Category: Article
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Curry Plant
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…
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Shiny geranium
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.…
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Planting potatoes in Victoria
When do you plant potatoes in Victoria? As a general rule potatoes can be planted in March through June. However in our wet climate (that has seen chilly springs) it is recommended that you wait until late April. In particular the reason is waiting until the soil is moist not wet, and the soil temperature…
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Hakonechloa grass
Would the Hakonechloa do well in full sun? Hakonechloa grows in zones 4 – 9. It is suggested that the grass be planted in part sun or partial shade. In a perfect world you would have morning sun and afternoon shade or dappled sun. With optimal exposure you would have green, variegated green, or gold…
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Disease Questions
Fire blight : On pears (but applies to apples too) Return to: You Asked Us Question Topics Victoria Chapter page
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Growing Gaura
How can I grow gaura successfully? Oenothera lindheimeri, gaura This is a sun loving, drought tolerant perennial with a long tap root. Its flower stalks are dotted with pink or white, sometimes both, small flowers that wave in the breeze and are loved by some pollinators. Because they dislike wet soil, their growing site must…
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Fire Blight on Pear Tree
My established pear tree had a bad case of fire blight this past spring. It has been pruned but some leaves have turned black. Do I prune these out and what else can be done? Fire blight is a serious disease of plants in the Rosacea family and include trees, shrubs and landscape plantings. Quince,…
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Flowers Blooming in July
As a Vancouver Park Board gardener shared with me the other day, all plants are now showing some form of stress because of the ongoing heat, relentless sunshine, and drought. “I’m tired of only watering,” he said. Plants have various ways of protecting themselves from relentless sun: having leaves with waxy surfaces; closing their leaf…
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June Is Abloom
Roses, roses everywhere, but ne’er a scent of fragrance. How did it happen that roses have become more and more beautiful while all the while becoming less and less fragrant? Perhaps we have to go back to the heirloom varieties. Everywhere, roses are blooming and climbing—tea roses, floribunda roses, prickly roses such as Rosa rogusa,…
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A May Full of Perfect Flowers and Pollen Cones
Do we have enough terms for green? Spring green. Lime green. Mint green. Olive green. Sage green. Forest green. Chartreuse. Moss green. Sea green. Pea green. We need them right now, because our delayed spring has suddenly burst into the greens of summer. And whites. And pinks. And reds. And purples. And yellows. In fact,…