The aim of the Nature Reserve Selection program is to introduce various plant species from across the globe. Over the last few summers, several plant species have been tested at the Montréal Botanical Garden, the Roger-Van den Hende Botanical Garden in Québec City and the Daniel A. Séguin Garden in Saint-Hyacinthe. A new partner as joined the team this year : The Reford Gardens. The Natural Reserve Selection program is pleased to present you its 2015 choices. These attractive plants offer magnificent potential for ornamental horticulture and landscaping.
Browallia (Browallia americana)
Browallia is a bushy tropical plant native to Central America and South America reaching about 45 cm in height. Very floriferous, this annual produces an abundance of small azure flowers throughout the season, from June until late October. Since it can withstand a temperature as low as -7 ° C, it will sometimes bloom until November! A variant of this species bearing white flowers, called Browallia americana f. alba, is also available.
Browallia can grow just about anywhere. Placed in full sun or in a shady area in a fresh and humus rich soil, it will give amazing results! A real marvel that will look great in your garden this summer!
White Moon Petunia (Petunia axillaris)
Why did we choose to present this species in our 2015 selection while the North American horticultural market is literally flooded with hundreds of new cultivars of petunias every year? Well, unlike most modern varieties, white moon petunia has large white flowers giving off a fragrance that will charm even the most stuffy noses! In addition, this plant is particularly floriferous since it blooms continuously from late spring until October, which is a longer period than many recently introduced cultivars. Finally, it is very easy to propagate it by seed.
White moon petunia looks great when it is grown in a container, a flower box or a green wall. It is also possible to grow it in the ground, associated with perennials, annuals or tropical plants.
Cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum)
Native to eastern North America, cup plant is an architectural plant that impresses with its colossal stature. Imagine a plant that bears bright yellow flowers on long and strong stems reaching over 3 meters high! This is certainly one of the largest perennials that can be grown in Canada !
In addition to its oversize dimensions, cup plant has many other amazing features. Its yellow nectar-rich inflorescences blooming nonstop all summer long are a delight for butterflies and pollinating insects. Then, this perennial plant produces seeds that attract various species of birds, especially goldfinches. Its large triangular leaves, arranged in pairs welded together, are perforated by its sturdy square stems. Sometimes, water accumulates in basal leaves which gives birds a chance to quench their thirst; even small frogs can take a bath! Planted in full sun or partial shade, the cup plant will adapt quite easily to many types of soils.
Want to know More ? Click here : Natural Reserve Selection
Where to find them? The plants introduced by Natural Reserve Selection are available in these locations:
Fleurs Johanne et Esthel 1200, chemin de Saint-Jean Laprairie (Québec) (450) 444-4451
Jardins Michel Corbeil 961, boulevard Arthur-Sauvé Saint-Eustache (Quebec) (450) 472-4358 www.jardinsmichelcorbeil.com
Le cactus fleuri 1850, rang Nord-Ouest Sainte-Madeleine (Quebec) (450) 795-3383 http://www.cactusfleuri.com
Serres Daniel Lemieux 149, Notre-Dame Saint-Rémi (Quebec) (450) 454-9960
Marché du printemps at the Daniel A. Séguin Garden May 15, 16 and 17, 2015 http://jardindas.ita.qc.ca
Great Gardening Weekend at the Montreal Botanical Garden May 22, 23 and 24, 2015 http://espacepourlavie.ca/en
Les trouvailles champêtres at the Roger-Van den Hende Botanical Garden May 30, 2015 http://www.jardin.ulaval.ca
