::Farm Fence::

I would love to line our driveway with a good solid fence. But one that already looks weathered. The solution would be to scavenge the woods for fallen trees. Aidan agrees it would be useful to have a visual cue against the white snow when we are backing out of the lane in teh winter... But this is lots of work without being imminently necessary.

::Reilly's Country Gardens::

A new batch of plants are tucked into our raised beds. Mom and I drove around the block to a small nursery on Diamondview. Like many of the nurseries around here, it will soon be closing up shop in the face of heavy competition coming from the big box stores like Rona and Canadian Tire. One of the owners--Reilly?--kindly showed us around his grounds and suggested possible shade plants. We settled on a handful that wouldn't break the bank.

::Magnolia x 'rickii'::

This beauty was a housewarming present from my mom, Summer 2008. We had originally planted it in the curve of the driveway but it nearly died from winterburn. I had to cut it down completely and regenerate it from it's ground sprouts. Two years later it has reached its original size. Now it is up near the house on the South side where it will likely not have the space to grow to it's full potential. But it will live!

Magnolia x 'Ricki'

A cross between Magnolia stellata and Magnolia liliflora which was first raised at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, DC. Magnolia x 'Ricki' is covered with purple-red buds which open to lovely pink flowers in spring. This has a notably upright habit and is an excellent choice of magnolia for a small garden or an area with limited space!

• Common name: Ricki's Magnolia.
• Position: Full sun or light, dappled shade.
• Soil: Well drained, fertile soils.
• Hardiness: Hardy.
• Flowering Period: April - May.
• Rate of Growth: Slow to moderate.
• Habit: Medium sized or eventually large shrub with an upright habit.
• Height: 3 - 4 m (9 - 13 ft)
• Spread: 2 m (6 ft)
  
  

STATUS: {April 2010} Ricki is much happier this spring. There are a dozen buds waiting to open. The city magnolias have bloomed long ago but our microclimate here follows different rules.

{May 2009}5-7 hours of sun. A well composted soil. Parent plant dead and pruned. Fresh growth emerging from the bottom. Fingers crossed!

::Grass Seeding::

1. Till the soil and rake out any rocks or debris. Check.
2. Sprinkle fertilizer over loose soil. Um....
3. Flatten with a drum roller, filled with water. Check.
4. Use a spreader to distribute seed. Check.
5. Flatten with the roller half filled. Check.
6. Water, Water, Water. Rain in the forecast.

::UPDATE::
{April 30th 2010}
Our grass has not come in the way we had hoped this spring. The high traffic areas are brown and dead. And the front lawn looks very sad. We have raked and re-seeded thinly. We will see if that helps.

{May 28th 2009}
Yesterday we finally saw sprouts shooting up everywhere! We were worried for awhile. No rain, and just the sprinklers to keep the yard wet. A bit of rain seems to have done the tricks. Yeah! We shall see how thick it comes in.

::Vegetable Art::

::Pagoda Paradise::

::Lilacs::

Why Lilacs? They are pretty. They smell great. They grow quickly. They can be planted near your house without any concerns about foundation damage.

::Ivory Silk Lilac::
{Spring 2010}

Purchased from the Go Green sale already 7 feet tall. We planted it up against the house on the South side.

::Eastern Redbud::
{Spring 2010}

Bought two of these from the Go Green sale. We placed one up against the house on the South side and one in the bend of the driveway. I hope no one runs it over before it has grown big enough to be visible!

::White Lilac::
{Summer 2008}

These are the four shrubs we have in the ground. The lilac was given by mom Van Dyk. We planted it in summer 2008, and it has come back bigger and better. We were told the lilacs are white, but won't see them for awhile, I suppose.

::Shade::

::Tricyrtis {Toad Lily}::

::Astilbe::

::Luzula {Greater Wood Rush}::

::Hosta 'Stilleto'::

::Geranium macrorrhizum {Bigroot Cranesbill}::


A few shade plants as recommended by
landscapeontario.com