Hits & Misses: Streetscaping & kangaroo’s paw
Question of the Week: Will barley straw help prevent pond algae?
The Business: In the zone

On Monday night I had the wonderful opportunity to speak on behalf of my family at the launch of a book called Lois Hole Speaks: Words That Matter. The book is a compilation of speeches and stories that Mom gave during her years as a businesswoman, as University of Alberta Chancellor and as Lieutenant Governor of Alberta. Published by The University of Alberta Press and edited by Mark Lisac, it just hit store shelves this past few weeks. Lois Hole Speaks is already Number 5 on the best-seller list, which is not surprising given that it contains so many great stories and words of wisdom. It is such an honour to see them in print.

Jim reminisces with Earl J. Woods, Lois’ old speech writer, at the launch of Lois Hole Speaks: Words That Matter.

Hits & Misses
Hit: Streetscaping
A sea of 600 barrels of profusely blooming, ‘Pink Wave™’ petunias are taking up a good portion of our parking as they wait to embark on their journey to the streets of Edmonton and of St. Albert. The wave petunias billow out the barrels and produce a dense canopy of gorgeous flowers that are largely trouble-free to grow. I know I see them every year, but it really is amazing how the addition of a few petunia-filled barrels can bring a sterile street to life.

Miss: Kangaroo’s Paw
It looks as though I’m one of the few people who think that kangaroo’s paw is a great-looking plant. Although the plants are healthy and vigorous, they aren’t exactly flying off the shelves. Perhaps it’s too new or too unusual a plant, but when it comes to sales, it’s acting more like a wallflower than a “hot” flower.

Kangaroo’s paw may look unusual on the shelf, but it makes a great-looking statement in the garden.

Question of the Week
Will barley straw help prevent pond algae?
Bales of barley straw are quickly becoming favourite weapons in the uphill battle against algae. From the research I’ve read, it’s quite a simple concept. Prior to the first algae bloom, bales are broken up and loosely arranged in a net before being placed into the pond. After several weeks, the straw begins to decompose and, theoretically, ties up phosphorus, which inhibits algae growth. And the keyword in that sentence is inhibits: barley is not an algicide; it is algistatic, which means it stops algae from growing but won’t kill algae that already exist. Once activated, the straw purportedly remains effective for six months. Results indicate that for proper decomposition to occur, the bales need to be placed in a location with good water flow and sunlight (a minimum of six hours of sunlight a day) and need 6–8 weeks submerged before they will control algae.

The Business
In the Zone
The Perennial Plant Association has named ‘Rozanne’ cranesbill (a.k.a Geranium ‘Gerwat’) as its Perennial Plant of the Year. Now, it’s not the fact that that this plant was deservedly chosen for this honour that drew my attention. Rather it was the growing information that stated that it is a Zone 5 plant that perturbed me. I’m always telling people to question zonal information on tags (which is why I seldom advocate placing information on the tag to begin with), and this plant is the perfect case in point. We’ve sold it for several years and it is definitely a hardy selection for the Edmonton area, which is Zone 3.

Trend Spotting

Water fountains have really caught the attention of gardeners this year. Whether it’s the sound of the water or the way it drowns out the sound of traffic, the attraction to these fountains is multifaceted.

Did You Know?
The proper name for the fruit of an orange or lemon is hesperidium, which is a modified berry with a tough, leathery rind.

“If a June night could talk, it would probably boast that it invented romance.”
–Bern Williams