Primula hybrida, colourful harbingers of spring

As we head in to spring, stores all over Toronto are carrying brightly coloured Primula hybrida (primroses, primevère)—these were photographed at Natural Florist, 1852 Danforth Ave.. I am a bit ambivalent about these hybrids; in a way they're pretty, but most of them look so unnatural, which I find a bit disturbing somehow.

Primula is a large genus of 400-500 species native to the northern hemisphere, mostly Eurasia. PLANTS lists four species native to Ontario (P. egaliksensis, P. laurentiana, P. mistassinika, and P. stricta), though I don't know if their natural range extends this far south. I do find the wild types prettier than the technicolour hybrids that one usually sees (click links for pretty pictures from the photo gallery at Primula World by Canadian photographer Pam Eveleigh).

Of course, those primulas at the top of the post must be greenhouse grown, because the primroses that overwintered in Toronto gardens are nowhere near blooming, though last year's leaves stayed green and there's already fresh growth.

By the way, the English name "primrose" has nothing to do with the English word "prim". It comes from the Old French primerose, which in turn came from the Latin prima rosa, i.e. "first rose", because it blooms early in spring, according to the Online Etymology Dictionary.

Celosia argentea var. plumosa

Celosia argentea, known in English as "plumed cockscomb", "feathered cockscomb", "silver cockscomb", or by the genus name, and in French as célosie crête de coq, is an annual native to the tropics, perhaps Africa or India. The leaves and flowers are grown as a food crop in Africa. The flowers of the plumosa group are reminiscent of those of amaranth, and in fact celosia is a member of the Amaranthaceae.

I've never grown celosia myself, but I have a sentimental attachment to the cristata types, because they remind me of my first husband. (Geoffrey liked them because the flowers look like brains). I thought this combination of red celosia with deliciously fragrant deep purple Heliotropium arborscens (heliotrope, héliotrope), which I photographed at the main entrance of High Park opposite High Park subway station, was really striking.

Dahlia 'Pooh'

The Dahlias are a genus of perennials native to Mexico, central America, and Colombia. Unfortunately they are not hardy here in Toronto, which is why I haven't tried growing them (I avoid plants that require coddling). But this beauty, 'Pooh', is sorely tempting me.

Photographed at Toronto Botanical Garden.

Development of Monarda didyma flowers

First the bracts turn dark red...

Then the flower buds colour up...

...and grow larger.

Almost open...

...and here's a fully opened inflorescence in all its glory!

Bee balm is such an easy to grow plant, and attracts hummingbirds (though I have not seen this myself). I would expect that this is a healthier way of feeding hummingbirds than a feeder filled with sugar water, and lower maintenance too.

Gaillardia aristata blooms

Unfortunately they aren't in my garden (here's what my gaillardia look like now). I'm glad I live in a neighbourhood with so many talented gardeners!

Rhododendron simsii

Rhododendron simsii, known in English as Indian azalea and in French as azalé de l'Inde and azalé de Formose, is an evergreen shrub from Asia grown for its masses of pink, white, red, or mauve blossoms.

Not surprisingly, Indian azalea is not hardy enough to withstand Toronto winters. It can, however, be grown as a houseplant, and spend summers outside if desired. I photographed these azaleas at Allan Gardens. And of course, there are hardy azaleas available.

Cleistocactus winteri

Cleistocactus winteri, known in English as "golden rat tail", is a low-growing, sprawling cactus native to South America. It has showy reddish-orange or fuchsia flowers (which I have never seen in real life, but here are some images courtesy of Google).

In Toronto, golden rat tail is grown as a houseplant or in a greenhouse, like this specimen at Allan Gardens.

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea, known as bougainvillée or bougainvillier in French, is a genus of woody vines native to South America, whose insignificant flowers are surrounded by very showy coloured bracts, in pink, red, orange, yellow, white, or purple.

Bougainvillea is not hardy enough to survive Toronto winters outside, but it can grow outside in the summer and move indoors for the winter. My dad grew a lovely bougainvillea as a houseplant. The specimen shown is in a greenhouse at Allan Gardens.

Euphorbia milii

Euphorbia milii, known in English as "crown of thorns", "Christ plant", or "Siamese lucky plant", and in French as couronne d'épines, couronne de Christ, or épine de Christ, is a viciously thorny shrub native to Madagascar. The small flowers are surrounded by red, pink, or white bracts.

This is another tropical which is nowhere near hardy enough to grow in Toronto, except as a houseplant or better still in a greenhouse (this one's in the Allan Gardens conservatory). Because it's poisonous and the thorns would be hard to live with, I think I'll just admire it from afar.

Rosa: bushes and berries in winter

Rosa spp., known in English and French as roses, are shrubs, most native to Asia, but some are native to Europe, North America, and north west Africa. While commonly grown for their beautiful, often fragrant flowers in shades of pink, red, white, or yellow, allowing them to set fruit ("rosehips") extends the shrubs appeal through the cold winter months.

Papaver rhoeas: seeds

Papaver rhoeas, known in English as field poppy and in French as coquelicot is an annual native to south-eastern Europe and Asia Minor. It bears large showy red flowers with papery petals, each flower lasting only one day.

Last year I sowed the seeds directly in the garden in the spring; this year I am experimenting with wintersowing them. (The tiny seeds, much smaller than the poppyseeds stuck to bagels, were very cheap; one packet probably has enough seeds for hundreds of plants).

Monarda didyma: seeds

Monarda didyma, known in English as bee balm, bergamot, Oswego tea, or firecracker plant, and in French as monarde, thé d'Oswego, bergamote, or mélisse d'or is a perennial in the mint family native to much of eastern North America, and also the northwestern United States. Its flowers are very unusual and hard to describe—some say they look like jester's hats or fireworks; and are a lovely red.

I collected some of the seedheads from our plant in the fall; they look like prickly dark brown pompoms. They come apart into papery tubes about 1 cm long which are open at one end; at the closed end (closer to the centre of the pompom) of each tube is a tiny black seed; at least, I hope it is a seed.

Since this is a native plant, I am assuming it needs to go through a Canadian winter, or at least part of it, to germinate, so I am wintersowing it.

Aquilegia canadensis: seeds

Aquilegia canadensis (known in English as wild columbine, red columbine, or Canada columbine and in French as ancolie du Canada or gants de Notre-Dame is a short-lived herbaceous perennial native to southeastern Canada and northeastern United States. Like most columbines, its flowers have five long spurs. This is my favourite wildflower, in part because it is one of the few red flowers found in the Canadian wilderness.

Last year I planted a small columbine I bought at Toronto Botanical Garden. Unfortunately it turned out that the barrel I planted it in originally had insufficient drainage to cope with the freakishly heavy rainfall we had last year, and the columbine struggled until I moved it to the shady front yard. It never grew very large, and suffered from leaf-miners (a common problem with this plant, unfortunately). This year I am growing some more from seed, purchased from Wildflower Farm, an Ontario nursury specializing in native plants.

The seeds are black, shiny, and 1-2 mm long.

Amaranthus cruentus: flower

Amaranthus cruentus, known in English as "red amaranth", "purple amaranth", and "Mexican grain amaranth", and in French as amarante rouge, is an annual native to Central America. Although they are a source of nutritious grain, they are also often grown as ornamentals, rapidly growing to two metres or more with large, showy dark red flowerheads.

The ancestor of this plant volunteered in the backyard a few years ago. It was maybe three metres tall, with dark purple leaves. It self-seeded all over the place; unfortunately, many of the grandchildren have green rather than purple foliage and some even had boring green flowers.

Papaver rhoeas 'Double Shirley Mix': flowers

Papaver rhoeas, known in English as field poppy and in French as coquelicot is an annual native to south-eastern Europe and Asia Minor. It bears large showy red flowers with papery petals, each flower lasting only one day. 'Double Shirley Mix' has flowers with red, light red, white, and bicolour flowers. Deadheading is important to ensure prolonged blooming; the poppies in our garden set seed and died when I went away for a week. Field poppies are easy to grow; direct-sow their seeds in a sunny spot in early spring, or even the autumn before. They will self-sow.

Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline': flower

Monarda didyma, known in English as bee balm, bergamot, Oswego tea, or firecracker plant, and in French as monarde, thé d'Oswego, bergamote, or mélisse d'or is a perennial in the mint family native to much of eastern North America, and also the northwestern United States. Its flowers are very unusual and hard to describe—some say they look like jester's hats or fireworks; and are a lovely red. They are said to attract hummingbirds, though I haven't witnessed that myself.

The plant photographed originally came from the local Valumart, and was grown by President's Choice. PC called it a "really easy perennial" (or something like that) and it certainly was; I just planted it and it grew rapidly and was covered with long-lasting blooms.

The leaves smell like Earl Grey tea.

Tropeolum majus: flowers

Tropeolum majus, known in English as nasturtium and in French as capucine is a fast growing annual native to the Andes with flowers in orange, yellow, red, or cream. The distinctive parasol-shaped leaves have a spicy flavour; the flowers are edible as well. Because the whole plant is edible, the seeds are large and easy to handle, and the plants grow rapidly and are undemanding (they prefer poor soil), nasturtium is a good first plant for children and other beginning gardeners. Nasturtiums don't like being transplanted, so sow them directly in the garden after the last frost.

Aquilegia canadensis: flowers and seed pods

Aquilegia canadensis (known in English as wild columbine, red columbine, or Canada columbine and in French as ancolie du Canada or gants de Notre-Dame is a short-lived herbaceous perennial native to southeastern Canada and northeastern United States. Like most columbines, its flowers have five long spurs. This is my favourite wildflower, in part because it is one of the few red flowers found in the Canadian wilderness.

I photographed this pretty clump of wild columbine at Toronto Botanical Garden in late June. Columbine blooms in the spring so I was pleasantly surprised to see there were still some blooms left, as well as the brown seedpods.

Heuchera 'Bressingham Hybrid': flowers

Heuchera, known in English as "coral bells", "alum root", or by the genus name, and in French as heuchère, is a genus of perennials native to North America. They are grown for their delicate spires of bell shaped flowers, or increasingly for their foliage; many interesting new cultivars are available. I love the dainty red flowers on this cultivar.