local dirt 2016 the year of the... Each year the National Garden Bureau selects one annual, one perennial, one bulb and one edible plant as their crop of
the year. Each selection is made by considering the plant’s popularity, ease of growing, adaptability, genetic diversity and versatility. Here are this year’s picks.
Allium Begonia Carrot Delphinium
Alliums have globe-like blooms made up of a clus- ter of individual florets that sit atop a long leafless stalk. They definitely make a state- ment in the garden. These inverted exclamation points grow well with ornamental grasses, sedum, rudbeckia, echinacea and salvia. Best of all, they are avoided by deer and other predators, but their flowers are adored by bees and other pollinators!
With over 1,700 different species, begonias (family Begoniaceae) are the fifth most diverse class of plants. In addition to the well- known little wax begonias that many use as bedding plants, there are also drag- on-wing begonias, begonias, showy
trailing tuber-
ous begonias, rex begonias and more! It can be hard to decide with such a wide variety of choices available.
One of the most popular vegetables in home gardens, carrots are also one of the top 10 most economically important vegetable crops in the world. Carrots are a power food that pack a healthy punch of vitamin A and offer benefits such as beautiful skin, cancer prevention and anti-aging. They are delicious, nutri- tious and easy to grow in many varieties and colours.
Tall floral spikes boast colourful rosettes in popu- lar colours such as blue, red, pink, white, violet or yellow. Delphiniums are a stately flower and popu- lar in English and cottage gardens. They often require staking for their heavy summer blooms. Cut them back after the first set of flowers for a second bloom- ing. They are hard to start from seed.
Local garden events and news
Garden membership renewals Spring is the time to renew your member- ship with your local horticultural society. Memberships offer you access to garden expertise from local gardeners just like you. Plant exchanges and sales, garden tours and competitions, access to speak- ers and training, and discounts to local garden related businesses are often all part of the membership. To renew with the Edmonton Horti- cultural Society email membership@
edmontonhort.com/membership/join-us or call 780.456.3324. To renew with the Calgary Horticultural Society email
office@calhort.org or call 403.287.3469 ext. 0 or stop by the office Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 208-50 Ave. SW.
Edmonton Horticultural Society Plant swap and sale May 14 EHS Office Parking Lot 10746 - 178 Street, Edmonton The Edmonton Horticultural Society
6 • Early Spring 2016
Plant Swap and Sale is a great opportu- nity for members and other gardeners to find new homes for extra plants, exchange them for new ones and buy locally. This event is held twice a year— in spring just as you are getting started and may have extra plants, and during fall clean-up when you may be dividing perennials or have seeds to share. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bring your plants to the receiving tables and pick up your credits. Browse vendor tables, chat with fellow gardeners and buy refreshments while you wait. Vendor tables open at 11 a.m. but the real fun starts at noon when the plant exchange begins in a mad scramble of fun!
Calgary Horticultural Society The Calgary Horticultural Society has some fantastic events lined up. Members receive a discount
but
Fruit gardening April 23
Garden trees and their care April 28
Starting from scratch Two-day course Two day session: April 30 and May 1
Container gardening May 7
Growing herbs for the kitchen May 12
Choosing trees and shrubs for small gardens May 14
everyone is
welcome to these educational sessions. To register and for more information contact Calgary Horticultural Society at 403.287.3469 or visit
calhort.org.
Gardening with ornamental grasses May 19
The vegetable garden in summer May 26
localgardener.net
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