Mail-Order Wish List: Dianthus plumarius

Ballad Blend Pinks - There are so many types of Pinks available in the industry, its hard to find a good picture of this variety.  The reason why I chose this variety of seed is because the flowers are fully double and fragrant.

Fragrance in the garden is something that I strive to include in design, because it creates an atmosphere that I believe it crucial to a great garden.

Here are some pictures of other varieties that are available and I think are exceptionally beautiful.

Velvet and Lace Dianthus

Unknown Dianthus

Gran's Favorite Dianthus

Devon Siskin Dianthus

Spangled Star Dianthus

Starburst Dianthus

Plant of the Week: Anemone sylvestris - Snowdrop Anemone

Snowdrop Windflower is a beautiful spreading perennial suitable for mass planting.  I would not advise to plant this if you plan on not maintaining your garden as it does spread my underground roots and by seed.  However this is not an aggressive spreader as Quack Grass (Elytrigia repens) and even if it does spread more than you want, you would be hard pressed to find a more beautiful weed.

This is also great used around your spring flowering bulbs as when your tulips or daffodils die back this anemone will start to take off right when the bulb foliage that you should be leaving attached for the health of your bulbs are not looking good at all.

Deer and Rabbits also won’t want to nibble on these, and they are great naturalized in a wooded area and meadows where our unwanted nibblers like to hang out.

The Snowdrop Anemone does like moist soils, so make sure you plant it in the right area for it to thrive or you will be watering it to keep it looking nice.

Mail-Order Wish List: Tagetes petula

Durango Outback French Marigold - To be honest, I have never grown marigolds as I thought that they were too common, but I love the colors, and planting a mass planting from seed would be rather inexpensive.  I have never heard of anyone up here sowing marigold seed directly into the ground, and I am sure that with the short season here that it would be better to start these in the greenhouse in order to get something as marigolds are annuals.

Weekend Recipe: Bubble Pizza Casserole

I think that I want to give this Bubble Pizza Casserole a try in the next few days... doesn't this look great??  It looks super easy too.  Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Mail-Order Wish List: Tanacetum coccineum

Painted Daisy - This is not a plant that I have a lot of experience with, but seeing that I can grow it from seed I am willing to give it a try, even though it is hardy to zone 4 and here in the Calgary region we are zone 3.  This plant blooms in early summer and is a long lasting cut flower.  I hear however that though this plant has sturdy stems it might not withstand strong winds which is something of an issue in my neighborhood.  But like I said earlier, these look great and I am willing to give it a try.

Mail-Order Wish List: Liatris spicata

Liatris spicata - One of my favorites, and it can be grown from seed!  Sure it will take some time, but its work the wait.  I love the fine textured, strap-like foliage, and of course in bloom they make a very unique looking plant.  If you can stand it I recommend not cutting the flower heads off and you will have some visual interest in the winter garden, which is something to really consider here in our area of the Great White North.

Garden Structures - Shed and Greenhouse combo

Getting ready to plant seeds made me wish that I had a greenhouse, or a shed with a greenhouse attached.  That would be really cool, I will be looking for more ideas as I will be building my shed within the next couple of years.  Wouldn’t this one be great?

The Super Sheds That Put Those Ready-Made Shacks to Shame Read more: Super Shed Pictures - Photos of Extreme Sheds - Popular Mechanics