Homes

For their ease of care and prolific bloom, gardening expert Helen Chesnut is very fond of the small-flowered clematis types, in particular the Viticellas.

With some changes to strata act pending, we are in an excellent window to plan for installations and evaluate the future energy demands of your strata community.

A believer in “function over form,” designer Sandra Lyle-Mason mixes expensive furnishings with pieces found on Marketplace and at Ikea to create a home that works for her family of five.

Backyard feeders need frequent cleaning to prevent breeding infections that can be fatal to the tiny birds

Advice: Use “suckers” removed from tomato plants to repel the cabbage butterfly — by laying the suckers on the cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower plants.

Consideration must be given to family status and accommodation for persons occupying strata lots or who intend to occupy a strata lot.

Viruses have been known to cause variations in flower colours. And sometimes, mutations in plants arise spontaneously due to unknown causes.

Whenever you find bulbs that have softened, and especially if there is a hole in a bulb base, the cause is the narcissus bulb fly.

A Victoria family is transforming this Saanich property into a thriving one-hectare flower farm with the assistance of four sheep, 10 heritage chickens, a White Swiss Shepherd dog, two cats, several goldfish — and wheelbarrow loads of energy.

The indoor and outdoor seeding seasons for most of us bring a blend of disappointment and eager anticipation.