Pig's Squeak! Blooming Now!

Bergenia cordifolia

Pig's Squeak, or Bergenia cordifolia, is a fun plant for the garden.  Its big, leathery leaves provide a wonderful contrast to almost every other foliage in the garden.  If you are going for a tropical look, these leaves have a tropical look, yet the plants are super tough.

Bergenia can be grown in any type of soil, from full sun to part shade, and under most any water conditions. Does it get any better?

Why, yes.  Bergenia are also evergreen.  For another bonus, the leaves of Bergenia cordifolia 'Bressingham Ruby' turn burgundy in autumn.


In spring, long lasting stalks of flowers pop up above the leaves.  The flowers are usually a shade of pink, but there are some varieties with white flowers.

Bergenia divide easily, and will spread by root without being a pest.

If you want to know how Bergenia got its common name, rub one of the leaves between your finger and thumb.

Beautifully scented Lonicera pileata

Lonicera pileata berries

Lonicera pileata flowers

The Lonicera pileata hedge that stopped me

Today I was walking through a commercial parking lot, past a low maintenance, uninspired garden.  What stopped me was a beautiful scent wafting through the air, above the smell of traffic on the busy arterial road.  Below the walkway where I was standing was a Lonicera pileata hedge, emitting a beautiful, citrusy fragrance.  The fragrance is not heavy, but light and fresh.

Lonicera pileata has many advantages.  It is a tough plant that can tolerate little water, and full sun to dappled shade.  This Lonicera is evergreen in Vancouver, and its branches grow in long, straight formations.  Branches near the ground will root, making the Lonicera pileata a great erosion control plant.

Although the flowers are insignificant to look at--only about 3mm long--they release a lovely scent.  These flowers give way to an iridescent purple berry in summer.

Lonicera pileata is not a specimen shrub, but creates a good backdrop for other plants, and fills a spot year round with green.  It can be pruned to shape, and usually grows to 2'.

What's blooming now in Vancouver? pt 3

Daffodils

Vancouver is alive with Daffodils of white and yellow right now.  Daffodils are so cheerful, they can make the grumpiest person smile.

Another advantage to Daffodils, or Narcissi, is the bulbs are poisonous to eat.  I am always so disappointed with Tulips because squirrels and raccoons find them delicious, and come spring, many of the Tulips are gone.  Rodents do not eat Daffodils.

Some Daffodils can also tolerate partial shade and shade.  Most Daffodils naturalize in the ground, meaning they come back year after year.  Look for "Naturalizing" on the label of bulb bags and tags.

Heather

Heather, or Erica carnea, is a resilient early bloomer.   E. carnea comes in shades of red, pink, purple and white.  In full sun, the entire small shrub is a mound of tiny flowers.  

These come from the moors, so think rocky, inhospitable soil and sun.

Cut the branches back after blooming to maintain a full shape.  With no pruning, E. carnea get leggy and the centres look dead.

Camellia

Camellias are beautiful in spring.  They do tolerate some shade, but bloom profusely in sun.  Find a variety that does not rust, which is the look when flowers look rusty after a rain.  This is especially important in rainy Vancouver.

Camellias are prone to many little bugs, and subsequently, sooty mold or aphid honeydew, the black that can coat leaves.

Camellias are also evergreen shrubs, so they provide some winter greenery.

What's blooming now in Vancouver? pt 2

Hellebores are a wonderful winter flowering shade plant.  Things to look for in a Hellebore are the subtle shades and tones of the flower, the number of petals, and how much the flower nods.  

Hellebores come in shades from pure white to deep purple.  Between these two extreme colours are flowers in shades of pink, and/or  with green, yellow and pink tinges.

If the flower nods fully, so it faces the ground, the flower will not be fully appreciated unless it is planted in an elevated spot, like on a terrace above a retaining wall.  If you are to plant Hellebores at foot level, why not choose a variety with flowers that point up?

Hellebores bloom in winter, but their palmate leaves are usually evergreen in Vancouver.  Sometimes the leaves have contrasting vein colours, making them an interesting addition to the summer shade garden.

Not only do Hellebores bloom in the shade, but they also like growing in root bound soil under large trees.

Phoenix Perennials in Richmond has the largest selection of Hellebores in Metro Vancouver.  Here is a link to their Hellebore catalogue:  

http://www.phoenixperennials.com/HelleboreHurrahCatalogue2013.pdf  

The catalogue also has a botany lesson on Hellebores, and directions to Phoenix Perennials.