Layer shrubs

How can I thicken and spread a shrub to cover a greater area of the garden? more...

Using dolomite as mulch

I would appreciate your comments on the idea of adding dolomite to the surface of the ground where I am thinking of planting a field of lavender. I want to reduce acidity in the soil, provide a reflective groundcover to raise summer temperatures around the lavender plants, improve drainage (south-facing slope) and deter weeds from growing. more...

Prune honeysuckle

I have a Lonicera 'Belgica' that is three years old. It has not been pruned since it was planted as I wanted it to grow up to hide a neighbour's hot tub. Problem is, now it is over seven feet tall, four feet wide and top heavy. It is on a metal trellis that blows in the wind now. How much should I prune it back (e.g. two thirds to the root, one third, etc). When should it be pruned? What would be another good way to support it? more...

Suggestions for drought-tolerant trees, plants and shrubs

We have a summer place near Hedley, BC. It is on a bluff with lots of firs and a few pines. Somebody in the past cut a 9-m-wide (30-ft.) swath through the trees down a bank 150 m (500 ft.) to the river. I would now like to plant trees and shrubs to give privacy, colour and interest. It will be difficult to irrigate the area, so I am thinking the plants need to be of a variety that is drought tolerant. more...

Gardening in very dry soil

I recently moved from the Fraser Valley to Grand Forks and the landscape is foreign to me. Our land is on the north slope facing south, very dry soil is mostly gravel to large rock. The plants recommended to me all died.the only flourish was the nurseries pocket. What can I try to use as spreading ground covers and also shrubs? We are short on water also. We also have a lot of warm wind.The rainfall in the last 4 months was practically non existent. more...

Sourcing 'black satin' blackberry

I cannot seem to find a listing of any BC nurseries that carry this thornless variety. "Google" offers only US sources that cannot ship to BC or require a costly import permit and phytosanitary certificate to import. Can you suggest a source that may be offering this variety? more...

Problem with lawn

We bought a house at Sandy Hill in Abbotsford...and indeed the soil is sandy... more...

Aphid-resistant flowers

Are there any summer flowers which are more aphid-proof than others? more...

Help wanted with large garden

I have a lovely large garden but the eight hours that I spend a week is not enough. I cannot afford a gardener but I am willing to pay someone. The ideal solution would be to find a person that loves their own garden, but has downsized and no longer has one that may be interested in tending to mine. Is this a dream? or even possible? Any recommendations? more...

Help in looking for 'Alstroemeria'

more...