Thank you to everyone who helped to make the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society's Spring Plant and Bulb Sale such a success! Thank you to everyone who donated plants; to everyone who helped set up and sell at the sale, and of course, to all the shoppers who came to the sale and found some new gardening treasures! It was a slow start to the spring, but isn't it great to be out working in our gardens again?
While we were getting some plants transplanted for the sale, I noticed our poor little potentilla in the corner of the garden. Badly misshapen after the weight of the snows over this past hard winter, the poor little thing was trying his best to look cheerful and spring-like, but he really looked pretty sad! I remember what Mom would often do with plants like that: give them a good haircut! So I got the snips and trimmed the shrub back by at least half; I hope that will rejuvenate the plant.
Potentillas are shrubs that my parents always loved in the garden. They're versatile little shrubs that provide color almost all season, texture, and nice form in the gardening landscape. I did some reading on potentillas, and here's what I learned. They belong to the cinquefoil family, and are distant cousins to roses and strawberries. Native to the Northern Hemisphere, there are about 500 species to choose from. They like well-drained soil and full sun. They're a gardener's dream come true, with the fact that they will bloom most of the summer.
The potentillas of years past were usually covered with cheery little yellow 5-petal blooms, but now there is so much variety including pinks, white, oranges, and reds.
I read that potentillas are "one of the most maligned shrubs in the landscaping repertoire", and I think that old favorites often are. Gardeners are always looking for something new, something exotic, and we sometimes fail to appreciate the tried and true plants that can bring so much beauty to the garden. Potentillas are long-blooming and very hardy; they are not prone to pests; and their delicate leaves and compact size are beautiful even when they are not in bloom. I also read that potentillas make a very stylish display with perennial geraniums and hosta plants; I think the combination of leaf color and texture must make the ensemble look very striking. As gardeners, that's something we should always consider to make our plantings eve more interesting!
No matter what kind of shrub you are looking for, ask. I've said this before and I'll say it again: if you are looking for the perfect shrub for a certain spot, ask the knowledgeable staff at our local greenhouses. They can offer us the best ideas for what we can plant where, and tell us how to care for the plants, too. They are an excellent resource with great, first-hand experience of plants for our growing conditions.
Liz mentioned that there are still very few seats available on the bus for the road trip to Regina on Saturday, June 11. The tour goes to Dutch Growers and the Regina Floral Conservatory. If you think You might be able to go, call Liz at 782-2830.
Till next time, happy gardening, and be sure to wear a hat and mosquito protection!
