At the May meeting of the Tweed and District Horticultural Society, members enjoyed viewing gardens from British Columbia to Newfoundland and across the ocean to England, France and the Netherlands. Marjorie Mason, from Mason House Gardens in Uxbridge shared her travels through an informative power point presentation highlighting unique features of the various gardens.
Marjorie is a horticulturalist who has been traveling with gardeners of all levels to destinations throughout North America and Europe. Her knowledge and enthusiasm for history and culture was evident throughout her presentation. As Marjorie says, “You go to an art gallery and enjoy the paintings and art work there. The same applies to gardening; you can enjoy the beauty of gardens and never garden!”
According to Marjorie, Mother Nature is the best gardener of all! If she does something, then we should follow her example.
Some of the highlights of the presentation…..
-create a blended hedge-plant different plant material together and shear to create a hedge of various colours and textures
-support vines when they are young (and not necessarily with a trellis)
-it is OK to mix annuals and perennials in a garden
-plant bulbs at the back of your garden and the perennials will cover up the dying foliage
-potscaping…plants in pots….use garbage cans, rolling planters, living walls, troughs (stone or wood)
-put houseplants outdoors in the summer
-days of pristine lawns are a thing of the past…now
”relaxed”lawns are a mixture of clover and wildflowers which is great for the birds, butterflies and pollinators
-create a hedge from your pruning debris
COMING UP….
June 6…John Poland, from Kingston will provide insights into his gardening experiences. He developed a love of gardening by observing and helping his father and these experiences as a young child have helped him as he established pollinator and vegetable gardens on his property.
May 20…Plant Sale at Tweed Memorial Park. Set-up starts at 7 am and sale opens to the public at 8 am.
May 30…Planting the town planters and flower beds. Meet at the lot across from Valumart at 5:30 pm.
July 13…Bus Trip to Mosaicanada 150 at Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau. Price is $45.