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The Spring of 1998
Gardens in southern Ontario have been awash in bloom so profuse most of us have never seen anything like it before. It's certainly been a strange spring. Lilacs, wisteria, tulips, daphnes and viburnums all flowered at the same time -- great but confusing. The lilacs are already finished. And the Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake' which I wouldn't normally expect to be showing anything much until the end of June has been in full bloom now for two weeks. It usually goes on right up to heavy frost. What's going to happen this year is anybody's guess.
After a winter of too little snow, and what seemed too much warm weather, we won't really know how the plants react to all of this until the season has played itself out. Plants in this region are used to cool wet days in May. We've had it hot and dry. If there was ever a time to keep careful watch on plants, this is year to do it. And if you haven't been in the habit of mulching, it's become a must. Either buy a commercial mix, or do your own with compost, cocofibre or peat, and manure in equal measure. Spread it around plants at least 10 cm deep.
The daphnes, as usual, were amazing. The scent hung delicately over most of the garden, more intensely at night which means it was perfect for taking that last stroll before bedtime and actually sitting in the garden. A very small D. burkwoodii 'Carole Mackie' planted only last year, was smothered in blooms this year. It's a very impressive performer. This also may be because of the mild winter. These fabulous plants will re-bloom later on in the season. Though the blooms won't be as prolific, the scent will be just as engaging.
Another plant that's done incredibly well is Kerria japonica 'Picta'. This is a terrific shrub with variegated leaves and simple yellow blooms. To my eye it's a much prettier plant than the more florid double blooming version called 'Pleniflora'.The variegated version hasn't gotten out of hand or suckered all over the place, and doesn't seem bothered by disease. So far, that is, since it's only been here for a few years.
The gray-green leaves with creamy white margins of the kerria are a handsome background for the more theatrical plants nearby: Euphorbia dulcis 'Chameleon' which has deep burgundy foliage and a coralbell, Heuchera 'Eco-improved', with large palmate leaves and exactly the same burgundy in its striations. It's pretty spectacular.
The lilacs were absolutely superb this year and two small Syringa velutina did really well. They are about the most scented I've ever come across. After blooming is complete, I like to scatter a handful of food high in potash around the base of these plants and water it in deeply. These plants also need a good mulch to keep roots cool and temperatures even. Like all mulches, don't let them touch the bark of the wood, keep it a good 4 cm away from the base.
I have gone on and on about viburnums but let me make another plea for everyone to get at least one of these great plants into the garden. In this small garden I've got eight, seven different named forms and each one has its own moment of glory -- normally. This year they have all pretty much bloomed at the same time. V. 'Pragense' was a shiny evergreen all winter and has snowball blooms; another that lasted through the winter with evergreen felted leaves is V. rhytidophyllum. V. plicatum 'Shasta' and V. p. 'Lanarth' were an amazing sight opposite each other, it seemed, crazily trying to oubloom each other. This is the second year for V. lantana 'Variegata' a strange yellow and green variation in its leaves with white flowers. None of these viburnums seems prone to disease.
If it's been a good year for shrubs it's been a great year for invasive plants which run around the garden at will such as Kryptotania japonica. I thought I'd lopped off before it went to seed but it's now everywhere. I'm giving it away with all the usual cautions and I don't want any crabbing when this one ramps around. It has a lovely purplish foliage with pretty white flowers and looks perfect under plants in the shade. Personally I love it and now wouldn't be without it.
Anthriscus sylvestris 'Ravenswing' came through the winter to be even more impressive with it's dark burgundy foliage and white blooms. It's settled beside a chocolate eupatorium with exactly the same tone in the leaves, set in front of a Rosa rubrifolia whose tiny leaves are just slightly lighter. The three of them are wonderful together. I notice that it too as produced the odd seedling, enough to make me keep an eye on it ready to share in another year.
Next week I'll be out at the VanDusen Flower & Garden Show for the first time and I'm really looking forward to the biggest outdoor garden show in North America. It runs from June 5 to 7, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Des Kennedy will be there on Friday at 3:30. I'll be at the Gardening Life booth Saturday and Sunday and will be talking about new plant introductions Sunday at 11 a.m. Hope to see you at the show.
Copyright Marjorie Harris, 2005
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