Standout Plants from 100 Editions of The Garden Post
Each month, we spotlight a plant that’s showing off a seasonal feature like vibrant fall colour, stunning blooms, cooling shade or salt resistance, or one that relates to a popular issue like climate change. These plants aren’t just great in theory—they thrive in most local gardens. Here are a few favourites from past issues:
Wildflowers: Dense blazing-star
Liatris spicata
With tall spikes of mauve to dark pink flowers, this eye-catching plant can be planted in dry, full-sun gardens. Plant several and cut a few stalks to bring inside for an impressive cut flower; trim as it fades to keep it looking fresh in the vase for up to two weeks.
Shrubs: Smooth Serviceberry
Amelanchier laevis
Early spring blooms, brilliant fall colour and a range of growing conditions make this a desirable and easy-to-grow shrub—one that can also be grown as a small tree. Since 2010, we’ve planted more than 550 through our home tree planting program.
Great Groupings and Trees
Each Plant of the Month article notes other plants that can grow with the featured species. Some Plant of the Month articles feature multiple plants, like our recent Bloomtime Calendar. Others focus on urban-hardy trees to help provide cooling, shade or privacy. Still others have provided gardeners with native alternatives to growing invasive plants.
It’s best to plant multiples and groupings of each species, aiming for a minimum of 70 per cent native plants in your yard. From featured trees to reliable groundcovers, you’re sure to find something that will flourish in your local yard.
Read more of our past articles or check out our native plant lists.
Celebrating Our Favourite Tips, Facts and Plants
We’ve reached the 100th edition of The Garden Post! To celebrate this milestone, we’re sharing some of our favourite Did You Know facts, Caring for Your Yard tips and standout plants from the Plant of the Month column.