For many of us, fragrant is a must for roses.  We can’t stop ourselves from sticking our noses into a rose, closing our eyes, as we innately know by cutting off our sense of sight only serves to enhance our sense of smell.   When we are rewarded with a fragrance we breathe it in deep and nod as if confirming to ourselves all is the way it should be.  It is then that we usually smile and want to share our discovery.  Stop and smell the roses… perhaps this little old saying is more fitting in our busy world than ever.

Each spring I am amazed by the selection and qualities of the new plants for our west coast gardens.  I spend much of the fall and winter sorting through to choose the very best ones for our nursery; the ones that suit Campbell River and the ones that really sound like improvements on old favourites.  For 2013 we have many new items so let's get started!

... and Buddleia 'Peach Cobbler Flutterby Grande'

Two new repeat blooming buddleias that are more compact and bushy than the original in fresh new colours.  Hardy to zone 5 these buddleias will mature in your garden to 4' tall and up to 5' wide.  The flowering is also heavier with extra large flowers of either pink or peach that butterflies love.

There is not a lot I enjoy more on a day off than a sunny Sunday in my garden.

Yesterday morning did start out a wee bit chilly but by the time I had my inside jobs done, and was ready to head outside with a cup of coffee, the crocuses were wide open offering themselves up to the sun.

I spent a good portion of my time weeding and preparing areas for planting, then I harvested banana potatoes, a beet root, some kale leaves and some brussel sprouts to go with our dinner, not too shabby for early March:)

I planted some basil seeds and red russian kale seeds indoors under lights and checked on the curley scotch kale and spinach I planted a couple weeks ago in my unheated greenhouse.

For everything you want to know, take a seed and watch it grow. My little sister gave me a card one birthday with this quote on it and it took root in my mind and my heart and I've never forgotten it. It is very true. With vegetables you can plant a seed and watch it develop into a plant that will bear you produce which you can harvest and prepare as your dinner all in a matter of months. Along the way you will also learn everything that the seed needs from you to grow; how much light, what temperature, how deep do you plant it, do you start it indoors or outdoors, how much water, when you should feed it. These are all things that need to be considered but if you have never tried before, or have failed in the past, don't be alarmed these are all things we can learn to do, you may not always be successful the first time but start small and grow a little more each year and you will learn "everything you want to know".

Timing is very important. You can do everything right with your seeds but if your timing is wrong your seeds will probably die (sorry for the big heavy). Obey the timing guidelines for each plant and you are sure to have far greater success. We give away and recommend the fabulous West Coast Seeds Gardening Guides where they give specific timing (and planting) for each plant but in generally terms, as we don't have room here to be too specific, there are three main planting times for veggies.

I can't remember a fall when the colours have been this beautiful!  Whether walking or driving around Campbell River I have had enjoyed these colours in street trees, on our trails, the stunning view of Quadra Island with the big leaf maples (Acer macrophyllum) lit up within the deep green coniferous trees and within your private gardens.  This leads me to think, of how we never know, who will enjoy the trees and shrubs we plant.

A personal experience of this was a particularly magnificent Smoke Bush (Cotinus) on Hilchey Road which caused me pull over and snap a photo of its glory; all glowing coral deepening to pinkish-red.  I was so pleased I had my camera handy and thankful to the homeowner who planted it for the glowing feeling it passed along to me.

For many years the burning bush (Euonymus alatus) and red maples (Acer rubrum) at the Arena on Dogwood street have been enjoyed by so many of us.  Customers mention this gorgeous planting each and every fall.  I hope those who planted and care for these know who much we all appreciate their beauty.

Autumn is such a magical time in the garden.  With summer behind us the light is softening to golden hues and the shadows are getting long and a lot of plants are preparing for winter.  At the same time some plants have been waiting all spring and summer to delight us with their showiest season - Autumn.

Some plants will dazzle us with fall colours of rich burgundy, red, gold and orange and others will more delicately change to apricot, soft yellows and dusty rose.  All in my mind are beautiful but finding stunning combinations is as important as the plants themselves.  For example; I love the way the deep, dark, plum leaves of Cotinus (Smoke Bush) illuminate in the fall to salmon-pink tones.  However when Smoke Bush are combined with Pampas Grass (and maybe a little bit of a wrought iron fence or railing in behind) you have a gorgeous vignette to look upon, not only in the summer but also in the fall.  This is a little combo I've been looking for a place around my house for a while. 

Here are just a few of the plants that I think are interesting for using for fall and winter interest.  Some have interesting leaves or fall colour, some have beautiful stems and some have gorgeous berries.

Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire' (Twig Dogwood)

It's always exciting to see what is new for the garden.  This fall there are lots of new bulbs to plant for gorgeous spring blooms.  Here is a sneak peek at a few that we are really excited about!  Most of these are in stock now, a few are still to come...

Allium 'Silver Spring'

Allium are always popular so new varieties are also always welcome.  Alliums are not only show stoppers but also deer resistant, sun loving and drought tolerant.  They bloom in early summer so they really lengthen the bulb season.  This variety Silver Spring has four inch large, round blooms of raspberry and white with maroon centres and a sweet licorice scent. Hardy to zone 4, they grow to 26 inches tall.

Allium 'Summer Drummer'

How are you enjoying your summer harvest?  Our peas were fantastic and though our tomatoes seem a little bit late they are coming on great now and in abundance! We processed our second batch of Oven Roasted Tomatoes yesterday.  The first batch only made it to the dinner table (served over pasta) but the second batch made it to the freezer.  

As far as potatoes go the Satina variety is always our favourite, but we need to get out and dig some of the others we grew to compare.  We've planted Satina, Norland, Red Pontiac, Sieglinde and Banana potatoes.  

Even if you don't have much room for veggies just having a great selection of herbs to add to salads, new potatoes and meats is so wonderful.  All these home grown plants are so good for us, body and soul, we don't want it to end and if we plan it right it doesn't have to. 

My co-worker, Janis, got me going on these and I just love making these now to serve over pasta or just as a side dish.  Note:When I make them as a side dish I like to use cherry or grape tomatoes and I leave them whole.

1.    Mixed oil with seasonings and dip halved tomatoes into this mixture.

2.    Place cut side up in a large Pyrex pan.

3.    Bake at for 45 mins at 250-300F

4.    Turnover and bake for another 45 mins

5.    Cool and store in ziplock bags in the freezer or serve hot over pasta with tomato sauce, fresh basil and mozzarella.

With the first breath of summer comes the beauty of lilies. Graceful lily flowers are a favourite in many gardens with certain varieties creating bold splashes of colour, a rich heady fragrance or dramatic vertical accents.  Often gardeners have a favourite, like the lovely fragrant Stargazer Oriental Lily, but by adding more varieties you can have lilies that bloom from mid-June to September.  Most lilies are very easy to grow; a little bonemeal and steer manure and they will reward you with years and years of enjoyment both in your garden and as cut flowers.

Asiatic Lilies

With their wide upward facing flowers displayed on masse these are the lilies that create the most vibrant splashes of colour.  From deep dark purple that is almost black like L. 'Landini' to eye popping bicoloured L. 'Lollypop' that is white with deep roses tips on her petals and almost every other colour you can think of.  Asiatic lilies are often overlooked as they are not fragrant but they are the first to bloom in June and so showy and easy to grow they are a welcome addition to any garden.

Bloom Mid June-early July

Height 30-45 inches

Hardy to zone 2

Trumpet lilies (Aurelian Hybrids)