PLANT OF THE MONTH- June

by Sigrie Kendrick

Papaver orientale, Oriental Poppy

Few plants announce the arrival of early summer quite like Papaver orientale, the Oriental poppy. With blooms that can reach the size of a dinner plate, this bold perennial has captivated gardeners for centuries and is an excellent fit for the Okanagan’s hot, dry summers.

Native to the meadows and hillsides of southwestern Asia, Oriental poppies are built for drought. They emerge in spring, producing deeply lobed, bristly grey-green foliage before sending up stiff stems topped with enormous, papery blooms. The flowers typically appear in late May through June in the Okanagan in colours ranging from fiery scarlet and orange to softer shades of salmon, pink, and white, usually with a dramatic dark blotch at the base of each petal. Although not particularly long-blooming, they are irresistible when in flower.

After flowering, the foliage dies back completely by midsummer, a quirk that catches some gardeners off guard. This summer dormancy is actually an advantage in xeriscape design as the plant requires virtually no water during its period of dormancy. Plan for this gap by surrounding Papaver orientale with late-season bloomers like Agastache cultivars (Hyssop), Salvia yangii (Russian sage), or ornamental grasses, which will fill in as the poppy vanishes.

Oriental poppies thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, the sandier and leaner, the better. They dislike heavy clay and resent overwatering, making them a natural choice for our semi-arid Okanagan conditions. Once established, Papaver orientale are long-lived and reliably self-sufficient, returning larger and more floriferous each year.

Plant bare-root divisions in late summer or early fall, when the plant is dormant. Consider the site carefully as Oriental poppies develop a deep tap root, which allows them to access moisture deep within the soil. The downside of this deep tap root means they are all but impossible to transplant. Plant it right, leave it alone, and prepare to be dazzled year after year.

An added bonus of Papaver orientale is that its fuzzy, prickly foliage is seldom browsed by visiting deer.

Our Plant Database features more than 500 plants tested and ideally suited for the unique challenges of gardening in the Okanagan’s extreme climate, including the plants in this article.

 

PLANT OF THE MONTH- MAY

by Sigrie Kendrick

Bergenia cordifolia, heartleaf Bergenia

Bergenia cordifolia, commonly known as pigsqueak or heartleaf Bergenia, is a herbaceous perennial native to Russia, grown primarily as a groundcover. Practically indestructible once established, it is a foundation plant with enduring appeal.

This perennial is hardy in zones 3-8 and is tolerant of a wide range of soil types and light conditions. Reaching a height of 1 to 1 1/2 ft with an equal spread, this perennial features rosettes of large, leathery leaves, which are useful in flower arrangements.

Bergenia cordifolia blooms in April to May with dense panicles of small dark pink flowers held above the foliage by stout 16-inch stalks.

Bergenia cordifolia is not typically bothered by deer, insects or disease.

The common name of pigsqueak comes from the noise produced by rubbing the leaf between thumb and forefinger.

How does Bergenia cordifolia resist drought?

Bergenia cordifolia resists drought primarily through its foliage. It’s thick, leathery, and waxy evergreen leaves prevent excess moisture loss to the air. Additionally, its fleshy rhizomatous root system acts as a deep reservoir, allowing the plant to store starches and water to recover quickly when needing to survive dry periods.

Growing tips–

Bergenia cordifolia works wonderfully for:

• shaded border fronts or rock gardens
• ground cover for woodland or shade gardens
• edging for paths and walkways
• a much-needed pop of early bloom colour
• an early nectar source for pollinators

Plant Bergenia cordifolia in part to full shade with moist, well-drained soil. It will tolerate dry shade once established and adapts well to a range of soil types.

To get the most out of Bergenia cordifolia in your garden, a protective layer of mulch is highly recommended to retain shallow moisture.

Trim back spent flowers after blooming, and remove damaged foliage in early spring to make way for fresh growth. To maintain density and vigour, divide every few years in the spring.

Suitable for use as a fresh cut flower. 

Our Plant Database features more than 500 plants tested and ideally suited for the unique challenges of gardening in the Okanagan’s extreme climate, including the plants in this article.

 

PLANT OF THE MONTH- APRIL

by Sigrie Kendrick

Pulsatilla vulgaris, the European Pasque flower

Few spring-blooming perennials combine delicate beauty with rugged resilience quite like Pulsatilla vulgaris, the European Pasque flower.

Named for its bloom time around Easter (Pâques in French), this silky-petalled gem is equally at home in a rock garden or a sun-baked hillside and is virtually maintenance-free.

Pasque flower is cold-hardy in zones 4-8, making it an excellent choice for even the higher elevations in our Okanagan valley.

Native to the dry chalk grasslands and limestone meadows of central and northern Europe, Pulsatilla vulgaris has evolved over millennia in some of the continent’s most unforgiving soils.

Poor, thin, and freely draining ground is exactly what it prefers. Plant it in rich, moisture-retentive soil, and it will quietly sulk or simply disappear.

Give it the lean, gritty conditions it knows, and Pulsatilla vulgaris will reward you with decades of enjoyment.

How does Pulsatilla vulgaris resist drought?

The Pasque flower’s drought resilience is structural, not incidental. Its deeply tapering taproot drives far down into rocky substrate, accessing moisture reserves long after the surface soil has dried.

The finely divided, feathery foliage is covered in soft silver hairs, a classic xerophytic adaptation that reflects intense sunlight and reduces water loss through the leaf surface.

Even the ornamental silky-tailed seed heads that follow the blooms serve a purpose by allowing the plant to complete its reproduction cycle quickly, before summer heat fully arrives.

Growing tips–

Once established, which typically takes a full growing season, Pulsatilla vulgaris requires essentially no supplemental irrigation in climates such as the Okanagan with its modest spring rainfall.

It is highly suited to xeriscaping plantings, gravel gardens, and low-maintenance perennial borders where water conservation is a priority.

Pulsatilla vulgaris prefers to be sited in a full-sun location with excellent drainage, but will tolerate part-sun.

Avoid transplanting Pulsatilla once established, as the taproot, which makes this such a successful xeric plant, resents disturbance.

Cultivars of this perennial range from the classic violet-purple through white, red, and soft pink.

 

Pasque flower is one of the earliest blooming spring perennials and, as such, offers vital support for pollinators emerging from the long winter.

Our Plant Database features more than 500 plants tested and ideally suited for the unique challenges of gardening in the Okanagan’s extreme climate, including the plants in this article.

 

PLANT OF THE MONTH- March

by Sigrie Kendrick

Lenten or Christmas Rose, or Hellebore

Helleborus orientalis, commonly known as the Lenten or Christmas Rose, or simply Hellebore, is an excellent choice for Okanagan gardens.

Native to Greece, Turkey, and the Caucasus region, this elegant perennial has been favored by gardeners for centuries for its remarkable resilience and quiet, understated beauty.

Despite its common name, the Lenten Rose is not a true rose but a member of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. It produces nodding, cup-shaped flowers in a stunning range of colours from pure white and soft cream to deep plum, burgundy, and near-black.

Many cultivars feature attractive spotting, veining, or picotee edges, adding further visual interest. Helleborus orientalis blooms appear from late winter through early spring, often pushing up through frost and snow, earning the plant a reputation as a harbinger for the warmer days ahead.

The leathery, dark green foliage is evergreen in many climates, providing year-round structure and ground cover. Leaves are deeply divided into palmate segments, giving the plant a bold, architectural quality even when not in bloom.

Hellebore thrive in a woodland garden

Helleborus orientalis thrives in partial to full shade, making it an invaluable choice for woodland gardens and shade borders. It prefers well-drained, humus-rich soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Once established, it is remarkably drought-tolerant and long-lived, with individual plants surviving for decades with minimal care.

Few plants offer so much for so little effort. The Lenten Rose naturalises freely, self-seeding to gradually form impressive clumps. It is also deer-resistant, a significant advantage in many Okanagan gardens.

However, gardeners should note that all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested, so care should be taken in gardens frequented by children or pets. Some people may even experience mild skin irritation after touching Hellebore.

With its late-winter blooms and easy-going nature, Helleborus orientalis remains an essential plant for any shade garden.

Our Plant Database features more than 500 plants tested and ideally suited for the unique challenges of gardening in the Okanagan’s extreme climate, including the plants in this article.

 

PLANT OF THE MONTH- FEBRUARY

by Sigrie Kendrick

Why are snowdrops remarkable?

Galanthus nivalis, commonly known as the snowdrop, is a small bulbous perennial plant that has captured the hearts of gardeners and nature enthusiasts worldwide. Native to Europe and parts of the Middle East, this delicate flower is one of the earliest bloomers in the garden calendar, often pushing through frozen soil and even snow cover to display its pristine white flowers.

The botanical name offers insight into its nature – “Galanthus” derives from Greek words meaning “milk flower,” while “nivalis” refers to snow, aptly describing both its appearance and its winter-blooming habit. The snowdrop typically grows to about 15 centimeters in height, with narrow, blue-green leaves and a single pendant flower consisting of three outer tepals and three shorter inner tepals marked with green.

What makes snowdrops particularly remarkable is their ability to flower in the coldest months of the year, usually between January and March in the Northern Hemisphere. This is made possible by several adaptations, including antifreeze proteins in their tissues that prevent damage from freezing temperatures. The drooping posture of the flowers also serves a practical purpose, protecting the plant’s reproductive parts from rain, snow, and cold winds.

Galanthus Nivalis – the promise of Spring

Snowdrops contain compounds of medical interest, notably galantamine, which is used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. This alkaloid was first isolated from snowdrops and related species in the Amaryllidaceae family, showcasing how even the smallest garden plants can hold significant pharmaceutical value.

For garden enthusiasts, snowdrops inspire a particular passion, sometimes leading to “galanthomania” – the obsessive collection of different snowdrop varieties. Despite their seemingly simple appearance, there are over 20 species and hundreds of cultivars differing in size, flowering time, and the patterns of green markings on their inner tepals. Some rare varieties can fetch prices in the hundreds of dollars for a single bulb.

Planting snowdrops is straightforward, though they prefer partial shade and humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. They naturalize readily in suitable conditions, forming impressive carpets over time. Most effectively, they are planted “in the green” – that is, shortly after flowering when still in leaf, rather than as dry bulbs.

For many gardeners, the sight of the first snowdrops emerging marks a significant moment in the yearly cycle – a promise that spring, with all its abundance, is on its way.

Our Plant Database features more than 500 plants tested and ideally suited for the unique challenges of gardening in the Okanagan’s extreme climate, including the plants in this article.

 

PLANT OF THE MONTH- JANUARY

by Sigrie Kendrick

Wild pansy, heartsease, or Johnny-jump-up

Although not typically considered a xeriscape plant, these diminutive beauties, sited on my patio, receive very little supplemental irrigation and are actually quite drought-tolerant. They have been blooming since September and, with our recent mild weather, continue to do so, brightening the gloomy winter days, making them worthy to feature as Plant of the Month.

Viola tricolour, commonly known as the wild pansy, heartsease, or Johnny-jump-up, is a delightful European wildflower that has captured hearts for centuries. This small but mighty plant, belonging to the violet family Violaceae, displays cheerful blooms in combinations of colours, hence its scientific name “tricolour,” meaning three colors. Blooming in shades of blue, purple, orange, yellow, burgundy, white, and near-black, with many multicoloured varieties, these are tough, fast-growing, self-seeders.

Native to Europe and temperate regions of Asia, this hardy annual or short-lived perennial thrives in meadows, wastelands, and cultivated fields. The plant typically grows 6 to 8 inches tall, with delicate flowers measuring about half an inch across. Each bloom features distinctive face-like markings, with dark lines radiating from the center.

Viola tricolour – folklore and symbolism

Throughout history, Viola tricolour has been steeped in folklore and symbolism. Medieval Europeans called it heartsease because of its supposed ability to mend broken hearts and ease emotional pain. In the Victorian language of flowers, it represented loving thoughts and remembrance. Beyond its ornamental appeal, the wild pansy has practical uses. Herbalists have traditionally employed it to treat skin conditions, respiratory ailments, and inflammation. The flowers are edible and make attractive garnishes for salads and desserts, offering a mild, slightly minty flavor.

Viola tricolour is also the ancestor of the modern garden pansy (Viola × wittrockiana), developed through extensive breeding in the 19th century. While cultivated pansies now boast larger blooms in countless color combinations, many gardeners still cherish the wild pansy’s modest charm and natural grace.

This resilient little flower continues to brighten gardens and wild spaces, reminding us that beauty often comes in small, unpretentious packages. Viola tricolour are typically more heat and drought-tolerant than pansies and worth including in any garden.

Our Plant Database features more than 500 plants tested and ideally suited for the unique challenges of gardening in the Okanagan’s extreme climate, including the plants in this article.