In this week's episode of Down The Garden Path, Natalie Carmolli of Spring Meadow Nursery joins us to discuss the new varieties of flowering shrubs for 2020. Natalie is rooted in horticulture. When she was six years old, her family moved to a farmhouse on 40 acres in Michigan. This house was unique in that it had a full-sized glass greenhouse in the side yard. So, of course, her mother started a small seasonal business selling spring bedding plants, which quickly turned into a full-service flower shop. Natalie grew up working in that shop, learning floral design and customer service. She'd take these skills with her to college where she continued working in the floral industry while earning her degree in performing and fine arts. So how does one combine a fine art and theatre degree with a lifetime immersed in horticulture? As public relations specialist for Spring Meadow Nursery, Natalie puts the communication skills she learned in the theatre to express herself clearly and confidently when talking about one of her favorite subject, the art of gardening using Proven Winners® ColorChoice® flowering shrubs! Tune into this week's podcast to hear Natalie of Spring Meadow Nursery discuss some new varieties of flowering shrubs:  Winecraft Gold Smoke Bush Rose of Sharon - Chiffon Series has expanded Pieris Interstella Fothergilla Legend of the Fall Dandy Man series of Rhododendron Plus a few more landscaping favourites!  You'll also learn more about Spring Meadow Nursery, their acres of greenhouses and how they choose their selections each year.  Click here for the Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Flowering Shrubs 100-page magazine.  If you'd prefer a free hard copy, email your mailing address to Joanne Shaw at joanne@down2earth.ca or Natalie at natalie@springmeadownursery.com. Remember to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe.

Proven Winners New for 2020

On Down the Garden Path Podcast, landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. She believes it is important and possible to have great gardens that are low maintenance. On Down the Garden Path, she speaks with industry experts and garden authors to educate listeners on how to seasonally manage their gardens and landscapes.

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This week on Down the Garden Path, Joanne Shaw welcomes Julia Dimakos back to the podcast to discuss growing tomatoes. From starting tomatoes from seed to transplanting the seedlings into the garden, Julia shares her tried-and-true tricks to growing them successfully from seed.  About Julia Dimakos Julia Dimakos’ 7000 square foot kitchen garden is in Mono, Ontario, on 25 acres on the Niagara Escarpment. Julia has been growing vegetables and writing about gardening for over 13 years. She was twice published in Canadian Organic Grower magazine and became a published author in July 2022 with her first book, Tea Gardening for Beginners. Here are some of the questions and topics covered in this episode:  How to start tomato seeds and the type of pots to use  It's not too late during this first week of May to start as the seedlings are quite tough. You can put many seeds in a container: as they grow, they are easy to separate from the roots.   The difference between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes  It is important to know what variety you can and want to grow so you know how to support the plant in the garden appropriately. Spoiler alert: indeterminate tomatoes need support in the form of very TALL stakes!   Julia shares some great tips on fertilizer and watering  The importance of watering to avoid blossom end rot on your tomatoes   Tune in and then go buy some seeds of an unusual variety of tomatoes!  Click here to watch this episode on YouTube! Where you can find Julia Dimakos:  Website: www.juliadimakos.com Instagram: @juliadimakos YouTube: @gardeninggirl   Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast. You can also email your questions and comments to downthegardenpathpodcast@hotmail.com, or connect with Joanne via her website: down2earth.ca  Down the Garden Path Podcast On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low maintenance as possible.  In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon. Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.

All About Tomatoes with Julia Dimakos

In this episode of Down the Garden Path podcast, Joanne welcomes Katie Tamony of Monrovia Plants to dispel five myths about growing roses. About Katie Tamony Katie’s official title is Chief Marketing Officer, but really, she is Monrovia's chief storyteller and trendspotter. She has more than 25 years of expertise in the lifestyle and leisure industries. About Monrovia Inspired by the beauty of plants, gardens, and landscapes everywhere, Harry E. Rosedale, Sr. founded Monrovia in 1926 to be a premier grower of shrubs and trees. Monrovia collaborates with plant breeders worldwide to introduce improved plant varieties to North America. Monrovia plants flourish once planted to beautify gardens and landscapes. Visit Monrovia.com to learn more. Here are some of the questions and topics covered in this episode:  Myth #1: Roses are too fussy.  We discussed how when you give the roses what they need, they are not very fussy. Katie mentioned the Floribunda rose variety called Grace and Grit. It is a nice repeat bloomer that once established puts on a show. Available in White/Red/ Pink and Yellow.   Myth #2: Roses are prone to diseases.  The roses on the market now are much more disease-resistant than your grandmother’s roses. Monrovia’s Nitty Gritty™ is incredibly durable and disease-resistant. This ground cover series will look great in the garden or in a container. The double blooms are available in peach, yellow, red, pink and white. This rose is also self-cleaning so no need to trim or deadhead throughout the season.   Myth#3: Roses are water hogs.  This common myth boosts roses' reputation as being a difficult plant to grow. Roses actually like it hot and dry. Once established, roses do not need a lot of extra watering and can deal with the same amount as the rest of your garden.   Myth #4: Roses are no longer frangrant.  Well, the fragrance is back baby! This may have been true up until a few years ago but breeders have been working hard to bring the fragrance back in the new easy to grow varieties. Monrovia’s new Eau de Parfum rose collection features big romantic blooms that are easy to grow and very fragrant. Available in Berry, Bling, Blush and Bubbly.   Myth #5: Roses don’t grow in my tough garden conditions.  Several rose varieties bust this myth. As mentioned, Nitty Gritty™ and Grace N Grit are known for doing well in tough conditions. If you need an exceptionally hardy rose, then Monrovia’s Seaside Swirl Rose collection is just what you are looking for. A Rugosa rose variety that comes in pink, red and blush with the Rugosa toughness and exceptional fragrance. They are also tolerant of road salt but are more compact and tidy than the typical Rugosa rose. Maxing out at 3 ft tall.    Find Monrovia online:    www.Monrovia.com Facebook: @monroviaplants Instagram: @monroviaplants  Pinterest: @monroviaplants Twitter: @monroviaplants    Find Down the Garden Path online: Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast. You can also email your questions and comments to downthegardenpathpodcast@hotmail.com, or connect with Joanne via her website: down2earth.ca  Down the Garden Path Podcast On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low maintenance as possible.

5 Myths About Growing Roses with Katie Tamony from Monrovia Plants

In this episode of Down the Garden Path, landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses Hosta Virus X with returning guest Dawn Golloher from Gardens Plus. Dawn Golloher is the owner-operator of Gardens Plus, an independent garden centre in Peterborough, Ontario, specializing in easy-care perennials.  Here are some of the questions and topics covered in this episode:  Can you tell us more about Hosta Virus X?  The virus was first discovered in 1996. It spreads from the sap in the hosta leaves and roots. The best way to protect your plants is to buy from reputable sources and to practice good hygiene when dividing or cleaning up hostas. Use disinfectant wipes or have a bottle of diluted bleach handy to spray down your tools and then wipe off. This would help many things from spreading throughout our gardens, including powdery mildew.   Hosta Virus X doesn’t kill the hosta.  It will just have mottled or blotchy colouring and the hostas may not thrive in the long run. It will also not spread to other perennials in your garden.   The best way to remove an infected plant Three ways to recognize Hosta Virus X:  ink bleeding mottled tissue collapsed tissue   Gardens Plus is opening May 9th this year and will be open Thursday to Sunday until June 30th, 2024.  Find Gardens Plus online:  www.GardensPlus.ca Facebook: @gardensplus Instagram: @gardensplus YouTube: @gardensplus Pinterest: @gardensplus Twitter: @gardensplus  Find Down the Garden Path online: Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast. You can also email your questions and comments to downthegardenpathpodcast@hotmail.com, or connect with Joanne via her website: down2earth.ca  Down the Garden Path Podcast On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low maintenance as possible.  In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon. Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.

Hosta Virus X with Dawn Golloher from Gardens Plus

This week on Down the Garden Path, Joanne Shaw welcomes Garden Media's Katie Dubow back to the podcast to discuss new plants and products for 2024. About Katie Dubow Katie Dubow is the president of Garden Media Group, a women-owned and run public relations firm specializing in the home and garden industry and celebrating its 31st year in business. Author of the annual Garden Trends Report, Dubow travels the world scouting and presenting garden trends to audiences from Italy to Chicago. Some of the questions and topics covered:  The spring runways shows are in full swing Foraging brings the beauty of nature indoors  What is foraging? Are there tools for foraging that make it easy to do?   Knock Out roses are easy-care year-round blooming roses  What’s new this spring?   Azaleas are beautiful shrubs, but gardeners should know about new Autumn azaleas: what are they? What is a combo that will attract bees, birds, and butterflies?  What have you found works for a succulent garden and provides resources for night pollinators? Spring is the season for migration and having food as they travel back north: what do you suggest for our yards?   What are other organic products that support a healthy environment? Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables to grow in the garden or containers, especially cherry tomatoes  What is your favourite this year?   Where can listeners learn more about these new garden Superstar flowers and products?  Follow Katie Dubow online: Facebook: KatieGardenGirl Instagram: KatieGMG Find Garden Media Group online: Website: www.gardenmediagroup.com Facebook: Garden Media Group Instagram: GardenMedia Pinterest: GardenMedia LinkedIn: Garden Media Group Twitter: GardenMedia Find Down the Garden Path online: Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast. You can also email your questions and comments to downthegardenpathpodcast@hotmail.com, or connect with Joanne via her website: down2earth.ca  Down the Garden Path Podcast On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low maintenance as possible.  In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon. Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.

New Plants and Products for 2024 with Katie Dubow

In this episode of Down the Garden Path, landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses hellebores with returning guest Dawn Golloher from Gardens Plus. Dawn Golloher is the owner-operator of Gardens Plus, an independent garden centre in Peterborough, Ontario, specializing in easy-care perennials.  Here are some of the questions and topics covered in this episode:  Can you give us a bit of a history on hellebores? There are several classifications of hellebores.  Helleborus niger and Helleborus orientalis are the most common.   Helleborus niger also called Christmas Rose.  Native to the mountains of southern and central Europe. Christmas Rose can bloom around Christmas time in warmer regions. It is an early blooming perennial for part-shade to shade conditions. They have rose-like petals, some single and some double. The foliage often comes up after the flowers are evergreen. They are a low-maintenance, slow-growing plant and long living in your garden. Because they are slow growing, they are often quite expensive.   Helleborus orientalis is slightly larger than Helleborus niger and is also called Lenten Rose.  It is native to Asia Minor, Eurasia, Greece and Turkey. Also blooms late winter into spring. The foliage is dark glossy green, evergreen and palmately divided. They require shady to part-shade conditions, but it is important to note that they need well-drained moist soil. Not recommended for dry shade. The flowers are distinctive and a lovely palette of colours is available, so it is hard to have only one in the garden. Thanks to their early blooming, they do make a good pollinators. They are disease-resistant, toxic to cats and dogs (so bitter tasting that they really never get eaten) and deer-resistant, as well.   Some of the favourites that Dawn highlighted were:  Ivory Prince (hardy for lower zones) The Wedding Party series of double-flowering hellebores, including Blushing Bride, Confetti Cake The Honeymoon series of single-petaled flowers New York Night and Carnival   Dawn provided some other easy-care perennial recommendations for this year. How is Gardens Plus different from larger nurseries? They add a personal touch to everything that they do. Gardens Plus is opening May 9th this year and will be open Thursday to Sunday until June 30th, 2024.  Find Gardens Plus online:  www.GardensPlus.ca Facebook: @gardensplus Instagram: @gardensplus YouTube: @gardensplus Pinterest: @gardensplus Twitter: @gardensplus  Find Down the Garden Path online: Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast. You can also email your questions and comments to downthegardenpathpodcast@hotmail.com, or connect with Joanne via her website: down2earth.ca  Down the Garden Path Podcast On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low maintenance as possible.  Her book Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden is available on Amazon. Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.

Proven Winners New for 2020

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