Prairie Garden articles from January 1 2006

Prairie Garden archives from January 1 2006

An editorial note.(Editorial)
January 1, 2006... Another year of planning, collecting material, and putting it all together to bring you another issue of The Prairie Garden has passed. This year's book is full of fancy, and will delight your inner gardener. Many articles will inspire you to...

Guest editorial.(Editorial)
January 1, 2006... When English novelist Samuel Butler penned the phrase "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing," there must have been some mystical force prodding him. As prairie gardeners, we tend to think 'outside the box' and the theme of Myth, Magic and...

Oasis.(Poem)
January 1, 2006... Oasis The garden is a place to share Invite friends to a comfy chair To laugh and talk and pour hot tea Beneath the boughs of an old tree A special place to be alone To hear the wind chimes' golden tone ...

Backyard Camelot recreating a medieval garden.
January 1, 2006... When we think of the Middle Ages, we might imagine Hollywood images of grimy peasants, loutish knights and busty wenches. Gardens usually don't enter into the picture. However, the medieval period in Northern and Western Europe, which...

Biblical botany.
January 1, 2006... The lands mentioned in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible extend from Italy to Iran and from Greece to Egypt, with most events occurring in the area called the land of Israel, or Palestine, on both sides of the River Jordan. ...

Practical magic ... with common garden plants.
January 1, 2006... For thousands of years, plants have been used for the benefit of mankind, for their healing properties, culinary uses, and as an aid to ritual and meditation. Many belief systems still use herbs, flowers and trees to make candles,...

Spending thyme in prison.(gardening a therapy for inmates)
January 1, 2006... Gardening is therapy. I know this because I have studied the research regarding people plant relationships by the People Plant Council, papers by the American Horticultural Therapy Association, or through my work with nursing homes and...

Commentary on the global tree of life.
January 1, 2006... Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and also take of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever. Genesis 2:22 As identified in the Book of Genesis of the Judeo-Christian...

Trees: their mystery, magic & myths.
January 1, 2006... I started my lifetime education with trees at the age of 8. Formally that process began at the age of 20, and has continued with each day of my life to the present. The more I learn about trees, the more mysterious they become to me. I liked...

Trees in winter.
January 1, 2006... Once the leaves are gone, there is a whole new world out there! The magic of our trees is their ability to acclimate to survive in our harsh climate. In summer, they cannot tolerate much frost at all, but by winter they have changed their...

The Green Man.
January 1, 2006... Who is this mysterious leafy face peering out of the Green Wood? He opens his mouth and vines, leaves and foliage burst forth with the song of the green and growing earth. For centuries he has whispered to us, even as we deflower and deforest...

The significance of nature in Celtic art.
January 1, 2006... The late Pope John Paul II in his address to the people of Ireland at Clonmacnoise on September 30, 1979, speaks to us of the meaning of birth and death; of the greatness of man: Every piece of art, be it religious or secular, be it a...

North American Ogham: Celtic Wisdom for the Prairies and Central Plains.
January 1, 2006... The Celtic Druids of England kept a secret language in which various elements in their natural surroundings, including trees, were used to develop an alphabet. This secret language also had mystical connotations that helped them to...

The trees I had for dinner: a fantastical story full of embedded truth.
January 1, 2006... It was a crisp spring morning a year or two past, the kind of morning where one might go outdoors and tend to the newly emerging perennials or admire the newly budding trees, but it was just too cold to get out of bed. Instead, I found myself...

The Battle of the Trees.(Poem)
January 1, 2006... THE BATTLE OF THE TREES The tops of the beech tree Have sprouted of Late, Are changed and renewed From their withered state. When the beech prospers Through spells and litanies The oak tops entangle, ...

New gardening books for Albertans.
January 1, 2006... Two new books have been released for Alberta gardeners by Edmonton's Lone Pine Publishing: Perennials for Alberta and Best Garden Plants for Alberta. Perennials for Alberta (D. Dawson & L. Peters, Edmonton, Lone Pine Publishing, 2005,...

Wonders in your woodlot.
January 1, 2006... What is a woodlot? A woodlot is "any wooded area or woodland." Those of you who have the privilege of owning a woodlot, have probably already discovered that there are many wonders associated with working, playing or managing your own unique...

Inch by inch.
January 1, 2006... One of my earliest memories is of gardening with my grandpa. We are crouched over a plot of dirt; he is working away while I poke with a stick and chatter away about what we're doing. He was always quiet and contemplative in contrast to my...

New online tool helps prairie gardeners select right plants.
January 1, 2006... Gardeners from across the prairies have discovered the Northscaping Landscape Plant Search, a new Internet-based tool which enables them to identify hardy plants for their landscaping and gardening projects from the comfort of their own...

The Love Song of the Garden.(Poem)
January 1, 2006... THE LOVE SONG OF THE GARDEN He hasn't had a garden of His own for many years. Yet flowers emerge from strange and unexpected places. What would you plant in your garden? She asked. What would you plant in our garden? She...

Creating magic in the garden.(flower gardening)
January 1, 2006... A gardener built a pond. It was in the middle of the garden where sunlight would reach its flowering plants. It was good.... However, from the main viewing point, the pond did not hold attention.... If it were framed... by placing a wall as...

Dragons in your garden!
January 1, 2006... Adult and damselflies are familiar to anyone who has gone for a summer stroll along the edge of a stream, pond or lake in the prairie provinces. They are easily the masters of flight in the insect world, with their gentle grace and sudden...

Remembering a true legend: Lois Hole.
January 1, 2006... On January 6, 2005, the northern gardening world lost a champion. Lois Elsa Hole, renowned author, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, businesswoman extraordinaire and lover of gardening, passed away, and with her passed one of the pioneers of...

In the pink!
January 1, 2006... Visit your garden centre and it might seem as though the colours are rushing out to meet you. They are bright and tropical, strong and jewel toned or soft subtle pinks and roses. After a year of brights, especially pinks, from pastel to hot,...

Springtime in Japan.
January 1, 2006... Green. I never knew there were so many shades of it. From light greens, to yellow greens, to dark greens that are almost black. Is it just a trick because of my over-wintered eyes? Or is it the trees, bushes, and plants. There are a few kinds...

There's lilies in my irises.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... I can't deny that I love irises above all other plants, but after a few years, I soon came to realize that if all I planted was irises, my garden would be basically a spring only garden. And it's a long time between springs, especially in...

A herald of spring: the prairie crocus.(flower research)
January 1, 2006... In 1841 after a long, cold winter, the famous American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote to his fiancee, "There has been but one flower found in this vicinity--and that was an anemone, a poor, able, shivering little flower that had crept...

Union in the landscape: designing an outdoor wedding space.
January 1, 2006... Have you been to an outdoor wedding lately? Outdoor weddings seem to an increasingly popular, whether an intimate wedding in a garden, or a more involved affair at a place designed specifically for such an event. In the Winnipeg area alone,...

The fragrance & symbolism of a herbal wedding.
January 1, 2006... For thousands of years herbs have been used in wedding bouquets, garlands, and wreaths. Why? Because herbs have rich symbolic meanings and enchanting fragrance that fill the air and help create a magical wedding day that will be a wonderful...

Flowers & plants of the bible.
January 1, 2006... The formal writings of most of the world's religions make reference to flowers, fruit, trees and sometimes vegetables. The Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and the New Testament, which make up the Bible are no exception. Sometimes the...

Dr. Skinner recognized by Canada.(Frank Leith Skinner, Parks Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Parks Canada and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada unveiled a plaque commemorating the national historic significance of FRANK LEITH SKINNER and his contribution to horticulture in Western Canada. A ceremony took place at the...

St. Fiacre: the patron saint of gardeners.(legends)
January 1, 2006... Did you know that gardeners have their own patron saint? Don't feel badly if you didn't, for neither did I, and more importantly, neither did my friend who has spent a lifetime studying all things French. For, as I recently discovered, the...

The literary apple getting to the core ...
January 1, 2006... Apples are believed to have originated in the Caucasus Mountains between the Black and Caspian Seas. In their evolutionary infancy, they resembled crabapples with small, astringent and largely inedible fruit. They eventually spread over much...

Cultivate your potential.
January 1, 2006... Each winter and spring, Prairie Horticulture at the University of Manitoba offers a variety of gardening and landscaping evening courses. Past topics have included: * home landscape design * companion planting * floral design...

Confession of a lily addict.
January 1, 2006... Family--Liliacae--genus--Lilium, species, sub-species, lilium, shmilium. I'm the kind of person who would rather know a little on a lot of subjects then a whole lot on one or a few subjects. That goes for lilies. I don't need a scientific...

For the love of lilies.
January 1, 2006... The Manitoba Regional Lily Society proudly hosted the 58th Annual Lily Show and Symposium, presented by the North American Lily Society, in mid-July 2005, chaired by Susan LeBlanc and John Rempel. The theme, "Northern Horizons" was reflected...

The 2005 Prairie Garden Award for Excellence Honeywood (Dr. A. J. Porter) Heritage Nursery.
January 1, 2006... The recipient of The 2005 Prairie Garden Award for Excellence is the Honeywood (Dr. A.J. Porter) Heritage Nursery. Honeywood Nursery is located on a quarter-section of land four miles south and one mile west of Parkside, Saskatchewan, Over...

Mythologies in the Indian garden.
January 1, 2006... In Hindu mythology, it is believed that every God or Goddess had a favorite tree, bird or animal as a companion. The origin of this myth is probably traceable to the intention that succeeding generations and society as a whole should treasure...

In memory of Jean Atto.(Brief Article)(Obituary)
January 1, 2006... Much has been written about gardeners making our world a better place. Visitors to Jean's home were treated to a wide variety of interesting plants and trees. Early spring would see yellow daffodils in her front room windows. They had been...

Therapeutic gardens: exploring gardens around the world.
January 1, 2006... When travelling, we often think that gardens are merely a place to visit and enjoy before moving quickly on to the next venue in the hopes of seeing it "all" in one day so as to feel "done." I would have to say that I used to be much the...

Garden labyrinths exploring myth, magic and meditation.
January 1, 2006... Can one garden combine myth, magic and meditation? Yes! Labyrinth gardens have been associated with myths for over 4,000 years, reminding us metaphorically that we are often following an unseen thread that leads us on our life's journey. My...

A paradise never lost.
January 1, 2006... Paradise was a garden--the Garden of Eden. The myths of many ancient peoples mention paradise. The Sumerians (4000 to 3000 B.C.) referred to paradise as a place where mankind lived before the flood. The Bible, in Genesis, tells us about the...

Compost screening, the easy way.(gardening, waste management)
January 1, 2006... I've always been a believer in recycling, and composting was a natural part of this philosophy. Each year I am impressed by what comes out of my compost pile compared to what went in: namely all those kitchen scraps, leaves, twigs and garden...

Heirloom vegetables a feast for the senses.
January 1, 2006... The fruits and vegetables available in today's supermarkets are often less flavorful and aromatic than traditional varieties. Through years and years of extensive hybridization we have sacrificed taste, nutrient content, variety and genetic...

100 years growing: celebrating agriculture at the University of Manitoba.
January 1, 2006... In 2006, the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at the University of Manitoba will celebrate 100 years of teaching, research and service. In 1903 an Act by the Manitoba Legislature provided "for the Agricultural College of...

Garden elementals.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Many ancient and some modern cultures recognize that there are little beings or elementals at play in the garden or in natural settings. Often these creatures have human and animal characteristics. Most recognized are satyrs and fauns of...

The kalyna in Ukrainian folk medicine & folklore.
January 1, 2006... The kalyna, Viburnum opulus--the guelder-rose or highbush cranberry, has been an integral part of the natural Ukrainian landscape and Ukrainian tradition since time immemorial. Its beauty cannot be denied, and its status in Ukrainian folk...

Correction notice.
January 1, 2006... Michael Allen's article: article on Coniferous Prairie Evergreens (p. 77-80) in The 2005 Prairie Garden should end with: Simplistic pesticide sprays will not bring back these trees. Revisiting these coniferous evergreens with a total and...

Black flowers.
January 1, 2006... For centuries, tulip growers have been hybridizing for black tulips and now have 'Queen of the Night' and 'Black Parrot' and 'Arabian Night,' etc. Rose hybidizers have 'Black Magic' and more than 400 other dark red roses. And, I seem to...

Witchy & period theme garden web sites.
January 1, 2006... Chatnoir's Garden of Shadows: The Magic Garden www.free-webspace.biz/cgos5/Magic.html Includes pages on The Moon Garden, The Medieval Garden and The Gothic Garden. Moonsmuses.com: Magic Garden & Herbal Grimore ...

Moon gardens: a contemporary source for meditation through ancient mythology & ethereal magic.
January 1, 2006... There has always been an air of mystery and passion around the moon and gardening. It wasn't until one evening, after a long tedious day at work, that I became aware of the awe and spectacle moonlight can caste on the perception of one's...

Consider clover.
January 1, 2006... Tired of mowing? Fed up with paying lawn-watering bills and squandering precious water? Worried about spraying pesticides? Want a green lawn in drought? Welcome clover! Two summers ago I dug up the grass and weeds, careful to get out the...

Grow Clover Song.(Poem)
January 1, 2006... GROW CLOVER SONG by Regina Raging Grannies August, 2003 (Tune: I'm looking over a 4-leaf clover) I'm looking over a lawn of clover I'm seeing them more and more Green in the drought time And green after snow No...

Pest control in the garden--or not?
January 1, 2006... When faced with an infestation of insect pests, perhaps there is a better way for prairie gardeners to combat the problem than selecting from an arsenal of insecticides. Many insect problems can be overcome or avoided altogether by following...

Toxic plants in Prairie Gardens.
January 1, 2006... Plants are the original inventors of chemical warfare. During millions of years of evolution, they have had to cope with greedy, inconsiderate herbivores that robbed them of their resources and the fruits of their labours (literally). While...

Aconitum myth & magic.(medical plants, research)
January 1, 2006... Aconitum is a genus of plants belonging to the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, which consists of approximately 60 genera. There are thought to be over a hundred species of Aconitum. The common names for the plant usually refer either to the...

Polyn--the bitter wormwood.
January 1, 2006... Hirke yak polyn! Bitter as wormwood! That's the phrase uttered by Ukrainians if something is really bitter, or is so figuratively. Polyn / wormwood (Artemisia spp.) really is as bitter as it comes. This herb is used medicinally by Ukrainians...

Belladonna.(herbs, research)
January 1, 2006... Infamous and contradictory, belladonna is weedy yet somehow beautiful, tempting even, with shiny eggplant-purple-black berries. This deadly poisonous herb is intriguingly the antidote to several highly toxic substances. Throughout history it...

Beware the mandrake.(myths and legends of eggs and mandrake roots )
January 1, 2006... Many years ago back in Germany I visited an old family friend, Sister Elisabeth. She lived in a 12th Century convent called "Wienhausen," now a retirement home for the "Ladies of the Land of Hannover." There, she had her own suite, and as a...

50 years: sweet pea.
January 1, 2006... This article was originally printed in The 1956 Prairie Garden (p, 111). The credit runs: We are indebted for much of the preceding information to Leonard Yager, Extension Horticulturalist, Montana State College, Bozeman, Montana. ...

What's so great about peonies?(flower research)
January 1, 2006... Why did our ancestors bring peonies, as one of their prized possessions, when they travelled from Europe to North America? What mystery captivates our minds, our eyes and our hearts, when it comes to the peony? Is it their promise of beauty,...

In memory: Vern Hildahl.(Brief Article)(Obituary)
January 1, 2006... Vern Hildahl, O.M. Vern was born near Estevan, SK in early November of 1917. His early years working on the family farm and in coal mines during the Depression gave Vern a strong work ethic. During the war he spent time in Manitoba, teaching...

The magic of irises.
January 1, 2006... Reliable, low maintenance irises have added colour and interest to prairie gardens for generations. Few perennials are available in such an extensive range of subtle colour combinations and the sword like leaves provide striking vertical...

Our love affair with roses.
January 1, 2006... The love affair gardeners have with roses has been going on for many centuries. According to fossil evidence, the rose is 35 million years old. Garden cultivation of roses began some 5,000 years ago, probably in China. During the Roman...

Orchid mystique.(growing orchids)
January 1, 2006... Why would anyone spend the time on trying to coax an orchid to grow, never mind getting it to bloom? They are so fussy and difficult to grow. Those were my very thoughts after I spent $25 on a tiny orchid seedling only to see it wither...

African violet the perfect houseplant.
January 1, 2006... African violets were first discovered over 100 years ago in the Usambara Mountains in what is now Tanzania, Africa. In 1892 Baron Walter von St. Paul found an unknown plant, collected some seeds, and sent them to his father in Germany. This...