“By any other name would still smell as sweet”
By Becky Dumias

Is there a flower that’s been romanticized and revered as much as the rose? Not likely; this particular bloom has been the subject of many stories and poems, and is a staple of many avid gardeners.

There are thousands of varieties of roses but they can be divided into three main categories: species, old garden, and modern shrub. Marie Decker, President of the Hamilton & Burlington Rose Society and Past President of the Oakville Horticultural Society, directs growers to research by Jessica Bond, Curator of the Rose Garden at Niagara Parks, for the best roses to plant here in our climate. She found that those most resistant to black spot (our most difficult rose problem) are: Hybrid Tea “Traviata”, Floribunda “Brother’s Grimm”, Hybrid Tea “Midas Touch”, Kordes Floribunda “Out of Rosenhelm”, Kordes Floribunda “Poseidon”, Hybrid Tea  “McCartney Rose” and of course, the new “Canadian Shield” shrub rose that marks Canada’s 150th anniversary. This new rose will be available
in July.

Finding the perfect bloom isn’t as simple as visiting a garden centre. Decker suggests you ask a lot of questions first, such as how big it will grow and where the root stalk came from, whether Canada or the deep south. “Preferably ask for hardy Canadian roses such as the Explorer series, Parkland series, Artist series and 49th Parallel series. The “Canadian Shield” rose comes from the 49th parallel series,” she explains. “Canadian Shield was part of the rose stock transferred from Morden, Manitoba to the Vineland Research Station in 2011.” As its name suggests, Canadian Shield is a hardy rose that’s resistant to black spot and is winter hardy from coast to coast. Plus, it’s a repeat bloomer of reds with glossy green foliage, so it’s meant to stay stunning throughout garden season.

Caring for roses can be tricky, even for the experts, but at minimum Decker notes roses should be cut back and mulched deeply before winter. “Clean up all the debris on the ground and prune them in the spring,” she explains. You can always contact the rose society for detailed pruning instructions.

PLANNING & POTTING

If you’re just in the planning stages, the most important aspect of creating a rose garden, says Decker, is preparation and research. Ask yourself how much time you want to invest in care and maintenance (when she answered the phone for this interview she had to remove her gardening gloves first). “Make a plan on paper first of the garden area and consider what colour and type of roses you want to grow. Have a wish list – then prepare to refine it.” 

CARE & FEEDING

Your roses will need about six hours or more of sunlight and very good drainage. “Amend the soil if needed with triple mix, compost,” she says. Using MYKE (a 100% all natural growth enhancer) can aid in good root formation. Your roses should be spaced well apart for proper air circulation (again proper research comes into play). You should also dig a large enough hole to accommodate the root system. Grafted roses should be at least two inches below the soil level to prevent winterkill.
If you want to make sure that your rose garden doesn’t become a real thorn in your side, you can learn more by visiting local society and horticultural group shows. Experts will be on hand to educate and enlighten you about their passion for roses. The Hamilton-Burlington Rose Society’s show is happening June 24 – 25 at the
Royal Botanical Gardens. 

Joyce Fleming was our most known rose hybridizer. Google her for a list of her roses.

Local Links

Burlington Horticultural Society
burlingtonhs.com

Oakville Horticultural Society
oakvillehort.org

Royal Botanical Gardens
rbg.ca

Hamilton – Burlington Rose  Society
hbrosesociety@sympatico.ca

Using fresh ingredients is always best, especially those you’ve proudly cultivated yourself. Creating your own DIY herb gardens is a great way to liven up your cooking, impress friends and family, and keep your recipes unique and healthy.

Herbs are not only perfect for cooking but also as deodorizers, insect repellants, natural antibiotics and even pollinators for bees. Many contain plenty of health properties and vitamins. “Basil is definitely the most popular herb grown and used,” says Jennifer Klassen, manager at Centro Garden in Burlington. “There are lots of different varieties and flavours available, and it can be used in lots of different recipes.” Mint is the easiest to grow, she adds, as it’s hardy and vigorous (and garnishes a great Mojito).

If nothing else, cultivating a personal herb garden will do wonders for your experimentation in the culinary arts. “Always check with your nursery staff when you make your purchase to get the best advice and tips for care, such as planting, transplanting   watering and sun exposure,” she says, as the trained professionals will know best about all the different aspects to help grow your garden. But, what’s her biggest piece of advice? “Herbs are meant to be used! The more often you use them, the healthier the plants will be and the longer they’ll last.”

Other tried-and-true tips include transplanting outdoors at least two weeks after the danger of frost has passed, and ensuring the removal of flower stalks from the mature growth when they appear. But, leaving some flower stalks on herbs like basil blossoms will attract bees and butterflies.

Lemon Balm, a member of the mint family, has a lovely aroma. It can reduce inflammation, prevent infection and relieve an upset stomach, while oregano can help with fungal infections and muscle aches and pains. Parsley is antibacterial and can help with bad breath, while it’s also great in dishes such as pesto and salad dressings. Sage eases fever, stomach issues and can treat mouth and throat infections. Mint can clear sinus congestion and headaches, while rosemary, a wonderful ingredient in many meat dishes, also helps repel mosquitoes and other outdoor pests. There are just so many different uses for popular and easy-to-grow herbs. “Don’t forget about your pets,” suggests Nursery Supervisor Adele Bakhous at Sheridan Nurseries in Oakville. “Catnip and cat grass are great herbs that your pets will especially enjoy.”

Bakhous suggests using organic fertilizer with good drainage to avoid root rot, and to let the soil dry a bit before watering.  Also, most herbs thrive in bright, sunny areas. “Remember to pinch them, not cut them, and they’ll last a lot longer.” Herbs can be grouped together in a pleasing arrangement or be planted separately, depending on their individual growth needs.

Many herbs can successfully be grown from seed, but gardeners can also do well with clippings. If you have them growing indoors during the cold months, you can transplant them outside in the warmth and sun. Bakhous suggests planting around the BBQ so you can easily use them while preparing your favourite grilled meat and veggies.

All herbs have varying germination and hardiness levels, require different spacings and different harvest periods. Check with your nursery when you purchase them to get the best advice about care and watering tips. Whether you’re using your herbs to cook, to decorate or to make your home smell beautiful, herbs are a perfect addition to any garden, big or small, indoors or out. 

by Allison Dempsey

Local Links

Centro Garden, Burlington
centrogarden.com

Sheridan Nurseries, Oakville
sheridannurseries.com

Holland Park Garden Gallery,  Burlington
hollandpark.com

Cudmore’s, Oakville
cudmores.ca

When it’s bleak or blanketed with snow outside, you can still keep your hopes alive for spring by having greenery indoors. Both air plants and terrariums offer a low maintenance way to cultivate your green thumb. Spiky, alien-like air plants can thrive anywhere, even on a fridge magnet, whereas terrariums are like small self-contained eco systems.

Plant Fancy
Air plants (Tillandsias) are part of the orchid family, and can live for up to eight years – no soil required. They’re found naturally in tropical regions, attaching themselves to bark and other natural surfaces. “I find that air plants are almost architectural,” says Jennifer Klassen, manager at Centro Garden in Burlington. “They have a form to them, so people use them as adécor piece. Some of the bigger ones, (called ‘zero graphica’), are made to sit on the table on their own.They’re quite large.” Smaller plants can be grouped in twos or threes and Klassen suggests grouping plants with different textures and varying leaf sizes with other items such as rocks or moss. They can be displayed practically wherever your crafty imagination takes you: on a tabletop or hanging in a glass globe, on a wall, on pieces of wood, as a fridge magnet or even set in seashells. Erica Lowartz-Cozzarin of Sheridan Nurseries also suggests they can be a beautiful alternative for the bride. “These (plants) have gained popularity as bouquets for weddings because they’re so adaptable,” she says.

Know Your Roots
Air plants don’t actually have root systems, but instead they take in nutrients through their leaves. “You can water them by putting them in a bowl or dish with water and let it sit for about 15 minutes,” says Klassen. “It soaks up all the water through the leaves. Do that about once a week.” Succulents, which are often used in terrariums, have a thick leaf and need little watering. “They hold a lot of water and have a root system so you’d water them once every two weeks or once a month, depending on where they’re located in your home.

Terrarium Firma
Another way to incorporate interest and live plants into your home is with a terrarium. Think of it as an aquarium, but for plants instead of fish (and with way less water). All you need is a glass container with a lid and you can create a miniature garden or forest. To create your own, start with a clear glass container with a lid (even a Mason jar), place a bit of charcoal at the bottom, and then add a bit of soil. “It doesn’t need much water at all,” explains Klassen. “If you find there’s condensation inside, take the lid off for a day to let some of that moisture out. They’re self-sufficient eco systems,” she says, and they do best in a brightly lit room. Along with succulents, Lowartz-Cozzarin suggests you put some cacti and fairy gardening plants into the arrangement. “You can even go with something exotic such as an orchid,” she says. “Mosses and spreading plants, such as babytears, act as carpets and they can work well also.” Practically anything can be added to a terrarium, provided it matches the scale. Try incorporating rocks, different coloured mosses, driftwood sticks or fungus from a tree. Lowartz-Cozzarin suggests any rocks or fairy gardening pieces would make great accessories. Before creating your terrarium or displaying your air plants, take the kids out for a nature walk and have them collect items along the way. If by chance they find a unique log, bring that home too and create your own unique piece.

Written by Becky Dumais

Local Links:
Centro Garden, Burlington
centrogarden.com

Terra Greenhouses – Burlington/Milton
terragreenhouses.com

Sheridan Nurseries – Oakville/Mississauga
sheridannurseries.com

 -By Becky Dumais