We have lots of dates to review, gardeners, so let’s make a cup of tea and sit down together with our calendars!
First of all, the Yorkton In Bloom competition is coming up! The deadline to enter is July 7, and judging will take place July 10-12. Call (306) 786-1776 to register or find out more!
We all love the taste of fresh garden produce, so keep in mind that the Yorkton Gardeners’ Market will begin on Saturday, July 22 at the Prairie Harvest Christian Life Centre (corner of Melrose and Simpson Street). There will be fresh garden vegetables, fresh fruit, fresh cut flowers and potted plants, depending on what is ready. Times are from 9:00 a.m. till noon, and it’s probably best to be there first thing if you are looking for something specific. The poster for this great event says that local gardeners are welcome to register to sell their produce: call Glen at (306) 783-7040 if you would like to be involved.
The SHA (Saskatche-wan Horticultural Association) is holding their 11th Annual Bus Tour July 18-20. This trip is open to all interested gardeners; I’m not sure if there is still space available, but please call Liz at (306) 782-2830 and she can give you more information on who to call to find out! This is a great get-away for gardeners: educational and fun!
I’d also like you to circle Tuesday, August 15 on your calendar: that’s the date of the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society Annual Fruit, Flower and Vegetable Display Show from 1:00 p.m. till 5:00 p.m. at St. Gerard’s Parish Complex, 125 Third Avenue North, Yorkton.
This show has a variety of exhibits and displays, including flowers and vegetables, flower arrangements, houseplants, and beautiful planters and planter displays! And, your admission includes coffee or tea and delicious dainties! It’s a lovely way to spend a summer afternoon, so bring a friend and join us!
We have a small shrub I’d like to tell you about: it’s a type of viburnum, variety unknown. It has lovely snowballs of blooms, and is very pretty. But the reason that I am very excited about it is because out of all of our garden children, this one is outstanding as being hardy, durable, trouble-free even though it is mostly ignored, and is thriving even though it is in average to poor soil.
I did a little homework about viburnums, and as a general family (moschatel) there is a viburnum for everyone! The most famous viburnum is likely the cranberry, but it’s a big family with lots of cousins! Sizes range from small shrubs of three feet to larger specimens of up to twenty feet. They have beautiful blooms in the spring and lovely colored foliage in the fall. They are problem-solvers, since they are deer resistant, tolerant of drought, make ideal screens for privacy if you select a larger variety, and they are even good for soil erosion on a slope.
Plus, their blooms will attract birds, they are low maintenance, and grow in either sun or part sun. An interesting little factoid: in Ukraine, a national symbol is the viburnum opulus called the “kalyna”; in the language of plants, it represents tenderness and young love.
I remember when Mom would make the most delicious jam out of the bright cranberry berries. The color was amazing, a feast for the eyes. And when spread on toast, it was ambrosia! Absolutely delicious!
So if you are looking at your garden space and seeing a spot that might need a new shrub, you might want to find out more about the vivacious viburnum!
Visit us at www.yorktonhort.ca, and have a great week!
