I garden on a one-acre rural lot with a small cottage (1800s former railroad station) on the Niagara escarpment in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Being on the north-facing slope of the escarpment, the garden has substantial ground water flow, with good drainage despite heavy clay soil. As a result, I rarely get deep frost penetration.
The front garden faces sunny South. It features a large waterlily display pond and patio surrounded with walls of climbing roses and clematis. A collection of Lotus and bog planters are displayed on the patio.
The tender bulb collection is located by the house in deep sand and gravel beds.
The back gardens are bordered by tall cedars, pines and balsams for wind protection. This is where I cultivate rare fruits, ornamental trees, rhododendrons, azaleas, Japanese maples, southern magnolias, vegetables and a large bulb meadow. Fifty pounds of narcissus “Sir Winston Churchill” were planted 20 years ago in the meadow. See last photo of this on Double Daffodils wiki page.
I try to grow many Mediterranean plants and have been experimenting with more tender varieties, pushing the limits of hardiness. I am convinced that many plants are hardier than we think they are. So, I am prepared to kill a plant three times before I am convinced that it is too tender for my location.
I am particularly interested in grafting and other methods of propagation.
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