WHAT'S IN BLOOM

Daffodils Fri April 29

2011-04-29T15:31:00.015-04:00

Narcissus 'Tete a Tete' (Miniature Daffodil) Show Garden; This mini daffodil has yellow petals with an even deeper yellow cup.

Narcissus 'Toto' (Miniature Daffodil) Entry Garden; This miniature narcissus has white petals with a straight cup opening yellow, then fading to creamy white.

Narcissus 'Rijnveld's Early Sensation' (Trumpet Daffodil) Entry Garden; This classic yellow trumpet-type daffodil is one of the earliest blooming, tolerating snow & cold.

Narcissus minor var. pumilus 'Rip Van Winkle' (Miniature Daffodil) Demo Garden; This Irish Victorian selection has been around since 1884 featuring double yellow flowers on 6" stems.

Narcissus 'Tamar Fire' (Double Daffodil) Demo Garden; A double-petaled selection with bright yellow petals highlighted by red-orange accents.

Narcissus 'Ice Follies' (Daffodil) Demo Garden; This large-cupped selection has white petals and a yellow corona, reaching up to 18" in spring.

March 22 - 29

2011-03-22T13:06:00.009-04:00

In the Demonstration Garden this week you will find:
Galanthus Collection (Snowdrops). A variety of snowdrops are beginning to naturalize in this section of the garden. Look for them at the west end of the Entry Garden at the Lawrence Ave. entrance

In the Arrival Courtyard:
Hamamelis x intermedia 'Primavera' (Witch Hazel); x Intermedia hybrids are large deciduous shrubs preferring organically rich, acidic soils. Primavera is upright and vase-shaped, eventually reaching 15 feet and flowering later than most cultivars.

In the West View Terrace corner bed:
Crocus vernus 'Jeanne d'Arc (Dutch crocus); this early riser has glistening white petals with purple striations from the top of the stem to the flower's base

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:
Crocus flavus (Crocus luteus; Dutch yellow crocus); this bright orange-yellow crocus is known for its smaller, richly coloured flowers during early spring in March and April

March 1

2011-03-01T13:55:00.003-05:00

Today on March 1st, we went looking for signs of spring and found some!

In the Nature Garden, you will find:
Magnolia x loebneri 'Merrill' (Loebner magnolia) As we await the star-like blossoms of Merrill magnolia, we can admire the buds as they form on this very hardy tree which will eventually mature to some 40ft.

In the Westview Terrace:

Helleborus niger 'Maximus' (Christmas rose); these ever-popular semi-evergreen perennials are must have's for any late winter garden. For weeks now Maximus has pushed its head through the frozen ground, waiting to unfurl its pink-flushed white flowers.

In the Garden Hall Courtyard - Bank:
Erica carnea 'Golden Starlet' (Spring heath) New buds are forming on Golden Starlet heath, one of many varieties in the TBG collection.

Feb. 1-8

2011-02-01T13:14:00.009-05:00

This weeks picks highlight "winter interest" in the garden as snow provides a dramatic backdrop for many plants.

In the Show Garden- South you will find:

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Aureovariegata' (Sawara false cypress); this variegated thread-leaf form of Sawara cypress has excellent green and golden yellow foliage making it an an instant eye-catcher in the winter garden

In the Show Garden- South:
Pinus mugo 'Aurea Fastigiata' (Mountain pine); this cultivar of mugo pine is distinguished by its relatively upright growth and golden-yellow winter foliage.

In the Knot Garden:

Fagus sylvatica forma purpurea 'Cuprea' (Purple/Copper beech); these beautiful slow-growing trees with attractive ,smooth silver bark will hold their leaves through the winter.

In the Entry Garden:

Sedum spectabile (now Hylotelephium spectabile) (Stonecrop); this clump forming perennial known for its succulent-like fleshy leaves and stems, holds up well in Canadian winters with flattened flower heads held until chopped down in spring

In the Entry Garden:

Liatris spicata (Blazing star) with Echinacea 'Sunrise' (Big Sky series) (Purple coneflower); Liatris is a native prairie flower, here with the hybrid coneflower Sunrise; these two plants will hold their seed heads up under a blanket of snow until we gardeners cut them back in spring

In the Entry Garden:

Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' (Switch grass); valued for its red-tipped foliage in summer, turning deep burgundy by fall, this native prairie grass stands up well through winter - bring on the snow!

Jan 10-17, 2011

2011-01-10T10:49:00.018-05:00

In the Nature Garden you will find:
Pennisetum with Echinacea purpurea (Fountain Grass with Purple Coneflower); both these plants hold up well under snow and winter conditions and make for long-lasting winter interest in any garden.

In the Nature Garden:
Amelanchier laevis (Allegheny Serviceberry); this small tree or shrub is native to Ontario and eastward, reaching to 10metres. Iit is an excellent choice for city gardens! In this winter shot, one side of its bark is thawed by the sun while the other is frozen with ice crystals.

The Knot Garden:
The Knot Garden is hard to resist in winter when snowfall highlights the many architecturally pruned forms of this garden, in particular the evergreen yew and boxwood hedges, as well as the deciduous privet

In the South Show Garden:
Berberis thunbergii forma atropurpurea 'Concorde' (Japanese Barberry); this dense thorny shrub is popular for its colouring, and produces berries which are carried through the winter, Here it is seen with a glistening of frost on its arching branches.

In the South Show Garden:
Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red' (Winterberry); this wetland holly loses its leaves each year and bears an abundance of bright red fruit which is carried through the winter. Here they stand out brilliantly against the snow.

A friendly reminder regarding Winter Garden Etiquette: Even though they are now under a blanket of snow, please respect the garden beds and stay on the groomed paths! It is very tempting to walk in to have a closer look at sites like the rich red berries above - but remember you are stepping on plants to improve your view!

December 2-31

2010-12-02T12:08:00.011-05:00

Winter may be moving in to the TBG but some stalwart plants are still showing their brightest colours and others are blooming!

In the Nature Garden you will find:
Cornus sericea Flaviramea (Golden Twig or Dogwood) ; Also known as Yellowtwig dogwood, this shrub displays its best twig colour when planted in full-sun and pruned regularly.

In the Nature Garden:
Cotoneaster horizontalis (Rockspray); this semi-evergreen, multi-stemmed shrub has purplish winter foliage and attractive red fruit which covers much of the branches and is held through winter.

In the Show Garden South:
Chamaecyparis pisifera Sungold Show (Japanese false cypress) ; this dwarf golden cultivar of Japanese false cypress has semi-weeping branches. Like many conifers, its colour changes with the seasons, and here shows good winter yellow due to its sunny location.

In the West View Terrace:

Helleborus niger Maximus (Christmas Rose); Hellebores are long-lived, drought and heat tolerant semi-evergreen perennials. In recent years they have most deservedly grown in popularity, thriving in shady gardens . But here at the TBG, a few selections are remarkably suited to the sun. Here H. niger Maximus is poking through in very early winter.

In the Show Garden South:

Crocus speciosus (Autumn Crocus); One of the first of the autumn crocuses to flower, this one has particularly clear bsky blue flowers on bare stems. The leaves are produced in spring.

Nov. 15-25

2010-11-15T10:27:00.010-05:00

In the Nature Garden you will find:

Cornus sanguinea 'Winter Beauty' (Bloodtwig dogwood); aptly named, this bloodtwig dogwood is noted for its orange-yellow winter stems tipped with red and for its golden fall foliage; its berries are not showy but attract birds.

In the Garden hall Courtyard:

Pinus strobus (Weeping white pine/Eastern white pine); this white pine generally tolerates urban conditions well and is the only species of pine to have five needles per bundle. This cultivar is a semi-dwarf whose weeping branches may trail the ground. This year it is boasting beautiful cones.

In the West View Terrace:

Viburnum carlesii 'Diana' (Koreanspice Viburnum); this rounded, multi-stemmed shrub is very hardy, tolerating a wide range of soil conditions except very wet. It is invaluable for winter interest, here displaying great fall colour.

In the Entry Garden:

Molinea caerulea ssp. arundinacea Transparent (Purple Moor Grass); the flowers of this deciduous clump-forming grass reach well over a meter tall with an open and airy habit, thus the name 'Transparent'. The foliage turns a fine yellow in late fall.
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In the Entry Garden:

Bergenia purpurascens (Winter-red Bergenia); True to its name, this bergenia species has excellent fall and winter red colour. Bergenias are incredibly hardy and reliably evergreen.

Oct. 28

2010-10-28T09:48:00.018-04:00

Late fall colours are still in full bloom at the TBG, thanks to our wonderful autumn weather!All these selections are featured in the Entry Garden:

Tricyrtis formosana Samurai (Toad Lily); Samurai is the most popular cultivar of toad lily, growing best in shady areas; this selection has purple flowers with darker spotting held above green foliage edged with gold - perfect for the autumn garden as is a later flowering perennial

Sedum Autumn Fire (Stonecrop) ; similar to S. Autumn Joy but with a tighter growth habit so it is less prone to flopping over. Autumn Fire was developed in Quebec and also displays brighter rose-coloured flowers than Autumn Joy. It is shown here with a touch of frost

Eragrostis spectabilis (Purple love grass); hardy to zone 5, this tufted grass is short at 10" with plumes reaching up to 2'; an underused perennial very unique! it prefers a sandy situation.

Geranium phaeum Album (Mourning widow cranesbill) ; this geranium is mound-forming with deeply lobed foliage and delicate white flowers, a very hardy selection tolerating dry shade better than most, excellent for woodland gardens. Here the leaves are touched with the first fall frost.

Cotinus obovatus (American smoketree) ; Native to the southeastern United States, this small tree is hardy to zone 4 with autumn foliage in a variety of colours from yellow and orange to reddish purple,making it one of the best fall colour small trees. With its interesting bark, it makes a great specimen!

Viburnum nudum (Northern Wild Raisin or Witherod); this native shrub belonging to the honeysuckle family, is definitely underused in home gardens. It has edible fruit and its glossy leaves turn a rich burgundy in autumn.

Oct 7 - 17

2010-10-07T08:54:00.013-04:00

In the Water Channel you will find:

Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf hydrangea); these shrubs provide four seasons of interest with dramatic white flowers. They perform best in hot climates but are extremely hardy to Toronto gardens and will tolerate drier conditions better than other hydrangeas

In the Perennial Border:

Aster laevis 'Bluebird' now known as Symphyotrichum laeve 'Bluebird'; displays cone- shaped clusters of violet-blue flowers exhibiting clean foliage compared to most asters

In the Nature Garden:

Gaillardia aristata (Blanket flower); this species blons to the sunflower family and is commonly known for its red and yellow pinwheel

In the Nature Garden:

Cornus alternifolia (Pagoda dogwood); also known as an alternate leaf dogwood, this species is native from Manitoba eastward, displaying excellent fall colour

In the Terrace Garden:

Iris germanica 'Double Your Fun' (Intermediate bearded iris; at 21 inches this repeat bloomer is a new intorduction with a violet-flushed mid-rib and butter yellow on a white background

In the Knot Garden:

Iris germanica 'Immortality' (Tall bearded Iris); this pure white iris is a re-bloomer flowering twice a year in early summer and again in late summer/early fall

Sept. 23- 30

2010-09-23T10:57:00.023-04:00

In the Nature Garden you will find:

Lindera benzoin (Spicebush); from the laurel family; the leaves of this native shrub give off a unique spicy odour when touched, bearing rich red fruit in late summer through fall; prefers a rich, moist location

In the Nature Garden:

Chelone lyonii (Turtlehead); deep green foliage topped with rose pink turtle
head-shaped flowers in late summer through early fall(foreground right), a native perennial preferring rich moist soil. It is shown here with Physostegia virginiana (Obedient Plant) and on the left, Symphyotrichum novae-anglicae (formerly Aster novae-angliae) (New England Aster)

In the Show Garden:

Pinus parviflora 'Hagoromo' (Japanese White Pine; this dense, slow-growing conifer has attractive blue-green needles; it prefers full sun and may reach a mature size of ten feet by 18 feet in a decade

In the Show Garden:

Berberis thunbergii forma atropurpurea 'Concorde' (Red Japanese Barberry); this deciduous thorny shrub has a slow, dense growth habit with rich burgundy foliage and red berries that last through winter

In the Show Garden:

Callicarpa dichotama 'Early Amethyst' (Purple Beauty Berry); Callicarpa is Greek for beautiful fruit - thus the name Beauty Berry and indeed these hardy deciduous shurbs are adorned with a profusion of blossy purple berries against liime green foliage which appear earlier than any other cultivar and last through autumn into winter

Sept 9 -23

2010-09-09T10:14:00.007-04:00

In the Perennial Border you will find:

Hibiscus 'Kopper King' (Perennial hibiscus); still growing strong, Kopper King has been flowering non-stop for over a month even though each plate-sized flower lasts no more than a day or two

In the Perennial Border - North:

Sedum spectabile 'Neon' (Stonecrop); Sedums are popular among northern gardeners as they are easy to grow and very hardy. This selection is more compact than some with bright neon-pink showy flowers

In the Perennial Border:

Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Worchester Gold' (Blue Beard) with Sedum 'Autumn Fire' (Stonecrop); Worchester Gold has warm yellow to chartreuse foliage with lavender-blue flowers from late summer to early autumn, showen here with Autumn Fire, one of the best stonecrops.

In the Garden Hall Courtyard - Water Channel:

Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea); native to the American south, this slow-growing hydrangea shrub is a great compliment to any border for its long flower display and characteristic oak-leaf foliage which turns many shades of bronze with autumn; shown her with Miscanthus sinensis 'Super Stripe'

In the Arrival Courtyard:

Miscanthus 'Purpurascens' (Flame Grass); this excellent cultivar has great fall colour with strong upright habit and extreme cold hardiness for Canadian winters

August 24 - Sept 2

2010-08-24T11:30:00.012-04:00

In the Perennial Border - West you will find:
Helianthus 'Lemon Queen' (Perennial Sunflower); a great back of the border perennial to brighten up the late summer, early fall garden with rech lemon yellow flowers on stems easily reaching four feet

In the Great Perennial Border-East:
Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldstrum' with Lobelia siphilitica (Great Blue Lobelia); the great blue lobelia is a native pernnial typically found in rich moist locations, here interplanted with the common Black-eyed Susan which also appreciates consistent moisture and displays a profusion of bright flowers on bushy plants

In the Kitchen Garden Entry:
Rosa (Carefree Beauty) ='Bucbi' (Modern Shrub Rose); this vigorous upright shrub rose has excellent disease resistance with semi-double fragran pale pink bloms

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:
Hydrangea paniculata 'Little Lamb' (Pee Gee Hydrangea); this hardy dwarf hydrangea is unique for its small flower petals which open pure white turning to pinkish with the coming of autumn

In the Entry Garden you will find:
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Cassian' (Fountain Grass); this clumping grass flowers about two weeks later than other selections and also holds its seed heads for a longer time

August 12-19

2010-08-12T10:07:00.004-04:00

In the Perennial Border - East you will find:
Hibiscus moscheutos 'Carafe Grenache' (Rose Mallow); the enormous deep pink flowers of this hardy hibiscus last two or three days, replaced continuously with new ones from mid-summer to early fall

In the Perennial Border - East:

Phlox paniculata 'Norah Leigh' (Summer of Garden Phlox); this variegated form with while marble-edged leaves does better with some afternoon shade

In the Perennial Border - North:

Sedum spectabile 'Brilliant' (Showy Stonecrop) with Sedum 'Postman's Pride' (Stonecrop); Brilliant has excellent compact form so it doesn't flop and lots of hot pink star flowers, attractive to butterflies; shown here with the very deep black-purple of Postman's Pride

In the Garden Hall Courtyard - Bank:

Ligularia 'Osiris Fantaisie' (Bigleaf Ligularia); this newer introduction of the Osiris series has deep purple leaves maturing to bronze and olive-green; likes a consistently moist location

In the Garden Hall Courtyard - Bank:

Anemone tomentosa 'Robustissima' (Japanese Windflower); this selection of Japanese anemone is probably the hardiest, flowering about a month earlier than other varieties

In the Entry Garden:

Helenium autumnale 'Moerheim Beauty' (Helen's Flower); unlike other daisy flowers, helenium have a very distinctive shape; they prefer full sun, flowering from late June to August

July 29- August 5

2010-07-20T13:45:00.005-04:00

In the Entry Garden you will find:

Vitex agnus-castus (Chaste Tree); this deciduous shrub has violet blue blooms from July to August; in zones 5-6, it has winter die back - often to the ground, but recovers well with up to five feet of new growth the following season

In the Show Garden:
Hydrangea paniculata Grandiflora (Panicle Hydrangea); this popular woody shrub can reach up to 25 feet, with white blooms aging to pink, prefers organically rich soil; one of the most cold- hardy hydrangeas

In the Perennial Border West;
Phlox paniculata 'Robert Poore' (Garden Phlox); a tall variety reaching two to four feet with bright deep pink flowers; known for its mildew resistance.

In the Perennial Border North:

Hibiscus 'Blue River II' (perennial hibiscus); the hardy form of hibiscus is well-known for its enormous dinner-plate size blooms for late summer displays - except for this year when it is already flowering in late July!

In the Knot Garden:
Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan' (White Coneflower); a white-flowered form of the purple coneflower, with drooping white petals surrounding a greenish-brown central cone, shown here with the native Purple Coneflower

In the Entry Garden Meadow:

Many beautiful herbaceous perennials are now at their peak in the Entry Meadow, including Liatris spicata, commonly known as Blazing Star, with spikes of magenta-purple flowers which are especially attractive to butterflies

July 12-19

2010-07-12T09:58:00.005-04:00

In the Garden Hall Courtyard- Bank you will find:
Gentiana makinoi (Royal Blue Gentian); a summer-flowering perennial native to Japan with long-lasting blooms of royal blue which also make lovely cut flowers

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:
Platycodon grandiflorus (Balloon Flower); a long-lived perennial well known for its beautiful bell-shaped purple-blue flowers

In the Water Garden - West:
Allium sphaerocephalon (Round-headed Garlic); this drumstick allium has egg-shaped flowers in summer which start off greenn and deepen to rose, then purple

In the Water Garden - East:
Echinacea purpurea 'Green Envy' (Green Coneflower); a very distinctive selection of the purple coneflower, exhibiting an inky green central cone with petal tips of green, deepening to rose toward the centre

In the Water Garden - West:
Ligularia stenocephala 'The Rocket' (sometimes called Elephant Ears); reaching up to five feet, this perennial pond-lover prefers having its feet wet at all times, producing yellow-spiked flowers over huge leathery leaves

In the Entry Garden"
Hemerocallis 'Gentle Shepherd' (Daylily); this diploid cultivar is known for being of the best white-flowering daylilies

June 29 - July6

2010-06-29T12:11:00.003-04:00

In the Entry Garden you will find:

Monarda 'Aquarius' (Bee Balm) with Geranium psilostemon (Armenian cranesbill); this bergamot has bright pink flowers known for their unique shape, atop 30-inch erect stem and, prefers moist soil. It is shown here with the vibrant pink of the Armenian cranesbill.

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:

Eryngium giganteum (Mrs. Willmott's Ghost/Giant Sea Holly); this species produces very large silvery-grey spiny flower heads with a greenish cone centre; drought tolerant once established, it is a self-seeding biennial

In the Nature Garden:

Echincacea pallida (Pale Purple Coneflower); this striking species has pinkish-rose ray flowers, extending from a purplish-red disc; prefers full sun, will adapt to a range of soil conditions but must have good drainage

In the Nature Garden:

Gaillardia aristata (Blanket Flower); this native wildflower is popular for its long bloom season, producing daisy-like yellow flowers with burnt orange markings - good for cutting.

In the Water Garden-East:

Delphinium elatum 'Sunny Skies' (New Millenium Delphinium); this English hybrid delphinium outperforms all other tall types in rich shades from pale to sky blue, with a white bee

In the Terrace Garden:

Opuntia humifusa 'Lemon Spreader' (Prickly Pear Cactus); this vigorous, low-growing, spreading hardy cactus is smaller than the species but has the same requirements: good drainage and lots of sunshine!

June 21-28

2010-06-21T10:11:00.005-04:00

In the Terrace Garden you will find:
Achillea 'Moonshine' (Yarrow) with Lavendula 'Munstead' (English Lavender); lavender is actually a low-growing shrub of the Mediterranean region. The fragrance of its flowers and foliage make it popular for perennial borders and herb gardens. Here it is planted with Achillea 'Moonshine,' another popular plant with attractive grey-green foliage and bright yellow flowers lasting for weeks.

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:

Trollius x cultorum 'Pritchard's Giant' (Globeflower); this variety of globe flower is known for large golden orange globe-shaped flowers, reaching up to three feet. It blooms in late spring/early summer and again in late summer.

In the Garden Hall Courtyard- Bank:

Digitalis grandiflora ( Big-Flowered or Yellow Foxglove); the Garden Hall Bank is covered at this time of year (early summer) by many varieties of foxglove. Digitalis Grandiflora, shown here, has large yellow flowers on stems reaching three feet.

In the West View Terrace:

Rosa 'The Fairy' (Polyantha shrub rose); The Fairy flowers profusely from early summer till frost bearing light pink, double-cupped flowers in large clusters. It is a vigorous plant with excellent disease resistance.

In the Arrival Trellis:

Clematis 'Blue Angel' with clematis H.F. Young (clematis cultivars); Blue Angel is a very heavy bloomer with blue flowers that are paler on the inside, darker along the edges, giving it a veined look. H.F. Young holds the RHS-Award of Garden Merit due to its compact free-flowering nature, producing blue flowers with yellow anthers from late spring to early summmer and again in late summer.

In the Entry Garden:

Thalictrum 'Elin' (Meadow Rue); one of the tallest meadow rue selections with attractive purplish stems above lacy blue-green foliage which holds sprays of lavender flowers with yellow stamens - a must have for head gardener Sandra Pella!

June 9- 16

2010-06-09T11:56:00.004-04:00

In the Water Garden - East you will find:

Delphinium 'Galahad' (Pacific Giant Delphinium); stars of the early summer border. This selection has spires of semi-double, pure white blooms.

In the Water Garden - East:

Phlox glaberrima 'Morris Berd' (Smooth or Marsh Phlox); this early flowering phlox is a long bloomer, flowering for six to eight weeks

In the Water Garden - West:

Iris germanica 'Picasso Moon' (Tall Bearded Iris); they reach heights of 27 inches or more and are the last group of irises to bloom in spring. At planting, be sure to barely cover the rhizomes with soil, if at all, to ensure they are fully exposed to sunlight.

In the Water Garden - East:

Paeonia 'Julia Rose' (Itoh Peony); they can produce up to 50 blooms in a single season due to the plant's ability to produce primary and secondary buds; the blooms of Julia Rose have a soft spicy scent.

May 29

2010-05-29T10:24:00.011-04:00

In the Arrival Trellis:

Clematis Josephine (Cultivar of Clematis); this Chelsea award winner has doubly creamy green to pinkish mauve flowers with darker striping - a real show stopper!

In the Knot Garden:

Iris germanica 'Immortality' (Bearded Iris); this rebloomer has pure white flowers with a lemon yellow beard, flowering twice a year, early summer and again in late summer/early fall

In the Knot Garden:

Allium karataviense 'Ivory Queen' (Turkestan Onion); a lovely white form of the popular species, having dense ivory white flowers on ten-inch stems

In the Arrival Trellis:

Clematis 'Hyde Hall' (Cultivar of Clematis); a Raymond Evison selection with flowers five to seven inches across of white with a tinge of pink

In the Arrival Courtyard:

Gillenia trifoliata (Bowman's Root); a personal favourite of TBG head gardener Sandra Pella, this underused native wildflower was traditionally used for medicinal purposes but it adds form and flower to any perennial border - another real show stopper!

In the Entry Garden:

Paeonia lactiflora 'Bowl of Beauty' (Peony); a classic peony with very large pink-tinted flowers with creamy white, ruffled centres

In the Entry Garden:

Allium christophii (Star of Persia); a very showy allium with a large flower umbrel made up of up to 100 reddish-purple, star-shaped flowers

May 11- 18

2010-05-11T12:16:00.005-04:00

In the Nature Garden:

Camassia leichtlinii (Quamash) ; growing two to four feet, including the flower spike, quamash is native to North America with a pyramidal raceme of bright star flowers atop a stem rising above a grassy clump

In the Show Garden:

Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Royal Cloak' (Japanese Barberry); rich colourful foliage on this shrub is hard to miss - the leaves on this selection are larger, rounder, and a deeper purple than those of other barberries.

In the Knot Garden:

Tulipa 'White Elegance' (Lily Flowering Tulip) with Fagus sylvatica forma purpurea 'Cuprea' (Purple Beech) in the background; an elegant ivory tulip flowering in mid-season, good for cutting

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:

Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Crimson Queen' (Japanese Maple) with Tulipa 'Queen of Night' and Tulipa 'Annie Schilder'; Japanese maples are exhibiting extremely rich colour this season, here A. 'Crimson Queen', a popular old cultivar hardy to zone 5

In the West View Terrace:

Daphne x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie' (Daphne); extremely fragrant shrub bearing small pink flowers completely covering the plant for approximately two to three weeks. It prefers acidic soil and shade from hot sun

In the Arrival Courtyard:

Wisteria floribunda 'Issai' (Japanese Wisteria); Japanese Wisteria is a hardy, rampant, deciduous vine; the cultivar Issai has relatively short clusters of fragrant lilac-blue pea-flowers and is an extremely vigorous twiner, quickly engulfing the structure it grows up

In the Entry Garden:

Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia (Blue Star); a native perennial to Eastern North America, deservedly becoming more popular in gardens as is exceptionally long-lived, bearing clusters of light blue starry flowers

In the Entry Garden:

Allium 'Gladiator' (Ornamental Onion); a very stately Allium with six inch globes of violet blue for early - especially early this seaon - summer

May 6-12

2010-05-05T10:10:00.012-04:00

In the Garden Hall Courtyard you will find:
Gentiana cachemirica (Himalayan Gentian); often misidentified and hard to find, this electric blue gentian is also suitable for rock gardens, normally flowering in late summer.

In the Water Garden - North:
Tulipa 'West Point' (Lily-flowered tulip): this lily-flowered tulip has eye-catching yellow pointed petals.

In the Water Garden-West
Tulipa 'Ballerina' (Tulip): this late spring flowering selection has point-tipped petals of red and yellow on the outside and red within.

In the Knot Garden:
Narcissus 'Thalia' (Daffodil/Orchid Narcissus): this fragrant pure-white daffodil has multiple, pendulous flowers on each stem and is shown here with an assortment of tulips.

In the Water Garden North
Tulipa 'Princess Irene' (Tulip); this tulip is very weather and wind resistant and is one of the early spring season flowering tulips.

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:
Frittilaria imperialis 'Lutea Maxima' (Crown Imperial Lily): these bulbs produce up to six bell-shaped yellow flowers hanging below a topknot of leaves which are held on a single stem.

In the Garden Hall Courtyard
Tulipa orphanidea 'Whittallii Group' (Tulip): this species tulip has burnt-orange flowers that are stained brown at the centre, usually flowering mid to late spring.

In the Kitchen Garden-Fence:

Clematis 'Guernsey Cream' (Guernsey Cream Clematis): this vine boasts large creamy flowers from mid-May to July and again in late August.

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:

Trollius x cultorum 'Orange Princess' (Globe Flower): this pernnial prefers rich, moist, almost-boggy soil in full to partial sun. Flowering in late spring/early summer, this selection has large double golden-orange flowers.

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:

Frittilaria imperialis 'William Rex' (Crown Imperial Lily): another selection of Crown Imperial Frittilaria, this one with dark bronze-red flowers

April 26-May 3

2010-04-26T10:58:00.013-04:00

In this magnificent spring season, new flowers are constantly coming into bloom at the TBG! Visit often to catch the changing face of the gardens.

In the Garden Hall Courtyard you will find:
Rhododendrum dauricum 'Arctic Pearl' (Rhododendron). This cultivar features particularly exceptional hardiness for cold and its white blossoms flower earlier than most rhododendrons in spring.

In the Demonstration Courtyard:

Narcissus 'Ice Follies' (Large-cupped Daffodil); Large-cupped daffodils produce one flower per stem and this variety is one of the most reliable bloomers with clumps multiplying and spreading readily over time.

In the Demonstration Courtyard and Entry Garden:

Narcissus triandrus 'Thalia' (Daffodil, Orchid Narcissus). Each stem bears two to three fragrant snow-white flowers. Thalia is the oldest known hybrid derived from the N. triandus species, dating from 1610.

In the Demonstration Courtyard:

Leucojum aestivum 'Gravetye Giant' (Summer Snowflake). A Europeann genus with species commonly known as snowflakes and often regarded as a poor relative to the Galanthus. Despite its common name, Summer Snowflake blooms in spring.

In the Garden Hall Courtyard -Waterfall

Brunnera macrophylia 'Jack Frost' (Siberian Bugloss) with Brunnera 'King's Ransom' behind. Brunneras have heart-shaped leaves. Jack Frost's are silver with mint-green veins, while B. 'King's Ransom's are a rich silver and gold.

In the Show Garden:

Magnolia 'Elizabeth' (Magnolia); this fast growing, yellow-flowered hybrid has scented flowers and a distinctly upright oval habit, making it quite exceptional!

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:
Tulipa greigii 'Fringed Red Riding Hood' (Tulip);this Greigii hybrid features red-fringed flowers on stunning purple-streaked leaves.

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:

Tulipa 'Jaap Groot' ('The Perennial Tulip'); white-trimmed foliage, flowers of soft, creamy-white punctuated with a yellow frame - these giants are known for their exceptional perennial quality to bloom reliably year after year.

In the Garden Hall Courtyard above the waterfall:

Cercis canadensis (Weeping Eastern Redbud) - a small weeping cultivar known for the absence of an upright leader, thus limiting the height it reaches to about five feet

April 12 -19

2010-04-12T10:47:00.011-04:00

Spring is in full bloom at the TBG this week!

In the Water Garden - North you will find:
Magnolia x loebneri 'Merrill' (Loebner Magnolia); a small tree grown for its profusion of fragrant white star-shaped blooms on bare wood

In the West Lawn Garden:
Tulipa praestans 'Unicum' (Tulip); this bunch tulip will perennialze as it is a species tulip; having mutiple orange-red flowers above cream edged foliage

In the Show Garden:

Narcissus cyclaminnnnneus 'Jetfire' (Daffodil) ; this smaller variety of Narcissus has yellow reflexed petals with bright orange trumpets

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:

Tulipa kaufmanniana 'Hearts Delight' (Waterlily Tulip); this Waterlily type is so named since on very sunny days the petals will open fully to a star shape

In the West View Terrace Garden:

Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel' (Loebner Magnolia); this rounded, small tree has star-shaped flowers with 12 white petals on the inside, pinkish-purple on the outside

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:

Tulipa kaufmanniana 'Goudstuk' (Waterlily Tulip); another Waterlily Tulip with bright yellow petals, having red striping on every second outer petal; very early flowering

In the Trellis Garden:

Narcissus 'Flyer' (Split-Corona Daffodil) ; the crown of 'Flyer' is amassed with tightly packed frilled petals of egg-yolk yellow; a vigorous and long-lived large flowering daffodil

April 1 - 8

2010-04-01T10:38:00.005-04:00

In the Garden Hall Courtyard you will find:
Iris reticulata 'Natascha' (Dwarf Wild Iris); shows unusual colouration with palest of blue flowers, with green veins and a golden blotch

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:

Galanthus nivalis forma pleniflorus 'Flore Pleno' (Snowdrop); this double-flowered form of the common snowdrop spreads easily

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:

Erica carnea 'March Seedling' (Spring Heath); one of the hardiest of the heaths, this later flowering carnea has masses of pale heliotrope flowers

In the Waterfall Garden:

Crocus vernus 'Grand Maitre' (Giant Crocus); this giant crocus, a late-spring flowering Dutch hybrid, reaches 6 inches in height, with dark blue flowers

Iin the West View Terrace Garden:

Crocus chrysanthus 'Cream Beauty' (Crocus); smaller than average, this cultivar was introduced in 1943 from the Netherlands; it bunch flowers with more than one flower coming from a single corm

In the Garden Hall Courtyard Demonstration Garden:

Iris reticulata (Dwarf Wild Iris); blooms late winter early spring in shades of blue and purple

March 25 - April 1

2010-03-25T11:57:00.006-04:00

In the Westview Terrace Garden you will find:
Helleborus niger 'Praecox' (Christmas Rose), the best-known species of Hellebore; this cultivar has white cup-shaped flowers which appear notably earlier than others

In the Water Fall Garden:
Eranthis hyemalis Cilicia Group (Winter Aconite); belonging to the buttercup family, a small plant with large yellow cup-shaped flowers - all parts are poisonous

In the Great Hall Courtyard:

Galanthus elwesii (Snowdrop) with Erica carnea 'Myretoun Ruby' (Winter Heath): giant-flowered snowdrop with honey-scented blooms with two green marks on the petals, here accompanied by one of the earliest flowering heathers in late winter, very hardy happiest in acid soil but will adapt to mildly alkaline conditions

In the Entry Garden:

Helleborus x hybridus 'Blue Lady' (Lenten Rose); prune out the old foliage now so as to see the cup-shaped plum purple nodding flowers, leathery evergreen leaves to follow

In the Arrival Courtyard:

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Primavera' ' (Witch Hazel): spectacular winter-flowering deciduous shrub or small tree; this cultivar blooms later than most with a sweet fragrance

Feb. 24

2010-02-25T13:38:00.006-05:00

Finally there is snow in the gardens and one of the main reason to grow evergreens!
The following selections are all found in The Show Garden:

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Aurea' (Sawara False Cypress); this broadly conical evergreen has golden-yellow needles and small cones; the best colour is most notable on the south side of the plant

Cotoneaster horizontalis var. perpusillus (Rockspray); a prostrate horizontally-spreading deciduous shrub, developing tiers of branches as it matures; here at last the snow provides a backdrop to the bright scarlet berries

Pinus koraiensis 'Winton' (Korean Pine); a shrubby low spreading pine with long blue-green needles, it will grow much wider than it will tall

Abies lasiocarpa var. arizonica 'Compacta' (Corkbark Fir); a slow growing evergreen with a conical compact habit, featuring blue-grey leaves

Thuja occidentalis 'Sudsworthii' (White Cedar); this cultivar has short branches and gold leaves which tend to bronze in winter; prefers a position in full sun

Feb.19-26

2010-02-19T11:49:00.003-05:00

In the Garden Hall Courtyard you will find:

Miscanthus sinensis 'Super Stripe' (Maiden Grass); this variety of porcupine grass boasts more golden horizontal stripes than any other, and here in winter it's upright habit is unmatched as well as its bronzed late season colour

In the West View Terrace:
Corylus avellana 'Red Majestic' (Purple Corkscrew Hazel); This corkscrew hazel produces catkins in late winter, and along with its contorted and twisted stems, provides much interest and is also popular for flower arranging

In the Water Garden - North:
Pinus sylvestris 'Fastigiata' (Columnar Blue Scotch Pine, Scots Pine); this strictly columnar form of Scots Pine remains slender in habit reaching up to 25 feet

In the Entry Garden:

Helleborus x hybridus 'Blue Lady' (Lenton Rose); Hellebores are one of the earliest flowering perennials of the late winter/early spring garden; the thick leathery evergreen foliage can be cut back now to make way for stems of downward facing flowers pushing through the earth

In the Floral Hall Courtyard:

Prunus maackii (Manchurian Cherry); this attractive small tree is perfectly suited to northern gardens as it prefers cool climates; beautiful tree bark ranging from cinnamon-brown to yellow-brown, which may be shed

Feb. 8 - 15

2010-02-09T14:45:00.004-05:00

In the Great Hall Courtyard you will find:

Pinus strobus 'Pendula' (Weeping White Pine); This weeping form of Eastern White Pine has long twisting pendulous branches, and quite tollerant of urban garden conditions.

In the Terrace Garden - East Facing:

Sempervivum 'Bascour Zilver' (Hens & Chicks). These rosette-forming evergreen perennials stay true to colour even in winter. Another selection from TBG's collection of Sempervivum. This variety is a smaller cultivar with web-like formations over the centre leaves.

In the Terrace Garden - East Facing:

Sempervivum 'Sir William Lawrence' (Hens & Chicks); Green rosettes with contrasting blood red tips on this cultivar. Sempervivums are amoung the easiest plants to grow, tolerating both heat and cold and look beautiful through the seasons.

In the Arrival Courtyard:

The Cornus mas (Cornelian Cherry) with Fagus sylvatica (European Beech) planted in the metal cages is a living seasonal sculpure. In winter, as the beech are still holding onto their leaves, the framework of trunks and branches is clearly visible.

In the Knot Garden:

Buxus 'Green Velvet' (Boxwood); This compact rounded form of boxwood's dark green leaves tends to bronze in winter.

Feb.1 -9

2010-02-01T12:58:00.003-05:00

In the Nature Garden you will find:

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry); a small woody evergreen shrub with glossy leaves turning wine colour in fall and winter; leaf colouring is dependent on exposure to sun

In the Show Garden:

Cornus sanguinea (Common Dogwood); a hardy dogwood with dark red twigs in winter - popular for use in seasonal container arrangements

In the Show Garden:

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Gold Spangle' (Sawara False Cypress) with Sedum rupestre 'Angelina' (Stonecrop); bright golden yellow foliage adorns this False Cypress here underplanted with Sedum 'Angelina' known for its rich amber tones though autumn and winter

In the Show Garden:
Cornus mas 'Variegata' (Variegated Cornelian Cherry); variegated foliage with thick white margin to grey green leaves, here we see the bursting buds which will open to yellow flowers in early spring

In the Show Garden:

Ilex x meserveae 'Castle Spire' (Blue Holly); tolerates full sun or part shade, producing bright red berries for fall and winter

Jan. 11-18

2010-01-11T13:51:00.004-05:00

In the Demonstration Courtyard, you will find:
Clematis 'Sherriffii' Tangutica Group (Cultivar of Clematis); this vigorous late blooming vine known for its bell-shaped yellow flowers, has spectaular seedheads- even in winter

In the Nature Garden :
Chelone lyonii (Pink Turtlehead); pink 'turtlehead' flowers atop four-foot stems summer through fall; another example of a plant which holds its structure well through winter

In the Nature Garden:
Diervilla sessilifolia 'Butterfly' (Bush Honeysuckle); this shrub has a thicket-forming habit, its yellow flowers are attractive to butterflies; seen here having turned to seed and dried, held well on the plant until it is cut back in late winter

In the Show Garden:
Pinus mugo 'Aurea Fastigiata' (Mountain Pine; the yellow-green needles of this bushy, semi-dwarf shrub, become even more luminously golden with the cold of winter

In the Garden Hall Courtyard - Water Channel:
Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light' (Maiden Grass); warm season grass, tan brown foliage in winter which stands up well until being cut down in spring

Jan.4-11

2010-01-04T13:45:00.003-05:00

In the Entry Garden:
Echinacea purpurea 'Vintage Wine' (Purple Coneflower); this distinctive cultivar of Echinacea is characterized by its upright habit, seen here still holding seed heads upright brushed with snow

In the Nature Garden:
Viburnum dilatatum 'Cardinal Candy' (Linden Viburnum); northern gardeners can enjoy the impressive red fruit of this especially hardy dilatatum variety

In the Show Garden:

Chamaecyparis nootkatensis 'Variegata' (Nootka False Cypress); random cream-yellow variegation covers about a third of the blue-green foliage

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:

Pinus parviflora (Glauca Group) (Japanese White Pine); each blue needle of this representative of the Japanese White Pine has a white stripe; an outstanding garden tree

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:

Pinus strobus 'Horsford' (White Pine); a very compact form of Eastern White Pine, a miniature bun shape with thin light green needles

Dec. 21-Jan.4

2009-12-21T13:43:00.003-05:00

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:

Cotoneaster dammeri (Bearberry Cotoneaster) with Picea pungens 'Procumbens' (Colorado Spruce); the red berries of this fast growing groundcover cotoneaster are striking againt the prostrate, cascading blue branches of the spruce

In the Show Garden:

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Aureovariegata' (Sawara Cypress); low growing conifer, strong bi-colour in this variegated form of false cypress, with long thin thread-like foliage

In the Show garden:

Pinus sylvestris Aurea Group (Golden Scots Pine); Golden form of Scots Pine, the thick needles are a bright golden colour in winter

In the Nature Garden - Ravine

Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea' (Gold Twig Dogwood); has best winter colour when planted in full sun, exceptionally hardy Zone 3

In the Water Garden North:

Magnolia x loebneri 'Merrill' (Magnolia); a small deciduous tree grown for large white star-shaped flowers in spring on bare stems; buds seen here on beautiful framework of branches are susceptible to late winter frosts

Dec. 9-21

2009-12-09T14:03:00.005-05:00

In the Nature Garden you will find:

Myrica pensylvanica (Bayberry); leaves are aromatic when crushed, waxy blue berries in late fall and winter, native to open forests of Ontario

In the Nature Garden:

Cornus sanguinea 'Winter Beauty' (Bloodtwig Dogwood); will tolerate a wide range of soils however prefers an organically moist, rich medium; noted for its orange-yellow stems tipped with red in fall and winter

In the Knot Garden:

Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' (American Arborvitae) framed by Buxus 'Green Velvet' (Boxwood); a narrow upright evergreen with dense foliage held tightly upright, remains bright green year-round, surrounded by a box hedge

In the Garden Hall Courtyard-Water Channel:

Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea) ; oakleaf's thrive with little attention and are a true four-season interest shrub; here the brilliant red leaves of fall stunning against the white snow

In the Westview Terrace:

Daphne x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie' (Burkwood Daphne); semi-evergreen variegated foliage with fragrant pink blooms in spring, here against a backdrop of the first snow fall

Dec.2-9

2009-12-03T11:34:00.004-05:00

Because of the warm weather, wonderful blooms continue at the TBG!

In the Garden Hall Courtyard you will find:
Helleborus niger 'Maximus' (Christmas Rose) ; normal bloom time is late winter/early spring but this year it will be in bloom for Christmas here.

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:
Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon Grape); evergreen shrub with thick dark green holly-like foliage, buds begin to form in winter; belonging to Barberry Family; yellow pigment from its roots was used by First Nations of British Columbia as a dye .

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:

Leucothoe fontanesiana (Drooping Leucothoe or Doghobble); broadleaf evergreen shrub with glossy dark green foliage turns to red-green and purple in winter

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:
Bergenia 'Bressingham Ruby' (Elephant's Ears) a British selection with deep maroon winter colour; reliably evergreen and winter hardy for North American gardens.

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:
Pieris japonica 'Mountain Fire' (Japanese Pieris); this variety is thoroughly evergreen with the new bright red growth appearing in late winter & early spring, which change to green by fall

Nov. 17-24

2009-11-18T09:43:00.004-05:00

In the Entry Garden you will find:

Anemone x hybrida 'Robustissima' (Grapeleaf Anemone); this plant attracts wildlife to feed or nest; tolerates heavy clay soils; here the dark pink flowers have gone to seed

In the Floral Hall Courtyard:
Larix kaempferi (Japanese Larch); light green needle-like leaves turn bright yellow to orange before dropping in fall so that the shoots are left bare until spring

In the West View Terrace:
Bergenia purpurascens (Winter-red Bergenia) with Itea virginica 'Little Henry' (Sweetspire); Bergenia is incredibly hardy and reliably evergreen, excellent deep red fall and winter colour; the Itea (on the left) has already dropped its blood red autumn foliage

In the Floral Hall Courtyard:
Prunus maackii (Manchurian Cherry/Amur Chokecherry); a four-season tree for northern gardens, with lemon yellow fall colour; once leaves have dropped the bark holds its own a rich bronze to cinnamon colour, sometimes peeling like birch, and is stunning in winter

In the Entry Garden:
Molinia caerulea 'Moorhexe' (Moor Grass); attractive form and foliage for year-round interest, strongly vertical architectural flower spikes with great winter colour

Nov. 10-17

2009-11-12T13:31:00.004-05:00

In the Terrace Garden you will find:

Cotoneaster nanshan 'Boer' (Creeping Cotoneaster); an excellent berry bearer with bright long-lasting orange-red fruit

In the Nature Garden:

Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea' (Golden Twig Dogwood); also commonly known as Yellow Twig Dogwood, this variety demonstrates its best winter colour when planted in full sun

In the Nature Garden:

Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Flower), also known as Butterfly Milkweed, an Ontario native (North American wildflower) and a primary source of food for adult and juvenile Monarch Butterflies; orange or gold flowers turn to showy brown seed pods, shown here bursting with seed

In the Show Garden:

Pinus mugo 'Aurea Fastigiata' (Mountain Pine); a semi-dwarf Mugo Pine with light green needles turning golden in late and winter; Hardy to Zone 3

In the Show Garden:

Sedum rupestre 'Angelina' (Stonecrop) an award winning chartreuse ground cover, proving her year-round charm

Nov 3 -10

2009-11-04T09:41:00.006-05:00

With the coming of autumn as the leaves begin to fall, the "good bones" or structure of the garden are shown at their best, much of which depends on the choice of trees and shrubs.

In the Show Garden you will find:
Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red' (Winterberry). Stunning bright red berries produced in profuse quantities hold well into winter

In the Show Garden:

Cotoneaster horizontalis var. perpusillus (Rock Cotoneaster). Bright scarlet berries over rounded dark leaves from late summer through fall; will withstand considerable drought once established.

In the Show Garden:

Spirea japonica 'Little Princess' (Japanese Spirea). Bright green leaves of summer change to red for fall; another pick that tends to hold its leaves late into the season.

In the Knot Garden:

Fagus sylvatica forma purpurea 'Cuprea' (Copper Beech). Paler leaves than the true Purple Beech, hence its name, and holds its leaves long into the fall and winter.

In the Entry Garden:

Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple' (Smoke Tree). Dark red-purple foliage turns scarlet in autumn.

Oct. 27-Nov. 2

2009-10-28T09:35:00.009-04:00

In the Garden Hall Courtyard Water Channel you will find:
Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea); a white-blooming shrub with four seasons of interest, leaves turn brilliant orange, red, yellow in fall if planted in sunny location

In the Westview Terrace:
Fothergilla gardenii (Dwarf Witch Alder). Compact, slow-growing, deciduous shrub with fragrant spring flowers and superior fall colour.

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In the Garden Hall Courtyard:
Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' (Switch Grass).; upright blue-green foliage shorter than other varieties, bright yellow for fall

In the Westview Terrace:
Acer palmatum var. dissectum (Dissectum Viride Group) (Japanese Maple) ; dwarf, mounded with cascading branches; green leaves turn yellow to red - orange here! for fall

Also in the Westview Terrace:
Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Inaba-Shidare' (Japanese Maple); deep purple-red in summer, leaves turn brilliant crimson in fall

October 20-27

2009-10-21T09:51:00.006-04:00

In the Garden Hall Courtyard, you will find:

Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Crimson Queen' (Japanese Maple); known for its lacy dissected leaves, this variety is considered a dwarf reaching four to six feet in height with dark red summer leaves turning crimson in autumn.

In the Waterfall Garden:

Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus' (Maiden Grass); a favourite since Victorian days with silver-veined leaves. A late-bloomer, flowering well into winter

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:

Betula nigra (River Birch); Zone 4, prefers moist areas, may be grown as a muti-stemmed plant. This species is better known for its beautiful, peeling bark than its foliage

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:

Acer shirasawanum 'Aureum' (Golden Fullmoon Maple); yellow-green leaves of summer turn gold on inside and red on the margins in autumn

In the Show Garden:

Sedum spurium 'Fuldaglut' (Stonecrop Sedum); a selection of Dragon's Blood Sedum, a groundcover mat-forming with larger deep bronze maroon leaves

October 13-20

2009-10-14T09:40:00.006-04:00

In the Knot Garden you will find:

Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' (Creeping Juniper). It is one of the finest groundcover junipers, in this photo touched by an early Autumn frost

On the North Side of the Kitchen Fence:

Cercidiphyllum japonicum (Katsura Tree). A large forest tree native to Japan, Zone 4, outstanding Autumn display of yellow to apricot fall colour

In the Show Garden:
Callicarpa dichotoma 'Issai' (Purple Beautyberry). Delicate pink flowers in summer are followed by beautiful purple berries in fall. A difficult combination to beat!

Euonymus alatus 'Compactus' (Burning Bush) Spiral Mound; a dense, compact variety great for small gardens

In the Arrival Courtyard:

Miscanthus sinensis var. purpurascens (Flame Grass). Silver flowers sit atop foliage which has changed to brilliant orange-red for fall. It will remain standing through winter.

October 6-13

2009-10-07T09:44:00.007-04:00

In the Garden Hall Courtyard you will find:
Acer palmatum dissectum 'Waterfall' (Japanese Maple). A beautiful weeping laceleaf Japanese Maple perfect as a specimen. Brilliant colour in the fall!

In the Show Garden South:

Cotoneaster divaricatus (Spreading Cotoneaster). Briliant red berries on strong stems of glossy green foliage. This plant is great all-season!!

In the Entry Garden:

Geranium wlassovianum (Hardy Geranium). Its foliage has changed to a rich red for fall

Also in the Entry Garden :

Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia (Blue Star) with seed heads of Stachys macrantha 'Rosea' (Big Betony). Both will be left standing as part of the Winter garden. The amsonia has changed to a golden yellow for fall.

Sept. 29-Oct.6

2009-09-30T10:02:00.002-04:00

In the Entry Garden you will find:
Tricyrtis formosana 'Samurai' (Toad Lily); the most popular cultivar, it has variegated foliage with creamy almost gold edges.

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:
Actaea simplex 'Black Negligee' (Black Bugbane); Black foliage and stems with purple-tinted white flowers.

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:
Aconitum 'Cloudy' (Monkshood). This cultivar is characterized by its upright habit. Soft blue and white flowers are held upon thick, strong, flowering stems.

In the Show Garden:
Pinus thumbergii 'Oculus-draconis' (Dragon's Eye Pine). It gets its name from the banded yellow and green needles which give the illusion of an eye.

In the Nature Garden:
Aciepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed); An Ontario native, it has striking orange flowers in summer followed by these spectacular seed pods. This plant is a primary food source for Monarch butterflies.

In the Knot Garden:
Iris germanica 'Immortality' (Tall Bearded Iris). A beautiful white iris known for its consistent rebloom in late summer/early fall.

Sept 23-29

2009-09-23T13:28:00.004-04:00

The fall gardens at TBG are full of spectacular colourful blooms!
In the Show Garden North you will find:
Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Summer Sorbet' (Bluebeard) left, with Agastache 'Summer Glow' (Anise Hyssop) and Petunia [Supertunia Vista Bubblegum] (Petunia).

In the Show Garden South:
Eunonymus phellomanus (Eunonymus) another blog repeat performer showcasing its seasonal value, this time featuring its colourful fall fruit

Also in the Show Garden South:
Taxodium distichum 'Peve Minaret' (Bald Cypress), a dwarf form of the bald cypress growing approximately 5 cm a year

In the Kitchen Garden:
Colcasia esculenta 'Tea Cup' (Taro, Elephant's Ear) which features an unusual leaf from that holds water like a tea cup! It reaches four feet with dark purple stems.

In the Knot Garden:
Anemone x hybrida 'Whirlwind' (Japanese Anemone), a large white semi-double flowering anemone reaching 67-70 cms and blooming through late summer to October.

In the Entry Garden:

Aster oblongifolius 'October Skies' (Michaelmas Daisy). This aster's blue colour is meant to reflect the deep blue sky of October. It tolerates drought and poor soil.

Sept 15-22

2009-09-16T09:51:00.005-04:00

In the Show Garden you will find:
Ilex verticillata 'Nana' (Winterberry) hardy in Zones 3-9. The flowers are insignificant but it produces large bright red berries

In the Water Garden North:
Sedum (Autumn Joy) = 'Herbstfreude' (Stonecrop) with Aster laevis 'Bluebird' (Smooth Aster). A classic perennial, 'Autumn Joy' is arguably the most popular of the sedums with pink flower heads deepening to bronzy red. A great plant in combination with fall flowering asters.

In the Show Garden:
Sedum rupestre 'Angelina' (Stonecrop) with Ajuga reptans 'Black Scallop' (Bugleweed). The Ajuga's almost black leaves make a stunning combination with the sedum's golden yellow evergreen foliage which turns reddish-orange in fall.

In the Herb and Show Garden:
Rhus typhina (Tiger Eyes) = Bailtiger (Cutleaf Sumac) with its stunning fall colour combines exquisitely with Dahlia 'Embrace' (Small Semi-cactus) (Dahlia) from the TBG's Dahlia collection.

In the Entry Garden:
Acer griseum (Paperbark Maple) known for its stunning bark. Hardy in Zones 4-9.

In the Entry Garden:

Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' (Switch Grass) interplanted with Panicum virgatum 'Strictum' (Switch Grass, Panic Grass) both known for their fall colour. Shenandoah is already turning red while Strictum will turn yellow in fall.

September 8-14

2009-09-09T10:27:00.005-04:00

In the Garden Hall Courtyard you will find:
Anemone x hybrida 'Robustissima' (Grapeleaf Anemone), a shorter variety with strong flowering ability late into fall.

In the Show Garden North:
Dahlia 'Granny Norman' (Medium semi-cactus Dahlia). With the change in season, dahlias at the TBG show spectacular blooms and colour.

Also in the Show Garden North:
Hydrangea paniculata 'Phantom' (Pee Gee Hydrangea), featured once before and now turning colour for late summer/ early fall display. Great for cutting.

In the Entry Garden:
Panicum virgatum 'Cloud Nine' (Switch Grass), a great specimen providing a stunning focal point in the garden.

Also in the Entry Garden:
Pennisetum alopecuroiudes 'Cassian' (Fountain Grass), a beautiful clump-forming grass that provides flowers through till winter

The week of September 2-7

2009-09-02T09:57:00.007-04:00

In the Entry Garden you will find:
Calamagrostis brachytricha (Korean Feather Reed Grass), a stately ornamental grass with blooms up to 25 cm which performs long after other plants have faded.

In the Show Garden North:
From Proven Winners, a grouping of new plant introductions including a coleus, Solenostemon scutellarioidea ColorBlaze 'Dipt in Wine', left, paired with Sedum telephium 'Xenox' (Stonecrop) and below them Heuchera 'Venus' (Fancy-leaf Coral Bells).

In the Show Garden South:

Acer tataricum ssp. ginnala 'Flame' (Amur Maple), a small bushy maple that is great for Northern gardens. Its leaves turn from green to red then yellow in fall.

In the Water Garden West
Hibiscus 'Kopper King' (Swamp Rose Mallow) one of the more popular perennial hibiscus for its white flowers with pink veining and dark coppery foliage.

In the Water Garden North:
Physostegia virginiana 'variegata' (Obediant Plant). While this plant is known for its late summer flowering and is prone to run, this variety stays in place and provides lovely variegated foliage along with lavender blooms. It is shown here with Verbena bonariensis (Brazilian Verbena) with its upright branching stems and magenta purple flowers and Sedum telephium 'Black Jack' (Stonecrop), a dark foliage variety.

In the Water Garden West you will find:

Hibiscus moscheutos 'Carafe Grenache' (Rose Mallow). A popular perennial for the late summer herbaceous border and completely hardy to Northern gardens, it dies back to the ground in fall and is one of the last to show in spring. In the background is Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm'.

August 26

2009-08-26T10:32:00.011-04:00

The week of August 25-31

In the Garden Hall Courtyard a terrific late summer grouping of Anemone x hybrida 'September Charm' (Japanese Anemone) with Anemone x hybrida 'Party Dress' (the darker pink of the two anemones). In the foreground, Tricyrtis 'Tojen' (Toad Lily).

In the Water Garden North:

Sedum spectabile 'Brilliant' (Showy Stonecrop) with Sedum 'Postman's Pride.' Both are terrific selections and are hardy to our climate. They show well even through winter after their flowers have dried. Postman's Pride is a dark-stemmed variety gaining popularity.

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:

Acer palmatum var. dissectum (Dissectum Group) 'Garnet' (Japanese Maple) with an underplanting of Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold' (Japanese Forest Grass)

The week of August 17

2009-08-19T10:07:00.007-04:00

Dahlias: Join head gardener Sandra Pella for Dahlia Daze on Tuesday August 25 froom 1-3 p.m. at the TBG.

The north side of the President's Choice Show Garden has many varieties of Dahlias including Dahlia 'Pooh', an example of a Collerette flower-type. Here it is set of by Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight.' Dahlias' peak time for blooming is late August through September and they will continue into October until frost.

In the foreground and flowering now: Miscanthus sinensis 'Huron Blush' (Japanese Silver Grass) with the variegated Miscanthus sinensis 'Dixieland' (Maiden Grass) which will flower later in August through September.

Chelone Iyonii (Pink Turtlehead) Nature. A native plant which is also popular in white.

In the Water Garden West Helianthus 'Lemon Queen' (Perennial Sunflower). A giant sunflower known for its lemony yellow blooms on tall stalks.

Iin the Water Garden East Helenium 'Rubinzwerg' (Sneezeweed) with Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' (Black-eyed Susan). The Helenium is a good example of the hot reds, oranges and yellows that are prominent now in the garden.

In the Entry Garden Origanum laevigatum 'Herrenhausen' (Ornamental Oregano). A great plant for the perennial border which also makes a good groundcover when combined with other taller flowering plants such as Perovskia.

August 12,2009

2009-08-12T10:08:00.005-04:00

In the Nature Garden you will find:
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) with Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' (Black-eyed Susan)

In the Herb Garden:
Rhus typhina (Tiger Eyes) ='Bailtiger' (Cutleaf Sumac) with Monarda didyma (Beebalm)

In the Water Garden East:
Phlox paniculata 'Robert Poore' (Summer Phlox)

In the Entry Courtyard:
Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Firetail' (Fleeceflower)

In the Entry Garden:
Eupatorium purpureum ssp. maculatum 'Gateway' (Joe Pye Weed)

The Week of August 4- 10

2009-08-05T11:32:00.007-04:00

The north side of the President's Choice Show Garden has different varieties of Dahlias. Join Sandra Pella for Dahlia Daze on August 11, 18 and 25 at the TBG.

Dahlia 'Dana' [Small Semi-Cactus]

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:

Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' (Switch grass)

In the Westview Terrace:

Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' (Summersweet)

In the Entry Garden you will find:

Molinia caerulea ssp. caerulea 'Moorhexe' (Moor Grass)

Helenium 'Rubinzwerg' (Sneezeweed)

In the Demonstration Courtyard:

Echinops ritro (Globe Thistle)

July 27- August 3

2009-07-31T09:45:00.007-04:00

In the Entry Garden:

Sanguisorba tenuifolium 'Album' (Chinese Burnet)

Hemerocallis 'Pardon Me' (Daylily) with Echinacea 'Vintage Wine' (Purple Coneflower)

In the Demonstration Garden:

Lysimachia clethroides (Gooseneck Loosestrife)

In the Westview Terrace:

Phlox paniculata 'Starfire' (Summer Phlox) with Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate' (White Snakeroot)

In the President's Choice Show Garden:

Hydrandea paniculata 'Phantom' (Pee Gee Hydrangea)

July 20 - 26

2009-07-21T14:05:00.005-04:00

This week we thought we would share a few of Head Gardener Sandra Pella's favourite combinations blooming at the TBG this week. Enjoy!

In the Entry Garden Walk:

Eryngium yuccifolium (Rattlesnake Master) with Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)

Stachys officinalis 'Hummelo' (Alpine Betony) with Astilbe chinensis var. tacquetii 'Purplelanze' (Chinese Astilbe)

Liatris spicata (Blazing Star)

Echinacea 'Sunrise' Big Sky Series (Purple Coneflower) with Echinacea 'Vintage Wine' (Purple Coneflower)

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:

Platycodon grandiflorus (Astra Series Group) 'Astra Double Blue' (Balloon Flower)

In the Knot Garden:

Acanthus hungaricus (Bear's Breeches) with Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan' (Purple Coneflower)

Blooming this week (July 6- 12)

2009-07-08T15:44:00.008-04:00

Along the Entry Garden Walk:
Thalictrum 'Elin' (Meadow Rue)

Veronicastrum virginicum 'Fascination' (Culver's Root)

In the Water Garden:

Geranium 'Rozanne' (Hardy Geranium)

In the Knot Garden:

Leucanthemum x superbum 'Snowcap' (Shasta Daisy)

In the Terrace Garden:

Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead' (English Lavender)

Daphne 'Lelia Haines' (Daphne)

Along the Trellis:

Clematis 'Polish Spirit' (Cultivar of Clematis)

In the President's Choice Show Garden:

Rosa (Bonica) 'MEIdomonac' (Modern Shrub Rose Standard)

In the Westview Terrace:

Athyrium niponicum var. pictum 'Pewter Lace' (Japanese Painted Fern)

And finally, near the waterfall between the Westview Terrace and the Floral Hall Courtyard:

Cercis canadensis 'Heart of Gold' (Eastern Redbud)

Our top blooms for Canada Day week (June 29- July 5)

2009-07-03T09:34:00.006-04:00

Along the Trellis at the entrance to the Centre for Horticulture:

Rosa 'New Dawn' (Climbing Rose)

In the Garden Hall Courtyard: Digitalis x mertonensis (Strawberry Foxglove)

Trollius europaeus 'Orange Princess' (Globeflower)

In the Westview Terrace: Rosa 'The Fairy' (Polyantha Rose)

In the Knot Garden: Campanula glomerata var. alba

In the Terrace Garden: Opuntia 'Lemon Spreader' (Prickly Pear Cactus)

Achillea 'Moonshine' (Yarrow)

Top five picks for this week (June 22-28)

2009-06-24T16:27:00.008-04:00

Our Entry Garden Walk is floriferous, here are a few notable blooms:

Salvia nemerosa 'Amethyst' (Perennial Sage)

Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) 'Concord Grape' (Spiderwort)

Trifolium rubens (Red Clover)

In the Floral Hall Courtyard you will find Rosa [Rose-Marie] 'AUSome'

And finally, in the Westview Terrace: Philadelphus 'Innocence' (Mock Orange)

Acer palmatum var. dissectum (Dissectum Group) 'Inaba-shidare' (Japanese Maple)

Blooming this week (June 15- 21)

2009-06-16T16:18:00.011-04:00

Our gardens are almost ready for summer! Check out which plants are blossoming this week.

Along the Entry Garden Walk you will find:

Allium christophii (Star of Persia)

Geranium psilostemon (Armenian Cranesbill)

Allium 'Globemaster' (Ornamental Onion)

In the Terrace Garden:

Dianthus 'Blue Hills' (Pinks)

In the Knot Garden:

Lilium martagon var. album (Martagon Lily)

In the Westview Terrace:

Geranium macrorrhizum 'Variegatum' (Hardy Geranium)

Rosa 'Mary Rose' (Modern Shrub Rose)

In the Water Garden:

Allium schubertii (Ornamental Onion)

What's new this week (June 8- 14)

2009-06-10T16:07:00.006-04:00

Here are our must-see blooms for this week:

There are a few striking blooms along the Entry Garden Walk:
Paeonia 'Buckeye Belle' Peony

Paeonia 'Krinkled White' (Peony)

Papaver orientale 'Karine' (Oriental Poppy)

In the Westview Terrace:
Philadelphus 'Innocence' (Mock Orange)

Indigofera kirilowii (Kirlow Indigo)

In the Garden Hall Courtyard:
Iris 'Sapphire Beauty' (Dutch Iris)

Finally, in the Demonstration Courtyard along the trellis:
Rosa 'Marguerite Hilling' (Rose)

Top picks for this week (June 1- 7)

2009-06-05T11:58:00.008-04:00

What a busy week around the TBG! We had our preview for Through the Garden Gate: Beyond the Bridle Path on Tuesday and have been prepping for Paul Zammit's demonstration at the Shops at Don Mills this Saturday and Sunday, June 6 -7 at 1 p.m. Tickets for Through the Garden Gate will be available for purchase.

Now for What's Blooming in our gardens this week:
In the Entry Walk Garden you will find: Paeonia 'Red Charm' (Double Peony)

Astrantia major 'Roma' (Masterwort)

Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' (Perennial Sage)

In the Entry Courtyard you will find: Clematis 'Arctic Queen'

Gillenia trifolliata (Bowman's Root)

Blooming in the President's Choice Show Garden at the moment are:Paeonia 'Kopper Kettle' (Itoh Peony)

Paeonia 'Sequestered Sunshine' (Itoh Peony)

And finally in the Water Garden you will find: Nectaroscordum siculum (Sicilian Honey Garlic)

Top five in bloom this week (May 25 - 31)

2009-05-26T14:54:00.013-04:00

Here are our top five favourite blooms this week. It was rather difficult choosing only five.
In the President's Choice Show Garden: Paeonia suffruticosa 'Yoshinogawa' (Tree Peony)

In the Kitchen Garden: Aquilegia canadensis 'Little Lanterns" (Wild Columbine)

In the Garden Hall Courtyard: Rhodendron 'Golden Lights'

In Nature's Garden Allium karataviense 'Ivory Queen' (Allium)

In the Entry Garden Walk: Amsonia tabernaemontana

Also, check out the Irises in bloom, we have a few varieties to enjoy. Iris 'Immortality'

Bearded Iris 'Earl of Essex'

May 20, 2009

2009-05-20T12:15:00.030-04:00

What a terrific week to start our blog! There are many plants in bloom this week, just in time for Doors Open on the weekend.

The Entry Garden Walk

Tulipa 'Don Quichotte'

Tulipa 'Purple Dream'

Tulipa 'Jazz'

Baptisia 'Purple Smoke'

Tulipa 'Lilac Wonder'

Polygonatum x hybridum

Allium 'Purple Sensation'

In the Terrace Garden

Phlox douglasii 'Cracker Jack'

Aubrietia 'Purple Cascade'

Veronica peduncularis 'Georgia Blue'

In the Knot Garden

Iris germanica 'Immortality'

Anemone multifida 'Annabelle White'

Aquilegia flabellata 'Alba'

Anemone sylvestris 'Snowdrop'

In the President's Choice Show Garden

Paeonia suffruticosa 'Feng Dian Bai'

Nature's Garden

Cercis canadensis

Aquilegia canadensis

Camassia leichtlinii

Syringa 'Bailbelle'

In the Water Garden

Geum coccineum 'Werner Arends'

In the Westview Terrace

Helleborus foetidus

Cercis canadensis 'Alba'

Viburnum x burkwoodii

Cercis canadensis 'Covey'

In the Garden Hall Courtyard

Trollis laxus

Gentiana wutaiensis

Trollius x cultorum 'Cheddar'

In the Kitchen Garden

Various types of Clematis are climbing up the Kitchen Garden fence.

Clematis