GardenRoute2017

Spring is coming!

Things are gearing up on The Garden Route!

Most of the garden centres on our route are already open or opening soon. Plants are rolling in by the truck load.  And staff and visitors are breathing in the wonderful scents of the warm sunny greenhouses. Paradise!

The Avant-Garden Shop is filled to the brim with lots of new products.

Gardens Plus has revamped their website with lots of new hostas and daylilies…and more…to choose from.

The peonies and delphiniums are still frozen in the ground at Blossom Hill but it won’t be long till things start to sprout!

The Garden Show will bring spring on with a BANG!  Be sure to get your tickets ahead of time to avoid line ups. Available at Griffin’s and The Avant-Garden Shop (cash only)

Posted by GardenRoute2017 in Garden Route Blog
Avant-Garden Shop – 15th anniversary party!

Avant-Garden Shop – 15th anniversary party!

Each year The Avant-Garden Shop has a special day to show their appreciation to their customers. It’s called  CUSTOMER APPRECIATION EVENT.  They will have refreshments, door prizes and offer NO TAX on all purchases that day.  This year because it’s their 15th anniversary, it will be extra special. So be sure to drop by Thursday November 23rd from 9:30-8:00pm.  Extended hours!  165 Sherbrooke street in downtown Peterborough.

Check out their most recent awards while you’re there!  They look a bit like mini “Oscars!”

In addition, The Pasta Shop will be having hourly FOOD DEMOS and Electric City Bread Company will be doing something special as well.  See you then!

 

 

Posted by GardenRoute2017 in Garden Route Blog

Garden Show Rest Area – Thank you partners!

Each year the Garden Route members put together a rest area at the Peterborough Garden Show.  Over the years we’ve had some elaborate set ups including a beautiful gazebo put together by former members Bev and Paul Williams from Williams Design Studio.

Thank you to our Garden Route partners for their participation, donation of plants, pussy willows, wheelbarrows etc.

Each year we are very thankful to Brook Taylor from Taylor’s recycled plastic furniture for the use of some of his awesome benches and tables.  These pieces allow a spot for people to rest and enjoy some time to relax during the busy show.  Brooks furniture is solid, super well made and comes in fun colours.

A few years ago Brenda Ibey from The Avant-Garden Shop interviewed him for one of her Garden Gate episodes. These informative segments air Fridays, bi-weekly on The CHEX Daily and then are later posted on the shops YouTube Channel.

Watch this episode.

Posted by GardenRoute2017 in Garden Route Blog

Hardy annuals and succulents

At this time of year, it’s wonderful to visit a garden centre like Griffin’s Greenhouses.  Their plants look wonderful (and there are still plenty), the pond out back is so relaxing and there is always someone around who can answer your questions or just spend a few minutes chatting. I will chat with them about their involvement with Garden Route and also about some of their beautiful hanging baskets and containers. They’ll have some tips on keeping them good looking through the heat of our summer.

Watch this episode of Garden Gate.

Posted by GardenRoute2017 in Garden Route Blog

Stunning large containers and succulent gardens

I had the pleasure of visiting Greenhouse on the River to shoot two episodes of The Garden Gate. Peter Green, owner, was my guest for this episode and we talked about their beautiful containers and unique annuals. The Greenhouse on the River is a member of Peterborough and Area Garden Route. This is a cooperative of eight garden-related businesses in the area that each specialize in one or two areas of gardening.

The Greenhouse is well known for their beautiful container gardens. Whether it be hanging baskets, stunning large containers or small succulent gardens, The Greenhouse on the River is the place to go. Peter and Elyn as well as their staff are very knowledgeable in what plants will do well in your specific situation. And they are there to help you choose which you rarely find at box stores! I loaded my car this spring with beautiful plants and they have been doing tremendously. In July they hold their summer sale. So if you need to fill in a few holes, now is the time to visit. Tell them Brenda sent you! Enjoy!

Click here to watch this episode of Garden Gate.

Posted by GardenRoute2017 in Garden Route Blog

A talk with Ian at Horling’s

Horling’s Garden Centre is located just outside of Lakefield on Lakefield Highway (formerly Hwy #28). They have been in business in the same location for 40+ years! I remember going there as a kid when it was a butcher shop! At the time they also sold a few plants, but the business is totally transformed now. They offer quality plants as well as full landscaping services. They have a large selection of trees and shrubs including many native plants. The Hydrangeas were blooming when we were there in late July! I visited with Ian Nichols, the greenhouse manager. We talked about Garden Route and their involvement in this cooperative group of garden-related businesses in the Peterborough area. In addition, Ian highlighted a new stonework service they are offering. It was a hot day! I hope you’ll tune in to watch us sweat!
Watch this episode of Garden Gate as we visit with Ian.

Posted by GardenRoute2017 in Garden Route Blog

Peonies and Delphinium, oh my!


Blossom Hill Nursery is a stunning garden just outside of Peterborough in Fowler’s Corners that even many locals don’t know about!

Filled with one of the largest collections of peonies and delphinium in Ontario, gardeners and photographers alike fall in love with this place as soon as they arrive. Joe and Hazel Cook have been members of Peterborough and Area Garden Route since its inception and are experts in their field presenting at many horticultural societies as well as Delphinium and Peony societies across North America.

Watch this episode of The Garden Gate where we visit the nursery to see the gorgeous delphinium blooms.

Posted by GardenRoute2017 in Garden Route Blog

Abba Dabba Do, Alakazam and Blueberry Muffin


Abba Dabba Do, Alakazam, Blueberry Muffin, Dance With Me, Holy Mouse Ears... these words don’t sound like they have anything in common... but they do!

In June I visited with Dawn Golloher of Gardens Plus just outside of Peterborough. Dawn is a Hosta fanatic! She has hundreds of varieties of hostas and ships them all over North America!

Hostas are great plants for the shade. They are very tough and fairly easy to grow. Many of the newer varieties have thicker leaves so slugs are generally not a problem. There are giant hostas as well as miniature hostas.

Tune into our Garden Gate episode to learn more!

Posted by GardenRoute2017 in Garden Route Blog