Breadcrumb Trail Links
HomesGardening
Corrective ‘editing’ creates space when troublesome plants do nothing to maintain soothing ambience
Published Oct 07, 2025 • Last updated 5 minutes ago • 2 minute read
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
A garden can be a sanity-saving realm of calming peace. Photo by ronstik /Getty Images/iStockphotoArticle content
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
Q. As this year’s active growing season nears its end, I am assessing the state of my garden and taking note of perennials and shrubs that seem be in progressive decline. Several never seem to do well no matter how much I pamper them. Some look sickly or never bloom. Others manage to outpace my constant pruning to become territory-swallowing monsters. How do you arrive at decisions on dealing with such plants?
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
A. I cherish my garden as a source of fresh, nutritious food, flowers, and beauty. Equally important is the garden’s role as a sanity-saving realm of calming peace. Having an “awkward squad” of troublesome plants does nothing to maintain that soothing ambience. And as much as I love my garden, I am not at all “squishy” over perpetually disappointing or troublesome plants and I do not hesitate to remove them from the landscape.
Article content
Recommended Videos
Article content
Recent years have not been easy for many plants. I’m constantly taking note of specimens that are struggling in increasingly challenging conditions of rising heat levels and drought. I dig out a few each year and replace them with plants like attractive, drought-tolerant Mediterranean herbs, and perennials that continue to flourish even in difficult conditions.
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
In my garden, seed-grown hardy geraniums continue to grow and flower well, and self-sow for a stream of new plants, in less than ideal environments. Plant World Seeds is a good seed source.
Judicious removals can be deemed exercises in a corrective “editing” that creates space for more enduring and undemanding plantings.
Q. I’ve been planting a few containers of winter pansies to place on our patio, next to glass doors into the house. Is it a good idea to add a few small spring flower bulbs to the pansy plantings?
A. I often push a few small bulbs into the planting mix around pansies and violas that have been potted. Stick to the small plants like crocuses, glory of the snow (Chionodoxa), dwarf irises and miniature daffodils.
Read More
‘Weathering’ of prune plums due to rainfall
Ideal conditions for storing potatoes and onions
Article content
Share this article in your social network
Comments are closed.