Old Man, Pops, Daddy-O. Whatever you call him, it’s that time of year when we celebrate fathers, paternal bonds and the positive influence of male figures in our society. Father’s Day gives us the opportunity to express our love and gratitude to all the dads and father-figures out there, and we couldn’t be more thankful! The idea of a special day to honor fathers and celebrate fatherhood was first introduced in the United States. Inspired by the American Mother's Day celebrations, Sonora Smart Dodd planned a day to honor fathers early in the 20th century. The first Father's Day was celebrated in Spokane, Washington on June 19th, 1910. Just like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day is celebrated on an annual basis...
You may have been witness to some pretty spectacular fireworks last weekend, but what were they all about? Victoria Day, also known as May Two-Four, May Long, and May Long Weekend, is a Canadian holiday held on the Monday preceding the 25th May. Celebrated across the country, Victoria Day is a federal statutory holiday and a distinctly Canadian observance. The holiday originated as a celebration to honor Queen Victoria, who ruled Great Britain and Ireland for the majority of the 19th century. Victoria Day was officially declared a Canadian federal holiday in 1901 - the year of Queen Victoria's death but has been observed in Canada since 1845. The holiday was originally celebrated on the 24th May, Queen...
If you are decorating for St. Patrick's Day, you will want to include a potted shamrock plant. Shamrock plants (Oxalis regnellii) generally reach no more that 6 inches and are available in a range of greens and purples shades. Their delicate flowers bloom on and off throughout the year and their leaves fold up at night and reopen when light returns. The whimsical shamrock plant adds a touch of spring and is often thought to bring good luck! Caring for a shamrock plant is simple when you understand their periods of dormancy. Summer is the shamrocks season of dormancy with their leaves dying back and needing a time of darkness to rest. SHAMROCK PLANT CARE TIPS Place the plant in...
Saskatchewan - Western Red Lily Saskatchewan made the Western Red Lily its flower of choice in 1941. Typically found in meadows, forests and other damp, wooded areas, it has become a rare sight in the province due to urban sprawl and forest fires. Researchers are working to increase the germination of this protected species. Northwest Territories - Mountain Avens Mountain Avens have represented the N.W.T. since 1957. The bloom flourishes on rocky ground that is commonly found across the territory, and the species is related to Alberta's provincial flower, the Wild Rose. Nunavut - Purple SaxifrageWe thought we’d take this opportunity to educate ourselves here in the store and share what we learnt about some of Canada’s native plant life. ...
Popular in the 1970s, terrariums slowly faded into the background for a while. Now, however, they are back in full force, and for space-starved folk who want a low-maintenance option, cacti and/or succulents are the perfect plant for the job! Not native species of Canada, cacti and succulents can sometimes cause confusion when figuring out how best to care for them. Generally speaking though, most cacti and succulents are hardy plants that require minimum care. Read on for our top tips on getting the best out of your little gems: When it comes to caring for your succulents and cacti, there are three main factors that affect survival rate: water, light and temperature. Succulents and cacti become unhappy if they...
