Category Archives: Gardening

Heuchera & Heucherella

Posted on January 16, 2022 by soulofagardener

Heuchera ‘Shanghai’ – A dramatic new introduction with deep plum-purple leaves generously overlaid in silver. This variety also holds up well through cold winter weather and it bears white summer flowers on dark purple stems. Part to full sun. Grows … Continue reading →

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Clean ‘n Easy Roses

Posted on January 11, 2022 by soulofagardener

Rosa ‘Fiji’ (syn. ‘Cherry Lady’) (unnamed seedling x unnamed seedling) A hybrid tea rose with large clusters of cherry-red to deep pink flowers. ‘Fiji’ is resistant to both powdery mildew and black spot. The blooms are also nicely contrasted by … Continue reading →

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Captivating Citrus

Posted on February 19, 2018 by soulofagardener

Citrus x meyeri (syn. Citrus x limon ‘Meyer’) – Many local gardeners such as Bob Duncan of Fruit Trees & More (North Saanich, BC) are successfully growing these outdoors in Canada. However, he shelters his espalier under a glass awning and covers it … Continue reading →

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Hot & Beautiful Peppers

Posted on February 11, 2018 by soulofagardener

Capsicum annuum ‘Basket of Fire’ – A Chili pepper that is as beautiful as it is tasty, these are a favourite for growing in containers or hanging baskets. The small tapered fruits mature from a creamy-yellow to orange, and finally a … Continue reading →

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Rodney Davey Marbled Hellebores

Posted on February 10, 2018 by soulofagardener

Helleborus x ‘Pippa’s Purple’ – This sister plant to ‘Anna’s Red’ bear pinkish-purple blooms accented with a huge boss of pale yellow stamens. These are produced from February to April on contrasting reddish flower stalks. The deep green foliage is heavily … Continue reading →

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Novelty Vegetables

Posted on February 5, 2018 by soulofagardener

Chenopodium capitatum (syn. Blitum capitatum) – Strawberry Spinach may look quite exotic but is native to much of North America and parts of Europe – where it has been eaten since the 1600’s. The leaves are a potherb that are cooked like … Continue reading →

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Unconventional Teas

Posted on January 29, 2018 by soulofagardener

Camellia sinensis f. rosea ‘Blushing Maiden’ – This tea camellia is a hardier form of Camellia sinensis ‘Rosea’ introduced by Piroche Plants back in 1992. It features pale pink flowers (as opposed to the traditional white) which appear from late autumn into winter. I have … Continue reading →

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Herbs That Repel Vegetable Pests

Posted on January 23, 2018 by soulofagardener

Ocimum kilimandsharicum x basilicum ‘Dark Opal’ – African Blue Basil is a sterile hybrid which has a high camphor fragrance which is useful for making spicy pestos. It is an attractive herb with purple-tinted new growth and showy terminal flower spikes. This … Continue reading →

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More Rare Fruits

Posted on January 16, 2018 by soulofagardener

Vasconcellea x heilbornii – The Babaco or Mountain Papaya is a naturally-occurring hybrid that hails out of Ecuador. It grows in high elevations, making it cold tolerant but it cannot be grown outdoors anywhere in Canada, so treat as a houseplant … Continue reading →

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European Plums

Posted on January 9, 2018 by soulofagardener

Prunus domestica subsp. italica ‘Greengage’ (syn. ‘Green Gage’) – The green gage plums were first bred in France from a green-fruited Turkish species. The freestone fruit is round to oval in shape with greenish-yellow skin and sweet yellow flesh. While considered self-fertile, it … Continue reading →

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