Sometimes, the most wonderful things in life come as unexpected gifts. Such was the case when a dear friend surprised me two years ago with a swamp rose-mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos), also called hardy hibiscus. What followed was a delightful journey of rediscovery and wonder, especially considering that I had tried

Follow these 12 steps for creating a plant border with harmonious contour. Designing the shape of a plant border can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you want to create a natural and flowing look. One easy way to do this is to use a garden hose to

Oriental x Asiatic lily hybrids, often referred to as OA lilies, are a type of hybrid lilies that result from crossing two distinct lily species: Lilium auratum (oriental lilies) and Lilium species in the asiatic lilies’ botanical division. These hybrids combine the desirable traits of both parent species, creating lilies

Some ornamental species , such as bishop’s goutweed, creeping bellflower and butterbur, are invasive and can quickly overtake a garden, causing ecological damage and posing a threat to native species. Gardening is a popular hobby enjoyed by many people worldwide, and it is no wonder why. The beauty of a

Lady’s mantle, Alchemilla mollis, is an appealing ornamental perennial in my shade borders, especially after rainfall, when the leaves retain droplets of water. Cultivating lady’s mantle as a perennial offers the joy of its long-lasting presence and the convenience of a plant that comes back year after year. Its delicate,

The bearded iris or Iris germanica, also known as the German iris, is a popular and stunning perennial plant that is commonly found in gardens throughout the world. Known for their beautiful and vibrant flowers, cultivars of this iris species are well-known among gardeners and landscape designers alike. In this

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A GORGEOUS, LOW-MAINTENANCE PLANT TO ADD TO YOUR PERENNIAL GARDEN, CONSIDER THE SIBERIAN IRIS. These striking flowers of Iris sibirica are native to Europe and Asia, and have been cultivated for centuries for their beauty and resilience. Appearance Siberian irises are known for their showy blooms,

EXPLORING THE BEAUTY OF THE CLASSIC LILY FLOWERS Lily flowers are some of the most elegant and timeless blooms you can find. With their intricate petals, delicate fragrance, and rich symbolism, lilies are beloved by gardeners and flower enthusiasts around the world. I am fortunate enough to have about 45

They may only bloom for a day but their colorful flowers are a must in any garden. Daylilies, also known under their scientific name Hemerocallis, are some of the most interesting plants to include in a perennial garden. In general, they are resilient and easy-to-grow while bringing gracious foliage and

I choose “Love Me” in “Love-me / Love-me-not”! As a child, my favorite flower was the common daisy of the uncultivated fields. Resilient even in the streets and alleys of urban Montreal where I grew up, the oxeye daisy _ or marguerite in French_ originating from Europe and Asia has

The result of crossing herbaceous peonies and tree peonies, Itoh peonies also called intersectional peonies combine the best features of both: [Top photo: Paeonia ‘Impossible Dream’ in my garden] Named for Toichi Itoh, the Japanese peony breeder who first succeeded in hybridizing them, Itoh varieties are not as numerous as

It may take one or two years for newly planted peonies to establish themselves and bloom. Sometimes one has to wait for the third year for them to become prolific bloomers. Here is a photo recap of some of the lovely herbaceous cultivars blooming for the first time in the

Why and when preparing your garden for the Winter months This Fall has been glorious for gardening. Not only was it mostly sunny, it was also unbelievably warm, hitting quite a few temperature records. Nonetheless, I am always behind yard work, so many things to do before our long and

A retrospective gallery about my garden We acquired our nearly 6-acres, semi-wooded property in equestrian country West of Montréal, Québec, 7 years ago. Since then, in the respect of the existing landscape punctuated by magnificent specimens of mature trees, we are creating a country-style garden, while pursuing our respective passions:

The graceful foxgloves are an interesting choice for a shade border. Here are the pros and cons for growing them. Foxgloves, Digitalis purpurea, are ornamental plants hardy in zone 4-9. Typically biennials, they form a basal rosette of leaves the first year and will send long floral stems the second