What's Growing On - MGOI Spring Newsletter

Master Gardeners of Ontario

Serving Ontario for Over 25 Years

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In this Issue....

Brugmansia

Mike Pineau, Peterborough

For my money, the exotic and spectacular flowers of Brugmansia are a must have on the summer patio or border. This tropical American plant genus hails from the lowlands of Brazil and Ecuador and botanically belongs in the large Solanaceae family which includes Datura, potato, tomato, petunia and tobacco. The large 9" pendant, tubular and fragrant Brugmansia suaveolens X B versicolor hybrids predominate in cultivation but other species are also involved in the genetics of some of the named types. The flowers come in pastel shades of pink, yellow and white on 5 to 8 foot plants and are ideal for tub culture in full sun to partial shade. Read more...

Bundling Up

Edythe Falconer, Ottawa-Carelton

Moisture - In some situations we only get one chance. This is especially true with regard to watering new or even well-established cedar hedges if the fall leading up to freeze-up has been particularly dry. It also applies to dry spells in the spring. If hedges are not well-watered in the fall they become desiccated and may suffer permanent damage. The same is true in the spring when root systems have not yet had time to re-establish themselves. Read more...

Defiance

Crystal Trojek

Past President, Master Gardeners of Ontario

There’s a crusty little visitor on my doorstep this morning. Coated in ice and dusted in snow, my metal plant stand resides there, filled with now russet Christmas greens, broken branches, plaid ribbon, berries, and artificial pomegranates. At least I know that’s what is under that white stuff. The stand is about to share its remorse on the entryway carpet in a flood of apologetic tears. The stand has numerous possibilities, and is about to receive a smart new spring wardrobe. Read more...

Have a Safe Pruning Spring

Alexandra Wiens, Prince Edward County Master Gardeners

This past winter has been a very challenging season for gardeners. Many of us have watched helplessly while ice, snow and wind have ravaged and damaged some of our favourite trees and shrubs. When the snow finally retreats this spring there will be plenty of debris on lawns and gardens. Many trees have broken limbs and branches that need to be removed. Read more...

M.Y.O.B.

Tom McCavour, Simcoe County

In the 1930’s, a slang version of Mind Your Own Business became Mind Your Own Beeswax. Well fellow gardeners, I think that we all should all be minding not only our own beeswax but the beeswax of the world. Our bees are in trouble, there are mass deaths in our bee colonies, which threaten not only the farming community, but also you and me. I love honey, spread on my morning toast, I love honey garlic sausage and honey in my tea; I like honey on my pancakes and honey on my salad. I just like honey period. Read more...

Natives vs Aliens - Challenging our Ethics

Astrid Muschalla – Etobicoke

When educating people on the value of natives vs aliens, I’m often asked, “Why are we allowing these imports, if they are so dangerous to our natural environments?”

It’s a messy topic but one worth sorting through in our minds as we talk to the public about plant choices, especially in the face of extreme climate variables like this winter. We hear from many scientists, like Dr. Douglas Tallamy (author Bringing Nature Home), that biodiversity is an essential and non-renewable natural resource, yet few are thinking like this. It’s argued that selecting for ornamentals creates fragmented and small populations which are vulnerable and can lead to local extinctions. We are also learning that we can turn this trend around but we need to share our spaces. The trouble with planting an alien though, is that it’s not really ecologically equivalent to a native because aliens are poor at supporting other life forms (aka ecosystems services). In other words, non-natives don’t usually form functional communities, which also include the soil microbiology. Read more...

Baby It's Cold Outside

Kevin Kavanagh – Norfolk

At South Coast Gardens (www.southcoastgardens.ca), anxious clients are beginning to ask what they can do about plants that are starting to show wear and tear from a winter known for its punishing pre-Christmas ice storm, record-breaking -40⁰C windchills and the bone-chilling cold associated with the Arctic weather phenomenon now popularly known as a ‘Polar Vortex.’ 

While some of the news headlines may seem more media hype than cold reality, temperatures over the past three months do, in fact, show this to be a below normal winter across the southern Great Lakes Region (and beyond). With this in mind, I’ve prepared some reflections on the kind of winter it’s been (to date) and offer some insight and tips into ways to help recover plants damaged by the prolonged cold. Here is a link to Kevin's full article.

Message to Master Gardeners in Ontario

Jane Beck, President MGOI

Last October Ontario Master Gardener Coordinators gathered at their annual conference to share experiences, exchange ideas and inspire the Board.  Most importantly, Coordinators told us what they expected from their provincial organization. The focus was on policy, education, communications, partnerships and fundraising, promotion and membership, and events. Within these topics we clarified the value needed to prosper.    And, we began to discuss what to improve so that the Board may better serve all its members.

Your Board has taken this direction to heart. Your Education Committee launched the new MGOI Reference Manual, a comprehensive study guide and educational resource for any Master Gardener. This is an extraordinary example just how the Board can support and add value to the entire organization.   And, it’s just the beginning.  Your Board is considering every aspect of what we do and how we can do things better or more effectively. We met in January and will meet again in March to chip away at this huge undertaking.  You will be kept informed about the progress made.   Many small improvements can make a big difference. The small things we will simply go ahead and ‘do’; the bigger issues, we will be asking for your ‘thumbs up’ agreement to proceed. Changes must make sense to the majority. Stay tuned for the new and improved.

MGs in Action

Haliburton

Sue Flinders-Adams, Haliburton

The Haliburton County Master Gardeners are working with the Coalition of Haliburton Property Owners Associations (COHPOA) on a Shoreline Restoration Project.  We have developed a 52 page PDF document on Native Shoreline Plants that will be posted on their website.  Future plans in this area include a presentation to the association for February of 2015.

We are developing a Group Presentation on Pruning, which will include a 15-20 minute power point ‘Introduction to Pruning’.  This will be followed by four small group pruning workshops including roses, clematis, flowering shrubs, conifers, and fruit trees.     Presentations will be held at:

• Norland Horticultural Society, April 16, 1:00 p.m., Pioneer Baptist Church                           
• Bobcaygeon Horticultural Society, May 15, 7:00 p.m., Knox Presbyterian Church                           
• Minden and District Horticultural Society, October 7, 7:00 p.m., Minden Community Centre 

In addition, individual members will be making presentations for the Minden and District Horticultural Society on various topics including; Hosta of the year, Accessible Gardening, Permaculture, Vegetable Growing, Garlic Scapes, and Propagating Christmas Cacti.  The same member will also be available to give gardening advice during their meeting break. 

We have completed a plan to rejuvenate the Village Garden Green in Minden and have submitted an application for a grant from the Ontario Horticultural Society to help to cover the cost.

Our focus will soon be on our Annual Plant Sale to be held on May 31 at the Village Green in Minden.

On July 12, we will be doing an Advice Clinic for the Bobcaygeon Garden Tour from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
  

Our on-going project is to maintain and update our website with information from all of our presentations over the last four 

London Middlesex Master Gardeners – Seedy Saturday Success

Cheryl Losch, London Middlesex

Stubborn Old Man Winter didn’t deter record attendance at the London Middlesex Master Gardeners 7^th Annual Seedy Saturday.

Saturday, March 8^th welcomed us with damp, cold temperatures and the threat of freezing drizzle. By 9:30 am, people were lined up out the door for an event that began at 10. The message was loud and clear – “Let Garden Season Begin!” And begin it did. There was something for everyone at Seedy Saturday.  Seed vendors, a seed exchange, sprouts, herbs, plants, books, garden decor and lawn care, to name just a few.

The London Middlesex Master Gardeners did not disappoint.  A day filled with standing-room only presentations and demonstrations delighted attendees and taught many new ways to look at how they work, and play, in their yards and gardens. Coordinator Dorothy McGee shared her knowledge of growing from seeds using recycled material. One new gardener in attendance assisted with the demonstration and took home an egg carton filled with newly planted Brandywine tomato seeds that she will be able to nurture and enjoy during the eventual heat of summer.  Sara Ragalyi taught us how to test and improve soil conditions, including the best options for amending both clay and sand, and offered suggestions for plants that would thrive in varying grades of garden soil. Jennifer Grant demonstrated how a “Better Lawn IS Possible”, with tips and easy techniques to enhance grass growth and vibrancy, and Rosemarie Szalich shared natural and easy-to-use remedies for garden pests, and those nasty weeds that seem to grow no matter what the weather delivers.

The favourite by far was,  “Gardening Vertically and in Any Little Space”, a visual discovery presented by Ron Rossini on how anyone can make the most of their space and increase yields, regardless of the size, or location of the patch. By growing upward using walls, trellis’ and various support structures everyone can experience the glory of gardening all season long.

As people left the event, the enthusiastic feedback was tremendous.  “This year’s Seedy Saturday was the best ever,” was a common accolade. I also do believe I heard someone say, as they bundled up and ventured back out into the bitterness of the dull, cloudy day, “Spring has arrived.”

Events

April 11, 12 and 13 –The Peterborough Garden Show, organized by gardeners for gardeners.  Friday 5:00 p.m. to 9: p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Evinrude Centre, 911 Monaghan Rd. Peterborough Admission $7, children 12 and under free when accompanied by an adult. The Show is jointly organized by the Master Gardeners and the Peterborough Horticultural Soc. Visit www.peterboroughgardens.ca for more information.  

May 31 – Mississauga MG Annual Plant Sale – for full details please refer to our website www.mgmississauga.mgoi.ca

Saturday, June 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Niagara-on-the-Lake Shaw Guild Garden Tour.  Tickets: $20.00.  This annual fundraising garden tour will reveal seven more magnificent secret gardens in the lovely Old Town area of Niagara-on-the-Lake.  Many varieties of plants, trees, and perennials nestled around historic homes, or looking over the Niagara River will be yours to enjoy along with the courtyard and balcony gardens of a condominium complex.  Some gardens are more formal with trimmed hedges and walking paths throughout while others ramble over large estate acreage.  Master Gardeners will be on site to answer questions.  Tickets can be ordered at the Shaw Festival Box Office 1-800-511-7429.   
  

Saturday, June 21 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., rain or shine.  Peterborough and Area MGs 25^th Anniversary Garden Tour featuring 10 Peterborough gardens, each with a special feature.  A ‘specialty plant’ sale, art and music in the gardens and there will even be urban chickens.  Tickets are $20.00, which are available at selected members of the Garden Route.  For more information:  www.peterboroughgardens.ca/tour

Sunday June 22 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Big Brothers Big Sisters Heart of Northumberland Garden Tour – 8 beautiful country gardens north of Port Hope and Cobourg – Tickets $30.00 or $25.00 for 10 or more.  Buses welcome.  Birdhouse Boutique.  Lunch will be available for purchase.  For further information:  905-885-6422 Big Brothers Big Sisters Office or 905-377-9803 Helen Lackey (MG) and BBBS Board Member

M.G.O.I. Summer Workshop - July 19, 20

The registrations for this year’s M.G.O.I. Summer Workshop are already being received by the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture.  There is a great deal of interest in this year’s program, which is:

• “Biological Communication:  The Mechanism for Success”
• “The Life of the Tropical Houseplant:  Examining the origins and production culture of the household tropical

A brief Program Outline is on the M.G.O.I. website at www.mgoi.ca, under “Latest News” on the home page and in the news blog under “Workshops”.  We are only able to have two instructors this year, and so are limited in the number of participants, no more than 40.  For this reason, if you wish to attend the workshop, we would recommend registering as soon as possible.  The cost for the workshop is $250.00, and we are pleased to be able to tell you that the Board has approved the request to give each Master Gardener and Master Gardener in Training $50 .00 upon completion of the workshop, to help offset their costs in attending. 

 Although the workshop is held in July when the weather is very hot, consideration is given to having a flexible schedule, and often the indoor sessions are held at the hottest time of the day.  In addition, tents are set up throughout the gardens, with seating and each station has a cooler with ice and water to make sure everyone stays hydrated when outdoors.

A group rate has again been negotiated with the Niagara College and Residence Centre, which is $84.95 plus taxes a night, based on a two-night stay.  This price includes a continental breakfast.  For further information or to make a reservation, please contact mparente@stayrcc.com or by telephone at 1-877-225-8664.  Be sure to mention that you are with the Master Gardener group to be assured of the reduced rate.

If you would like to receive registration information, or have any questions about the workshop, please contact June at streadwick@sympatico.ca or by telephone at 905-934-6137.

June Streadwick

Master Gardeners of Ontario Inc.

Milestones

New MGiTs

Durham – Gale D'Souza

Haliburton – Susan Kellar

Peterborough – Mike Pineau

New MGs

Durham – Ingrid Janssen

Grey County – Margaret-Ann Brennan

Haliburton – Milka Hider

Niagara – John MacLean, Ruth Moffatt

Toronto – Linda Attridge, Anne Avery, Diana Bavington, Joan Bostock, Petra Donnelly, Wendy Halse, Adrienne Hanbidge, Mary LeQuoc, Laurie Manoim, Patty McKnight, Brigitte Richter. Jacqueline Tilford, Paula Wolfson

5 Years

Grey County – Rebecca Baker

Lanark – Gerda Franssen, Paul Pietsch, Victor Wark

Toronto – Josée Couture, Cathy Kozma, Alan Malcolmson, Christine March, Doryne Peace, Sylvia Sarkus, Sheila Smith

10 Years

Grey County – Jackie Campbell

Haliburton – Anna Holloway, Eileen Hughes, Liz Lilley-Case, Pauline Plooard

Toronto – Barbara Anderson, Jane Beck, Dawn Bell, Eyman Ellen

Peterborough – Chris Tewsley

Quinte Tweed – Alice Lumley

15 Years

Toronto – Catherine Park

20 Years

Brantford – Irma Nicolle

Toronto – Anne Kotyk

25 Years

Toronto – Ann Johnson, Anna Leggatt, Alice Wikaru

Transfers

Niagara – Dan Cooper (from Toronto)

Retirements

Durham – Beth Cook, Joan Kerr, Susan Shepherd


Celebrations

On Thursday, March 13th, Mississauga Master Gardeners celebrated their 20th Anniversary with dinner at the Mandarin restaurant.  Certificates of Recognition were presented to founder members: Shirley Daniels, Errol Falconer, Marie Pearson.  Philip Stuart was unable to attend and he received his certificated at a later time.  Shirley Daniels was also presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for her Dedicated Leadership and Outstanding Service in support of the founding of the group.

Brugmansia

Brugmansia

Mike Pineau, Peterborough

For my money, the exotic and spectacular flowers of Brugmansia are a must have on the summer patio or border. This tropical American plant genus hails from the lowlands of Brazil and Ecuador and botanically belongs in the large Solanaceae family which includes Datura, potato, tomato, petunia and tobacco. The large 9" pendant, tubular and fragrant Brugmansia suaveolens X B. versicolor hybrids predominate in cultivation but other species are also involved in the genetics of some of the named types. The flowers come in pastel shades of pink, yellow and white on 5 to 8 foot plants and are ideal for tub culture in full sun to partial shade.
 
Cultivating Angel trumpet is very straightforward and rewarding (think giant tomato) and a stunning collection can be achieved quickly. They are easily started from stem tip cuttings with 2 nodes inserted into a soilless mix with extra perlite in a warm sunny spot indoors in early spring. Rooting takes only 10 days. Hormone is not needed. When new growth starts, move up into a 6" pot with a blend of soilless mix, perlite and rich compost. Use rain or naturally soft water (i.e. reverse osmosis) and let the top 1" dry between watering. Do not fertilize until roots fill the pot. At this point the plant will be single stemmed, 2 to 3 feet high and cloaked in leaves from top to bottom. The plant is now preparing for explosive vegetative growth.

At this point, the plant is ready for its summer quarters as long as frost has passed. Now is the time to transplant into a large pot with drainage. Angel trumpets become very top heavy so the larger the container the better; up to a half-barrel. These plants are extremely heavy feeders and the soil should be rich. One part compost/triple mix, one part sharp sand or perlite, one part peat works for me. I use natural lump charcoal for drainage. The plant quickly "catches" into this mix and it can grow 2" a day in warm weather of May and June. When the roots fill the tub, ample water must be provided, often daily, especially in hot stretches. Mix in Miracle Gro powder for tomatoes at 50% strength at EVERY watering till it runs  out the bottom of the pot. Keeping a barrel of pre mixed fertilizer water handy is a big help (ie garbage can sized).

The first year, the angel trumpet will bloom August to frost after it forms a framework of new growth. It will not set flowers until it branches and will bloom in flushes of 2 weeks on and off on the new growth. On a mature plant there will always be some bloom however. Spider mite is the main pest but frequent hosing of the leaves will help if detected.

The big question is: "How do I keep this Godzilla of a plant from year to year in our climate?. Firstly, one may treat it as an annual and grow new plants from purchased seed (start in February) or cuttings (April). However, this does not allow the plant to reach its full potential though still giving a spectacular flower show. In late summer, one may take cuttings of new growth, root in 1 or 2 gallon pots and keep as a green plant in a warm bright spot for the winter. Or bring the entire plant into the house using one of two techniques. Before moving at the end of September or October depending on frost, cut the plant back by one-third but leave a scaffold of main horizontal branches. Spray for insects (Safers soap and pyrethrum). Let the soil dry down and bring the entire plant into a bright position such as a sunroom and grow on during the winter as a houseplant. A simpler approach is to bring the plant into a cool dark basement or fruit cellar and allow to go semi dormant but not bone dry. These last two strategies preserve the entire mother plant, thus allowing the full bloom potential of a second or third year plant. A well grown 3 year old angel will produce as many as 100 fragrant blooms at once on an elegant horizontal framework of traffic stopping beauty.

sources for plants :  

• Brugmansia Quebec
• Flora exotica
• Some garden centres sell starter plants.  I have seen them at Home Depot and Loblaws but named types must come from a specialty nursery such as the two above.
• Seeds from Thompsom & Morgan or mail order such as Flora exotica 1 dollar seed store.

Bundling Your Plants Up for Winter

Screens on the South West for Winter Protection

Edythe Falconer, Ottawa-Carelton

There are a number of things we can do to "bundle" our plants up for winter:

Moisture

In some situations we only get one chance. This is especially true with regard to watering new or even well-established cedar hedges if the fall leading up to freeze-up has been particularly dry. It also applies to dry spells in the spring. If hedges are not well-watered in the fall they become desiccated and may suffer permanent damage. The same is true in the spring when root systems have not yet had time to re-establish themselves.

Temperature Control

We have furnaces, air conditioners, thermostatic control, heaters, and stoves to control the temperature around us. For plants there are equivalents and some of them are up to us to provide.  Two of these,  Mulching and soil mounding, I will be exploring  separately. Additional forms of weather-proofing include cones, plastic, burlap and wire surrounds with linings. Snow, if available, as it certainly was this year, can be mounded up around special plants to prevent damaging freeze-thaw cycles that fool the plant into thinking that spring is here.

Screens

Screens placed strategically to the southwest of vulnerable young trees can prevent South West injury. This abiotic problem can damage a tree’s phloem which is responsible for carrying food to tree roots. If the damage is severe enough the tree will die. If the damage is less severe with cracking the tree is more vulnerable to disease and insects. Screens can also save hedges from the damaging effects of salt spray.

Mulch

Mulching is an excellent form of both temperature and moisture control. In addition to these important functions, organic mulches gradually break down and help to replenish soil fertility and build soil structure. All mulches are helpful for weed control.  An extension of the idea of mulching is the practice, in the case of roses, of planting the rootstock/scion join well below the surface, particularly in cooler zones. This will increase zone hardiness.

Pruning

Hedges that are pruned properly can more readily withstand the weight of heavy snow without branch damage. 

Animals 

Plastic coils offer protection on the lower trunks of young trees and one of my neighbours goes a step further by putting them around lower branches as well. Fencing trees with wire mesh is a good way to foil rabbits and deer – unless, of course the snow is so deep that rabbits, in particular, just hop into the enclosure to enjoy a good chew.

  

Defiance

Some Plants Can Take a Bit of Cold Weather

Crystal Trojek, Past President, Master Gardeners of Ontario

There’s a crusty little visitor on my doorstep this morning. Coated in ice and dusted in snow, my metal plant stand resides there, filled with now russet Christmas greens, broken branches, plaid ribbon, berries, and artificial pomegranates. At least I know that’s what is under that white stuff. The stand is about to share its remorse on the entryway carpet in a flood of apologetic tears. The stand has numerous possibilities, and is about to receive a smart new spring wardrobe.

Whispered a curse on the thermometer, starting with the words, “Take a look at the calendar, and think about weeping humidic tears in 40 degrees in July. Embrace your tiny red line today, for it will soon be throbbing with heat on your little metal face. Even your sidekick the snow shovel won’t be around to cry with you then.”

Container gardening never ends for me; I just keep switching to the next thing. Whenever possible, use some kind of a liner when fitting up containers. A pot within a pot, or a garbage bag or bubble wrap as the liner of the desperate for those who put plants in anything and dream at another level than most people. One can easily make changes to the contents of the container this way, spark it up with fresh bulbs, or add a few spring blooming perennials. 

This particular container will hold 3 six inch pots of blue hyacinths, 3 four inch pots of scrappy mini daffodils, and you can toss a little bit of soil under them to get the pots at the right height.  A few stalwart pansies tucked around, new branches, twig balls, a blanket of sphagnum moss to cover the less artistic elements of the design and give the nesting birds something to steal. These plants can take colder temperatures, or this stand is small enough to sneak into the foyer when your husband has gone to bed. Last tip: do not hide it in his garage. He will know. 

No more lamenting about the weather. Why wait for planting until May when you can do some now? 

Have a Safe Pruning Spring

Pruning in Winter

Alexandra Wiens, Prince Edward County Master Gardeners

This past winter has been a very challenging season for gardeners. Many of us have watched helplessly while ice, snow and wind have ravaged and damaged some of our favourite trees and shrubs. When the snow finally retreats this spring there will be plenty of debris on lawns and gardens. Many trees have broken limbs and branches that need to be removed. When bud break finally occurs we will discover how much our ornamental shrubs have died back due to our harsh winter.

It is a great idea to remind ourselves how to prune and what tools to use so that no injuries occur during spring clean-up. Remember an important rule: the branch should fit easily into the jaws of the tool you are using, if it doesn’t, size up. Pruning shears are suitable for making cuts on branches up to 2 cm in diameter. Lopping shears are used when the branch is larger, up to 5 cm, or just out of reach. Pruning saws are best for larger limbs. The blade of the saw can be straight or curved but if you use a bow saw remember there should be no other obstructions within a foot of the branch you are cutting or you risk damaging other limbs on the tree or shrub. If you are using pole pruners to cut material above your head remember to wear head and eye protection.

The three-step cut is important when using a pruning saw to deal with larger limbs. If you have a damaged limb of moderate size (up to 8 cm) you can use the saw to remove it following this procedure. Make a first cut about 15-30 cm from the trunk, cut halfway through the branch. Make a second cut farther outward on the branch. The width between the two cuts should measure about the thickness of the branch. The weight of the limb will cause it to break between the two cuts. Now that the weight is off the limb, make a third cut at the branch collar, close to the trunk of the tree. Always remember that large branches or those at dangerous heights are best left to professionals with the proper equipment.

Most of the pruning we will need to do this spring will be for sanitation purposes, also known as crown cleaning. This will involve the removal of any dead or dying branches. The heavy layer of ice we accumulated during the ice storm that swept through Ontario in December left behind damage that will make trees and shrubs prone to disease this growing season. Sanitation pruning should be done as early as possible to prevent disease. Remember that even evergreens benefit from occasional thinning to allow light into the center of the shrub. This will probably be an excellent year to do that in order to encourage new growth to replace the damage from the ice. Deciduous shrubs with coloured stems can have as much as one third their growth removed per season as the colour is nicest on young stems. So don’t hesitate, particularly if it is a chore that has recently been neglected. Apply fertilizer to all damaged shrubs and trees to encourage new growth after pruning.

This spring will also be an excellent time to step back and inspect all trees and shrubs on the property for future problems that may increase damage next time we have a chaotic weather event. Examine the branches on mature trees. For greatest strength branches should form an angle of between 60-70 degrees with the trunk. Check to see if the limbs have good radial spacing. Is the trunk of the tree sound and disease free? Ask yourself if most of the tree canopy is within 66% of the height from the ground. If you see many branches that form a small angle with the trunk or the tree canopy is too low you may want to do some corrective pruning to prevent future damage from wind or ice.

Evergreen shrubs can be pruned during dormancy and this will result in vigorous spring growth. Whorl branched conifers become denser if the new candles are pinched in half by mid-June. Prune deciduous shrubs according to their growth habit: If they are cane habit, remove dead and damaged canes at ground level. With shrubs that form mounds try to make cuts inside the mound where they will not be visible to remove dead material or gather all the branches into your hand and cut them all just below the gather then release them back into shape. Shrubs that are more upright (tree habit) should have dead stock removed from the center to keep the crown open and maximize light.

Take time this spring to prune any shrubs that may have been neglected last spring. Those that bloom on current season growth like Butterfly Bush, Japanese Beauty Bush, Hills of Snow Hydrangea, Saint John's Wort, Anthony Waterer Spirea, Snowberry, Summersweet, Rose of Sharon and Potentilla will be all the better this year from some early season attention.

M.Y.O.B.

Honey Bee

Tom McCavour, Simcoe County

In the 1930’s, a slang version of Mind Your Own Business became Mind Your Own Beeswax. Well fellow gardeners, I think that we all should all be minding not only our own beeswax but the beeswax of the world. Our bees are in trouble, there are mass deaths in our bee colonies, which threaten not only the farming community, but also you and I. I love honey, spread on my morning toast, I love honey garlic sausage and honey in my tea; I like honey on my pancakes and honey on my salad. I just like honey period.

Honeybees make the honey from plant nectar and store it in a comb for use during the winter as a food source. Beekeepers then take some, but not all of that honey and market it in comb or liquid form. There are hundreds of types of honey that are available depending on the floral source. I particularly like alfalfa or clover honey, which I obtain from local beekeepers rather than the blended honey that you, buy in the store.

Aside from the loss of a food source for you and me, what is the big deal about the extinction of our bee colonies? Well, the big deal is that our farmers depend on bees to pollinate their crops and it is very expensive to do this any other way. Some of my favourite foods such as blueberries, cherries, apples and lettuce are affected. Scientists are even experimenting with “robobees” for artificial pollination. These are miniature robotic airfoils with artificial muscles that make the wings beat.

Who can we blame for the beecalypse? What is bugging the bees? There would appear to be various culprits including agricultural pesticides, parasitic mites, and bacterial disease. The verdict is still out, but the widespread use of chemicals in crop production is the likely cause.

If that is the case, what can we, as gardeners, do to help the bees. In our own small way we can grow bee friendly flowers and avoid the use of pesticides. Bees are attracted to bright coloured flowers. They cannot see red, but they can see ultraviolet wavelengths in colours, so colours in the blue and violet spectrum are attractive. They like not only bright colours but also flowers with an attractive smell and nectar. Here are some of my choices for flowers, vegetables and trees plus a few weeds that will attract honeybees. I will list their common names in alphabetical order.

Bluebells, buckwheat, canola, catnip, clover, cosmos, daisy, dusty miller, gaillardia, geranium, goldenrod, lavender, lemon, lilac, orange, oregano, pincushion, poppy, pumpkin, rosemary, sage, salvia, sea holly, squash, sunflower, tansy, verbena and zucchini.

Try to select a diversity of plants that will provide a continuous supply of nectar through spring and summer. If possible, plant your bee friendly plants in clumps and take some time out and enjoy their visits. Bee watching can be just as enjoyable as bird watching.

Natives vs Aliens - Callenging our Ethics

Asclepias tuberosa 'Hello Yellow'

Astrid Muschalla – Etobicoke

When educating people on the value of natives vs aliens, I’m often asked, “Why are we allowing these imports, if they are so dangerous to our natural environments?”

It’s a messy topic but one worth sorting through in our minds as we talk to the public about plant choices, especially in the face of extreme climate variables like this winter. We hear from many scientists, like Dr. Douglas Tallamy (author Bringing Nature Home), that biodiversity is an essential and non-renewable natural resource, yet few are thinking like this. It’s argued that selecting for ornamentals creates fragmented and small populations which are vulnerable and can lead to local extinctions. We are also learning that we can turn this trend around but we need to share our spaces. The trouble with planting an alien though, is that it’s not really ecologically equivalent to a native because aliens are poor at supporting other life forms (aka ecosystems services). In other words, non-natives don’t usually form functional communities, which also include the soil microbiology.

So, a lot of work is being done with natives and the development of new varieties that may please more gardeners. You might say, “more pleasing for whom?”. Can we do varietal testing in a more ecologically responsible way? At the University of Guelph test gardens, I saw new varieties of our native Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed) loaded with Monarch butterfly caterpillars - a "Nativar". So, it does seem like we can breed our natives in such a way to preserve ecosystem services integrity. However, the science to prove the debate on Native vs Nativar is not yet developed.

It’s not to say that foreign ornamentals have no place; indeed, nature moves plants around the world all the time via storms, wind, etc. but not at the rate and help we give to these new introductions. Now that we know some of the consequences, like serious disease introductions that have no natural predators, perhaps we can be persuaded to pause and to research choices better, asking “will this choice best support the environment?”, which by the way would also include a homeowner needs, such as choosing a stronger cultivar and thus less replacement cost.

Our choices reverberate up the chain as the increased demand for natives demonstrates. How is the industry responding? It is now estimated that approximately 75% of our native plants for sale comes from Ecuador or Holland and only 6 to 10% are actually from the 100 km mile radius defined as native by the North American Native Plant Society (NANPS). If a native is grown in Ecuador, is it really native (likely propagated on Oregon stock)? Will the so-called native do well in Collingwood, especially in volatile winters?

Current research with MTO on highway plantings demonstrates that plant stock bred in the region fare significantly better than imports of the same variety.  It’s not the natives that are being planted on these disturbed sites though and that’s likely because the aliens that adapt to disturbed soils grow with more vigour – and that’s their job in nature – to quickly cover bare soil. So ethical complexities abound – is it ever right to not plant a native? Perhaps when it’s not the right place, like a challenging city environment or highway?

Ultimately, it comes back to biodiversity and protecting the genetics of our natives and that includes creating more corridors of plants for insects, birds, etc. and that’s where home gardens become really important. There is a growing niche market for growers to propagate local native plants.  As a buyer then, the most important factor for choosing plants has to be that they are locally propagated. What could save us will be biodiversity, but doesn't that include all plants like aliens too? 

Know your native plants at the North American Native Plant Association Database:  http://www.nanps.org/index.php/gardening/plant-catalogue-databse

Astrid teaches a credit Natives course at Humber College starting in May.  Here's the link

http://calendardb.humber.ca/LIS/WebCalendar/CE/CourseOffering.do?name=LAND_701