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Q:Hello there. My question is this. I would like to plant some privacy bushes that grow fast and tall. We back onto 2 stories and they see right into the house. What would you recommend? Also, I would also like to plant either thick bushes or put up a fence next to an existing chain link fence. This is to stop a yappy dog from seeing our every move and commenting on it! Shannon Gagnon Calgary, AB  March 13th, 2010

Answer: Hi Shannon, Swedish Columnar Aspens grow quickly and they get tall, however, they are quite narrow at the very top. Tower populars are related to the Swedish Aspens, but they grow wider giving more coverage at the top. Some great shrubs to plant as well are Buds yellow-twig dogwood, Silver leaf dogwood, High bush cranberry, Red-berried elder, Common lilac (however, it suckers), Flame willow, Sanbar willow,, Yellow Twig willow, Silver buffaloberry (however, it suckers), Preston or French Lilacs (however, they do not grow fast), and Cotoneaster. Another solution for your neighbor's "yappy dog" is planting a vine against the fence such as hops or our native white clematis. These two vines grow really fast.

Q: Hi Jackie, I want to have a few fresh herbs in my garden but I have a lot of shade, are there some herbs that do well with shade? Susan Ellis, Strathcona Calgary, AB March 13th, 2010

Answer: Dear Susan, Great Question!  Some herbs that can tolerate shade are: (1)Mints, however, you want to keep mint contained because it will take over the garden area. Mint has an invasive root system. I plant mint in a large terra-cotta pot and I like to plant at least 3 flavors (varieties) together, for making tea. (2) Thyme, (3) Bee Balm, (4) Sage, (5)Anise Hyssop, (6)Chives, (7) Garlic chives, (8)Sweet woodruft, (9) German chamomile, (10) Chervil and (11) Parsley   
                 Herbs that can tolerate partial-shade are: (1)Comfrey and (2) Lemon balm


Q:Hi Jackie, when can I start planting? from Suzanne, (Evergreen SW) Calgary AB
February 16, 2010

Answer: I have a rule of thumb that I use as my guideline every year.  I do not start planting until after the May long-weekend. I have been fooled too before and planted things in April and May and have had my plants freeze due to bad weather. This rule of thumb is especially used for tender perennials, you definitely do not want the foliage to freeze. If you do plant early you can use a cover such as a paper, plastic or glass garden cloche. Lee Valley used to sell the paper cloches, they worked well except that the wind can blow then away. You have to weight them down with rocks. 


Q:Hi Jackie, we are moving into a new home soon, is it too early to start looking into a landscape design? from Jonathon, Tuscany, NW Calgary AB February 18th, 2010

Answer: It's never too early to start thinking about the exterior of your home. In fact, we help many of our clients PRIOR to their new home being built or moving-in. This way, it gives you a chance to establish your budget that you will need for your new home.


Q: Hi Jackie, I just took possession of my new home and I would like to make a garden bed this spring. I was told that it is really hard to grow things here due to the Chinook conditions. Can you give me advice please. Karen Small, Tuscany, NW Calgary, AB March 4/2010

Answer: It is true that we get warm winds through-out the winter, also known as Chinooks. Too many Chinooks can absolutely dry out roots of plants, causing them to die. We literally have hundreds of plants that do very well in Calgary and survive our winter conditions. I would recommend watering-in your plants in the fall and covering your garden bed(s) with a 2" depth of mulch. I use pine mulch on my beds and it helps to keep the moisture in the ground. If we get an early spring then you will have to start watering your plants so they do not dry out.