Author: Victoria

My Rhubarb plants that are 4-5 years old have developed a single large growth in the centre that is much taller than the foliage. What is this and what do I do about it? Rhubarb is an easy to grow, long lasting vegetable, largely free of pests and diseases. The single large growth you see…

How do I prune lace cap hydrangeas and will they come back after hard prune? How you prune your lace-cap hydrangea depends on what you would like to achieve and the state of your plant. It is important to remember that lace-caps bloom on the previous year’s growth, so keep this in mind when pruning…

My garlic was great with large bulbs last year. This year the harvest is very small. Why? There are various issues that can cause reduced size in garlic bulbs. Garlic (Allium sativum) is a plant that needs plenty of fertiliser and is best grown with no nearby competition from other plants including weeds. Garlic does…

My Heather plants have died in one area of garden but are fine in other areas. Why might this be? One of the main considerations for growing healthy heathers is soil type. Most need an acidic (ericaceous) soil with a pH of 6.5 or less although some will tolerate a slightly more neutral soil environment.…

How to prune California Lilac (Ceanothus)? Evergreen ceanothus (California Lilac) is a reliable and popular shrub for gardens on South Vancouver Island, particularly the cultivar ‘Victoria’ which produces abundant blue flower clusters. It doesn’t require pruning but may be pruned to maintain shape, keep a compact size, or form a hedge. If pruning the evergreen…

How do I grow lemons in Victoria? Lemon (and lime) trees may be grown in the coastal region of southwest B.C. A growing location with 6 or more hours of full sun per day and protection from wind is best. If growing trees in the ground, locate against a south or southwest facing wall with…

Ingredients for container growing Return to: You Asked Us page Victoria Chapter page

What kinds of ingredients should be considered when preparing for ornamental plants in a container? Please provide any hacks you may have for container gardening. We all like some cheer at our front doors or on our patios. There are some simple do’s and don’ts when planting up containers. When planting up a container, of…

Is the Curry plant edible? The curry plant (Helichrysum italicum) is an evergreen shrub with yellow flowers and aromatic foliage from the Mediterranean region. It has some reported medicinal and culinary uses, and is not reported to be toxic, but is primarily used as an ornamental plant in landscaping. The curry plant is sometimes confused…

The shiny geranium (Geranium lucidum) is native to Europe and Asia. As of 2021 it has been found in southwest B.C. including the greater Victoria, Sooke, Salt Spring Island, Comox Valley, Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley regions. It grows in open woodlands, forest understorey, grasslands, lawns, gardens, trail edges, compost piles and cracks in pavement.…