Here are a few questions that have recently come my way. 

 

1.  What's the best way to meet with you to discuss my garden?

 

I recommend a phone call to set up a meeting time at your earliest convenience. You can explain what it is you're looking for and I'll inform you of how I can help. There is no fee for this visit however I try to keep it limited to 15 minutes. If we decide to move ahead at this meeting, we would reschedule the next step.

 

2.  How do I make my front entrance more appealing?

 

With so many different entrances to envision, a simple answer would be to have a few large pots filled with seasonal favourites. These can be planted up on site; another option is to purchase a hanging basket, remove the hangers and pop the pot into your ornamental container. Just make sure the pots you choose are big enough to make a statement. Take a serious look at your house numbers, post box and entrance mat...make sure they're up to date and in good repair. If space allows, a bench seat or couple of chairs would cozy up the space, too.

 

3.  I bought a home where the front yard is all plants. It's looks a bit of a mess at the moment, where do I begin?

 

If you aren't able to identify some or all of the plant material, please get in touch and we can set up a consultation. I would hate to see you dig out valuable plants only to turn around and want to replace them with something new. Together we can identify specimens that can be divided, pruned, moved or simply removed. And I can also provide you with a sketch of how to better lay out the garden if that's required. It can be as simple as adding a walking path, removing an over zealous ground cover, regrouping like plants, thinning out overgrown clumps.....what may seem like a daunting task to you, is all in a day's work for me. I'm here to provide you with all the information you need to get the job done yourself or consider hiring me to take care of some of the grunt work.

 

Lawn free front and back yards are becoming more and more popular. The key is to avoid over-planting and use hardy, low maintenance plants to provide all season colour.

 

4.  How can I bring colour to a shade garden?

 

There are a multitude of plants suited to a shade garden. First off, you'll need to consider the intensity of the shade, the moisture content of the soil (unless you intend to water as necessary) and your soil type. The nice thing about a shade garden is you can brighten up even the darkest areas with an assortment of broadleaf evergreens, flowering shrubs and perennials. For additional colour, planters overflowing with shade-tolerant annuals can be installed in the garden. Also consider a decorative dry bed of riverwash stone, or a stepping-stone path to lighten up the area. A birdbath or piece of garden art can add a nice focal point.

 

5.  If you had to select five favourite plants, what would they be?

 

​That's a very difficult question! I find that some of my favourites change with every season. At this moment, I would choose Carol Mackie Daphne for the fragrance and leaf colour, Pagoda Dogwood for the structure and fruit, Dwarf White Pine for the soft needles,  Oakleaf Hydrangea (or other Hydrangea) for the flower and fall colour and lastly, Ornamental grasses for their sway in the breezes of the summer and fall. If you asked me again tomorrow, I'd likely have a completely new list!