IN THE GARDEN

By Doreen Trudel

As I write this column we are in the middle of a record breaking heat wave. I hope that by the time you read these words it will be cooler, rain will have fallen and your garden has perked up. If dry, hot summers become the norm we will all have to change our garden designs. Even drought tolerant plants and cultivated natives become stressed during long spells of hot, dry weather. We will have to wait to see if hot dry summers become the norm.

Fortunately we had idyllic weather for the well attended Point Roberts Garden Tour. There were beautiful and interesting gardens but one of the highlights for me was an exquisite and charming perennial garden in Maple Beach with a lovely shrub of pink flowers and red stems which we think is a Deutzia x elegantissima. This is a real plant lover’s garden. I was pleasantly surprised by an almost whimsical display of Hollyhocks in the water front garden on South Beach. There must have been hundreds of blooming stalks in a rainbow of colors, even chocolate. The lack of rust on the leaves was remarkable and some of us wonder if the salt air somehow helps keep the rust under control.

Off of Whalen Drive near an impressive log cabin guest house made with logs from the property there was an almost perfect Magnolia x thomasina whose lovely blooms perfumed the air. Chuck and Shirley’s garden was a great example of decorative food production and companion planting. Here is proof that a vegetable garden can be lovely and does not have to be relegated to the bottom of the garden and I loved the chicken tractor.

In another gardener’s garden off of APA Road, a stunning bed of blooming Dahlias was a crowd pleaser. In the same garden a hanging ball of Sempervivums (hens and chicks) and wired wine bottles planted with Impatiens kept us guessing how they were made. These are just a few of the remarkable and interesting gardens on the tour. We are fortunate to have so many gifted, passionate and imaginative gardeners on the Point.

Hints and old wives tales
On the garden tour I learned to plant Lobularia maritime (sweet alyssum) around plants that are susceptible to aphids. The alyssum attracts beneficial insects which will keep the aphids under control. Companion planting is not a new idea. Mother Nature is the first companion planter. Plants growing in close proximity in their natural habitat are there to help each other increase the chances of the survival of the ecosystem. In addition to attracting beneficial insects or keep pests at bay companion planting can provide support, shade, shelter or food. It can provide a succession of blooms attracting pollinating insects throughout the season or improve the tilth of the soil as well as provide access to nutrients.

The techniques of companion planting have been passed down from gardener to gardener. The ideas have been tested over time. The results may or may not be dramatic or immediate but they are based on the experiences of generations of gardeners working without pesticides or herbicides. Planting a single sweet alyssum plant in a rose bed may not deter aphids but planting many plants throughout the bed might attract the lady bugs hungry for those aphids.

Here are a few companion planting ideas that are easy to try in our gardens. Not only are they hard workers they add charm, beauty and a touch of old fashioned wisdom to our gardens. Lupins are great volunteers in the perennial bed. They are deep rooted and add nitrogen and phosphates to the soil. Alliums including onions, chives, garlic, leeks and shallots or ornamental Alliums when grown with roses provide protection from mildew and black spot as well as discouraging aphids. Onions are said to discourage carrot root fly and carrots are supposed to keep the onion fly away so plant these two vegetables together.

Plant Chrysanthemums and Tagetes (marigolds) with Fragaria (strawberries). Plant highly scented varieties of marigolds with roses, tomatoes, potatoes and bulbs to protect against nematodes and Mexican bean beetles. It is said that the protective aspect of the marigold will last in the soil for at least a season after the marigolds have died. Calendula officinalis (pot marigold) is a different plant but it is said to repel dogs.
Borage and opal basil are also said to discourage tomato hornworm. Hot peppers planted among a flower bed will deter insects. I know we all curse Taraxacum officinalis (dandelion) but we should learn to tolerate them because their long taproots bring minerals including calcium up towards the surface to shallow roots of other plants. Plant Trifolium (clover) in the cabbage patch to deter cabbage root flies from the cabbage roots.

Herbs in general discourage insects so it is a good idea to inter-mix herbs and vegetables and perhaps surround the whole garden with Artemisia (wormwood) as it is a general insecticide and deters mice, slugs and snails. Invasive herbs such as mint can be contained by planting it in a large pot and then putting the pot in a hole in the ground. When the mint outgrows the pot simply take cuttings and start again.
While researching companion plants I found some detrimental combinations. Delphinium, Paeonia (peony), Aconitum (monkshood) and Aquilegia (columbine) are all part of the Ranunculaceae family which is thought to retard the growth of nitrogen bacteria keeping other plants growing around them from thriving. Additionally, columbine attracts red spiders so you wouldn’t want to plant it in a vegetable garden. Helianthus annus (sunflower) and potatoes or pole beans should not be planted together but sunflowers and corn both benefit from being planted near each other.

August is hot and fortunately there are few things to do in the garden besides find a cool spot in the shade and relax. It is a great time to order winter and spring flowering bulbs so you are ready to plant when the weather cools or begin a plant wish list to take to the nursery in fall. Lavender blooms should be sheared lightly. Do not trim them back too far into the woody stems. You can continue to feed pots and baskets to encourage blooming until frost but do not feed flower beds as the plants will soon begin to harden off in preparation for winter.

Have fun and enjoy the rest of the summer.