by Connie Oswald Stofko I’m happy to say that Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com is again sponsoring the Celebration of Coleus & Color, the summer show at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. Last week I got a sneak peek at some of the things you’ll see during the Celebration of Coleus & Color, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from Saturday, June 18 through Sunday, July 24 at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park…...
Did you attend the Great Plant Sale at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens in May? If so, the Botanical Gardens would like to know what you thought of it. Please give them your feedback by responding to a survey. You can find the survey here. Thanks!…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko When you’re shopping for plants for your garden, don’t overlook shrubs. Many shrubs will give you lovely flowers, and there are smaller, more compact varieties of shrubs available that won’t overpower your yard, said Ray Crawley, store manager at Goodman’s Farm Market, 2227 Cayuga Drive Extension, Niagara Falls. First, let me assure you that there’s still plenty of time to plant things in your garden. There’s no rule that says you have to get all of…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko The first ever garden walk for the Springville area will debut this year. Called Scene Around Town, the walk is organized by the SCENe (Springville Concord Elder Network) Garden Club. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 9. The walk will be free. Pick up maps at Fiddler’s Green Park, Franklin and S. Buffalo St., Springville. “We’ve got 20 gardens lined up, and that’s good for the beginning,” said Cindy Goode,…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko A new garden walk will be held on Grand Island this year. There had been a garden walk on Grand Island in the past, but that was a fundraiser for a church, explained Jan Freedman, one of the members of the organizing committee. This new Grand Island Garden Walk is free. It comes under the umbrella of Gardens Buffalo Niagara (formerly the National Garden Festival.) It will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday,…...
The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens will host both a Bonsai Show and a Hosta Show in June. Both shows are included with admission: $9 for adults, $8 for seniors (ages 55 and older) and students (ages 13 and older with ID), $5 for children ages 3-12 and free for Botanical Gardens members and children 2 and under. There will also be a Hosta, Daylily, and Iris Sale in August. Admission to the sale is free. The Botanical Gardens…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Whether you’re tired of using the same annuals every year or you’re new to gardening and don’t know where you start, here are some interesting suggestions for annuals from Lockwood’s Greenhouses, 4484 Clark St., Hamburg. These plants all like sun. Varieties of cuphea “It’s a nice, reliable, good overall plant,” said Jill Kisker, grower at Lockwood’s, referring to different varieties of cuphea. It’s also known as cigar plant for the shape of its flowers. “The hummingbirds…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko When you go out to buy plants this weekend– or at any time– turn to your local garden centers. They often have interesting plants that you can’t get in the big box stores. More important, many of the garden centers are growers, too. They know about plants and have folks on staff who can answer your questions. For example, if you say you don’t want to spend a lot of time maintaining your garden, they’ll know…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Here’s an easy way to deadhead some annuals in hanging baskets. I got this great tip from Kristin Pochopin, interim director of horticulture at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens during the recent Great Plant Sale. Instead of picking off the dead flowers one by one, hold the basket by the hook, as she is doing in the photo. Hold it close to the ground and shake the basket. The dead flowers will fall off…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko I got this question from a reader: Hi Connie, How can we be sure that we aren’t buying plants that have been treated with neonics, or grown from seeds containing neonics? Is there a standard label to look for? Or certain brands that don’t deal in them? Thanks. Kristen Buffalo Since I’m not a gardening expert, I contacted someone who knows more about neonicotinoids, which are used in pest control. I talked to John Farfaglia, the…...