Roses are often misunderstood as fragile plants that cannot handle harsh weather. In reality, many rose bushes are capable of surviving even the tough winters found across Canada. The key is understanding which types are naturally cold-hardy and how to care for them properly before, during, and after winter. If you choose the right variety…
If you’ve ever driven along the Trans-Canada Highway or wandered through a meadow in Ontario, you’ve almost certainly seen them. Fields of white and yellow daisies swaying in the breeze. It looks as Canadian as maple syrup and hockey, right? Well, I’m here to tell you that things aren’t always what they seem. As a…
Yes, But Choose Wisely If you’re an Ontario gardener gazing longingly at those massive blue mophead hydrangeas in garden magazines, you’ve probably asked yourself one question: Can hydrangeas really survive our winter? The honest answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Ontario spans an enormous range of winter conditions—from the relatively mild shores…
Tulips are one of the most iconic spring flowers, bringing bright color to gardens after long Canadian winters. But many gardeners ask the same question every year: are tulips perennial in Canada? The answer is yes—tulips are technically perennials. However, in Canadian climates, they don’t always behave like true perennials. Some varieties return reliably year…
If you’re a gardener in Canada’s Zone 3 — places like Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Thunder Bay, or any community where winter temperatures plunge to -40°C or even colder — you’ve probably wondered whether those gorgeous, fluffy peony blooms you see in garden magazines could ever survive in your harsh climate. The answer is a resounding YES….
Lavender is one of the most loved flowering herbs in the world—famous for its calming fragrance, purple blooms, and low-maintenance nature. But if you’re gardening in Canada, one big question comes up: is lavender perennial in Canada? The short answer is yes—but it’s not that simple. Lavender can be perennial in many parts of Canada,…
By a Certified Horticulturist & Landscape Designer | Updated April 2025 There is no moment in the Canadian gardening calendar more emotionally charged than the first week of genuine spring. The snow recedes. The soil smells alive again. And if you’ve planted wisely, your garden erupts into colour before your neighbours have even found their…
By a Native Plant Horticulturist | Updated April 2025 It happens to almost every Canadian gardener. You plant a beautiful bed of wildflowers in spring, nurture it through the cold nights of May, and wake up one June morning to find it cropped to the soil. Deer have struck again. If you live in rural…
Every September, the same question lands in my inbox: when do you plant bulbs in Ontario? The honest answer is that it depends on where you live. A gardener in Windsor and a gardener in Thunder Bay are working with two very different autumns. The short version: plant spring bulbs in Ontario from late September…
By a Certified Horticulturist | Updated April 2026 If you’ve ever watched a container garden thrive in Vancouver while your balcony pots in Winnipeg barely survived the summer you already know that potting soil is not a one-size-fits-all decision. Canadian gardeners face a unique set of challenges: brutal winters, short growing seasons, extreme humidity swings,…