This week I asked my co-worker Peggy what her favourite plant was. She chose the Sunflower (Echinacea) which can be an annual or a perennial plant depending on the type.

What makes this plant a good choice?

1.) The sunflower is easy to grow. making them suitable for both novice and experienced gardeners. They thrive in various soil types and require minimal maintenance.

2.) They attract pollinators. Sunflowers are a magnet for bees and other pollinators, helping to support local ecosystems and improve the overall health of your garden.

3.) They are drought tolerant. Many sunflower varieties are drought-tolerant, making them suitable for regions and places with limited water resources.

4.) Sunflowers can help improve soil health by extracting certain toxins and excess nutrients from the soil.

5.) Some sunflower varieties produce edible seeds that you can harvest and enjoy as a snack.

6.) They are known for their vibrant yellow or orange blossoms, which can add a pop of color and a cheerful atmosphere to your garden.

How to care for your Sunflower

Planting:

Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Sunflowers thrive in full sun, so select a spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day.

Watering:

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged when the plants are young. Once established, sunflowers are somewhat drought-tolerant and require less frequent watering

Pruning:

Trim dead or damaged leaves and stems to maintain plant health and appearance.

Fertilizing:

Sunflowers don’t typically require much fertilization. You can add a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer when planting or during early growth.

Support:

Tall sunflower varieties may need support to prevent them from toppling over. Staking them can help.

Harvesting Seeds:

Allow the flower heads to dry on the plant. Once the back of the head turns brown and the seeds are mature, cut the head and remove the seeds. Then enjoy!

Peggy’s Poem

Peggy enjoys sunflowers so much that she even decided to write me a poem! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

This week I asked my co-worker Laurie what her favourite plant was. She chose the Coneflower (Echinacea) which is a herbaceous perennial plant.

Interview with Laurie

Me: Laurie, why did you pick this as your favorite plant? What do you like about it?

Laurie: It is a great plant! There are a whole bunch of reasons why it is one of my favourite plants. The bloom is long so you can maximize the time it is flowering for in your garden. It’s a straightforward plant to take care of and isn’t too time-consuming. They grow quick and bush, so if you need something to fill a spot this is a great option. They also come in a few different colours so you can choose which one you like the most. I have them in my garden and they simply make me happy every time I see them!

Me: Do you know any basic care instructions off of the top of your head?

Laurie: Yeah I can tell you a few! Like I said they are pretty simple to grow which makes their care fairly easy. Just make sure that they are in a sunny spot in your garden and that they are getting regular water, especially in the dry months of the summer. They also need to be in well-draining soil if possible because they don’t like to have wet roots.

Me: Thanks for sharing Laurie! I’m glad this plant makes you happy because that is what gardening is all about!

Absolutely! It is your garden so you should plant things that make you smile and want to keep gardening!

How to care for your Echinacea

Sunlight: They prefer full to partial sunlight. Choose a location with enough sunlight for the best results.

Soil: Echinacea plants prefer well-drained soil Choose a location in the garden with good quality soil, and if you need something that is a little more rich feel free to till the existing soil with topsoil to maximize the drainage.

Watering: The Echinacea is relatively drought-tolerant once established, so avoid overwatering. Water the plant deeply when the soil is dry to the touch, but allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Fertilizing: Echinacea doesn’t require heavy fertilizing. You can apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring, but avoid excessive nitrogen, which can lead to leggy growth and reduced flower production.

Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers by cutting them back to encourage the plant to produce more blooms.

Division: They benefit from division every few years to maintain their growth. Simply dig up a section of the plant and move it to a different area of your garden.

What exactly is a Herbaceous Perennial?

A Herbaceous Perennial is a plant that has non-woody stems that reach their full height and produce flowers once a year, before dying back over the winter and then reappearing the following spring.

What can you do with an Echinacea?

The flowers are traditionally dried as a herbally supplement. The petals, roots, and leaves are all edible. They are commonly dried and steeped into teas

This week I asked my co-worker Sam what his favourite plant was. He chose the Blanket Flower/Indian Blanket (Gaillardia Pulchella) which is a perennial plant.

What makes this plant a good choice?

1.) The Blanket Flower is low maintenance, is relatively easy to grow, and requires minimal care once established. It is drought-tolerant, making it suitable for regions with limited water availability.

2.)This plant attracts pollinators! The bright flowers are attractive to pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. Planting these flowers in your garden can help support pollinator populations and promote biodiversity.

3.) It has a long blooming season, often from late spring through early fall. This extended bloom period provides continuous color in your garden throughout the growing season.

4.) It is very versatile in terms of where it can be grown. It thrives in a variety of soil types, including well-drained soils, and can adapt to different growing conditions, making it suitable for many regions.

How to care for your Blanket Flower

Planting Location:

• Choose a well-draining location with full sun. It prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.

Watering:

• Water a newly planted Blanket flower regularly to help them establish roots. Once established, they are drought-tolerant and generally require less water. You need to water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth.

Pruning and Deadheading:

• Deadhead dead flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming.
• In late fall or early spring, you can cut the plants back to encourage fresh growth.

Fertilizing:

• They typically do not require heavy fertilization. In nutrient-rich soils, they may not need any additional fertilizer. If your soil is poor, you can apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring.

Mulching:

• Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. You can use woodchips or straw for mulching.

Now that you have a little bit more information on the Blanket flower, I hope that you will consider adding it to your garden! I am always trying to find plants that help encourage pollinators and this is a spectacular one to add to the collection!

This week I asked my co-worker Megan what her favourite plant was. She chose the Alpine Mint Bush (Prostanthera cuneata) which is an Australian evergreen shrub.

Interview with Megan

Me: So Megan, why did you pick this as your favorite plant? What do you like about it?

Megan: “In my Horticultural Program we learned about this plant and I instantly fell in love with it! It smells really nice, kind of like mint tea and eucalyptus. In the spring it blooms these beautiful white flowers with purple in the center. It is also an evergreen shrub which means it will last year round!”

Me: Why would it be a good option for people’s gardens?

Megan: “It is super easy and straightforward to take care of, very tolerant to most conditions. It is also a great alternative to other evergreen shrubs such as the boxwood, it just makes your space much more interesting! Another cool thing about it is that you can Bonsai it which can make for a fascinating project. As well as Bonsai, you can also use cuttings to propagate the plant to make it go even further! You can harvest parts of the plant for use, the smell is stronger than the taste, but you can use it for tea and add it to jams or jellies”

How to care for your Alpine Mint Bush

Sunlight:

• Choose a location that receives full sun to partial shade.

Soil:

• Plant in well-draining soil. The plant does not like to have wet roots so well-draining soil is very important

Watering:

• Water your mint regularly, especially during the first season. Once the plant is well established, it is moderately drought-tolerant.
• Try to water deeply, and allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Do not overwater!

Pruning:

• You can prune the plant very lightly after flowering to encourage bigger and bushier growth.

Fertilizing:

• The plant doesn’t require too heavy of fertilization. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring.

Harvesting:

• You can prune or pinch back the plant to harvest the leaves for edible or medicinal use. The leaves can be used to make herbal tea or add flavor to dishes.

Remember that planting more native plants can drastically help the environment and deter invasive species

Final Review

I had never heard of the Alpine Mint Bush before this interview, and I’m so glad Megan shared it with me! As a fellow plant nerd, I love to expand my knowledge and learn about lesser-known plants. I would absolutely consider planting this in a garden (or on my balcony) to add some year-round greenery and scent to my environment. Now that you know a little about this plant I hope you would consider planting it as well!

This week I asked my co-worker Erin what her favourite plant was. She chose the Marble Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) which is a tropical house plant

Video by Meghan Parker

What makes this plant a good choice?

1.) The Marble Pothos is known for its easy care, making it an excellent choice for both beginning and experienced plant owners.

2.) This plant helps improve indoor air quality by removing pollutants from the air. This can contribute to a healthier living environment.

3.) It provides a touch of nature, enhancing the ambiance of your environment and it has interesting variegated leaves making it an eye-catching addition to any indoor space.

4.) It is easy to propagate, allowing you to create new plants from cuttings. This makes it a cost-effective way to expand your plant collection or share it with friends.

Photo by @feeypflanzen at https://unsplash.com/photos/IZz3sboy1g8

How to care for your Marble Pothos

Light:

• The Marble Pothos prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can scorch the leaves.

Watering:

• Water your Marble Pothos when the top inch or so of the soil feels dry to the touch.
• Use a well-draining potting mix and a container with drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Humidity:

• Marble Pothos needs an average indoor humidity. You can mist the plant occasionally to increase humidity around it.

Repotting:

• Repot your Pothos every 1-2 years or when you notice the roots becoming cramped in their current pot.
• Choose a slightly larger pot with good drainage, and refresh the potting mix.

Fertilizing:

• Feed your Marble Pothos every 4-6 weeks during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer

Now that you know a little information about the Marble Pothos you should be able to start or add to your houseplant collection! Happy planting!

Image by @Nanniie_iiuu on https://unsplash.com/s/photos/marble-pothos