Urban Oasis Gardening

Urban Oasis Garden Centre at CityHub Victoria

2011-12-12T13:05:00.000-08:00

Urban Oasis Garden Centre at CityHub Victoria: Sandra Nelson created Urban Oasis Garden Centre where horticultural creativity flows, and gardens, and gardeners bloom. Home of the

That Poinsettia You Boughts back Story

2011-12-12T11:41:00.000-08:00

This is a great story, about hybridizing, and one man's story, and what can be behind a single cultivar.

http://www.gardeninggonewild.com/?p=19340

Big Christmas Tree

2011-12-11T17:02:00.000-08:00

Anyone need a really big tree this year, I have the tree of a life time, good times for the right family, or business!

Every Year there is one tree that stands out, not always in a good way, but they are definitely different than all the rest. This year it is a beauty, but it needs a big house! This is one BBT!

Hmm, does this front room make my tree look big?

The Christmas Rose

2011-12-01T18:17:00.000-08:00

Helleborus Culture link

Helleborus Jacob is a wonderful new hybrid that blooms in Nov/Dec, so unlike most other Helleborus that bloom closer to February it truly is "The Christmas Rose"

This makes it a wonderful candidate to be brought indoors to enjoy for Christmas. Unlike the Pointsettia, the Helleborus can be be used outdoors in the garden, or containers for years of pleasure.

The Christmas Rose

)

When the Magi laid their rich offerings of myrrh, frankincense, and gold, by the bed of the sleeping Christ Child, legend says that a shepherd maiden stood outside the door quietly weeping.

She, too, had sought the Christ Child. She, too, desired to bring him gifts. But she had nothing to offer, for she was very poor indeed. In vain she had searched the countryside over for one little flower to bring Him, but she could find neither bloom nor leaf, for the winter had been cold.

And as she stood there weeping, an angel passing saw her sorrow, and stooping he brushed aside the snow at her feet. And there sprang up on the spot a cluster of beautiful winter roses,-- waxen white with pink tipped petals.

``Nor myrrh, nor frankincense, nor gold,'' said the angel, ``is offering more meet for the Christ Child than these pure Christmas Roses.''

Joyfully the shepherd maiden gathered the flowers and made her offering to the Holy Child.

By Lizzie Deas (Adapted

(from Good Stories for Great Holidays , by Frances Jenkins Olcott)

A link for a long version of the Legend, as well as other stories.

The Legend of the Christmas Rose

The buds are getting ready to open, and should be ready for Christmas.

I warmed these guys up in September, then returned them to the cold to initiate good bud formation for December.

They will make lovely indoor or outdoor Christmas containers.

The Christmas rose is to the Pointsettia, what the Orchid is to cut flowers, one is short lived and the other lasts for months in bloom. These plants could potentially bloom outside till May. I would enjoy them indoors for only a couple weeks so as not to knock their natural bloom cycle off.

Here are some outdoor containers potted up with pansies, perennials , and Spring bulbs. They should be amazing next Spring.

Helleborus Culture link

Christmas Greens & Trims

2011-12-01T09:16:00.001-08:00

This year Urban Oasis is excited to have our wreaths being made by the fabulous

Sarah Williams, a Goddess with Greens

Sarah has been busy, collecting, pruning, snipping, and wiring away her wonderful creations this week, it's exhausting watching her go.

Every wreath is a one of a kind, made with local materials most often harvested by some volunteer pruning to a neighbor in need. Sarah is also a budding garden coach, who's clients are happy to let her do a little timely tidying of their shrubs in exchange for materials.

The store not only is starting to look a lot like Christmas, it smells like it too.

The Holly is beautiful this year, and Sarah has access to some really cool, rare varieties.

Sarah has whipped up a bushel of bows, that can be purchased ready made for your own decorating, many of us know how hard it is to make a nice bow. Sara makes it look easy, hmff.

I love this ribbon, Sarah has many wonderful ribbons to choose from.

Here are just a few of her door swags.

Very good prices too.

Red or Yellow twigs

Good selection of bundled greens

Fabulous year for Holly

Bagged cones

Bagged Holly

You have to check out Sarah's trims at the craft fair, her hand folded ribbon balls will be a Christmas ornament treasure for years to come.

lots of gorgeous choices, in the rich colors and textures of real ribbon.

This is a stocking stuffer someone will appreciate for many years, it could be a family heirloom one day.

Christmas Trees Arrive Dec 5th

2011-12-01T08:02:00.001-08:00

We have been out to Wintergreen Christmas Tree Farms to pick trees for Urban Oasis. The cool wet Spring has been a good thing for Christmas trees and they are gorgeous this year.

We are all set for our first shipment Dec 5th

Douglas fir

Grand fir

Noble fir

Pine

Christmas Arts & Craft Fair

2011-10-25T09:57:00.001-07:00

Urban Oasis id hosting a Christmas Craft Fair, we are clearing out the gift shop, and turning it over to local Artists, Crafters, and other vendors who self locally produced food, or products. Watch for progress reports, and links to vendors starting Nov 15th.

We still have room for vendors, so if you would like to sell, and promote your wares in a unique venture, let us know, and we would love to share the details. We are very excited with this concept, and to be the first buy local samples cafe venue in town. It's a win win for customers, and vendors alike.

The customers get to check out samples of many local Artisan products, and learn about the Artist, Crafter, Chef, or Farmer, so they can visit them in their own location. It's meant to be a hub, of buy local products.

The vendors get to show of their products, and promote themselves. They can keep their products competitively priced, as there are no retail mark ups, or consignment. The shared costs of the space for one month works out to a small percent of the cost of a table at a weekend Craft event. The vendor is able to stay in their gallery, kitchen, studio, or farm, while we take care of the storefront sales.

We would love to hear any thoughts, or suggestion for our buy local samples cafe. We are using the Craft Fair as a Christmas event and trial run, but hope to make this a regular feature at the store. We are also looking for a name, so far Local Flavors, your buy local boutique is what has made it to the top of the list.

My Favs and a couple new this year bulbs.

2011-10-19T12:53:00.000-07:00

Sabine Hay Narcissus, it's cutting edge breeding that will no doubt lead to interesting future cultivars. The differences are subtle, but the petals are orangey-er than found in other narcissus, there are no Orange petals yet... it is found only in the cups. Look carefully and you will see a little hook at the center of the petals too. Will we see teeth and fringy edges on Narcissus soon? Hmmm.... see I told you, it's the stuff of hybridizing dreams, very exciting!

Muscari Pink Sunrise, I had to try this, if you love your blue Grape Hyacinth you will need to have this one.

Iris Lion King, a must have if you want something different, can't wait to see this in bloom.

Iris Eye of the Tiger, was my favorite new bulb last Spring.

Tulip Blue Wow, the name says it all!

Deer Resistant Spring Bulbs

2011-10-19T12:49:00.001-07:00

Here is a link to Deer resistant Spring Bulbs

Dafodils are in!

2011-10-18T13:34:00.000-07:00

It's time to plant Spring bulbs. Take advantage of the beautiful weather and get them in now. Daffodils will in fact continue to grow through the cool weather so since bigger bulbs are better, the earlier the better for them.

We have some amazing new Daffodil's released this year, as well as some great tried and true cultivar. Daffodils really are the heralds of Spring. And best of all, deer don't eat them.

Cool Flame

Cool flame is just as it says, a stunning bright white, with a large cup that starts out apricot, and then pure flaming orange almost red.

Irene Copeland

So, so pretty! Irene Copeland is a perfect blend of white and yellow petals, it looks like a starburst.

This beauty is truly unique and will add a lot of pizazz to your Spring border. For a truly elegant Spring bouquet and a few of these dazzlers to the vase.

Tripartite

For a change from the typical trumpet daffodils try Tripartite, a split corona narcissus( note how the cup is split and lays flat). It's a vigorous grower with the added bonus of a sweet fragrance.

White Marvel

An unusual looking white Narcissus with a frilly closely packed double cup. White Marvel is another good choice to add interest to cut flower arrangements.

We have several other Daffodils to choose from, as well as some great mixes.

Biggest Sale of the Year Event

2011-09-24T09:02:00.001-07:00

It’s our biggest Sale Event of the Year, starting Saturday Sept 25^th

Come visit us for our giant annual sale event.

We have thousands of plants, and garden supplies that need to go so we can gear up for Christmas.

We are well known for having the best Christmas trees. This year I have been invited to hand pick each one. You not only will be getting the same local grown fresh trees, from the best grower, but this year the best of that best!

Pass this invitation to your gardening friends, and remember if you have any gardening questions you can drop in and "Ask the Garden Coach", or set up a personal consultation.

Outdoor Paintings

2011-07-08T18:05:00.001-07:00

I installed the final touches to the fence at the top of the pond today. We haven't put any fish in the pond because I am worried about our resident minks making meals of them. I am settling for some painted fish that swim above the pond instead.

Well....I thought it was funny.
Here is the first rough sketch on concrete board so it can be outside.
Branding is important so of course now I am laying in the corporate colors, lol.
more fishes
We can't not use the Urban Oasis blue
Look both the store colors
The final four panels
Here are some fishy colors

...And the final panels installed above the pond, just in time for the pond tour tomorrow!

Couvelier Pavilion Capital Campaign

2011-07-05T00:15:00.001-07:00

Urban Oasis is pleased to support the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific's fundraising efforts to replace the greenhouse lost in a fire, and improve the site which is home to Glendale Gardens, and the Horticulture School. The HCP also hosts many great community events, and weddings on their lovely grounds.

We are donating 50% from the sales of our daylily seedlings. We have about 160 one of a kind seedlings on our sales bench. We are selling them at $10 each.

Couvelier Pavilion Capital Campaign

It's Daylily time at Urban Oasis

2011-07-05T00:14:00.001-07:00

The Daylilies have just started to bloom. Stop in and visit our demonstration beds, they should be at their peak in a 2-3 weeks. We have 120 named Cultivars you can preview the catalog on our web site. More exciting for me is watching the seedlings bloom. I expect to see at least 1000 unique Daylilies put out their maiden blooms this season. Here is one of the first to bloom. (Going Bananas x Cool Blue Breeze A) This flower is out of Going Banana's and Cool Blue Breeze. The picture detail is terrible, it is the most amazing pale amber apricot color with a pure crimson eye and veins. The flower has a delicate cerise overlay that is almost hot fuchsia at the midribs with lots of diamond dusting. It is big too, almost 6". I can't wait to see if the blooms improve as the plant matures. Here are pictures of the parents, who was it that said purple and yellow make muddy colors. This cross came out as pretty as a sunset.
Going Banana's is the Momma. Cool Blue Breeze is the Poppa I have already crossed (Going Bananas x Cool Blue Breeze A) with Joseph's Coat
Joseph's Coat

I used the (Going Bananas x Cool Blue Breeze A) pollen on Lilywood Orchid Tones, a flower I am using to add veining to my breeding program. It is a great parent for patterned eyes, which I believe should work for veins too.

Lilywood Orchid Tones

So far I have wanted to keep 2 out of 3 of my new flowers, hmmm 997 or more to go this could be trouble!

Ask about our daylily breeding program and take a peak at the seedling nursery, you could be the first to see a new flower make it's debut into the world. You would have to get there early though because thats the first thing I do every morning, grab a coffee and check out the Seedlings.

Sunny Deer resistant perennial borders

2011-05-02T20:31:00.000-07:00

Some suggestions for sunny borders where Deer are a problem

Sunny Deer resistant perennial borders

Scarecrow Motion Activated Sprinkler

2011-04-30T20:51:00.000-07:00

Urban Oasis uses the scarecrow to keep deer out of our demonstration beds. We have found them very effective combined with Plantskyd deer spray. We are thrilled to offer them on special this week $79.99 regular price $129.99

Protect your yard, fruit trees, vegetables, flowers and water features from hungry or destructive animal intruders. The ScareCrow® motion-activated sprinkler automatically detects deer, raccoons, heron, dogs and more as they approach, and repels them with a short but startling burst of water. The sudden noise, movement and spray scares animals away, teaching them to avoid the area in future.

The ScareCrow:

works day and night without chemicals or unsightly barriers
can be linked to other ScareCrows to form an effective water barrier
conserves water - uses just 2 to 3 cups per deterrence
operates for up to six months on a single nine-volt battery
one scarecrow covers approximately 1300 sq. ft.

Diana the Huntress Statue Offer

2011-04-30T07:34:00.000-07:00

Urban Oasis is offering this beautiful locally made statue from Castart Studios at a very special price. Diana's quiet strength and beauty will create an outstanding focal point in any garden.

while supplies last $79.99 regularly $199.99

Diana the Huntress

(DIAN)

9" x 11" x 35"; 110lbs.

In Roman mythology, Diana was recognised as goddess of the moon and of the hunt, equivalent to the Greek goddess Artemis. Praised for her strength, athletic grace, beauty and hunting skill, Diana also had the role of guardian of springs and streams and protector of wild animals. She was especially revered by women, and was believed to grant easy childbirth to her favourites. In art she is typically shown as a young huntress, often carrying bow and arrows.

Bunchberry The smallest Dogwood

2011-04-21T20:47:00.000-07:00

This dogwood(Cornus Canadensis) only grows eight inches tall. It looks like a miniature dogwood tree. The leaves are the same, the flowers are the same, everything about it is like a big dogwood, only tiny.

This native groundcover needs a cool shady spot with acid soil. Wood chips worked into the soil will help create the woodland forest floor conditions it thrives in.

I found some beautiful plants at the nursery today and fell in love with them. I can't wait to add them to the shade section for sale this Easter weekend. They are absolute teeny tiny perfection.

Black Velvet Petunia

2011-04-06T11:21:00.000-07:00

New plants from Terra Nova

2011-03-19T06:41:00.000-07:00

Here is a sample of some of the new plants we are growing in our new greenhouse. They should be ready for May sales

Podophyllum 'Spotty Dottty'

This brilliant hybrid of several Asian Mayapples boasts large, vigorous, lobed umbrella shaped leaves. leaves are chartreuse with dramatic chocolate-brown spotting throughout the spring. like nothing you’ve ever seen! In summer, the leaves are green with lightly spotted areas. Huge garnet-hued flowers are found under the leaves in clusters of 5 or more. This form was selected for its coloring, frost tolerance, vigor, and rhizomatous habit. All Podophyllum prefer shade and moist cool, well composted soil. Avoid drought stress. Protect from hard frosts in spring. Loves organic fertilizer or compost tea.

Cistus 'Mackie'

This stable variegated form of Cistus hybridus has a low, mounding habit that hugs the ground and creates a super colorful, evergreen colorspot. 'Mickie' hales from northern Washington State and has survived some brutal winters. Charming white flowers punctuate the flashy foliage in May and June.

Geum 'Eos'

One peek and you will see why this glowing plant was named after the goddess of the dawn. Bright orange flowers punctuate this golden statement. The compact habit makes this plant a natural for sunny containers and for the front of the border in the garden. Easy and carefree.

Pulmonaria 'Silver Bouquet'

Terra Nova's first new Pulmonaria introduction in years - why? It has it all - cevennensis breeding for mildew resistance, heat and humidity tolerance with large coral to pink to violet flowers that “look at you.” Features an excellent shelf life with a very short delay from flower to foliage form. Spectacular silver foliage makes this a winner!

Hosta 'Rasberry Sundae'

Lovely compact Hosta with beautifully variegated leaves and striking deep burgundy petioles, leaf bases, and flower stalks. Terra Nova worked on this one for many years perfecting the combination of variegation and introducing the red pigmentation to the foliage. Flower color is deep lavender purple in August.

Huecherella 'Sweet Tea'

Huge cinnamon stars are surrounded by the loveliest orange tea colored borders. A new, instant classic for containers and garden. Undeniably the most intensely colored Heucherella ever! The big, palmately cut leaves darken in the summer and lighten up again in the fall. Its H. villosa breeding gives it a big bold habit.

Helleborus 'Honeyhill Joy'

This hybrid from Honeyhill Farms is exceptional for its quantities of large, outfacing, cream-centered, white flowers over vigorous, shiny, blue tinged foliage. Plant ‘Honeyhill Joy’ at your entry to enjoy the exceptionally early 2-month long show of marvelous, late winter blooms. Foliage is exceptionally weather-resistant.

Helleborus 'Hot Flash'

Sumptuously silvered and red veined, this outstanding evergreen Hellebore sports deeply serrate edges to create one HOT leaf. Blooms in late winter to early spring with pale green flowers blushed with pink. Wonderful in the front of the border for its clean good looks and winter interest. requires good drainage to thrive.

Huechera 'Midnight Rose'

Hot pink splashes adorn this vigorous growing ‘Obsidian’ sport. Pink flecks emerge in spring and continue to enlarge and brighten before lightening to cream as the season progresses. Bold, black, and beautiful for sunny locations. This marvelous addition was discovered at Behnke Nursery. A special find! Voted Best New Plant in Show at the Woking Nursery show in England in 2008.

Eucomis 'Oakhurst'

Strap-like burgundy foliage and pineapple-like stalks of creamy flowers. Originally found in a San Diego Nursery, this deep-purple leafed novelty has loved blazing sun there for nearly 20 years. It has a tropical look and combines well in mixed containers. Also, it lasts an amazing 21 days as a cut flower!

Coreopsis 'Cranberry Ice'

Compact habit with continuous bloom of cranberry colored flowers with a white edge. Blooms all summer. Lovely, informal mounding habit, lends itself to containers or beds.

Acanthus 'Whitewater'

This vigorous, variegated Acanthus has striking, bold leaves with deeply cut white margins and splashing. It forms a large clump with 4’ tall showy flower stalks with pink and cream flowers in summer. This was bred with A. ‘Summer Beauty’ for vigor, more hardiness and heat and humidity tolerance.

New plants this week

2011-03-13T12:19:00.000-07:00

Belarina Primulas

Beautiful double Belarina primula have arrived at the nursery.

Belarina has an exciting new range of fully double fragrant primulas hardy to zone 5.

Vibrant colours to brighten beds, patios, containers, and window boxes from late January onwards.

Great early season colour.

Enjoy them as a houseplant or give them as a host gift.

Once the flowers fade they may be planted in the garden as they are a true perennial.

David & Priscilla Kerley specialize in breeding patio plants and created these beauties

http://www.kerley.co.uk/index.htm

Laser Series Cyclamen

Hardy Cyclamen have never been as big and showy as their florist trade relations. The new Laser series marries big showy foliage and flowers with a hardy plant.

They are in fact the same species as the florists variety 'Cyclamen persicum' but have been bred for species hardiness.The species persicum is marginally hardy in zone 8, so technically is worth a try in a sheltered location in Victoria.

There are no guarantees these beauties will over winter reliably here in Victoria, but I for one will be one of those who just has to try.

Even if they are not hardy they will make an amazing bedding out plant, and companion to the early spring plants. I already love them in containers.

If you can't bear to risk losing them , they could easily be overwintered in containers brought into a garage or unheated greenhouse that will stay above 0 Celsius. I have found cases of them surviving to below -3 Celsius.

Super Trooper Dianthus

I first tried Super Trooper Dianthus 4 years ago and I haven't been able to say enough nice things about this plant ever since. It is an all weather trooper that just keeps on going and going.

I couldn't resist trying it because it looked to good to be true, great big carnationlike fragrant blooms on a compact plant. I couldn't believe it was a dianthus.

I put it in a container at my front door, even though that spot is "too shady" and it thrived, and bloomed and bloomed. It was still blooming at Christmas. I figured it would bloom itself to death, and wondered if it was going to survive the winter.

It took right back up flowering in January, although I must admit the flowers looked like they had been borne of a winter freeze.

I have read this variety is short lived, but my four year old plant is still a marvel to me. It hasn't bloomed all winter again, having settled nicely into the seasons, but it always has a very long bloom period. The first flush is heavy, then it keeps right on putting out blooms all summer.

Everything 20% off Sale

2011-02-22T17:26:00.000-08:00

Urban Oasis is having a pre-season clearance sale.

Everything in the store 20% off including new inventory.

We have gorgeous Helleborus, and the bulbs and seeds are in in.

The perennials are waking up,looking good ,and some even flowering.

Check out our funky hand crafted garden art objects new this season.

4649 West Saanich Rd
250 479 6868
www.urbanoasisgardening.net

winter hours- Open 10-4 daily (closed Monday)

The Greenhouse, or the House that Bob built

2011-02-13T08:55:00.000-08:00

This is what used to be among other things a goat house. It also has served originally as a pump house for a nursery operation, a playhouse, and a chicken barn.

The back wall was caving in and the roof sagging badly so we either had to renovate it or tear it down.

I had been toying with putting some chickens in it, but it needed work, and I wasn't sure if they would be a good fit with the Garden Centre.

We decided to strip it, and turn it into a greenhouse! Now why did that brilliant idea take a year to figure out?

My Dad, who can do anything came to the rescue, and turned the derelict building into a shiny new greenhouse completed with recycled materials.

We removed the dying Alder from in front of the Greenhouse this Fall.

This is what it looks like today in glorious morning sunshine.

We put it to good use over wintering plants this winter, and more exciting growing the first of our own plants for sale this Spring at the store.

It's already full to the rafters, you can see our 1st hanging baskets through the window.

It's the perfect location for our potting bench.

No work space at home, but still want to make your own hanging basket, come check out the view from the potting bench. We can set you up with everything you need, no need to lug soils, and plants home.

New Pond at Urban Oasis

2011-02-13T08:39:00.000-08:00

This hole will be a beautiful water feature soon!

Here is Dave working away in the cold of January, while I am in California visiting my Mom.

He doesn't appear too cold.

I know how cold and rainy it actually was though!

Brrrr

Here is what I came home to, what a wonderful surprise.

I am so excited, it's my turn to landscape around the pond.

Hmmm, how about a yellow Cryptomeria to start? Oh, the possibilities are endless.

Naww, thats not it.

I know I have to use 'Magic Merlot' the new variegated Skimmia. What goes with Merlot?

Blue Juniper ooh liking that, and Luma nice variegation, mahogany stems, lovely super fragrant blooms, but is there room for my new favorite ' Chocolate Box' Podocarpus, yum yum this is fun.

We are almost finished.

....just a couple bare spots for ground cover vines, I am waiting for. Have you ever seen a ground cover Clematis shrub, I discovered this gem last year. It blooms in summer.

I am planting ground cover perennial sweet pea vine for a Spring show tumbling over the rocks along the water fall too.

Your all invited to come see the pond, and the progress of the gardens. Grab a bench and relax with a cup of free trade coffee from Georgie's Cafe, browse the garden centre, and enjoy Dave Jewitt of Ponds Victoria's beautiful work.

This week at the store

2011-02-12T11:53:00.000-08:00

.Spring is in the air, flowers are beginning to bloom, perennials are emerging, and new growth is appearing on trees, and shrubs. I love this time of year, and the promise of all that is to come.

I have hit a few of the local nurseries, and made my first purchases of the season. We have also been busy grooming over wintered plants, and setting up the propagation benches. I have quite a few surprises for this season.

I have purchased a line of named Iris that we will begin selling this Spring as well as holding some back for propagation and breeding. We will carry about 60 named varieties, and begin the process of breeding our own lines.

I also purchased a collection of Amaryllis Belladonna seedlings with red and orange-red parents. They should bloom as a mixture of reds (half or more) and dark pinks. Check out the link below for more info on the breeder and Amaryllis belladona.

http://www.edensblooms.com/product/AB3

Another exciting purchase I am trying because how could I not is a tree Dahlia from Strange and Wonderful Things Nursery; it really is up to 20' tall and has stalks which look like bamboo...WILD!

http://www.strangewonderfulthings.com/105.htm

We also will be germinating Hosta seedlings from a selection of breeders seeds for streaked plants out of Alttara Sheer genetics

http://www.foosf.com/alttara.php

An article on Streaked Hosta's

http://www.inthecountrygardenandgifts.com/articles/streaked_hostas.php

If you have never made the trip to visit Fraser Thimble Nursery I highly recommend it as a wonderful way to spend a day. I always love visiting Saltspring. We handpicked an amazing selection of Hosta's for Febuary /March sales, as well as a few other goodies, and lots of ideas for later. Here are the Helleborus we chose from their selection, they have many others available. If you like what you see, you must consider attending their Hellaboranza event Feb 19th.

Helleborus x hybridus 'Swirling Skirts'

Ht.30-45cm. Z4. Wonderful new selection of Double white lenten rose! This plant boasts large flowers with ruffled, light green outer petals while the inner petals are white with faint purple spots.

Helleborus x sternii 'Hot Flash'

Ht.30cm. Z5. A gorgeous evergreen variety with deeply serrated, silvery leaves with red stems and veins. Blooms in late winter/early spring with pale green flowers with a pink blush.

Helleborus x hybridus 'Mardi Gras Bicolor Mix'

Ht.40-150cm. Z5. A strain with bicolored blooms in a blend of violet and white, to reddish cream and warm pink. Single flowers typically with darker edges (picotee). From breeder Charles Price. Awesome picotee flowers.

Helleborus x hybridus ‘Mardi gras Doubles’

Ht.45-60cm. Z4-5. From the breeder Charles Price comes this series from seed with very large double flowers ranging in color from deep reddish purples and pink through to light pink and white.

Helleborus X hybridus White Lady Spotted

Ht. 30-40cm. Z.4-5. White spotted red.The Helleborus X hybridus 'Lady Series was developed by Gisela Schmiemann these hybrids have superior colors, upright stems with large rounded flowers. These are the first seed strain to come over 80% true from seed! So expect some variation from plant to plant .Plant in sun to part shade in well drained soil.

Helleborus X hybridus Red Lady

Ht. 30-40cm. Z.4-5. Clear red flowersThe Helleborus X hybridus 'Lady Series was developed by Gisela Schmiemann these hybrids have superior colors, upright stems with large rounded flowers. These are the first seed strain to come over 80% true from seed! So expect some variation from plant to plant .Plant in sun to part shade in well drained soil.

Helleborus X hybridus Metallic blue lady

Ht. 30-40cm. Z.4-5. Powdery blue-purple flowers.The Helleborus X hybridus 'Lady Series was developed by Gisela Schmiemann these hybrids have superior colors, upright stems with large rounded flowers. These are the first seed strain to come over 80% true from seed! So expect some variation from plant to plant .Plant in sun to part shade in well drained soil.

Helleborus X hybridus Blue Lady

Ht. 30-40cm. Z.4-5. Bluish-purple flowers.

The Helleborus X hybridus 'Lady Series was developed by Gisela Schmiemann these hybrids have superior colors, upright stems with large rounded flowers. These are the first seed strain to come over 80% true from seed! So expect some variation from plant to plant .

Helleborus x hybridus `Double Queen Mix’

Ht. 40-60cm. Z4. This strain originates from Washfield Nurseries in England and is still overseen by Elizabeth Strangman. A great double flowered strain that self sows in the garden at almost 100% Doubles.

Helleborus x ericsmithii 'HGC Winter's Bliss'y buds that open to large creamy white flowers with dark pink reverse. aka HGC Champion

Here is a link to Thimble Farms, and their contact info.

Thimble Farms Nursery

Fraser's Thimble Farm

175 Arbutus Road
Salt Spring Island B.C.
V8K1A3

Phone/fax 250-537-5788

email thimfarm@telus.net

Another plant I fell in love at first sight with is Skimmia 'Magic Merlot' it will truly knock your socks off all year long.

Skimmia 'Magic Merlot'

Compact evergreen shrub sits perfectly in containers to give a wonderful display. Variegated foliage is medium green with a cream edge. Spring brings rich-flowering, white blooms. Early Fall produces green-white buds that turn wine red as the temperature drops. Tolerant of heat and dry soils. Available only in Canada. A mounded, upright, evergreen accent works for the border, garden bed or large/mixed containers.

It looks stunning next to Juniper 'Blue Star', I am planting it around our new display pond, alongside Gerhard Azalea 'Hot Shot ', Lithodora 'Grace Ward, an un-named variegated carex with a fine texture, and a specimen red weeping japanese maple.

The picture doesn't do it justice!

Would You Buy a Christmas Tree Online?

2010-12-12T10:15:00.000-08:00

I have been involved in selling Christmas trees for close to twenty years, AND I never imagined the possibility of purchasing one online. Yes ONLINE. And the generation before mine thought things changed quickly, my head is spinning. I just came across this Ad a several minutes ago. I started writing immediately but was interrupted by the happiest, and largest gang of tree shoppers I have encountered thus far. Three families, who each year go for breakfast then tree shopping together, all with big smiles and good cheer. I wish I had a prize for them "Happiest Shoppers Ever!"

Anyway back to my "Would you buy a Christmas Tree Online" quandary. The tree arrives by mail in a handy 60" x 9" x9" sized box. If a monster tree is your thing, this will not be your tree shopping answer. But, what if your happy with a nice modest tree? It seems wrong, but wait, I ship and receive daylilies bare root and they are quite fine after their time in a box. It is possible you could get a fresher tree than going to a box store tree lot for instance. Many people do not realize the typical Christmas tree is cut, wrapped, shipped, and stored before it hits the lot. It is an industry practice to start cutting Oct/Nov to get all those trees processed and out to the consumer. If the tree was cut boxed and shipped same day, then sent with a overnight to 2-3 day delivery it starts to be an interesting idea.

Personally I like knowing the providence of my tree. I have seen some very sad trees come out of the October/Nov mass cut- store-ship scenario. It's not that this doesn't work, surprisingly it works well enough. In my Christmas tree experiences there are always some unsold trees, and one year the company I worked for had to wait till Spring to dispose of them. They having been stored outside were absolutely fresh when we got to them , 4-5 months after they had been cut.

Where things really can go wrong is in the shipping /storing as well as the weather during cutting, and where they are from. Cut your trees in a hard cold snap, big needle drop later. Have your cut trees too wet, or too frozen in storage big problems. Store in big piles, is that wrong, oh yeah, think compost pile. It goes on and on. I will not sell anything but fresh cut trees. It's one of those things that to me technically should be fine, and often is, but if you really want to know your tree is going to be fresh always buy a fresh cut tree. Support your local retailer, and farmer, and it's win win for everyone.

I always buy local trees, we are blessed in our area to be free of needle cast diseases that can effect cut trees coming from off the Island.I have been to the farms I buy my trees from. I also know what the weather was when the trees I buy were cut. I can avoid taking trees cut in severe weather. All the warm rainy weather going on right now is perfect Christmas tree cutting weather. Remember our "feels like minus 16" weather in November my trees were not cut then. A little knowledge goes a long way. I buy in small quantities, sometimes my trees were cut only hours ago, more often a few days ago but thats a very good turn around, and to be applauded not concerned about.

So what are your thoughts tree in a box, it's interesting, but not for me. I like to pick out a tree, and drag it home. End of season, if someone would come put it in a box when I am done with it that would get my attention.

Inspire the Way you live with Stunning Canvas Art

2010-12-07T23:51:00.000-08:00

Urban Oasis is now carrying beautiful outdoor canvas art, follow the link to learn more.

http://artfulgardener.blogspot.com/2010/12/inspire-way-you-live-with-stunning.html

Holiday Hours

2010-12-06T18:10:00.000-08:00

We are open later for Christmas Tree Sales, here are our Holiday hours.

Monday 10-5
Tuesday 10-5
Wednesday 10-7
Thursday 10-7
Friday10-7
Saturday 9-5
Sunday 10-4

Happy Holidays
Sandra

Christmas Trees Arrive today

2010-12-02T09:26:00.000-08:00

The Christmas Trees arrive today

Urban Oasis is proud to offer fresh cut local Christmas Trees from Wintergreen Christmas Tree Farm in Mill Bay.

We went out to the farm last year to check out the trees, and they are all gorgeous trees.

The trees are lovingly cared for, using a modern approach tempered with old fashioned know how.

They are all grown from seedlings, which makes a big difference in obtaining a straight trunk.

These seedlings have been very carefully selected from favorite trees growing on the property.

How could a tree not be a "Happy Tree", being grown amongst generations of family, and this view.

We met the family dog, and had a good tromp through the property.

Wintergreen Tree Farm,

locally owned and family operated on

Vancouver Island,

harvests a variety of beautifully shaped

Christmas trees.

They harvest a variety of high quality Christmas trees with healthy,
dense foliage... Full of the fresh scent of Christmas!
Douglas Fir, Grand Fir, Noble, Pine
Range of sizes from tabletop (3 feet) to 9 feet
Extra large trees available for those special occassions
All trees are freshly cut for delivery
Tree baling optional
Family owned and operated since 1972, their trees are grown and handled with care.
Share the Christmas spirit!

Christmas Tree Varieties

All available in sizes averaging from 3 feet to 9 feet

We have Extra Large trees available for your Christmas Gala, banquet or busy foyer!

Pine Tree

Noble Fir

Grand Fir

Douglas Fir

Urban Oasis

Christmas tree price list

#1 Douglas fir 6’-7 ½’ $39.99

#2 Douglas fir 5’-7 ½’ $34.99

#1 Douglas fir 7 ½’-9’ $49.99

#3 Asst species 4’-6’ $29.99

Asst table top 3’ $19.99

#1 Grand fir 6’-7 ½’ $49.99

#2 Grand fir 5-7 ½’ $39.99

#1 Scotch pine 6’-8’ $39.99

Noble fir 6’-7 ½’ $59.99

Small Noble $39.99

Making Reindeer

2010-12-02T07:43:00.001-08:00

Here is our first Reindeer...ta-da...opps the antlers are on backwards.

Look at out front yard in November, this was the coldest November day on record.

We closed the store and stayed home in the cozy garage making Reindeer.

First I traced the template of our Reindeer onto a sheet of plywood,...

then my crafty elf cut out the pieces, with his flash new jigsaw.

Look at that Elf go.

Now he is painting the deer,with what was determined by a group of man shoppers at the paint store to be a deer color.

I trust my Elf to chose deer colored paint, he is very cute in his Santa hat too.

Look how he just loves being documented in my Making Reindeer Post, he's a "Keeper Elf".

Here are the Reindeer set for a test run, we left off some of the antlers just in case.

They all survived last nights 60km winds beautifully!

Oh Elf, two more Reindeer, and 6 sets of antlers please.

Prospect Lake Soccer Christmas Tree Sale

2010-10-28T10:06:00.000-07:00

Urban Oasis is hosting a Christmas Tree Sale fundraiser for Prospect Lake Soccer, $5 from, each Christmas tree sold by Prospect Lake Soccer goes back to the club. If you would like to support PSL then order your tree from them this year.

We are offering beautiful fresh cut local trees from Wintergreen Tree Farms in Mill Bay. The 5-7" sheared Douglas firs are a good deal at $39.99 plus hst.

http://www.plsc.org/

Fair Trade Mexico

2010-05-01T07:57:00.001-07:00

My pictures are not doing these pieces justice. They are all handmade and the detail is exquisite.

Some fun new things

2010-05-01T07:47:00.001-07:00

I could not resist these crows. Forget people watching try crow watching sometime. Anyway these wrought iron crows make me chuckle.
The Travelocity gnome, everyone knows someone who needs this. Another could not resist purchase for the store.
I have brought in some truly beautiful rain chains from Ravenwood metalworks. We have 3 styles on sale through May as an extension of the Homeshow Specials. You must see these if your considering rainchains. They are lighter than the cast iron and will not rust. They come in 53 styles and range in character from sophisticated to whimsical.

upcoming projects

2010-05-01T07:16:00.000-07:00

The rock wall is still a work in progress, the face is filling in nicely. The Lewisia came through winter and is looking amazing.
The top of the wall has been planted with nerine bulbs, and the start of my Daylily demonstration garden. I should have over 80 named cultivars by June. Many will be cutting edge breeding from the US, including a number of 2010 introductions.
Does this look like a pond yet? Look for a spectacular waterfall, and a lovely pool sometime this summer.
Sadly our little goat shed, and my dreams of chickens are gone. The sheds roof and back corner were rotting and unsafe. Repairing these defects, replacing some posts, and the roof led to stripping down the building, which led to....a Greenhouse plan!
Here is where we took out the rotting back wall. Where there once was rot and sag, will be windows and a back door.
Instead of a fence, and chickens, we have a potting bench for customer use, and a greenhouse for me. Now thats some daylily dreaming in the making.
These 1400 or so daylily seedlings started life in my garage. I will have over 3000 unique daylily seedlings by summers end. I guess the "daylily farm" is next years project.

New pottery is in !

2010-05-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

I love these new pots, they come in great colors, and the saucer is built in.

These are a great too. They are completely biodegradable and last as long as plastic. They are made from the waste chaff when rice is processed. The natural glues in the rice hold the pots together and the added color is safe.These are just way too cool.
Our Malay pots are a best value item, they come in 6 beautiful colors, and an incredible price point. The set of 4 is on sale thru May just $49.99 or purchase seperately starting at just $6.99.

Yes!, we have the face pots again this year. Have some fun with these. They have been a very popular gift.

Settling in for first Spring

2010-05-01T06:39:00.000-07:00

It's been a lot of work, but things are coming together nicely. We are excited entering into our first Spring in our new location.
We have lots of perennials in stock, and more bedding coming in all the time. It's still a little chilly.
The plant of the month this month is the Pearl bush. When it buds out the unopened blooms look like a string of pearls.
The demo beds are in full of tulips. I am very pleased with the result of last years planting and how well they stood up to howling wind storms. I expected them to be flattened but they remained as cheery as ever.
We tidied up our little side entrance with Urban Oasis letters my Mom painted, and a new tippy pot display.
Happy Spring, come check out our progress, and don't forget if you need gardening advice we pride ourselves in great one on one service.

About - www.GardenBloggers.com

2009-12-17T13:39:00.000-08:00

About - www.GardenBloggers.com

Island Daylily Farm

2009-07-18T11:21:00.000-07:00

Brennan and I took an afternoon off from renovating the nursery. I became inspired by Julia Brooke's post on Used Vic reminding daylily lovers that it was peak bloom period at the farm. My daylily obsession led us to Island Daylily Farm in Shawnigan Lake. I came across the Island Daylily web site last year, and have a long list of must haves from their catalogue. I have been busy planting daylily seeds, and fans purchased from the lily auction, but purposely have held off buying those available locally. Island Daylily Farms collection includes many varieties in the parentage of some of my daylily purchases, so I was keen to see the plants in bloom.

Prauge Spring

The drive out to the farm was lovely, and was a quick 30 minutes from Victoria. We found it easily as several phone poles leading to the farm had teasing messages to guide us along. The driveway is a little steep, but easy enough for even my little car. Brennan was calling for his bumper sticker before I noticed the "I survived the Island Daylilies driveway" bumper sticker on Julia's car. She had a sticker ready for us, and it is now on my car.

White Temptation

The daylilies were exquisite as promised as, and I thoroughly enjoyed a lengthy peruse amongst the well labelled beds. Brennan noted all the work that went into the retaining walls, and with an " they all look pretty to me" , retired to the shade. It was certainly hot, the dog hid under the car prompting us to head to the lake after our visit.

Annie Golightly

I bought 5 plants from my list, had a delightful chat with Joan, and plan on returning again soon. I need to pot up the 3000 seedlings I have before I go wild with more purchases.

Divertissment

If you are a fan of Daylilies I reccomend a trip out to Island Daylily Farms. It's an easy drive and you can also take in lunch, the Glassblowing studio, Silver Sage nurseries, or one of the wine tours the area boasts.

Little Grapette

Island Daylily Farms 1291 E. Shawnigan Lake Rd,

http://www.islanddaylily.ca/

http://urbanoasisdaylilies.blogspot.com/

We are Settling in

2009-06-30T20:56:00.000-07:00

Moving the garden centre during May was a busy time, therefore I haven't spent much time blogging. We are very excited about our new location and settling in nicely. Renovations will continue for some time, it is coming together, and we have lots of surprises in store. Check out the pics.

Meet Cleo our new puppy.

The first pallet of Seasoil.

The cash desk is in place. In the background you can see the double doors that will be used for the side entrance to the nursery

Geraniums in place and open for business.

Lots of new giftware and tropicals in our giftshop.

The new windows replaced chainlink over boards. It looks like a store!

We had to bring the succulent chair with us from the old site. It's filling in nicely after a tough winter.

The pond benches are up, and the water plants arrived this Friday.

Agapanthus in full bloom.

This is a new red Cordyline, what a show stopper.

We have dahlias in 2 gallon pots for great instant color. I couldn't resist snapping a pic of this orange beauty.

A couple of the demonstration flower beds have been planted.

The foxgloves and Tiarella are towering over the shelves.

We brought in a collection of gorgeous ferns from Novus Nursery.

We also added a new line of statuary to our collection.

This cutie, is Campanula "Samantha".

Brennan planted the rock wall in the side yard, we plan on expanding our herbs, and rockery section into this hot sunny section of the nursery.

A few of the rockery and Alpine plants.

Orange pot lilies paired up with a couple of the grasses.

We have several Campanulas coming into bloom.

Grasses and Hebes form a good drought resistant combo for a sunny spot.

Agave, Yuccas, and Echevaria.

Looking toward the front gate.

The old red barn will hold chickens one day.

I wanted to do something fun for kids by the gate to the chicken coop, so I made a Fairy garden.

" The Watcher" looks over the garden.

The Fairy garden was the perfect use for an ugly power pole in the middle of the nursery.

These concrete hobbit house fronts, are available, and make creating a miniature garden a snap.

Looking toward barn, and back of nursery.

My favorite Gargoyle, content under a Japanese maple.

The Gary Oak keeps the temperature pleasant in the Garden Centre.

We have had a good time planting various grasses, groundcovers, and succulents as hair for the Facepots.

Entrance to undercover area.

Check back soon, we have lots of renovation plans in the works. Drop by and say Hi, we would love to give you a tour.

Daylilies

2009-04-11T07:48:00.000-07:00

I have been busy this Spring, planning the move, renovating the new site, running the current store location,.... and growing daylily seedlings. The new store will have space for demonstration beds, so I have been having great fun on the lily auction.

http://www.daylily.com/cgi-bin/auction.cgi

I have been bidding on seeds and a few plants I think will be important for starting a breeding program. I plan on putting several hundered plants around my garden centre. I am hoping from these will get a few exceptional plants.

Hybridizing daylilies is relatively straight forward, and they are easy rewarding plants for gardeners of all levels. Daylilies have changed dramatically if you think of them as that orange flower that will grow anywhere, often the last plant hanging in in neglected old gardens. The Orange ditch lily ...the zucchini of the flower border, something a neighbour has donated because they were invasive but pretty has come a long way.

Many species of the daylily have been found in China and Japan. They are rarely found in today's gardens, as the new hybrids have far surpassed them in beauty, form, and color range. It was through the efforts of hybridises in the United States and England that great improvements in the daylilies have taken place during the last 75 years. Originally the only colours were yellow, orange and fulvous red, and today we have colours ranging from near-whites, pastels, yellows, oranges, pinks, vivid reds, crimson, purple, the elusive blacks and nearly true blues, and fabulous blends.

Daylilies are propogated by division, or may be hybridized and grown from seeds. Every seedling will be a unique individual taking on characteristics from it's parents and ancestors. If you have ever purchased a named variety daylily it was most likely a division divided from a mother plant, a clone of the plant that looks like it's name. If you cross two daylilies you will get a seedling that has never been seen before. They are just like our children, you will not know if they will look like great Uncle Bob, your sister, your Mom, you or Dad. They may have strong family resemblences or look completely different, strong, tall, short, Nobel Prize winner or bank robber, it's all genetic mystery, an arts and crafts of sorts, all we know is that they will be unique.

Some daylilies will have dominant desirable traits, and those are important to breeding lines. New traits are often recessive, and must be coaxed from the gene poole. Recessive traits can be linked to weak less beneficial genetics characteristics that through natural selection have been supressed. These qualities we find desirable must then be stabalized in a line, and crossed with strong plant qualities to create a good garden specimen. It can take many years to breed a plant worth becoming a named cultivar. There however are over 65,000 registered cultivars.

It is inexpensive to purchase seed from the lily auction, and a great way to collect a large variety of plants of varied genetic make up. If you want to buy plants they too can be cheap, the new release plants where important break throughs have been made can be very expensive. Plants can range in price from a few dollars to several thousand.

My budget and sense of adventure said seeds. I have seeds from plants out of my price range, amazing crosses that I can dream will pass on the best qualities from their parents and give me something new and spectacular.

We are moving !

2009-03-26T14:39:00.000-07:00

Urban Oasis is very pleased to announce we are moving to a new location.

Remember the Ploughshare Farm Market?

.
We will be moving to the old Ploughshare site 4649 West Saanich Rd along side The Bagel Queen Bakery.

Look for us as we begin preparing the site for June 1st.

We will be open thru May at our Quadra St location. Watch for great specials this Spring as we Clear out inventory for the move.

Thanks everyone for making our time on Quadra St a delight, we look forward to serving you better in our fabulous new space.

Come see us in June, the new site has easy parking, and we have a few surprises planned.

Evergreen Wreaths

2008-11-25T12:07:00.000-08:00

Wreath making is an easy and rewarding fall project. A wealth of wreath materials can be collected from fall pruning chores, maybe your neighbor needs a hand if your garden doesn’t contain the right shrubs, or trees. One cedar hedge will have enough materials for an entire block.

Most evergreen plants can be used in mixed wreaths. I like to use as many species of conifer as I can find, and broadleaf evergreens such as Salal, and Holly, but have even added English laurel, Osmanthus, Viburnum, and evergreen Magnolia to the mix.

The first step is to bulk out, and disguise the wire frame by wiring moss or cedar boughs to it. Paddle wire wound around the frame will hold everything together.

I make small bouquets from the materials I have collected, wiring the stems to hold them as a unit. The shorter your bundles the more you will need. Most wreaths will take 25 of more of these bundles.

When you have your bundles complete place the first one on the wreath wrap your wire over the stem and around your wreath form until it is secure. If you wish you can add a bit of moss over the stem ends before wiring. Lay your next bundle the same way, covering the first ones stems by the second ones top, and wire as before. Continue to wire in the remaining bundles until the wreath form is filled.

Once the form is filled you can add accents like a bow or wire in contrasting foliage or berry to decorate. Make sure you add a loop of wire for hanging, and you’re done.

Christmas Trees

2008-11-21T17:21:00.000-08:00

Christmas Trees

Urban Oasis is pleased to offer fresh cut Christmas trees from our friends at Wintergreen tree farms in Mill bay. The last two cool wet springs have grown the best trees in twenty years. We have a size to suit any home, and all your favourite varieties.

This year a portion of each Christmas tree sale is being donated to the Salvation Army Children’s fund

Urban Oasis Garden Centre 4085 Quadra St
479-6868
www.urbanoasisgardening.net

November Interest

2008-11-10T12:02:00.001-08:00

November in the garden, is full of magic. We love autumn leaf colors, like a gorgeous sunset, we are moved by anew by the hues of the turning leaves each fall.

Fall is turning leaves, but there is something special about the flowers and berries that take the stage after the summer show closes.

Chocolate Joe Pye Weed, Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate' is in full bloom this month. It's summer job as a chocolaty backdrop for my orange geraniums done, it breaks into bloom.

Pyracantha is a versatile plantthat provides brilliant fall color, late season bird food and shelter.

Crinodendron is a lovely fall addition. It's blooms exactly match the brilliant fall leaves of the Burning bush Euonymus alatus , and the blooms of the fall flowering perennial Schizostylis .

I love to surprise guests, by enticing them to try my Wintergreen, Gaultheria procumbens berries. They really do taste just like wintergreen lifesavers, and the big red berries look great for Christmas.

Viburnum davidii, is another plant that shines in the fall, glossy leaves, mahogany stems, and those metallic blue berries never cease to amaze.

One of my favorite plants is Viburnum tinus, I use the lower growing Gwenallin for foundation plantings, and Spring bouquet as a hedging or specimen plant. This plant always looks good, and often displays, buds, flowers, and berries simultaneously. It is very prolific, so I steal it's flowers for wreath-making and holiday decorating.

Pansies are the hands down winner for winter bedding out plants. If well established they will bloom most of the winter, and hold the show till the summer annuals can be safely put out.

Cotoneaster, another fabulous berry plant, that comes in a variety of forms from ground cover to large shrub. I have the damerii variety covering a rocky outcrop in my back garden where little else would grow.It has been one of the most rewarding plants, always looks healthy, and has received absolutely no help from me.

I love the groundcover, Cerastigma plumbaginoides, it's late season blue flowers and beautiful red leaves are a must see.

Bellis is a nostalgic flower for me, it always brings back memories of making daisy chains from the naturalised flowers blooming through our lawn.

Callicarpa has a very unusual berry color that create a lot of attention.

My fuchsias are still blooming like mad. I have several varieties of this plant in my garden. In our mild climate I have had good luck with some of the non hardy varieties. I have Hummingbirds living year round in my garden, so I bring home the un-sold fuchsia baskets from the store for them to enjoy. If the plant survives the winter I will plant it in the spring.

Winter flowering Heathers are an old stand by for obvious reasons. The Doris Page winter garden in Victoria is a the place to see what the local Heather Society has collected over the years.

Another of my favorites, this one is Cyclamen hederifolium, the fall blooming cyclamen. You often see it naturalised through peoples lawns.

Another favorite, seems I have a large collection of favorites that bloom in the fall. Schizostylis has this tropical look, but it blooms in the late summer through fall. I have had mine throw out blooms in January. It has an amazingly long bloom period, and is very cold tolerant.

Pampas grass is one of those love it or hate it plants. I have to admit I have been somewhat of a hater, sour grapes from being cut up by it while trying to steal it's blooms from the neighbours yard as a kid perhaps? I will say, I have admired it of late, and must agree it makes a real show this time of year.

More Schizostylis, couldn't resist one more pic.

Nerines or naked ladies must be the most exotic of the fall bloomers. They are in leaf during summer, die back in fall, and bloom from the naked earth this time of year. My patch has diminished as the light changed from sunny to shady where I grew them. I often hear how easy they are to grow, hmmmfff, I wish I had the same luck.

Fall Home and Garden Show

2008-11-03T11:09:00.000-08:00

I always enjoy the relaxed pace of the fall Home and Garden show. It's a slow season at the store, our fall booth is less grandiose, with the lack of pressure there is time to socialize. I enjoyed catching up with old friends, and chatting with the exhibitioners.

The Bartlett booth was very informative, they had some great props showing tree damages, and diseases, and well educated staff answering tree questions. They kindly let me take pictures, so I could post their examples, showing the effects of topping, planting root bound trees, girdling, and diseases.

Integral Design was there with examples of their work. I have worked a couple projects with this firm, and they are a pleasure to deal with.

I met the friendly owners of Earthworks, this hardworking duo and company already have completed an impressive portfolio of work. I look forward to seeing their company grow and expand.

Our booth was next to the Greater Victoria Compost Education Centers booth. This group is very active in local outreach. They have the best compost pamphlets, website, interpretive demonstration centre, and knowledgable volunteers. They are definately the "go to" folks for composting, and diverting organic materials from the landfill.

Last but not least here is our little booth. I partnered up with Gardenscapes, you can see "big" John in the pic. I colaborate on John's projects on a regular basis. He says, he does the heavy lifting, and I make it pretty. John has great vision,and is very talented at seeing the potential of a landscape. You can check out pics posted on his web site, from his extensive portfolio of projects.

I introduced next seasons fun Face Pots pottery collection. I grabbed the demo examples from the Canwest Horticultural Show this fall, and will receive a full shipment for the store in early Spring.

Roots in Perimeter Drains

2008-10-18T07:11:00.000-07:00

I was walking to work the other day and came across a property where the perimeter drains were being replaced. The old drain pipes lay on the front lawn, where you could see how the cedar hedges roots had completely filled them. It was a classic demonstration of the problem, so I couldn't resist coming back with my camera.

It is not so much that the roots are on a seek and destroy mission as they are opportunistic. Roots flourish where there is moisture, and you can see how well they did when the drains provided it. If you plant a big tree close to your drains they will take advantage of leaks, and wet spots. Cedars are thirsty plants, you can't blame them, it's a case where hedging was a bad option. If your property line is close to the house sometimes a fence is your best privacy option.

In our area, houses can be as close as 5 ' off the property line, now that is very close, but resist the urge to plant a hedge along this side of your property. In the case of the Western cedars you will have the added problem of plant side. This tree wants to be BIG, even with regular shearing it will encroach on your walkway. We have seen what happens underground, it's not much better above, and you may have created the same problem for your neighbour.

Cedars are beautiful hedge plants, fast and easy to grow, but often a terrible choice for the urban lot. When you choose a hedging material always consider maintenance, size of mature plants, and things like other plantings, and hardscaping. You may find the area at the foot of a hedge very hard to plant, leave ample room for beds. The foot of a cedar hedge will be dense with roots, and very dry without irrigation. They may also need to be pruned 2-3 times a year to keep them in check. You can save yourself a lot of money and heartache choosing the right planting .

Ask the Coach

2008-09-27T17:05:00.000-07:00

Ask the Coach

Urban Oasis will be at BC Women's home show and sale, where Sandra Nelson will answer your gardening questions.

October 4th & 5th

Pearkes Recreation Centre

3100 Tillicum Rd

Victoria, BC

GMO Free Vancouver Island ?

2008-07-09T13:04:00.000-07:00

I was at a Greendrinks event last night, and was made aware of a movement to make Vancouver Island GMO free. I think this is a very important safegaurd for the worlds food supply, and have noted other Islands around the world also looking toward this kind of action. If you would like to read more, click on the title to link to a full article, and further comments.
Sandra

Kingsbrae Gardens 10yr Anniversary

2008-06-29T12:03:00.000-07:00

Kingsbrae Gardens was started 10 years ago as a way to give back to St. Andrews by some wealthy long-time residents. Today it is a sprawling much-loved 27-acre estate distinguished by its sense of humour. Story by Kate Wallace.

http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/salon/article/338412

Lily Show

2008-06-28T12:01:00.000-07:00

Stop by the Lily Show this weekend, then take in some Sidney by the Sea Canada day festivities.

North American Lily Society, Inc.presents 61st Annual International Lily Conference and Show "Seaside Scentsation"
on 2 - 6 July 2008
hosted byThe Victoria Lily SocietyatMary Winspear Centre2243 Beacon AvenueSidney, British Columbia V8L 1W9

http://members.shaw.ca/lilynet/viclil/

Summer

2008-06-22T08:04:00.000-07:00

What happened to Spring?

The weather hasn't cooperated, but the flowers held up their part of the bargain. Spring bulbs have bowed out, and the summer show is taking the stage.

Another signpost of summer is the appearance of my Arisaema in the shade border. This unusual specimen remains dormant winter through Spring, suddenly appearing with the warmth.

I know it's Summer because in my yard the blooms of the bearded Iris tell me so. I was recently told they are grandma flowers, as are Oriental poppies.... hmmfff, I love mine!

Both these flowers are great examples how nature can make something spectacular from nothing.

The ground my beardies, and poppies grow in is dry and scrappy, yet these plants coax enormous luxuriant blooms from it. Froo froo, or exotic I can't walk by them without pausing to take in their beauty.

Spring into Summer Solstice Sale

2008-06-08T12:23:00.000-07:00

Spring into Summer
3rd annual
Summer Solstice Sale.

June 21st

Urban Oasis is open 8 till late

Everything in the store is 30% off.

Those friendly Master Gardener's will be in attendance to answer your questions from 11am to 3pm, Saturday and Sunday

Urban Oasis Garden Centre
4085 Quadra St
479 6868
http://www.urbanoasisgardening.net/

Y grip tool

2008-06-01T08:38:00.000-07:00

It is always nice to see new products that truly are different. I occasionally have people come to my shop with objects they would like to market. I never know how it's going to go when I hear, they have something they to show me, " it's just in the trunk of my car"

I have seen some amazing things in parking lots. It can also be an exercise in tact. Grampa's bird houses, Billy's painted rock, special one of a kind driftwood bits, decorated pots, and tools don't always hold the test of wide appeal. I am always looking for new things, and objects d' art, but retail is ruthless, it has to sell. It is with trepidation I head into the parking lot, I have been pleasantly surprised....but more often, I have to let someone down.

This was not the case when Paul, a massage therapist "with a tool, I invented", showed up. I loved it! It simply was new, and innovative, simple and effective. Again,... I was delighted, and agreed to take his product in a flash.

I have paddled competitively, and coach a seniors team, so Paul and I were on the same page when it came to wrists, ergonomic designs and neutral alignment. Paddlers suffer the same wrist issues, that are aggravated using a trowel. I was definitely his new biggest fan. I am happy to promote his new tool any way I can.

I showed it to a customer with very bad arthritis, and she agreed it was brilliant. She could hold it, and although she has very little use of one hand she could put pressure on the blade with her bad hand, while holding with her good. She thought with her body weight, and two hands it would be possible to use.

check it out for yourself,

www.ygrip.ca

........it is very reasonably priced too!

Bean bag

2008-05-20T09:21:00.000-07:00

I planted Scarlet runners pole beans, into one of the bags, I had fiberglassed. I added a bamboo tee-pee, and ta da, my bean-bag. The beans sprouted yesterday, I can't wait till they start to climb the poles.

Purse Planters

2008-05-11T09:31:00.001-07:00

I made these, and other purse planters for Mother's Day, to learn how, or to see others follow the link.

My Cherry tree.

2008-05-11T07:18:00.001-07:00

This is the view from my deck chair in May. My Kwanzan Cherry brings us a lot of pleasure. This is a beautiful tree.

It blooms with huge double pink flowers, and the new leaves are blushed with amber tones.

I get a birds eye view of these spectacular babies. The Kwanzan is great street tree, it has a big impact at a distance, even zooming by in a car.

I spent a lot of time placing this tree. I think it is 10 years old now. I wanted to see it from the patio. I measured, and measured, I wanted it as close as possible but not touching the house. I have a shady backyard so didn't want to create more shade on the sunny side. The tree is as far North as I could place it and still see it from the deck. I also wanted to see it from my bedroom window without blocking it. I moved that tree six inches here, and two feet there, for an hour before I thought it was perfect. I remember there was mocking, and even exasperation, but it was worth it.

It is close to but not touching the deck, and not encroaching on the path, all good things to consider when planting a tree.

Million dollar view.

Victoria Alpine society

2008-05-03T12:10:00.000-07:00

I recently stumbled upon a garden project of the Victoria Alpine Society. I had no idea they maintained this gem, and look forward to visiting others. They are looking for volunteers for their Hospital rock project. Here is a link to their site. http://www.virags.ca/ , and another for the garden at Beaconhill park.
http://www.peak.org/~parsont/rockgard/Victoria.htm

Tippy pots

2008-04-28T07:14:00.001-07:00

I use tippy pot stacks in my store displays, if you want to learn how follow the link.

Victoria homeshow

2008-04-27T11:23:00.000-07:00

The Victoria Home show booth, this past weekend

This bridge was stunning, pictures don't do it justice

The Mexican river rock created a quandary, everyone needed to ask if it was real. It is a beautiful pink striped marble, river tumbled smooth.

The Hellebore " Ivory Prince", matched it's color exactly.

The amazing Gardenscapes crew put all this together in a mere two days!

An artsy shot through the front gate's window. Gardenscapes had the gate, and fence custom built in cedar timber, with copper inserts, and iron accents. They like the bridge are one of a kind items created by the design team.

Kiosks with examples of our work.

The zen area, with Basalt column's from Squamish, Pom Pom Boulevard cypress from John's nursery, and pots, and granite sculpture from Urban Oasis, my garden centre.

more shots from the isle

Gardenscapes cedar gate, see John in the background, phew ....we needed to sit down.

....and me
Gardenscapes http://www.gardenscapesbyjohn.com/

Spring into Summer Sale

2008-04-20T07:36:00.000-07:00

Yes, this weekend is our big Spring fling. The Spring into Summer Sale!

April Showers

2008-04-19T08:18:00.000-07:00

It started to snow last night, this morning my spring flower bed is covered in snow instead of bathed in sunshine. Snow April 19th must be a record. I was surprised when it snowed late Febuary on my sisters birthday a couple years ago. This March I was shocked further, but late April, soon nothing will surprise me. We will need to change the sayings I grew up with; March in like a Lion, out like a Lamb, April showers bring May flowers.....hmmm, I am not sure where to begin.

Abandoned Statuary

2008-04-13T15:29:00.000-07:00

I arrived at work the other day to find a statue at my side gate. Someone no longer had use for it, and decided rather than dispose of it, it could be re-homed. Like a bag of zucchini, I assume it was deposited with good intentions, and best wishes.

I don't know it would of been every ones cup of tea, but I have a fondness for re-homed articles that appear out of the blue, it gives me a chuckle. My foundling was a Swan, a pedestal by design. It's paint is peeling, but it had a certain kitch.

It didn't take long for me to take it in and find a purpose for it. It may of been hoped I could sell it, but I put it into service instead. I had been looking for a table for my new reading nook. It needed to be small, and I was struggling to find the right thing. In a flash of inspiration, I topped the swan with an old mirror I had on hand, and voila, funky, and serviceable.

Thanks to whom it may concern, I love my new table.

If you would like to visit us, come say " Hi" you can sit in my resource library, have a cup of tea, and browse my gardening books.

Swan Lake Nature Centre's Native Plant Sale

2008-04-09T16:02:00.000-07:00

Swan Lake Nature Centre is having it's Annual Native Plant Sale. This is a very worthwhile event, if you haven't been to the centre this is a good time for a first visit.

Government House Plant Sale

2008-04-09T15:58:00.000-07:00

Daffodils

2008-04-08T18:50:00.000-07:00

Daffodils are one of my favorite Spring blooming bulbs, they are cheery and increasingly important deer resistant. I posted pics of some of the early blooming varieties flowering in my garden.

Heathers, and Heaths

2008-04-06T13:16:00.001-07:00

Last week the begining of Spring and summer flowering Heathers began to arrive. With this shipment came the Tree Heaths, "Erica arborea" These upright Heathers vary in heights between a couple of feet to over 6. My grower informed me that there is a local hedgerow where they have reached phone pole height.

The winter and Spring flowering Heathers provide great long lasting color for cool weather. I really like the Summer flowering varieties for their bright new growth. They run the gammat of pink, orange, red through bright yellow or green new growth. They do flower, but for the most part don't compare to their winter cousins for bloom. The new growth is so showy it is often mistaken for bloom, like pieris, or pointsettias.

Heathers include, Erica, Calluna, and Daboecia plants, each type varying in it's bloom period. Paying attention to selection, will provide year round blooms. Check the label, each variety has it's individual bloom cycle.

They prefer full sun, and well drained acidic soil. Add peat to soil at planting time.

Hanging Herb Baskets

2008-04-06T12:44:00.000-07:00

click link for the story

My version of the "Lawn Chair"

2008-04-02T17:19:00.000-07:00

The framework for the seat cushion, I used one on the seat, and a second for the backrest.

I have wanted create a lawn chair , ever since I came acros some on-line.

I wanted plenty of soil so the sod would thrive; I also wanted the look of a cushion.

I fabricated a cushion by making a wire frame, then covering it with landscape fabric.
First step, making the wire frame to hold the soil.
Thrift chair, wire, roll of sod, the makings of my lawn chair.

Cool new things

2008-04-01T15:50:00.000-07:00

A sales rep came by today with a tidy little unit, It looks like a kitchen appliance. It's the "Aero grow" the world's first indoor smart garden.The computerized Aero garden tells you when to add water and nutrients. The micro processor automatically adjust nutrient delivery and water flow, and even turns on and off the lights to simulate the sun.

My Mom's husband dropped by the store excited by a new product he had seen on TV, the" upside down tomato" planter. I checked it out, and I wonder...I think I am willing to buy into the concept. I will go so far as to make a new version of the hanging basket with this in mind. A sauce basket piques my interest, tomatoes, basil, and oregano might be the thing.

Here is the official site, you decide, you just never know what will work without trying. https://www.hangingtomato.com/?cid=486403

There isn't a gardener around who doesn't have a collection of plastic pots tucked away somewhere, and for everyone of those could be 10 in the local landfill. I saw a great new bio degradable pot today. I will be able to order them through my local organic fertilizer rep soon. They are sustainable, being created from rice manufacturing waste, and tree saps. If it sounds a little too much, they are very solid. They can last 18 months above ground, but break down in 6 when planted in the ground, or composted. They have been organic certified in the country of origin, and it looks promising for receiving the same here in Canada. They are a Swedish product, but will soon be manufactured locally. http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.napac.ch/GB/Produkte_bestanden/Produkte_bestanden/naturepot.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.napac.ch/GB/Produkte_bestanden/Produkte.htm&h=116&w=230&sz=9&hl=en&start=30&sig2=86sJ-in8Xl4h9oWL92KLIQ&um=1&tbnid=MLNskjw_BlFnTM:&tbnh=54&tbnw=108&ei=lz_5R8ngB5XmgwOU0ukT&prev=/images%3Fq%3DNapac%26start%3D20%26ndsp%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

Gas Mower's; BIG polluters

2008-03-30T11:35:00.000-07:00

Think about greener lawn care; A typical gas lawnmower creates as much pollution in one hour of operation as forty late model cars. A recent swedish study concluded an hour of lawn mowing was equivelant to the emissions of driving your car for one hundered hours. Small gas engines simply produce more pollution than those of cars, add up all our gas mowers, and you have the second largest contributor of damage to our air.I have owned an electric mower, and yes, I found being tethered by a power card more than annoying. It was a nuisance mowing around the many fruit trees, and beds in my large backyard.I always felt it was just a matter of time before I ran over my cord, the whole thing made me slightly nervous. Having said this, I realise they are great for some yards, and many people love them. Further to this, mowers are avaliable with re-chargable batteries.The new solar mowers have my attention, no more pulling those starter cords, never mind it's quiet, cord free, and uses renewable energy. The prices are reasonable, and as best I can tell from my research, it seems they do a reasonable job. In the past some machines were both expensive, and wimpy, for all but the postage stamp size yards.I do love my push mower, but have to admit mine gives a rather shaggy cut. I actually like the excercise it affords, and the peace of mind that I am being quiet if I mow Sunday morning. I had been considering looking for a more deluxe model, but now....hmmm, perhaps the solar ones are the thing to keep my eye on. http://www.solarispowerproducts.com/green-facts.htm

The next big thing

2008-03-29T16:16:00.000-07:00

GROWING FOOD

The Next Big Thing demands gardeners skip the petunias and plant some offbeat salad greens

Hold the hostas. And cancel the cannas.
A hot new trend is looming on the gardening front and, refreshingly, it doesn't revolve around foliage plants or in-your-face tropicals.
Quite simply, the Next Big Thing is going to be veggies. Lots and lots of veggies. Heirloom tomatoes, offbeat salad greens and stuff like that. All organically grown, of course. By us.
As concerns about the environment and chemicals used on food escalate, it's predicted that more people will decide to try cultivating a few edibles of their own. The trend toward "urban agriculture" is already big in Vancouver and Europe and has some staunch proponents in Toronto.
Gayla Trail is typical of the trend. Her feisty green-friendly website yougrowgirl.com promotes the message that "gardening is for the people" and that more urbanites should get involved.
"I'm very interested in urban agriculture because it makes sense," says Trail, fingering a pea vine growing on the roof of her Parkdale apartment. "Everyone's talking now about `buying local.' So, why not grow local, too?"
Trail says most vegetables are easy to grow (provided you have sun) and a surprising amount of them can be squeezed into a small space. They're also very decorative. On her hot, jam-packed rooftop, she cultivates everything from peas to hot peppers in containers and she has more planted in a nearby community garden.
An advocate of greening "all the empty lots and wasted spaces" in cities, this energetic young green thumb also recently helped get another community garden going in a downtown neighbourhood.
Trail is part of a movement that's swelling faster than a cucumber on phosphate fertilizer. In Vancouver, several corporations have vegetable gardens for employees to use on the roofs of their buildings. And in the U.K. (where gardening trends tend to start first), urban agriculture has become so hot that a recent issue of the Royal Horticultural Society's influential magazine The Garden was devoted entirely to vegetables, fruit and the controversy over pesticides used on food.
Growers are taking notice. Seed catalogues offer many compact varieties of vegetables that can be grown successfully in containers or small gardens.
Sales of vegetable seeds soared last year, outstripping those of flowers for the first time since the l950s.
Here in Toronto, the Toronto Botanical Garden has noticed a huge surge of interest in growing food, particularly among young people. And what everyone wants to get their hands on is exotic veggies from other countries.
"Our Japanese vegetable garden was our most visited garden last summer," says horticulturist Cathie Cox. "Everyone went straight to it. And they all wanted to know where to buy seeds of the Malabar spinach, because it was so colourful."
Demand was so great, in fact, the botanical garden started four flats of seedlings of this knock-out climbing spinach for its plant sale in May. They sold out in hours.
Trail professes a preference for colourful stuff, too.
"When you garden in a small space, you want plants that serve two purposes," she says. "They should look pretty. But if they're useful, too, that's a real bonus."
However, she thinks the biggest change taking place is in people's attitudes toward growing vegetables.
"It used be considered a low-class thing. Only immigrants did it," she says. "But, now, everyone I know wants to plant them."
Sonia Day is a writer, painter and master gardener based in Belwood, Ont. Contact her through soniaday.com.
http://www.thestar.com/article/232034

12 sign's your a Garden Hoe

2008-03-25T15:33:00.000-07:00

Garden Hoe’s

The first day of spring has arrived, stirring our souls, and planting the seeds of a new season in our thoughts. It started weeks ago, I see them in my shop," Garden Hoe's", women with dirty secrets, and plant addictions. I recognize them, I'm a whoreticulturist …and I run a small garden centre. Sow what, I sell plants and accessories to them, if I didn't they would just go to the box stores for a cheap fix. I try and help, I understand them, I offer professional advice, I have quality product, and I don’t judge.

It started early this year, I thought the nursery was empty, when heading to the back corner I startled a young women. Her eyes like saucers, her face turning crimson; "I'm sorry" she sputtered before dropping her gaze. In her mitten’d hand, weeds; I had inadvertently caught her weeding my untended pots. I touched her woolen hand, "it's ok, I have to go back inside, you stay out here "." If you want to come in, I have a large collection of back issue Gardening magazines downstairs, you can sit and read for awhile if you like". Garden porn, sometimes it’s the best thing to offer.

They are easy to recognize at the cash desk. They try and pass for just another customer, but I sense their angst, the shame, and the burden of their obsessions. I am gentle; they have enough to be defensive about. I hold eye contact; we speak a silent language. I break the ice with a question," will you need to lie about that, will you hide it when you get home"? The pent up emotions, fears, strain, and pretense spill out in a verbal torrent.

" I hide them in the garage, when my husband goes out I will plant them. I tell him they have been growing there since last year; he knows I am lying. I can’t help myself.

Then there are the hardened ones, they rush in and out, ask if I will remove the prices, pay cash, and admit they are supposed to be somewhere else. I have been asked for 50% off stickers to be applied to purchases, or if I can hold till a spouse is out of town. I have been there, I know all this too well.

Are you a "Garden hoe"?
12 sure signs.

Increased activity

You find yourself waking early to garden before work, and rushing home after to get in another fix.

You garden until it is too dark to see.

Decreased sleep

You hate mornings, but you rise early to create more gardening hours in the day.

You stay up late into the night reading garden porn, and fantasizing what you will do this season.

Worrying about nocturnal pests, gets you out of bed to check plants in the middle of the night.

Impulsive or/ risky decisions

You go to the garden centre for one plant, and come home with one of each cultivar.

You buy a new plant knowing you have no room in any of your beds.

You buy a must have exotic, too tender for your zone.

You buy a plant that loves sun when all you have is shade.

Lie, or refuse to say where have been.

Have bribed your child, or friend, not to tell you have bought more plants

Hidden plants to plant later when you’re alone

Removed or changed price tags on purchases so spouse doesn’t know what you’ve spent.

Keep a secret stash of money for garden supplies

Made up stories or alibis to cover up your horticultural escapades.

Begin stealing

You have taken snips off friends or neighbors plants without their knowledge

You have divided plants, or taken snips from public gardens, parks, or retail centres.

You carry bags and gardening tools in your purse or the trunk of your car.

Missing family or social events

You have made excuses to miss events so you can garden

You have lost track of time and gardened through important social occasions, or appointments.

You have double booked over an important function, when something better, "horticultural" came up.
.
Angry/ or defensive without causes

You have been moody, or distracted when your spouse surprises you with an invitation to

Sunday brunch; it’s sunny and you would rather garden.

You are pre-occupied at a sunny family picnic because you are desperate to go home and water.

You would just rather be gardening

Abandon old friends to spend time with other addicts

You have joined a garden clubs

You would rather go to the Orchid show than coffee with your girlfriend

You start visiting your "new friend’s" gardens

Trouble paying bills

You have spent grocery, or essential money on plants.

Your gardening project has gone way over budget.

Neglect self, or family

You treat your plants better than you treat yourself.

You care more about the appearance of your yard than yourself, your children, or spouse.

You have more pictures of the garden, than of your kids.

The kids are upset, because there is no lawn left to play on.

You ask for manure for your birthday

You have stopped trying to keep your fingernails or knees clean.

Neglect possessions or home

You only do housework when it rains.

Spring-cleaning happens in January.

You have damaged your car using it as a truck.

Obsessive or irrational behavior

All your fantasies are about gardening.

You own a miner’s style headlamp so you can pick slugs at night.

You have gardened in mittens.

You have more than 10 cultivars of any plants.

You have stopped cleaning your fingernails.

You have dirty fingernails year round.

You check the weather before your morning pee, or coffee.

Your lawn keeps shrinking, and you can no longer see the house.

You are eyeing the strip of lawn between the sidewalk and road.

You have been caught weeding public or commercial property.

You are trying to garden in your neighbor’s yard

Seeds have germinated in the soil build up in your trunk.

You don’t realize your in pain, sun burnt, bug bitten, frozen, or bleeding during gardening.

You can't remember how old you will be this birthday, but you know all the 2011 NEW release plants by heart before the 2010 plants are available for sale.