Amour de Paris at Muttart Conservatory April 18 - June 21/15

A Pond on Your Deck is Easy

Impatiens Downy Mildew Disease

Back in March 2013 I wrote an article (Impatiens Downy Mildew) about the downy mildew disease which has been devastating impatiens.  There is still no cure and you'll likely not find Impatiens Walleriana in the greenhouses this year either. Your best bet is to substitute the impatiens with a variety that is resistant such as New Guinea Impatiens (impatiens x hawkin) or substitute with another shade loving plant.  Pansies, sweet alyssum, forget me nots, begonias, ageratum, fuchsia, caladiums,  and coleus are a few you may want to consider instead.  

Fuchsia in a hanging basket offers an enormous pop of colour in the shade.

For more information see:
http://www.torontomastergardeners.ca/index.php/disease-alert-impatiens-downy-mildew/

Happy Mother's Day

The sweetest sounds to mortals given

Are heard in Mother, Home, and Heaven.

~William Goldsmith Brown

Orchid Show 2015

Last month the Enjoy Centre of St. Albert, Alberta hosted the annual Orchid Show and Sale.  The following are highlights I captured of the day.

Brilliant colours

Pretty in pink

My favourite of the "orchid gardens" this year.

This lovely arrangement is similar to those my son will have for his wedding this summer.

Cute with an oriental theme.  I love the Japanese Maple!

Daughter-in-law (feels more like a daughter), son and daughter joined me for the afternoon.

This show is very much like last year's.  We unanimously decided we'll likely skip next year's unless one of us suddenly becomes an avid collector.  My son, above, was but after a considerable investment in some unusual and apparently difficult to grow orchids; he's decided to enjoy them at arm's length for now.  After all, he has a wedding to prepare for!