With the end of long hot summer days, comes the gentler warmth of September. Synonymous with new starts and the beginning of fall, this month gives us a glimpse of the anticipated autumnal colours and cosy knits soon to arrive. After the flexibleness of carefree summer days, September brings a return to routine and the opportunity for a fresh start. When summer flowers fade and the days grow shorter, the aster takes centre stage. Blooming anywhere from late summer to late fall, asters can be seen in most regions across Canada, and are commonly spotted growing in woodlands, by the side of the road, and in fields. These pretty flowers are also really helpful for wildlife, being an important food...
Ever heard of Grandparents’ Day? No? Well let us enlighten you! Grandparents’ Day is just like Father’s Day or Mother’s Day, that is, it’s one special day dedicated to celebrating grandmothers and grandfathers everywhere. Unfortunately Grandparents’ Day does not get the same attention that Mother’s and Father’s Day does, but we think it definitely should, so we’re here to tell you all about it! Grandparents’ Day originated in the United States as the result of the work of Marian McQuade. McQuade made it her goal to educate young people in her community about the important contributions seniors have made throughout history. In her mind, the day had three primary purposes: To honour grandparents To give grandparents an opportunity to...
“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows. It's what the sunflowers do.” - Helen Keller With their bright yellow petals, and tall strong stems, sunflowers conjure up images of hot lazy days in the summertime. Usually blooming from the middle of summer through to early autumn - roughly July to September, these cheery blooms come in a range of different sizes and shades. Their round flower heads look like the sun and are an instant mood-boost and these heat and drought-tolerant plants make them relatively easy to grow. Read on to find out a few more interesting facts about the stunning sunflower. Originating in the Americas, sunflowers were grown as a crop by indigenous...
Sharing the limelight with Gladiolus this month, is the other birth flower for August, the delectable dahlia. Dahlia flowers come in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes and are beautiful and striking in their appearance. The colour range varies from white to a really dark burgundy, and they can even be found in black, although this is rare. Most of the black dahlias we see in gardens are actually more a dark burgundy than black. The generous flowering of this plant lasts all summer long, with dahlias usually blooming from June through to October. Dahlias belong to the Asteraceae family, and are related to sunflowers, chrysanthemums, zinnia, and the daisy. There are around 42 species, and they originate from...
August’s bright, showy flowers capture the essence of sunny summer days and one that is particularly impressive, is the gladiolus. The birth flower for August, this tall spiky bloom is one of the most colourful, with flowers ranging from pink to light purple and white to orange. Unique in that its flowers grow from a tall spike fringed with sharp leaves, its nickname “sword lily” comes from its Latin name “gladius” meaning sword, and refers to the shape of its leaves. Legend has it that in Ancient Roman times, gladiators would fight in honour of the gladiolus flower. The victor would be showered in the flowers, thus making the gladiolus the official flower of the gladiators. Said to symbolize strength...
