Do You Prefer Home-grown Remedies? Then I Have the Book for You!

Natural remedies are nature’s gift to us. From alternatives to side-effect ridden prescriptions to solutions that will amplify the effectiveness of a healthy lifestyle, evolving research suggests that plants may have more power than we could ever have imagined. Now two of Canada’s top authorities in their fields, gardening expert Frankie Flowers and natural healthcare practitioner Bryce Wylde, show readers how they can harness the powerful healing of plants simply and inexpensively by stepping into their garden.

Power Plants introduces you to a carefully curated list of 49 plants that can be grown in almost any Canadian garden. Frankie’s easy instructions lead readers from planting to harvest, where Bryce picks up with clear guidelines on how to put the plants to work fighting everything from constipation to heartburn, high blood sugar to bad breakouts. It even includes simple substitutions for those whose ailments include a thumb that is more black than green. Let Power Plants supercharge your health with a simple trip into your garden.   http://www.amazon.ca/Power-Plants-Simple-Home-Remedies/dp/1443426768

Are You on Trend if You Plant This Colour?

Image previously shared on Facebook by Frank Ferragine (Frankie Flowers)

“A SEASON OF COLORFUL EQUILIBRIUM Designers take a modern twist on the traditional for spring 2014 by pairing soft pastels with vivid brights to create a colorful equilibrium. Inspired by a mixture of blooming flowers, travels abroad, and strong, confident women, designers use color to refresh, revive and defy conventional wisdom.”  Pantone.com

According to Pantone Colour Institute, these are the colours we will be seeing this spring in fashion, home decor and in the gardens.  Does this help you plan your garden or do you plant what you like best and ignore the trends? Personally, I plant what pleases my eye.

Did You Know a Christmas Cactus Can Live Up to 50 Years?

Trends in the Garden for 2013

As I was watching the gardening special on Cityline, Frank Ferragine (aka Frankie Flowers) shared this new trend in gardening as found at Canada Blooms in Toronto this spring. Since I like to see what's new in the garden world, I thought you'd like to as well.

The colour trend this year for the garden is  green and white, with greens of varying textures and white blossoms and foliage to illuminate the garden.  The collage below is comprised of photos I've taken over the last year or so, all but one of which is from my own garden.

This colour trend is one I've actually loved for years. It offers the serene feeling I longed for in my garden... a place to escape the busyness and stress of the city, right in my own back yard.  Entertaining in the evening is more dramatic too as light reflects off the white foliage and flowers.  For more wow factor, choose plants with large white blossoms like a clematis or night flowering water lily (I tried to find a hardy one for our pond but couldn't), or a shrub/perennial with clusters of white blooms.

 These are just a few examples of what you can do with a monochromatic scheme.  

Visit http://bit.ly/14lCgKn to see the special for yourself.

Other links which may interest you:
http://www.ronaldholbrook.com/images/uploads/pdf/weekend-post1.pdf
http://houseandhome.com/tv/segment/urban-outdoor-oasis
Kingston, Anne. "Instant classic: interior designer Brian Gluckstein teams up with landscape architect Ronald Holbrook to renovate his Toronto garden with trademark sophistication.(city style)."Gardening Life. Canadian Home Publishers. 2004. AccessMyLibrary. 31 Mar. 2013 

Going Vertical

So many yards, especially within the larger metropolises, have very small yards in which to practice gardening expertise and to enjoy outdoor living.  So, how does one take advantage of what is available to them to incorporate a garden oasis on a small scale?

I was watching a re-run of CityLine today and was pleased to see a favourite gardener, Frank Ferragine (aka Frankie Flowers) doing a segment on this very topic.  From vines to trellises, arbors and pergolas, one can make a small space seem larger by taking advantage of the vertical elements.  Here are a couple of Frank's suggestions:

Left and right, is the tower garden as seen on CityLine. It is an ingenious design where you can plant herbs and lettuce or all ornamentals or a combination thereof.  As the plants grow, the tower is camouflaged.  A real space saver and clever design!

taken at Holes Greenhouses

Along a wall or garden fence, something like this, to the right, can be incorporated to give height and a lush feel to the garden/patio.  You may uses herbs, salad mixes, or ornamentals like grasses, and trailing plants.  Your imagination is the limit here.

This planter/trellis combination, left, would be perfect on a deck or patio for height and privacy.

Behind the fountain is my Jackmanii Clematis growing up the trellis attached to our deck.  In the background you can see three Brandon Cedars which are terrific in a sheltered site for offering year round greenery and height in the garden.

Don't forget to plant trees, provided you have the room!  Trees of varying heights add a vertical perspective and authenticity.  (Yes, this is a garden, no matter how small).  I prefer my garden to have varied levels.  Some tall trees, some mid-size trees and vines, shrubs and low-growing shrubs and perennials.  Doing this offers a more natural feel to the landscape while being pleasing to the eye.  If you look closely, you might see an obelisk, of which there are three in this spot.  I have used obelisks to train peas on, small vines, and now, just as ornaments in the garden.  They, too, offer vertical enhancement.

Vines, such as this bluebird clematis on my neighbour's fence, offer privacy and beauty.

To watch the video segment I enjoyed today, visit: http://www.citytv.com/cityline/garden/article/210151--maximizing-your-small-garden-space

Frankie Flowers Fast Five: Top Five Plants for Shade

Adapted from the quickest of segments on CityLine, Frankie Flowers (aka Frank Ferragine) spotlighted five plants (perennials) ideal for the shady areas in your garden.  The commentary and photos (unless stated otherwise) here are my own.   "Frankie Flowers' Fast Five Top Five Plants for the Shade" are Heuchera, Helleborus, Hosta, Fern, and Pachysandra.  Read on and you'll see why gardeners everywhere favour these shade lovers.

Heuchera Palace Purple growing in the front bed (above and below)

Flanking this Heuchera on both sides are Shooting Stars (Dodecatheon Meadia) sometimes known as Prairie Pointers.  Behind and to the left is Astilbe.

Heuchera (aka Coral Bells)

How I love this little beauty!  There is such a wide variety of foliage colours and form available but they are all clumping in style.  Ranging form purple as in Palace Purple to deep purple in Obsidian, to marmalade and oranges.  I found Palace Purple does best in shade, turning an unsightly shade of brown in the sun.  Marmalade and other more colourful varieties do fine in sun.  Don't plant this gem in full hot dry sun though, it mustn't be allowed dry out, and it will reward you with the most dazzling foliage.  Its blooms are light airy sprigs that rise high above the foliage, with minute blossoms in white or pink scattered along the stems.

Lenten Rose Helleborus

The Lenten Rose/Helleborus flowers early spring in most areas.  In zone 3, though, it may flower later in the season due to late springs here.  It has a lovely nodding bloom, generally facing downwards, varying in colour from monochromatic to rose coloured.  A pretty little thing, it is poisonous to pets and people. (this photo is stock photo from the internet) 

Hostas along the side of my house.  They love it in this location.  The hostas nearest is Francie.

Hostas

There are so many varieties of hosta available, with new introductions hitting the market each year.  One may select from solid greens and blues (shade only for these), to variegated forms.  I have several variegated forms growing at the side of the house, seen above, and two varieties (Francie and Frances Williams) growing in the bed at the front of the house.  In the back garden, facing east, I am growing two newer introductions which are pale green with a white edge.  These do fine in shade/part sun and will flower with long shoots of lavender or white blossoms.  Hostas are grown for their foliage, though, with many people removing the flowers as they are not so dramatic. The only problem one may encounter is slugs. You may combat this using diatomaceous earth which has minuscule granules of glass mixed in.  It won't hurt pets nor children, but slugs hate it.

Ostrich fern.  Also in this bed are astilbe (left of fern), Hostas, Dwarf Alberta Spruce, and not seen in this photo are Shooting Stars, and Heucheras,  Palace Purple and Plum Pudding.

Fern

There are several varieties of fern available on the market including the ostrich fern (aka fiddle-head fern), shown above.  I've also tried the Arctic fern, and it overwintered fine for a few years and then didn't show up last year at all.  Lady fern is a nice alternative for zone 3 gardens.  It grows 24-36 inches tall, compared to the eventual perspective height of ostrich fern of 3-4 feet.  Ferns like a moist soil and do well in shade.  Some will tolerate a bit of sun if the soil is kept very moist.  The ostrich fern is otherwise known as a fiddle-head fern.  When young the shoots are spiralled as they emerge and it is this spiral form of the fern that may be steamed and eaten.  

http://www.ijsselstein.groei.nl/index.php?id=25317

Pachysandra terminalus

Pachysandra forms a dense spreading ground cover which is ideal under trees where nothing seems to grow.  It has glossy green leaves with small white flowers.  Be sure to keep this plant in check though as it is a spreader.

These are five suggested plants for the shade garden.  I really wish I had more shade in mine as I just love the variety of plants that love the shade.  After visiting Shuswap Lake in British Columbia, and hiking through the most gorgeous lush forests, I endeavoured to mimic some of the feel of the forested undergrowth in my shade garden.  I've included Dwarf Alberta Spruce, astilbe (I love the fine teethed edged varieties), shooting stars, heuchera, ostrich ferns and hostas.  Really, only the astilbe and the ferns resemble the forest undergrowth but the other plants just look so good together and I love them all.  If only it were a larger area....

Have you mimicked a garden or natural habitat in your own garden?  I'd love to know how you did it and what plants you incorporated and/or substituted to achieve the effect.

For more information on shade gardening, please visit my posts Made in the Shade, Who Says Hostas Are Only for the Shade?, Planting for Shade, Fuchsia - Shade Plant Extraordinaire.

Til next time, good gardening everyone!

Thriller, Filler, Spiller

http://www.portlandnursery.com/plants/container-gardens/images/thriller-diagram495.png

Thriller, Filler, Spiller is a concept Frankie Flowers, aka Frank Ferragine, endorses when he advises on planting containers.  The above diagram, from Portland Nursery's site, demonstrates the concept. 

First, start with your thriller.  The thriller is the focal point and is usually tall and/or very colourful.  Used here is a dracaena but any grasses, millet, etc. will suffice.  The more stunning in formation and colour, the better.  Remember this is your thriller.

Secondly, select your fillers.  These are mid-level fill ins.  Something somewhat busy but lower growing, but not sprawling or trailing.  Depending on the light and wind, these could be begonias, marigolds, osteospermum, fuchsias, pansies, etc.  Go traditional or original, the choices are limitless.

Third, fill in around the edge of the container with your spillers.  These are trailing plants that soften the overall appearance of the container, flowing over and beyond the container, anchoring it to the garden or surrounding area.  I love to use sweet potato vine, but try bacopa, ivy, trailing osteospermum, trailing geranium, bamboo, licorice vine, etc.  Use complementary colours and textures to your advantage to make a stunning arrangement.  Here are some more photos for inspiration:

Proven Winners

Hot Pot: Talking Container Gardening With Frankie Flowers

No room for a garden but you still want to grow a little something?  Check out this article!  Frank Ferragine (aka Frankie Flowers) talks container gardening.  He also has a new book out, Pot It Up!

Hot Pot: Talking Container Gardening With Frankie Flowers - CityLine

Top 5 Garden Trends for 2012

According to Frankie Flowers (I know, this is a bit of a theme here tonight!), aka Frank Ferragine, the top five garden trends for 2012 are:

1.  Grow your own.  More and more people are getting back into vegetable gardening!  North America's movement to live local, which means eating locally grown foods as much as possible, combined with the influence of celebrity chefs, has been a huge encouragement towards growing your own.

2.  Community Gardens.  More communities are providing designated growing spaces for urbanites who might be short on room but are wanting to adopt/rent a spot to grow their own vegetables, etc.

3.  No space - no problem.  With limited space in big cities and more and more people moving into apartments and condos, space is limited for growing.  Thus the trend towards more container gardening (see Frankie's new book Pot it Up) and growing vertically.

4.  Outdoor Living.  This is not a new trend by any stretch but it is becoming more and more popular.  This year will see more people not only gardening, but entertaining and relaxing in their own little oasis right in their yard.

5.  Inner Gardening.  The urban jungle, all the concrete high-rises and office buildings, is an enormous influence in this trend.  More and more people are looking for a touch of the outdoors that they can enjoy inside.  Easy plants and indoor growing solutions are at the top of this trend.

http://www.frankieflowers.com/frankies-blog/frankies-top-5-garden-trends-2012/

Frankie Flowers Has a New Book!!!

Pot It Up 

Author:  Frankie Flowers aka Frank Ferragine

Published February 6, 2012

available as an e-book or trade paperback

352 pages

ISBN 9781554688340

Available at local bookstores, Indigo.ca, Amazon.ca 

Garden enthusiasts alert!!!  Frankie Flowers has just published a new book, Pot it Up.  You might remember him from CityLine where he does garden segments and sometimes guest hosts, he is also the weather person on a Toronto TV station and he operates a greenhouse.  I saw him last spring at the local home and garden show, even got to shake his hand and speak with him briefly.  He previously authored Get Growing.

Book Description

Containers are a gardener’s best friend—they make it easy and fun to bring a burst of life and colour to your porch, balcony or front step. But so many of us get stuck in a rut. Frankie Flowers is here with 150 inspiring, beautiful and sometimes surprising container ideas to get your juices flowing. Each plays with Frankie’s signature technique of using a thriller, a filler and a spiller to make sure your pot will have maximum impact. Frankie gives you the breakdown on which plants he’s used, and to which conditions they’re best suited. And if you’re feeling a little peckish, Frankie’s even got some delicious edibles for you to throw into the mix. With Frankie’s step-by-step instructions, and the don’t-sweat-it attitude readers came to love in his first bestseller, Get Growing, Frankie’s Pot It Up will have the whole country going to pot—in the best way possible!

About the author: 

FRANKIE FLOWERS (a.k.a. Frank Ferragine) is the author of Get Growing, Canada’s #1 gardening book. He reaches more than one million Canadians each week as the gardening expert for BT Toronto, CityLine and CityTV News, and also writes columns for Canadian Living and Canadian Gardening. His family business, Bradford Greenhouses, is one of Canada’s largest combined greenhouse/garden businesses.

Gardening Book: Get Growing by Frank Ferragine

Get Growing
Author:  Frank Ferragine (aka Frankie Flowers)
Available February 2011 at local bookstores, Costco,
Shop Online at: Amazon.com, Indigo
http://browseinside.harpercollins.ca/index.aspx?isbn13=9781554688333&utm_source=news&utm_medium=eml&utm_content=harperpop&utm_campaign=040511

Book Description:


"Have you ever looked enviously at a neighbour’s garden and wished you had a green thumb? Have you ever gone to the garden centre full of enthusiasm, only to find yourself confused and defeated? Have you ever wished that somehow gardening could just be, well, easy? If so, it’s time to Get Growing with Frankie Flowers. In 352 pages packed with inspiring yet instructional photos, Frankie coaches gardeners of all levels through the basics of getting a garden growing. Broken down into seasonal chapters that give the reader concise, clear instructions on what you need to do now and why, it provides a solid foundation for building a beautiful ornamental garden, a healthy, natural lawn and a bountiful vegetable garden. With tons of step-by-step detail—in words and photos -- this book includes everything from planning and planting to pruning and fine tuning. It’ll also help gardeners of all levels troubleshoot problems like weeds and slugs and rodents (oh my!). Gardening shouldn’t be complicated or overwhelming -- it should be fun. The secret is just to get outside and Get Growing!"

Healthy Bottom, Healthy Top

This morning on the local edition of Breakfast Television (btedmonton.ca) Frank Ferragine (a.k.a. Frankie Flowers), a Canadian gardening expert, put in a guest appearance, the focus being flowers, of course.  Among the topics discussed were sowing seeds now for spring planting.  Frank mentioned that in Edmonton, Environment Canada says our last expected day of frost is May 8.  But we all know how Edmonton can be and Frank reiterated what is common knowledge here.  We can get snow until the end of May sometimes.  I know!  It sucks, really!

Good advice from Frank:  if you are a family of four, don't plant a whole tray of tomato seeds!  Plant what you will eat!  One plant can yield several tomatoes, depending on the variety.  Also, if you don't have room or proper lighting, don't sow seeds indoors.  Rather, buy started plants at the beginning of the season.

Which brings us to "healthy bottom, healthy top."  When selecting your plants, whether flowers or vegetables, check the roots!  Gently pull the plant from the pot and inspect the roots.  The roots should be visible and plenty.  Fleshy white roots indicate good health.  Brown mushy roots indicate root rot.  Smell is also a good indicator.  If the soil and roots smell foul, don't purchase the plant.

For more of Frank's insight into gardening, check out the Edmonton Home and Garden Show where he will put in guest appearances today at 5 and 7pm and tomorrow at 1pm.  More information below:

Frank's new book Get Growing hit store shelves Feb. 15, 2011.  (I saw it in Costco)

Frankie Flowers reaches over 1 million Canadians each week as the gardening expert for BTToronto, CityLine and City TV News, and also writes a column for Canadian Living. His family business, Bradford Greenhouses, is one of Canadas largest combined greenhouse/garden businesses. He lives with his family in Innisfil, Ontario.

Frankie @ Edmonton Home & Garden Show

Greenland Garden Stage
Thursday, March 24 -Opening Night Party
5:00pm & 7:00pm

Friday, March 25
1:00pm

Home & Garden Show scheduling and other information can be checked online at: http://www.edmontonhomeshow.com/

Frankie's personal website is: http://www.frankieflowers.com/

See my previous post about the Edmonton Home And Garden Show for more information about this must attend event!