Blog Posts
Gardening Inspiration to Cultivate Green Thumbs
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Coquitlam’s Inspiration Garden: The Garden that Lives Up to Its Name
There is a unique public garden at the corner of Guildford Way and Pipeline Road in Coquitlam. I tend to frequent it about 2-3 times a year, usually just before...
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10 Overlooked English Roses
Over the years, as both a landscaper and nursery manager, I have planted and sold hundreds of David Austin roses. In all that time I was rarely disappointed, as David...
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The Impressionist’s Guide to Flowers and Foliage
Sometimes two things you love in life align and together they become something greater — such is the case with this article, where fine art and gardening become one. I...
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Le Jardin Rouge / The Red Garden
Red is always a passionate hue. It represents many things to different people, including love, anger, revolution, prosperity, lust, and since it is the colour of blood, even danger. Also...
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Everything You Need to Know About Growing Blueberries
There is no easier fruit to grow here on the "wet coast" than blueberries, much in part to their love of acidic soils and tolerance of cooler springs. That’s not...
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The Definition of an Indigenous Plant
I have been selling native plants for well over 25 years now, and I’ve noticed a new trend in regard to the clientele who are seeking them out. Indigenous people...
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10 Indestructible Plants for Less-than-Perfect Gardeners
While I realize that the title of this article is going to attract those gardeners who may have killed more than their fair share of plants over the years, I...
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The Art of Variegation
Can variegated plants really make your garden more appealing? The answer is a resounding yes, provided you use them sparingly and orient the plants for the best effect.
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Attracting Wild Birds to Your Garden
I should start by admitting that the inspiration for this article came from very unexpected quarters…our new cat. Her name is Tessa and she was a rescue from Katie’s Place...
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The Longest-Blooming Perennials
This might be the year to take your time when choosing perennials because the largest wholesale supplier in B.C., Valleybrook Gardens (renamed Joya Growers Ltd.), has officially been shuttered. So...
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Growing Your Own Food in 2023: Food Crops for Small Spaces
It’s no secret that the cost of food has been rising steadily, but did you realize that it increased an average of 11.4% in Canada over 2022 (Statistics Canada, 2022)?...
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English Rose Look-Alikes
I would like to start 2023 by being perfectly honest with you in regard to this year’s roses, and there is both good and bad news to share. The bad...