The best and worst of green in 2015
What worked in gardening this year? What didn’t? Here’s my annual roundup of the best — and worst — in the great green world during 2015.
Best new idea: Cloned dahlias and canna lilies. Although the word “cloning” gives some eco-evangelists the heebie-jeebies, this technique is now standard practice in horticulture. And last spring, two superb examples made their debuts in Ontario.
They were the ready-potted cactus dahlias and cannas launched by Linwell Gardens in Beamsville (and available in some garden centres).
Raised “vegetatively” — that is, from cuttings instead of traditional tubers and corms — both performed like a charm. My three pots bloomed all summer, the spiky dahlias in luscious lemon and fire-engine red (they also come in other colours) and the cannas in customary scarlet. All shapely, all prolific, all easy to care for.
Potting up dahlia tubers indoors in late winter is a tiresome and messy business for gardeners. With the arrival of the cloned versions, we can say bye-bye to that.
Look for more Linwell lovelies next spring.
Worst new idea: Fake grass in backyards. Lazy homeowners, shame on you. If cutting a lawn is a pain, replace it with easy-care shrubs (there are lots) and a deck or terrace. Let’s not turn the GTA into some apocalyptic AstroTurfed nightmare.
Best new perennial flower: SunSparkler Sedum “Firecracker.” A surprising little charmer whose shiny burgundy-ish leaves and dura- ble dainty pink flowers trailed so prettily over the sides of a container, I’ve saved my plant for next year. Like all sedums, it needs no fussing.
Best new indoor plant: The hot new Christmas sensation, Ardisia. Glossy green leaves and sprays of delicate red or white berries are so fitting for the season. Get it at Longos or Metro (if they have any left).
Best garden: The Enabling Garden, part of the Riverwood Conservancy, located on the Credit River in Mississauga. Never heard of it? This pretty but practical beauty spot helps people with disabilities enjoy a taste of nature. And get this: the garden recently won top honours in a U.S. National Garden Bureau contest, beating out finalist gardens in New York state and North Carolina. Pretty exciting news. Congratulations to everyone involved.
Best garden event: Garden Walk, Buffalo. This extraordinary, peoplefriendly event started 21 years ago and is a phenomenal example of neighbourhood co-operation. This year, 400 homeowners in the downtown core opened their often-modest front and backyards to visitors — and more than 60,000 people visited. Garden Walk always takes place on the last weekend in July, so remember that for next year. The glorious architecture of historic city houses is a revelation, too. Who knew Buffalo could be so beautiful?
Best gardening gizmo: Handy Camel bag clip. Terrific invention by a guy in Kansas. Perfect for hauling heavy bags of growing mix around. Stokes Seeds in St. Catharines sells it for $15.95.
Silliest new term: Bed-Head Gardening. Huh? It apparently means creating a garden that resembles “how we look when we get up in the morning.” In other words, a bit messy, unmanicured, with curvy pathways and big, unruly clumps of plants.
Well, duh. This is new, folks? My garden always looks like that.