Plants to get your garden noticed
[attach]6200[/attach]A garden is a form of personal expression. Sheridan Nurseries sales associate Brandi Bechard, who works out of the company’s Yonge Street and Glencairn Avenue location, offers suggestions for new and lively plants to make your garden anything but common.
1) Different shapes
A variety of shapes in the garden is key for drawing the eye, says Bechard.
The Fuscia is a star-shaped plant that is great to plant in a hanging basket because the flower opens downward. It is also easy to take care of.
On the other hand, the Agapanthus has a completely different look from the Fuscia.
The bottom of the plant has a lot of foliage, followed by a huge stock topped with blue or white flowers.
“It’s a nice contrast because you see the green, but then you look up and you see a globe of flowers, which are the only blooms on the plant,” Bechard says.
[attach]6201[/attach]2) Dr. Seuss-ified
Celosia and Love-lies-bleeding (Amaranthus Caudatus) are two plants that look like they have leapt from the pages of a Dr. Seuss book.
The Celosia is a new plant this year and Bechard describes them as looking like “the trees from the Lorax film.” The Celosia comes in a variety of colours including yellow, orange, pink and burgundy.
Amaranthus Caudatus is a draping plant that has long blooms, which makes it great for hanging baskets.
“[The blooms] look like fuzzy hotdogs,” Bechard says.
The flowers can even grow to the size of hotdogs and come in a variety of bright pinks.
3) Size does count
The Dinner-plate Dahlia is aptly named because of the sheer size of the flower and plant. The plant itself can grow up to seven feet and the flower can grow to be as big as a large dinner plate. It comes in yellow, orange, red, pink and white.
“It’s great for balconies or if your yard is far away,” Bechard says. “The big texture and bold colours are easily noticed.”
[attach]6203[/attach]4) Out of this world
The Passion Flower may look more at home on another planet, Bechard says, but this trailing, vine plant is a nice visual when creeping up a gate or fence.
The plant has curly sprouts topped with an “alien looking” bloom. This plant also does very well in intense heat.
“When I first saw this plant I didn’t think it was real,” Bechard
[attach]6202[/attach]5) Get tropical
The Cana plant is a great choice to give your garden that rainforest flavour, says Bechard. Its large leaves, huge stocky stems and colourful blooms love sunny areas and thrive in the light. The unique bronze foliage also add an exotic touch.
“It’s a nice plant to have in an urban setting because it brings the wild to a city dwelling,” Bechard says.
