down2earth banner
July 18, 2013
Vol 2, Issue 7
Down The Garden Path
with Joanne Shaw 
Greetings!
Joanne Shaw
Happy July!  It looks like the heat of summer is finally here and we need to water our heat shocked plants! Remember to water deeply, less frequently to encourage deep roots on your trees and plants. And yes those early morning waterings are much better than evening waterings.

Just wanted to mention a few "garden peeves".
 
There is a phrase I am hearing a lot of lately: "I was going to add 'blank' to my garden" or "I was going to change 'blank' in my yard, but it's too late, it will have to wait until next spring!"

Well I am here to plead with you, it is never too late. Yes the plants might object a little by pouting if you plant them on the hottest day of the summer but with your help, they will survive.

Who knew it would be this cool and wet well into July? Lots of garden improvements could have happened but everyone is so focused on spring and the May long weekend, we miss other good opportunities.

If you have larger work that may require the services of a contractor, spring is the craziest time of year and they do get booked up for the summer but many start to have space in September and October. And if they can't get to you in the fall you would probably be first on the list in the spring.

My other issue I want to address again is plant tags. Please remember that those tags are general information and they are to be used as a guide line. Plants grow differently based on the zone we are in and usually slower in our shorter growing season.  If I suggested a plant for your garden, please trust me and go ahead and plant it - even if the tag info makes you think you shouldn't!

That's all for now. I am off to the US for two baseball tournaments.  Post your garden questions on my Facebook page and I can help - no matter where I am.

Enjoy your gardens everyone!


Joanne Shaw
Landscape Designer
Down2Earth Landscape Design


 Pinterest

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter



In This Issue
HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?
FEATURE ARTICLE
A LOOK THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE
TIP
Watering Your Newly Planted Tree The Easy Way

Worried about going on vacation and leaving your newly planted tree?

Treegator
Treegator Original Slow Release Watering Bag
 
Have you seen these around? Are you wondering what in the world they are?

They are called Treegator.

They are a way to water a tree.  They allow you to slowly water directly to the root system of a newly planted tree with no run-off or evaporation.

They are a great investment if you are planning to be away for an extended period of time or know that you are forgetful and will probably forget about watering your newly planted tree during these hot days of summer.

Treegator comes in 2 sizes and retails at local nurseries for $34.99 and $29.99.



**********************************
For more gardening tips and informative articles, visit my Newsletter Archives page!

 

FEATUREARTICLE
Never Stop Improving Your Garden:  Stunning Examples Of Beautiful Summer Colour  

As I previously mentioned, it is not too late or a bad time to make changes to the garden.

Here is my group of plants that I plan on planting today - yes mid-July and before I head out on a baseball road trip with my son.

summer colour

I personally strived for a simple green and white garden, wanting to focus on textures and my favourite - the lovely long blooming hydrangeas, in many varieties. But lately I have found myself missing a pop of colour. Not necessarily from blooms but from foliage.  As I was looking through the perennial section picking plants for a client, I kept seeing some old favourites and thought about my own garden and where I could improve.
 
My point is, it is never too late or a bad time to improve your garden and this can even be done by making some small changes.  For example, adding different varieties of sedum in a sunny dried out area where nothing else grows, or creeping jenny in a shady dry spot where you won't mind it spreading.

Take a sunny day this month and stand back and see where you might be able to add an interesting foliage colour plant into your garden, even if I didn't include it in your original design! And if you are stumped send me a picture on Facebook of a spot in your garden and I will give you some suggestions.

Looking forward to hearing from you!



GardenGate
A look through the garden gate...

Here are some easy perennials that are big on foliage colour for sun and shade!

 

For shady spots: 

 



King of Hearts Bleeding Heart
King of Hearts Bleeding Heart - all summer bloomer.
Cimicifuga
Cimicifuga - lovely dark foliage for shade.
Lime Rickey Coral Bell
Lime Rickey Coral Bell - great
colouring in partial shade.
epimidium
Epimedium - interesting foliage all summer in shade.

 

 

 

For sunny spots: 

 

 
Burgundy Coral Bells
Burgundy Coral Bells - will
tolerate part sun but really
shine in full sun.
Sedum Angelina
Sedum Angelina - great
chartreuse colour in a
hot dry area.


Sedum Floriferum Gold
Sedum Floriferum
'Weihenstephaner' Gold
- succulent green
foliage with yellow flowers.
Sedum Dragons Blood
Sedum Dragons Blood -
also great in hot spot
with nice red colour.


 

 

 






Joanne Shaw is the owner and operator of Down2Earth Landscape Design. A graduate of Ryerson University in Landscape Design, Joanne has 15 years experience in designing gardens and a decade in landscape and related business, both for her own clientele and established local nurseries.

CONTACT
Joanne Shaw
Landscape Designer
Down2Earth Landscape Design
[email protected]
www.down2earth.ca
905.839.1597
905.903.2597