Tonight, Wednesday, March 21, 7 p.m., is the regular meeting for the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society. We'll learn about "Planning, Planting and Growing in a Greenhouse" with not one but two speakers: Glen Tymiak and Frank Woloschuk. Both Frank and Glen are exceptional gardeners, so I know they will have great information for us. Hope you can join us!
Also, members, hopefully you have let Liz know if you are planning to go on the road trip to Gardenscape on March 31. If any seats are still open on the bus, they will be made available to the general public, so call Liz at 782- 2830 if you are taking part in this great excursion.
Gardeners are always looking for something different and interesting to add to their plant collection, and I saw something really neat in one of the seed catalogues. It's called "ptilotus", but the more user-friendly name of the variety featured was "Joey". The best way I can describe this lovely plant to you is to compare the "flower" portion to celosia, but more airy and feathery-looking. The color of these delightful plumes is a silvery-gray-mauve color, and they look stunning.
Now some facts about ptilotus. The plant is native to Australia, a cousin of amaranth. We can start it easily from seed in the house. The ptilotus likes a sunny location, and is drought tolerant. It will do well in containers, or as a striking accent plant in our flowerbeds. It grows about 16 inches high, and flowers all through the season. I think it would be a lovely plant to include, because, as always, we want to have a variety of height, color, and texture in our plantings.
Another favorite of mine is yet another cousin of the amaranth, the old favorite "Love Lies Bleeding". The plant earns that romantic name because of the long red "ropes" of flowers that cascade down from sturdy stems. This is another plant that likes a sunny spot, and also prefers drier conditions. It will do well in a large flower pot, or planted in your garden. Keep in mind it grows taller, around 30" high or more. It's a real show-stopper, looking like it belongs in a Dr. Suess story!
Every year we try to find one "new" plant to use in either our planters or our garden. It's fun to try something different; sometimes the new plant gets added to our permanent list of favorites, and sometimes the first time is the last time. Did I ever tell you about the entire spring and summer we spent babying along an ornamental black pepper? Don't even get me started. Let's just say that we will never get that time back, and we won't try that one again! But that's part of the adventure of gardening!
So have an early supper tonight and join us at the Sunshine Room, SIGN on North Street, for our meeting tonight, March 21, 7 p.m. Frank and Glen will be talking to us about planting and growing in a greenhouse. And remember, everyone is welcome: you don't have to be a member to come to the meetings: if you're interested in horticulture, we'd love to meet you!
Have a great week!
