Clockwise from Top Left:
1. I bought two dwarf gingko trees last week: Ginkgo biloba ‘Mariken’ and G. biloba ‘Troll.’ Neither grow to be more than 3 feet within 10 years. At their current size they’d only get lost in the foliage of the garden, so I’ve potted them up into containers that are a few inches wider than their root ball and set them in a place of prominence. They have the cutest little leaves. I look forward to fall when they will turn a brilliant gold colour. Gingkoes are hardy down to zone 3. I plan to overwinter mine in the shed. Small trees in pots is becoming a bit of a habit, so much so that I will need to clear out the shed before fall to make room for the myriad of plants.
2. Last year’s favourite squash, ‘Pilar’ is continuing to win my favour. Read posts about it here and here. The squash in this image was harvested in the fall and photographed today (May 26), still viable for eating. Amazing! I’ve got seeds if you’re interested. $4 includes shipping to Canada and the Continental US. Leave a comment and I’ll get back to you with payment options.
3. A view of the garden photographed at dusk tonight. I worked feverishly today to get a number of summer edibles planted. Tomatoes are just around the corner!
4. Lilacs are in season! As much as I enjoy the scent and beauty of its flowers, I have to admit that I’ve been contemplating digging out the bush that came with this yard. Lilacs are amazing for the five minutes they are in bloom, and kind of dull otherwise. Were I living on a sprawling acreage I’d have lilac bushes of all kinds. But in a small urban garden, everything’s gotta pull its weight, and I’d like to get something large and bushy in that space that provides both beauty and food… or at the least, more than a few days of eye candy.
p.s. Our tshirts for Gardeners and Plant Geeks are 15% off NEXT week when you use the code MYSHIRT2014 at checkout. We’ve also added a new design — proceeds in support of the What’cha Growin? podcast.
That ginkgo is cool. It almost looks like a Pelargonium.
I agree. Probably one reason why I was so drawn to them! I love Pelargoniums
That ginkgo is adorable! I had no idea they were hardy to a zone 3 (my zone), so I may need to keep my eye out for one.
On the topic of lilacs, our yard came with a quite unruly bush. We have to severely cut it back every year in order for it not to engulf the front porch (which has a negative affect on the next year’s bloom in my experience, regardless of when I cut it back) – it was planted in a poor spot very close to the house. But you’re right – it is beautiful and smells amazing when in bloom, so I keep it around. We have plans to eventually replace and extend the porch, so at that time we’ll take out the lilac. I do have some tinker bell lilacs in my back yard that I really love (planted by me) – they have cute little compact leaves and actually bloom twice during the season (spring and fall), and apparently the full sized bush is quite small as well. Much better suited to my small urban yard.
I have a ‘Bloomerang’ lilac (worst name ever) that I planted a few years ago. It spreads rather than growing upward and also blooms multiple times a year. I agree that this sort is much better suited to small spaces.
The ginkgo is truly lovely. Do you have any suggestions as to where you can buy a dwarf ginkgo in the Toronto area?
I bought mine at Vineland Nurseries just outside the city. They have an amazing selection of dwarf trees.
I would be up for trying out the Pilar Squash seeds -they look interesting!
I’m envious of that beautiful garden you’ve got! So awesome!
What a lovely garden you have there. I agree Lilacs are pretty for a couple of days when they’re in full bloom but other than that they’re just any other kind of shrub. What about planting limes or lemons?
Definitely not in my climate! I can do them in pots but they must come in for the winter. In fact, I just bought a ‘Flying Dragon,’ but it will be staying in a container.
I’m thinking of a Viburnum but have’t been able to find the species I want.
You could always trellis a clematis vine on the lilac bush. It works surprisingly well in my experience. Or possibly another well-behaved edible vine like a schizandra.
Loved your garden,I do agree some plants needs a perfect place to grow instead of roof top garden which i have :((.Keep up the good work with dear plants