I’ve recently returned from a week in Alberta and am amazed at how many more plants have burst into bloom since I left.
Walking in my neighbourhood, I’ve been especially aware of all the shrubs in bloom. Cooler, wet weather is lengthening the flowering time of some.
Mock orange (Philadelphus lewisii) is just beginning to open its fragrant, white blooms in gardens and in the wild.
Wild roses are covered in fragrant pink blooms.
A compact variety, selected by UBC Botanical Gardens and available at nurseries, Rosa woodsii ‘Kimberley’ has darker pink flowers and small, bluish-green leaves.
In my garden, another native, ocean spray (Holodiscus discolour) will open its froth of creamy blooms in a few days.
Later this month, the native elderberry (Sambucus caerulea) will open its lacy white flowers to be followed by masses of small smokey-blue berries. These can be made into a very healthy juice or wine.
Two varieties of ninebark (Physocarus opulifolius) that I grow for their outstanding foliage colour are Diabolo with burgundy leaves and pink flowers,’ and golden ninebark with yellow leaves and white flowers. The golden variety blooms earlier and is just finishing.
Another burgundy-leaved shrub, smoke bush (Cotinus coggygria Royal Purple) is just opening its smokey-pink, frothy bloom which lasts much of the summer.
Beauty bush (Kolkwitzia amabilis) is currently a mass of pink trumpet-shaped flowers that are enjoyed by hummingbirds. Its peeling bark creates good winter interest.
All of these shrubs are low water users once they are established.
There are many roses blooming right now. Rugosa rose varieties are among the most drought tolerant.
My favourite is Hansa with abundant, vervy fragrant fuschia-pink flowers. It blooms almost continuously from May to September.
Another favourite is the equally long-blooming Nearly Wild with single pink flowers. Roses with single petals are self-cleaning, meaning less work as they don’t need to be dead-headed.
Potentilla fruiticosa is another long-blooming, low water shrub. There are many varieties available.
My favourites for toughness and long yellow bloom are Coronation Triumph and the low-growing ‘Yellow Gem.’
It is a UBC Botanical Garden selection of the native shrub I have enjoyed seeing in Cathedral Mountain Park near Keremeos.
Two very drought tolerant plants that are known as sub shrubs but often classed as perennials are also blooming. Both are deer-proof.
Lavender has fragrant flowers and foliage and will bloom again at the end of summer, especially if dead flowers are removed.
That is a good time to shape it if needed. Up to one third of the foliage may be removed to encourage denser new growth.
Yuccas have a showy spike or creamy flowers. These plants do best in full sun with no water.
With so many plants in bloom, this Saturday is the perfect time for the annual Kelowna Garden Tour. I will be answering questions at garden number eight on the tour.
