After a very busy summer, we’re heading into fall with a brand new flyer.

Rhododendrons have by now lost most of their beautiful blooms; with flowering time between April - June. I can’t say I have a favourite, because they’re all so equally stunning. I definitely plan on recommending them more, because even after their blooms are spent, they remain one of the most elegant plants in the garden.

What a great do-it-yourself herb garden idea for small backyards or balconies. Canvas organizers would need to be lined to contain soil and tiny holes punched into each pocket [above the soil line] would help with air circulation.

I purchased a bunch of these amazing gardening kneelers yesterday for                the gardenista™ installation and maintenance team members.

Manufactured in Canada by Foam Creations, they are the most comfortable and durable I’ve been able to find, and they’re pretty too!

With the warmer weather finally arriving, I spent this past week scouting the nurseries and placing orders for clients. Some of the shrubs I am excited about adding to gardens in the coming weeks are: Exbury Azalea, Snowflake Viburnum, Japanese Quince, Mme. Lemoine French Lilac and Stellar Pink Dogwood.

Tomorrow happens to be my birthday and just in case my family is still trying to come up with the perfect gift, I’d like to suggest they pick up a copy of The Besler Florilegium. Originally published in the 17th century, it is one of the most ambitious books ever produced on ornamental flowering plants.

The florilegium contains more than 1,000 drawings of every variety of plant found in Basilius Besler’s monumental Garden at Eichstättthe. It took Besler and his team of calligraphers, painters and engravers an astounding sixteen years to complete.

Each of the lavishly hand-coloured first editions still in existence is valued at over one million dollars…but if my children can’t track one of those down, I’d settle for the facsimile edition, originally published in 1989 by Harry N. Abrams. 

I’ve been putting together an album of the most stunning plants available and among my favourites is Clematis Diamantina, which was first launched at The Chelsea Flower Show in May 2010. With exotic, multi-tone opalescent blooms, Diamantina is impressive, but surprisingly easy to grow and maintain. It is always fully double-flowered and blooms all summer long, from May to September. Clematis Diamantina is an ideal plant for a container, but would create an exceptionally dramatic garden wall.

It’s time to sharpen up the secateurs and prepare for spring pruning.

Pruning, though daunting, is necessary to get rid of damaged limbs, control the spread of disease, encourage production and direct growth.

Removing excess branches will expose the centre of shrubs to sunlight and air circulation. This important task will produce healthier limbs and a greater yield of flowers and foliage.

Shrubs and vines should be pruned according to when they bloom. If a shrub is summer-flowering, it should be pruned in early spring. However if it is spring-flowering, pruning should be delayed until immediately after the shrub blooms.

This flower bed was drab, with nothing but weeds, overgrown Hosta and an awkwardly placed Euonymus bush occupying the space. Last September, the client contacted the gardenista™ to optimize this nook’s potential and transform it into a butterfly friendly garden. Come this spring, winged visitors will be delighted by “Popsicle” Torchlily, “Miss Ruby” Butterfly Bush and “Coral Reef” Bee Balm. Also included here is “Carl” and “Autumn Fire” Sedum and “Obsidian” Coral Bells. The Coral Bells were dug up from elsewhere in the garden, were tidied up, divided and transplanted along with Hosta, that underwent the same process, and the Euonymus bush that was originally planted here.

*Pictured above is the flower bed in various stages of the transformation.

Coolest birdhouse ever…”Birds and Buckminster” by L.A. based designer and multimedia artist Kelly Lamb is inspired by midcentury architect/visionary R. Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic shapes.