Three Dogs in a Garden

Most people try to avoid bringing their work home with them, but for Carrie Brandow, some of the plants she grows for a wholesale nursery business happily come home with her to fill her summer planters and enhance her garden's flowerbeds.

"I love making combinations and seeing how plants work together,"Carrie says.

Even so, there is a big difference between her day job and playing with plant combinations at home. "Gardening is different from working in the mass growing and selling. It's peaceful and it is mine without caring what anyone else wants," she continues.

Growing plants for a living was not always a future Carrie saw for herself.

"My parents started a wholesale greenhouse in 1967. I grew up in that greenhouse," she says. "I went to university for environmental science, but after graduating, came back to the nursery. Working in the family greenhouse allowed me to bring my children to work - the greenhouse hired a nanny during the peak growing times. I had my daughter in a sling on my hip from 3 months old for her first year. Now my son would not have any of that and he had a playpen attached to a moving flower rack."

While a small business offers some flexibility, it's also a lot of hard work. The days are long. Usually Carrie is out the door a little after six in the morning and she often does return home until six in the evening.

The work is rewarding though. Watching tiny seedlings grow and mature into something beautiful is a task Carrie enjoys. "Most rewarding is having combinations I design work out just as I imagined - they don't always. If I'm being honest, I did not know what many plants looked like at maturity and how they performed in the garden until I started gardening. The goal in the greenhouse is to get them big enough to sell and then ship them out."

Having a ready supply of annuals gives Carrie's garden a distinctive style and a definite flamboyance. Great drifts of annuals are not something you often see in a private garden.

Their growing lives are short, so annuals give a single gardening season everything they've got. With the right care, they provide ongoing color in a way that slow and steady perennials never can.

The red flower is Nemisa 'Nesia Burgundy' and low growing annual by the mushrooms is Oxalis Burgundy.

1. Maiden grass, Miscanthus 2. Bearded Iris 3. Baby's Breath, Gypsophila 4. Red Hot Poker, Kniphofia 5. Delphinium 6. Oriental Poppy, Papaver orientale 7. Lilies 8. Hollyhocks, Alcea rosea 9. Sedum

A rose and a dwarf form of Campanula.

This rose was a clearance item."It was from the discount area at Zehrs–I think I paid a dollar for it 😋", Carrie says.

Flowerpots punctuate the garden and are generously packed with plants. The oversized containers lift the plants up and bring the flowers closer to eye level. Mixed in among the big pots are little gems; small containers with textural arrangements of dusty-green and grey succulents.

For Carrie, creating a container that will look great well into the fall season begins with the soil. "Potting soil (not garden soil) is what I use and it is the only soil I would use," she says.

As to any additional nutrients, Carrie tells me,"Liquid fertilizer is just too much work, so I use a soil that has slow release fertilizer in it. I also topdress with a 14-14-14 granular slow release fertilizer."

Carrie cautions that it's important to remember that different annuals can have varying requirements:

"Petunias are very heavy feeders and can not really be over fertilized, while if you fertilize nasturtiums, you will get lots of foliage and no bloom. How much to fertilize is a balancing act depending on the contents of a planter. I also stop fertilizing fall planters after mid August - kale will not colour (white kale will go back to green) and mums will send up new growth instead of becoming an even round ball of bloom."

The containers she makes for clients sometimes have design or color restrictions, but in her own garden, Carrie can be as creative as she likes. The design process begins with a series of questions:

"When I plant my own containers, I always start the same way. What colours will work in the area? If there are reds and oranges around, I am not doing pink. Is it full sun, full shade or in between? What container am I am using? The general principals of flower design is container 1/3 height to the flower height 2/3–which I try for, but do no always achieve."

"The other thing I look at is where the container is located compared to the water source. I have over 40 container planters throughout my garden - if the container is less than 14 inches in diameter, it needs to be close to water or must be able to live without water on a regular basis."

 "That being said, in my main 'showcase' planters I usually start with a plant I want to try out or a colour scheme and run from there."

The pergola was teamwork. Husband David did the construction while Carrie served as design consultant and painter.

David is a blacksmith and made many of the pieces of artwork you see in the garden. The chair to the right of the container planting is one of his creations.

At the back of this container planting is the"thriller"Giant Reed, Arundo Donax 'Variegata'.

Giant Reed, Arundo Donax 'Variegata'is a warm-season grass that has grey-green foliage streaked with bands of cream. It likes moist soil and will even grow in standing water. In frost-free areas, it will remain evergreen (USDA zones 9-11), but in more northern zones, it will die back to the ground in winter (zones 6-7). Height: 12-15 ft (3.6-4.7 m), Spread: 8-10 ft (2.4-3 m). USDA zones: 6-10.

A closer look at the container shown in the previous picture: Lantana 'Evita Red', Petunia 'Littletunia Purple Blue', yellow Mercardonia and Coleus 'Redhead'

From the flowerbed right beside the container planting shown above:

Dwarf Bee Balm, Monarda 'Pardon my Purple' has magenta-purple flowers on a low, compact plant. Monarda is best grown in rich, medium to wet, moisture-retentive soil. Deadheading the flowers will extend the bloom time. Spreads by rhizomes and self-seeds to form colonies. Mildew resistant. Full sun or light shade. Height: 25-30 cm(10-12 inches), Spread:(10-12 inches). USDA zones: 4-8.

A raised bed at the back of the house.

1. Nasturtium 'Jewel Mix' 2. Coleus 'Redhead' 3. Golden Pineapple Sage, Salvia 'Golden delicious' 4. Fountain Grass, Pennisetum purpureum 'Princess Caroline'

A few of the containers filled with succulents.

A pretty table centrepiece from the patio area. Place a glass vase in the centre of a bowl and fill the

bowl with fruit and vegetables.

1. Angelonia 2. Verbena 'Aztec Violet Blue' 3. Lantana 'Evita Red' 4. Petunia 'Littletunia Purple Blue' 5. Mercardonia 'Gold dust'

Summer snapdragon, Angelonia (perennial that can be used as an annual in northern garden zones) comes in colors of white, pink, lavender and purple. They like sun and tolerate heat and humidity well. Height: 8-12 inches.

A section of garden adjacent to the pergola. A pathway leads to the garage

at the back of the property.

1. Russian Sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia 2. Tickseed, Coreopsis 3. Japanese Forest Grass, Hakonechloa macra 4. Euonymus 5. Daylily 6. Ostrich Fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris 7. Giant Fleece Flower, Persicaria Polymorpha

1. Lantana 'Evita Red' 2. Coleus 'Marble Red' 3. Floss Flower, Ageratum 'High Tide Blue' 4. Nemesia Nesia 'Sunshine'

Floss Flower, Ageratum houstonianum (annual) has clusters of soft flowers in shades of blue, lavender and pink. There are both tall and shorter varieties. Full sun (with afternoon shade in warmer garden zones). Height: 10-18 inches.

When it comes to containers, most gardeners (myself included) focus on the flowers, but Carrie advises differently:

"My one word of advice would be do not forget the contrast in foliage colour. If you want to keep your planters looking good all season, keep the different foliage colours in mind. Blooms can be in and out. The foliage will always be there. Some combinations work, some do not - if you don't like the results - don't do it again next year."

Lots of great advice to put into practice!

Part 2 will focus on some of the other flowerbeds and will take further look at some of the more than 40 container plantings!

This summer I am tackling a neglected flowerbed under some mature lilac bushes. Sadly it's a task that has long been overshadowed by a litany of other more pressing projects. I've cleared away the weeds and removed a big patch of ditch daylilies that were mostly green due to the lack of sunlight. What I have now is basically a clean slate.

The possibilities are limited only by my imagination and the growing conditions–which I would describe as dry shade. My wish list is ambitious–I want some color, attractive foliage and year round interest.

What are my options?

It's an exciting project to think about, but if I'm being honest, a blank canvas can be a little intimidating even for an experienced gardener like myself. Hostas are versatile and dependable, but there are other more interesting and unusual options I'd like to consider as well. And that's where having a great reference like Glorious Shade has come in handy. The book is well researched and packed with valuable information. It's been fun to be able to pour through the plant listings and begin to plan.

I want to start out by commenting on the book title: Glorious Shade. So often gardeners think of shade as a disadvantage and not as an opportunity. But the descriptive "glorious" is well within the realm of possibilities for a shade garden. Shade gardens tend to be greener spaces that rely more on foliage than flowers, but that is not to say they are without color.

Shade seems like a simple enough term, but light changes with the passage of the sun and the shifting seasons. Author Jenny Rose Carey defines "full shade" as areas of a garden receiving less than 2 hours of sun and "part shade" as 2-6 hours of sunlight, but even so, within these parameters there are varying degrees and qualities of light.

The number of hours of shade, and the time of day it occurs are important considerations when choosing plants. Morning sun/afternoon shade is the most gentle type of light. The opposite, morning shade/afternoon sun, requires tougher plants that can take the heat. Plants with delicate leaves, and those that like moist soil are better planted where there is some protection from the sun.

The flowerbed I am reworking is in shade in the early morning. As the sun climbs in the sky, the area gets some sunlight, but this period of light is interrupted twice as the sun passes behind two big trees on the opposite side of the garden.

Glorious Shade also addresses the seasonal changes that take place in a shade garden. Every season has its delights, a calendar of tasks and a list of plants that provide interest. Other chapters cover soil improvement, choosing the right plants and designing a shade garden. The chapter on design includes notes on different types of gardens; rock gardens, xeric gardens, and water and moss gardens–just to name a few. There is even a brief section dedicated to container gardening in shade.

The part of the book that I think you'll refer to again and again is the reference of plants, trees and shrubs for shade. Each type of plant has a photo, a point-form list of growing conditions and notations on size and zone. This lets you know at a glance wether a plant is what your looking for. A detailed plant profile follows with more key information.

I also think you'll find that the lists peppered throughout the book are super handy; plants for moist to wet soil, native plants, plants for well-drained soil, fragrant shade plants, plants for seasonal interest, etc.

Just to give you an idea of how useful a reference this book might be, I thought I'd highlight a few of the recommended shrubs for shade conditions.

One thing I want to include in my flowerbed redesign is a shrub to hide the rather ugly trunk of an evergreen tree. I always default to a yew, which has the bonus of also being evergreen, but how boring of me when there are so many other shrubs I should consider!

Let's take a look at a few of the many options suggested in the book.

Philadelphus x virginalis
Sweet Mock Orange
Part shade
8-10 ft tall and wide
USDA zones: 4-8

This is a shrub that's been on my wish list for a while. The white flowers have are scented like orange blossoms. Prune it after it flowers.

Itea virginica
Virginia Sweet Spire
Bright or Part shade
3-5 ft. tall and 3-6 ft. wide
USDA zones: 5-9

Virginia Sweet Spire is native to eastern North America. It's adaptable and will grow in a wide range of soil conditions from fairly dry to quite moist. Long white flowers appear in summer and are quite fragrant. The foliage turns red in the fall. The leaves of cultivar 'Henry's Garnet' acquire a vibrant reddish-purple hue in the autumn. 'Little Henry' is a smaller cultivar.

Kalmia latifolia
American Mountain Laurel
Bright to full shade
4-8 ft. or more tall and wide
USDA zones: 4-8

This is a slow growing shrub that likes moist, somewhat acidic soil. It flowers in late spring/early summer with blooms that are white, pink or dark red.

Korean Spice Viburnum, Viburnum carlessii (my own image)

Private garden Toronto, Ontario (my own image)

Virburnum plicatum tomentosum
Doublefile Viburnum
Part shade
8-12 ft tall and wide
USDA zones: 5-8

Viburnum are a group of deciduous or evergreen shrubs that grow best in dappled shade.

I'm showing two examples: Korean Spice Viburnum, Viburnum carlessii has waxy, pink flowers that fade to white. The flowers are followed by bright red berries that become black as they ripen. Virburnum plicatum tomentosum or Doublefile Viburnum has non-fragrant, white flowers in late spring. Red fruit follow the flowers.

Private garden Toronto, Ontario (my own image)

Bottlebrush Buckeye (my own image)

Aesculus parviflora
Bottlebrush Buckeye
Part to full shade
8-12 ft tall and up to 15 wide

Aesculus are deciduous trees and shrubs with palmate foliage.

A Bottlebrush Buckeye has upright flower panicles in mid-summer that butterflies love. In autumn, the leaves are bright, golden-yellow. This shrub likes moist soil especially when it is getting established. In ideal conditions, it will spread to form a colony (something to bear in mind).

Smooth Hydrangea
Hydrangea Incrediball Blush
4-5 ft tall and 5 ft wide

Incrediball Blush is one of the new introduction. It has thicker stems than classic smooth hydrangeas and massive pink tinged with magenta flowers. It flowers on new growth, so prune it in late winter/early spring.

There are many more ideas in the book. I'm still looking through them all and trying to decide.

I'm going to give the final words of this post to the author. Jenny Rose Carey writes:

"As you develop your own shade garden, choose trees that you love, fill your space with plants that inspire you, and arrange them in ways that please you. Your garden will be an outdoor space that is as unique as you are, and will provide pleasure for you, your family and your guests."

Certainly this is a book that shows you that shade can indeed be glorious.

Thomas Allen & Sons has kindly given me a copy of Glorious Shade to give away. Because this book will go to a winner through the mail, I will have to limit entry to readers in Canada and the USA.

Please leave a comment below, if you would like to be included in the book draw. The draw will remain open until Monday, July 31st. If you are not a blogger, you can enter by leaving a comment on the Three Dogs in a Garden Facebook page (there is an additional link to the Facebook page at the bottom of the blog). You are also welcome to enter by sending me an email (jenc_art@hotmail.com).

About the Author:

Jenny Rose Carey is a well-known educator, historian and author. She is the senior director at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Meadowbrook Farm in Jenkintown. She is an avid, hands-on gardener who has gardened in both England and the United States. Her victorian property, Northview, contains diverse plant spaces, including a shade garden, moss garden and stumpery. Jenny Rose and her gardens have been featured on the PBS series The Victory Garden, in the Wall Street Journal, the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Pennsylvania Gardener. Glorious Shade is her first gardening book.

Photo by Rob Cardillo

I am always delighted to hear from readers. On occasion, I even get an invitation to visit their gardens!

Teresa is regular reader and passionate gardener who has managed to fit an amazing array of plants, trees and shrubs in a modest urban garden. We had a pleasant morning strolling through her garden talking about plants.

The garden starts in the front yard and continues all the way around her red brick home. In this picture you can see the garden that runs the length of the driveway and a glimpse of the patio area.

One of my personal favourites is this little vignette with a table and two chairs.

I also love the simplicity of the variegated ivy and the beige urn.

Adjacent to the front door is a small patio area with an umbrella providing shade. Plantings at the front of the house make the area private.

Teresa has added color with cheerful blue accessories and restricted the plantings to a quiet palette of green and white.

The fountain was a welcome gift.

A table adjacent to the front pathway.

Next on our tour is the backyard. At the corner of the house is a very pretty hydrangea. The blooms start off magenta-pink and slowly fade to a soft beige.

'Invincibelle Spirit' has magenta-pink flowers that fade to soft beige. 'Invincibelle Spirit' prefers full sun, but will tolerate part shade. It blooms on new wood, so prune in late winter/early spring. Height: 4-5ft inches. Spread: 4-5ft inches. USDA zones: 3-8.

On the left is the pathway to the backyard. On the right is a detailed look at the begonia you see in the hanging baskets.

Tucked into a corner at the back of the house is a dining area with seating for six. There is no fence between neighbouring properties, so Teresa has used a tall metal shelf to add some privacy. The shelf is also the perfect excuse to create a display of plants and favourite collectables.

Tropical indoor plants spend their summer's outdoors in Teresa's container plantings. Just before the first frost in the fall, she cleans them up and brings them back indoors for the winter.

Oakleaf Crotons have become popular indoor plants. They have leathery leaves that start out green and become accented with yellow and orange as they mature. They can grow as large as 5-6ft. Full sun.

Right next to the dining area is more comfortable seating. In the lower left of this picture, you can see more of Teresa's collection of hydrangeas.

Oakleaf Hydrangea, Hydrangea quercifolia gets its name from its foliage which is shaped like the leaves of an oak tree. Oakleaf hyrangeas like hot summers and can tolerate dry conditions much more than many other types of hydrangeas. They like rich, well-drained soil. There are both single and double blossom varieties. They bloom on old wood, so prune just after it flowers. Note: they are not as cold hardy as some other types of hydrangeas. Full sun or part shade (depending on the variety). USDA zones:5-9.

A few cultivars to watch for:

'Spikes Dwarf'is a dwarf variety with a compact, rounded shape. The flowers are white and fade to pink. Full sun to part shade. Height: 2-3ft, Spread: 3-4ft. USDA zones:5-9.

Proven Winner's 'Gatsby Gal' has white flowers on a smaller shrub. Height: 60-72 inches, Spread: 60-72 inches. USDA zones:5-9.

Monrovia's 'Ruby Slippers'has white flowers that quickly turn pink. The foliage turns mahogany in fall. Part shade. Height: 3-4 ft, Spread: 4-5ft. USDA zones:5-9.

Proven Winner's 'Snow Queen'has white flowers that turn pink. Part sun. Height:4-5ft, Spread: 6ft. USDA zones:5-9.

Monrovia's 'Alice' is one of the larger cultivars. The flowers are white. In the fall, the foliage turns crimson. Part shade. Height: 12-15 ft, Spread: 12-15 ft. USDA zones:5-9.

This is the flowerbed that runs along the back fence. A row of cedars forms a backdrop for the planting that takes advantage of every square inch of space.

1. Tree Peony, Paeonia suffruticosa 2. Ligularia 3. Maiden grass, Miscanthus 4. Lavender 5. Agapanthus (summer flowering bulb that is hardy USDA zones: 8-10. They can also grown elsewhere with some winter protection or by overwintering the bulbs indoors.) 6. Weigela

I am not sure of the identity of this hosta, but here are several cultivars that have a green leaf with a stripe of butter yellow:

Hosta 'Stripease' has green leaves with a golden-yellow centre. Height: 45-50 cm ( 18-20 inches), Spread: 90-120 cm (35-47 inches). USDA zones:2-9.

Hosta 'Touch of Class'has blue-green leaves a central streak of pale yellow. Height: 30-40 cm (12-16 inches), Spread: 45-60 cm (18-23 inches). USDA zones:2-9.

Hosta 'High Society'has a warm yellow centre that brightens to white mid-summer. Height: 20-25 cm (8-10 inches), Spread: 40-60 cm (16-23 inches). USDA zones:2-9.

Hosta 'Thunderbolt' has thick, rubbery leaves with a gold flash down the centre. Height: 60-75 cm (23-29 inches), Spread: 75-90 cm (29-35 inches). USDA zones:2-9.

Big Leaf hydrangea, Hydrangea Macrophylla

A re-blooming daylily with yellow flowers, a red Bee Balm, Monarda, a variegated Dogwood shrub and Smoke Tree, Cotinus in behind.

A few Re-blooming daylilies to watch for:

Hemerocallis 'Sunset Returns' forms a compact clump of grass-like foliage and has fragrant golden-apricot flowers. Height: 30-40 cm (12-16 inches), Spread: 45-60 cm (18-23 inches). USDA zones:2-9.

Hemerocallis 'Red Hot Returns' has orange-red flowers with a lime-colored throat. Semi-evergreen. Height: 50-60 cm (20-23 inches), Spread: 45-60 cm (18-23 inches). USDA zones:4-9.

Hemerocallis 'Rosy Returns' has rose-pink flowers with a dee-pink eye and a yellow throat. Height: 30-35 cm (12-14 inches), Spread: 45-60 cm (18-23 inches). USDA zones:2-9.

Hemerocallis 'Stella de Oro' has fragrant golden-yellow flowers. Height: 25-30 cm (10-12 inches), Spread: 30-60 cm (12-23 inches). USDA zones:2-9.

A grass pathway leads into a little alcove where Teresa has a collection of hosta, miniature hosta and other shade loving plants.

A Buddha watches over a tiny hosta.

Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' is a miniature hosta with blue-green foliage and lavender flowers. Good slug resistance. Part shade to full shade. Height: 10-15 cm (4-6 inches), Spread: 20-30 cm (8-12 inches). USDA zones:2-9.

The plantings continue right around the side of the house. A grass path leads you back to the patio area at the front.

Thank you Teresa for a lovely visit!

There is a little bit of irony in the history of Echinacea. For one thing, it took Europeans to exploit the star potential of this North American native flower. The Germans began to make improvements on the species Echinacea purpurea in the 1960's. The flower's popularity continued to grow on through the 80's and the 90's. Then in 1989, Echinacea purpurea 'Mangus' was named Perennial Plant of the Year from the Perennial Plant Association and Echinacea became even more fashionable.

Excitement about the plant's potential really took off when a breeder in the Netherlands stumbled upon a double flowering seedling in his cut flowerbeds. That discovery eventually led to the introduction of the cultivar 'Razzmatazz' in 2003. 'Razzmatazz' was a huge success and led to further experiments leading to rather remarkable breakthroughs in enhancing the flower's color, form and scent.

Botany

Echinacea or Coneflowers are members of the large Asteraceae family. The Echinacea genus has nine distinct species. These species are spread across the eastern and midwestern US and Canada with the greatest concentration of species located in prairie grasslands.

The cones on an Echinacea flower are actually a collection of several hundred fertile florets. The disk florets open from the centre outward gradually releasing their pollen as they open. These disk florets are surrounded by a ring of sterile florets that we refer to as petals. The brightly colored ring of ray florets (petals) are there to primarily to attract pollinators.

Medicinal Uses

Native North Americans chewed dried Echinacea roots to treat toothaches, soar throats, coughs and infections. The root's juices were also used to treat burns, and snake and insect bites. Early North American settlers adopted some of the plant's medicinal uses and took them back to Europe in the 17th century.

With the advent of antibiotics in the 1930's, the medicinal use of the Echinacea plant fell into a period of decline only to be rediscovered in the last fifty years. Today the global sales of Echinacea account for just under 10% of all herbal remedies. The entire plant; roots, stems, leaves and flower heads are now used in extracts, tablets and tinctures to boost the immune system and help with coughs, colds flu, fevers and infections.

Again there is an irony in all this. While the popularity of Echinacea as medicinal plant has grown tremendously, it has at the same time begun to disappear from the wild. The numbers of native Echinacea species growing in the wild are dwindling due to loss of habitat and over-harvesting from the herbal industry. Two species E. tennesseensis and E. laevigata, are now considered to be endangered.

Growing Echinacea

I wish I had more Echinacea in my garden. Perhaps because it blooms in summer, I tend to overlook it when making my spring purchases. Then July arrives and I find myself lamenting the oversight and making a last minute purchase. High summer is a tough time for a somewhat potbound nursery plant to get going in a large garden. The soil around the root ball dries out so quickly. You really have to make an effort to water regularly or the plant will have a hard time establishing itself properly before the fall. I've managed to lose more than a few plants this way. So my first tip would be not to make my mistake and plant Echinacea in the spring!

Otherwise Echinacea are easy to grow. Give them full sun. I have tried them in part shade and I find they don't do nearly as well. Like most perennials, they like well-drained soil. Too much moisture can cause root rot.

Echinacea form a slowly expanding clump that should to be divided every few years to maintain its vigour.

The Enabling Garden in Guelph, Ontario.

In a large garden one plant has little impact, so I'd suggest planting Echinacea in drifts. Bees and butterflies will love you for it!

Echinacea purpurea 'Milkshake'

There are a couple of reasons to deadhead them regularly. It encourages more flowers, but more importantly, the fading flowers can become downright ugly depending on the variety.

Pests and Diseases

Deer will nibble on young leaves as they emerge in the spring, but tend to avoid somewhat hairy mature foliage unless they are really hungry.

Sadly quite a number of insects can be a problem- Japanese Beetles, aphids, root borers, cutworms and tent caterpillars.

Some cultivars are susceptible to fungal diseases like powdery mildew and botrytis.

Phytoplasma is a problem that is hard to prevent because it is spread by insects. Also known as "yellow asters", Phytoplasma is a bacteria that can cause the flower's cones to mutate and sprout leaves and green flowers. It eventually kills the plant.

Modern Cultivars

There seems to be so many new Echinacea cultivars it's hard to keep pace (there are over 100). The shiny new models take up prime space on the nursery benches crowding out what was last year's star and even some of the older classics. This constant change can make newer cultivars feel a little like they are "here today and gone tomorrow".

The great thing about these modern hybrids is they offer a huge choice of colors and flower forms. They have also beenselected for smaller heights making them more appropriate for today's smaller gardens.

The new cultivars offer a plant with more branching than the original species. They have a reduced fertility or are sterile, so the flower holds it's color better. A drawback is there is no self-seeding.

Which cultivar you choose may depend in part on your pocketbook. These new varieties aren't cheap! Here's a look at a few of your many options:

Echinacea purpurea 'Baby Swan White' has off-white flowers and a yellow cone. Full sun. Height: 45-60 cm (18-23 inches), Spread: 30-45 cm (12-18 inches).USDA zones: 3-9.

Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan' is the taller version. It again has off-white flowers and a yellow cone. Full sun. Height: 75-90 cm (29-35 inches), Spread: 45-60 cm (18-23 inches). USDA zones: 3-9.

Echinacea purpurea 'Pow Wow White' has broad white petals that overlap and a golden-yellow cone. All-American Selections Award Winner. Full sun. Height: 40-60 cm (16-23 inches), Spread: 30-40 cm (12-16 inches).USDA zones: 3-9.

Echinacea 'Glowing Dream' has watermelon colored petals and an orange-brown cone. This selection is compact and well-branched. Full sun. Height: 40-60 cm (16-23 inches), Spread: 45-50 cm (18-20 inches).USDA zones: 3-9.

Echinacea 'Fatal Attraction' is a cultivar developed by Piet Oudolf in the Netherlands. It has flat magenta petals and a dark cone. The plant is short and bushy. Full sun. Height: 60-65 cm (23-25 inches), Spread: 45-60 cm (18-23 inches). USDA zones: 3-9.

Echinacea 'Southern Belle' has magenta colored pompom flowers. Full sun. Height: 50- 90 cm, Spread: 50- 75 cm. USDA Zones 4-9.

Echinacea purpurea 'Pow Wow Wildberry' has magenta petals and an orange cone. This is a mid-sized plant that was the All-American Selections Winner in 2010. Full sun. Height: 50-60 cm (20-23 inches), Spread: 45-60 cm (18-23 inches). USDA zones: 3-9.

Echinacea purpurea 'Butterfly Kisses' is another cultivar from the Netherlands. It has a magenta pom-pom centre and pink petals. Fragrant. Full sun. Height: 40-45 cm (16-18 inches), Spread: 40-45 cm (16-18 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Echinacea Sombrero 'Kim's Knee High' has drooping coral-pink petals with an orange cone. This Echinacea has a compact, bushy habit making it perfect for the front of any flowerbed. Full sun. Height: 45-60 cm (18-23 inches), Spread: 30-60 cm (12-23 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Echinacea 'Big Kahuna' has large fragrant orange-mango flowers with an orange cone. This is a bushy plant with strong flower stems. Full sun. Height: 45-50 cm (18-20 inches), Spread: 45-50 cm (18-20 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Echinacea Sombrero 'Adobe Orange' (top left) has overlapping orange petals and a rusty-red cone. Sombrero 'Adobe Orange' was bred to produce lots of flowers on a compact, sturdy plant. Full sun. Height: 60-65 cm ( 23-25 inches), Spread: 40-45 cm (16-18 inches). USDA zones: 5-9.

Echinacea 'Supreme Cantaloupe' (top right) has cantaloupe-colored ray petals on the outside of the flower with rosy-red ray petals at the centre. Full sun. Height: 55-65 cm (21-25 inches), Spread: 35-40 cm (14-16 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Echinacea 'Tiki Torch' has orange petals with a red-brown cone. Full sun. Height: 75-80 cm (29-31 inches), Spread: 45-60 cm (18-23 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Echinacea 'Hot papaya' has a centre pompom and long hanging reddish-orange petals. As the flower ages, the pompom developes into a more golden-papaya color. Echinacea 'Hot Papaya' begins blooming mid-summer and will continue to bloom into the late summer if the spent flowers are removed. Attractive to butterflies. Full sun. Height:75-90 cm (29-35 inches) Spread:40-60 (18-23 inches) USDA zones:4-9.

Echinacea 'Now Cheesier'

Echinacea 'Cleopatra' has fragrant, single to semi-double flowers with lemon-yellow petals and a peach cone. Full sun. Height: 40-45 cm (16-18 inches), Spread: 30-40 cm (12-16 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Echinacea x hybirda 'Sombrero Lemon Yellow' has overlapping golden-yellow petals with golden-brown cone. The Sombrero series were bred to be compact plants with a high bud count. Full sun. Height: 60-65 cm (23-25 inches), Spread: 40-55 cm (16-21 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Mira's garden in Guelph, Ontario

Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens

You may not have to look far to find companion plants. Other varieties of Echinacea in varying colors can look quite attractive when massed together.

Rudbeckia in a public garden.

Other kinds of daisy-type flowers, like Helenium and Rudbeckia, also work nicely with Echinacea. Heleniums are taller than many types of Echinacea, so plant them in behind. Rudbeckia tend to be a little shorter than Echinacea, so they look great planted to the front.

Rudbeckia 'Goldstrum' has golden-yellow flowers with a black centre. It is easily grown in average garden soil. 'Goldstrum' likes sun, but is also happy in light shade. Removing spent flowers will prolong the display of blooms into the autumn. This perennial has a slow spreading habit, but is easy to remove where unwanted. Height: 60-75 cm ( 23-29 inches), Spread: 45-60 cm (18-23 inches). USDA zones: 3-9.

Mira's garden in Guelph, Ontario

Globe Thistles are another plant that are a great bee magnet. They bloom mid-summer and make a nice companion plant for pink varieties of Echinacea.

Globe Thistle, Echinopos rito have grey-green leaves and a ball shaped flower that is steely-blue. Unlike weedy thistles, these are well behaved plants that don't spread uncontrolled. Well-drained, average garden soil and moisture conditions are perfect for these plants. Full sun. Height: 90-120 cm ( 35-47 inches), Spread: 60-75 cm (23-29 inches). USDA zones: 2-9.

Joe's garden in Brampton, Ontario. See more of this garden here .

Liatris and Phlox 'Niky' on the right.

Other companion plants include:

• Phlox paniculata

• Sedum

• Liatris

• Ornamental Grasses like Miscanthus

• Daylilies

To end this post, I must confess that there is a simple charm in the nine native species of Echinacea that has been overshadowed by some of these new flashy hybrids. There is an uncomplicated purity of form in the original that is in danger of disappearing.

It sometimes makes me wonder if we have lost sight of what we liked about Echinacea flowers in the first place.

I can't remember a time when my little draw box was as full! Thank you to everyone that entered on Facebook, by email and by leaving comments on the blog.

And the winner of Glorious Shade is...Susan Bulmer (who entered on Facebook). Congratulations Susan! I will be in touch shortly to get your home address.

I am super excited about the next book. Gardens of the Highline is a gorgeous coffee table book filled with amazing photography. Details on how to enter in the coming weeks.

Fate does not always smile upon old houses. With modern urban development, a quiet, country setting can sometimes completely change its character. A place where two country roads meet can evolve into a busy city intersection. And not everyone is willing to take on the demands of an older home. They need patience, vision and tons of hard work.

The home of Carrie and David Brandow is older than Canada itself. What began as a rural stone house is now a home on the outskirts of the city of Guelph. Despite the city's expansion, the house retains much of its original charm. The door and trim on the front entrance is Kelly green– a fitting choice for the home of an avid gardener.

"The house was built in 1854 (according to the date on the side of the house). I have heard differing stories about this house," says Carrie, "I've heard it was a farmhouse, or more often, it was a rooming house for people traveling between Guelph and Cambridge. It is not very big inside, so they would not have had many people staying at one time."

"We love the old charm, the deep windowsills and the location– it is half way between Dave's and my work. It's also close to the city, but still in the country."

Over the years, Carrie and David have done a number of renovations.

"The only thing that is the same about the property, from when we got it 21 years ago, is the original part of the house (we built the addition) and the greenhouse/shed– we have not got around to taking them down. We had to change everything else; upgrade the septic, build the garage etc. Which actually meant I would put in the gardens only to have them destroyed by one major construction project or another. The garden in place are now 3-5 years old."

It is amazing to think that the garden I am about to show you is only three to five years old! It looks like the it has always been there.

Giant Fleeceflower, Persicaria polymorpha (tall, white flowering perennial), Salvia guarantica 'Black & Bloom' (blue flowering annual) and Wax Begonia, Semperflorens (red flowering annual).

For those of you that might have missed the first post, Carrie Brandow has a career in the wholesale nursery trade. Some of the plants she grows for the family business come home with her to fill her summer planters and enhance her garden's flowerbeds.

The huge container planting (above) began with an old water trough that Carrie and David discovered on the property when they bought the house. The bottom was rusted through, so as a container for annuals, it certainly offered lots of good drainage!

1. Dwarf Egyptian Papyrus, 'Graceful Grasses King Tut' 2. Coleus 'Redhead' 3. Petunia 'African Sunset' (seed spreading variety) 4. Petunia 'Tidal Wave Velour Red' 5. Petunia 'Littletunia Purple Blue'

A closeup of the big container planting.

Another one of other Carrie's containers that I missed showing in the last post.

1. Coleus 'Redhead' 2. Fuchsia 3. Mimulus 'Magic Mix' 4. Nemesia Nesia 'Sunshine'

This is the garden's main flowerbed. Annuals edge the bed and are dotted in among the perennials. Carrie sees a number of advantages in this planting style:

"The perennials create a base and change the colour interest throughout the season. Annuals add continuous colour."

"Annuals can also be changed year to year, so the garden is not the same every year. One year the main color is orange, the next year the main colour might be pink. The perennials get a different look simply by changing the colour of the annuals."

1. Delphinium 2. Maidenhair Grass, Miscanthus 3. Butterfly weed, Asclepias tuberosa 'Hello Yellow' 4. Perilla Tricolor 5. False Indigo, Baptisia 6. Echinacea 'Strawberry Shortcake' 7. Bergenia 8. Bearded Iris 9. Giant Lamb's Ears, Stachys byzantina 'Helen von Stein' 10. Annual Marigold 'Durango Mix'.

Perilla Magilla Tricolor (left) and Giant Lamb's Ears, Stachys byzantina 'Helen von Stein' (right)

Two foliage plants from the big flowerbed seen above:

Perilla Magilla Tricolor (annual) has burgundy foliage with bright pink centres. It is performs well in both sun and shade. Deer resistant. Height: 60 cm (24 inches), Spread: 45-60 cm (18-24 inches). Hardiness:10,11.

Giant Lamb's Ears, Stachys byzantina 'Helen von Stein' (perennial) has large, fuzzy grey-green leaves. This is a non-blooming type of Lamb's Ears. Full sun. Height:30-45 cm (12-18 inches), Spread: 45-60 (18-24 inches). Hardiness: 4-9.

Butterfly weed, Asclepias tuberosa 'Hello Yellow' forms an upright clump of narrow green leaves with clusters of yellow flowers. Green seedpods follow that can be dried for arrangements. Attractive to butterflies. This plant requires well-drained, somewhat sandy soil. Full sun. Height: 40-50 cm(16-20 inches), Spread: 50-60 cm (20-23 inches). USDA zones 4-9.

The tall spikes of Delphinium, an orange-red Echinacea 'Hot Papaya' and the pink spires of Mountain Fleeceflower, Persicaria.

Echinacea 'Strawberry Shortcake' is double flowered Echinacea with white petals and a pompom that starts off white and darkens into rose-pink. Full sun. Height: 65-75 cm(26-28 inches), Spread: 45-60 cm (18-24 inches). USDA zones 4-9.

A group of annuals: Salvia (blue flowers), Gomphera (magenta flowers) and Melampodium divaricatum (yellow daisy).

Butter daisy, Melampodium divaricatum is an annual that likes hot, humid locations. Full sun. Height: 1-2 ft (there are both tall and shorter varieties).

The same flowerbed from a different vantage point.

Alpine Betony, Stachys monieri is a perennial that forms a low mound of green leaves with mauve or pink flower spikes mid-summer. This plant is happy in average garden soil and likes average to moist growing conditions. Full sun, but will tolerate part-shade. Height: 30-60 cm (12-23 inches), Spread: 45-60 cm (18-23 inches). USDA zones 4-8.

This flowerbed sits toward the back of the property adjacent to the garage. Under the small tree, there is a nice grouping of hosta (see below). There is also has a little pond and more container plantings.

Hostas with a nice mix of color and texture.

A container planting next to the garage.

1. Salvia 'Patio Blue' (annual) 2. Geranium 'Mrs Pollack' 3. Nemisa 'Nesia Burgundy' 4. Mercardonia ( yellow annual) 5. Coleus 'Stained Glassworks Burgundy Wedding Train'

Coleus 'Stained Glassworks Burgundy Wedding Train'trails nicely over the edge of a container. It has burgundy foliage edged in lime green. Height: 30-46 cm (12-18 inches), Spread: 46-60 cm (18-24 inches.

The other side of the flowerbed that runs along the length of the garage.

1. Evening Primrose or Sundrops, Oenothera fruticosa 2. Crimson Scabious, Knautia macedonica 3. Lysimachia punctata 'Golden Alexander' 4. Salvia 'Patio Blue' (annual) 5. Coleus 'Defiance'

Two of the perennials in detail:

Crimson Scabious, Knautia macedonica is a short-lived perennial that forms a low, rounded clump of grey-green leaves. Wiry upright stems carry maroon flowers throughout the summer and into the fall. This plant likes somewhat dry conditions and is happy in average garden soil. Full sun. Height: 60-90 cm (23-35 inches), Spread: 45-60 cm (18-23 inches). USDA zones 4-9.

Lysimachia punctata 'Golden Alexander' has variegated green leaves with a cream margin. Spikes of starry yellow flowers appear in summer. Unlike some loosestrife, this cultivar willsupposedly spread moderately to form a small patch. Height: 45-60 cm(18-23 inches), Spread: 45-60 cm (18-23 inches). USDA zones 4-9.

There is a row of trees at the back of the property that provide privacy and shade. Here Carrie and David have a small fire pit and a couple of comfortable chairs.

The garden that runs along the side of the yard continues with a mix of annuals and perennials. Among the perennials are lilies, phlox and dahlias.

In the hot, dry area at the centre of the yard, Carrie has a metal basket and a couple of blue ceramic pots filled with succulents.

Silver Spurflower, Plectranthus argentatus 'Silver Shield'(perennial– can be used as an annual-depending on your zone) is a spreading, sub-shrub native to Australia. It is primarily grown for its attractive, fuzzy, grey-green foliage. It has upright flower spikes with bluish-white flowers. Grow it in part shade in rich, well-drained soil. Height (as an annual foliage plant): 60 cm (24 inches), Spread: 60cm (24 inches). USDA zones: 10-11.

1. Paddle Plant, Kalanchoe thyrsiflora 'Desert Rose' 2. Echeveria 'Ruffles'3. Sedum spurium 'Voodoo'4. Mother of Thousands, Kalanchoe daigremontiana

One final corner of the garden to explore. A soft pathway of wood mulch leads from the house down to the garage.

The garden in the early morning light.

And later in the day.

In the back row: Coleus 'Wasabi' and Coleus 'Saturn' In the front row: Begonia boliviensis 'Bossa Nova Red', Pansy 'Cool Blue Wave', Fuchsia 'Autumnale' and Fuchsia 'Marinka' at the sides of the box (not shown).

Unless you have a greenhouse where you can give seedlings an early start each spring, planting large areas with annuals, as Carrie has done, may not be an affordable option for everyone. But what you can take away from this planting style are design tips that can be adapted to suit any garden on whatever budget:

• Pick a key, high traffic area and use annuals to give you continuous color from summer into fall.

• Consider using annuals to edge a perennial bed. At the front of a large flower border, they won't get lost in a crowd.

• Mass annuals together for a display that has a big impact.

• Choose large or oversized containers that have a wow-factor rather than lots of little pots.

• As Carrie suggested in the first post, remember that even with annuals, foliage color is a constant. Flowers come and go. If you want to keep your container plantings looking their best all season, keep the different foliage colours in mind.

I love Carrie's idea to vary the look of your garden each year by changing the type and color of the annuals you choose. It's refreshing to have a new look every once in a while. And it's an easy update with a minimum of fuss! Who doesn't love that?

Gardeners looking for something colorful to brighten up their late summer garden often look to flowers, but flowers aren't the only way to go!

When it comes to adding an infusion of color, I always think back to this amazing garden.

Who needs flowers when foliage is this beautiful? The rose and peach colored Heuchera completely transform this shady garden.

Part-shade–Private garden in Campbellville, ON

Here's a fact that may surprise you–Heuchera are actually a native plant and are found in various forms across the North American continent.

Heuchera form neat, round mounds and have a woody centre or "crown". The bell-shaped flowers of this plant are often described as "insignificant". Certainly one purchases a Heuchera primarily for the foliage, but the tiny flowers are often quite attractive in their own right:

Light

Not all Heuchera prefer the same light conditions, so it's a good idea to read the recommendations on the plant tag before you set your heart on a particular cultivar. Some like full sun to part shade, while others prefer part-shade to full shade. All varieties benefit from some light afternoon shade– Heuchera foliage may actually scorch in the hot afternoon sun in more southern garden zones.

Soil

Heuchera prefer moist, well-drained soil enriched with some organic matter. If your soil is poor, it is a good idea to amend it with some organic matter before you plant.

Division

A Heuchera's crown loses some vigor over time, so it is a good idea to divide them every 3-4 years. This can be done in either the spring or the fall.

Pests & Problems

Though Heuchera prefer moist soil, they like good drainage. Too much water can cause crown or root rot and make overwintering a Heuchera more difficult.

Winter cycles of frost and thaw can heave the crown of a Heuchera up out of the ground. To prevent this from happening, mulch in the fall. If your Heuchera has already heaved up as a result of frost/thaw, simply lift and re-plating it.

The Cultivars

In recent years, Heuchera have been focus of frenzied hybridization and can now be found in an amazing array of colors, leaf shapes and textures.

Here's a look at some of the many cultivars available with suggestions for companion planting:

Shades of Green

Heuchera 'Sweet Tart'is a part of a series of miniature hybrids under the brand 'Little Cutie'. It has bright, lime colored leaves and sprays of peachy-pink flowers. Part to full shade. Height: 10-15 cm (4-6 inches), Spread: 20-25 cm (8-10 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Part-shade– Private garden, Brampton, ON.

Heuchera 'Lime Marmalade'has lobed and ruffled leaves that are a mix of chartreuse and lime. The flowers are peach on tan-colored stems. Part to full shade. Height: 25-40 cm (10-16 inches), Spread: 40-45 cm (16-18 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Similar Cultivar: Heuchera 'Citronelle'

Heuchera 'Winter Joy' has ruffled, lime-green leaves that have a light touch of yellow. The flowers are white. Part to full shade. Height: 25-30 cm (10-18 inches), Spread: 40-45 cm (16-18 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Similar Cultivars: Heuchera 'Lime Rickey', Heuchera 'Lime Ruffles', Heuchera 'Pear Crisp'

Heuchera 'Delta Dawn' has rounded leaves with a lime edge and a russet centre. The sprays of flowers are white in color. This cultivar is reputed to be both strong and vigorous. Full sun, part-shade and full shade. Height: 20-25 cm (8-10 inches), Spread: 25-30 cm (10-12 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Similar Cultivar: Heuchera 'Miracle'

Heuchera 'Sashay' has dark green foliage with a rust colored underside. Part to full shade. Height: 20-25 cm (8-21 inches), Spread: 20-25 cm (8-21 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Heuchera sanguinea 'Frosty Morn' has lobed and ruffled leaves that are a mix of chartreuse and lime. The flowers are orangy-red on tan-colored stems. Part to full shade. Height: 25-40 cm (10-16 inches), Spread: 40-45 cm (16-18 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Similar Cultivar: Heuchera 'Arctic Mist', Heuchera 'Snow Angel', Heuchera 'Shamrock', Heuchera x villosa 'Carnival Limeade', Heuchera x villosa 'Carnival Cocomint', Heuchera 'Helen Dillon'

Full sun– Heuchera and a Dianthus in Chen's garden.

Heuchera 'Crimson Curls' has ruffled, bronze and brown leaves with a crimson underside. Creamy-white flowers appear in late spring/summer. Evergreen. Part to full shade. Height: 20-45 cm (8-18 inches), Spread: 45-60 cm (18-23 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Heuchera with Dark and Moody Tones

Huechera 'Cherry Cola'has reddish-brown leaves and cherry-red flowers in late spring/early summer. Full sun or part-shade. Height: 40-45 cm (16-18 in), Spread: 30-40 cm (12-16 in). USDA zones: 4-9.

Full sun–private garden Brampton, Ontario.

Heuchera 'Cajun Fire'is red in spring, black in summer and maroon in the fall. 'Cajun Fire' has white flowers on dark stems. Full sun, part-shade and full shade. Height: 25-30 cm (10-12 inches), Spread: 25-30 cm (10-12 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Heuchera 'Black Taffeta'has glossy, ruffled almost black foliage. The sprays of flowers are pink in color. Evergreen and reputed to have great vigor. Part to full shade. Height: 20-25 cm (8-10 inches), Spread: 30-35 cm (12-14 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Similar cultivars: Heuchera 'Chocolate Ruffles', Heuchera 'Plum Pudding', Heuchera 'Bressingham Bronze'

Full shade–Private garden in Campbellville, ON

Heuchera 'Midnight Rose' has lobed leaves that are black in spring and lighten in the summer to have a splash of pink. The sprays of flowers are white. Full sun to part-shade. Height: 25-60 cm (10-23 inches), Spread: 40-50 cm (16-20 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Full sun– Mira's garden in Guelph, ON.

Part-shade– Chen's garden, Milton, ON.

Heuchera with a Hint of Autumn Color

Full sun to part-shade–Peach colored Heuchera in a private garden, Mississauga, ON.

Heuchera 'Champagne' has peach and gold leaves with a matt finish. The flowers are light-peach on maroon colored stems. Part to full shade. Height: 25-30 cm (10-12 inches), Spread: 30-35 cm (12-14 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Similar cultivars: Heuchera 'Peach Flambe', Heuchera 'Vienna'

Heuchera 'Marmalade' has foliage ranging in color from umber to deep sienna. The underside of the leaves are a blend of orange and magenta. The flowers are reddish-brown. Part-shade. Height: 25-40 cm (10-16 inches), Spread: 30-45 cm (12-18 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Similar cultivars: Heuchera 'Amber Waves', Heuchera 'Autumn Leaves', Heuchera 'Kassandra'

Full sun–Peach colored Heuchera in Joe's garden, Brampton, ON.

A little reminder that Heuchera work well in containers. Lift them from the container in the late fall and plant them in the garden.

Heuchera Kira 'Jersey'emerges in spring with lobed silver leaves with dark rose veins. As the summer progresses, it becomes peachy-rose in color with a light silver overlay. 'Jersey' has dark red stems and flowers. Part-shade to full shade. Height: 25-30 cm (10-12 inches), Spread: 25-30 cm (10-12 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Similar cultivars: Heuchera 'Georgia Peach', Heuchera 'Carnival Watermelon', Heuchera 'Midas Touch', Heuchera 'Paprika'

Full sun–Peach colored Heuchera in Chen's garden, Milton, ON.

Heuchera 'Encore' emerges a deep purple overlaid with silver in spring and becomes peachy-rose overlaid with silver. The sprays of flowers are short and white. Full sun or part-shade. Height: 15-20 cm (6-8 inches), Spread: 25-30 cm (10-12 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Heuchera 'Zipper' is a smaller sized variety that has large, ruffled leaves that are burnt orange with an amber underside. Full sun, part-shade and full shade. Height: 30-45 cm (12-18 inches), Spread: 30-45 cm (12-18 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Similar Cultivars: Heuchera Little Cutie 'Ginger Snap' (smaller), Heuchera 'Southern Comfort', Heuchera 'Galaxy'

Heuchera with a Silver Finish

Heuchera 'Midnight Ruffles' has ruffled brown-black foliage that has a bit of a silver sheen. The maroon underside of the leaves contrast nicely. In spring, 'Midnight Ruffles' produces tan colored flowers. This hybrid was bred to be both vigorous and heat tolerant. Full sun or part shade. Height: 30-35 cm (12-14 inches), Spread: 60-65 cm (23-25 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Part to full shade–Heuchera in the foreground– Private garden in the Toronto Beaches.

Heuchera 'Great Expectations'has silver and purple leaves with black veining. Cream flowers appear on dark stems in early summer. This is a villosa hybrid that was bred to tolerate heat and humidity (Heuchera villosa is native to southeastern U.S.) Part-shade to full shade. Height: 25-30 cm (10-12 inches), Spread: 30-35 cm (12-14 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Heuchera 'Glitter'has shiny, silver foliage with black veins and a grape colored underside. Sprays of fuchsia-pink flower appear throughout the summer months. Part-shade to full shade. Height: 20-25 cm (8-10 inches), Spread: 30-35 cm (12-14 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Part to full shade–Chen's garden, Milton, ON

You may have noticed that there aren't any pictures of Heuchera in my own garden in this post.

That's because they can be very pricy plants (especially the newer cultivars)! As with hosta, I have started to invest in one or maybe two each year. In my mind, they're attractive foliage makes them well worth the expense.

Up shortly, I have a shade garden for you.

Jamie DeWolf and her husband George reside in what was once the carriage house of a large estate.

The trees on the property tower over the former carriage house. Many of these trees are part of the original forest and have never been cut. Into this very special woodland, Jamie has incorporated both native and shade loving plants.

A few years ago, I paid a visit Jamie's garden in early May. Then I made a return visit to see the garden in July. Gardens change constantly, and it was fascinating to witness the garden's transformation from spring to summer. Plants that were shyly emerging in May were at their glory in July.

Most people focus on the backyard when creating a garden and put a boring lawn at the front of the house. I asked Jamie what inspired her to focus on the big front yard when creating her garden.

"Because the space was so large, and there was so much shade (and deep shade to boot), I decided to enlist professional help and hired a landscape architect, Christopher Campbell. When he arrived with the plan for the front, I could see that it was 90% plants. I could have cried! It was so overwhelming, but after he explained that we "would never get the grass to grow," I understood. We then decided that it would be impossible to plant it all in one year, so we put together a multi-year plan that seemed much less daunting. I think we put in about 10-12 feet per year, "Jamie says.

It's hard to miss the unique front gate.

"The landscape architect designed it for us, and my husband built it. It has become pretty iconic in our neighbourhood to the point of having been on neighbourhood websites," says Jamie.

Jamie's summer garden is lush and green. One of the big reasons is the soil.

"We compost all summer and fall; garden debris, kitchen clippings and we make mulch from the maple leaves in the fall. Oak leaves take 5 years to break down so those go to the curb for city pick up. I put the compost down every fall—usually as late as early December/late November after all the leaves have fallen. The oaks of course are the last to fall", she tells me.

Enriching the soil and creating the garden worked hand-in-hand right from the onset:

"The first summer I had found a book that described how to make your own rich soil using the ‘lasagna’ method. We overturned the sods in the fall, and layered newspaper and topsoil alternately. After they had sat all winter and early spring, we tilled it all up (only that first year) and planted. This method worked fairly well, although it was a lot of work. With successive plots, and as the garden got bigger, we brought in top soil. I’m guessing in excess of 100 yards over the years."

Jamie says the book Weedless Gardening by Lee Reich helped form the foundation for all her current gardening practices:

• Minimizing soil disruption (preserving natural layering by not rototilling, etc.)

• Protecting the soil surface (mulch)

• Avoiding soil compaction (ergo the stepping stones)

• Composting

1. Astrantia 2. Yew 3. Sedge, Carex 4. Hardy Geranium 5. Astilbe 6. Purple Flowering Raspberry, Rubus odoratus

Purple Flowering Raspberry, Rubus odoratus is native of Eastern North America. It is a deciduous shrub with thornless, cane-like stems and purplish-magenta flowers. Cup-shaped, red fruits which are edible, but not particularly delicious, follow the rose-like flowers. Please note that this plant spreads fairly aggressively. Full sun to light shade. Average to moist soil, well-drained soil is best for this plant. Height: 3-6 feet, Spread: 6-12 feet. USDA zones: 3-8.

False Hydrangea, Deinanthe is native to cool, moist regions of China. Large hydrangea-like leaves arise from woody rhizomes in the spring. In June or July clusters of nodding, cup-shaped blooms stand above the foliage. This plant likes moist, humus-rich soil. It needs full shade and protection from strong winds. Height: 30-45 cm (12-18 inches), Spread: 60-75 cm (24-30 inches). USDA zones: 5-7.

The garden is almost twenty years old now. A lot can change over such a long period of time.

"Originally I stuck pretty closely to the garden plan I was given, but about 10 years ago I visited Christopher Lloyd’s garden in England (Great Dixter) and was truly inspired. His style was more of a rambling cottage garden– at least that was the impression I had anyway– where plants are left alone to flourish. He also uses height to create interest. Turning a corner always yields a bit of the unexpected. Things were always fluid, but never stodgy. This garden turned everything I knew about garden design on its head. Truly inspirational," she says.

"Initially I planted everything that was on the garden plan given to me, but as plants died, I would run out the next spring and replace them. At one point I moved away from the stock more ‘generic’ plants at places like Sheridan Nurseries and went to more exotic ones that were available from the more specialty nurseries such as Lost Horizons– although some survived, others failed."

"After a few years, I realized there was no point in fighting Mother Nature and there was probably some sort of happy medium. My strategy now has been to see what has done well in certain areas and stick with a good thing. I have tended to favour more native woodland plants such as Solomon’s Seal, Sweet Woodruff, May Apples, ferns, sumac and that sort of thing."

"I have recently discovered a nursery near Hamilton called Northland Nurseries that sells every pot for $5.99. There is such a huge selection there, I can now afford to replace things I really like. I can also venture out into newer plants that I haven’t tried before to see what will happen without any financial repercussions."

1. Canadian Ginger, Asarum canadense 2. Forest Pansy Redbud, Cercis canadensis 'Forest pansy' 3. Sedge, Carex 4. Sedge, Carex 5. Goat's Beard, Aruncus dioicus 6. Japanese Fern, Athyrium 7. Trillium 8. Astilbe 9. Ostrich Fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris.

Jamie and I weren't one hundred percent certain on the identification of these two Carex, but here are two that look very similar:

Sedge Grass, Carex elata Bowles Golden' (shown on the right) has yellowish-green foliage. It is semi-evergreen, moisture-loving grass that likes to find itself on the edge of a pond. It prefers full sun, unless afternoon shade is needed to keep it from drying out. Height: 45-60 cm (18-24 inches), Spread:60-90 cm (24-36 inches). USDA Zones 5-9.

Variegated Japanese Sedge, Carex morrowii, Laiche japonaise 'Ice Dance' is a grass-like perennial that forms a low mound of tufted green leaves edged in white. It likes moist, rich soil and is evergreen in habit (in colder areas it may need to have any foliage scorched by cold trimmed off in the spring). Height: 20-30 cm (8-12 inches), Spread: 30-45 cm (12-18 inches). USDA Zones: 5-9.

By this point you've looked through a number of pictures of the garden. How much work would a garden of this size entail? Jamie's answer might surprise you:

"The bulk of the work comes in the fall with raking and composting, and in the spring with cleanup and mulching. Other than that, over the summer there is just light weeding and deadheading for the most part. Like any garden, every 5 or 6 years I will deconstruct a plot and really move things around."

Japanese 'Ghost Fern' has that has upright, silvery-grey-green foliage. It forms a slow spreading clump and likes soil that is rich in organic matter. The 'Ghost Fern' is more tolerant of soil dryness than other types of Japanese ferns, but it prefers soil that has medium to average moisture. Height: 90-120 cm (36-48 inches), Spread: 30-45 cm (12-18 inches). USDA Zones: 4-9.

Tatting Fern (on the left) and Christmas Fern (on the right)

Tatting Fern, Athyrium filix-femina has long, narrow fronds that have a rounded pinnae along their mid-ribs. This fern prefers moist soil. Full shade. Height: 15-30 cm (6-12 inches), Spread: 30-45 cm (12-18 inches). USDA Zones: 3-9.

Christmas Fern, Polystichum acrostichoides forms a low clump of dark-green leathery fronds. It also likes moist, rich soil. Part to full shade. Height: 30-60 cm (12-23 inches), Spread: 30-60 cm (12-23 inches). USDA Zones: 3-9.

Goat's Beard, Aruncus dioicus has feathery white plumes mid-summer. The plant has green ferny foliage, which is quite attractive in its own right. Full sun or part shade. Height: 120-180 cm ( 47-70 inches), Spread: 90-150 cm (35-59 inches.) USDA Zones: 2-9.

What impact does the garden have on the other aspects of daily life and how does Jamie and her husband use the garden?

"Pretty well everyone I see when I am working out front calls out to say how they love walking by to see what is new or blooming. So the first thing the garden is used for is for our neighbours to enjoy."

"We decided about 6 or 7 years ago to convert one of the beds into a sitting area that we could use to serve meals, and for entertaining, because although everybody else got to enjoy it, we never did! It is a lovely place to have a cocktail, or even dinner for 4. My husband put a small light over the table that comes on along with the other garden lights. It is very magical at night."

Silene 'Clifford Moor' is a nice variegated cultivar with green leaves flecked in cream. Small magenta-pink flowers appear in spring. Silene 'Clifford Moor' prefers sun to light shade. Normal, sandy and clay soil all work well for Silene. Height: 30-45 cm (12-18 inches), Spread: 38-45 cm (15-18 inches) USDA Zones: 5-11

Valerian, Valeriana officinalis

Valerian, Valeriana officinalis is a clumping perennial with ferny, scented leaves, stems, flowers and roots. It is originally from Europe and western Asia, but has escaped gardens and has become naturalized in the northern U.S. and Canada. It is easily grown in average, well-drained soil. This is potentially invasive perennial that freely self-seeds. Full sun to part-shade. Height: 3-5ft, Spread: 2-4 ft. USDA zones: 4-7.

Calycanthus 'Aphrodite' is a bush that Jamie pruned to be a standard.

Sweetshrub, Calycanthus 'Aphrodite' has glossy, deer-resistant foliage and fragrant red flowers in summer. It likes moist, well-drained soil. Height: 1.2-1.8 m (4-6 feet), Spread: 1.8-2.4 m (6-8 feet). USDA Zones: 5-9.

A glimpse of the back garden.

The white Dogwood on the right is Cornus Chinensis and the pink one (on the left and seen below) is Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’.

Flowering Dogwood, Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’

I always like to ask a gardener about what they've learned and any advice they might have to share. Here's what Jamie had to say:

• Hire a professional! For starters, anyways to get you going.

• Don’t be discouraged. Look for the beauty in textures, different leaf colours and shapes that you had not appreciated previously.

• Go for a vibe of ‘cool’, ‘serene’, ‘ethereal/whimsical’ to achieve the most satisfying results.

• Experiment! It is every bit as fun as the sun.

I love a book that takes you somewhere else; somewhere you dream of going one day, but may never get the opportunity to visit. It's traveling at its most relaxed– no bags to pack, no hotel room to book, no flights to catch.

Gardens of the High Line transports you to New York City and a garden that floats thirty feet in the air. Best of all, you never have to leave the cozy comfort of your favourite chair.

It's been years and years since I last visited New York City. On my first trip, I went with my sister Nancy. My frugal sibling, hoping to save all our spending money for theatre tickets, booked us a room (the size of a large closet) at the downtown YMCA. There were lots of other college students there, but the place was pretty grim.

One morning Nancy wrapped her freshly washed head in a clean towel only to have a giant cockroach crawl out from the folds of the towel onto her forehead. She screamed and everyone came running to see who was being murdered. I still remember their annoyed faces when they found she was screaming about a roach!

Everyday we joined the lineups in Times Square for discount theatre tickets and every night we saw a different show. We shopped at Bloomingdales and Macy's. Best of all, I got to visit the city's big museums and art galleries. It made cockroaches and our grubby accommodation so worth it!