100 Best Plants for the Ontario Garden
Gardening is supposed to be relaxing, but not one of us has escaped panic when confronted with the hundreds of plants at the local nursery. Everyone has wondered which cultivar is hardier or will grow taller, or what annuals will look better with particular borders. 

by Steve Whysall

Wandering through a garden centre can be overwhelming, even for the most experienced gardener.

With 100 Best Plants for the Ontario Garden, veteran gardening columnist Steve Whysall takes the pain out of planting. He has collected a comprehensive list of no-nonsense performers, complete with 100 photographs. These are plants that are easy to find and care for, and plants that look good not for one month, but for most of the year.

Each listing includes details on planting and care, suggestions for good companions, and information on related or similar plants. Steve reveals the characteristics of each of his choices in a conversational, easy-to-read tone that will make this a favourite resource.

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Most summer bulbs, with few exceptions such as lilies, are not winter hardy. They can be lifted, stored for the winter and re-planted the following spring. Or, if that’s just too much work for the busy gardener, they should be treated as annuals.
A sunny location
Summer-flowering bulbs have few requirements when it comes to soil type and nutrients. However, these plants cannot tolerate soil that is too wet. Since most of them originate in warm, sunny habitats, lots of sunshine is a definite must. An exception to the rule is the tuberous begonia, planted in a partially shaded location, they will still thrive and flower abundantly.

For the garden, patio or balcony owner in search of that elusive ‘something different’, summer bulbs are sure to more than fit the bill.

Source: Netherlands Flowerbulb Information Centre