How will your garden grow this year?

How and why we garden is changing rapidly as we focus more and more on the health of the environment as well as the beauty of the nature we create.

With the rising costs of almost everything, gardeners are thinking twice about the kinds of plants they buy. It’s no longer enough for a plant to just look pretty. Gardeners are looking for plants that do double duty, creating a positive impact on the environment.

I asked a few of my favourite garden industry gurus for their take on this growing season. What plants do they think are important?

Pollinator plants

Leaside’s Gardenzilla Lawn & Garden is all set and ready for the busy gardening year ahead. Michael Chudy (owner and general manager) told me they will be doubling down on the lawn-to-garden conversions in general, and pollinator gardens in particular.

“We’re loving plants and gardens that invite nature back into people’s yards,” Chudy said. So, this year,

The Leaside Gardener

Debora Kuchme Columnist

Drought-tolerant plants

When Michael Renaud closed his Horticultural Design store on Bayview, many of his loyal Leaside clients followed him to Summerhill Nursery and Floral. I did too!

“This year, we’re expanding our their nursery will be stocking a lot more pollinator plants, including milkweed (essential for monarchs), anise hyssop (a Chudy favourite), catmint and serviceberry (one of my favourite trees), to name just a few.

Summer volunteer opportunities

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is now accepting applications for Summer 2023 volunteer opportunities. Work alongside our exceptional team as you make a meaningful contribution to aquatics, recreation, life skills, and rehabilitation programs for children and teens with disabilities. Full-time and part-time volunteer positions are available in July and August

To learn more about our summer volunteer opportunities, please visit: www.hollandbloorview.ca/volunteer choices of succulents and drought resistant plant material for the garden,” says Michael R. “Many varieties of Sempervivum (hens and chicks), sedums and some Ragusa rose varieties that need very little care. These beauties flower all summer long and are both drought and pest-resistant.”

He will also bring in more edibles like berries, fruit trees, and citrus, figs and an expanded selection of organic seeds and starter plants. Even a ‘grow your own’ mushroom kit from a company on the east coast. Interesting!

Vegetables and herbs

(The late, lamented) Davenport Garden Centre left their Bayview location last fall, yet they continue to be one of my best resources for native and neonic-free plants. I know many Leaside gardeners feel the same way.

Carla Rose of Davenport says, “With so much food inflation, I believe there will be a sustained interest in growing your own food.

Vegetables and herbs will be in heavy demand. I also think more people will be looking for lawn alternatives with low maintenance ground covers, or at least, reducing the size of their lawns.” Carla also told me about her new native plant grower and was able to track down a native rose for me. I can hardly wait for my new Rosa blanda to arrive!