Flaming Parrot tulips.
The Garden Website for May
Blog: Easy Vegetable Garden Trellis
Blog: Tomato Seedlings to Plants
Design a Veggie Garden - Veggie Garden Tips - Planting Veggies - Companion Planting
Using Bedding Plants - Bedding Plant Designs - Just a Bit of the Top - Container Time - Rose Love
Garden Tours Revisited - Bugs - Spring Bulb Care - Pruning - Houseplants & Tropicals - Prepare Beds for Planting
Lawn Care - May Arrangement - May Garden Chores - Amanda's Garden Blog - For the Tropical Gardener
Plant of the Month: Jack-in-the-Pulpit - Need help?
Blog: Tomato Seedlings to Plants
Design a Veggie Garden - Veggie Garden Tips - Planting Veggies - Companion Planting
Using Bedding Plants - Bedding Plant Designs - Just a Bit of the Top - Container Time - Rose Love
Garden Tours Revisited - Bugs - Spring Bulb Care - Pruning - Houseplants & Tropicals - Prepare Beds for Planting
Lawn Care - May Arrangement - May Garden Chores - Amanda's Garden Blog - For the Tropical Gardener
Plant of the Month: Jack-in-the-Pulpit - Need help?
Pink columbine and a yellow tree peony called 'Kinkaku' with Sophie.
May Intro
Bowl of Beauty peonies.
A perfect garden means different things to different people. To some, it’s neat and tidy with plants clipped tightly into geometric shapes. Only pretty insects are allowed such as butterflies and ladybugs. Weeds are not permitted and are eradicated with herbicides. All plant debris and organic matter is raked or blown off the soil. Lawns are short and expansive. Everything must be perfect and in its place. Businesses and condominiums prefer this neat, tight and clipped look but it’s costly – not just for all the maintenance and chemicals that are used, but also for the price nature has to pay for this non-sustainable approach to gardening.
This type of ‘gardening’ makes more work for the gardener and landscape maintenance company because it doesn’t function without the aid of a human being. Nature’s natural systems doesn’t work in such an environment. When you work with nature, the garden takes care of itself. Songbirds eat the slugs and snails while flowers grown without pesticides allow bees, butterflies and other pollinators to feast on pollen and nectar. The garden is alive with birds, frogs, toads, hedgehogs, butterflies and all kinds of organisms big and small, good and bad all working together. Five things are essential to convert your garden into a functional ecosystem without few, if any, outside inputs: a succession of different types of flowers throughout the year, an area of lawn that’s not mowed, no chemicals including pesticides (including soap and water), herbicides and synthetic fertilizers, a source of standing water (pond, bird bath, shallow dishes) and leaving organic matter on top of the soil. Plant flowers that attract beneficial insects like marigolds, angelica, ox-eye daisies, cornflowers, dill, cosmos, calendula and yes – dandelions! Simple flowers are best, like daisies, so insects can rest while they feed. Flowers from beans, sweet peas, peas, laburnums, wisteria and other legumes are also attractive to many insects as well as hummingbirds. If you want to reduce your time working in the garden, but you want it to flourish then don’t keep a tidy garden. You’re hurting the ecosystem when leaves, spent flowers and other plant debris are raked or blown off garden beds. Insects will and do eat plants, but don’t forget there are insects that eat the plant eaters. So the next time you are doing a walkabout in your garden, relax and enjoy. Maybe plant more flowers… any excuse to plant more flowers and I’m all in. Happy garden and hey, stay safe out there. Cheers, Amanda 
Leopard's bane (Doronicum orientale).
Need Help?
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. Register here for Amanda to teach you all about pruning your plants in your garden at your convenience. During the Covid-19, consultations are done with precautions including personal protection and keeping recommended social distancing.
Ask Amanda: Sappy Plum tree
Dear Amanda, my plum trees are very ill. There is more and more amber liquid coming out from the trunks and branches. I have attached a photo. What can I do to save my plum trees? Thank you so much!
Sandy, Auckland, NZ Answer: Hello Sandy, thank you for your submission and the picture of your plum tree. Plum trees tend to be rather sappy trees, but when they bleed sap (gummosis), it could be a symptom of a more serious nature. There are a few causes why trees ooze sap, especially plums. To read more click here. |
Amanda's Garden Blog
Siberian iris.
A deep blue Siberian iris and a pink climbing rose called 'Dortmund'.
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May Garden Stars
Mount Everest rhododendron, broadleaf evergreen, flowers April to May, 4-5’ tall & wide, part shade. Zones 5 to 8.
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Large camas, Camassia leichtlinii, summer bulb, 3 - 4 ft x 1 -2 ft, sun to part shade, Zones 5 to 9.
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Gladiator Flowering Onion, summer fragrant, flowering bulb, full sun, 44 inches, Zones 4 to 8.
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Columbine, Aquilegia vulgaris, herbaceous perennial, 18" - 3ft, sun to part shade. Zones 3 to 8.
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Basket of Gold, Aurinia saxatilis, deciduous ground cover, sun, dry, 1 ft x 1.5ft. Zones 4 to 7.
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Wood anemone, Anemone nemorosa, herbaceous perennial, 0.50 to 1.50 ft, part sun to shade, summer dormancy, naturalizes. Zones 5 to 8.
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Tree peony, Paeonia suffruticosa, deciduous woody shrub, 3-5’ x 3-4’, sun to part shade. Zones 5 to 9.
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Red-hot poker, torch lily, Kniphofia uvaria, rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, 3’-4’ x 2’-3, sun. Zones 5 to 9.
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Variegated weigela, Weigela ‘Florida Variegata’, deciduous shrub, 4-6 ft. tall & wide, full sun to part shade, pink blooms May through June. Attracts hummingbirds. Zones 4 to 8.
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Himalayan blue poppy, Mecanopsis baileyi, short-lived herbaceous perennial, 3’ to 4’, dappled shade. Zones 5 to 7.
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Oriental poppy, Papaver orientale, herbaceous perennial, 15” – 3’ x 1’ -2’, sun. Zones 3 to 8.
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Snowflake Doublefile Viburnum, Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Summer Snowflake', deciduous shrub, 5-8 ft x 8 -19 ft. Full sun, part shade. Zones 5 to 8.
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Miss Kim Korean lilac, Syringa pubescens subsp. patula 'Miss Kim', deciduous shrub, fragrant, part to full sun, 4 - 8ft x 5 - 7ft, slow growth. Zones 3 to 8.
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'Candy Stripe', creeping or moss phlox, Phlox subulata, herbaceous perennial groundcover, to 6 inches tall x 2’ spread, full sun, drought tolerant, attracts butterflies. Zones 3 to 9.
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Golden Chain Tree, Laburnum x watereri 'Vossii', deciduous tree. Hanging clusters of fragrant, yellow pea-like flowers. Part to full sun, 20 ft x 15 ft. Zones 6 to 8. All parts are poisonous.
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Sicilian honey garlic, Allium siculum, bulb, flowers late spring to early summer, 4’ x 12 -18”, deer resistant, sun. Zones 5 to 10.
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Mont Blanc deutzia, deciduous shrub, fragrant blooms, attracts bees, butterflies, birds, 4 -5’ tall & wide, sun to dappled shade. Zones 5 to 8.
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Peaches & Cream honeysuckle, Lonicera, deciduous vine to 5 feet, fragrant flowers attract hummingbirds & bees from May to June, sun to part shade. Zones 4 to 9.
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GARDEN Tours Revisited
April at VanDusen Botanical Gardens.
A vignette from one of the participant's garden at Dunbar Garden Club .
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A Blue Poison Dart Frog at the Tucson Botanical Garden.
Since all garden tours have been cancelled due to Covid-19, perhaps a revisit to past tours are in order. Click on the links below:
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David Austin, Rosa Windermere, Portland's Rose Test Garden
A Gothic style garden from the 7th Annual Heritage Garden Tour
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May PLANT COMBO
Pink Sea Blush and blue Camass are indigenous to the Pacific Northwest.
Pink flowers of the annual Sea Blush (Plectritis congesta) and the blue flowers of the bulb camass (Camassia leichtlinii) grow on a sunny slope together. Both like full sun and well drained soil. They are native plants, indigenous to the eastern coasts and forests of North America.
Watering Restrictions start May 1
For Metro Vancouver, B.C.
Water restrictions start May 1 and end October 15. If you don’t live in Metro Vancouver, contact your local municipality for their watering restrictions. Residential lawn watering schedule:
Even-numbered addresses: Wed and Sat, 4 to 9 a.m. Odd-numbered addresses: Thurs and Sun, 4 to 9 a.m. Trees, shrubs & flowers: Any day from 4 to 9 am for sprinklers, hand watering and drip irrigation. All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device. Non-residential (businesses) lawn watering schedule: Even-numbered addresses: Mon, 1 to 6 a.m., Fri 4 to 9 am. Odd-numbered addresses: Tues, 1 to 6 a.m., Fri 4 to 9 am Trees, shrubs & flowers: Any day from 1 to 9 am for sprinklers, hand watering and drip irrigation. All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device. For more information, click here plant police
To protect artichokes from aphid infestations, protect their flowers with pantyhose as soon as the flowers begin to develop. The sheer fabric of the hose allows air and light in, but prevents aphids. It must be done before the aphids find the artichoke for this barrier method to be effective.
Designing A Vegetable Garden
Make a plan of your veggie garden so you can rotate crops efficiently year to year.
Veggie Garden Tips
Planting VEggies
Tomatoes should be planted at least 2 feet apart.
Companion Planting
A mixture of crops utilizes every inch of space.
Companion planting is a great way to utilize as much garden space as possible while encouraging healthy growth, deterring insects and improving soil. Beans, peas and other legumes provide nitrogen to nearby crops as they capture nitrogen from the air and store it in their roots. Legumes help feed neighbouring crops such as lettuce, corn and tomatoes.
Root crops partner well with leafy crops (lettuce and onions) and above ground fruiting crops such as peppers. They also mix well with carrots or another root crop. Add a row of bush beans between any of the crops to provide nitrogen. I love the look and the efficiency of combining lettuce, broccoli and kale together. Once a short term crop has been harvested such as radish, lettuce and spinach, plant another crop in the same spot. Broccoli, cabbage, kale, bush beans and bush cucumbers will quickly fill in the space and don’t forget edible flowers such as nasturtiums, calendula. To repel insects consider a band of marigolds. For more on companion planting, crop rotation and succession planting click here. 
Marigolds not only add some colour to this container full of veggies, they also ward off insects.
Using Bedding Plants/annuals
A cosmos called Rose Bon Bon, like most annuals, are grown for their plentiful and colourful blossoms.
What are they?
Bedding Plant Designs
White petunias compliment the blues and purples of verbena and lobelia.
Designing with colour:
Lay out the garden beds by placing plants on top of the soil while they are still in their pots.
Just a Bit Off the top Please!
There are many perennials and some annuals that benefit from a little trim this time of year. Just taking an inch off the top of each stem, just above a leaf, initiates branching. One stem becomes many, which means more blossoms and a more compact plant that isn't so leggy and tall that it falls over. Use this technique for garden phlox, chrysanthemums, asters, veronicas, autumn joy sedums, campanulas and other leggy stemmed perennials.
This garden phlox is prone to getting so tall it tends to fall over with the weight of the blossoms.
Cutting back the tip of the stems will promote branching and a stockier plant with more but smaller flowers.
It's difficult to tell from the picture but the tips of these phlox have been cut off.
This mint plant is an example of how plant grow two shoots once their tips have been removed.
Lawn Care for May
For a healthy lawn and to prevent grubs, set the mower at 2.5 to 3 inches, no lower.
This is the last good month to work on the lawn before it gets too hot and it enters into summer dormancy. As soon as temperatures goes above 24°C (75°F) lawn grass growth declines throughout Canada and the upper top third of the United States. Our grasses are cool season grasses and grow best in spring and fall. So if you still haven’t filled in the patchy spots in your lawn or if you want to replace the entire lawn, do it right away or even better, put it off until fall. For more info on renovating your lawn, click here
Mow lawns frequently so you don't have to bag the clippings. You'll save on fertilizer too.
Container Time
The spike in this planter is the thriller, pink petunias are the filler and white lobelias are the spiller.
The same planter a month later.
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May Garden Chores
Most rhododendrons flower this month.
Please note that coloured text are linked to another page on this website or another website. Most of the pictures are also linked and will redirect you if you click on them.
Hummingbirds are nesting and taking care of their young so they really appreciate hummingbird feeders.
Bugs
When you see aphids, ladybugs are not too far behind.
A cloche protects veggie plants from insects.
Spring Bulb Care
Remove spent flowers from tulips and daffodils so they don't go to seed.
Planting bulbs in bulb trays in the fall makes it easier to remove them in spring once their leaves turn yellow.
Pruning
Remove or cut back broken branches to a side branch any time of year.
Best time to Prune
Inspect shrubs and trees for bird nests before pruning.
Birds are busy nesting and raising their young this month. Before pruning shrubs and trees, have a good look around for their nests. Hummingbirds generally live nearby to any feeders so keep your eye out for their wee, and I mean ‘wee’ nests. They are difficult to spot so be mindful when you are pruning. For more on pruning click here.
Houseplants & Tropicals
Devil's trumpet and other tropical plants must be hardened off before vacationing outside.
Prepare beds for planting
Start off by removing all the weeds, roots and all. Mix in at least a couple of inches of compost, SeaSoil, triple mix, and/or well-rotted, aged or composted manure. Don't use fresh manure or uncomposted compost. Level with a rake and water. Plant first, then apply a 3 inches of an organic mulch on top of the soil between plants.
For previously mulched beds, remove the mulch then add compost etc. Another quicker and easier option is to move the mulch away from plants then mix in compost etc., around the plants. Replace the mulch so it is 3 inches deep. For more about mulch click here. Keep it a few inches from tree trunks and avoid covering plants. For more on improving soil click here. Our Feathered Friends
Keep birdfeeders stocked, but don't forget clean them when needed.
Inspect bird feeders, bird houses and bird baths and clean if necessary, if you haven’t done so already. At this time of year, hummingbirds rely on the kindness of those that offer them nectar. My hummingbird feeders have been very busy, so much so, they have gone dry before I even realized. They sure are keeping me on my toes but I am glad to help out, especially when they have their young’uns’ to feed.
Help Pollinators
Fennel flowers provides nectar and pollen to pollinating insects.
It's common knowledge that bees and other pollinating insect populations are declining. The reasons are many, including the use of pesticides, herbicides and the reduction of meadows and other wild spaces.
Gardeners can help these essential beneficial insects by allowing a few dandelions, Queen Anne's lace, buttercups and other weeds to take up some space in the garden, as they provide food for many beneficial insects. Vegetables can also be a wonderful source of pollen and nectar. Allow a few of your carrots, radishes, beets, onions, garlic and other roots crops to flower. Herbs are another valuable source especially borage, lavender, rosemary, salvia and thyme. Crocus, hellebore, primroses, hyacinths, willow, maples, redwoods, dandelions and other spring flowering plants are critical sources of food for early season pollinators especially bees. Here’s a few tips on how to help our bees and other pollinating insects:
Cone flowers are desired by many pollinating insects, like this bee, because insects can rest while they feed.
A shallow water dish helps bees during summer's heat and drought.
Rose Love...
Pink Pet is an easy care China rose.
If you love roses click on Roses to be redirected to learn the different kinds of roses, easy roses, how to plant them, how to prune them and much more.
May Arrangement
May flowers include lilacs, peonies, irises and rhododendrons.
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Plant of the month
Jack-in-the-Pulpits & Cobra Lilies
Arisaema species
Japanese cobra lilies are coveted by plant collectors and rightly so.
Jack-in-the-pulpit, A.triphyllum, is a common western native woodland plant.
All arisaemas bear tiny flowers that encircle a narrow spike called a spadex.
The spadex is covered by a hood called a spathe.
A Jack-in-the-pulpit's colourful stripes.
A Japanese cobra lily bear hoods that are pure white, like the mouth of a cobra. (A. sikokianum)
A colony of jack-in-the-pulpits enjoy moist, organic soil and shady conditions.
This cupped Japanese cobra lily, A. ringens, grows 12 to 18 inches tall. Hardiness zones 6 to 9.
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Common Name: Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Botanical Name: Arisaema Form: low upright Family: Arisaemateae Genus: Arisaema Species: numerous Plant Type: tuberous herbaceous perennial Mature Size: from 1 to 2 feet depending on variety Origin: China, Japan, Africa, Mexico and North America. Hardiness Zone: depends on species Foliage: green leaves are divided into 3 to 5 leaflets depending on the variety Flowers: an erect central spadix (spike) surrounded by a spathe (bract) Fruit: red berries Exposure: part shade to shade Soil: high organic, moist soils, dislikes clay and sand Uses: woodlands, natives Propagation: seed, offsets Problems: no insects or diseases Comments: Arisaemas always attract attention with their unique and beautiful flowers. These coveted beauties’ fame stretches from Asia to North America with over 190 species. Western species are referred to a jack-in-the-pulpit and Asiatic species are called cobra lilies. Arisaemas are classified as arums; members of the Araceae family. All arums share the same flower morphology an erect central spadix (narrow spike of tiny flowers) surrounding by a spathe (a bract that resembles a hood). Flowers emerge in April and May with green leaves that are divided into three or five leaflets. There’s no main stalk as the flowers and foliage grow as a colony. As summer approaches, the plants wither and become dormant. Summer dormancy is normal and is part of their life cycle. The only remnants are the bright red berries that replace the hooded flowers. Colonies spread readily, especially when disturbed so don’t forget they are there when you’re digging in the garden during the summer. Provide arisaemas with conditions close to their native habitat – lowland woodlands with seasonal flooding. Soil should contain lots of organic matter and be moist, preferably with 3 inches of an organic mulch. Water in the summer as they dislike prolonged drought. They dislike full sun, so keep them in shady to partially shaded locations. Being from the forest, they are suited to being planted under larger plants that provide them with shade during the heat of the day. To improve hardiness, cover plants in fall with a thick layer of mulch. Three-leaf Jack-in-the-Pulpit, A. triphyllum, is the most common species of North America. Plants are 1' - 2' tall with two trifoliate leaves with inflorescences (flowers) that have green or purple and white stripes. (Zone 3-9). Japanese cobra lily: A. sikokianum, is a less hardy species from Japanese with hardiness zones from 5 to 8. Plants are bolder and taller growing from 18 inches to 2 feet, but prefer the same growing conditions as their western counterpart. The hood of the cobra is dark purple with stripes of green and white on the outside. Inside the hood is pure white. They are quite striking and are difficult to find. The whipcord cobra lily, Arisaema tortuosum, originates from the Himalayas. They have a distinctive purple or green whip-like projection that extends upright from the hood up to a foot in length. 
Colourful berries from a jack-in-the-pulpit appear in fall after the plants have died down.
The whipcord cobra lily, A. tortuosum, has whip-like projections that extends up to a foot in length.
Japanese Cobra Lilies, A. sikokianum, are attention grabbers.
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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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