St. Mary's Nursery & Garden Centre Spring 2018 by CR Creative Co. Ltd.

SPRING 2018

ST. MARY’S NURSERY & GARDEN CENTRE

2901 St. Mary’s Road, Winnipeg

LET’S GET GROWING Naturally, Proven Winners plants are pretty, but it’s the remarkable way they flourish from spring through fall that makes all the difference. So, when it’s time to dress up your front entrance to boost your home’s curb appeal or improve the view out your kitchen window, Proven Winners is at your service. We are honored that you’ve trusted us for over 20 years to enhance your garden with exquisite flowers and plants. Cheers to another amazing season!

Find Proven Winners at your local retailers. For a listing of retailers visit provenwinners.com

CONTENTS

St. Mary’s Calendar of Events

The Dirt On Dirt

Nature’s Nurture

Recipes

Gardening With The Kids

Queen of Vines

The Colour Purple - Garden Style

Look Good, Feel Great

This publication may not be reproduced, all or in part, without written consent from the publisher and St. Mary’s Nursery & Garden Centre. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all content in the publication, however, the publisher will not be held accountable for omissions or errors. Note that products may vary between retailers and regions, and supplies may be limited. Pricing is subject to change and is not valid with any other offer. Home & Garden Showplace is a registered trademark for use by its members, of which the Garden Centre Group Co-Op is an alliance member. A selection of photos in this magazine provided by Proven Winners®.

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A Bright Idea!

FROM THE OWNERS

easons transition quickly with a welcoming mood at St. Mary’s Nursery & Garden Centre. Excitement builds as our greenhouses feature brightly coloured hanging baskets found alongside annual and perennial plants. Feeling the warm air and absorbing the scent of moist soils brings a renewed sensation. The season brings new life to garden accents harmonizing with the trends of succulents, low maintenance plants, ‘growing your own’ fruits and vegetables, and introducing children back to the garden. Landscape designs this year show inspirations of family: play spaces, entertaining elements, and spaces given to edible gardening. Tropical plants are in vogue again contributing to air quality, health and emotion. Tropical plants are “cool” again as we find ourselves enthralled by creating miniature terrariums and using larger selections as annual accents in containers for exterior use. The designing world brings influence to gardening by announcing the Pantone colour of the year being purple; bringing this rich colour and all its degree of blends into focus in the garden. It is going to be a purple year!

Lavender

St. Mary’s continues its tradition by featuring the current trends in gardening. In Spring 2018 we will be revealing new creative displays, new Carla Hrycyna plant selections, and Ken Land opening of new space. Join me, Carla every Saturday morning at 9:15am on CFRY920, CFAM950, CJRB1220 or AM1250 as I am pleased to be the new host of The Lawn & Garden Journal. As my business partner, Ken Land, and I enter into a new spring, we are excited for our next generation gardener. Our families are growing in numbers. We see our children and grandchildren learning the importance of plants which stimulates us to reveal the importance of growing plants to our next generations. We look forward to gardening with you this 2018 season. May your gardens be colourful and your edible crops bountiful.

nown for their essentials oils, its name reflects the colour of their blooms. Belonging to the mint family, it has been used for years as ornamental plantings in the landscape, in mixed container gardening, a stand alone plant and as a culinary herb. Lavender also has a soothing effect to the body when its scent is inhaled. It is best grown in well drained soils and it requires good air circulation to thrive. Use its dried flowers in potpourri, the tall spiky blooms appear in shades of purple to blues held above green to blue green and sometimes silver toned foliage. The scent is used to freshen up a room and is appealing for its relaxing and soothing qualities. Lavender smells great and makes you feel good too. Perfect in tune for 2018 Pantone’s colour of the Year - Purple.

SPRING 2018 • 5

ST. MARY’S NURSERY & GARDEN CENTRE

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Saturday, April 14, 1:30 – 3:30 pm

Spring Charity Fashion Show Join St. Mary’s for its Spring Charity Fashion Show. Free event! With your purchases made that afternoon, St. Mary’s will donate 25% of those purchases to charity.

Saturday, April 21, 1 – 4 pm FDJ (French Dressing Jeans)

Fit Clinic

Join us for a professional fitting. The French Dressing Jean experts are in attendance fitting the jean that is perfect for you.

Thursday, April 26, 6:30 – 9 pm

Ladies Night @ St. Mary’s Our famous Ladies Night event is back for spring. Mark the calendar: gather the girls for our free seminar, and NO PST / No GST event.

Sat. May 12 / Sun. May 13

ST. MARY’S NURSERY & GARDEN CENTRE

Spring Class Schedule Creative Containers

In our container gardening class make up to 3 containers. Learn the skills to have a beautiful container for your deck or patio. Our staff will guide you with your selections. Your containers stay cozy in the warmth of our greenhouses, watered and fertilized till the May long weekend - just in time for patio time. Containers available for purchase (or bring your own). Call 204-255-7353 to register or for additional information. Registration fee - $25.00 (instruction & plant holding fee) – soil and plant materials extra.

Tuesday, April 10 Wednesday, April 11 Thursday, April 12 Monday, April 16 Tuesday, April 17 Wednesday, April 18 Saturday, April 21

Container Gardening Container Gardening Container Gardening Container Gardening Container Gardening Container Gardening Container Gardening

6 – 8:30 pm 6 – 8:30 pm 6 – 8:30 pm 6 – 8:30 pm 6 – 8:30 pm 6 – 8:30 pm 10 am or 1:30 pm

Fairy Gardening

For all ages. Come learn all about the fairies! Fairy gardening is one of the fastest growing genres in gardening in North America. Spend an afternoon in the greenhouse creating your very own fairy garden. Workshop includes instruction, care and maintenance. Create a magical miniature landscape!

Walk among the Mums at St. Mary’s Nursery

Registration fee $25.00 (course fee redeemable on the purchase of fairy accents and materials on day of class). Containers are available for purchase (or bring your own). All plants and miniature accents extra. Sorry, no outside supplies other than container.

Visit the garden centre with mom. Stroll through our greenhouses full of colour and beautiful flowering florist mums. We invite you to relax with a complimentary cup of tea or coffee.

Saturday, April 28 Sunday, April 29

Coming July

They’re BACK! Jurassic Gardens @ St. Mary’s Nursery The gardens are growing amongst the dinosaurs. Enjoy a walk through our outdoor gardens amongst our display of dinosaurs. Lifesize and life-like. Dinosaur enthusiasts young to old will love the peaceful time.

DAYS WORTH MENTIONING: MARCH 21, 2018

Canada’s National Flower Day

Buy potted flowers today for someone or treat yourself. APRIL 16, 2018

National Orchid Day

Treat yourself to an orchid plant. SEPTEMBER 26, 2018

Canada’s National Tree Day Plant a tree!

Fairy Gardening Fairy Gardening

10:30 am 1:30 pm

Landscape Design 101

Where to begin? Spend an evening with one of our designers to learn the basics of landscaping your yard. Bring photos and lists of your questions. Registration fee $25.00 (course fee redeemable on any purchase on the evening of class).

Monday, April 16 Wednesday, April 18

Landscape Design 101 Landscape Design 101

6 – 8:00 pm 6 – 8:00 pm

Beginner Gardeners

Preparing beds and borders or balcony gardening? Preparing well will save you loads of time and money later. Stop asking yourself what to do and what not to do. Join our class to learn all about seeding, soils, and methods of transplanting. From package to pot, we will give you the tips for success. Bring your questions – we will have the answers. Registration fee $25.00 (course fee redeemable on the purchase of garden supplies on the day of class).

Saturday, April 7

Learn to Sow!

1:30 – 2:30 pm

Create To Go Activities

CLASS 1 - Hearts for Mom. Just in time for Mother’s Day, plant a beautiful metal heart shaped planter. Class is only $40.00 - class includes heart metal planter (retail value $34.99), soil, plus 3 pre-selected plants. Perfect for little hands to create and take home.

Saturday, May 5

Hearts for Mom

10 am or 1 pm

CLASS 2 - Succulent Teacup Planter. For all ages. Perfect mom & me activity. Sweet & delicate. Selections of succulents to arrange into beautiful teacups. Class costs $25.00 ( includes cup, soil and choices of 3 succulent plants). Additional materials are extra cost.

Saturday, May 12

Succulent Teacup Planter

Grateful Teacher Gift Pot

10 am & 1 pm

Kids will create a small planter with starter plants and a dressed topping. Give the gift of green for teacher’s while the kids enjoy the fun planting. Total cost is $15.00 (includes pot, soil, plant).

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Every Satur day from 9:15 10 am

Thursday, June 21st - 6 pm 6 • ST. MARY’S NURSERY & GARDEN CENTRE - 2901 St. Mary’s Road, Winnipeg - 204-255-7353 - stmarysnurseryandgardencentre.ca

PLANTS OF THE YEAR 2018 (According to Associations)

Every year the horticultural and gardening association releases their selection of plants; highlighting the new, the unique or the underused plant. Here is the plant selection for 2018. PERENNIAL OF THE YEAR

ANNUAL OF THE YEAR

(Perennial Plant Association)

Petunia ‘SupertuniaBordeaux’

HOSTA OF THE YEAR

HERB OF THE YEAR

‘Allium Millenium’

‘World Cup’

(American Hosta Grower Association)

VEGETABLE OF THE YEAR

‘Rutabaga’

Tillandsia Trends (Association for the Conservation of Crop Diversity)

(Proven Winners selection)

Hops

(International Herb Association)

LANDSCAPE PLANT OF THE YEAR

Weigela Spilled Wine (Proven Winners selection)

he tillandsia commonly known as an air plant is trending. Low maintenance, lower light plants which belong to the largest family of bromeliads. Tillandsia are epiphytes which do not sink their roots into the depths of soil but rather anchor their roots to trees or rocks. Moisture and nutrients are absorbed through their roots systems. The best location for a tillandsia is in bright, indirect, or filtered light. Water, as to any other plants is important. Depending on your homes humidity, you will have to adjust the watering of your plants. Occasional “dunking” or placing the air plants under running water should be suffice enough for the plants to absorb moisture. Frequent misting may be beneficial too. It is the colour, texture and size variables which influence our choices. Available in colour shades of green, gray, peach, or deep burgundy; tillandsia trend for their use in creative displays. Alone or paired with colourful moss, decorative rock or natural twig branching, the tillandsia exudes a unique style.

“Blob” planters available at

SPRING 2018 • 7

INDOOR GARDENS W

ith the ever-increasing demand for fresh, grow your own product, indoor gardens are fast expanding. Fresh herbs, greens, and starter plants can all be successfully produced inside the home. Depending on what you are trying to grow will impact the degree of sophistication required to produce a crop successfully. Sprouts can be produced with some seed and water (a specialized sprouting jar will make this process even simpler). With sprouts, unlike just about every other plant you are trying to grow inside, light is not a consideration. In fact, sprouts should be kept out of direct light. Light, light length, temperature, moisture, and nutrition all factor into the healthy growth of plants in the home. Lighting presents the biggest challenge when producing plants in the dead of a Winnipeg winter.

Other lighting types are available if you want to take the little indoor garden up to a larger, more professional growing operation, but the simple fluorescent tube systems are certainly sufficient for those looking to add some fresh herbs or greens to the menu.

I still like the old style incandescent grow bulb for many indoor situations. Fixtures specific for plants generally come with a clamp that easily mounts to a shelf or pot stake. Like all incandescent bulbs, incandescent grow bulbs are not very energy efficient as about 90% of the power they consume goes in to the production of heat. That heat production requires lights to be placed at a sufficient distance from plants so as not to burn them, generally about 2’ depending on wattage. A selection of complete lighting systems are available with fluorescent tubes for use indoors. A full daylight spectrum t5 bulb will provide sufficient light to produce most herbs, seedlings, and greens in the home. Most systems have a way to adjust the height of the fixture so that it can be kept a couple inches above the growing plants. Remember that plants do better when they have a rest period, so make sure that the lights are turned off for 6 to 8 hours daily. Office buildings often present a major challenge for those people who just want a little greenery around them in their little cubby hole. Flexible neck desk lamps with daylight spectrum florescent bulbs are perfect for such a situation. A 6” cyclamen or gerbera makes a great desktop addition.

Available at

8 • ST. MARY’S NURSERY & GARDEN CENTRE - 2901 St. Mary’s Road, Winnipeg - 204-255-7353 - stmarysnurseryandgardencentre.ca

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THE DIRT ON

DIRT By John DeGroot, DeGroot’s Nurseries, Sarnia, Ontario

hat can we add to soil to rejuvenate it? Let’s look at the most common soil amendments to get the scoop on healthy soil.

PEAT MOSS: Hands down, peat moss has always been every green thumber’s favourite soil amendment. Peat moss helps sandy soil hold moisture and loosens clay soil to improve drainage. Peat moss improves all important soil texture but does little to improve soil fertility. Use liberal amounts and mix thoroughly with your existing soil.

BONE MEAL: Use bone meal to build soil fertility. Bone meal contains lots of phosphorous for bigger bolder blooms and stronger roots. Bone meal improves all soils, and especially benefits roses, bulbs and blooming plants. Bone meal releases slowly and steadily, keeping your plants healthy over time.

BLOOD MEAL: High in nitrogen and fast acting, blood meal is a perfect complement to bone meal, which is why they are often mixed together in the same package. Use blood meal to give anemic plants an organic shot in the arm. Blood meal has the added benefit of repelling mice and other unwanted rodents.

MANURE: Like compost, manure improves the structure of soil while increasing its organic nutrient value. Mix manure up to 50/50 with your existing soil. And no, there is little difference between sheep, cow, horse and your neighbour’s manure. If you are a city slicker with a pickup truck you might be able to bum manure from a country farmer friend. If not, bagged manure is odour-free and more highly concentrated.

GREEN MANURE: Follow the advice of an old farmer and grow a green manure cover crop for a year. In the fall plough the crop into the soil and your garden will be grateful. Use alfalfa, sorghum, legumes, clover or any annual crop that will produce lots of vegetation. Green manure serves as a source of food and energy, stimulating valuable microbial activity in soil. Other benefits are a reduction of weeds in your garden patch and improvement in soil aeration.

GYPSUM:

To break up the heaviest clay soil, spread gypsum on the surface. Be generous and put down about 20 kilograms of gypsum for every 100 square metres of surface area. Repeat for three consecutive years. Gypsum contains calcium and sulfur, but will not boost general fertility.

LIME: My high school chemistry teacher taught that if soil is too acidic, plants are unable to use nutrients that probably already exist in the soil. The solution is to add lime in order to raise the pH and sweeten or neutralize the soil. Apply 10kg dolomitic lime per 100 square metres of surface area. The application of lime may also serve to reduce moss and mushroom formation. While lime is not a moss killer, it will neutralize highly acidic soil where moss often thrives.

“GARDENERS

COMPOST: Let’s define compost as anything organic that has sufficiently broken down to look like rich dark soil. Compost can include everything from egg shells to leaves, to grass clippings, to banana peels. Compost trumps most other soil amendments because it improves soil texture and is chock full of nutrients. Mix generous amounts of compost with your existing soil.

ALL

KNOW THE DIRT.” ...Tips and tricks to optimize your dirt.

MULCH: Good gardeners know that mulch is the ticket to healthy soil and strong plant growth. Mulch keeps weeds down, retains soil moisture, reduces temperature fluctuations and insulates soil to minimize winter injury. Like the forest floor, organic mulches break down over time, contributing to soil health. Top up once a year to refresh appearance and maintain a depth of 2 to 3 inches. SPRING 2018 • 11

Nature’s NURTURE! By Tanya Olsen Royal City Nursery, Guelph, Ontario

• Sunlight: Soaking up the sun provides an influx of vitamin D and the fresh air is good for your body and your soul! • Getting in touch with nature: While we may not have the time for a walk in the woods, gardening for even 20 minutes will help create the primal connection to nature lost with the pressures of daily life. • You create a space that is beautiful and restful. Our garden centre’s mission is to assist in the creation of your outdoor living space, to suit your lifestyle, as an extension of the indoor space.

ith an increasing awareness of the value of gardening as a means to reduce daily stress and anxiety, the therapeutic benefits of nature and cultivated horticulture have been sought after for generations. The Japanese have a medical practice called forest bathing or Shinrin-yoku (森林浴) which is literally a short leisurely trip to a forest. The theory is that “visiting a forest for relaxation and recreational purposes provides the opportunity to breathe in wood based essential oils like α-Pinene (a bronchodilator that increases air flow to the lungs) and limonene (antimicrobial volatile organic compounds) emitted from trees to protect them from rotting and insects.” http://www.hphpcentral.com/article/ forest-bathing In Canada, the profession and study of horticulture therapy is growing rapidly. Many hospitals, nursing homes and mental health facilities have established horticulture therapy programs as part of their mainstream practices. Study after study shows that if we take the therapeutic concepts that benefit patient, staff and visitor, and apply them on a smaller scale, we can bring the anti-stress benefits home.

• Reaping the rewards of the garden through wildlife and bird observation and a harvest of vegetables, fruits or cut flowers for your kitchen table.

When you start your healing garden experience, the active benefits include physical activity, cognitive stimulation and a sense of accomplishment. The more passive benefits include:

• The calming effects of being in the moment as you view your green space through the window. Simply put, we decrease our illness recovery time if we enjoy the view!

In order to realize the benefits, we need to engage and connect with the landscape. Keep in mind that it is not so much gardening itself that is the key to stress reduction, so much as the way it is approached. Healing gardens can be gardens created for a single purpose or existing gardens renovated to include new ideas. Before you head to the garden centre to start creating a healing garden at your own home or office, here are a few recommendations:

1. Understand the available space you have. A healing garden does not need to be large. A collection of pots on the balcony can bring as much value as a fully landscaped backyard, if that is the space you have. Know how much sun or shade the space will receive so the plants can thrive properly.

2. Think about your overall maintenance requirements and be realistic about how much time and energy you will need. Your independent garden centre can help you plan for both available space and required efforts. Your landscape must suit your lifestyle. If the garden is at its best when you are not home, it is not functional. To reap the benefits of the experience you have to be in the space. When you come home after a long day, what better way to unwind than to sit on your patio and see the lights turn on one by one and reflect off the white edges of your favorite variegated plant, or watch the dusk blooming pond lilies and perennials come to life.

To make your garden effective:

1. Select plants that tickle all

Spring

five senses. How the garden sounds, Summer Photo courtesy of Proven Winners smells or feels - www.provenwinners.com. will transport you to another time. To harvest is to taste the garden. Winter When engaging your sense Fall of sight, don’t forget the views out your window during winter, as landscapes should be functional 365 days a year, both up close and from a distance.

2. Choose plants to signal the change of seasons and place them where you can see them from your window or as you enter the house. The blooms of a forsythia mean spring, the changing colours of a maple triggers memories of playing in

piles of leaves on a crisp fall day, while the dark green of a white spruce tree provides shelter in the winter. Sage, be it ornamental or edible, reminds everyone it is time to get into the summer BBQ season.

3. Bring the outdoors in with the use of a small greenhouse. If you don’t have room for a greenhouse structure, use a row cover on your vegetables to extend the season, or start seeds indoors with a mini greenhouse tray, available in the seed section of your independent garden centre.

Specific plants known to reduce stress… OUTDOORS Lavender – A fragrant Mediterranean perennial herb to reduce irritability and prompt relaxation. The essential oil can be consumed as tea or in a dried form. Chamomile – The dried flowers make a tasty tea, whose compounds assist in feeling calm. Lemon Balm – Used to reduce anxiety and help with sleep. It is also a magnet for pollinating insects. St John’s Wort – A small easy to grow shrub, hardy to Zone 5. Tablets can be found in health food stores to help treat depression and insomnia.

INDOORS Studies have reported many benefits to keeping plants indoors – not just for their psychological effects, but because many of our simple houseplants will help clean the air we breathe of chemicals and toxins. Use these sustainable solutions for improved air quality in both your home, your office or your dorm room or in a living wall! Spider Plant – One of the best for air exchange, as the daughter plants (plants produced by aerial roots) develop thick fleshy roots outside of the soil. These fleshy roots exchange gases and airborne nutrients quickly and easily. Peace Lily and English Ivy – Both have large volumes of leaves with porous openings on their undersides called stomata. These stomata release moisture into the air through transpiration, oozing humidity. Use these to help fight the dreaded winter cold and boost the overall humidity of a room by as much as 5%. Janet Craig Dracaena – With a high transpiration (gas exchange) rate, this plant will filter the local toxins and volatile organic compounds in the air. Whether you are just starting out with a raised vegetable garden, a pot overflowing with your grandmother’s favourite flowers or you are creating your first dynamic garden at your home, it is important to recognize that it is YOUR space. Go on, get your hands dirty! The benefits of your healing garden and your staycation are only a few short steps away! Happy planting! SPRING 2018 • 13

PERFECT FOR THE WEEKEND, EASY ENOUGH FOR A WEEKDAY.

Beer and Honey BBQ Chicken Skewers Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Total Time: 20 mins

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Cut chicken in small pieces, about 1 ½ inch cubes. 2. In a medium bowl whisk all the ingredients together. Add chicken. There should be enough marinade to cover the chicken. Cover with plastic wrap and place in fridge. Let it marinate for at least 2 hours to 24 hours.

Incredibly delicious Beer and Honey BBQ Chicken Skewers – Perfect for a weekend or even a busy week night. Just prepare the night before, let marinate overnight and grill when ready.

3. Fire up grill.

Servings: 6 Calories: 197 kcal per serving

5. Place chicken on grill and turn every couple minutes or so, at the same time brushing some of the leftover marinade over the chicken. Grill until chicken is cooked through.

INGREDIENTS 3 cloves minced garlic ¾ cup beer 1/3 cup honey 1 tsp red pepper flakes 1 tsp Dijon mustard ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce 1 tbsp olive oil 4 chicken breasts cut into small cubes cilantro for garnish 14

4. Thread chicken on skewers, about 5 pieces per skewer. Do not throw away leftover marinade.

6. Garnish with cilantro and serve. RECIPE NOTES Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Healthy Kale Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette Prep Time: 10 mins This Kale Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette is fresh and delicious, loaded with good for you ingredients like kale, blueberries and apples then drizzled with a yummy blueberry vinaigrette! Servings: 6 Calories: 278 kcal

INGREDIENTS 8 cups curly kale leaves stems removed and finely chopped 1 tbsp fresh lime juice 1 tbsp olive oil salt and pepper to taste 1 apple, cored and sliced 1 cup fresh blueberries 1 avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced ½ cup crumbled feta cheese 2 tbsp sunflower seeds FOR BLUEBERRY VINAIGRETTE ½ cup fresh blueberries 3 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp honey 1 tsp balsamic vinegar 2 tbsp water salt and pepper to taste INSTRUCTIONS 1. In a large bowl add the kale, lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss really well making sure that all the kale is covered in oil and lime juice. 2. Add the chopped apples, blueberries, avocado, feta cheese and sunflower seeds. 3. In a blender add all the vinaigrette ingredients and blend until smooth. 4. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and serve. JO COOKS, JOANNA CISMARU Jo knows her readers so well they might as well be neighbours. She has a sixth sense for what they want to make on any given day, from warming comfort foods like chicken noodle soup to morning indulgences like iced cinnamon rolls. She also knows what’s in their cupboards (never calling for something that’s hard to find) and how much time they’ve got to cook. Add to that her spunky attitude, her endearing writing style and her love of food, and it’s clear why she’s so loved. www.jocooks.com

Available at select Garden Centres.

GREAT FOR SUMM ENTERTAINER ING!

1/2 package of mix Cup of mayo / cup of sour cream Great for veggies, potatoe chips, pretzals or bread sticks

Baked Parmesan Artichoke Dip ½ cup (4oz) cream cheese ½ cup (4oz) real mayonnaise 3 tbsp Dip Mix ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 can (13.75 oz) artichoke hearts (drained and chopped) 2 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional) Squeeze out excess liquid from artichokes. In a small bowl, combine dip blend, mayonnaise, cream cheese & grated Parmesan. Stir in artichoke hearts. Transfer to a heat-proof dish. Top with Parmesan cheese if desired. Bake in a 180° C (350°F) oven until hot, about 15 to 20 minutes. Serve with crusty sourdough French bread, breadsticks, pita chips or crackers.

SPRING 2018 • 15

CROCS

GARDENING WITH THE

Kids

HOW TO SHARE

YOUR LOVE FOR NATURE By Bernie Whetter The Green Spot Home & Garden, Brandon, Manitoba

ardening is one of the most rewarding experiences we can share with our children. It is a chance to spend time together learning about the natural world, enjoying the outdoors, growing and harvesting food, and appreciating being in the moment. There is no greater way to pass on a respect for nature and a love for living things than teaching our children about gardening. Here are some ideas to help get your kids involved. During the winter months, do some research with your children to choose plants for the garden and help them learn the benefits of each, to allow them to think about questions such as: why are carrots good for your eyes? Do sunflowers make good wild bird food? How do marigolds keep pests away? What makes a zinnia attract a monarch butterfly? How can beans make nitrogen available to the soil? Does catnip really attract cats and repel aphids? If we plant basil beside a tomato, will the tomato taste better?

Once you have put together a list of candidates, have your child make the final selection and let the excitement for spring begin. Seeds are available at your local garden centre early in the new year, and frequent visits keep the kids interested in growing plants. It’s also a good time to collect child friendly garden tools with short handles and ergonomic grips. Tools that are brightly colored will add an element of fun.

"Grandpa, will you come to the garden with me?"

It is important that the garden is a fun place to be, so create activities around the work. Kids love to play, they love to make things, and they are all about motion so make an “activity centre” right in the garden. Build a play structure or shelter to provide protection from the sun, rain, and wind, and that can house a small table, a couple of chairs and a small storage container

for paper, crayons, paints etc. Drafting a garden map is a good starter project making areas for vegetables, flowers, butterfly gardens and the activity centre. Incorporating an entrance gate and walking paths will make the space more interesting. Garden projects relating to nature will allow for learning opportunities. Pressed leaves and flowers provide a great lesson in botany and can be used to make cards. Have a picnic or a tea party and enjoy fresh produce from the garden for snacks. Draw and colour pictures of things you see in the garden like flowers, bugs, and birds. Children can make signs for each variety of plant in the garden on waterproof paper stapled to a short stake. With some soil, pots, and bedding plants, make a hanging basket or a planter that can be displayed in the garden or used on the patio. Ant farm kits can be purchased and once populated will capture the attention of children as the ants busily go about their daily chores in full view. Other additions to the garden will complement the experience. If a building is nearby, set up a rain barrel under a downspout. Not only will the kids have a source of water for the garden, but they will also learn about

conserving natural resources. Start a compost pile in the back corner. A rain gauge and a windsock or a wind spinner will make the kids aware of the earth’s elements. A bird house, lady bug house, and a mason bee house will provide living quarters to beneficial friends in the garden and provide interesting viewing. Add a bench for relaxation after the day’s hard work and a garden gnome for good luck. The biggest challenge is to create incentive to maintain the garden. Weeding can feel like a chore, even for adults, but if done frequently for short time periods, added to the compost pile and rewarded with a game or snack, it can become fun. By giving your child their own watering can, you can help them take ownership over keeping the plants well hydrated. On a hot day, get the hose and sprinkler out and combine watering the garden with water play. Even though harvest is some of the hardest work, digging potatoes and carrots, the fruits of their labour, just might be enough gratification to retain their interest. One of the most rewarding activities I had with my children was planting a tree. About the same time as my oldest began school, we planted a small tree. Every year, on the first day of school, we took a picture of her and later on, her brother. These became treasures as we watched both the children and the tree grow and flourish. Above all, let the children make the decisions (or at least feel like they are making the decisions). Keep it fun and always be willing to respond with a resounding YES! when asked “Grandpa, will you come to the garden with me?”

SPRING 2018 • 19

Queen of Vines By Brian Minter, Minter Country Garden, Chilliwack, British Columbia

lematis truly are the ‘queen of vines’ in terms of hardiness, resilience and massive colour over a significant part of the spring, summer and into the fall. Many new varieties debut every year, each bringing something unique to the vine table. One clematis family, however, is often overlooked, according to Rob Wein of Clearview Horticultural Products, one of the largest clematis growers in our country.

“When folks go into garden stores, the tendency is to buy the newest varieties and those in bloom,” says Wein. “There are so many beautiful early-bloomers out there, they are hard to resist. The ones not in bloom, however, tend to be passed over, and it’s a huge miss for our summer gardens.”

"The 'C group' is for charming. Beautiful Clematis to be enjoyed all summer every summer!"

According to Wein, what’s being overlooked are the summer-bloomers, otherwise know as ‘group C’ clematis. Their blossoms are not as large as some of the early-blooming stalwarts, but they produce in great profusion and over a long period of time (8-12 weeks) during the summer when you will enjoy them the most. Among the hardiest (zone 3) of the clematis family, they are also some of the most disease and pest resistant.

Wein says ‘group C’ varieties will grow almost anywhere in our country if they get some sunlight. In areas that have very hot summers, it may be best to plant them in a morning sun location with some protection or shade from the day’s most intense heat. Wein recommends planting a smaller shrub in front of the clematis to shade its roots in extreme heat situations. Some of Wein’s favourite group C varieties are: • “Jackmanii” and “Jackmanii Superba” are among the most well-known in this group, often blooming from June through September with 4 to 6-inch (10-15cm) flowers. • “Ville de Lyon”, a striking red with a silver sheen, is another great one. Again, with 4 to 6-inch blooms (10-15cm).

Jackmanii

Ville de Lyon

Huldine

Honora

Comtesse de Bouchard

• For a white, “Huldine” is one of the best performers. Its massive display of 3 to 4-inch (8-10cm) blooms is outstanding.

• “Polish Spirit” is a very strong flowering Polish introduction with small 3 to 4-inch (8-10 cm) deep purple flowers produced June through September.

• “Honora” has attractive velvety red-violet purple blooms and is a great performer.

• “Venosa Violacea” has streaked purple veins on a white background with six petaled 4 to 6-inch (10-15cm) flowers.

• “Comtesse de Bouchard” is one of the better pinks, producing lots of 4 to 6-inch (10-15 cm) blooms. • “Perle d’Azur”, a distinctive purple, also features 4 to 6-inch (10-15cm) blooms that fade to an attractive blue. • “Pink Fantasy”, one of the few bi-colours in this category, sports shell-pink blooms with rosy pink bars. • “Madame Julia Correvon” has 3 to 4-inch (8-10cm) deep wine-red flowers with twisted sepals. • “Rouge Cardinal” is a rich burgundy-crimson with attractive brown stamens that blooms from June till September with 4 to 6-inch (10-15cm) blossoms.

When planting clematis, make sure you prepare a planting hole about 18 inches deep. Then carefully set in the root ball and bury the stems about four inches below the top of the soil. Clematis are ‘stem rooting’ and if the top is broken, this will ensure a fast recovery from the root system. Be careful not to bend the stems when setting in the clematis roots. Water the clematis well to help get it established, but once growing, be sure not to overwater. Another nice thing about summer-blooming clematis is the ease of pruning. When they are beginning to decline at the end of summer, they can simply be pruned down to about 12 inches. Over time, as the stems become thicker, prune them back in stages, down to around 3 feet one year and down to 12 to 18 inches the next – this will lessen the shock to older plants. Any time the leaves look unsightly or get burnt in the sun, a simple haircut will clean them up, and they will soon grow back fresh leaves and blooms. Today, the emphasis is all about the new clematis varieties while the proven success stories are often passed over. So, when adding these wonderful vines to your garden, please consider these amazing summer-bloomers.

SPRING 2018 • 21

The Colour Purple GARDEN STYLE By Carla Hrycyna, St Marys Nursery and Garden Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba

he colour purple. Some may think of the movie or a familiar song, but it is so much more than that! Purple is a secondary colour that ranges from the warm tones of red-violet magentas to the cooler side of violet blues and lavenders, and harmonizes well with yellow. The 2018 inspired Pantone “Ultra Violet” colour was described as a “dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade that takes our awareness and potential to a higher level.” Historical accounts show that for the Phoenicians the colour was valuable and rare due to the painstakingly difficult process of extracting the dye from sea snails. This shade was worn mostly by royalty and often associated with magic and religion. In Eastern cultures, and in Feng Shui, purple is associated with nobility, dignity and 22

abundance. The colour purple is viewed as peaceful, soothing and having spiritual qualities while also having a correlated reference to creativity and independence. Most recently, purple has taken on associations with contentment and passion and has come to symbolize success. In flowers, fruit and vegetables the pigment anthocyanin creates purples, reds and blues. The deep tones of these purple pigments protect the plant against harm from the sun while also acting as an attraction to pollinating insects. Purple fruits and vegetables also posssess medicinal qualities. Studies have shown that antioxidants produced by purple edibles can be effective in preventing diseases. Purple power foods can: • Reduce the risk of high blood pressure and lower cholesterol • Help prevent obesity and diabetes • Assist in lowering the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurological diseases • Reduce inflammation and therefore chronic disease • Aid cognitive functions • Have properties which help prevent urinary tract infections, fight ulcers, and reduce liver damage and diseases which affect cell development

In a garden design, plants with intense dark purple foliage and blooms add a vibrant colour element. These standout plants punctuate the landscape, providing depth and contrast. They can bring focus to a design as either an opposing tone or as a strong complement to yellows and greens.

BLOOMERANG LILACS – This fragrant lilac blooms in spring, and again mid-summer. Its small form will fit nicely into most gardens. Can be used to obtain cut flowers.

Whether choosing annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, fruits or vegetables, opt for purple to celebrate health and happiness for 2018.

SUPERTUNIA BORDEAUX PETUNIA – A vigorous petunia with a slightly mounded habit that functions as both filler and spiller in containers. The medium to large sized flowers are excellent landscape plants.

Top Pick Purples PERENNIALS

FOREVER PURPLE HEUCHERA – A coral bell variety with dramatically fluted, glossy deep purple leaves dressed with short purple-pink flowers. This perennial performs well in part shade to full shade. HIDCOTE AND MUNSTEAD LAVENDER – Lavender is coveted for its oils and beautiful fragrance, which are used as stress relievers. It is a tough plant, and drought-resistant once established. Plant in a sunny location, in an area protected from harsh winter winds.

ANNUALS

FRAGRANT BLUE HELIOTROPE – Fragrant, long lasting flowers will attract butterflies and hummingbirds. An easy care annual that is great for containers or in the garden. PERSIAN SHIELD – This easy to care for plant is heat tolerant and boasts beautiful iridescent leaves of purple, green and silver. HONOURABLE MENTIONS – Morning Glory, Viola, Annual Sage, Salvia, Alyssum, Sweet Pea.

EGGPLANT

ALLIUM

LILACS

HELIOTROPE

MILLENIUM ORNAMENTAL ALLIUM – This “Perennial of the Year” has bright, purple rounded flower clusters above a clump of glossy, green leaves. It is fragrant, late blooming and drought tolerant. HONOURABLE MENTIONS: Clematis, Bellflower, Dwarf Iris, Salvia, Verbena, Phlox, Veronica and Sage.

VEGGIES AND FRUIT FAIRY TALE EGGPLANT – A plant that produces mini 4” eggplants that are super tasty. Perfect for small gardens and patio pots. PURPLE BEAUTY PEPPER – The pepper this plant produces has a blocky full body with thick walls and a mild, sweet flavor. PURPLE RUFFLES BASIL – This plant has large and ruffled leaves, with a strong fragrance and flavour. It adds fantastic colour and flavour to herb vinegars. HONOURABLE MENTIONS: Blackberries, Blueberries, Purple Asparagus, Purple Cabbage, Purple Carrots, Purple Potatoes and Currants.

TREES AND SHRUBS ROYAL PURPLE SMOKEBUSH (COTINUS) – Its dramatic oval, deep purple leaves form masses with clouds of pink blooms. This compact, drought tolerant variety is a fantastic accent plant. Resists deer and rabbits. SPILLED WINE WEIGELA – A beautiful three foot purple foliage plant that produces bright pink blooms for the sunny garden. Easy to care for, grows wider than tall. Proven Winners Landscape plant of the year. Resists deer.

Photo courtesy of Proven Winners - www.provenwinners.com.

Attracts Hummingbirds

Attracts Bees

Attracts Butterflies SPRING 2018 • 23

Look Good, FEEL GREAT By Donna Moss, Meadow Acres Garden Centre, Petersburg, ON

pring 2018 is all about comfort, femininity and natural fibres with an upscale flair that won’t stress your wallet.

Your must have this summer is a pair of embroidered denim jeans. Featured here is a pair of distressed butterfly jeans topped with a beautiful feminine silk blend top with a flared sleeve and tie detail. Combine bold floral cotton blend shirts for a punch of colour with your basic jeans to make a statement and show off your personal style. Bamboo, linen, silk and cotton blends are staples that should be in every woman’s closet. Cotton and linen have always been favourite summer fabrics with our customers and are now making a strong showing in fashion boutiques. Look for pieces that will continue to grace your closet for several years. Mixing and matching with new pieces of jewellery will freshen up your look and will keep everyone wondering, “Is that a new outfit?”

Bamboo, linen, silk and cotton blends are staples that should be in every woman’s closet.

If you haven’t tried bamboo, you must! Bamboo keeps you cool and dry on the warmest of days and will carry you into the evening with comfort. A wide range of bamboo fashion will become staples in your closet. From tanks to bras, underwear, leggings and tops you will be singing bamboo’s praises to all of your girlfriends. A girl can never have enough shoes, sandals or boots. Whether it is a sandal, flats or bootie, footwear is as important as the clothes above the ankles. Your choice of footwear can make or break an overall look. Take your time and choose wisely. However if you like more than one look, why not purchase them all! The same is true for your handbags. Choose the one that says “Yes this is ME”.

Courtesy of Orange Fashion Village

Style should reflect your personality and taste. Check your image in the mirror before leaving your home. There is nothing worse than a dropped hem, a stain or a frayed seam. Step out of your home and wear those clothes with confidence and grace and you will receive compliments that will make you smile and confirm your choices. Remember when you look good, you feel good and when you feel good, you look GREAT!!

Courtesy of Papa Fashions

Natural Mosquito Repellents

By Lynn Baarschers

osquitoes are great food for bats and birds, but a nuisance to people. Why not try planting some of these plants and allow their natural fragrances to help repel mosquitoes while you are enjoying your outdoor space. Although not proven scientiﬁcally, crushing the leaves and rubbing them onto your skin might help in repelling those pesky insects.

Rosemary

TENDER PERENNIAL Plant in pots. It can be used in cooking as an herb as well.

Mint

Lavender

PERENNIAL Plant in pots as it can be invasive. Mint can also be used to ﬂavour beverages.

PERENNIAL Plant in pots or the landscape. Mosquitoes dislike the lavender scent.

Lemon Grass

ANNUAL Plant in pots or the landscape. It can also be used in cooking.

Citronella

ANNUAL Plant in pots. A member of the geranium family.

Basil

Available at

ANNUAL Plant in pots. Herb that has a pleasant aroma, and is easy to grow.

SPRING 2018 • 25

along with the traditional white. One of the most notable features, that any hydrangea aficionado will appreciate, is that the blooms are held on strong, sturdy stems, forcing the blooms to stay upright, and maintaining the overall form of the shrub. They should be planted in part to full sun (for reference, full sun is considered a minimum 6 hours of sunlight per day). However, the more sunlight these hydrangeas receive, the more improvement there will be on both the strength of the stems, and on the abundance and colour of the blooms.

SMALL GARDENING:

WHERE SACRIFICING IMPACT FOR SPACE IS NOT AN OPTION By Andrea Linney

Invincibelle Limetta Hydrangea®

Photos Courtesy of Proven Winners - www.provenwinners.com

or those of you with smaller properties who are filled with curiosity and questions about how to make your small space as impactful as you see in those great gardens, you are not alone. Many residential lots within the city of Winnipeg have been downsized over the years, and in the process, the issues surrounding landscaping and spatial requirements have been upsized. The good news? There is a shift happening right now in nurseries, where a steady flow of dwarf trees and shrubs are being introduced for the everyday resident and gardener, who require those smaller options, but desire that greater impact. The newest introduction comes this spring and will have a significant impact on the gardening world, and on the hearts of hydrangea lovers everywhere. Hydrangeas have been a long-standing favorite among gardeners. Their bloom size and colour range add incredible interest to any landscape. The size of the plant itself however, can cause some grief for those who are unable to meet the spatial requirements that these classic shrubs desire. Due to their size, hydrangeas are typically situated towards the back of garden beds, but they are so beautiful that it can be a shame to ‘hide’ them, especially those that require more shade. Behold, mini hydrangeas! Need I say more? Proven Winners’ Invincibelle Mini Mauvette®, Invincibelle Limetta®, and Invincibelle Wee White® are three new, dwarf hydrangeas that will be leaving imprints on our hearts and in our gardens this upcoming growing season, and we can only imagine, for many years to come. These dwarf hydrangeas, ranging from 1 to 3 feet in both height and width, are the same hydrangea type as the beloved classic, Annabelle, but offer unique and improved characteristics. Not only smaller in form, they also offer alternative bloom colour with purple and lime options

Another defining feature of these mini hydrangeas is that they are a re-bloomer, meaning you will have continuous bloom from early summer through to frost. In other words, feel free to snip off a few blooms to bring into the house for a new centerpiece, because they will continue to bloom in your landscape.

St. Mary’s Nursery is beyond excited to use these in design plans this coming year. With the introduction of these mini versions, hydrangeas no longer need to be, solely, a backdrop shrub. They can be an even greater show-stopper as we are now able to pull them to the foreground of our gardens. In places where annuals and perennials are typically required to give us that impact, such as border planting, we now have these abundantly blooming shrubs to add to the mix without having to sacrifice the tiered effect that contributes Invincibelle Wee White® to a garden’s striking Photos Courtesy of Proven Winners appearance. If there was ever a time to jump on the www.provenwinners.com hydrangea bandwagon, it is now! With their size, range in bloom colour, and sturdy stems, these are ideal for any garden, large or small. We are eagerly awaiting their arrival and I guarantee that you will be as excited for them this spring as we have been for them all winter!

Invincibelle Mini Mauvette® Photos Courtesy of Proven Winners www.provenwinners.com

26 • ST. MARY’S NURSERY & GARDEN CENTRE - 2901 St. Mary’s Road, Winnipeg - 204-255-7353 - stmarysnurseryandgardencentre.ca

Boots by Corral

Introducing Tree of Life Jewelry

Available at St. Mary’s Nursery

SPRING 2018 • 27

15 to 25 feet, offering a great screen, and will only reach a width of about 6 to 8 feet wide, making them ideal for smaller spaces. If their size alone is not enough to convince you, they provide additional interest with their deep green and burgundy foliage and clusters of blooms in the spring. Although fruit will appear in the fall, rosyblooms are not considered messy trees, which is an added bonus for many homeowners. Wildlife enthusiasts might also appreciate these trees as their berries are a great food source for birds in the winter. If the option of a tree is not available, great screening alternatives are vertical perennial grasses. Although they will not reach a height to provide privacy over Purple Spire Rosyblooms Emerald Spire a fence line, they can block the views through a fence, such as a cast-iron or chain-link, that will help allude to privacy. They remain narrow, generally reaching no more than 3 feet in width. An added bonus? Hold off on cutting them back in the fall for additional colour, interest, and screening throughout winter. There are numerous options for vertical grasses ranging in height from approximately 3 to 6 feet. Some of the popular ones are Calamagrostis A Vertical Solution to Undesirable Views in Smaller Lots ‘Karl Foerster’ and Miscanthus ‘Autumn Flame’. By Andrea Linney Alternative choices would be Calamagrostis rivacy is one of the most noted issues amongst homeowners ‘Avalanche’ or ‘Overdam’, or Panicum ‘Heavy Metal’; each with its own today. Smaller properties mean neighbours are closer and views unique characteristics to add are a lot more direct and uninterrupted. It also means there is colour and texture to your new minimal room to achieve the perfect balance between garden space or pre-existing landscape. and recreational space. On the note of fence lines, The yard is a place where we all love to spend our summers, whether another solution to issues of it’s hosting a backyard barbecue for family and friends, the kids privacy lies in an impactful playing outside on a sunny day, or a nice quiet evening on the patio. vine. A classic screening But, nobody enjoys feeling like they are a Sunday matinée for their option with vigorous growth, neighbours. One of the most popular solutions is to install fences, vines are so vertical that you however these days, even those do not seem to provide the privacy can essentially create a green we all desire. The key to a great privacy screen is one that keeps your wall in your own yard. Vines interior views in tact, while blocking out the views of those on the are great to close off views exterior. And there is no better view than green leaves, bright fall colour, through an existing fence line and continuous bloom. but they can also add height Homeowners have long been accustomed to using Lilacs and to an existing fence with some Calamagrostis ‘Overdam’ Pyramidal Cedars as a solution for privacy. Lilacs, although desirable additional trellising. Traditional for their bloom and scent, are typically as wide as they are tall, which vines such as Engelman Ivy means that if they are providing privacy, they are most likely overtaking and Virginia Creeper are always Photos Courtesy of Proven Winners www.provenwinners.com more of the yard than you may like. Pyramidal Cedars, such as a go-to. They are shade tolerant, Skybound and Brandon, provide a full screen and colour throughout all and both offer an outstanding red fall colour that is sure to draw four seasons, and they remain relatively narrow. Their height, however, attention. Engelman Ivy is self-clinging, meaning it does not require may pose an issue with smaller yards as they can appear to overtake a support structure to climb, as opposed to Virginia Creeper which the property years down the road. Without the room to grow, these does. Depending on location, both can reach heights of up to 30 feet. two options may not be suitable for every homeowner. If you have full sun and desire another option, try a clematis vine. They With smaller properties, privacy screening and hedging should be more prefer sunny locations and will add additional bloom to your garden. vertical in form. This will allow for a desirable view while not impeding

GREEN WALL OF PRIVACY:

on the recreational space that drew you into the backyard in the first place. This can be achieved with columnar trees, vertical perennial grasses, or impactful vines. Columnar trees have been making their mark on the residential landscaping world as property sizes continue to shrink; serving dual purpose of both privacy and shading. Planted individually, they act as an accent to offer a simple break in an undesirable view or planted in a row they create a wall-like effect thus establishing a solid privacy screen. Columnar trees, such as Emerald Spire or Purple Spire Rosyblooms, provide homeowners with privacy, colour, and a unique vertical form. Considered ornamental trees, they can reach heights of

All of these options have proven themselves to be great solutions to issues of privacy. If you are unsure of the best option for you, or have other defining features that may play a role in an appropriate selection, our staff at St. Mary’s Nursery is always happy to help answer any questions and lead you in the right direction. Come join us this Spring to get your privacy screens underway!

Other Suggestions of Vertical Plants

• Dakota Pinnacle or Parkland Pillar Birch (Tree) • Red Rocket Maple (Tree) • Grape (Vine) • Dropmore Scarlet Honeysuckle (Vine) • Autumn Revolution Bittersweet (Vine)

28 • ST. MARY’S NURSERY & GARDEN CENTRE - 2901 St. Mary’s Road, Winnipeg - 204-255-7353 - stmarysnurseryandgardencentre.ca

Fairy

Gardening

airy gardening continues with the realm of fairies in the garden. It is an approach to bring kids into the growing and care of plants. Miniature plants such as mini palms, succulents and sprawling plants like mosses and thymes allow young hands to design a mini landscape feature. Let imaginations soar into the realm of fairies or maybe you your child will venture into the new realm of mini Peter Rabbit. Full selections of fairy garden and terrarium accents available at:

NEXT GENERATION GARDENER

Welcome your children in a welcoming world of child friendly plants.

PERENNIAL PLANTS

ANNUAL PLANTS

EDIBLES

Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantine) Super soft like a lamb’s ear. Coneflowers (Echinacea) Spiny cones with bright rose petals. Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum) Cut flowers for the kids. Hens & Chicks Hardy succulent, waxy fairy garden plant Butterfly Weed (Asclepias) The kids will love attracting butterflies Catnip (Nepeta) Love the scent and softness

Strawflower They will love the papery feel of the flowers. Nasturtiums Large leaf edible plants with bright flowers. Snapdragons Fun “snap” playful blooms. Pansy Bright cheery sometimes with faces too; edible. Zinnia Bright colorful blooms; varying heights. Black Eyed Susan Vine Watch these climb and wind. Sunflowers All types even one called Teddy Bear.

Swiss Chard Brightly colored stalks, colorful accents and edible too. Baby Carrots Stubby type carrots; orange to purple colors. Peas Plant seeds, watch them climb. Pumpkins Mini to extra large types. Tomatoes Grape type or mini pear types; tiny and tasty. Beets Not just red ones to pull up when mature but striped ones too.

TROPICAL Venus Fly Traps Introduce carnivorous plants.

Top Tomatoes GET KIDS INTERESTED IN TOMATOES!

Fact 1:

Tomatoes come in a range of colours – purple, green, red, orange, yellow and now some whites.

Fact 2:

Tomatoes are good for your heart.

Fact 3:

Tomatoes are full of Vitamin A & C, calcium and potassium.

Fact 4:

Tomatoes come from flowering plants making them a fruit not a vegetable.

“Fun & Colorful for Healthy eating”

Fact 5:

Tomatoes can be eaten raw or cooked.

Fact 6:

Tomatoes based on size and shaped are referred to as cherry, grape, beefsteak, plum, pear.

St. Mary’s Nursery & Garden Centre carries over 40 different types of tomatoes plants this spring! 29 • ST. MARY’S NURSERY & GARDEN CENTRE - 2901 St. Mary’s Road, Winnipeg - 204-255-7353 - stmarysnurseryandgardencentre.ca

GARDENA®

• Precision, non-stick coated blades, soft component for a better grip • 25 year warranty

• Ideal for vines, roses and small branches • Stainless steel lower blade • 25 year warranty

GARDENA®

• High performance versatile saw • Harden chrome plated saw blade, made of quality spring steel, impulse-hardened toothing for staying sharp! • Non slip ergonomic handle • Great for a lifetime of yard work • 25 year warranty

• 6.7” teﬂon coated blade • Gel padding in handles absorbs shock from cutting action, reducing stress on forearms. • 25 year warranty

COLOURWAVE®

Classic Bypass Lopper

Garden Saw

Hedge Trimmers

9 Pattern Nozzle • • • •

Bypass Pruner

Thumb control nozzle 9 position spray head Heavy duty hose nozzle Easy to use thumb control for ﬂow and shut oﬀ

8 Pattern Telescopic Wand • Thumb control wand • Expandable to 60” • Reach to the back of the flower garden with 8 pattern nozzle head • Easy to use thumb control for flow and shut off

COLOURWAVE®

RAINWAVE®

• 6 pattern rotary sprinkler • Adjustable multi pattern gear drive sprinkler • Full or partial circular coverage up to 70’ diameter • 3,800 sq ft coverage

• 5/8” x 50’ long Superior all weather hose • Stays flexible in low temperature • No memory hose will lay flat and coil easily • Aircraft grade aluminum fittings • Drinking water safe

Rotary Sprinkler

Prem-A-Flex Hose

AVAILABLE AT

SHOW-OFF.

Fire Light® Hydrangea: DRAMATIC COLOR, HARDY, STRONG STEMS, LONG BLOOMING AND LOW MAINTENANCE

2018

Before they reach your garden, our flowering shrubs undergo years of trials and testing for color, quantity of blooms, cold tolerance, foliage and ability to thrive with ease. Only a few prove they’re worthy of the #1 plant brand.

provenwinners-shrubs.com