Joe's Fun Tropical Picks Joe Gadbois, October 10, 2024 Joe Gadbois, Perennials Department Manager & Tropical Buyer Hey houseplant lovers! If you’re like me, it’s probably easier for you to pick tropical plant favourites from a crowd as opposed to trying to decide on an overall favourite. Every time a...
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Houseplants to Make a Brown Thumb Look Like a Plant Guru
Houseplants to Make a Brown Thumb Look Like a Plant Guru Joe Gadbois, September 29, 2024 Joe Gadbois, Perennials Department Manager & Tropicals Buyer Whether you are in an apartment or a house of any size, I feel that having at least a few houseplants is essential to not only...
Plant Fall Bulbs for Early Spring Colour
Plant Fall Bulbs for Early Spring Colour Joe Gadbois, September 19, 2024 Joe Gadbois, Perennials Department Manager When I was a new gardener as a kid, it didn’t take long for me to discover the joy of fall bulbs. Seeing them appear in garden centres in the fall added excitement...
In Loving Memory: Bob Stadnyk
In Loving Memory: Bob Stadnyk Joe Gadbois, August 29, 2024 It feels surreal to be writing this. I met Bob when I was 11 years old. When I was young, I didn’t think much about mortality or what it would feel like to lose mentors and loved ones when I...
Spotlight on Daylilies
Spotlight on Daylilies Joe Gadbois, June 22, 2024 Joe Gadbois, Perennial Department Manager The daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) is a no-brainer perennial for Alberta gardens. They’re extremely winter hardy (to zone 2a), many have a long bloom period with beautiful flowers in numerous colours, and they have attractive foliage which looks...
Wacky Weather
Wacky Weather Joe Gadbois, June 7, 2024 Joe Gadbois, Perennial Department Manager I firmly believe that Alberta is one of the most challenging places in the world to garden. While everywhere has its challenges, there can be no doubt that in places with longer growing seasons, milder winters, and more...
Spotlight on Dianthus
Spotlight on Dianthus Joe Gadbois, April 25, 2024 Joe Gadbois, Perennials Department Manager One of my all-time favourite perennials, which I feel everyone should have in a sunny spot in the garden, is Dianthus (better known as pinks). This plant has nearly every trait that people are looking for in...
From the Dark Side
From the Dark Side Bob Stadnyk, April 11, 2024 Bob Stadnyk, Annuals/Tropicals Department Manager Call them unique, mysterious, exotic, and bordering on sinister: black flowers bring a touch of mystique and elegance to any garden, whether outdoors or part of an indoor tropical plant collection. For starters, on the tropical...
They Only Come Out at Night
They Only Come Out at Night Bob Stadnyk, April 4, 2024 Bob Stadnyk, Annuals/Tropicals Department Manager I know you have all heard the saying “like moths to a flame”. This is so true as so many insects and most plants respond to daylight, with the pollinators being most active at...
Gardening on the Rocks
Gardening on the Rocks Bob Stadnyk, March 27, 2024 Bob Stadnyk, Annuals/Tropicals Department Manager How would you like to be exposed to windchills in excess of -50C, foraged upon by wild animals, stepped on by curious onlookers, and still provide a base for procreation of your own kind on this...