The winter flowering bodnant viburnum,Viburnum x bodnantense
The Garden Website for January
In Alison's garden, a Harry Lauder Walking Stick, Corylus avellana 'Contorta' catches the snow with its twisted stems.
In This Issue
Frosty sedum.
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Happy New Year!
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Pruning workshops
Pruning Class: Enrol at Fraser Valley Continuing Education in Langley for a one day, hands-on pruning workshop with Amanda. For more information click on Pruning the Right Way
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Fellow Gardeners..
So far it's not been an easy winter. Last month record-breaking cold made Vancouver Island's coveted green landscape unrecognisable.
Happy New Year Fellow Gardeners!
When looking back over the gardening year, I attribute the weather for my failures and successes. Take for example last spring. It lasted well into the summer with cool, overcast and rainy days. Many plants didn’t like it, while some thrived. It’s the first year my dahlias didn’t get so rambunctious instead they were quite tame and well behaved. They were slow to flower and a tad smaller. It was the same with my tomatoes. Instead of their usual robust profusion of stems that grow well beyond their cages, they were shadows of their former selves. Yes, we got tomatoes, but they weren’t as tasty nor as prolific. Surprisingly, roses did quite well, despite the lack of heat and sun. Flowers were smaller though, but still quite splendid. It wasn’t just my garden that showed the effects of a less than stellar summer; every garden had issues. Even the grocery store produce was not as impressive as they had been in previous years. Onions were noticeably smaller, so were the carrots and potatoes. After the heat dome that melted British Columbia into a molten mess the year before, a cool summer was a surprise to many of us. I think we were all poised and ready to protect plants from the blistering sun. Instead, we were all waiting for summer to arrive. When it finally did, autumn was just around the corner. Better late than never. It’s obvious that weather plays a key role in gardening. With global warming, there are discussions about growing more tropical plants in our temperate zone 8 climate of the Lower Mainland of BC. Does global warming mean that Vancouver will become a tropical paradise? I doubt it, especially when our winters are becoming colder and staying cold for longer periods. There’s more snow too – even in rainy Vancouver. Changing out plants for more heat tolerant tropical beauties has been discussed by many, but I think that is jumping the gun. Ultimately, plants will have to be cold hardy as well as heat and drought tolerant. That’s a tall order. Darwin’s biological theory of evolution will become evident as plants must adapt, adopt and improve to survive the conditions. It will be interesting to see what plant species manage to stick around, and which ones don’t. Only time will tell. Let’s hope that this year, the weather settles down to a more normal cycle so our plants and gardens will flourish. Here’s to a healthy, happy and peaceful 2023. May your garden bring you joy and the new year be good to you. Happy New Year, Best always, Amanda 
Here's to the beginning of a brand new year.
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New & Timely articles
A snow covered Skimmia.
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Kale cones.
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January Garden Stars
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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Chinese witch hazel, Hamamelis mollis, 10 - 15ft tall & wide, fragrant blooms Jan to March, sun to part shade. Zones 5 to 8. Click on the pic for more info.
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Winter heath, Erica carnea, 1' x 2', blooms from Dec to April, sun to light shade, broadleaf evergreen, ground cover, Zones 5 to 8. Click on the pic for more.
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Chinese red birch, Betula albosinensis var. septentrionalis, deciduous tree, 30-50’ x 40’, sun, part shade. Zones 3 to 8.
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Charity Mahonia, M. x media 'Charity', broadleaf evergreen shrub, 10’ to 15’ tall and wide, yellow winter flowers, black berries, sun to part shade. Zones 7 to 9.
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Paperbark maple, Acer griseum, deciduous tree, zones 4-8, 20 to 30' x 15 to 25', sun to part shade. Click on the pic for more.
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Heavenly bamboo, Nandina domestica, broadleaf evergreen, not a bamboo, white June flowers, orange berries, red fall colour, sun to shade, 3-8’ x 2-4’. Zones 8 to 10. Potentially invasive in Midwestern USA.
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Beautyberry, Callicarpa bodinieri, deciduous shrub, 3 to 9 ft.sun to part shade, North American native. Zones 8 to 10. Click on the pic for more.
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Yaupon holly, Ilex vomitoria, broadleaf evergreen shrub, 10-20’ x 8-12’, fragrant, white April flowers, and autumn red berries, birds, thornless. Zones 7 to 9.
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Adirondack crabapple, Malus Adirondack, deciduous tree, 12-18’ x 6-10’, pink/white flowers, orange-pink fruit, sun. Zones 4 to 8.
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Wintergreen, Gaultheria procumbens, broadleaf evergreen groundcover, 6” x 1’, white summer blooms, red berries fall to winter, part shade to shade. Zones 3-8. Click on pic for more.
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Winter jasmine, Jasminum nudiflorum, deciduous vine, 10 to 15ft, sun to shade, winter flowers. Zones 6 to 10.
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Rainbow dog hobble, Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow', broadleaf evergreen, 3-5' x 1.5', part sun, May flowers. Zones 5 to 9.
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'Yuletide' winter camellia, Camellia sasanqua 'Yuletide', broadleaf evergreen shrub, fragrant winter flowers, sun to part shade, 6’ to 14’ x 5’ to 7’. Zones 7 to 9. Click on pic for more.
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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. Click on the pic for more.
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Japanese skimmia, S. japonica, broadleaf evergreen, 3-4' x 4-5'. Fragrant flowers winter to spring. Red berries on female plants. Part to full shade. Zones 6 to 8. Click on pic for more.
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Strawberry tree, Arbutus unedo 'Compacta', broadleaf evergreen, 10’-20’ tall & wide, winter flowers & fruit . Zones 7 to 9. Click on the pic for more.
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Lenten rose, Helleborus spp., 18 -24" x 24". Partial shade, blooms Feb to May, herbaceous perennial. Zones 4 to 9. Click on the pic for more.
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plant police
Constant raking of debris over the years has resulted in soil loss for these poor roses.
These roses are barely hanging on to life due to incorrect maintenance. The soil has been repeatedly raked to remove leaves and other organic debris from its surface. Soil is removed with each pass of the rake. With each pass of the rake, soil is removed, which eventually exposes the roots.
Exposed roots are not the only problem. Denuding the soil of organic debris results nutrient poor soil. Plants become deficient in the basic elements needed for healthy growth. The microorganisms within the soil can't function properly as they need organic debris to survive. This is why it is important to allow the debris to exist on top of the soil. A three-inch layer of an organic mulch such as wood chips, would further benefit the soil and the roses. To help these roses, add a compost-rich soil the entire bed. At least four inches is necessary to bring the soil up to where the canes emerge; just below the bud union. It's important to mix in the new soil with the existing soil to enable efficient drainage. Layering different types of soil on top of each other impedes drainage and results in pooling. Lastly, a three inch layer of an organic mulch is imperative. A blanket of wood chips protects the soil from erosion, temperature fluctuations, weeds and adds nutrients to the soil. Since roses are heavy feeders, they really appreciate a good mulch. 
A nicely mulched miniature rose is doing well at Portland's International Rose Test Garden.
Control insects & diseases
When conditions are right, spray non evergreens with dormant oil and lime sulfur to kill overwintering insects and diseases.
Use 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. This organic combination targets scale insects, spider mites, caterpillars and their exposed eggs. It also reduces diseases and fungi such as apple scab and powdery mildew.
To apply, wait for suitable conditions. Read more… 
Dormant oil kits include horticultural oil and lime sulfur.
Winter Pruning
Cut off suckers and stubs on all trees.
Now is the time to prune most trees and shrubs - while they are still dormant. The only exceptions are spring flowering plants. If you cut them back now they will not flower this year.
It's not necessary to prune all woody plants. Assess each tree and shrub before cutting anything off. Remove all branches that are dead, diseased and broken. Once that's done, cut off spindly stems, suckers, watersprouts and stubs of old incorrectly severed branches. If a plant needs constant pruning to control it's size, consider replacing it with something more suitable in spring. The size of a plant is not determined by pruning but by its genetics. You can't maintain a 30 foot tree to 15 feet without ruining the integrity of its natural shape. 
If you prune spring flowering plants now, like this rosebud azalea, it will not flower this spring.
For more on pruning click on Pruning Basics 101, Pruning Tools, Winter Pruning, Pruning Grapes, Pruning Clematis, Prune Your Own Garden Registration
Pruning Class: Enrol at Fraser Valley Continuing Education in Langley for a one day, hands-on pruning workshop with Amanda. For more information click on Pruning the Right Way Hiring Someone to do Your pruning?
Not pruned correctly.
Pruned correctly.
 Hire ISA certified arborists.
For big jobs: Hire a professional arborist. Do you research, as there are many untrained hackers that profess to know what they are doing, but have had no training. Don’t be swayed by “years of experience”. Experience does not translate to knowledge when it comes to pruning. Hire an arborist whom is certified by the International Society of Arborists (ISA). Make sure that the ISA certified arborist does the pruning, not an unqualified person from their crew. Also, asks for references and inspect their work. I’ve seen a plethora hat-racked, topped trees that were done by so-called professional landscapers, leaving the owners extremely upset.
This is not the correct way to prune a tree - ever.
Pruning Grapes & Wisteria
Control wisterias by pruning side shoots to a few side buds.
Prune back grape vines and wisterias while they are dormant. Cut back all the side stems to two to four buds. You'll be left with a scrawny plant when done, but the remaining buds will develop into fruiting and flowering spurs a couple of years. For more on pruning grapes and most vines click on Pruning Grapes
Control the growth of grapes and promote more fruiting spurs by cutting back all their side shoots so only a few buds remain.
How to Prune Your Garden
Pruning is a skill. Learn how to prune your plants in your garden with Amanda.
Take the fear and uncertainty out of pruning and gain confidence with Amanda's supervision and instruction. For more information and to register click here.
A client's rejuvenated young pear tree.
Hummingbirds in Winter
Not all hummingbirds fly south for the winter.
It's amazing that hummingbirds overwinter in the Pacific Northwest, Anna's hummingbirds do just that. They are hardy little things: so tiny, tough and tenacious. It's difficult to keep their nectar from freezing, but there are a few tricks. To learn more click on Hummingbirds in Winter.
A woollen sock helps keeps the nectar a tad warmer.
Birds: Keep bird feeders well stocked as birds rely on your kindness to get them through the winter. Check feeders often to ensure seeds haven't gone mouldy. If so, discard all the seeds, and disinfect the feeder with bleach and soapy water. Dry thoroughly before refilling the feeder with fresh birdseed.
Birds appreciate feeders during the winter.
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JAnuary Garden Chores
Winter Storm Due Diligence: Strong winds and heavy snow cause havoc in the garden. Broken branches, crushed plants and downed trees are par for the course. It's prudent to venture forth into the garden after a weather 'event'. Don your winter woolies and snow boots, but be careful. Hire professional arborists (ISA Certified) to remove branches that are too big and/or too high up for you to remove. Watch out for broken branches on power lines and stay clear. Contact the local power company asap.
Knock heavy snow off branches to prevent breakage.
Let is snow! Surprisingly, snow insulates plants against the cold, drying winter winds and fluctuating temperatures, but too much of the white stuff disfigures plants and breaks branches. Get a long handled broom or long pole to knock it off as soon as the weather allows.
Avoid using rock salt on paths, sidewalks and driveways as it is nasty stuff.
Salt: Although rock salt (sodium chloride) is commonly used on icy surfaces, it is highly corrosive and is harmful to pets, wildlife, children, metal and even concrete. Sea life is also seriously affected. As it dissolves, chlorine is released, which contaminates waterways, killing fish and other aquatic life.
Alternatives to rock salt includes wood ashes, alfalfa meal, sand, coffee grounds, organic kitty litter and sawdust. There's also commercial eco-friendly ice melting alternatives to prevent damaging run-off. Ice storms: Plants coated in ice look magical but they are extremely brittle. Just a brief touch will cause branches to break, so avoid pruning or touching them. Feel free to take lots of cool pictures. 
Protect the growing point of palm trees with a frost blanket.
Palm trees: There are many palm trees growing in and around gardens in the lower mainland of British Columbia. Windmill palms, Trachycarpus fortunei, are hardy from USDA zones 7 to 10 and will survive temperatures of -12°C (10°F). To help them handle the conditions, spread a 3 inch layer of mulch on top of the ground to cover the entire soil surface. Wrap the stem with a frost blanket or other breathable fabric. The most important part of the palm to protect is the bud. It lies in the centre of the fronds at the top of the palm. If you can reach it, wrap it securely with layers of blankets or other breathable fabric. Don't use plastic as it may cause the bud to rot.
Be Prepared Down South
Bring orchids inside when outside temperatures dip to 40°F (4°C ).
Because weather is so unpredictable these days, it's a good idea to be prepared, even in the tropics and subtropics. It's not unheard of, much to the chagrin of many heat-loving flora and fauna. Record lows occur when cold fronts dip down too far to the south. Be mindful of nighttime lows, especially on clear nights and pay attention to the weather for frost warnings. Protect tender plants with frost blankets, tablecloths, old sheets and other breathable fabric. Bring in orchids when temperatures dip to 4°C (40°F). For growing moth orchids indoors click on Phalaenopsis, Moth Orchids
There are numerous things to do to improve drainage on soggy soils.
Flooding: Rain falling on frozen soil can't drain away which is a real problem when winter rains follow freezing temperatures. There's not much to do other than make a trench in the snow or soil to direct it elsewhere. If any part of the lawn or garden has tough time draining, consider putting in a French drain - when conditions allow. For more information on how to improve soil drainage click on more.
When food is scarce, deer will eat practically anything to survive.
Animal Damage: Hungry raccoons, squirrels, deers and other critters feast on whatever they can during the winter due to the lack of food. Tree trunks get nibbled, cedar hedges are depleted of lower leaves and bulbs are dug up. There are numerous ways to protect plants, but a more humane way is to provide them with food. Bales of hay helps numerous animals, whilst bird feeders and suet help our fine feathered friends. In the meantime, protect tree trunks with chicken wire, tree wrap or burlap. Remove it in spring – don’t forget. To learn about protecting tulips and other bulbs click on Spring Flowering Bulbs.
It's a good idea to check on outdoor planters periodically through the winter.
Outside Planters: Inspect planters to make sure their plants are not drowning if they are exposed to the elements. Alternately, make sure that ones in protected locations are not too dry and water if necessary.
Winter Beauty
Deciduous trees and evergreens create a beautiful winter scene.
Winter interest: If your winter garden is boring, have a walk around your neighbourhood for inspiration. Take pictures of what you like, and in spring take the pictures to your local garden centre for recommendations.
Order seed catalogues: Click here for a list of plant and seed catalogues. Order early to avoid disappointment of sold out crops and merchandise.
Houseplant Winter Care
Pearls & Jade pothos is an easy care houseplant for low light areas.
Houseplants and overwintering annuals, such as geraniums and coleus, need some TLC this time of year due to the lack of sunlight and the dry air from central heating. Here are a few tips to help your indoor plants stay healthy during the winter.
Plant selection: Do your homework before purchasing plants for inside your home. There are many easy care low light houseplants such as peace lilies, snake plants, parlor palms and pothos. For sunny windows there's cordylines, dracaenas, fiddle leaf figs, cacti and succulents. Keep their labels so you know their names and how to take care of them. Light: To keep plants robust, supplement their lighting with grow lights. Put them on a timer for 8 to 12 hours/day. Humidity: Mist at least once a day in the morning, but not at night as it can lead to disease. Orchids and bromeliads benefit from daily misting as they naturally grow in humid environments. Water: Under-watering encourages spider mites whilst too much of it and plants rot. Apply to houseplants when the soil is dry to the touch about ½ in depth. Use lukewarm water, not cold nor hot, to cover the entire soil surface. If the soil is really dry, apply enough water so it drains into its drainage tray. Protect from cold: Keep plants away from windows and drafts. Close the drapes during the evening and keep away from frozen windows. Cacti, Succulents: Although they like arid conditions, they still to be watered, just don't overdo it. Clean: Wipe down dusty leaves with a damp cloth or a sponge dipped in a solution of soapy warm water. Avoid using yogurt, mayonnaise and commercial leaf cleaning solutions as it clogs their pores. For more on winter houseplant care, click here. For overwintering geraniums click on saving-geraniums-coleus-bougainvillea-other-tender-plants.html 
Supplemental lighting helps these overwintering geraniums and some houseplants make it through the winter.
January's Arrangement
January 2022
January's arrangement feature berries and oak leaves. For a numbered guide to the specific flower names and for other arrangements go to Monthly Flower Arrangements
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January's Plant of the month
English Yew
Taxus baccata
Irish yews (T. baccata fastigiata') strike a pose at the Queen Elizabeth Park, Vancouver.
The cinnamon coloured bark and branching structure is showcased in this older specimen at Queen Elizabeth Park, Vancouver.
A yew trimmed into cloud-like shapes at the Japanese Garden, Hatley Castle, Vancouver.
A narrow cultivar of an Irish yew, T. baccata 'Fastigiata'.
The red flaking bark is an attractive feature.
The fruit resembles an pimento wrapped olive and are called arils.
Yews make wonderful hedges as they respond well to sheering.
New spring foliage is soft, supple and is more chartreuse than green.
Two old Irish yews (T. baccata 'Fastigiata') naturally grow in vertical columns.
New foliage on a yew in spring are incredibly soft and contrast against the older foliage.
Hick's yew, T. x media 'Hicksii', is a hardy hybrid that grows that is suitable for formal hedging.
Spreading English yew, T.baccata 'Repandens', only grows to 4 ft in height but spreads to 15 ft.
The wood of yews has been used for centuries to make furniture, tools and other essentials.
Huge old yews that predate the surrounding buildings are common in Britain and Europe.
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Common Name: English yew
Botanical Name: Taxus baccata Form: varies depending on species and/or cultivar Family: Taxaceae Genus: Taxus Species: baccata Plant Type: conifer, needle evergreen Mature Size: 30’-60’ x 15’-25’ Origin: Great Britain, Europe, southwest Asia, north Africa Hardiness Zone: 6 to 8 Foliage: flat, dark green ½ - 1½” long and up to 1/8” wide Flowers: inconspicuous, separate male and female flowers on separate plants (dioecious) Fruit: seeds are wrapped in a red fleshy aril Stems: leaves spiral around stem Bark: reddish, peeling, flaky, reveals cinnamon coloured stem underneath Exposure: sun to shade Soil: prefers fertile, evenly moist soil with good drainage, does well in chalky soils too Uses: hedge, screen, shade garden, wildlife, topiary, specimen, accent, background, foundation Propagation: cuttings, softwood and hardwood Pruning: easy to prune, responds well to shearing, early spring before new leaves emerge Problems: intolerant of prolonged sever weather conditions Toxicity: wear gloves when handling as all parts are poisonous, do not ingest or burn, root rot in wet soils, twig and needle blights, mealybugs, scale insects Comments: The English yew is a favorite evergreen of many gardeners and landscapers throughout the northern hemisphere. It’s longevity is one of its many claims to fame with specimens hundreds of years old. There are many ancient yews in Europe, and one in Scotland that’s over 2000 years old, hence their association to immortality. They are commonly found in the understory of larger trees such as beeches and are often grown in churchyards that are often predate the churches. Uses: These sturdy, bold, deep green evergreens are so versatile they have many uses in the garden. Grown as a tree or shrub, they are not fussy about their growing conditions. They thrive in sun, shade, clay soil and rich loam. Dwarf and fastigate cultivars are perfect to use in planters. However, the soil must drain well as their roots are prone to rotting. The deep green evergreen needle-like leaves of yews is commonly used as a backdrop for other plants and as dense screens. Their supple needles are easy to shear into shapes suitable for geometric designs, topiaries and formal hedges. There are many types to choose from low growing, spreading, to tall and columnar. Flowers, Fruit and Foliage: In spring, yews are flush with new lush foliage. It’s incredibly soft and a light green, that stands out against the older deep green needles. Yews get better with age. Their sturdy branches thicken to become broad strong arms. As they age their outer bark flakes off, which reveals smooth cinnamon coloured bark underneath. Separate male and female flowers emerge on the different plants in March and April (dioecious). Both male and female flowers are inconspicuous. Technically, yews are considered conifers as their seeds are not inside an ovary but are enclosed in a red, open cup-like structure called an aril. Their ‘fruits’ resemble pimento stuffed olives, however, the seeds that lie within are toxic, so don’t add them to your martini. Wildlife: Their dense foliage and branching habit is extremely valuable to wildlife. It provides a haven, a refuge against predators and the weather as is ideal for nesting. The yew fruit provides food form many animals especially birds. Commercial Value: Yew wood has been used for centuries to make furniture, pipes, tool handles, long bows, spears and other essentials. Incredibly, a ancient spear was found to be over 450,000 years old! Although all parts are poisonous, it’s also used as anti-cancer medicine. 
Dwarf yews are suitable for containers placed in sun or the shade.
This golden Irish yew, T. baccata 'Fastigiata Aurea', is perfect for growing in containers.
The Bean Pole yew, T. x media 'Bean Pole', is a hybrid yew worthy of a mention due to it's narrow profile. It grows slowly, from 5-10' x 3-6'.
Yew berries only grow on female plants.
Yews don't mind a touch of frost, but they dislike cold winter winds.
Pacific yew, T. brevifolia , is a native to the Pacific Northwest of N. America. It grows from 30 to 45 feet.
Branch tips of the Pacific yew hang downwards.
A yew hedge provides an effective backdrop for the Mexican mock orange shrubs in the foreground.
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A yew hedge provides a dense, deep green screen from a busy road.
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THE GARDEN WEBSITE INDEX
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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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