A golden eagle at Mud Bay, Delta, BC takes flight across Boundary Bay headed towards the Strait of Georgia.
January Gardening
January Introduction - January Plant Combo - Amanda's Garden Blog - January Garden Chores
January Garden Stars - Plant Police
Killing Overwintering Pests - No Topping Trees - Winter Woes
Canadian Seed & Plant Catalogues - Winter Pruning - Pruning Grapes & Wisteria
January Arrangement - Need Help? - For the Tropical Gardener - Plant of the Month: Pink Dawn bodnant viburnum
January Garden Stars - Plant Police
Killing Overwintering Pests - No Topping Trees - Winter Woes
Canadian Seed & Plant Catalogues - Winter Pruning - Pruning Grapes & Wisteria
January Arrangement - Need Help? - For the Tropical Gardener - Plant of the Month: Pink Dawn bodnant viburnum
Frost on a rhododendron bud.
January Intro
An icy garden vignette.
Happy New Year! Can you believe it is 2020? Where are the flying cars, the jet packs, robot maids and sky-high apartments? Apparently the age of the Jetson’s has not yet arrived. In many ways, the opposite is true. Instead of flying cars, people are getting down and dirty as gardening hits pay dirt as the number one hobby of North America. Globally it rates as number 9; reading is #1.
I think one of the many reasons gardening is so popular is the ever-rising cost of food. Remember when produce was so inexpensive, it was easier to buy it than to grow it? It's not the case these days. Besides, you just can’t beat the flavor of freshly picked veggies you’ve grown yourself. All it takes is a few pots on a balcony; you don’t even need a garden. I admit here’s something wonderful about plunging bare hands into soft, sweet smelling earth, as those that tend to the soil can attest to. Soil contains a beneficial soil bacteria, Mycobacterium vaccae, which apparently boosts immune systems! Maybe that's why I find gardening so therapeutic, regardless of the sore knees and back. If you haven’t taken the plunge and sown some seeds, give a go. Watching seeds transform into plants is amazing and even better if you can eat them! And there’s no chemicals, no preservatives and they are fresh from balcony and garden to table. So no matter where you live, and even if gardening isn’t in your genes, consider giving it a go. After all, plants are always cool, hip and on gardening is so on-trend! Wishing you a wonderful 2020 with lots of beneficial soil bacteria and dirty fingernails. Sorry about the sore knees and back. Cheers, Amanda 
Prune your Garden with Amanda
Amanda will takes the guesswork out of pruning your garden when shows you how. Take the fear and uncertainty out of pruning and gain confidence. Your plants will thank you. For more information and to register click here.
A tree silhouette is back-lit during a golden January sunset.
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Amanda's Garden Blog
The curly branches of a Harry Lauder's Walking Stick Corylus avellana 'Contorta', catches the snow.
Check out my blog on my gardening experiments, trials. tribulations and excursions. Click on the items below to be directed to its page.
To subscribe to my blog click here.
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LEE VALLEY TOOLS Garden SEMINARS, Vancouver
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Gardening in the Spring
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Garden Design
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January Garden Stars
Winter jasmine, Jasminium nudiflorum, deciduous vine, 10 to 15ft, sun to shade, Zones 6 to 10.
Rosa Mundi gallica rose, Rosa gallica ‘Versicolor’, deciduous shrub, fragrant, striped pink white roses in summer followed by red rosehips, sun, 4’ x 4’. Zones 4 to 10
Chinese witch hazel, Hamamelis mollis, 10 - 15ft tall & wide, fragrant blooms Jan to March, sun to part shade. Zones 5 to 8.
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Hellebore, lenten rose, 18 -24" x 24". Partial shade, blooms Feb to May, herbaceous perennial. Zones 4 to 9.
Winter heath, Erica carnea, 1ft x 2ft, flowers, Dec to April, sun to light shade, broadleaf evergreen, ground cover, Zones 5 to 8.
Himalayan sweetbox, Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis, broadleaf evergreen, 2-5' x 2-6', part shade to shade, fragrant flowers, black berries. Zones 6 to 8.
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Late cotoneaster, Cotoneaster lacteus, broadleaf evergreen shrub, 6-12’ x 4-10’, sun to part shade, white flower clusters in spring followed by orange berries. Zones 6 to 8
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Charity Mahonia, Mahonia x media 'Charity', broadleaf evergreen shrub, 10’ to 15’ tall and wide, yellow winter flowers held atop stems followed by black berries, sun to part shade. Zones 7 to 9.
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Japanese skimmia, Skimmia japonica, broadleaf evergreen, 3-4ft x 4-5ft. Fragrant flowers in winter and spring. Female plants bear red berries. Need a male plant to produce berries. Part to full shade. Zones 6 to 8.
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Rainbow dog hobble, Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow', broadleaf evergreen, 3 to 5ft x 1.5ft, part sun. Zones 5 to 9.
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January PLANT COMBO
​Winter heath (Erica carnea) and a Golden Mop Japanese (Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Golden Mop')
Pink winter heaths surround a Golden Mop Japanese falsecypress. This colourful combination is suitable for small areas in full sun to part shade. This newly planted grouping will change overtime as the plants mature. The Golden Mop will become more dominant, commonly growing to a height and width of 3 to 5 feet. The surrounding heathers will provide the perfect backdrop growing shorter to a height of 18 inches. Both plants prefer moist, acidic soil, high in organic matter.
plant police
This rhododendron needs more iron.
This rhododendron is showing symptoms of an iron deficiency hence the yellow leaves with green veins. An iron deficiency is a common problem with rhododendrons and many broadleaf evergreens such as camellias. There are numerous causes: poor drainage, heavy clay soil, sandy soil, planting too deeply, drought and soil that’s not adequately acidic. When acidic loving plants are grown in alkaline soils (pH above 7) they are unable to uptake iron, calcium and magnesium no matter how much is present in the soil.
The ideal pH for iron uptake 4.5 to 6.0. Rhodos, and other acidic loving plants, are prone to this iron deficiency when they planted too close and/or when surrounded by concrete paths, rock mulch, patios, house foundations etc. Lack of organic matter, such as compost, also contributes to iron deficiencies. Organic mulch is essential for rhododendrons and other acidic loving plants. For a long term fix, mix in an inch or two of compost, well-rotted manure, composted manure once a year or at least, every other year. Apply 3 inches of an organic mulch on top of the soil and around plants as all acid loving plants love a good thick mulch! For a quick fix and to aid the plant immediately, acidify the soil with ferrous sulfate or apply chelated iron. These products are sold in garden centers and must be applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions. And don’t forget to water during the summer; all plants appreciate that. For more on nutrient deficiencies click here. Kill overwintering Pests & Diseases
Spray dormant oil/lime sulfur on fruit trees: apples, cherries, peaches and any other deciduous trees and shrubs to kill overwintering pests and diseases.
Apply dormant oil and lime sulfur to kill overwintering pests and diseases on ornamental cherries, roses, fruit trees and other deciduous (lose leaves in fall) trees and shrubs (including roses!).
Conditions must be dry with no rain, snow or frost predicted for 2 days with temperatures at least 5 degrees Celsius. That means you have to wait just before spring. Here in temperate Southwest BC, that usually means late January to early February is ideal. For the rest of Canada apply in February or March. Ask your local garden centre for the right time for your area. Read more… No Topping Trees Please!
This is NOT how to prune a tree.
If you are contemplating cutting back all the limbs from a tree because it is too big – please don't! This insidious and heinous act is referred to as ‘topping’. Tall trees have huge root systems that extend far beyond their canopy so they will fall down. Nature is way too smart for that. Do remove branches if they are in the way of pedestrians or touching the house. Either remove the entire branch or back to a side branch. A properly pruned tree should look as though it wasn't pruned at all - really and truly, honest. For more on winter pruning click here.
A pear tree before being pruned.
The same pear tree after suckers, crossing branches, spindly stems, dead and suckering growth were removed.
Winter Woes
Check out the house and garden after a winter storm to check for broken tree limbs.
Remove snow laden branches with sticks, brooms or rakes so they don't break or become distorted.
houseplants In Winter
Additional lighting helps plants be more vigorous and healthier during the winter.
Spider mites create a mottled appearance on the foliage. Look for their fine cobwebs under the foliage and in nooks and crannies.
Order Seeds & Plants
Order soon so you won't be disappointed if they run out of stock. The following are Canadian companies and one American that ships to Canada. Click on the names highlighted below to go directly to their website.
Corn Hill Nursery, Corn Hill, New Brunswick offers retail and wholesale plants but not seeds. McKenzie Seeds, Brandon, Manitoba sells hundreds of different seeds including organic. Stoke Seeds, Ontario have a large array of untreated seeds as well treated ones. Their seeds are non GMO. Richters Herbs, Goodwood, ON L0C 1A0 offers free print catalogue. Seeds, dried herbs, herbal oils www.richters.com Seed Bank, Port Hope, ON, online retailer of non-GMO, non-hybrid, heirloom and open pollinated garden seeds Veseys Seeds, PEI, offers seeds and plants and free catalogue. W. H. Perron (formerly Dominion Seeds), Laval, QC offers seeds, bulbs, plants. Free print catalogue in French or English. William Dam Seeds Ltd., Dundas, ON. Free print catalogue of non-treated organic seeds Westcoast Seeds, Ladner, BC, features non GMO and organic seeds. Free informative catalogue. www.westcoastseeds.com B.C. Eco Seeds, is a BC co-op consisting of 17 farmers that offers BC grown ecological and organic seed. Brother Nature Certified Organic Seeds, Victoria, B.C. offer Certified Organic, heirloom and heritage seeds Botanus, Langley, BC. Specializes in bulbs and rare plants. https://www.botanus.com/ Renee's Garden is an American company that ships to Canada. A few of BC local retailers also offer Renee's seeds in their stores. 
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January Garden ChoresClick on any green items below to be redirected to a relevant page for more information.
Kale is extremely winter hardy and doesn't mind being coated with frost and snow.
Prune: It is time to prune dormant plants before they start to grow. For more click here.
Prune: To tame and to promote more flowers on wisteria, grapes and apple trees, cut back all of their side shoots to a few buds. For more click here. 
Take note of soggy areas now so you can take steps to fix the issue when conditions improve.
Soggy soils, flooding: Make note of flooded areas and where puddles fail to drain after 24 hours. Try to determine where the water is flowering from and where it’s settling so you can install a French drain when conditions improve. Read more..
Winter Pansies: They are tough, but cover them with old sheets, cloth or even newspapers if temperatures dip to -1 Celsius (30 F) for more than 10 nights.
Wash dirty pots: Get ready for sowing seeds by cleaning all plant pots, cell packs, starter packs, drainage trays and the like. Soak in soapy water with some bleach.
Catalogues: Order seeds, plants and plant supplies so you’ll be set for sowing seeds and planting. 
Don't worry about snow freezing plants to death. It's actually a great insulator.
Outside Planters: Make sure outside containers get a drink if they are under eaves and away from rain. For containers in the open, make sure they are not flooded, and move to a more sheltered location if needed. Don’t worry about snow as it is a great insulator, but do brush it off if it’s squishing the plants underneath.
If you can't beat 'em join 'em! Feed the critters if like to dine on sapling tree bark and other vulnerable plants.
Animal Damage: It’s tough out there for wildlife during the winter so don’t be surprised if they nibble at tree bark and evergreen foliage. Protect plants with wire fencing, chicken wire, tree wrap or burlap. Don’t forget to remove protection in spring. If you want to help critters survive the winter while protecting your plants at the same time, provide them with food.
Birdies: They need our help during the winter as their food supply is scarce. Keep bird feeders, including suet well stocked and don’t forget the humming bird feeders. 
Take hardwood cuttings from trees and shrubs during the winter.
Take Cuttings: Take hardwood cuttings of most shrubs and vines. If you are not sure which ones are suitable, experiment and see what happens; you might get lucky.
Dahlias, Glads etc: Check dahlias and other stored bulbs. Discard any rotten ones. Mist them if they are too dry and shriveling. Thawing: Warm temperatures fool plants into thinking it is spring so they start to grow. Their new tender foliage is killed when the cold weather ultimately returns. These temperature fluctuations causes the soil to expand and contract, which dislodges plant roots. If this happens, firm dislodged plants back into the ground and add a few inches of a winter mulch over top the plant and surrounding soil. 
Local nurseries that remain open this time of year offer winter treasures for the garden. Featured is Southlands Nursery in Vancouver.
Winter interest: Visit your local nursery and check out what is looking good: dwarf pines, spruce, junipers and other evergreen conifers, azaleas, heathers and other broadleaf evergreens, red twig dogwood, paperbark maples and other plants with attractive stems and bark.
Down South
In warmer zones, watch out from surprise frosts by keeping an eye on the temperature, especially on cloudless nights. Use tablecloths, old sheets and other breathable fabric to cover your favorite frost tender plants. Bring inside any potted orchids such as this Tiger orchid, Rossioglossum grande.
Winter Pruning
Remove suckers and watersprouts. They are easy to spot as they grow vertically. Cut them off at their base.
Did you know that winter pruning actually promotes growth? It also encourages watersprouts and suckers. So why prune in winter? For one thing, it's really easy to see a plant's structure so it's easy to see what's going on. Look for errant growth such as crossing branches, especially those that rub. Remove all dead branches, dying, broken and damaged ones. Cut off suckers and watersprouts at their base. They grow perfectly upright and don't branch. They form along branches, sometime on the trunk, from branch stubs and and from base of the tree.
Prune again in summer if you want to restrict growth. Summer pruning also reduces subsequent suckers and watersprouts. To learn what to prune in winter, and what not to, click here for more on Winter Pruning. Pruning Grapes
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Plant of the Month
Pink Dawn Bodnant Viburnum
Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Pink Dawn’
Fragrant pink flowers of the Pink Dawn bodnant viburnum blossom on naked stems before the leaves emerge.
Pink Dawn viburnums flower in the depth of winter through early spring.
Their flowers provide food for butterflies when not much else is in bloom.
Their deep green leaves are quite attractive.
Place bodnant viburnums near doors and windows to enjoy their heavenly scent.
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Common Name: Pink Dawn bodnant viburnum
Botanical Name: Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Pink Dawn’ Form: upright, narrow to vase-shape Family: Adoxaceae Genus: Viburnum Hybrid: x bodnantense Plant Type: multi-stemmed deciduous shrub Mature Size: 8’-10’ x 4’ x 6’ Growth: moderate Origin: garden hybrid - cross between V. farreri & V. grandiflorum Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9 Foliage: green, 2-4" long, toothed, ovate and narrow, deep red fall colour Flowers: fragrant tubular pale pink flowers held in flattish droopy 1-2" wide clusters on leafless stem from winter into Fruit: showy red berries mature to black in fall Stems: cinnamon colour Exposure: sun to part shade Soil: moist, well-drained Uses: specimen, spring/winter gardens, hedge, hedgerow, woodland garden, shrub borders, foundations, cur flower, screen, fragrant, butterfly and bird gardens Propagation: softwood cuttings in summer Pruning: right after flowering Problems: flowers vulnerable to frost damage so place in protected location Comments: This hybrid viburnum has something to offer throughout the year: late winter to early spring bubble-gum pink fragrant flowers, nice shape with green foliage in the summer, attractive berries in fall with colourful autumn foliage. It’s easy to grow with no pests and provides a winter garden with heady fragrance from their delicate drooping flower clusters. Not only does the bodnant viburnum cheer up a dull winter garden, it also attracts wildlife. Butterflies love the perfumed flowers and birds devour the berries. Bodnant viburnums tend to get leggy with age and bear fewer flowers. To rejuvenate them totally remove a third of the older stems right down to the base and cut back the remaining stems by one-third right after they finish flowering. 
It must be fall as these leaves are beginning to change colour to a dark red.
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Bodnant viburnums are perfect for hedges, screens as well as specimens for the garden.
Need Help?
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Need help figuring what to do in your garden? Make an appointment for Amanda to come to your garden to show you how to grow food, sow seeds, prune, design beds etc. Need help trying to figure out how to get the garden ready for spring? Get Amanda to teach you the ropes by making an appointment here.
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Job Postings
For landscapers looking for work and landscape companies looking to hire.
If you are looking for work or if you wish to post a position please go to Job Postings.
If you are looking for work or if you wish to post a position please go to Job Postings.
THE GARDEN WEBSITE INDEX
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Container Growing 101Monthly Flower Arrangements
Growing Roses Introduction Mulching & Types Introduction |
for the tropical Gardener
While working in Florida as horticultural consultant, it became apparent that there was a need for a book on tropical shrubs. There are so many wonderful shrubs to choose from, so I wrote a reference book to make the selections easier. Ornamental Tropical Shrubs includes pictures in full colour and information about the plants in point form. So if you live in the tropics and subtropics and need a reference book on tropical shrubs, or you just want to have a look-see click here.
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