Desi News Corp - Index

Desi News Corp - Desi News - June 2009 - Index

Grow Wild!
An avid gardener, Lucy
Maud Montgomery
(the creator of the beloved
Anne of Green Gables
books) described the
ideal garden in a 1901
diary entry:
Sequestered and
old, bordered with
clam shells or ribbon
grass, and rich with
crimson, luscious pinks,
purples, oranges, yellows,
whites – “all growing in
orderly confusion”.
Those interested in hardy
native plants are sure to find
get GROWING!
kindred spirits at Wild Things
Plant Farm.
The folks there grow and
test a huge variety of hardy
perennials without chemical
pesticides or herbicides. And
they are happy to share their
knowledge with visitors.
We were there on a late
summer morning last year and
I wandered happily around,
browsing through detailed plant
descriptions and growing habits
on signs that were placed by
each group of plants. I had put
myself on a tight budget as we
drove up, but I threw caution
to the winds when confronted
with new varieties of perennial
geraniums.
Very pleased with the ones I
already have – they have grown
into happy clumps and given
me many seedlings for other
parts of my garden as well as
for friends – I found it hard to
resist one called Splish Splash,
white with blue (what else?)
splashes.
I also found a lovely fuschia
veronica to keep the blue and
white ones already in my garden
company. And a wild blue lupin
that I knew would look spectacular
next to its yellow cousin
in my garden. As we drove in
I’d noticed a tall clump of pale
pink-and-white phlox with
green, white edged, yellow
edged, plain, ribbed...but I was
looking for a particular variety
with tubular white flowers that
blooms in late August. The lady
pulled out their catalogue that
helpfully lists each variety with
the colour of its blooms. While
most said ‘pale lavender’, we
found a couple that matched
the description of the one I
wanted. Unfortunately, they
were sold out, but at least I now
know I am looking for Aphrodite
or Royal Standard.
IF YOU LIKE US NOW, COME
BACK IN SPRING, said a sign,
promising a show of trilliums.
Unfortunately, I missed the
show this Spring but have every
intention of making it next year.
All growing in orderly confusion
variegated leaves and I was
delighted to find the plants on
sale. One went into the buggy
along with a large pot of Joe
Pye Weed, a plant I’ve wanted
ever since I’ve seen it show up
on every native plant lover’s list
of must-haves.
It was a lovely morning,
chatting with other plant lovers,
enjoying coffee from the
strategically located stand,
watching the large friendly dog
gambol among the plant stands
and miraculously avoid tipping
a single one over.
In Hosta Hollow, I found a
mind boggling variety of
hostas. Green, lime green, blue-
Meanwhile, the plants I picked
up from Wild Things Plant Farm
have settled happily into my
garden and even rewarded
me with some babies.
• Wild Things Plant farm is
located at 9688 Baseline Road in
Minto, Ontario, and their telephone
number is 1-877-538-3228.
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34 Desi News June 2009