| Canada Blooms 2020 Flower Of The Year |
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Canada Blooms is excited to announce the Canada Blooms Flower of the Year for 2020 is the Sincerity Dahlia (Dahlia x hybrida) from Syngenta Flowers North America.
How can you best describe the Sincerity Dahlia -- big, bold and beautiful! This annual charmer sees lots of early blooms (3”-4”) and has large pink and white bi-colour flowers with just a touch of yellow at their centre, making the Sincerity Dahlia truly eye-catching.
The Sincerity is compact and dense, well-branched plants make a shapely backdrop for the showy blooms. Displaying best in mid- to late summer and early fall, Sincerity is a perfect choice for the landscape and high-end patio containers or to fill holes that develop in perennial borders. Dahlias can easily be overwintered indoors.
The Sincerity Dahlia was selected for the Editor's Choice Medal of Excellence Award at Cultivate 2019 (a growers convention held each year in Ohio).
You can expect to see close to 500 of these stunning Sincerity Dahlias in gardens and featured areas at Canada Blooms this spring.
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| Toronto Flower Show Happenings |
There is a new class competition in the Toronto Flower Show this year – the Mark’s Choice Amaryllis Class.
Mark’s Choice Amaryllis kits, available at Home Hardware, have a super-sized bulb of 28 to 39 cm, 28% bigger than most amaryllis sold in Canada, that is about a big as they come.
For the first 5 days (Friday-Tuesday) there will be 25 red amaryllis vying for top prize, then on Wednesday, those bulbs will be distributed throughout the Toronto Flower Show and 25 red and white amaryllis will be the new challengers.
Winners will be recognized at the Closing Ceremonies on Sunday, 22 at 3:30 pm.
The Toronto Flower Show Competitor's Schedule is now online.
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Tips For Growing Amaryllis
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Don’t want to wait until March to see an amaryllis?
Well, you can pick one up and start growing your own. We are partial to the Mark's Choice Amaryllis Kit (which even comes with its own pot), which are available at Home Hardware.
Mark Cullen says "amaryllis are so easy anyone can grow one. You can almost ignore them and they will still bloom (almost, they need to be watered about one a week or so when the soil gets dry about a centimetre down)".
Its as easy as 1, 2, 3
1. Plant amaryllis in a pot 2" wider than the diameter of the bulb.
2. Fill the pot 1/3 full of potting soil and place the bulb on top of the soil spreading out the roots. Add more soil around the bulb and water thoroughly. Leave the top 2" of the bulb showing above the soil level.
3. Place the pot in a warm bright place and water sparingly. When growth starts, increase watering to keep the soil evenly moist and provide plenty of light. As the stalk grows, rotate the pot to keep it straight.
Flowers usually open 8-10 weeks after planting.
Once it flowers, take a picture and enter the Mark's Choice Amaryllis contest (details in Mark's February newsletter, see Garden Tips below for more details on how to sign up for Mark's newsletter). |
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November To-Do List
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Harrowsmith's Winter Issue |
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Garden experts Mark and Ben Cullen offer their list of things to do to prepare your Garden for winter.
We have been busy in our gardens getting ready for winter. Invest some time now for a great looking garden come spring. Here is a list of our recommended activities:
1.Apply Wilt-pruf to broad leaved evergreens like rhododendrons, boxwood, holly and the like to prevent winter desiccation (apply when temperatures are above freezing).
2. Start Your amaryllis bulbs now to make sure your are ready for our 2020 amaryllis photo contest. You will find contest details in our February newsletter. Start you amaryllis now and take photos when the fabulous blooms are at their peak. Subscribe to our newsletter for more info. (continue reading)
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Baby it’s getting cold outside, but you can warm up with the latest Winter issue of Harrowsmith magazine!
We’ve got the goods, from tips on growing and drying hot peppers from Mark and Ben Cullen, to advice on how to build your very own traditional smokehouse from D-I-Y expert Steve Maxwell, as well as our favourite books and other things we love! Meet Quebec homesteaders, see how photography is preserving the past in rural Ontario, and check out our delicious recipes for your next winter feast. Plus tips on winter camping, attracting birds to your property through the season, electric floor heating and more!
It’s all in the Winter issue of Harrowsmith, on sale November 18.
Great Holidays Gifts - Subscribe now
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| UNILOCK®: Choosing The Right Product and Colour For Your Home! |
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As the original manufacturer of concrete patio pavers in North America, UNILOCK® has earned a fine reputation for quality and become one of the most trusted names in the industry. With more than 10 billion stones in the ground to date, we’ve sold more pavers than any other company.
UNILOCK® knows that choosing the right colour of pavers for your home can be a daunting task, so here is some advice to consider for projects you may be considering around your house.
1. Consider the Existing Architecture. For most projects, the house is the most significant structure to consider. You don't need to match the colour of pavers to the house colour as long as you stay within the same colour 'tone'.
2. Consider the Application. Different colours are well suited to different applications -- lighter colours for pool decks to absorb less heat from the sun, darker colours for BBQ and other high traffic areas to hide spills.
3. Complement other Key Elements. You might pull colours from home's roof and trim to define a cozy fire pit area.
4. Add an accent or border. Think one colour is boring? Add a border, accent or inlay in your design.
5. Mix and Match online. Use online tool to compare borders, accents and colours.
6. Physical Samples. Unilock's Outdoor Idea Centers have samples that you can take home to see if it fits your design.
(read complete Unilock article)
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Canada Blooms Thanks Our Volunteers
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The Canada Blooms Volunteer Appreciation Event took place at Allan Gardens Conservatory in late September. We would like to thank all the volunteers who were able to join us, and those who were unable to come out, for all the hard work and dedication they have shown to Canada Blooms over the years.
Volunteers helped us gear up for our 2020 festival with 'Birds of a Feather' themed lunch which included door prizes, a hydrangea seminar with Tanya Smith of Home Smith Gardening. After lunch, volunteers were invited to explore Allan Gardens.
Thanks to City of Toronto's Curtis Evoy and the Allan Gardens staff for helping create an oasis in the middle of the city. Allan Gardens is open to the public 365 days and has a number of themed flower shows throughout the year.
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Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign
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The goal of the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign is to plant 2 million trees that will be a tribute to the men and women who fought for Canada in our wars, and a living memorial to the 117,000 who died for freedom.
To date the campaign, truly a group effort, has been able to raise over $7.5 million toward their goal. But there is still a long way to go! Highway of Heroes is asking for your help to continue raising money for this admirable campaign. All donations from now until midnight December 31st, 2019, up to $100,000 will be matched by a generous benefactor that wishes to remain anonymous.
As a thank you and in recognition of the amazing support they have received, HOH is giving away weekly prizes that have been donated to their organization. There are three easy ways to get
your name in their weekly draw:
Spread the word: Share HOH Facebook Posts, encourage your friends and family to support the campaign
Donate: visit hohtribute.ca/donate, all contributions are matched dollar for dollar
Share: Send your stories to info@hohtribute.ca, they don't just grow trees, they grow communities.
(visit HOH Tribute) |
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| Container Garden Contest |
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Even though space 'Urban Jungle' can be limited, containers offer a great way for everyone to garden regardless of the yard/balcony size. But it does mean you may need to be creative.
Our contest invited readers to snap and share a pic of their best/favourite container garden from the Summer or Fall of 2019.
Congratulations to winners:
Mary Campbell, Arnprior, ON (Most Colourful)
Douglas Cully, Woodlawn, ON (Most Creative)
Honourable Mentions:
Cathy Brown, Lakefield​, ON
Donna Mitton, Moncton, NB
Kris McCleery, Ajax, ON
Didn't win? Why not enter our Winter Container Contest
Categories:
Most Colourful Container
Smallest Container
Most Unusual Container
Most Creative Container
Individuals may enter one picture per category starting from November 1st to January 1st. Some entries may be shared on social media or in our newsletter. See contest page for details.
Pics will be judged by Canada Blooms staff and winners will be notified by January 15, 2020.
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| Recipe Corner: Baked Parmesan Kale Chips |
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Got Kale? Why not make healthy chips, rich in calcium and vitamins A, C and K.
Recipe by Sheri Liefeld, Betty Crocker
Ingredients:
1 Bunch kale, cleaned, torn into small pieces 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon olive oil 1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, if desired
Directions:
Heat oven to 350°. Line cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper; spray paper with cooking spray.
In large bowl, toss ingredients until kale is evenly coated. Place on cookie sheet in single layer.
Bake 10 minutes, stirring once halfway though baking, until chips are crisp.
Store in airtight container.
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Revisit the Gardens Of Canada Blooms 2019
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| Revisit the Green Streets Garden at Canada Blooms 2019, created by Landscape Ontario, Wentworth Landscapes and Come Alive Outside. |
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| Upcoming Events |
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Go green this holiday season at Toronto Botanical Garden's eco-minded and nature-inspired Annual Holiday Market on November 28, 10am-7pm.
Over 40 local artisans, three DIY workshops, All-day Amaryllis Potting Bar, Ontario Honey Tasting Station, Seasonal Fresh Greens and more! Enjoy our relaxing shopping experience with FREE admission and complimentary coat check. (discover more)
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Canada Blooms was founded by the Garden Club of Toronto and Landscape Ontario
 
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