Dear Helen: As a new resident of Victoria, I have begun planning for some spring garden projects. One is to choose a small tree to grow year-round in a pot on my patio. The tree would get full sun in the morning and early afternoon. What trees would you recommend? I would be delighted to have a potted tree that suggests a sense of the Mediterranean.
T.A.
My first thoughts went to the Japanese maples, of which many can be grown in containers. Among them are broad, weeping forms and upright, single-trunk shapes. I’d begin looking through local nurseries. Keep in mind that the selection is almost always best in spring, though a word with a nursery salesperson will give you an idea of what you can expect their full selection to be at the end of winter.
Japanese maples are deciduous. Another deciduous plant that can be grown in single-trunk tree form is dappled willow (Salix integra ‘Hakura Nishiki’), a small tree with pink new stems and buds and green leaves dappled in white and pink.
There are a number of magnolias, both deciduous and evergreen, that are recommended for containers.
Sweet bay (Laurus nobilis), a broad-leaved evergreen that yields the bay leaves used in cooking, can be grow in tree form in pots. Rosemary, also evergreen, can be trained in tree form. I sometimes see potted single-stemmed rosemary plants at garden centres. A very hardy rosemary to look for is called Arp. Rosemary is a Mediterranean herb.
I realize this does not directly address your quest for a year round potted patio plant, but when I consider your desire for a “Mediterranean” look I cannot help but think of a former neighbour who had a potted bougainvillea placed for the summer in a protected little niche against a narrow trellis right outside glass doors into the main bedroom.
He did have to bring the cold-tender plant indoors for the winter, but I’ve never forgotten that lovely plant in bloom. Mel grew his plant as a vine, but it can be trained as a tree or a shrub as well. In cold climates the plants are grown as annuals or indoor-outdoor specimens.
Outlets with substantial selections of tropical plants are good places to begin looking for bougainvillea. As you visit local garden centres, ask about their availability.
Autumn break. I’ll be taking a three-column break beginning on Saturday (Oct. 5). I’ll be back after Thanksgiving. Today’s Garden Events cover the time until then.
I wish you a truly gratitude-filled Thanksgiving. May you relish tasty home-grown foods, fruits of your gardening endeavours.
GARDEN EVENTS
Gordon Head meeting. The Gordon Head Garden Club will meet this evening (Wednesday, Oct. 2) from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Gordon Head Lawn Bowling Club, 4105 Lambrick Way. Bonnie Dinter will explore “Gardening in Fall: A time of Transition.” Visitors are welcome at no charge.
Dahlia meeting. The Victoria Dahlia Society will meet on Thursday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. in St. Michael’s Church, 4733 West Saanich Rd. Society member Jessica Lacey will demonstrate best practices for digging and dividing dahlias in the fall. Visitors are welcome.
Peninsula meeting. The Peninsula Garden Club will meet on Monday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. in the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney. Ann Nightingale from Rocky Point Bird Observatory will give a slide-illustrated presentation on Bird Friendly Winter Gardening. Ann will discuss birds you can expect to see this winter and how you can make your garden safe for them. Bring questions. Guest admission $5.
Floral art. The Victoria Floral Artists Guild will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Garth Homer Centre to celebrate their 55-year anniversary of Floral Design in Victoria with a floral design retrospective slide show and parlour show designs. Members and guests will also learn about the guild’s October 26 one-day show: Floral Arts Passion. Non-member admission $5. victoriafloralartists.ca.
Qualicum meeting. The Qualicum Beach Garden Club will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the QB Civic Centre, 747 Jones St. Mariah of West Coast Plants will give a presentation on garlic and Michalina of Cicada Seeds will speak about seed harvesting. Guest fee $3. qualicumbeachgardenclub.ca.
