President's Message
By Jean Barna
A garden has its ebbs and flows, its time to break through the winter snow, its time to glow in the fresh spring air with brilliant and bold colours. The warming of the soil below starts the hum of exploding senses and sounds until the green growth expands and fills the once empty spaces. This takes time, thought and careful tending. It starts to take shape with an idea that sparks your interest, a design that develops into a plan, and before you know it, the shovel is turning over the sod, digging up the soil, building the beds and giving it some shape. The foundation is so important, as you establish the base using the natural resources around you, collecting specimens from here and there, starting plants from seeds, and exchanging perennials with friends along the way. Our gardens are filled with memories of those who have enriched our lives and are a testament to the building of friendships.
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My garden was basically a blank slate six years ago when I moved to Kingston. I started planting my transported perennials into the ground before the early snowfall in November. I didn’t have a plan other than to get them into the ground for safekeeping over the winter. We decided to build five raised beds for some of the flowers and the veggies as we soon realized rabbits would be visiting neighbours. My garden beds have now been filled with specimens from our plant sales, seeds from our exchanges, and purchases from travel jaunts with friends to unexplored nurseries, fruits and veggies of my labour. This wouldn’t have been possible if I hadn’t walked through the doors at Ongwanada to join you in my continuing adventure of learning more about plant diversity and feeling that my contributions could make a difference. Thank you to all who have extended an invitation to this newcomer and allowed me to share in your gardening delights. Go forth and spread the seeds of goodwill and generosity.
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Gardening Kingston Video Release
We were working in the Pollinator Garden one day
In the very transient tempered month of May
Along came an inquisitive visitor
Who offered to develop an info-video
After drafting up some ideas for content and flow
And crafting a few shots from our gardens below
We are pleased as punch to showcase it now.
Thanks to the co-ordinated efforts of Suzanne and Jean working with Nuno Ramalho, our videographer, over the summer months.
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Summer Bulbs
By David Kelly & Maureen Williams
Our gardens are put to bed; snow has been falling; winter has arrived. And so have the spring plant catalogues. We are not sure what this spring will bring in terms of our Annual Spring Plant Sale, so we have decided to try something new – just in case covid restrictions are still in place – an on-line sale of summer bulbs.
In order to kick this process off, Maureen and I spent a few days going over spring catalogues and selecting items that we hope will inspire you to give summer bulbs a try, or expand on what you already have.
Eucomis Aloha 'Leia'
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Over the next few months we will bring you articles about the selections we've made and how summer bulbs can be incorporated into your garden plans. We've tried to bring you a broad selection, focusing on shorter varieties that can easily be accommodated in smaller gardens, and in most cases, patio and garden planters. While so many of the summer bulbs are not hardy in our zone, and require lifting and storing, there will still be a few which can be left in the ground over winter. Stay tuned for more details in the new year.
Chasmanthe floribunda 'Saturnus'
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Pollinator Garden - Plant Profile
By Maureen Williams
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Photos: Bryan Williams |
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This native plant is likely the most common from a long list of Aster family species; often sold for fall colour at the time you see pots and pots of mums. Grown in the garden, it is a reliable, pollinator-friendly plant that will increase in size each year. The composite flowers have numerous ray petals in purple and pink and distinctive disc flowers in yellow. These late summer bloomers are a magnet for bumblebees, Monarchs and Painted Lady butterflies.
One thing you should know is that the lower leaves of tall plants will die off before blooming (not so pretty!). You can improve appearance by gently rubbing off the dry brown leaves or by planting the asters at the back of the border with something about 18" tall in front.
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An AGM & Guest Speaker in the comfort of your own home.
Prepare a snack, sit back, and enjoy the evening.
AGM 2020
Thursday, December 10th starting at 6:30 p.m.
followed by
An Engineer's Approach to Houseplant Care
Our guest, Darryl Cheng, is the author of The New Plant Parent and creator of House Plant Journal. Darryl’s passion for plants and engineering approach to plant care have turned him into the king of the internet houseplant world. What was initially a hobby Tumblr page has turned into an Instagram account with over 500,000 followers, a go-to blog for anything plant related, his very own houseplant care book, and plant time-lapse videos that have gone viral around the world.
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"If you follow traditional houseplant advice, you'll be left with disappointment because your plant is no longer "perfect". My approach breaks down the barriers to true, long-lasting enjoyment of houseplants - when you understand how plants work, you can gain a deeper appreciation for their character and more acceptance of how they'll grow. It's a healthy dose of science and realistic expectations!"
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Registration required by December 9th
After registering you'll be sent an email containing a web-link to the Zoom Meeting.
Not comfortable asking questions in a group?
Submit your questions in advance using the link below.
Learn, Grow, Share
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Never Zoom'd before and don't know where to start?
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Check out these resources:
- Zoom FAQ's
- Step-by-step Guide (PDF)
- Video and Tutorial
- Or send us an email kingstonhortsoc@gmail.com and we'll try to help you out
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OHA's Trillium Newsletter
Interested in seeing what other societies in the province are doing? Stay updated with the latest OHA news. Follow the link to the latest issue of the OHA’s Trillium newsletter. |
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