Early June 2013

Dear Gardening Friends

We have been really surprised with the number of customers who have come to the nursery looking for Ornamental Grasses. Even five years ago grasses were a tough sell. Maybe too many gardeners had been burned by the invasive thugs like Ribbon Grass that show up at every neighbourhood plant sale.

Now people are realizing that big Ornamental Grasses are the perfect backdrop to perennial gardens or a way to create a beautiful living screen. They pair so easily with bigger shrubs and evergreens. The smaller grasses, with their spiky shapes, are a good contrast to the rounded forms of most perennials.

After a slow start to the season due to the cold temperatures in April, our full complement of grasses is finally available.

Our website has a very comprehensive grass section with lots of pictures if you want to do some research before visiting the nursery to find that perfect grass to add to your garden.

Click here to visit the Grass Section and then click on the Ornamental Grasses tab at the top of the page. We recommend spring or summer planting of grasses to ensure that they are well established before the cooler soil temperatures of the fall slow down their growth.

Suzanne, Bruce and the Whitehouse Team

Heuchera "Little Cuties"

I was honoured to be asked to contribute my top ten plant picks for 2013 to an article in the Spring Issue of the Ottawa Citizen Style Magazine. You see all my picks at Model plants for 2013 Heuchera Little Blondie One of those choices was 'Heuchera 'Little Blondie. When I saw a mass of it blooming in the test gardens at Terra Nova Nurseries in Oregon last October I was really impressed. Even that late in the season its bronzy brown foliage was almost hidden by the masses of yellow gold flowers. At under 15 cms tall it is the perfect addition to a partially shaded rockery or in a perfect pair with miniature hostas. Its other companions in this series, 'Sweet Tart' and 'Peppermint' are also diminuitive in everything but flower power.

Echinaceas for 2013

Sombrero Salsa In our first evaluation of our Echinacea Test Garden we have some clear winners and losers in the winter hardiness trial. 'Sombrero Salsa' came through with flying colours. It really is red, and it is compact and vigorous. We have some very full pots on the bench that are already budded up and ready to add a big punch of colour to your garden. Our test plant of 'Milkshake' is now two years old and has made an impressive clump, so we have added it to our Echinacea line up. 'Pow Wow Wildberry' is a small pink Echinacea that has also proved its worth. 'Julia', a very bright orange coneflower, 'Cleopatra' a brilliant yellow, and 'Hot Papaya' have also passed the winter hardiness test and are ready to provide summer colour in your perennial border. We test these coneflowers so that you don't have to. Our goal is to find the best varieties for your garden so we can recommend them to you with confidence.
HOSTAS FOR CONTAINERS

Hosta 'Sun Power' and Hakonechloa

When you are putting together your containers for a shady spot consider using a large hosta either as a focal point in your design or featured as a single specimen in a beautiful pot. Two perennials that work well with the hostas are Coral Bells (Heucheras) with their beautiful coloured leaves, and Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa). Ivy, Vinca, Lamiums and Lamiastrums can all be used as fillers and trailers to soften the edge of your pots. If you want to add some extra colour shade tolerant annuals can also be included. In the fall you can put the whole container into the back of an unheated garage or garden shed for storage where it will survive until the next year. Next spring add some fresh fertilizer and put it back on display. Plant the hosta and perennials for the winter if you cannot store the pot. Bring your container to the nursery and we will help you design a combination that will look beautiful for many years and help you avoid the cost of buying expensive throwaway annuals.

Check out our hydrangea collection and save

Hydrangeas grow well in full sun but they are also my "go to" plant for a spot that is partially shaded. Progress in breeding has produced varieties with gorgeous blooms that stand up well to wind and rain. These are not the old Annabelle Hydrangeas that droop into the mud on the first heavy rain. These varieties have strong stems, the colours are vivid, flowering begins in early July and the plants are bushy and lush. We have ten varieties of hydrangeas for sale including two new Proven Winners selections for 2013, 'White Dome and 'Firelight'. Until June 21st buy any one of these great Hydrangeas to brighten up that shady corner and save 20%.

Design days

Every Thursday, Friday or Saturday you can book an appointment with Don Lewis, our in- house garden designer. Photos and area dimensions will help Don to provide the best advice. We can help you plan a new bed or just find the perfect plants to fill in an existing garden. You can book via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone. This service is free.