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Hummingbird Clearwing Moth: Hemaris thysbe
I was filling my bird bath, when buzzing caught my attention. My little garden attracts a lot of insects and birds, but this one is a first.I grabbed my cell-phone quickly and snapped some shots:I...
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What's eating my rose, this time?
Lack of rain this June has made our roses suffer. Having chosen Rosa glauca for its drought tolerance, the heat these past few weeks has stressed the bush inviting so many pesky insect issues.Two weeks...
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Squirrels and Spice, How Nice!
I give up! Every day, I get this:I'm getting tired of this. Constant digging up of my planters/hanging planters... Sometimes I see an entire plant popped right out!Living in a townhouse complex, you...
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I Actually Like Aegopodium 'variegatum'
Aegopodium 'variegatum': also known as Goutweed, Bishops Weed, Variegated Ground Elder..."that ghastly weed"...well, it gets a bad rap in the horticultural world.Here's my take: if it's planted in the...
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Plant Profile: Orchids in Ontario?
I first saw this plant 10 years ago. It doesn't look like much from a distance.It came out in spring resembling Polygonatum (Solomon's Seal) poking through from the ground. I had it growing in an area...
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Collecting Hosta Seeds: Update (2 years later)
As the summer heat continues, I have been vigilantly looking after some of my strategically placed baby Hostas - which I grew from seed (link to previous post here).Two years ago, the above seedlings...
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Thinning Out Tomatoes
I grow tomatoes, specifically cherry and pear tomatoes in pots. Main reason, there is a HUGE Black Walnut tree situated about 20 feet away from the most sunniest spot of the garden. In another post,...
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Save Your Money - Don't Buy Plant Supports
I can't help but be frugal. I hate waste and I dislike spending money needlessly. I rather save funds to buy more plants.Here are some ways to promote waste diversion and help to support/stake...
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Plant Profile: Rudbeckia triloba
Move over Rudbeckia fulgida! If you want abundant flowers, with a taller habit, well you've got to get some Rudbeckia triloba.There is a love/hate relationship with this plant, but I am not sure why....
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Biodiversity Booklets From Toronto's Public Library - Trees, Shrubs and Vines...
I'm beginning to realize so many folks don't know about the City Of Toronto's great resource booklets that have been published since 2009.I've been collecting them ever since they were first released....
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Duckweed is a great Mulch!
Duckweed is a floating aquatic plant that just showed up one day in this pond. The plant probably hitched a ride on some water fowl which frequented the pond in early spring. Since then, Duckweed - a...
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Boxelder Beetle (Bug) - Boisea trivittata
You would think we have an epidemic on our hands with the way the media and public are going on about these tiny creatures.Relax people, they are just Box Elder Beetles - Bugs, to be more specific....
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Red Banded Leaf Hopper - Graphocephala coccinea
It's the beginning of October and as we start to prep for autumn clean up, I noticed our David Austin Rose has set a bunch of new buds and on closer inspection, I noticed these beauties.Wow. I've seen...
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Evergreen Hedges - Gone Wrong
Manicured, healthy hedges that are done right, add valuable structure to the garden. They help lead you along the garden path, or keep you out - depending on their purpose.I want this post to be about...
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Rust on Roses - Phragmidium tuberculatum
Now that it's November, leaves are dropping everywhere. Yet, this David Austin Rose doesn't seem to want to let them go!Notice anything wrong with the leaves?Those brown/reddish speckles are not...
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Plant Profile: Gladiolus callianthus - Abyssinian Sword Lily, Peacock Orchid
One of the reasons I love walking is seeing other gardens along the journey.I happened along these flowers last week and unlike the common gladiola, these peaked my interest.The gentleman raking the...
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Creating Christmas Outdoor Designs from Plants in Your Garden
Decided this year I'd make a set of outdoor Christmas planters from evergreen plants we have in the garden. Having made so many designs over the years, it's time to reuse the accents and items I have...
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Botanical Art/Decoration - Ways of Bringing the Garden Indoors
I confess to having several house plants to help me get through the winter months.Visits to greenhouses and conservatories help, but I just love bringing elements of the garden into my home. They help...
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Spruce Bits Falling From Above
In my travels today, I stumbled upon a strange sight. From afar, it looked like a beautiful dense green ground cover, until I heard debris falling from above.Had a closer look and these bits were all...
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Pruning and Propagating Jade Plants
With spring coming around the corner, I need to get some house plant duties done.Three years ago, I rescued a Jade plant which was abandoned in an office corner - covered in mealy bug. (Here's the post...
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