The weather was, as the late Benny Hill was wont to observe about an entirely different subject, “not pretty – not horrible . . . pretty horrible.” An enviro-skeptic observed: “Why does Ontario have blizzards while B.C. has David Suzuki? – Ontario had first choice.”
While contemplating the Christmas turkey carcass and another week of fowl recipes, it occurred to your humble horticultural hack that other media columnists shouldn’t be allowed to have all the fun of fearlessly predicting events for the coming year.
Beset by the forces of civilization, forced to eschew examining pigeon entrails and so substituting a fashionable garden gazing ball along with a seasonably small stove, we set off in hot pursuit . . .
As more people move into townhouses and condominiums, container gardening is predicted to expand. The pre-planted planter is now a feature of spring garden centres. In the coming season, especially at upscale, urban garden centers, expect more exotic offerings: dwarf decorative banana plants, bougainvillea standards, orange, lemon and grapefruit trees alongside the traditional herb and vegetable planters.
As an ‘anchor’ for building on in containers, we’re impressed with Coleus ‘Mint Mocha’ and ‘Henna.’ So were visitors to last year’s August open house at the University of Guelph Trial Garden. Visitors were also attracted by Zinnia ‘Uproar Rose’ and ‘Swizzle Scarlet and Yellow,’ voting them 1st and 10th place respectively. But in our experience, hot, humid city conditions encourage mildew on zinnias.
Various active organizations are, once again, promoting doubtlessly worthy perennials. Hosta of 2009 is ‘Earth Angel’ with large, thick, bluish leaves and so should be resist slugs and snails. The Hakone Grass Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ has been declared Perennial of the Year sporting yellow leaves edged with green, turning reddish-pink in the fall. Dutch ‘Simple Pleasures’ brand ‘Our Selection of the Year’ is Heuchera ‘Miracle’ which features chartreuse leaves with red blotches maturing to red with golden yellow edges. It is also heat and humidity tolerant.
Every year since 1995, the International Herb Association has chosen an Herb of the Year to highlight. This year it is the turn of Bay Laurel, Laurus nobilis. In less exuberant climates than our own, bay trees are traditionally planted close to homes. Reputed never to be struck by lightning it is said to protect against storms – and the devil. According to Greek mythology, Apollo was in pursuit of the delightful nymph Daphne when the gods took pity on her and she became a laurel tree to escape randy Apollo. Usually sold as a small tree, it does well outside over summer, but must be overwintered in the house.
In flowering shrubs, despite only planting ‘Blue Chiffon’ hardy hibiscus last summer, we are very impressed. It couldn’t wait to show off its attributes, deliciously living up to claims from the Prove Winners® people. From the same source comes the dwarf lilac Syringa Bloomerang™ marvelously scented, blooming late spring and continuing less profusely through into fall. Gardenimport is carrying both these beauties – order early from
gardenimport.com.
The floribunda rose ‘Cinco de Mayo’™ is a 2009 AARS winner with extraordinary multicoloured blooms along with excellent scent. We’ve seen this suggested as an informal hedge – certainly a great idea.
Roman naturalist Pliny believed that diseases came from the gods or the stars. “# caterpillars!“ exclaimed Shakespeare. From the very earliest times come claims that various chemical concoctions will eradicate the gardener’s woes. All are now set aside by legislation from Queen’s Park: thou shalt not use synthetic pesticides. “The Lord took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to dress it and keep it,” according to the Bible (Genesis 2:15). Sondra Gottlieb, writing in 1985, claimed her tropical hibiscus plant. “Needs a bug blast every three weeks. The stronger the better. Actually the ones with health warnings on the can do the best job.” One cannot wonder why it is not only environmentalists that get uptight. So, chemical pesticides are verboten for Ontario gardeners. We will attempt to keep you posted through the coming season on what aged gardeners did before the advent of such artificial aids.
“Its wonderful all the ways they’re using plastics nowadays,” warbled satirical Tom Lehrer over a half-century ago. Not anymore, its not. Recycling is what it is all about nowadays. Plastic garden pots, trays, tags, irrigation pipes, even greenhouse poly has raised the ire of environmentalists. Does seem a bit of a waste, even if we give away dozens each season, suitably filled. Professional association Landscape Ontario is working to create the first nationwide post-consumer horticultural plastics recycling program in the world at centres from sea to sea to, hopefully, unplasticized sea. Check with your local retailer – those with the big green LO logo are likely to participate.
My, but home veggie and fruit raising is all the thing with the chattering class. Garden centre retailers are being advised by industry representatives to encourage novice gardeners with prominent displays of seeds, tools, fertilizers, soils . . . Yes, it does get rather expensive. Time consuming also. And forget about that summer holiday or heading for the cottage. Veggies, and to a lesser extent fruit, require constant attention. Say, maybe you can hire somebody to do all the work, leaving you to harvest the results of their labour. According to the New York Times, it is catching on down south o’ the border. And why not? It worked for our last governor-general. Say, do you think Obama . . .?
We’ve left the weather to last. What can we add to Environment Canada’s fabled Dave Phillips’ predictions? A warmer winter with above normal precipitation comes the word from Ottawa’s experts. But U.S.-based Farmers’ Almanac disagrees. Its 2009 Canadian edition predicts most of the country will experience -40ºC weather or worse – also above average snowfalls, especially during this month and next for the Great Lakes region.
Oh yes – according to the Chinese Zodiac, this is to be the Year of the Ox. Expect plenty of bovine byproduct emanating as usual from politicos of all stripes.
