The following plants come from habitats that are seasonally or permanently wet, yet they can thrive in drier upland regions too. They are also tolerant of different soil types and textures.
03.05.2024 - 14:22 / theprovince.com / Brian Minter
Climate change is slowly but surely creating some major alterations in our gardens, meaning we need to be far more proactive in our planning and plantings.
Extreme heat, drought and resulting water restrictions are just some examples of what we are learning to live with. In an El Nino year, we also experienced some extreme cold, also tough on our gardens.
Not only do we need more drought-tolerant summer plants, we also need to ensure they are pollinator friendly. One plant family, in particular, has become a standout in both.
Salvias, both annual and perennial forms, have become the go-to summer plants.
The many varieties of the blue salvia farinacea have been favorites for years, not only because of their unique blue colouring, but because they are summer weather-tolerant and attract numerous pollinators. The new Summer Jewel series has a beautiful new flower form and comes in shades of lavender, pink, red and white. It has become a hummingbird favourite and also attracts goldfinches. The plants are quite compact, maturing about 30 cm tall and wide, and bloom from spring until frost.
There are a number of salvia varieties named after hummingbirds, like the series of Hummingbird Coral Nymph, Forest Fire and Snow Nymph, all boasting unique flower forms. Hummingbird Falls is a semi-trailing series with more traditional flower forms in a dark blue-black. It’s great for hanging baskets and also works well in large containers.
Most perennial salvia varieties have much longer blooming periods, love the heat and are drought tolerant. The new Fashionista series, good to Zone 3 and available in four pastel colours, is cutting edge with its stunning forms.
Even though they bloom longer and are great for the garden, the more tender
The following plants come from habitats that are seasonally or permanently wet, yet they can thrive in drier upland regions too. They are also tolerant of different soil types and textures.
These fascinating plants have an incredible ability to release oxygen around the clock through a process called Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM). At night, they breathe in carbon dioxide, while during the day, use stored CO2 to produce fresh oxygen for us to breathe!
Name: Hydrangea arborescens ‘Kolpinbel’
Name: Cornus kousa var. chinensis
Name: Mahonia repens syn. Berberis repens
I have grown alliums for their stunning architectural form for years, but one is by far my favorite: ‘Ambassador’. Although its bulb is related to garlic, onions, and shallots, this ornamental garden variety is a show-stopper. There are many other allium cultivars out there, ranging in size, color, and form, but ‘Ambassador’ rises to the top of my list for a lot of reasons.
Name: Pycnanthemum albescens
Want to turn your yard into a bee haven? Our Bee Friendly Plants guide will show you the Best Plants that Attract Bees so you can enjoy a blooming garden full of healthy foliage.
Do you know there are some plants that have a natural tree-like appearance, making them a great alternative to bonsais that can be hard to maintain!
What makes these plants special in the world of gardening? Well, all of these bring something unique to the table (umm, the sides on the leaves or stems) that will enrich your plant collection!
Architectural indoor plants are great to use them as a part of the furniture or overall design element of any room in the house, where they form a perfect camaraderie with the space.
The Macallan x The Mark Hotel