat Petunia perfect for Mothers Day and our new “Fairy” house with a full line of accessories and gifts. Call for a spot in our Mother’s Day class on Sat. May 13.

Teri’s Greenhouse

4650 Lavoy Rd

Brookston, MN 55711

218-348-4754

Open: May 1, 2017

Close: Jun 23, 2017

Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat & Sun 9am-5pm

What is unique about your business: Annuals, vegetables, herbs, hanging flower baskets

What are you excited about this year: Great prices for a variety of hanging baskets. Beautiful hanging baskets.

Wentworth Gardens

4474 S Wentworth Rd South Range, WI 54874

715-364-2393

Open: Apr 1, 2017

Close: Oct 31, 2017

Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 9am-4pm

What is unique about your business: Wave petunia, Bee & Butterfly Gardens, Patio containers

What are you excited about this year: Starter perennials, Annual flowers & over 75 New Varieties of plants.

WLSSD

2626 Courtland St Duluth , MN 55806

218-722-3336

Open: Open all year

Close: Open all year

Hours: www.wlssd.com

World of Fish

5211 Miller Trunk Hwy Hermantown, MN 55811

218-729-5161

Open: Mid-late May

Close: Early August

Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6:30pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm

What is unique about your business: Hardy water lilies, water lettuce, ornamental grasses

What are you excited about this year: Pond and aquatic plants

Youngs Greenhouse

94037 Partridge Road North Sturgeon Lake, MN 55783

218-485-5961

Open: May 6, 2017

Close: Jun 30, 2017

Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat. 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm

What is unique about your business: Locally grown plants, specializing in hanging baskets

What are you excited about this year: Purclane, succulents, new colors on many plants.

ers may have to start looking for alternative, more environmentally friendly solutions to protect their prized roses.

Fortunately, rose aficionados have several natural ways to defend their gardens from pests.

These measures can help protect rose gardens and the environment:

1. Choosing a good location for your roses is the first step. If you’ll be planting new rose bushes this season, look for a location that will help the roses thrive. The healthier the plant, the hardier it will be in resisting disease and pests. Roses

should get six to eight hours of sun per day, and need at least three feet of space on all sides to flourish. Be sure to properly prepare the soil, mulch around the base of the plant, and regularly fertilize and water.

2. Next, keep a careful eye on your roses. Regularly inspect blooms, branches, stems, undersides of leaves and vines for signs of insect infestation, including the presence of eggs, grubs and adult insects.

3. Keep pests and deer away with a natural, environmentally friendly, dual purpose repellent. Spray discour-

ROSES

From Page 3

ages deer foraging through taste and smell aversion, while simultaneously repelling insects such as aphids, mites, Japanese beetles, leafhoppers, greenflies and sawflies. The product is compatible with nature, not classified as an insecticide and is harmless to all wildlife, pets, birds and people. It may also provide needed moisture retention for the plant and can reduce the severity of black spot and powdery mildew, common problems for rose gardeners. Continued use will disrupt browsing habits of deer while

protecting against an assault of insects in any weather. The product is actually good for plants since it contains elements high in nitrogen and phosphorus; it dries clear and won’t burn plants. it will not wash off in rain, or irrigation.

4. Use nature to defend your roses; hang bird feeders to attract backyard birds that regularly dine on insects harmful to roses. You can also purchase lady bugs, which eat aphids, to release in your rose garden. Just be sure to research the best time and conditions for releasing lady bugs, or they will fly

away before making any impact.

The fragrance and colors of roses are among the most delightful indulgences of the warm weather season. With a bit of attention, planning and effective natu-

ral assistance, it’s possible, even easy, to keep your roses radiantly resplendent while naturally protecting them and the environment.

Retaining walls create attractive outdoor seating options

Humpty Dumpty had the right idea when he sat on a wall.

Segmental retaining wall (SRW) units are a popular solution for beautiful and durable outdoor seating - from freestanding walls that double as seating and two-tiered couches to large applications such as

cost-effective amphitheater and stadium seating.

Landscape professionals and do-it-yourselfers can build seating options from these multi-purpose units that are a trusted solution for soil retention, erosion control and to mitigate grade changes in the landscape.

Residential seating

Retaining walls are both durable, beautiful and versatile tools of the trade. Landscape designers use retaining wall systems to create hardscapes such as fire features, raised patios, planters and other outdoor

living amenities in addition to retaining walls, tiered seat walls and freestanding walls.

The solid, pinned units provide extreme versatility and ease of installation. Interlocking caps are an ideal building block for tiered wall seating and even

Largest

An oasis of greenery in the heart of the city

Narrow yards, patios trapped between two buildings and even the smallest of balconies can all become beautiful green spaces with a bit of planning. In the city, urban gardens play a major role in making a space more livable. Dear city dwellers, here are a few tips for transforming your surroundings into that green haven you’ve been dreaming of!

• When space is scarce, every corner counts. Forget about traditional horizontal gardens, and focus instead on vertical planters. Flowerpots, trellises (on which you can hang pots or let plants

climb), fences, shelves, vintage furniture, and even those ever-popular wooden pallets can serve as the foundation for your flower creations.

• Mix and match planters of all colors and sizes. You can use these containers to grow your annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs and cacti (which will be thrilled to bask in the sun) as long as you make sure they all receive the appropriate number of hours of sunshine.

• Does your yard or balcony give directly onto your neighbor’s? You can delimit your space with a

few fast-growing trees and shrubs.

• Synthetic grass is an excellent option for city dwellers looking to add some green to their outdoor space. Furthermore, avoid cluttering your little oasis by choosing compact patio furniture.

For more ideas on how to create your very own urban garden, don’t hesitate to seek advice from a specialist at a garden center near you, or contact a landscaping architect that services your region.

Impatiens ‘SunPatiens Compact Tropical Rose’

Genus:Impatiens

Cultivar:‘SunPatiensCompact TropicalRose’

Latinname:Impatienshawkeri

Family:Balsaminaceae

Colours:Darkpink

This new variety of impatiens hailing from Japan is characterized by its vigorous growth. It will continue to produce bold, bright flowers even if you forget to add fertilizer, regardless of climate conditions. ‘SunPatiens Compact Tropical Rose’ is among the only impatiens cultivars that thrive in both sunny and shaded areas. Boasting dark pink flowers and a blend of green and yellow leaves, this stunning hybrid is perfect for adding a decorative touch to your landscape. Because of its low mainte-

Height:36to71centimetres (14to28inches)

Exposure:Sun,partialsun,shade

Soil:Alltypes

Flowering:Springthroughhardfrost

nance needs, this particular cultivar will likely become one of the season’s top picks for annuals, especially among amateur gardeners who don’t have a great deal of time to devote to plant care.

Interesting facts

Whether the weather is sunny, dry, humid or windy, this compact impatiens will continue to flower profusely. It’s also resistant to disease, which gives it a leg up over other similar species.

Begonia

‘Unbelievable Lucky Strike 2017’

Although this variety of begonia does well in sunny areas, exposure to midday sun should be avoided to protect the leaves from burning. The blue-green foliage boasts an interesting texture, with serrated leaves that are narrow and pointy in shape. For a healthy bloom that will last all summer and into the fall, water at least twice a week and add fertilizer specially formulated for flowering plants every two weeks. Like other begonias, ‘Unbelievable Lucky Strike 2017’ is prone to illnesses

like botrytis fruit rot (gray mould) and should be watered with moderation.

Interesting facts

Thanks to its summer-long flowering period, this begonia cultivar is an excellent choice to add a decorative touch to your flowerbeds, hanging planters, window boxes, etc. This robust annual with a long lifespan (provided proper care) is perfect for any gardener looking for beautiful, low-maintenance blooms.

Genus:Begonia

Cultivar:‘UnbelievableLucky Strike2017’

Latinname: Begonia bolivensis

Family: Begoniaceae

Colours:Apricotandpeach

Height:25to35centimetres (10to14inches)

Exposure:Fulltopartialsun

Soil:Moist,butwelldrained

Flowering:Mid-springtofirst frost

Growing outside the box: unusual edible plant varieties

You may have noticed some of the following fruits and vegetables in the specialty produce aisle, but did you know that you could grow them at home? It’s true: these four hardy varieties—which add an unexpected touch to gardens and salads alike— are suited to most climate regions in North America.

Pineberries (F. x ananassa)

With their white skin and red seeds, pineberries look like strawberries on opposite day, but taste like tiny pineapples. Plant them in the spring once the ground has

warmed up somewhat, and pick the berries as they mature to aid production.

Cucamelons (Melothria scabra)

While these adorable fruits are native to Mexico and Central America, they can thrive in nearly any climate. They look like grape-sized watermelons and taste like tangy cucumbers. Add some to your summer side dishes for a crowd-pleasing conversation starter.

Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea)

Part cabbage, part turnip, kohlrabi is a versatile annual vegetable with multiple uses in the kitchen. Its root—which has a similar flavor and texture to broccoli stems—can be enjoyed raw as well as cooked, and its leaves can be used in salads interchangeably with other collard greens.

Romanesco broccoli (Brassica romanesco)

If your kids aren’t fans of good old broccoli, this psychedelic-looking variety might

just change their minds. Sow romanesco seeds in a sunny spot at the beginning of May; their lime-green spiky heads should be ready to pick by the end of July. As always, the pros at your local gardening center can offer valuable advice on growing all sorts of tasty plant varieties, from the familiar to the far-out.

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amphitheater seating because of its outstanding ability to create curves, corners, columns and tiers with the single Standard unit and no special pieces.

Some places may also offer a couch kit for your retaining wall seating options. The curved couch with a tiered back provides seating for up to four people, and stepped ends make an attractive accent. It can be installed in a paver patio or as a standalone seating in the garden.

A versatile tool

Seat walls can be worked into many landscaping designs. Freestanding seat walls can frame a square or circular patio to create an outdoor room, doubling the function and value of the retaining wall.

WALLS

From Page 8

Some of the most popular installations feature fireplaces on a patio or a fire ring surrounded by a seat wall. Seat walls or a hardscape couch around a fire feature are useful and beautiful additions to any outdoor living space that you can enjoy all season.

SRWs can be used to replace an aging deck by creating a raised patio to grade. A freestanding seat wall can be built within the raised patio to serve as seating, to define the outdoor room and provide a measure of fall protection.

Commercial seating

Event spaces such as stadiums, courtyards, outdoor classrooms and amphitheaters have benefitted from economical outdoor seating solutions using SRWS. Staff

at the International institute of St. Louis wanted to create an event space in an area that had a crumbling cinderblock wall separating the courtyard from the parking lot.

The new amphitheater-style space seats about 80 people for outdoor training and events. One challenge was a grade change from the base of the wall to the top and also a horizontal grade change from one end to the other. The slope and seating starts out 4 feet on the east end and graduates to more than 6 feet on the west end.

It’s a good idea to sit on a wall when so many outdoor living features can be created with SRWs. From curved couches and freestanding seatwalls to amphitheaters and stadium seating, retaining wall units not only function as they were intended but also offer new solutions for outdoor living projects.

Opening Monday, May 1

8”-14” Hanging Baskets $11.99 - $46.99

All Veggies 3” Pot $1.95

4” Annuals $3.80

GROWYOUROWNVEGGIES

FORUNMATCHED FRESHNESS

When it comes to stocking up on nutrient-packedproduce and supporting local business, your neighbourhood farmers’ marketisalwaysasmartbet. That being said, forasteadysupplyoffresh-pickedveggies to snackon, nothingbeats growing your own!

GROUP THESE VARIETIES TOGETHER TO MAXIMIZE YOUR HARVEST AND HELP KEEP PARASITES AT BAY.

BROCCOLI BEETS SWISSCHARD

BRUSSELS SPROUTS

ONIONS LETTUCE CARROTS LEEKS

SQUASH

CORN POTATOES

Some vegetables areachallengeto grow,evenfor the greenest of thumbs. If you’re just starting out in the garden, takeyour pickfromthese ten easy-growing varieties instead.

TURNIPS CUCUMBERS RADISHES PEAS

CABBAGE KALE TOMATOES

As ageneral rule, vegetablesdon’t fare well in the shade. Picka strategic location foryourgarden that’sclear of trees, fences and buildings. Lots of sunlight is the keytoabountifulharvest!

GREENBEANS

SPINACH

Contrary to carrots, peas and other fast growers, certain vegetable varieties —eggplant, tomatoes and peppers, forinstance —need quite abit of time to reachmaturity. Instead of trying to grow them from scratch, pickupsome healthy-looking seedlings from your local garden centretotransplant in your garden.

Earthworms aerate the ground and help breakorganic matter down into natural fertilizer for plants. In other words, an abundance of the slimycrittersinyour garden is asurefire sign that your soil is in good health.

Weeds shouldberemovedfromyourvegetablepatch on aweekly basis,but youcan make the task much easier by adding alayer of mulchon top of the soil. Forbest results, chooseabiodegradable variety.