Mark Cullen on 2012's flowers of the year | CTV News

From Captain Kirk Hosta to Praying Hands and Jack Frost Brunnera, Mark Cullen shares 2012's best plants of the year.  Great garden performance, insect and disease resistance and an extraordinary flowering period are the trademarks of the BEST plants.  Mark Cullen on 2012's flowers of the year | CTV News

Fire Ban for Province of Alberta and Slave Lake Update

The last time I posted a Slave Lake Update was May of 2011.  Here it is, one year later and there are still some people without homes to go to in this town.  As you may recall, Slave Lake was at the mercy of fires this time last year.  Several homes and businesses were burnt to the ground.  The damage was unspeakable.

Today, one year later, the town is rebuilding.  My husband's cousin is one of the contractors working in the town, rebuilding homes, rebuilding lives.  He tells us via word of mouth that there is a good two years of building to repair and replace what was lost May 2011.  

fire near Bonnyville, Alberta 

As of May 15, 2012, there are 52 fires burning in the province of Alberta, some set by man, whether careless or otherwise.  The worst hit, that I know of, is the area north of Cold Lake and Bonnyville.  Forest fire risk is extreme due to a drier than normal winter and spring, thus the province of Alberta has issued a province wide fire ban.  This includes forested areas from Waterton Lakes National Park in south western Alberta to north of Manning going east to north of Fort McMurray.

The fire risk is considered serious with ratings from high to extreme.   

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment said, “Unfortunately, most of the wildfires we are fighting right now appear to be human-caused and therefore were 100 per cent preventable. It is very important that everyone take precautions to avoid starting fires.”

Currently there are four fires burning out of control in central and northern Alberta, according to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development.

“It does cover an extensive portion of the province, but most of the province is rated high to extreme and that’s why it’s so encompassing,” said spokeswoman Whitney Exton.

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/alberta/Fire+imposed+across+Alberta+leadup+Victoria+weekend/6620296/story.html#ixzz1vAlAYVAj

Sadly, that means that once again those who are camping in provincial parks this long weekend may have to do so without the joy of a campsite fire.  Fireworks are forbidden as well as portable fires.  Many municipalities and cities have put in place their own fire bans.  

Visit the Government of Alberta Fire Ban Site for information updates.

Report a Wildfire (Reporting Line Only)
Toll Free: 310-FIRE (3473)

Telus Mobility: #3473

Wildfire / Fire Bans Info: 
1 866 FYI-FIRE (394-3473)

Spring Issue of Soiled and Seeded is Now Available On Line

For those of you who haven't come across this lovely little online magazine, here's a chance to see what you're missing.  Just click the link below to read about:

When Soil Science Becomes a Hit Single
by Daniel Green

What do Bicycles, Backyards, and Basil have in Common?
by Melissa Benner

Uncultivated
by Lynn Cazabon

In China, the Leaves of Tea
by Matthew Wocks

Afghan Women Find Empowerment as Farmers
by Wally Kroeker

Invisible Twinning
A Project by Francesca Mila Nemni, Gayle Chong Kwan and Giulia Giannola

Buried Treasure, Garlic is the Garden’s Willing Friend
by Sarah B. Hood

Branching Out: Through the Limbs of Trees
by Mikael Lavogiez

In Celebration of Radishes

http://www.soiledandseeded.com/magazine/issue07/issue07.php

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

Carrot Juice is Murder!!

For all my gardening friends,  I thought I'd share a little gardening humour.  How fun is this?  Arrogant Worms, a local band in Alberta, Canadian band from Ontario, sings this hilarious tribute to vegetables!  I had a chuckle when I first heard it, so like all good things, I just had to share!

Taking it Outdoors at Enjoy Gardens

You may be getting tired of this tour, after all it has lasted a few days now;).  This is the end of my visit to Enjoy Gardens, May 2012.  Above are three water features.  Note the colour combinations of turquoise and orange.  Trends in decor colours are not limited to the interior.  Embrace the outdoors and bring the beauty of a water feature into your garden.  Big or small, water in the garden is a natural relaxing feature that I truly enjoy.

Above, Azalea.  

Below, Rhododendron.

Snow Day.  If you have to have snow this time of year, this is the only way to do it!

Perennial pansies, just the cheeriest blooms ever!

Above, "Princess Diana Clematis" and 

below, "Rosie O'Grady Clematis".

Above, alpine clematis "Helsingborg" is looking extremely vigorous and healthy!

Above and below, the tree and shrub area.

Above, the Sweetheart Mayday in bloom.

Above, a variety of Norway Maple.  Similar to Crimson King and Crimson Sentry, this is another variety but I cannot remember... Crimson ....

Above and below, Double Flowering Plum grafted on a standard.

More Double Flowering Plum Standard.

Above, shrubs and below,  apple blossoms (next two photos).

Above and below, the perennial portion of Holes.

The Gardeners' Prayer on a tablet.

Above, weeping crabapples.  When you see these in full bloom, you'll understand why they sell out so fast!

Above, Nannyberry Viburnum.  

Below, hostas.

Don't you love the colours of this dwarf columbine?  It reminds me of a sunset!  Stunning!

Above, Ligularia.  I still recall seeing Ligularia in person for the first time.  It was love at first sight.  Look at the leaf shapes, sizes and colours!  And they flower too!  I have yet to add it to my garden, though.  I'm just not sure where I'd put it.  

More perennials.  Coral bells, Heurchera, are one of my all-time favourite shade plants.  Some can be grown in sun, but for shade I love Purple Palace!  This last winter, mine had virtually no die-back.

Bugbane - not just a good architectural perennial.  Did you know this tidbit about rattlesnake bites?  I'm afraid I don't want to attempt it though.  I recall a story my grandfather used to tell about the time he was out on the road by the farm, heading out to move irrigation pipes, when he spotted a rattler crossing the road in front of him.  Since he had a shovel handy, he thought he'd put this one away, so to speak.  Wouldn't you know it, though, the darn thing shot straight up the handle of his shovel!!  He wasn't bit, thank goodness, nor did the rattlesnake live to tell the tale.

Bugbane, a handy perennial in rattlesnake country.  I advise going to the hospital, though, if you get bit!

I was telling K how I find myself attracted to the white flowers.  Iberis, aka Candytuft, is a nice little front of border plant.  If any of you know Brian Gluckstein, a wonderful interior designer in Ontario, he once featured his back garden on CityLine TV.  The only living colours in his back garden were green and white.  He had chosen only white blooming plants for his garden and it looked lovely on the perimeter of his swimming pool.

Lastly, another view of the columbines and a few perennials.  As it is early in the season, not every table is full and I overheard an employee telling a customer that a shipment of hydrangeas was expected any day.  There's a lot to see now, before the big rush that commences May long weekend, but imagine it multiplied by say 10?  What enormous satisfaction the local gardener will derive from a visit to Enjoy Gardens!  Start your Gromance today!

A Taste for the Good Life - Enjoy Centre Tour Continues

Forsthia forced into bloom brightens this area along with curly willow in this stunning arrangement.

Remember last post I mentioned a loaf large enough to feed a cocktail party with some leftover?  Well, what do you think?  Did I exaggerate?  Above is a French Loaf.  The display cases are filled with specialty breads, pastries and baked goods that smell so divine and taste even better!  When you visit the Enjoy Centre, you simply must stop by Prairie Baker and sample some of these goodies!  You will not be able to leave without a few goodies or an enormous tasty loaf.  Not all loaves are this size, but don't you want this one after seeing it?

As pictured above at Amaranth Foods, you may purchase organic herbs, spices, munchies, and all sorts of foods!

Calla Lilies, roses, and parrot tulips are the feature in the showcase at the florist.  Below, the orchid is fake but who can tell?

Kangaroo Paw and an orchid make a lovely striking arrangement.

Above, the lighting fixtures are the perfect adornment and they're functional too!  These light up the desk at the Floral Shop.

Shall we go outdoors next?  You know you want to see the finale of our visit to the Enjoy Centre!  See you tomorrow for the last of the great tour!

Knock-out Plants, Foliar Delights, Fun Names to Say and Some Behind the Scene Peeks

Ahh, yes.  Here we are at the Enjoy Centre.  The sweet scent of the greenhouse permeates the air as we meander through the aisles.  Every sense is on full alert.  The sights, the aromas, the soft humidity lingering in the air.....  And mingled in with that is the faint trace of baked bread scent in the air.  Tomorrow, I will show you the bakery with loaves so enormous you could have a cocktail party and have leftovers!

The sight of the intertwined trunks of these two trees drew me near.  

I've always had a penchant for the out-of-the-ordinary, especially in the garden.

When you visit the Enjoy Centre, and take a walk through Holes, be sure to take advantage of the public viewing area of the growing greenhouses.  

They are roped off, but you have a terrific view of the behind the scenes regardless.

What is so unique and mesmerizing is the watering system for the hanging baskets.  I am told the watering station is to the left in the photo, and the baskets are slowly conveyed along a track through the watering station.  It is something you just have to see.

Above is a close-up of the hanging strawberry planters.  

They too are watered using the same method as the previously shown flowering hanging baskets.

Are you ready for some foliar delight?  I can't decide which one(s) I want.  What would you choose?

I love the arrow shape of the foliage of these two 

Alocasia.  We found many "architectural" plants in this area that had me yearning to take them home.

 

Above, the houseplant greenhouse which we could view from the annual greenhouse.

If only I had the room!

Even when the leaf is dying, the Banana Maurelii is attractive with shades of red, yellow, bronze on the perimeter of the foliage.  I love that the underside of the leaves is wine/burgundy!  My favourite colours!

Wow!  I mean WOW!  This is a stunner!  A knock-out plant like this is perfect as the focal point, 

whether it be near the front door or to accent a feature in your garden,

 this Acalypha wilkesciana would be amazing!

Say this name a few times and you'll find yourself trying out other accents to accompany it!  It's catchy!  Consider yourself warned!  Both K and I had a few moments of fun with this one!

Some of the tomato plants already have fruit!  This year I am trying the yellow cherry tomatoes.  I forget their name at the moment, but I am definitely going back for them!  They are sweet and divine in salads and vegetable platters, or just for a snack.  K swears by them so of course I have to try them!!!

Until next time, when we visit the perennials, trees and shrubs area, 

take care and happy garden dreaming!

PS, despite my obvious love for all I have posted here, I am not in employ by the Enjoy Centre nor Holes.  I just love to showcase that which I enjoy, knowing you will love it too!!