Dear Helen: Last spring, around this time, I saw an unusual flower. I never discovered its name. The stem was around 25 cm long and the flowers, though not ultra-showy, were most unusual. They were bell-shaped, and drooping, in a purple and white checkerboard pattern. I’m wondering whether you can Identify the flower. I suspect it may have grown from a bulb. If so, are the bulbs likely to be locally available?
C.M.
You have described the charming Fritillaria meleagris, commonly called checkered lily, snake’s head fritillary, or guinea hen flower. The descriptive term meleagris means speckled or checkered, like a guinea fowl. There is also a white-flowered form, usually inlcuded in mixtures.
The plants are native to Europe, where they are most commonly found naturalized in moist sites. The bulbs are available in the fall in some local garden centres. I see them listed in the fall catalogue of a major wholesale supplier of bulbs to our local outlets.
Planted in a sunny to partly sunny location with a rich, moist but well-drained soil, checkered lilies naturalize easily, to flower for many years in mid to late spring.
Dear Helen: A deciduous hibiscus shrub in my new (to me) garden needs pruning. Please tell me how, and when, to do this.
L.B.
Hardy shrub hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus, Rose of Sharon) is a popular plant with a graceful vase shape and a profuse display of single or double flowers through the summer.
The shrubs can become quite large, to around three metres tall. Well established shrubs can be pruned fairly heavily, especially if you wish to control the size. The pruning is best done in late winter or early spring. I’d do it as soon as possible.
Following the normal procedure for pruning deciduous shrubs, begin by removing dead, broken and weak stems. On well-established shrubs, removing a few of the oldest (thickest) stems at ground level helps to keep the plant rejuvenated.
If the hibiscus is tall and rangy, and you wish to reduce the height, you can cut back stems to outward-facing side stems or growth buds. Otherwise, take the more usual, modest approach to controlling the plant’s size and promoting good flowering by cutting back the newest growth, that is growth produced last year, to leave just two growth buds on it. This newest growth will be slightly thinner and lighter in colour than older wood.
Dear Helen: In recent years my greenhouse has been a disappointment. It’s become a haven for all manner of pests and diseases. Is there anything I can do to create healthier conditions for my vegetables?
C.P.
A heat treatment can be very helpful. First, find a convenient time, as soon as possible, to empty the greenhouse. Clear all vegetation and debris from the soil surface of beds. Thoroughly wash the walls and any benches. Then close the door and any other openings and leave the greenhouse closed up for several consecutive sunny days.
After the heat treatment, mix fresh potting soil or compost, preferably a bagged, purchased one to avoid bringing weeds and pests into the greenhouse, into the soil before planting. Before bringing any transplants or potted plants into the greenhouse, first make sure they are pest-free.
GARDEN EVENTS
Peninsula plant sale. The Peninsula Garden Club will hold a Spring Plant Sale on Saturday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney. The sale will feature tomato plants, annuals, perennials including dahlias, lilies, hostas and peonies, and many other items.
Rhododendron show and sale. The Nanaimo Rhododendron Society is holding its Annual Plant Sale and Flower show on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Beban Park Centennial Building. The sale hosts vendors and growers from all over Vancouver Island, specializing in rhododendrons, unique and interesting perennials, alpine and woodland plants, bulbs and seeds. Members enter rhododendron trusses to the flower show, illustrating the great variety of blooms and foliage among hybrids and species. Judges will choose the best in each category. Admission is free. Details at nanaimorhodos.ca/truss-show/.
Mid-Island plant sale. The Mid Island Rose Society is holding a sale of perennials, annuals and shrubs on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the corner of Uplands and 3301 Emerald Dr. in Nanaimo. The sale is held to help support Nanaimo charities including Hospice, Wheels for Wellness, Nanaimo Hospital, Women’s Haven House and SPCA.
