The Growing Season

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You're no daisy at all!

Doc Holiday's famous line from "Tombstone" is the jumping off point for this week's show.

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland turn The Growing Season's focus to all things Daisy on this week's episode of the show. 

Strange old sayings kick the show off.  "Its enough to stick in your eye..." WHAT?

Daisies, asters and coneflowers are all related.  HOW?  Matt discusses IPM - integrated pest management and how he's teaching his class about such things. 

LEUCANTHEMUM X SUPERBUM!!!  Lets giggle. 

The trio discuss nitrogen fixing plants.  Its a remarkable little ability. 

Are there blue daisies?   Why isn't this colour more prominent in flowers? 

Bees and daisies are highlighted. What is a "Country Cottage Garden?"

TEA-RANNOSAURUS REX!!!

Daisies were in use in gardens 4200 years ago.  You read that right.  The history of this little floral favourite unfolds. 

Matt searches his tired mind for the name of a plant. He finally finds it.  The plant, not his mind. 

Jack LOVES some of the new shrubs Matt is storing at his place.  The McFarlands cannot get butterfly bush to survive the winter. 

Daisies are ranked by popularity. Speaking of popular, Jack prompts Matt to tell a story about a REALLY popular coneflower. 

What is sneezeweed? Why is it called sneezeweed?

Tune in. 

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Its all about the Lily!

This week's episode of The Growing Season dives, head first, into one of the most popular plant groups in your gardens.

Whether they're Asiatic, Oriental or Daylilies, Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland highlight their wondrousness.  

Matt gives an update on The McFarland's new kitten. 

What is the difference between a Lily and a Daylily? The McFarland Query System makes its triumphant return. 

How do you stretch out your lilies's bloom time? Matt discusses an upcoming heritage home design. 

What are "window counterweights?"  The trio discuss plants that are misnamed. 

Daylilies will thrive in any soil type.  What about light situation? 

Jurassic Park references are always welcome. The science of extending bloom is discussed. 

Daylilies allow you to design with texture.  Jack and Matt detail how. 

What are "Children Of The Wind?"  A "Japaleaf Maple" is created. 

Elegant Candy and Strawberry Candy Daylilies are AMAZING!

Vibrant coloured and pastel coloured day lilies cap the show off. 

Tune in. 

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Something smells....GOOD!

That's right - the focus of this week's episode of The Growing Season is designing a garden with fragrance in mind. 

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland dive into all things smelly and they're not talking about Matt!

Matt has a new member of the family and he explains the addition of the new addition. 

Bill Reid roses kick the show off in style.  If you've never heard of these roses Google them immediately. 

The difference in temperature between Algonquin Park and Bolton, Ontario is discussed.  

Do women have a better sense of smell than men? 

Fragrance and pollinators are linked.  How?   You'll be surprised to find out. 

The trio's favourite smells are discussed.  HINT: look up Pinus mugo pumilo. 

Roses, hydrangea, lilac, lavender, lemon grass, citronella and more are just some of the plants that get some air time on the show. 

Moon gardens.  How would one go about creating one of these horticultural wonders. 

Sweet William!   THEY SMELL GREAT! 

Roses do not effectively repel mosquitos.  We did not know that. 

Climbing hydrangea take a LONG TIME to get established.  LIKE, A LONG TIME! 

Sam Neill is honoured. 

Tune in. 

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ITS ALL ABOUT THE LONGER GAME! 

In part 2 of Long Bloomers, The McFarlands dive into the perennials and annuals that round out the group.  Its a fast paced, lengthly list that will have you inspired to design. 

Matt gushes about his son getting his first pair of workbooks. 

"What do you consider a long bloomer when it comes to perennials?"

ROZANNE PERENNIAL GERANIUM!!!   Lets do it again. IT BLOOMS FOR 16 - 18 weeks.  You read that right!

Dicentra formosa 'luxuriant.' AWESOME, just AWESOME.  Matt details his concerns with this long bloomer.  It's not a game changer but there is some caution necessary. This would be one of Tinkerbelle's favourite plants. 

Lynne details Bleeding Heart varieties. 

Phlox - the colours are to die for.  Jack highlights the awesomeness of these perennials. You have to see the "Sunset Coral Phlox" to believe it. 

The City Garden Black Eyed Susie is amazing but really tough to get.

What is a "spike garden?"

Jack takes great delight in knocking Yarrow.  Why? He doesn't knock sedum and he's right not to!

Corepsis is a really cool perennial.  You'll find out why. 

Matt stopped using Lavender but he thinks that's about to change.  You'll hear the story. 

The Adobe Orange Sombrero Coneflower works The McFarlands into a lather.  

Clematis caps the show off.

Tune in. 

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Its all about the LONG GAME! 

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland dive into the trees and shrubs that bloom for an INSANELY long time on this week's episode of The Growing Season.

How long is long for a tree to bloom?   You'd be surprised to learn. 

Matt discusses how his students LOVE derailing him during lectures.  They love to rev him up and watch him go. 

"There are more flowers than there are blades of grass" on the McFarland's property.  

Mugho Pines, Emerald Gaety Euonymus and everything 1980's comes into the fore. 

Rank these trees from 1 - 3: Royalty Crabapple, Crimson King Maple, Obelisk Beech.  Lynne takes the challenge. 

Define an "annual..." Matt tries. Are Ivory Silk Lilac's long bloomers?   The trio debate.   What defines a "long bloomer" in a tree? 

Weigela, weigela, weigela.... OHHHHH BABY!

What is a Century Plant?  How about a Corpse Plant? 

Greybeard returns...

Temperature can effect the amount of time a tree blooms.

Matt tells a story about some lovely flowering dogwood trees and the shock and awe of a specific variety. 

"Is the juice worth the squeeze?"

Lets hang out in the rose department for a little while.  Some are Oso Easy!

Speaking of the 1980's - Potentilla is a classic that still pops. Why doesn't The Growing Season use Butterfly Bush? 

Hydrangeas cap the show off in style. 

Tune in. 

Looking to book a consult for your property?  

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“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!

We know that many things bloom in June, but it behooves us to highlight some of the lesser known plants.  

The Growing Season are over the moon for the June blooms on this week's show.

Matt's adoration of June Cleaver is touched on.  He still has a crush.   Is the name June still popular? 

What is the Summer Solstice and why is it important? The Campfire Rose is one that many clients rave about.  Why?  Jack, Lynne and Matt discuss the reasons.

Temperature and excessive growth are correlated.  What controls flower bloom in a plant? 

Ligularias are an insane option for shade.  Matt explains why.  Purple in shade?   Yes please!!!  Should you cut the blooms off your Hosta?   You'll surprised to learn what you should be doing with them leafy leafers.

Jack has a sick Ivory Silk Lilac.  Why is it sick? What is a pop up emitter?  Matt explains. 

Aesculus hippocastanum... Say what? 

Silverleaf dogwood and Variegated weigela are some Growing Season favourites. 

Speaking of weigelas - why all the fuss?  Matt doesn't want to talk about Peonies.  

NOT. AT. ALL!  What is an ITOH Peony? 

GET A ROZANNE PERENNIAL GERANIUM!   JUST DO IT!

Tune in. 

Looking to book a consult for your property?  

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“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!

GO BIG OR GO...BIGGER.

Yup!  That's the deal this week.  Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland talk about "Aircraft Carriers" - their slang for insanely large shade trees.

MORE gardens for the McFarlands, and this time its Lynne's fault.  There's some new tree-tech about to hit the McFarland household. 

The benefits of having large shade trees as part of your landscape are explored. 

The largest tree on the planet is?  Jack and Matt debate the damage of the spongy moth vs. some of the other legendary pest epidemics. 

Why don't we use Ash any more.  It'll make you sad. 

Matt talks about Dinsey's "Lady and the Tramp."  What is the trifecta of suffering in trees?

DON'T PLANT NORWAY MAPLES! How do tree's survive a lightning strike?

Matt tells a story about birds getting wicked drunk. 

A new character makes their debut on the show. Matt rants about improper landscape practices involving trees. 

WHY CAN'T WE GET FERNS TO GROW UNDER TREES?

Mugho Pines, if you please. Containers vs. wire baskets becomes a debate. 

Tune in. 

Looking to book a consult for your property?  

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“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!

Rockeries and alpines are on your plate this week!  It'll be tough chew on this week's episode of The Growing Season. 

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland are all about AC/DC - they are about to rock, they have rocked, they would like you to rock with them...

Shall we!?

A modern-classic build kicks off the show.  Matt draws elements from what Jack was doing in the 1970's and 1980's.

What is the purpose of rock in a landscape?  There are TON of reasons to use it and the trio highlight the myriad of why. 

What is the life expectancy of rock in a landscape situation? What is "feather rock?"

The construction of a stone wall, in all its mathy glory, features. What is a gravity wall?

Moss on rock is a popular choice for clients.  How do you ensure that the moss remains on your stone? 

Greek yogurt, beer and moss - a match made in heaven.  We'll tell you why. 

What fertilizer is appropriate for rock gardens?   

Lynne details how to weed a rock garden.  BEWARE of slippery surfaces. 

How would one prune the plant materials in their rock garden? Plants that would tolerate a rock garden environment are detailed. 

Mugho pine is pulled from the 1980's and into the spotlight. 

Tiger eyes sumac are GORGEOUS!   Have you ever used them? 

Ferns cap the show off...

Tune in. 

Looking to book a consult for your property?  

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“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!

On this week’s episode of The Growing Season, the McFarland’s say hello to yellow.

One of the most divisive colours, Jack, Lynne, and Matt discussed using yellow in landscape, designs and installs.

Matt details and interesting estimating exercise that he’s been doing with his students at Humber College.

From the design perspective, yellow can overwhelm a space if used in copious amounts.

Black Eyed Suzie’s, Yarrow and Marigold‘s are just some of the plants that the trio dive into off the top of the show.

Evergreens carpet bomb when they pollinate. And that bombing, is just about to begin.

What is the purpose of the yellow and black colouration on wasps, hornets, yellow jackets and bees? Matt tells a hilarious story about his wife’s classifications for these types of insects.

Are yellow peppers the same as green peppers?

Matt asserts that the dandelion crop in 2026 was smaller than its 2025 counterpart.

Why do dandelions stems stand straight up despite being cut with the lawnmower? You’ll be surprised to learn.

Lynn sings. Uh-oh.

Is there such thing as a deciduous conifer? How could that be?

The McFarland‘s don’t use golden chain tree all that much. Why is that? They investigate.

A rundown of the top yellow fall colour happens.

Not many people know what a Ligularia is. It deserves some recognition.

Have you ever heard of Evening Primrose? You’ll want to listen in if you haven’t.

The TGS crew discuss a perennial that is virtually impossible to find.

Matt hates Forsythia. But could there be a way that those feelings change? You’ll find out. 

Lemon Princess Spirea gets her time in the spotlight.

Why don’t more growing season designs feature Rhododendron and Azaleas?

Tuberous begonias cap the show off in style.

Tune in. 

Looking to book a consult for your property?  

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“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!

It's our annual annual show that annually talks about annuals.

Get out them trowels cuz its time to plant. 

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland dive into annuals 2026 on this week's episode of The Growing Season. 

Matt has to walk his cat.  Its not by choice.  Otherwise its chaos. 

Why are annual geraniums called geraniums?  They aren't geraniums.  The McFarland's dive into the history of it. 

Matt tells a story about Jack and being eccentric old coot.  Geraniums figure prominently into this tale.

Sourcing of annuals has become a challenge. 

"I don't think dahlias are as possible as they used to be...." This enrages Jack.  Annuals for HOT areas are discussed. 

Function over form in landscape design ALWAYS. 

What is a perfect container or pot to use for annuals?   The trio discuss. 

Angle grinders galore and how they figure into your annual adventures.  How to water is explored. 

Heat stress and water stress really effects impatiens.  Lynne outlines how to avoid this type of stress. 

Matt and Jack argue.

John McLean was a client of Jack's and NOT the McLean you're thinking about. 

The annuals for sun and shade are explored. 

Begonias over impatiens ALL. THE. TIME. 

Tune in. 

Looking to book a consult for your property?  

We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.