Added by Lorraine Flanigan in Insider's Stories

Mums: Local grower fall plant pick

Judy Thomson has been growing plants for more than 25 years. She and her family run a five-acre greenhouse operation in Brookfield, Nova Scotia that supplies potted fall mums to 54 Loblaw Companies’ Atlantic Superstores in the Maritimes. So, Judy knows a thing or two about growing these popular fall plants. When I spoke to her in early August, she gave me these tips on selecting, growing and overwintering mums: When choosing mums at your local Loblaw store, Judy suggests selecting one that’s no more than a quarter to one-third in bloom. “That’s just enough to see the colour and shape of the flower – whether it’s a pompom, spider ...

Added by Lorraine Flanigan in How-To

Get the most from fall urns and planters

No matter how gorgeous my summer containers look (this year, they’ve been battered by the heat – argh!), once the cool, fall weather arrives I can’t wait to replace the bright, sunny annuals in my patio and porch planters for plants with the rich, jewel tones of autumn. And because the fall season can be short, I want them to look good from the get-go. I think Loblaws has been reading my mind, because this fall the stores are featuring ready-made arrangements that easily just drop into urns and containers (Loblaws Senior Category Manager Sonya Palermo tells me they come in small and large sizes). Each one is planted with fall favourites...

Added by Lorraine Flanigan in News & Trends

Road Trip: Michigan Plant Tour

Because I’m the ultimate plant nerd, I like to learn as much as I can about new plants that are being developed. That’s why I called my like-minded friend Jocelyn and hit the road for three hot, steamy days in August to visit one of the top growing areas in the eastern part of North America – Central Michigan. One of our first stops was Spring Meadow Nursery near Grand Haven, where the ‘Bloomerang’ lilac was developed. Ryan and Sara showed us around the display gardens where several compact shrubs caught my eye. Then, we toured the production greenhouses where we saw machines that give plants “haircuts”. This automated syste...