In cold winter months bring your plants in doors

Force winter blooms indoors

Photo: Contributed

Amarylis and paperwhites are good plants to bloom indoors.

As the cold, dark winter months settle in and outdoor gardens lie dormant, indoor gardeners can find solace in two spectacular flowering plants that promise to brighten even the gloomiest days.

Plant Amaryllis and Paperwhite narcissis bulbs. These remarkable plants offer gardening enthusiasts a burst of colour and fragrance, transforming interior spaces into vibrant botanical displays with minimal effort and maximum visual impact.

Amaryllis, with its enormous, trumpet-shaped blooms, stands as a true winter showstopper. Native to South Africa and South America, these stunning plants have become a holiday season favourite, producing spectacular flowers that can reach up to eight inches in diameter. Their blooms come in a stunning array of colours, including deep crimson, bright red, pure white, soft pink and salmon, and there are even intricate bi-coloured varieties.

Your purchased bulbs will already have been subject to the period of dormancy necessary for bloom, so planting Amaryllis bulbs is a relatively simple process that can begin in late fall or early winter.

Choose a pot only slightly larger than the bulb itself, with good drainage. Fill the pot with well-draining potting soil, placing the bulb so its top third remains above the soil surface.

Water at time of planting and then sparingly until shoots begin to emerge, remembering that more often than not, bulbs appreciate a drier environment. Position the pot in a warm location with bright, indirect light.

Within six to eight weeks of planting, magnificent flowers will emerge, typically producing two to four large blooms on sturdy stems reaching 12 to 24 inches tall. Some varieties offer multiple flower stalks, creating an even more dramatic display.

To encourage repeated seasons of blooms, allow the foliage to remain after flowering as the leaves will continue to photosynthesize, providing nutrients to replenish the bulb’s energy. You can move your Amaryllis bulbs outdoors for the summer months, gradually reducing water as fall approaches to encourage dormancy. Store potted bulbs in a cool, dry location for eight to 10 weeks—without water— and then bring your Amaryllis back into the light and resume watering. New shoots should emerge and you will be rewarded with another season of exquisite blooms.

Paperwhites bulbs are in the Narcissus (Daffodil) family and offer a different but equally enchanting indoor gardening experience. These delicate, clustered white flowers produce an intoxicating fragrance that can fill an entire room.

Unlike Amaryllis, Paperwhites require no chilling period and can be easily forced to bloom indoors during winter months. Paperwhites can be grown using several methods: traditional soil planting, water and stone arrangements, or even hydroponically.

For a classic approach, use a shallow container filled with decorative stones or potting mix. Place bulbs closely together, allowing their pointed ends to protrude slightly above the surface. It’s okay to bunch the bulbs in your selected pot as they are visually more impressive planted in groupings.

Keep the growing medium moist but not waterlogged as waterlogged bulbs will be prone to rot. Within four to six weeks after planting, clusters of pure white, star-shaped flowers will emerge, creating a delicate display.

The sweet, musky fragrance freshens any room in which they are grown. While both Amaryllis and Paperwhites can be grown separately, they also complement each other beautifully in indoor displays.

Consider creating arrangements that showcase their different growth habits and flowering times. Amaryllis provide dramatic, large blooms, while Paperwhites offer delicate, clustered flowers. For both plants, maintain the room temperature between 15 C and 24 C, providing bright, indirect sunlight with bulbs sited away from any direct heat sources. Rotate your pots periodically to ensure even growth and use room-temperature water for hydration.

These winter-blooming bulbs carry deeper meanings beyond their aesthetic appeal. Amaryllis are believed to symbolizes pride, strength, and determination while Paperwhites represent hope, renewal, and the promise of spring.

Their ability to bloom during winter, serves as a powerful metaphor for resilience and beauty emerging even in challenging conditions.

Amaryllis and Paperwhites offer gardening enthusiasts a magical way to combat winter’s bleakness.

With minimal investment and care, these remarkable bulbs transform interior spaces into living works of art, providing colour, fragrance, and hope during the coldest months of the year.

Note, both of these plants are toxic to both dogs and cats so this should be taken into consideration if you share your household with furry members.

Visit our website at www.okanaganxeriscape.org to familiarize yourself with the many benefits of membership to the Okanagan Xeriscape Association and consider giving a membership as a gift to a loved one this holiday season.

The Okanagan Xeriscape Association is grateful for the ongoing financial support of the Okanagan Basin Water Board and is proud to be collaborating with them on the Make Water Work campaign. Check out their Make Water Work plant list at www.makewaterwork.ca.

Sigrie Kendrick is a master gardener and executive-director of the non-profit Okanagan Xeriscape Association.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

Plan to add these new cultivars to your 2025 garden

Colourful new plants

Photo: Sigrie Kendrick

This Hibiscus Syriacus is one of a number of drought-tolerant perennials which are being joined in local nurseries by dwarf versions of themselves, so if you have a smaller space for your garden, consider sourcing them out come spring.

Watch for some exciting new perennials next spring at your local nursery.

Last weekend, the Kelowna Master Gardeners held their fall meeting and AGM and were fortunate to have Ken Salvail as the speaker. Salvail is a long-time co-host on a weekly radio garden show, owner of KHS Landscaping and has his own informative site at www.growercoach.com

He is an absolute walking encyclopedia of everything gardening but decided to focus his talk on newly-developed perennials coming to market.

I know many of you are probably focused on getting through the holidays and saying, “Enough, crazy plant lady,” but his presentation has me beyond excited for the upcoming growing season.

Plant breeders are responding to the reality that many of us are growing in increasingly cramped spaces, so they are genetically-engineering smaller cultivars of garden favourites.

Some of the first in his presentation that piqued my interest were the new cultivars of Nepeta (Catmint), specifically “Picture Puurfect.”

This new cultivar has all of the benefits of the older varieties—long-blooming, pollinator-magnet, drought-tolerant and deer-resistant. What’s new is it starts blooming about two weeks earlier than our familiar Nepeta, with its larger blooms plus its diminutive stature, at only 10-12 inches tall, allows it to be incorporated into the smallest of garden spaces.

Next, the “Poquito” series of Agastache (Hummingbird mint) from plant breeder TerraNova has succeeded in making a great drought-tolerant plant even better. I planted Agastache “Little Adder” in the Okanagan Xeriscape Association’s West Kelowna demonstration garden on May Street, choosing it mainly for its noted deer-resistance, as that park is frequently browsed by deer.

It was with considerable apprehension that I returned to assess the damage to the garden after the devastating 2023 wildfires and dire water restrictions. To my amazement, the Agastache was completely unfazed by the lack of water and was, in fact, at the time of my initial visit, covered with pollinators.

Poquito is a series of Agastache even shorter than the “Kudos” collection and introduces non-traditional Agastache shades of yellow, rose and orange, all topping out at barely a foot tall.

These Agastache are ideally sited at the front of a perennial bed or in a rock garden. I can’t wait to get my hands on these new cultivars and start trialing them for use in our Okanagan gardens.

Another perennial that has experienced a genetic downsizing is Hybiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon). The Hybiscus syriacus in my master gardener mentors’ garden is a whopping 12 feet high by 12 feet wide—not appropriate for those whose gardens may be little larger than those dimensions.

Welcome the new “Pillar” series of Hybiscus, which was awarded Landscape Plant of the Year for 2023. This new cultivar has all of the attributes of the old faithful, at a fraction of the size. Introduced by Proven Winners, this Hybiscus reaches four feet wide by 10 feet tall, making it a fantastic vertical accent in your landscape.

This late-blooming deciduous shrub comes in purple, rose and white and makes a fantastic hedge favoured by pollinators and hummingbirds. It takes a while for these new cultivars to get to market but I sourced and planted the white version as a hedge for a client last spring and was overjoyed to revisit the property this fall and see how stunning it is becoming already.

I’m sure, during future visits, it will be even more spectacular as it settles in, all the while being xeric, pollinator-friendly and deer-resistant.

You can have a xeriscape garden of any size, and as I always say at presentations or site inspection for clients: you don’t have to do everything at once. Gardening is not a race to the finish but an experience to be savoured over time.

Visit our website at okanaganxeriscape.org and follow us on social media for inspiration about the sustainable beauty that is xeriscape.

The Okanagan Xeriscape Association is grateful for the ongoing financial support of the Okanagan Basin Water Board and is proud to be collaborating with them on the Make Water Work campaign. Check out the Make Water Work plant list at makewaterwork.ca.

Sigrie Kendrick is a master gardener and executive-director of the Okanagan Xeriscape Association.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

Prepare your garden to survive winter

Winterize your garden

Photo: Contributed

Okanagan Xeriscape Association member Rachael's garden in winter. It survives winter's icy blast because she follows Sigrie Kendrick's tips for keeping it thriving through the cold months.

While xeriscape gardens are designed to be low-maintenance and drought-resistant, proper winter preparation ensures your water-wise landscape will thrive come spring.

Follow the following essential steps to protect and maintain your garden in a way that will help it survive during the cold months.

• Proper mulching is crucial for winter protection in xeriscape gardens. We will be mulching the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden this week, which will involve:

1. Checking existing mulch depths and replenishing as needed.

2. Maintaining at least a four-inch layer around plants.

3. Keeping mulch pulled back slightly from plant stems and tree trunks to discourage disease.

4. Leaving fallen leaves for additional winter protection.

Organic mulches break down over time, enriching the soil while protecting plant roots from freeze-thaw cycles.

• While xeriscape plants are generally hardy, some may need extra protection, especially given our increasingly erratic weather, so remember to:

1. Add extra mulch around root zones of marginally-hardy perennials.

2. Consider using frost cloths or burlap wraps for vulnerable plants.

3. Create temporary windbreaks for exposed areas.

4. Group container plants together in protected locations remembering that plants above ground need to be at least two zones hardier to survive.

• Never let your garden go into winter dry even if it means hauling hoses after your irrigation has been blown out. Despite being drought-tolerant, xeriscape plants can benefit from occasional winter watering, so:

1. Water during warm spells when the soil isn't frozen.

2. Focus on newly-planted specimens and evergreens.

3. Water early in the day to allow absorption before freezing temperatures return.

4. Pay special attention to plants under roof overhangs or in wind-exposed locations.

Winter is ideal for garden planning, so next year, photograph your garden through the seasons and from different vantage points for reference, and note areas that need improvement. During the indoor winter months, plan spring additions or modifications, and do your research. For instance, look into potential native plants to consider for additions. Native pollinators will thank you.

Also, if you have a smart meter on your irrigation, use it to review water usage patterns from the previous season with the aim of lowering your consumption.

Some tips to remember before winter ends:

1. Monitor for snow damage and prune plants as needed.

2. Check for frost-heaved plants and reset them.

3. Begin removing winter protection as temperatures warm.

4. Assess mulch displacement from snow and wind.

5. Plan for spring clean-up and maintenance.

By following these guidelines, your xeriscape garden will remain healthy through winter and be ready for robust spring growth.

Remember that xeriscaping principles focus on working with nature rather than against it, realizing that even winter serves a purpose in the natural cycle of your garden.

Visit our website at okanaganxeriscape.org to read our latest blog post on Judie Steeves’ garden transformation this year and follow us on social media for inspiration on the sustainable beauty that is xeriscape.

The Okanagan Xeriscape Association is grateful for the ongoing financial support of the Okanagan Basin Water Board and is proud to be collaborating with them on the Make Water Work campaign. Check out its Make Water Work plant list at makewaterwork.ca.

Sigrie Kendrick is a master gardener and executive-director of the non-profit Okanagan Xeriscape Association.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

Add native Okanagan plants to your garden for their beauty and resilience

The benefit of native plants

Photo: Sigrie Kendrick

A vital pollinator gathers late-season nectar from the native Aster ericoides.

It is often said the only constant is change and that is certainly true of gardens. They’re always evolving, both seasonally and over the years.

After losing many perennials traditionally grown in Okanagan gardens over the last few years to a variety of issues, including extreme weather, the Okanagan Xeriscape Association has decided to further embrace the use of native plants and we are enlarging our native plant garden at the UnH2O Xeriscape Demonstration Garden.

The newest rendition of our native plant-themed garden will have a larger footprint and will showcase a wider variety of native Okanagan species. Please be patient as we work to transform this garden.

Our Okanagan Valley features a unique ecosystem, shaped by hot, dry summers and cold winters. This distinctive climate has resulted in a diverse array of native plants that are not only beautiful but also incredibly resilient. Native plants have evolved over thousands of years to flourish in the Okanagan's specific conditions. This means they require less water, fertilizer, and overall maintenance than many non-native species. By incorporating these plants into your garden, you're not only creating a low-maintenance space but also supporting local ecosystems and wildlife.

Water conservation is a crucial consideration in the Okanagan and native plants are the perfect solution.

Species like Artemisia tridentata (Big Sagebrush), Pseudoroegneria spicata (Bluebunch Wheatgrass) and Balsamorhiza sagittata (Arrowleaf Balsamroot) have developed deep root systems and other adaptations to thrive with minimal water. These plants are just a few examples of those native perennials which can help reduce your water usage while still maintaining an attractive landscape.

Contrary to the misconception that native plants lack visual appeal, the Okanagan boasts a wide variety of fantastic flowering species. For instance, we will be incorporating a planting of Linum perenne (Blue Flax) and Gaillardia aristata (Brown-Eyed Susan) for a stunning contrast of blue and yellow blooms. Also included in the new planting will be my go-to shade of red with a planting of Ipomopsis aggregata (Scarlet gilia). And, I am beyond excited to include one of my favourite natives, Geum triflorum (Prairie Smoke), the reddish-pink blooms of which are followed by fascinating, fluffy seed heads which resemble puffs of smoke.

By planting native plants, you're essentially rolling out the welcome mat for local wildlife. The bright purple tubular flowers of the Penstemon fruticosis (Shrubby Penstemon) will supply early nectar for pollinators along with the Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon Grape). Following in the season will be the lilac-coloured blooms of both Aster conspicuus (Showy aster) and Monarda fistulosa (Bergamont). At this time of year Heterotheca villosa (Golden Aster) and Aster ericoides (Tufted Prairie Aster) provide late season nectar for pollinators. Native plants offer a wide range of textures and forms to add interest to your garden. The groundcover Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnick) will serve as a living mulch while the tall Amelanchier alnifolia (Saskatoon) adds vertical interest.

Start small by incorporating a few native species into your existing garden. As you become more comfortable, you can gradually increase the proportion of native plants. Local nurseries such as Wild Bloom in Kelowna and XEN in West Kelowna are excellent resources for both plants and advice about native plants.

Remember, even native plants need some care, especially when first establishing. Supplement them with regular water during the first growing season to help them develop strong root systems. After that, most species will require minimal attention, perfect for those of you who are already time-stressed.

By embracing native Okanagan plants in our gardens, we're not just creating beautiful spaces, we're actively participating in conservation efforts. These plants help preserve biodiversity, reduce water consumption, and create habitat for local insects and wildlife.

As climate change continues to impact our region, the resilience of native plants becomes increasingly valuable.

Gardening with native Okanagan plants offers a unique opportunity to connect with the natural heritage of our region. It's a chance to create outdoor spaces that are not only visually stunning but also ecologically responsible.

Visit our website at okanaganxeriscape.org and peruse our plant database for more information about native species.

Add native Okanagan plants to your garden for their beauty and resilience

The Okanagan Xeriscape Association is grateful for the ongoing financial support of the Okanagan Basin Water Board and is proud to be collaborating with them on their Make Water Work campaign.

Sigrie Kendrick is a master gardener and executive-director of the Okanagan Xeriscape Association.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.