Sigrie Kendrick - Feb 12, 2025 / 11:00 am | Story: 532977
Photo: Judie Steeves
Renovations are underway in the Mediterranean theme Garden at the Okanagan Xeriscape Association's demonstration garden in Kelowna. However, some plants such as this Nepeta racemosa (Catmint) will remain edging that bed. In the background is the Pollinator Garden, in this 2021 photo.
Winter is a time of planning for gardeners and that is exactly what the Okanagan Xeriscape Association board has been doing.
Board members and I have been tasked with renovating all of the theme gardens within the UnH2O Xeriscape Demonstration Garden, located in front of the H2O Aquatic Centre in Kelowna.
After enlarging the Native Garden last fall, we moved on to the Mediterranean Garden and after many tweaks we finally have a working plan.
It was decided early on that we wanted to achieve individual theme gardens which looked quite different from each other to highlight the many aesthetics you can achieve by following the seven principles of xeriscape. The newly-designed Mediterranean Garden will feature a specific colour palate of blues, purples, whites and silver with pops of yellow.
One of the focal points of the new garden will be a Rhamnus frangula “Ron Williams”. Known by the common name Fine Line Buckhorn, this deciduous shrub features feathery foliage on an upright columnar plant ideal for use as a vertical accent in small spaces. Reaching an ultimate size of five to seven feet tall by two to three feet wide, Rhamnus frangula will add texture and architectural interest while taking up little real estate in the garden.
The foliage of this shrub turns yellow in the fall, adding to its interest, with initial trials indicating that it does not seem to be a favourite of deer. Frost-hardy in Zones 2 to 7, this new cultivar is non-invasive so it should not be confused with older, weedy varieties.
We will keep the Nepeta “Walker’s Low” (Catmint) and echoing its purple-blue flowers with plantings of Scutellaria resinosa “Smoky Hills” (Skullcap), Lavandula x intermedia “Grosso” (Lavender), Salvia nemorosa “Lyrical Blues” (Sage), Penstemon schmidel “Delfts Blue Riding Hood” (Beardtongue) and Agastache “Little adder” (Hyssop).
We already have Scutellaria alpina planted in the raised bed but the Scutellaria resinosa is an improved selection, originally sourced from Kansas and is an exceptionally long-blooming, low-maintenance perennial.
Artemisia schmidtiana “Nana” (Wormwood), Salvia nemorosa “Sensation white” (Sage), Santolina chamaecyparissus (Lavender cotton), Silene uniflora “Druitt’s variegated” (Catchfly) and Gaura lindheimerii “Ballerina White” (Gaura) will provide silver and white accents.
I am especially excited to see the Gaura planted, as this ethereal plant’s dainty appearance belies a tough personality.
Punctuations of yellow through the garden will be achieved by planting Alyssum wulfenianum (Madwort), Phlomis russeliana (Turkish Sage), Delosperma nubigenum (Ice plant), Baptisia Decadence “Lemonade” (False indigo), and Anthemis “Susanna Mitchell” (Marguerite daisy). The Baptisia is one of those perennials where the long-lasting seed heads are almost more interesting than the blooms themselves.
The Mediterranean Garden was designed to ensure there will be a succession of colour throughout the growing season with the evergreen Pinus mugo “Slowmound” (Pine), Buxus sempervirens “Graham Brandy” (Boxwood) and Berberis thunbergii “Monlers” (Barberry) offering winter interest.
The plants chosen are all zonally appropriate for the Okanagan and will be drought-tolerant once established. We will add approximately 100 new plants to the Mediterranean Garden this spring, so drop by any Friday to watch us transform this garden at our weekly “Dig with Sig” event where volunteers help with garden tasks, ask questions, and make friends.
Check out our website at okanaganxeriscape.org to register for the upcoming “Creating Climate-Resilient Landscapes” workshop that will take place Feb. 28.
Thanks to financial support from our sponsors, tickets are only $55 including lunch. All the details are online. After the workshop, your next opportunity to interact with the OXA and have your xeriscape questions answered will be March 9 at the “Master Gardener’s Seedy Sunday” event taking place at Parkinson Recreation Centre.
The Okanagan Xeriscape Association is grateful for the ongoing financial support of the Okanagan Basin Water Board and is proud to be collaborating 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.
Sigrie Kendrick - Jan 29, 2025 / 11:00 am | Story: 530201
Photo: Judie Steeves
A cluster of colourful climate-resilient xeriscape annuals and perennials in a drought-tolerant flower border.
Following several years of erratic weather, on Feb. 28th you can learn how to create climate-resilient landscapes at a workshop organized by the Okanagan Xeriscape Association.
The day-long educational event will bring together a variety of experts to address various aspects of combatting the challenges brought on by climate change. Join us for the Creating Climate-Resilient Landscapes workshop, designed to educate, inspire and connect landscape professionals and enthusiastic gardeners with like-minded organizations in the Okanagan.
It will be held at the Capri Hotel and Conference Centre in Kelowna. Visit our website at www.okanaganxeriscape.org for all the details and to purchase your tickets for the event.
This is not limited to industry professionals. Anyone with a keen interest in creating climate-resilient landscapes is welcome.
Based on feedback received after the last OXA workshop for professionals, we decided to offer an early breakfast session on the principles of xeriscape for those new to the concept or looking to refresh and reinforce their knowledge.
The day will start at 7 a.m. with my session, the Seven Principles of Xeriscape. The main program will start at 8 a.m. with registration and then an introduction from Anna Warwick Sears. In her role as the executive director of the Okanagan Basin Water Board, she will focus on water management and sustainability, and why we should care about water conservation.
The question of how we conserve water used on the landscape will be addressed by a variety of speakers following her address:
• Mario Lanthier, with Crop Health Advising and Research, will speak about tree root management, which is so vital to the establishment of healthy, drought-tolerant trees.
• Ed Hoppe, with the City of Kelowna, will discuss the Water Smart program which is focused on understanding water use and reducing unnecessary water use.
• Ashley Hignell, from Foxglove Nursery, will discuss the newest xeriscape plants and other nursery updates.
• Robert Hogue, with Pegasus Horticulture, will focus on how to select drought-tolerant trees.
• Gordon Hiebert, with Cabin Operations, will talk about regenerative landscaping, restoring the environment and improving sustainability.
• Stephanie Aiken, with Urban Systems, will discuss inviting pollinators to your garden and creating meadow landscapes.
The last speaker of the day will loop around again to why we should care about water conservation and about fire prevention.
Dennis Craig is the assistant fire chief for the City of Kelowna, where he has been involved with the FireSmart initiative for more than eight years. After being deployed to multiple large wildfires with the B.C. Wildlfire Service, Craig is passionate about FireSmart and the importance of conserving water and creating landscapes which help fight fires.
We could not make this workshop a reality without the support of our sponsors—British Columbia FireSmart, the City of Kelowna, the Okanagan Basin Water Board, Sawchuk Developments, the Make Water Work campaign, Rotary Kelowna and Foxglove Nursery. We Thank them all.
Join us for this workshop. Our sponsor support allows us to offer tickets for just $55 per person ($50 for members) and each ticket includes lunch and two coffee breaks.
If you are unable to make this workshop, your next opportunity to meet us in person and have your xeriscape questions answered will be March 9 at the Master Gardener’s Seedy Sunday event taking place at the Parkinson Recreation Centre.
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.
Sigrie Kendrick - Jan 15, 2025 / 11:00 am | Story: 527567
Photo: Contributed
Seed packets for xeriscape perennials lure gardeners to start planting gardens inside now for colour later outdoors.
It’s official, the self-proclaimed “crazy plant lady” is already excited to start seeds, even though it is still the middle of winter.
Whether you take planting to an extreme as I tend to do, with hundreds of plants started or just a few, starting perennial plants from seed offers an economical and deeply satisfying way to establish a flourishing garden that will return season after season.
Unlike annuals, most perennial seeds need to undergo a period of cold, called “stratification,” to germinate successfully. The process mimics nature, with seeds dropping in fall to undergo winter cold, then sprout with the warming of spring.
For many species, starting seeds in late winter or very early spring provides this natural cold treatment. Some gardeners even choose to winter-sow, which amounts to planting seeds outdoors in containers during winter months, allowing nature to handle the stratification process.
Other seeds require a treatment called “scarification,” which involves deliberately damaging or weakening a seed’s hard outer coat to improve germination rates, by allowing oxygen and water to penetrate more easily.
Common scarification methods include mechanical abrasion with sandpaper, nicking the seed coat with a knife or briefly soaking seeds in hot water. Those processes mimic natural ones, such as passing through an animal’s digestive tract or weathering in the environment.
The technique is especially vital for plants with hard seed coats, such as those found in the Fabaceae, or legume, family.
To start your perennial seeds successfully, you’ll need a high-quality seed starting mix, clean containers with drainage holes, clear plastic covers or bags for humidity, a bright location or grow lights, plant markers and fresh seeds. I also find heat mats to be invaluable for germination and growth.
Your growing medium should be sterile and well-draining to prevent damping-off disease, a common problem that kills young seedlings. Pre-moisten the soil before planting, aiming for the consistency of a wrung-out sponge.
Most perennial seeds should be surface-sown or covered with only a thin layer of soil, as many require light for germination. After sowing, maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging the soil. A spray bottle helps provide gentle hydration without disturbing the seeds. Maintain temperatures between 18 C and 24°C for optimal germination, though requirements vary by species.
The germination period for perennials can range from a few days to several months, depending on the species. Keep detailed records of planting dates and expected germination times to avoid giving up too soon on slower-growing varieties.
Perhaps the biggest challenge when growing perennials from seed is patience. Many species germinate erratically or take several weeks to emerge. Additionally, most perennials won’t flower in their first year as they focus the first year of growth on developing a strong root system. Understanding those natural growth patterns helps you to set realistic expectations.
While starting perennials from seed requires more time and patience than buying mature plants, the investment pays significant dividends. Beyond the considerable cost savings, you’ll gain access to unusual varieties rarely found at your local nursery, develop a deeper understanding of plant life cycles, and experience the satisfaction of nurturing plants from their very beginning.
As your tiny seedlings mature into strong, flowering plants that return year after year, you’ll find the extra effort was time well spent to create your own personalized garden.
The Okanagan Xeriscape Association is grateful for the ongoing financial support of the Okanagan Basin Water Board and is proud to collaborate with it 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 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.
Sigrie Kendrick - Jan 1, 2025 / 11:00 am | Story: 525365
Photo: Contributed
The berries of native Mountain Ash trees provide much-needed feed for a variety of birds through the winter months: just one worthy reason to plant them.
The Okanagan Valley's unique climate and ecology make it a crucial habitat for both year-round resident birds and winter visitors.
By thoughtfully selecting and planting native trees and shrubs that provide food during the harsh winter months, homeowners and landowners can create vital food sources for local bird populations while maintaining our region's natural biodiversity.
Western Mountain Ash (Sorbus scopulina) stands out as one of the most valuable winter food sources for Okanagan birds. Its bright red berries persist well into winter, providing essential sustenance for Grosbeaks, Cedar Waxwings, and Northern Flickers. These hardy trees thrive in the Okanagan's climate and can reach heights of 20 feet, making them excellent landscape focal points while serving as natural bird feeders.
The Western Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) locally known as “Saskatoon”, offers multiple benefits throughout the year. While its berries are primarily available in summer, any remaining dried fruit provides emergency winter food for birds. The dense branching structure also offers crucial shelter during harsh weather conditions, making it an excellent addition to any bird-friendly landscape.
Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa), a signature tree of the Okanagan landscape, supports numerous winter birds, particularly seed-eating species like the threatened White-headed Woodpecker, Pygmy Nuthatch and Black-capped Chickadee. The large cones produce nutrient-rich seeds that become accessible throughout winter as the cones gradually open.
According to the South Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Program there are approximately 55 species of birds and mammals, some endangered, that depend on these pines for food and shelter.
Oregon Grape (Berberis aquifolium) proves invaluable in winter bird gardens. Its blue-black berries, high in natural sugars, often remain on the plant throughout winter, providing vital energy for various bird species. This evergreen shrub's dense foliage also offers essential winter cover for smaller birds.
Red-Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) produces bluish-white berries that, while not a preferred food source, become increasingly important as other food options diminish during late winter. The plant's bright red stems add striking winter interest to the landscape while providing shelter for ground-feeding birds.
Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) holds its white berries well into winter, offering an important food source for ground-feeding birds like Dark-eyed Juncos and Spotted Towhees. While these berries are not typically first-choice food for birds, they become crucial during periods of severe weather when other food sources are depleted.
When establishing a winter bird habitat, consider creating multiple vegetation layers. Plant tall trees like Ponderosa Pine and Western Mountain Ash as backdrop elements, medium-sized shrubs like Western Serviceberry in the middle ground, and lower-growing Oregon Grape as ground cover. This layered approach mimics natural habitat structure and provides diverse feeding opportunities for different bird species.
Group plantings of the same species together rather than scattering individual plants throughout the landscape. Clusters of three to five plants create more visible and accessible food sources for birds while establishing more robust plant communities that better withstand harsh Okanagan winters.
Consider sun exposure and soil conditions when selecting planting locations. Most native Okanagan species prefer well-drained soils and full sun exposure, though Red-Osier Dogwood can tolerate partial shade and moister conditions. Proper plant placement ensures healthy growth and maximum fruit production.
While native plants generally require minimal maintenance, some care during the establishment period ensures long-term success. Water deeply but infrequently during the first two growing seasons to encourage deep root development. Avoid fall fertilization which may promote late-season growth vulnerable to winter damage.
Resist the urge to prune away all berries and fruits in fall cleanup. These food sources become increasingly valuable as winter progresses and natural food becomes scarcer. Similarly, leave some leaf litter under shrubs and trees, as ground-feeding birds often forage for seeds and hibernating insects in this natural mulch.
Beyond providing crucial winter bird food, establishing native plants creates year-round habitat value. These plantings support native pollinators during flowering periods, provide nesting sites in spring, and offer summer shade and shelter. As plants mature, they become increasingly valuable components of the local ecosystem, contributing to the Okanagan Valley's biodiversity while providing endless opportunities for bird watching and nature appreciation throughout the winter months.
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. 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.
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