Plant Profile

Hebe pinguifolia "Sutherlandii"



Hebe pinguifolia "Sutherlandii"

This was a surprise survivor at Windy Ridge. Hebe sutherlandii a cultivar developed in its native NewZealand in 1925 from the species that grows throughout the country called "local lilac". It has a domed well behaved shape that never needs pruning about 18"high after 5 years. It has flowered for the first time this summer.Cuttings have successfully been made.

Hockley Valley Ontario
Fall Composition

A great combination of Red Sumac and Miscanthus by a stream on the Hockley Valley on my way to work one day. If you look at the landscape picture , in the top middle is where I have gardened for over 6 years for a client.

Fall Labyrinth

Glistening milkweed seeds on field


The seeds of milkweed have dispersed on the high winds all across the cut grass with a strange almost even spacing. They were reflecting in the late day sunshine this week, quite beautiful but foreboding for the growing season to come.

A bowl of Witches Fire
Hamamelis intermedia "Diane"

I couldnt resist the purchase of this stunning show of colour.

A Blaze Of Glory

Euonymous elatus Burning Bush
Euonymous atropurpureus Eastern Wahoo


Fall colour this year has been reported to be lacklustre, From what ive seen there have been some special standouts.Yes forests in the Hockley Valley have been more yellow /gold with some rare red. We are adding lots of new fall colour in hues of fire engine red to Windy Ridge to offset the majority of gold in the forest.

Lavender 'Hidcote'

One of the nicest well behaved Lavenders. Grey foliage stout and strong withstanding the full frontal assault of wind throughout the year in this Zone 4 - 5ish garden. Situated on one of the highest points in southern Ontario it is a rare day when its not windy.

Southern view of Circle Bed

The view looking south towards the Hockley Valley. A circle bed originally designed by Landscape Architect and mentor David Tomlinson. A mix of perennials trees and shrubs. In the foreground is 3 rows of Lavender 'Hidcote'. The beds are still being filled in now that the terrible russian lilacs have been ground out. Poor performers and a waste of realestate.

Labyrinth of Green

A wonderful property i have worked at for over 6 years...... 16 acres on the Niagara Escarpment. We are creating lots of interesting plant communities that still fit well in this open environment. The picture is from the roof looking north towards the grass labyrinth and open fields. I spend 2 days a week here planting and perfecting.