If you are thinking about adding some fruit trees or shrubs to your garden or yard, do some homework and visit the University of Saskatchewan site at www.fruit.usask.ca/extension for some great information!
The site lists information about plants such as haskap/blue honeysuckle; dwarf sour cherries; apples; grapes; and other crops like strawberries and raspberries. It is very helpful to read about the qualities of various trees and shrubs, and because they are grown here it is an added plus knowing that they can tolerate our varied weather conditions.
Here’s a chance to think outside the box if you are landscaping a new yard or redesigning an existing yard. There is no reason that a feature tree can’t be a fruit tree. Imagine how delicious it would be to have a cherry tree in your front yard, or a beautiful arbor of grapes over your patio. It’s a gardening dream that can a reality thanks to the research efforts of the U of S!
For anyone planning a trip to Saskatoon at the beginning of July, there are two days of informational sessions about haskap on July 5 and 6. Thursday, July 5 features classroom sessions about haskap: varieties, growing methods, and using the crop. The fee for this class is $50. Then on Friday, July 6, its haskap field day, visiting research fields and seeing field plantings of seedlings and variety trials. Cost is $35.
And don’t forget, from July 7-13 there are all kinds of wonderful gardening sessions on a wide variety of topics at the university. See the entire list at https://gardening.usask.ca/public-workshops.
Why is it that as gardeners, if we see that something originates in Siberia, we feel that it stands a chance in our gardens? Such is an old favourite that is becoming a brand new favourite all over again: the caragana. Coming from Siberia, it is also known as the “Siberian Peashrub” because of the interesting seed pods that look like miniature peas. When you go for a drive or a walk in more established neighbourhoods, you will often see the lovely caragana and for good reason. This dense shrub is drought tolerant, likes full sun, can grow in poor soils (as long as they drain well), and attracts bees and other insects. And guess what, it will live upwards of fifty years!
The durable and beautiful “Ross” caragana is a shrub you will know well because so many farmyards grew this hardworking shrub as part of shelterbelts. Many schoolyards also used caragana as a border shrub. So why not consider it for your yard: it can grow up to fifteen feet high and ten feet wide if you choose to let it; it does not sucker; it forms a dense wall of beautiful foliage; and it is not fussy about soil. It can be the perfect privacy hedge with little effort on the gardener’s part.
(If you are looking for a statement plant, to be planted on its own in a garden island, there is also a weeping caragana. It has a very lovely, airy look as the branches cascade down. This is probably a cousin of the old-time caragana, but is suited for a different purpose than a hedge or privacy screen).
So the beautiful caragana may become your new favourite! Ask about it at your nursery if you are shopping for new shrubs.
You can visit the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society anytime at www.yorktonhort.ca.
Enjoy your garden, take a tour each day and see what’s new, and have a great week! Be sure to wear a hat!
