Creating beautiful gardens for clients while helping nature, too

by jason_cramp | April 14, 2018 10:13 am

By Sandra Pella

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For landscapers, choosing the right plants for a garden has never been more important. Aside from the right-plant-right-place criteria, they need to be able to adapt to withstand unpredictable weather patterns. Whether that means extended periods of drought or rain, cold or heat, today’s climate has a serious impact on the success of a client’s garden. Consider this: the same way one is affected by the elements, so too are plants.

Wherever the homeowner lives (this author resides in Toronto), habitat loss can be added to the mix, which in turn comes a reduced number of pollinators. The surrounding natural landscape has surely been affected; therefore, it is more important than ever to plant something somewhere—in the ground or in a container—to create, add to, or facilitate habitat corridors for pollinators. Native bees, butterflies, moths, bats, birds, toads, and other mammals and insects, now often rely on the connecting highway of plants in the urban landscape for food and shelter. Therefore, a homeowner’s garden instantly qualifies.

Getting past the plant selection dilemma

Before making any final plant choices, a landscaper/gardener should consider the following criteria: type of soil, sun or shade, watering needs, and which direction the garden faces (i.e. north, south, east, or west). There does have to be some balance, as every homeowner wants flowers in their garden. The longer they last the better, and a succession of flowers is important. Flowers are not only attractive in terms of colour, shape, and length of blooming time, but they must provide food, nectar, pollen, and everything else mentioned previously. The foliage must be long lasting, stand up well to the elements, change colour with the seasons, and provide habitat and shelter for critters, insects, and pollinators.

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One should also consider what follows flowering (e.g. seedpods, seed heads, and seed). For instance, what are their advantages and to who are the benefactors? Not only are they good for bugs, but they are attractive to look at and provide further interest in the changing garden. The right plants will also attract beneficial insects; therefore, it is a good idea to extend the garden’s interest across all seasons, as it has, or will, likely become a habit. That said, it should be left up, and resist deadheading (i.e. pruning dead flowerheads for esthetics, to promote blooming, and to prevent seeding), at least select plants, and removing all the brown, so-called spent stems and foliage from the garden—especially come fall.

Soil can support a lot of plant life

By planting in layers with bulbs, it is possible to add another dimension to a client’s garden, not only extending the season of interest, but also providing an early season meal for pollinators. There are bulbs for all seasons and for every space.

Spring is the most popular for Narcissus (daffodils) and tulips. Along with these, a few others can be used to extend the flowering season in the garden and to provide nectar to pollinators. For example, Iris reticulata ‘Katharine Hodgkin’ (reticulate iris) is a very early flowering bulbous iris, planted no more than 51 mm (2 in.) below soil level in the fall, and flowering in March often through snow. These plants are a welcome addition to the late-winter landscape border, as the cooler the weather is, the longer they will last.

While flowering tulips are popular in spring, it is important for landscapers to rethink which variety they are planting. Smaller botanical and species tulips will naturalize over time, as they are true perennials, returning and multiplying year after year. This is not to say one should not plant species such as Darwin and Triumphs, the Single and Double Early, or the Parrot and Double Late. However, it is important to add plants to the garden palate that are not only attractive to the human eye, but also to insects.

More often than not, pollinators cannot get into the hybridized tulips with the big bold flowers of endless colours. However, they can get into the smaller, single-flowered tulips that bloom early, well before the bolder display begins. Tulipa sylvestris (the woodland tulip), T. clusiana var. chrysantha ‘Tubergen’s Gem’ (Botanical tulip), and T. clusiana ‘Lady Jane’ (Botanical tulip) are all gorgeous plants and can add a touch of class to a garden.

Galanthus nivalis or G. elwesii (snowdrops) can be difficult to grow and establish. Instead, the Leucojum aestivum ‘Gravetye Giant’ (summer snowflake), while much taller and flowering later, and much longer, is a suitable replacement—especially amongst perennials in the landscape border or as a clump on its own. Bees also admire this plant.

Flowering plants include hundreds of species

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A multitude of alliums, commonly known as onions or garlic (of which many are ornamental) can also be included in a garden. They can be planted in the fall as bulbs or throughout the growing season as potted perennials. With the right selection, these plants can flower from late spring to late fall. This author likes to leave them up long after flowering and have turned shades of brown. However, to control self-sowers (i.e. self-seeders), they should be removed sooner. Although many do seed quite willingly, other newer cultivars remain clumping. Pollinators visit these quite regularly, too.

 

The ‘Globemasters’ and ‘Purple Sensations’ of this genus are the reliably big bloomers in this family; however, Allium sphaerocephalon (round-headed leek) and A. caeruleum (azure-flowered garlic) can also be planted as they are smaller and add colour and interest to the summer landscape border.

Camassia leichtlinii (camass) is gaining popularity amongst landscapers and garden planners as a native perennial bulb (in Canada, it is native to the West Coast and south to California). Spring-flowering, colours range from white and cream to blue or purple, reaching a height of 800 mm (31.5 in.). Camassia quamash (quamash, small camass) is smaller with violet-blue flowers reaching a height of 350 mm (13.7 in.). Reliably hardy in southern Ontario, these bulbs naturalize over time. They make a great addition to the spring/early summer landscape border, as they are not seen regularly. The foliage lasts well-over time—even as it dies back—in comparison to tulip or daffodil foliage.

Perennial possibilities are endless

This author has a hard time choosing a favourite perennial, but instead has a consistent top 20. For instance, if space is available in the garden, she recommends a hellebore be planted. These are not native plants, but they are reliably hardy and evergreen, and provide early flowering in mid- to late-winter, depending on conditions.

Helleborus foetidus (stinking hellebore) stand up well through spring and summer, and when deadheaded by fall, they keep going strong. Helleborus x hybridus ‘Blue Lady’ (hellebore, Lenten rose) is another strong performer and will self-sow after many years in the garden. These plants also make for a great groundcover over invasive Hedera helix (English ivy) or Vinca minor (periwinkle). There are many for landscapers to choose from with newer introductions having flowers facing upward.

In this author’s experience, it is important for landscapers to focus on a key set of native plants, or those indigenous to the northeastern U.S., as they have proven to do well in northerly gardens. Gillenia trifoliata (Bowman’s root) now known as Porteranthus trifoliata is a native perennial that becomes nearly woody, or more shrub-like as it matures. Blooms are five-petalled starry white with distinctive red stems from May to July. They offer great fall colour and stand up well through winter; however, wind and hard rain has been known to knock down its outer stems. This perennial takes a few years to establish, full-sun to part-shade, but is well worth the wait.

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Amsonia tabernaemontana (blue star) and A. hubrichtii (blue star) are native to central and northeastern U.S. These species of herbaceous perennials are four-season workhorses. The blue star flowers for which they are known are attractive to pollinators. The foliage turns orange to yellow in the fall and grows well in full-sun to part-shade. Baptisia australis ‘Purple Smoke’ (false indigo) is a great companion plant to the Amsonia. Baptisia is a deeply rooted perennial that has excellent drought tolerance once it is established. Its attractive foliage remains intact until late winter when it essentially lifts from the crown and becomes like tumbleweed. Both are excellent choices for today’s changing climate.

Landscapers should also include a representative of the Asclepias species in every garden. This author has Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed) in a container on a deck with Asclepias incarnata ‘Ice ballet’ (swamp milkweed) where bees and butterflies visit all summer. In the fall, ladybird beetle larvae feed on the aphids, which are common to these perennials. Milkweeds are an important food source to many insects, including as larval host to Monarch and Grey Hairstreak butterflies. Asclepias tuberosa is one of possibly two orange-flowering perennials in Ontario, ranging from Ontario to Newfoundland. The benefits of including these native plants in a landscape are countless, as they are not only attractive, but also provide food and habitat to many beneficial insect populations.

Liatris spicata (dense blazing star) is found throughout the eastern U.S., but limited in Canada to southwestern Ontario, growing only in a few remaining tallgrass prairie habitats. In fact, this perennial is considered a threatened species in Ontario. Liatris sp. make excellent additions to the home and urban garden; they can even be used for container gardens. Members of the aster family, the flower spike is densely packed with purple flowers, which open along the stem from the top down. This perennial is drought and humidity tolerant, but not keen on water in the winter; therefore, when positioning, it is important to ensure good drainage.

Liatris pycnostachya (prairie blazing star) is probably the tallest species in cultivation, while L. cylindracea (cylindric, slender blazing star) is native throughout Ontario. All of these perennials are attractive to insect pollinators and birds, specifically hummingbirds.

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One of the most, if not the most, recognizable flowers of summer is Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower). Found throughout eastern North America, this plant has been cultivated and hybridized to have orange, yellow, or green flowers, in addition to pompom and double flowers—the list is becoming endless. Many of these are more like annuals, as often they do not return for a second season of growth. This author recommends the following, alongside the species, to be most reliable, including Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus,’ E. purpurea ‘Rubinstern’ (a.k.a. ‘Ruby Star’), E. purpurea ‘Merlot,’ E. purpurea ‘White Swan.’

Although not often planted, Echinacea pallida (pale purple coneflower) is a good selection, as it is distinguishable by its rays of narrow drooping pale purple petals and narrow, toothless parallel-veined leaves. These plants are all long flowering from June through July, and sporadically into August. Many gardeners choose not to deadhead these plants as insects and birds visit them on a daily basis.

Geum triflorum (prairie smoke) is a clumping herbaceous (often-evergreen) native throughout much of northern parts of North America, including a good portion of Ontario. This plant is not only a natural addition to the garden, but it is also a great groundcover. The fuzzy-haired leaves are soft to the touch with three nodding purplish-red-to-pink flowers per stem, which are followed by extremely attractive seed heads. Early flowering in April, sometimes March these days, through May. This perennial is drought tolerant and does really well in a variety of soil types.

Learning the asters can be quite the endeavor

Many of the most common varieties have now been reclassified as Symphyotrichum sp. By the time fall arrives, the perennial palate available to pollinators has been greatly reduced and, unfortunately, many homeowners consider asters and goldenrod to be weeds. That said, a change in thinking is necessary here. Symphyotrichum and Solidago are among the few native perennial plants that flower during this season, along with Eupatorium maculatum (Joe Pye weed), reclassified as Eutrochium maculatum, which available to pollinators and many beneficial insects and birds for food. They self-seed readily, and for good reason.

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This author selectively removes any of these three plants depending on where they have landed in the garden, while leaving others for forage to pollinators. Another option is deadheading flowers before the seed ripens and disperses. There are many aster species and cultivars available, as well. Recommended varieties include Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England aster) snowberry, and a terrific cultivar Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘October Skies’ (aromatic aster), which has dark, sky-blue flowers.

 

Goldenrod, which is adored by bees and butterflies, does not cause hay fever. Pollen grains from plants that are wind-pollinated are, in fact, the bane to allergy sufferers. They are just as challenging to identify as the asters.

Solidago canadensis (Canada goldenrod) is only one among many species. Solidago flexicaulis (zigzag goldenrod) grows in woods and tolerates shade. These can be used as a great alternative plant for shade gardens. Eutrochium maculatum (Joe Pye weed) tends to be an underused plant in the landscape border. Often misconceived as a roadside weed, this is a sizeable plant with tons of possibilities to provide profuse late summer into late fall flowering and height.

A non-native staple to the late summer/early fall garden are anemones. Anemone tomentosa ‘Robustissima’ (windflower, grapeleaf anemone) are typically added to a garden for its vitality and long-flowering ability. Bees can be found around this plant from early morning to feeding time. It can be quite vigorous, but by no means is it uncontrollable. It flowers forever until a hard frost finally ends its season.

Native flowering shrubs

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Hydrangeas do not always have to be planted in a garden. In terms of a native shrub cultivar, Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’ ‘Tiger Eyes’ (staghorn sumac) is a good alternative. This shrub offers great foliage and the flowers are unique and striking. In fact, the flowers can be used to make tea. Whereas the species is known for its suckering tendencies, Bailtiger makes a great specimen or accent plant. A few others that should be considered include Lindera benzoin (spicebush), Amelanchier laevis (Allegheny serviceberry), and Cercis canadensis (Eastern redbud). All of these are deciduous understorey, small trees, which flower in the spring followed by leaves. Redbud flowers are produced along the stems of the tree. Birds love the berries on the serviceberry, while butterflies are fond of the redbud flowers, and swallowtail butterfly larvae feed on the leaves of the spicebush. All of these options provide four seasons of interest, as well as food, foraging, and habitat to pollinators and birds.

Ornamental grasses

Planting ornamental grasses can add value to a garden and landscape in many ways; however, choosing the right one is important. This author has come to appreciate only a few out of a considerable selection that is available and cautions landscapers when planting Miscanthus spp. One reason to avoid Miscanthus pupurascens (eulalia, flame grass) is because it self-seeds readily in Toronto (and possibly other gardens in southern Ontario). Another variety that should not be used is Calamagrostis brachytricha (reed grass), as it is a proliferous self-seeders. When planting ornamental grasses, one of the better options is Panicum virgatum (switch grass). This is a tallgrass prairie plant, which is native and offers an abundance of cultivar options. Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah,’ ‘Heavy Metal,’ and ‘North Wind’ are also popular selections. For example, Hakonechloa macra (Japanese forest grass) is not only a great-looking grass that can stand on its own, but is also great as a filler plant, groundcover, and those hard-to-plant-places. It is a true ‘clumper’ that does not run and offers great flowering and change of colour with the seasons.

Other tallgrass prairie natives that are often used are Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem) and Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem). Big bluestem is just that—big. It can reach heights of 1.2 to 1.8 m (4 to 6 f), with flowers extending almost 2.4 m (8 ft). Little bluestem is just as attractive at 0.6 to 1.2 m (2 to 4 ft). Both adapt well to a wide range of soils, after establishing.

A word on invasive species and weeds

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Depending on where the client lives, it will determine which plants are weeds and invasive species. Many garden plants have escaped cultivation, and in the Greater Toronto Area the list is long. Ravines, parks, neighbourhoods, and gardens are filled with these horticultural escapees. To name a few, Rhamnus cathartica (buckthorn), Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard), Cynanchum rossicum (dog-strangling vine) were all introduced to North America as ornamentals and have since escaped cultivation to become among the top invasive species in Toronto. That said, it is more critical than ever for landscapers to become educated on and choose wisely when planting in their client’s gardens.

The responsibility of choosing plants wisely

When factoring in changes in weather patterns and the overall climate, along with habitat loss, and the advance of invasive species to remaining ecosystems, the choice of what to plant can seem daunting for many landscapers. It is most certainly do-able and with a good base of native plants, or cultivars of, with a wide selection of horticultural plants now common to Canadian gardens, landscapers can create beautiful gardens for homeowners, while at the same time help nature, too.

[9]Sandra Pella has a degree in political science from the University of Western Ontario. She is the head gardener for the Toronto Botanical Garden and is an avid environmentalist. Pella has worked for private nurseries and as a gardener for the City of Toronto, as well as interned at the world-renowned Great Dixter in England. She is also a speaker/educator on many horticultural, gardening, and nature topics. She can be reached via e-mail at gardener@torontobotanicalgarden.ca[10].

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