We are hearing plenty about the Fathers of Confederation this year as we celebrate Canada’s sesquicentennial.
However, this weekend our mothers take centre stage as we honour them.
Plants are always a welcome gift for mom, and it can have special significance as we celebrate Mother’s Day in the year of Canada150.
The red and white colour combination of our Canada flag will be popular this year for all floral tributes, whether they be bouquets, hanging baskets, planters or flower beds.
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Red and white geraniums, zinnias and petunias will love the sun while begonias and impatiens will illuminate the shade. The ambitious might design a Canada 150 bed for mom in the style of the Canada150 logo.
A hardy Canadian-bred rose is a meaningful gift for mom. The new 2017 release, Canadian Shield from Vineland Nurseries, is an excellent choice with its bright red succession of blooms. Other good reds are Champlain, Adelaide Hoodless, Henry Kelsey, Hope for Humanity, Morden Cardinette, Morden Fireglow, Morden Ruby, Quadra, Winnipeg Parks, Alexander Mackenzie and Cuthbert Grant.
For hardy white roses, consider Morden Snow Beauty, Henry Hudson, Kakwa or Marie Bugnet.
For smaller quarters, red or white miniature roses are a good choice, and they are amazingly hardy when planted outdoors.
Many moms would appreciate a maple tree to commemorate their special day in this special year. The maple has been Canada’s arboreal emblem since 1996 and there are maples that are hardy for each Canadian province and territory.
For zones 2 and 3, consider Amur Maple Acer ginnala or Rick Durands’ Ventura Hybrid maple.
With visions of cherry pie, we might give Mom a cherry tree.
Choose cultivars from the University of Saskatchewan’s Romance series or the Evans cherry.
If apple pie is your dream, many hardy cultivars are available. My favourites would be Norland, Goodland and September Ruby.
If circumstances of distance or location do not allow giving a live plant, consider a gift card to a local garden centre or a ticket to a local garden show or tour.
Alternatively, a garden book such as Sara William’s Creating the Prairie Xeriscape or Lyndon Penner’s Native Plants for the Short Season Yard will be appreciated.
After reading Penner’s book, one might want to plant the floral emblems of Canada this year, but that could be problematic. Yukon’s fireweed and the prickly wild rose of Alberta will thrive in your garden but will take over the premises. The western red lily of Saskatchewan is beautiful but difficult to grow and definitely should not be transplanted from the wild. The story is similar for the prairie crocus of Manitoba.
After 102 years on earth, my mother’s ashes are buried in a country cemetery and I am planning a special planting at her grave-site for Canada 150.
If you have similar plans, be cognizant of cemetery planting regulations to avoid any disappointment.
Finally, happy Mothers’ Day to my mother-in-law, who is 99 years old. Hopefully she will enjoy her red and white miniature roses.
Lorna McIlroy is a retired educator and horticulturist in Grande Prairie, Alta. Contact: lmcilroy@producer.com
