The principle of ‘Do it once, do it right’ definitely applies to planting. Get new plants off to a good start by paying attention to the basics. You will be glad you did. 1. Plants Grow! The most common planting mistake is not allowing enough space between plants. Read plant tags carefully to determine appropriate site and spacing.
Posted in Maintenance, Trees
By Brian Russell Established woody plants (trees, shrubs and conifers) are best moved when they are fully dormant. In our climate, this means November, December, January or early February. In theory you can move just about anything if you have enough determination and manpower (or womanpower!) The tree in these photos is an Acer palmatum
Tags: transplanting
Posted in Conifers, Maintenance, Shrubs, Trees
Do you find that there are times of year when your garden fades, when there is nothing stellar to notice and you have to say to guests “wait until fall (spring, winter or summer); my garden really looks good THEN!” The secret to having a year-round beautiful landscape lies in planning ahead, cultivating plants which will
He that plants a tree loves others beside himself – Thomas Fuller 1. Before Planting. Take a moment to consider something that could make a huge difference in the health of your plant. What kind of soil and drainage does the site have? Most failures of new plantings in coastal BC are due to waterlogged
by Susan The decision has been made, the hole dug and the tree planted, following all the instructions of course! Now what? Research has shown that newly planted trees take two years to establish. During that time young trees or older trees that have been transplanted are sensitive to environmental stresses, nutrient deficiencies and pest
Posted in Maintenance, Trees
National Tree Day was September 25, and it seems fitting to acknowledge this by paying tribute to the elders of our plant world, the lofty and noble tree. We as a species simply could not exist on Earth without trees. Most people know that trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. But it’s way more
Posted in Design, Plant Choices, Trees
Brilliant bark, deceptively delicate flowers and the jewel tones of berries and persistent fruits that pop against winter’s muted greys and browns; there is nothing quite like a flash of bright colour on an otherwise dreary day to gladden the heart and to entice us outdoors for a closer look. Just because its winter doesn’t
Tags: bark, berries, flowers
Posted in Plant Choices, Trees, Winter
It’s not every day that the opportunity arises to plant a tree, but when it does it’s important to choose the right one. There are lots of things to consider – height, spread, growing conditions and sight lines to name a few, not to mention ornamental qualities. If you have trees on your mind this fall,