WCS Academy

April 25, 2021

This easy-to-grow annual is one of the best pollinator attractors of all. Bees simply love the ample, long-lasting, purple flowers. It is often called Phacelia, Purple...

How to Grow Phacelia

April 25, 2021

This easy-to-grow annual is one of the best pollinator attractors of all. Bees simply love the ample, long-lasting, purple flowers. It is often called Phacelia, Purple Tansy, Scorpion flower, or heliotrope. It is easy to...

How to Grow Oenothera

April 22, 2021

Pale Evening Primrose is an important BC wildflower that provides food for our native pollinators. Learn how to grow Oenothera in your garden to feed...

How to Grow Oenothera

April 22, 2021

Pale Evening Primrose is an important BC wildflower that provides food for our native pollinators. Learn how to grow Oenothera in your garden to feed the bees and bring back this beautiful flower from...

How to Grow Nigella

April 22, 2021

Nigella performs best in cooler growing areas, in ordinary, well-drained, pH-neutral soil. Fertilize and deadhead regularly, and water in long dry spells. It is easy...

How to Grow Nigella

April 22, 2021

Nigella performs best in cooler growing areas, in ordinary, well-drained, pH-neutral soil. Fertilize and deadhead regularly, and water in long dry spells. It is easy to plant and grow Nigella seeds. Nigella may self...

How to Grow Nepeta Catmint

April 22, 2021

This relative of catnip in the mint family does not trigger the kitten-like behaviour in cats as catnip does. Although cats might graze on Nepeta leaves and flowers,...

How to Grow Nepeta Catmint

April 22, 2021

This relative of catnip in the mint family does not trigger the kitten-like behaviour in cats as catnip does. Although cats might graze on Nepeta leaves and flowers, it tends to not make them go crazy afterward....

How to Grow Nemophila

April 22, 2021

Nemophila menziesii is an annual that is known as Baby Blue Eyes. Cool, moist, light, well-drained soil is best. Grow in partial shade where summer soils get...

How to Grow Nemophila

April 22, 2021

Nemophila menziesii is an annual that is known as Baby Blue Eyes. Cool, moist, light, well-drained soil is best. Grow in partial shade where summer soils get hot. Plants can die from excessive heat. Nemophila may...

How to Grow Nasturtiums

April 22, 2021

Nasturtiums thrive in poor to average, slightly acidic, well-drained soil. If growing in full sun, consider using some rocks around the plants to prevent their...

How to Grow Nasturtiums

April 22, 2021

Nasturtiums thrive in poor to average, slightly acidic, well-drained soil. If growing in full sun, consider using some rocks around the plants to prevent their roots from getting too hot. In partial shade, plants...

How to Grow Meconopsis

April 22, 2021

This is a challenging plant to grow, even for experienced and professional gardeners. With other kinds of poppies, one can just sprinkle the seeds and...

How to Grow Meconopsis

April 22, 2021

This is a challenging plant to grow, even for experienced and professional gardeners. With other kinds of poppies, one can just sprinkle the seeds and a few weeks later, like magic, the flowers appear....

How to Grow Morning Glory

April 22, 2021

It’s a shame that so many gardeners confuse this annual morning glory with the invasive weed, Convovulus arvensis, because this variety will not take over the...

How to Grow Morning Glory

April 22, 2021

It’s a shame that so many gardeners confuse this annual morning glory with the invasive weed, Convovulus arvensis, because this variety will not take over the garden. Instead, it will produce a lush abundance of...

How to Grow Stocks

April 22, 2021

Expect sturdy, well-branched plants that produce an abundance of early bright, fragrant flowers. They are excellent for cutting. Stocks prefers cool growing conditions. In cold winter areas...

How to Grow Stocks

April 22, 2021

Expect sturdy, well-branched plants that produce an abundance of early bright, fragrant flowers. They are excellent for cutting. Stocks prefers cool growing conditions. In cold winter areas plant in earliest spring. Where winters are mild set...

How to Grow Marigolds

April 22, 2021

Marigolds are annual flowers that are easy to grow from seed and resilient. They can be grown in the garden, in containers, and they play...

How to Grow Marigolds

April 22, 2021

Marigolds are annual flowers that are easy to grow from seed and resilient. They can be grown in the garden, in containers, and they play a role in Companion Planting. Some even have edible flowers!...

How to Grow Lupins

April 22, 2021

The pea-like flowers of lupins grow in dense spires above very distinctive foliage. They will bloom for two months from a spring sowing or early summer from fall sown...

How to Grow Lupins

April 22, 2021

The pea-like flowers of lupins grow in dense spires above very distinctive foliage. They will bloom for two months from a spring sowing or early summer from fall sown plants. This cold hardy perennial is native to western...

How to Grow Lunaria

April 22, 2021

The information here refers to the annual (sometimes biennial) plant that is known as Lunaria annua. It also goes by the common names Honesty, Moonwort, Judas’ Penny,...

How to Grow Lunaria

April 22, 2021

The information here refers to the annual (sometimes biennial) plant that is known as Lunaria annua. It also goes by the common names Honesty, Moonwort, Judas’ Penny, Satin Flower, Money Plant, and Silver Dollars. Planted early...

How to Grow Lobelia

April 22, 2021

These familiar annuals have intensely coloured flowers. They are sometimes listed as Edging Lobelia. They work very well as filler plants in window boxes, hanging baskets, and garden...

How to Grow Lobelia

April 22, 2021

These familiar annuals have intensely coloured flowers. They are sometimes listed as Edging Lobelia. They work very well as filler plants in window boxes, hanging baskets, and garden borders. The vivid blue flowers are highly attractive to...

How to Grow Linum

April 22, 2021

The Linum species we offer are annual flowering flax. They are beautiful and easy and suitable for large containers. Linum grandiflorum is native to Algeria. Linum usitatissimum is thought to...

How to Grow Linum

April 22, 2021

The Linum species we offer are annual flowering flax. They are beautiful and easy and suitable for large containers. Linum grandiflorum is native to Algeria. Linum usitatissimum is thought to be native to central Asia. All species are attractive...

How to Grow Lavatera

April 22, 2021

Annual Lavatera is also known as Mallow or Annual Tree Mallow. It is an easy-to-grow annual that blooms in the first year. The Latin species...

How to Grow Lavatera

April 22, 2021

Annual Lavatera is also known as Mallow or Annual Tree Mallow. It is an easy-to-grow annual that blooms in the first year. The Latin species name trimestris translates as "three months," referring to the...

How to Grow Hollyhocks

April 22, 2021

This cottage garden classic originated in China, but was imported to English gardens around the 15th century. Hollyhocks defy the simple definition of annual, biennial, and perennial...

How to Grow Hollyhocks

April 22, 2021

This cottage garden classic originated in China, but was imported to English gardens around the 15th century. Hollyhocks defy the simple definition of annual, biennial, and perennial depending on when, where, and how they are planted....

How to Grow Helenium

April 22, 2021

This dependable perennial blooms from late summer into fall with numerous bright yellow pin-cushion flowers atop tall stems. It looks superb in mass plantings, or...

How to Grow Helenium

April 22, 2021

This dependable perennial blooms from late summer into fall with numerous bright yellow pin-cushion flowers atop tall stems. It looks superb in mass plantings, or planted between clumps of Crocosmia. Continue reading below for...

How to Grow Gilia

April 21, 2021

Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow Gilia from seed. Gilia is a lovely annual wildflower that really stands out in mass plantings,...

How to Grow Gilia

April 21, 2021

Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow Gilia from seed. Gilia is a lovely annual wildflower that really stands out in mass plantings, and is a heavy nectar producer, so a very...

How to Grow Gypsophila

April 21, 2021

Dainty Baby’s Breath is actually quite a tough plant. Ordinary soil will do. Be sure it is not too rich, and avoid feeding plants. Cut back...

How to Grow Gypsophila

April 21, 2021

Dainty Baby’s Breath is actually quite a tough plant. Ordinary soil will do. Be sure it is not too rich, and avoid feeding plants. Cut back after flowering to encourage a second bloom. This species...

How to Grow Goji Berries

April 21, 2021

It’s a slow process to grow Goji berries from seed, but once plants are established, they are highly productive. Plants will produce some fruit in...

How to Grow Goji Berries

April 21, 2021

It’s a slow process to grow Goji berries from seed, but once plants are established, they are highly productive. Plants will produce some fruit in the second year of growth, but from year three...

How to Grow Gaillardia

April 21, 2021

Annual Gaillardia is known as Blanket Flower and is native to Northern Mexico. They make great cut flowers and look spectacular planted en masse in...

How to Grow Gaillardia

April 21, 2021

Annual Gaillardia is known as Blanket Flower and is native to Northern Mexico. They make great cut flowers and look spectacular planted en masse in the hot, sunny conditions in which they thrive. Continue...

How to Grow Eucalyptus

April 21, 2021

This would-be gum tree is usually grown as an annual. Its peculiar, round leaves are the perfect grey-blue colour to add contrast to cut flower...

How to Grow Eucalyptus

April 21, 2021

This would-be gum tree is usually grown as an annual. Its peculiar, round leaves are the perfect grey-blue colour to add contrast to cut flower bouquets. With enough protection from winter extremes, it will...

How to Grow Eryngium

April 21, 2021

Known as Sea Holly as it thrives in the sandy, well-drained soil near seashores. The seeds of Eryingium can be tricky to germinate, but if...

How to Grow Eryngium

April 21, 2021

Known as Sea Holly as it thrives in the sandy, well-drained soil near seashores. The seeds of Eryingium can be tricky to germinate, but if you follow our How to Grow Eryngium instructions, you...

How to Grow Dianthus

April 21, 2021

Dianthus seeds produce hardy perennial plants that are colourful, drought-resistant, and bloom in the first year. Learn how to grow Dianthus from seeds in our...

How to Grow Dianthus

April 21, 2021

Dianthus seeds produce hardy perennial plants that are colourful, drought-resistant, and bloom in the first year. Learn how to grow Dianthus from seeds in our simple online growing instructions. These short-growing flowers are widely...

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