The days are getting shorter and the air crisper. When the summer crops are done, people plant garlic, pick apples, hunt for pumpkins and put bulbs into the ground for next year’s flower beds. But don’t put away your gardening gloves just yet. There’s still work to be done.
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There are several steps to get your garden ready for the winter. Planting species that need to be in the ground in fall, cleaning up debris, cutting back certain plants, protecting plants from winter weather, and prepping for the spring. A general garden cleanup in the fall reduces workload in the spring when your garden awakens.
Plant Flowering Bulbs & Garlic
There is still planting to do before the ground freezes. Get flowering bulbs and garlic in the ground, they will start growing in early spring. The plants that are still looking good can be potted up and brought indoors. Many herbs, make great houseplants as they can be replanted in the garden after the cold weather has passed.
How To Plant Garlic In The Fall
Harvest Remaining Summer Crops
Harvest remains of tomatoes and peppers. Still-green tomatoes can ripen on your kitchen counter. Pull out most of the spent plants, cut off the above-ground parts of peas and beans, leaving the roots. Legumes fix nitrogen into the soil and will become fertilizer for next year’s crops.
Fall Planting Bulbs For Spring Blooms
Plant Cover Crops
In winter, when many plants go dormant above-ground in response to the cold, roots below ground are still alive and benefiting the soil. Cover crops add valuable nutrients such as nitrogen to the soil and prevent soil erosion by wind, rain and snow. Most cover crops grow throughout the winter and then accelerate their growth in the spring. Before the crop goes to seed, till it into the soil as a “green manure”, or simply tarp up the patch and let it cook by the sun.
Fall Cover Crops For Vegetable Gardens
Cut Back Plants
Most perennials, such as irises, begonias, clematis, and day lilies can be cut back in the fall when frost has caused the plants to die back. Do some research on which of your species should be pruned in fall and which should be pruned in spring. Start with plants that are diseased or have a pest problem, and dispose of that debris rather than composting it.
Divide Perennials
Many perennial plants can be divided in the fall when their centers become crowded, and they don’t bloom well. Use a spade to dig up the entire clump you want to divide. Slice downwards all the way around the edge, lever the plant up and out. Use the spade to slice portions out of it and then replant the divisions.
Protect Plants
Many plants benefit from some form of winter protection. Protect tender plants either by covering them or moving them to a sheltered area where they won’t receive strong winds. Also, ease up on fertilizing in the fall to not encourage tender new growth that can be damaged by temperature drops. Plants that animals might eat can be protected by fencing. Rake leaves into garden beds or use mulch to cover soil and plants for extra protection. Wrap particularly tender plants with burlap, or wood chips. Move container plants indoors or to sheltered areas.
Prepare for Spring
Prepare your planting beds by adding compost in the late fall to add nutrients and to protect the soil from compacting. The freezing and thawing over winter will work it into the soil. Tilling the soil helps to disturb the dormancy of insects and exposes them to hungry birds. Fall is also a good time to test your soil’s pH. Any necessary amendments can be slow-acting, so adding them in the fall will make the soil ready for the spring.
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Clean Up
Fall is also the time to clean up unwanted plants, overgrown areas, lingering piles of brush and other yard waste. Anything left in place over winter can invite unwanted pests or diseases. Bring anything that doesn’t need to be out in the elements into a clean, dry place, such as a shed or garage, to keep it clean and help it last longer. Hose down tools, empty pots, garden stakes, and other items, and disinfect them if necessary. Also, sharpen tools before storage, and give them a protective finish with a light coat of lubricating oil spray.
Pruning is the practice of removing dead branches, damaged or diseased stems by means of hand pruning tools to help plants redirect their energy for more efficient growth. Gardeners often use pruning to eliminate spent growth from previous seasons, helping to stimulate the plant’s next growing cycle. Pruning is also used prevent plants from growing too large for the space they’re planted in and to train them into aesthetically pleasing shapes. With the correct use of pruning tools plants recover quickly from pruning as clean cuts remove the risk of fungus, mites and insects from entering a plant..
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Hand Pruning Tools
The most common hand pruning tools are anvil or scissors-action bypass type pruners that will cut most small, thin and medium sized stems and branches. For tougher or thicker stems, a pair of long handled lopping shears are the best choice. Pruning saws of folding, bow or curved shapes and types are recommended for very thick branches. All pruning tools must be sharpened regularly to maintain their effectiveness. Cutting tools must also be disinfected after being used to stop healthy branches from becoming contaminated.
Previously Published: Fall Planting Bulbs For Spring Blooms
Safety First
Pruning tools have sharp edges, pinch points and in some cases add additional electrical hazards. It is recommended that professional tree services trim branches or trees within 10 feet of power lines. When pruning manually, wear protective gear, such as goggles, head wear, boots, gloves, long-sleeved shirts, and pants at all times. Review and understand information from the pruning tool instruction manual provided by the manufacturer, with particular attention given to safety procedures. Inspect hand pruning tools to determine it they are functioning properly.
Quality is Critical
Quality is critical in cutting tools. Any edge tool works best when made out of high quality tool steel. More expensive hand pruning tools will have more accurate adjustments and higher quality machining. Stick to well established brands that have replacement parts widely available.
Durability and Maintenance
Pruning tools cannot be treated preciously. They will get thrown into a gardening bag, wet and dirty, blades covered in sap. A good hand pruning tool can last for decades, but may require maintenance. Beyond sharpening blades or teeth, occasionally small repairs or replacement of components may become necessary. Pruning tools made of durable materials are also designed to make swapping out new parts relatively easy.
Blade Types
The best style of blade on a hand pruning tool will depend on the planned use. Bypass scissor blades cut past each other and produce the cleanest cut. They are the best all around type that can handle most pruning tasks. Anvil blades meet and tend to crush old or dry plant parts. Shapes and sizes of blades themselves also vary by use. Longer, heavier blades are better for covering larger areas; thin, sharp-tipped blades are good for pruning more delicate plants.
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Handles
The right pair of hand pruners are those that are comfortable enough to stand up to a long day of repetitive movements. Easy-to-grip handles won’t slip when wet, cause cramps or blisters and right-handed as well as left-handed pruning tools are available from most quality brand manufacturers.
Locking Mechanism
A quality lock keeps spring-loaded hand pruning tools shut when they are not in use. A reliable, easy-to-use style is important versus an unreliable lock that causes blades to accidentally seize up or spring open. Some common styles are latch, dial, and squeeze locks. What type of locking mechanism to choose is a matter of personal preference. What matters most is reliable engineering.
Felco – High Quality Hand Pruners
The most popular of all-purpose hand pruners are manufactured by Swiss company Felco. Their pruners are popular for durability and versatility. The brand sells replacement parts, neatly identified on schematics for all of their models. Felco sells left-handed versions and other styles, including compact models which are a better fit for small hands. There are less expensive pruners on the market, but the long lifetime one can expect from Felco products makes the investment worthwhile.
Corona – Less Expensive Hand Pruners
For a fraction of the cost for performance, Corona hand pruners are sharp enough to slice through spindly stems and thick branches swiftly and efficiently. Put to the test, these pruners however don’t move as smoothly and cut as clean a slice as high end brands do. Putting aside non-replaceable springs, plastic locking mechanisms and blades that are subject to rust, Corona pruning tools are the best pick for the budget minded gardener.
Long Handled Loppers
To prune large plants with thick branches, a long-handled lopper is the ideal hand pruning tool. Different blade types are available for heavy duty loppers. The most commonly used blade types for loppers are bypass and anvil blades. Bypass blades produce clean cuts on living branches and their action is comparable to scissors. Anvil blades produce rough cuts and are used for dead branches with an action similar to a knife and cutting board. For gardeners with limited arm strength, ratcheting loppers are also available. They are designed to take some of the pressure off of the user when trying to squeeze their way through thick, stubborn branches.
Hedge Pruning Shears
Hedge shears are both lightweight and durable to reduce strain on arms and make trimming easier. Some models feature a non-stick plating over steel blades to keep them honed and rust-free for easier cuts. Hedge shears can cut branches up to a half-inch in diameter. Some models, however, feature limb notches to extend this dimension. Hedge shears are designed with either straight blades for small shoots and soft branches, wavy, or serrated blades, for tough foliage and thicker branches. Most shears have a length of between 20 and 25 inches. Longer types are typically more powerful and provide a stronger cut. Telescoping handles provide optimal versatility because the total length is adjustable to accommodate the task at hand.
Hand Pruning Saws
A pruning saw is a tool with the same sharp teeth as saws used for cutting lumber. Pruning saws, though, are intended for trimming live shrubs and trees. There are many types of pruning saws in different sizes and shapes, featuring hard-point, heat-treated teeth each intended for a particular type of branch or stem. Popular are saws with either fixed or curved folding blades, designed for efficiency and portability.
Compound Pole Pruning Saws
Compound pruners incorporate a saw mounted on a telescopic aluminum alloy or fiberglass pole and a pruner blade in one cutting head. The advantage of a compound pruner is that the tool is immediately available to switch from pruning to sawing. The telescopic pole saw is ideal for pruning branches at heights of up to 25 feet without ever climbing a ladder. The disadvantage is that the saw can get in the way when only the pruner is used.
Check out the various pruning tools at Nicholas Alexander, Vernon’s New Home and Garden Center of Choice!
Fall Cover Crops For Vegetable Gardens are the best organic choice of rebuilding soil conditions to an ideal state to successfully grow next year’s vegetable garden. Cover crops offer a wide variety of advantages for the garden. They are mostly annual plants that are grown to add organic matter and nutrients to the soil and to protect it from wind and water erosion in the fall, winter and spring. Most cover crops grow throughout the winter and then accelerate their growth in the spring. Then gardeners till the crop into the soil as a “green manure” before the crop goes to seed or they simply tarp up the patch and let it cook by the sun. In three or four weeks, the cover crop has composted and begun releasing its nutrients into the soil.
What Plants To Use For Cover Crops – The most common cover crop plants are legumes such as alfalfa, peas, beans and clovers. These are a favourite because they have the ability to draw nitrogen from the air. When they are tilled into the soil, the nitrogen is released and is available for the next vegetable crop planted there. Grasses are another common and popular choice for garden cover crops. These add organic matter to the soil and are easily removed or tilled in as their roots grow relatively shallow. Seed mixtures are also available with both grasses and legumes.
When to Sow & Terminate Cover Crops – In the fall, immediately after all vegetables have been harvested and weeds and plant debris has been removed, cover crop seeds should be sown allowing at least four weeks of growth before cold weather. Cover crops should then be watered as needed. In the spring, cover crops must be turned under at least three weeks before planting new vegetables to allow organic matter to decompose. Flowering cover crops should not be allowed to go to seed and should be terminated when about one-third of the plants are in flower. This is the point where plants provide the greatest amount of biomass and nutrients to the soil.
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) – Hardy to zone 5 Winter-hardy, short-lived and a superb nitrogen fixer – this is considered one of the best green manures. Sow it in early spring through September. Attractive with its traditional cloverleaf and honey-scented flowers, it reaches a mature height of only 30 cm (12 in.), with a taproot three times as long. A food source for bees and shelter for beneficial ground beetles. This clover is a useful cover crop in summer or winter.
Fava Bean (Vicia faba) – Hardy to zone 7 or 8, this is an excellent nitrogen fixer with an extraordinarily long taproot useful for breaking up clay or compacted soils. When tilled in, the leaves decompose rapidly; However, the fibrous stem will loosen heavy soils. It may also be cut and composted, leaving the nitrogen-fixing roots in the soil. Plant in early fall or early spring, as it thrives in cooler temperatures. Pull the plants or till them in before they form pods.
Fall Rye (Secale cereale) – Hardy to zone 3. This cover crop suppresses weeds and prevents erosion and soil compaction. It grows well from fall through spring. It is quite fibrous and should be tilled in three weeks before planting. It is an excellent soil amender and supplier of nutrients, particularly phosphorus.
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) – Hardy to zone 5, Alfalfa fixes nitrogen and is an excellent weed suppressor. Its roots can go down 1.2 m (4 ft.) to reach nutrients deep in the earth and break up the subsoil. It can be grown year-round. Alfalfa will die back in severely cold winters but should resprout in spring. It should be double-tilled to prevent resprouting. Alfalfa does not like water-logged or acidic soil.
Read Also About: Grow Your Own Garlic This Fall
Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa) – Hardy to zone 4. This is an excellent weed suppressor and supplier of nitrogen. Winter-hardy and tolerant of poor soil conditions, this can grow where no other cover crop can survive. Sow in fall or spring and till or dig in at the first sight of blooms.
Austrian Winter Pea (Pisum arvense) – Hardy to zone 6. This pea is an excellent nitrogen fixer and can be companion-planted with fall rye. Sow in fall or early spring. The wiry stems can be tilled in, as they compost quickly. The crop provides a home for many beneficial insects. Till, cut or compost, when flowers appear.
More home owners than ever are seeing the advantages of replacing lawn areas by incorporating micro clover seed. Micro Clover is a clover plant that belongs to the genus of plants called Trifolium. Like all other clovers, Micro Clover is a legume. It takes nitrogen from the air and fixes it with the assistance of bacteria in root nodules, which converts it into a form that is usable by plants. This directly benefits grasses by fertilizing the soil naturally.
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Because clover grows so densely, it crowds out weeds, and prevents weed seeds from becoming established. Healthier grasses maintain a richer colour for longer in the season. Micro clover is a smaller variety of White Clover that grows lower to the ground and has fewer flowers.
Tough Enough For Children & Pets – Micro Clover shows a vegetative elasticity in response to repeated mowing as its growth form changes over time. When it is mowed, its leaves grow tiny and numerous, with fewer flowers than conventional clovers. It can be mowed shorter than typical lawn grasses, and it’s tough enough for children and pets to play on. Studies show that it also becomes established faster than grass seeds.
Eco-friendly & Attractive
Micro Clover is a tidy, attractive option for homeowners who want a sustainable, eco-friendly and low-maintenance yard. It needs less fertilizer and mowing than most lawn grasses. This means it keeps your lawn looking greener and lusher throughout the spring and summer.
| How to Sow Micro Clover |
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| Sowing clover is as simple as sowing grass seed and can be done when establishing a new lawn or filling in bare spots in an old lawn. The best time to plant is in the spring so that the roots have plenty of time to develop before the cold sets in. Clover seed needs full sunlight to grow but can tolerate some shade. Hardiness Zone 3 to 4. Step 1:
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Micro Clover Seeding Calculator
Overseeding an Established Lawn:
50g for 1,000 square feet ◦ 250g for 5,000 square feet ◦ 500g for 10,000 square feet ◦ 2.5kg for 50,000 square feet (one acre)
Sowing Rate with No Grass (recommended):
50g for 100 square feet ◦ 250g for 500 square feet ◦ 500g for 1,000 square feet ◦ 2.5kg for 5,000 square feet
If starting a lawn from scratch use 5% Micro Clover of the total weight of the grass seed being sown. I.e. If seeding 1kg of grass, seed use 50g of Micro Clover in the mix. All rates above are recommended for machine spreading. If spreading seeds by hand, add 25% to 50% more seeds. It is wise to withhold some seeds for filling in any bald areas that appear.
Check out the best alternative to conventional turf. One that can be mowed short, doesn’t need much water, is greener and healthier and without weeds. Talk to the friendly staff at Nicholas Alexander, Vernon’s New Choice of Home and Garden Center to find the best grass solution for your yard.
Fall Planting Bulbs For Spring Blooms is a simple way to rejuvenate your garden. Success is guaranteed, because anyone can do this and look forward to a following spring filled with flowers of stunning colours, shapes and sizes. Daffodil, tulip, hyacinth, crocus and allium are popular choices of bulbs.
How & When to Plant Bulbs
Bulbs can be planted between September and mid-October when there is still plenty of time to develop a good set of roots to withstand an approaching frost. Bulbs need well-drained soil rich with organic matter or compost.
Bulbs need to be planted at least three times as deep as the bulb is tall, with the nose facing up and the roots or root hairs pointing down. Once they are in the ground and watered a bit, they stay dormant for the remainder of the fall and winter.
Read Also About: 6 Awesome Perennials to Grow in Vernon BC
The first emerging shoots in spring indicate that the roots are growing and are ready for nutrients. Not all bulbs should be planted in the fall. The rule of thumb is: Bulbs for spring – plant in fall. Bulbs for summer – plant in spring.
Popular Choices Of Bulbs For Spring Blooms
▲ Double Daffodil (Narcissus Tahiti)
Daffodil, a member of the amaryllis family also commonly known as Narcissus. This plant has a conspicuous six petal flower with a trumpet-shaped corona. Garden varieties generally occur in colours of white, yellow, orange or pink. The genus is generally considered to have about ten sections with approximately 50 species.
Read Also About: Pro-Mix HP Mycorrhizae – The Best Planting Soil Mix For Okanagan Gardeners
▲ Parrot Tulip (Tulipa gesneriana var. dracontia)
Tulip, a genus of spring-blooming perennial herbaceous bulbiferous geophytes. Generally bereft of scent, they are the coolest of floral characters. The flowers are usually large, showy and brightly coloured, generally red, pink, yellow, or white. They often have a different coloured blotch at the base of the tepals, internally.
Read Also About: Popular Ornamental Grasses To Grow in Vernon BC
▲ Hyacinths (Hyacinthus)
Hyacinth produces barrel-shaped flower heads consisting of dozens of florets with richly coloured flowers and an incredible fragrance that can perfume an entire garden. Hyacinths bloom at the same time as daffodils and early tulips, and come in a rainbow of colours including white, cream, pink; Rose, apricot, lavender, cobalt; Blue, deep purple and wine red.
Read Also About: Fast Growing Shade Trees For Vernon BC
▲ Crocus chrysanthus “Snow Bunting”
Crocus is a member of the iris family with about 80 species and many cultivates, originally native to Southern Europe and Asia. They are one of the first flowers to bloom each spring often when there’s still snow on the ground. Crocus flowers come in Easter egg colours of purple, yellow, lavender, cream and white. Over time, these carefree bulbs will naturalize and multiply to produce more flowers every year.
Read Also About: Best House Plants For Vernon BC
▲ Drumstick allium (Allium sphaerocephalon)
Allium is a member of the onion family. They are a garden’s superstar with their large globes made up of hundreds of tiny florets. Colours typically range from shades of pink or purple, but also available in creamy white and yellow. Allium’s odor and taste make them an ideal deterrent for creatures like rabbits, deer, and other browsing animals. Easy to grow and care for, allium is a great choice for every gardener.
At Nicholas Alexander Home and Garden, we offer high-quality plants at unbeatable pricing. Whether you are creating expressive beds, magnificent bouquets, or everything in between, you can be confident that our Bulbs For Spring Blooms are remarkable performers.
The Okanagan’s hot, sunny, dry climate is classified as semi-arid, with the lowest average annual precipitation in southern Canada. With the effects of climate change, the region experiences considerably hotter summers that cause reduced soil moisture, erosion, plant damage and general water shortage. Drought tolerant trees provide shade, cooling and moisture retention for other plants and for people as well. Find a great variety of Drought Tolerant Shade Trees For Okanagan Gardens at Nicholas Alexander, Vernon’s New Choice of Home and Garden Center!
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Read Also About: How to Plant Shrubs and Trees Correctly
Autumn Blaze Maple (Acer x freemanii ‘Jeffsred’)
The Autumn Blaze maple tree is a hybrid comprised of a half red maple and a half silver maple. A combination that has been popular for decades in commercial and residential settings due to gorgeous fall colour, rapid growth and it’s ability to adapt to a wide range of climatic conditions. The Autumn Blaze Maple grows up to 50 feet in height and spreads up to 40 feed in width. It is very cold hardy and drought tolerant once established.
Klondike Cherry (Prunus maackii)
A distinctive flowering tree that is extremely showy with its peeling gold bark colour, strong branching stems and attractive forest green foliage. Dainty shoots of fragrant white flowers hang below the branches in mid spring. This tree can be planted in areas of full sun or in partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions and is tolerant to drought and urban pollution. The Klondike Cherry grows at a medium rate to 25 feet tall with a spread of 15 feet. When under ideal conditions the tree can be expected to live for 40 years or more.
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Ginko (Ginkgo biloba)
Ginkgo biloba, also known as the maidenhair tree, is a species of tree native to China. It is the last living species in the order Ginkgoales, which first appeared over 290 million years ago. The tree has unique sculptural fan-shaped bright green leaves that are 2-3 inches long and wide. The Ginko can reach 80 feet in height and 40 feet in width. A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained, alkaline and acidic soils. Provides attractive yellow fall colour and is generally pest and disease free.
Newport Plum (Prunus cerasifera ‘Newport’)
This early blooming ornamental plum welcomes the spring with fragrant pink flowers. It loves full sun, heat exposure and is the most cold hardy of Purple leaf Plum varieties, ‘Newport’ is a mid-sized tree 15 to 20 feet tall and wide featuring deep purple leaves that retain their colour throughout the season. Plant in full sun for the best display of blooms. It is happy even in extremely acid or alkaline soils and even clay.
Greenspire Linden (Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’)
A cold hardy, drought tolerant shade tree with a magnificent strong pyramidal shape throughout its life and fragrant yellow flowers in early summer. Showy, cinnamon coloured bark with small dark green heart shaped leaves turns golden in autumn. The Greenspire grows 40 feet tall and 25 feet wide. It is a very tidy, low-maintenance lawn or street specimen that requires full sunlight and is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations.
Magnolia (Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’)
The Loebner Magnolia is a compact, vigorous tree that flowers at an early age with two-toned flowers that measure 4 to 6 inch across. Its strap like petals are white on the inside, purple-pink tint on the outside and create an impressive floral display. This is a mid-sized tree at 10 to 20 feet tall and about as wide and it blooms in early to mid spring. The Magnolia Leobneri is wind, frost and drought resistant. It can grow in full sun and in acid to alkaline, well-drained soil.
Sunburst Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
An attractive, long-lived, hardy hardwood tree with a high tolerance for drought, cold weather, salt, and pollution. Sunburst Honeylocust is well-known for its bright sunny yellow leaves that emerge in the spring and mature to a mid-green colour in the summer. The tree has a rounded, irregularly shaped, pyramidal crown and grows up to 45 feet tall with a spread of 35 feet. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations and is not particular as to soil type or pH.
How To Plant Garlic In The Fall and use it in your home cooking to flavour up your favourite dishes. Besides the distinctive taste, adding garlic to your meals helps to improve your health at the same time. The antioxidants present in garlic serve many functions in the body, such as protecting your cells from damage, preventing Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatic arthritis, and other chronic diseases.
Types Of Garlic – There are two categories of garlic you can choose from for your garden: softneck and hardneck. Softneck garlic produces more cloves, but they are smaller in size than its counterpart. Hardneck varieties are larger, stronger in flavour and produce a scape (a flowering stalk). It is important to harvest the scapes in early summer, to direct energy into further growing the garlic bulb. Softneck garlic does not grow scapes. Softneck varieties grow best in areas with milder winters, while hardneck types performs better in harsher winter conditions.
How To Plant Garlic In The Fall is rewarding and easy! With minimal effort, you can grow a bounty of tasty garlic that can be used for months. Homegrown garlic is a perfect addition to your favourite recipes. Garlic comes in a wide variety of sizes and flavours. Types of garlic range from ‘Regular White’ to the purple-striped spicy ‘Russian Red’. Looking for something milder? Try the large mild-flavoured ‘Elephant’ variety or ‘Chesnok Red’, a full flavoured garlic with a mellow aftertaste..
1. When To Plant Garlic – Plant your garlic in mid-September to October, at least 4 weeks before the ground freezes. Many varieties can be planted in early spring; however, best results are gained when planted in fall. Garlic is grown by planting its seeds, called cloves. Leave the garlic bulbs whole with the papery covering intact until just before planting. This protects the cloves, keeping them in prime condition.
2. How To Plant – Garlic performs best in well-draining sandy loam soils rich with organic matter. Avoid soggy soils as garlic tends to rot in overly wet conditions. Amend the soil with composted manure before planting. Plant in an area where your garlic will have enough room to produce good roots. Break each clove cleanly away from the bulb. Cloves should be firm and plump. Discard any that show signs of damage, mold or disease. For best success, only use the largest cloves. Plant them root side down, 3” deep and 6” apart. From spring to early summer when garlic sprouts push through the soil, watering is needed on a regular basis.
3. When To Harvest – Once the leaves have turned brown, the garlic is now mature and ready to harvest. Carefully dig the bulbs from the ground and gently brush off the soil from around the roots. Do not wash your bulbs in water. Dry and cure your bulbs out of direct sunlight. With the stalks and leaves still attached, tie them together or store on drying racks for two weeks in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated location.
13 Great Garlic Varieties Available At Nicholas Alexander
Regular (Softneck) ◦ Type: Standard ◦ Harvest: Late Summer ◦ Storing: Into Spring ◦ Yield Per Bulb: 9-24 ◦ Clove Size: Small, Medium ◦ Flavour: Mild to Medium ◦ Comments: Easy to grow, productive and adaptable to varying climates and soils. Great for braiding.
Music (Hardneck) ◦ Type: Porcelain ◦ Harvest: Mid-Summer ◦ Storing: Into Spring ◦ Yield Per Bulb: 4-7 ◦ Clove Size: Large ◦ Flavour: Strong ◦ Comments: Cold hardy, very hot when eaten raw. Great for roasting.
Chesnok (Hardneck) ◦ Type: Purple Stripe ◦ Harvest: Late Summer ◦ Storing: Mid-Spring ◦ Yield Per Bulb: 8-10 ◦ Clove Size: Medium ◦ Flavour: Sweet, Mellow ◦ Comments: Full garlic flavour with a mellow aftertaste. Award winning.
Bogatyr (Hardneck) ◦ Type: Purple Stripe ◦ Harvest: Late Summer ◦ Storing: Into Spring ◦ Yield Per Bulb: 5-7 ◦ Clove Size: Large ◦ Flavour: Strong, Fiery ◦ Comments: Strong, long-lasting heat. One of the hottest Hardneck varieties.
German Red (Hardneck) ◦ Type: Rocambole ◦ Harvest: Late Summer ◦ Storing: Mid-Winter ◦ Yield Per Bulb: 5-7 ◦ Clove Size: Large ◦ Flavour: Strong ◦ Comments: Great full-bodied and long lasting flavour. Stores very well.
Duganski (Hardneck) ◦ Type: Purple Stripe ◦ Harvest: Mid-Summer ◦ Storing: Into Spring ◦ Yield Per Bulb: 7-10 ◦ Clove Size: Large ◦ Flavour: Strong, Fiery ◦ Comments: Fiery flavour that mellows out to a rich garlic aftertaste.
Legacy (Hardneck) ◦ Type: Rocambole ◦ Harvest: Late Summer ◦ Storing: Mid-Winter ◦ Yield Per Bulb: 7-12 ◦ Clove Size: Medium ◦ Flavour: Medium, Strong ◦ Comments: Great flavour. Easy to peel. Cold hardy.
Mexican Purple (Hardneck) ◦ Type: Purple Stripe ◦ Harvest: Late Summer ◦ Storing: Late Winter / Early Spring ◦ Yield Per Bulb: 8-16 ◦ Clove Size: Small, Medium ◦ Flavour: Rich, Medium ◦ Comments: Milder flavour when baked. Colourful.
Russian Red (Hardneck) ◦ Type: Purple Stripe ◦ Harvest: Early / Mid-Summer ◦ Storing: Mid-Winter ◦ Yield Per Bulb: 6-8 ◦ Clove Size: Large ◦ Flavour: Strong ◦ Comments: Cold hardy. Grows great in northern locations.
Elephant Garlic ◦ Type: Bulbing Leek ◦ Harvest: Late Summer ◦ Storing: One Year ◦ Yield Per Bulb: 4-6 ◦ Clove Size: Very Large, Enormous ◦ Flavour: Mild, Sweet ◦ Comments: Closely related to the leek. Cold hardy. Plant 4-6 inches deep.
Metechi (Hardneck) ◦ Type: Purple Stripe ◦ Harvest: Late Summer ◦ Storing: Into Spring ◦ Yield Per Bulb: 5-7 ◦ Clove Size: Large ◦ Flavour: Strong ◦ Comments: Cold hardy, vigorous grower and long lasting in storage.
Siberian (Hardneck) ◦ Type: Purple Stripe ◦ Harvest: Late Summer ◦ Storing: Into Spring ◦ Yield Per Bulb: 5-9 ◦ Clove Size: Large ◦ Flavour: Strong, Hot Spicy ◦ Comments: Mild flavour when stored. Great for roasting and cooking.
Spanish Roja (Hardneck) ◦ Type: Rocambole ◦ Harvest: Mid-Summer ◦ Storing: Mid-Winter ◦ Yield Per Bulb: 8-9 ◦ Clove Size: Medium ◦ Flavour: Rich, Spicy ◦ Rich complex flavour, long-lasting taste. Excellent for growing in cold climates.
Read Also About: Fall Planting Bulbs For Spring Blooms
Shrubs and trees offer a broad range of textures, loose or dense growth, evergreen or deciduous and may even feature showy blooms or berries. Block wind, buffer noise, or create private outdoor living spaces with a row of easy to grow, Popular Okanagan Hedge Plants. All will grow into beautiful hedges without requiring a lot of care.
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Closely spaced trees or shrubs, trained or planted together, form a barrier often used between neighbouring properties. Hedge plants are also widely used for planters, patios, foundation plantings and as alternatives to fencing. Deciduous hedge plants that lose their leaves in the fall provide less privacy than evergreen hedges do but many homeowners choose them for their ornamental value. There are many Popular Okanagan Hedge Plants available such as Flowering Quince, Cypress, Euonymus, Juniper; Oleander, Cedar, Viburnum, Spirea, Shrub Rose or Hydrangea. The ones to choose should be adaptable to the Okanagan climate zones.
Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) – The common hornbeam, a member of the birch family is an excellent choice if you are looking for a tall ornamental hedge. This tree has average growth and when in full foliage, creates an excellent easy-to-care-for privacy screen with a wide canopy and up to 16 feet in height. A Hornbeam hedge along road sides provides excellent protection from wind, noise, and dust.
Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) – Lilac shrubs are extremely easy to care for and can be pruned so that their dense leaves create a hedge with pink, purple, or white fragrant blooms in late spring and early summer. The size of Lilac ranges from 4 to 20 feet in height and width. This plant needs plenty of sunlight and fertile, well drained soil. It is hardy and can grow almost anywhere.
Forsythia, (genus Forsythia) – Forsythia, a member of the olive family that is commonly known for its long branches that fill with brilliant yellow blooms early in the spring. This fast growing shrub provides a cheerful backdrop, border, or centerpiece for any yard. Some varieties only stand a couple of feet tall and wide, while many of the larger varieties can reach around 10 feet in height and spread.
Previously Published: Beneficial Native Plants For Okanagan Gardens
Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) – One of the most stunning plants to use as a flowering hedge in a backyard, Rose of Sharon is a hibiscus plant that can grow 8 to 12 feet tall. When in full bloom in late summer, the bushy hedge produces large, showy, red, white, pink, light blue, or lilac coloured, trumpet-shaped flowers. The plant prefers moist, well-draining soil, although it will tolerate most soil conditions except those that are soggy or extremely dry.
Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) – Panicle hydrangea is most commonly a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub but can also be trained to grow as a small single-trunk tree. It is one of the most winter-hardy of the hydrangeas and thrives in urban conditions and is more drought tolerant than other hydrangeas. Creamy white, green or pink blossoms appear from July-September and the large ovate leaves turn an attractive yellow colour in the fall. It works well as a hedge or grouped in a woodland garden setting. Plant size: 8 to 15 feet in height and 6 to 12 feet wide.
Peking Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster acutifolius) – A plant with rounded, upright growth habit with dense, spreading branches and shiny, deep green elliptic leaves. In late spring, stems sport pretty pink blooms that develop into deep purple to black berries. In fall, the leaves take on gorgeous colours of burgundy, crimson, fuchsia, orange, and yellow. Cotoneaster requires full sun to light shade and will grow well in any loose, well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. It can grow up to 6 to10 feet tall and wide.
Mock Orange (Philadelphus coronarius) – Also called English dogwood, this deciduous ornamental hedging shrub is ideal as a border hedge or a summer privacy screen in backyards. Stiff, woody branches have upright growth and produce dark-green, oval leaves and beautiful white fragrant flowers in summer. Mock Orange requires full sun, well drained soil and can grow 10 to 12 feet tall and wide.
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Echinacea, also known commonly as Coneflower belongs to a group of herbaceous flowering plants in the daisy family. They’re perennial natives of North America and are found in prairies and open, wooded areas. Coneflowers are widely popular plants in the Okanagan and beyond, with good reason. They hardy, easy to grow, they bloom from summer to fall and require little maintenance. The flowers are deer resistant, attract many butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators.
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Echinacea features a dark green foliage with flower heads measuring 2 to 4 inches in diameter. A mounded, brown, central cone is surrounded by pink, purple, yellow or white petals or ray flowers. Depending on the species, ray flowers extend straight out from the center or tend to slightly reflex downward.
Known around the world for its medicinal properties and its versatility as a cut flower, there are ten distinct species of naturally occurring, purple Echinacea. To the gardener’s delight, the horticultural industry has created countless hybrids of pale purple, or yellow, red, orange, pink, green or even multi-coloured specimen that are widely available.
| Planting & Growing Echinacea |
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| Plant in spring, spacing plants 1 to 3 feet apart, depending on the variety ▪Grow coneflowers in full sun to light shade and well drained, fertile soil▪ Dig a hole twice the diameter of the pot the plant is in ▪ Carefully remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface ▪ Carefully fill in around the root ball and firm the soil gently ▪ Water thoroughly |
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| Soil: Tolerant of rocky, clay or sandy soils, Echinacea plants prefer soil that’s rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot. For containers, use a high quality all-purpose potting mix. | ||
| Watering: As these plants are somewhat drought tolerant, they prefer moderate water for best growth and flowering. Allow soil to dry out in between waterings. Irrigate more frequently during heat or dry spells. | ||
| Fertilizing & Pruning: Little or no supplemental fertilizers are required. Add a thin layer of compost around the base of plants each spring. Deadhead spent flower heads to prolong bloom time. Cut back dead growth before plants break dormancy. | ||
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Popular Echinacea Hybrids
Echibeckia ‘Summerina Yellow’ – An intergeneric cross between two popular perennials offering the appearance of Rudbeckia with the hardiness of Echinacea. Large 3″ flowers consisting of golden yellow petals with an orange inner halo surrounding a dark brown cone. Flowers from early summer to mid-fall. Plant size: 23 inches tall x 18 inches spread.
Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus Superior’ – Magnus Superior offers the best and most showy blooms of any Coneflower. A sturdy, erect perennial with purple stems and giant, daisy-like flowers up to 18cm across with a bronze central cone and deep purplish-pink petals held almost horizontally. Plant size: 36 inches tall x 18 inches spread.
Echinacea purpurea ‘PowWow White’ – Magnus Superior offers the best and most showy blooms of any Coneflower. A sturdy, erect perennial with purple stems and giant, daisy-like flowers up to 18cm across with a bronze central cone and deep purplish-pink petals held almost horizontally. Plant size: 24 inches tall x 16 inches spread.
Echinacea x hybrida Artisan Red Ombre – Red Ombre, part of the Artisan Collection, produces very large, single flowers with petals that open red and age to rusty-orange shades surrounding a spiky, gold-brown cone centre. Ideal for sunny borders and growing in mixed containers. Attractive to butterflies. Excellent for cutting. Plant size: 16 to 28 inches tall x 10 to 25 inches spread.
Echinacea purpurea ‘Butterfly Kisses’ – An upright, compact, clump-forming perennial to 1.5 feet tall with toothed, dark green leaves. Fragrant, double flowers to 3 inches in diameter are borne on sturdy, branched stems from summer into autumn and comprise a dark pink, pompom-like central cone surrounded by pale pink ray florets. Plant size: 18 inches tall x 16 inches spread.
Read Also About: Beneficial Native Plants For Okanagan Gardens
Echinacea ‘Mooodz Awake’ – An attractive coneflower that bears rich purple-pink flowers with red centres, on dark, strong stems, from July until September. It’s extremely attractive to bees and other pollinators, and makes excellent cut flower. Grow in at the front of the border or in containers, in full sun. Plant size: 23 inches tall x 19 inches spread.
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Nicholas Alexander Home and Garden Centre carries the Okanagan’s most extensive collection of Echinacea flowers. The friendly and knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you in finding the right plant for your garden.
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Hibiscus is a group of large, late summer flowering plants with large, vibrantly coloured flowers. The flowers of perennial hibiscus, shrubs and trees feature delicate papery-crepe petals that form star or saucer shapes that can grow up to 12” (30 cm) in diameter. Colours range from hues of pink, white, red or orange to yellow, purple and peach. The huge sized and colorful flowers of hibiscus plants make them a showy addition to Okanagan gardens and landscapes.
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As a member of the mallow family Malvaceae, the genus is quite large, comprising several hundred species that are native to a variety of temperate zones throughout the world. Hibiscus plants are widely spread in the Okanagan and are commonly known as “Rose Mallow” and “Rose of Sharon”.
Perennial Hibiscus, commonly known as Rose Mallow – Perennial hibiscus are non-woody plants which die back to the ground in the winter. They are hardy perennials in the Okanagan and their large dinner plate sized blossoms last from midsummer to early fall. Hummingbirds and pollinating bees are attracted to the colourful flowers, but deer typically pass them by. Perennial Hibiscus adapt to a wide range of soils, including clay, but prefer a moist but well-drained soil of average fertility. In the event of a prolonged summer drought, water as needed to maintain a healthy plant.
Summerific ‘Berry Awesome’ Rose Mallow – A prolific bloomer with 7 to 8 inch lavender pink flowers with a cherry red eye and midnight green foliage. This plant is a compact well-branched large clump forming perennial that grows up to 48 inches in height with a naturally rounded habit. The “Summerific” hibiscus flower all up and down the stems instead of just on the upper half of the plants creating a knockout display in the garden and landscape.
Summerific ‘Perfect Storm’ Rose Mallow – This hibiscus features huge, 7-8″ wide, white flowers with a bright red eye that radiates out the veins, with the petals edged with pink. At 3′ tall, ‘Perfect Storm’ with its dense, rounded clump of deep black-purple maple-like leaves blooms from late summer into early fall.
Summerific ‘Holy Grail’ Rose Mallow – A purple-leaved hardy hibiscus with sturdy, upright canes that produce large, deep red blooms that measure 8 to 9 inches in diameter in late summer. Mature plants will reach up to 4.5 feet tall and wide. This plant grows best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. It leafs out late in spring but grows very quickly.
Read Also About: Hot Summer Watering Guide
Summerific ‘Spinderella’ Rose Mallow – Show this off in your late summer landscape with the wild pinwheel pattern of ‘Spinderella’. Large, 8 inch white flowers have medium pink accented edges and a dark red eye. Dark green leaves form a tidy, dense, and well-rounded habit. This plant typically grows up to 5 feet tall and wide. It thrives in full sun and in medium to wet soils. Spinderella tolerates some light shade but best flower production and disease resistance occur in full sun. Prefers consistently moist, organically rich soils.
| Growing Tips for Perennial Hibiscus | ||
| Grow perennial hibiscus in full sun to light shade ▪ Never let them dry out, consistent moisture is critical ▪ Apply an extended release fertilizer once in late spring when new growth emerges ▪ This plant comes up later than most perennials ▪ Leave the woody stems standing until spring, then cut them down to 6” tall ▪ New growth will emerge from below ground, not on last year’s stems |
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Shrub Hibiscus, commonly known as Rose of Sharon – Shrub forms of hibiscus are bushy, woody plants that are cold hardy in zones 5-9. Many varieties reach heights of up to 12 feet. Their taller-than-wide shape makes them ideal for use of screening along a fence line or as a focal point near an entryway of a home. Single or double flowers, 2 to 3 inches wide are produced abundantly in summer. Butterflies and hummingbirds enjoy their nectar, but deer typically pass them by.
Blue Chiffon Rose of Sharon – A deciduous shrub with outstanding, large blue flowers are adorned with lacy centers to create anemone-like blooms. Each stem of this hardy hibiscus is packed with numerous buds. Their rich colour is an unusual addition to the late summer garden, and complements many popular summer perennials and is ideal for use as hedges and borders. The plant grows up to 12 feet in height and up to 6 feet in width. These shrubs prefer full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of sun daily.
White Pillar Rose of Sharon – This easy-to-grow hibiscus, grows 10 to 16 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide as a narrow column. It features bold white trumpet-shaped flowers along the branches from mid summer to early fall, which emerge from distinctive buttery yellow flower buds. Consider this hibiscus as a border plant, for screening, or privacy purposes. It does well with mass planting and makes a stunning focal point in any landscape.
Aphrodite Rose Of Sharon – An eye-catching deciduous shrub that grows up to 8 to 12 feet tall with a spread of 6 to10 feet. It produces an abundance of continuous flowers over a long bloom season. The heavily ruffled, clear pink blooms have a deep red eye. The densely branched habit with thick, deep green foliage is perfect for a hedge or screen, and is easily trained as a small tree. A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is best grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils.
| Growing Tips for Rose of Sharon |
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| Grow shrub forms of hibiscus in full sun ▪ When planting in fall, keep them watered consistently through late fall so they are well-hydrated going into winter ▪ Once established, plant requires average amounts of moisture ▪ If you wish to prune the plant to shape it, do so in early spring ▪ Apply an extended release fertilizer once in late spring when new growth emerges |
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Nicholas Alexander Home and Garden Centre carries the Okanagan’s most extensive collection of hibiscus plants. The friendly and knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you in finding the right plant for your garden.