Entries by Anna

What is plant hardiness zone

A hardness zone is a geographically defined area in which climatic conditions’ a specific category of plant life is capable of growing, including its ability to survive the minimum temperatures of winter. The Canadian hardiness map prepared in 2000 by Natural Resources and Agriculture Canada is divided into nine major hardiness zones: the harshest is […]

Be aware of the hardiness zone in your area before you buy plants

If you are planning to buy a shrub, perennial or a tree, you need to make sure that this new plant will tolerate all-year-round temperatures in your area. To ensure that the new plant will survive and grow year after year you need to make sure that the hardiness zone in your area matches the […]

Low maintenance annuals for lasting flower colour – part 1

Celosias If you are looking for lasting splashes of colour in your garden and a supply of fresh cut flowers to your table, annual flowering plants are your best friends. Of these, celosias, amaranths, gomphrenas and sunflowers are some of the hardiest on the market, that after the initial investment of care when planted, provide […]

Landscaping Mississauga Gardens – Sumac

Large shrubs for dry soil – sumac Depending upon whom you ask, sumac (sometimes spelled, “sumach”) is considered either a small tree or a tall shrub. Regardless in what category the plant is put, it certainly outperforms the largest trees with its fall colourful foliage. Dense stands of sumac trees covering a slope next to […]

Landscaping Mississauga Gardens – Best trees for dry conditions: Honey locust, Turkish hazel & Russian olive

honey-locust is a drought resistant shade tree Honey locust A great choice if you want a hassle-free, attractive, fast-growing (18”+ annually) ornamental tree that won’t shade out your lawn and landscaping as it has small leaflets that produce a filtered shade. This native to central North America, deciduous tree requires very little maintenance once planted […]

Landscaping Mississauga gardens – best evergreens for dry soil

The best performing shrubs in dry soil in Peel, Halton, and GTA in general, are junipers and yuccas.   Junipers – grow naturally in many dry environments, such as rock outcrops and even sand dunes. There is also a large variety of species to choose from ranging from upright junipers ideal for privacy fences to […]

Landscaping Mississauga Gardens – how to read fertilizer labels and choose the right fertilizer for your soil

If you decide to improve the quality of your soil using a chemical fertilizer,which is a quick fix method to improve the quality of your soil, you face a sometimes daunting task of selecting the appropriate fertilizer for your soil conditions among the variety of fertilizers available.  Choosing carelessly just any fertilizer, based on its […]