Category: Ask A Master Gardener
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You Asked Us – May 2026
Q. Is it possible to use red thyme as a groundcover? Red Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum ‘Coccineus’) is a creeping dwarf evergreen shrub, growing to 10 centimetres (4 in) tall and native to Europe and North Africa. It has woody stems up to 10 cm long and a taproot and forms mat-like plants that root from the nodes of the…
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You Asked Us – April 2026
Q. Why did my two-year-old Dogwood tree not flower last year? Do I need to fertilize it? It would make a difference if the tree is actually two-years-old, or if you acquired it two yearsago and the age is unknown. Dogwoods can take one to five years to start flowering, perhapseven longer depending on your…
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You Asked Us – February 2026
Q. What do I do with Dahlia Bulbs? Dahlias grow from tubers, not bulbs. These are modified stems that store the nutrients that the plant needs such as starches. They also store the energy that a plant needs to allow new growth after dormancy. The top sides of the tuber produce shoots that grow into…
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You Asked Us – December 2025
Q. How do I deal with aphids on my roses? Aphids are small, soft-bodied, rounded insects which may be black, pink, or pale green. They cluster on new growth on the underside of leaves, sucking plant sap causing wilted, discoloured, and stunted leaves. Aphids feed on the surface of leaves and are not enclosed or…
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You Asked Us – November 2025
Q. In addition to Lavender, what are some “shrub size” plants for a dry, sandy slope? There are a number of other shrub-sized plants that will do well on a dry, sandy slope. All of the following choices would be best planted in the fall to help with root growth. In addition, they all will…
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You Asked Us – August 2025
Q. What type of rose best tolerates some shade? While most roses require sun there are many varieties that will tolerate partial shade. This meansthey will still need to receive at least 4 – 5 hours of sun per day to thrive. There are both shruband climbing varieties that will grow in semi-shaded areas. The…
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You Asked Us – July 2025
Q. When is a plant considered invasive? A plant is considered “invasive” when it’s introduced to a new place (where it doesn’t naturally belong), and then it basically takes over! It grows really aggressively, out-competes the local plants, and starts messing with the natural balance of the ecosystem. So, it’s not just about being non-native; it’s…
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You Asked Us – June 2025
Q. My Fatsia Japonica looks sick. Could it be a fungal disease? It gets full sun in the afternoon. Fatsia japonica is also known as glossy leaved paper plant, castor oil plant, fig-leaf palm or Japanese aralia. It is a species of flowering plants in the family Ariliaceae, native to southern Japan and southern Korea, although it…
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🌱Ask a Vancouver Master Gardener
Email us: Send your questions to plantinfo@vancouvermastergardeners.org Or Call the Plant Information Line at 604-257-8662 The Plant Information Line operates year round. You may leave a message at any time and a Master Gardener will contact you. Vancouver Master Gardeners take questions on gardening, plant problems & indoor houseplant care. While we may not have…
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Container Gardening on a Sunny Patio
This week’s question is all about container gardening on a sunny patio of a condo tower. The answer includes recommendations for sun-tolerant plants, as well as tips for planting and maintaining a container garden in an exposed environment. Question I am excited to get my deck ready for the season. I’m located in a condo…