Climate Change Gardening

Brittle Prickly Pear, Lavender, Sage, Ohio Spiderwort

I enjoy gardening as a relaxing hobby, but do not have the time or ambition to cultivate high maintenance plants. I prefer to buy vegetables at farmers' markets rather than growing them. As a sentimental person, I still care for plants I took from Grandma's garden when she moved from her big house in 1985 to a condominium. Her peonies rarely bloom in my garden, but her irises, evening primrose, and pulmonaria do well year after year. 

Climate change between 1981 and 2010 has resulted in significant changes in plant hardiness zones.(source) Our area has shown a modest increase from zone 5A to 5B while parts of Western Canada have shown more dramatic changes of up to three zones. Our summers are hot and dry for this latitude, and periods of drought that last for 6 weeks are not uncommon. We had a very dry spring and the proverbial "April showers" were mostly absent. In addition, we have sandy soil, better suited for a beach than a garden and lawn. I am seriously looking at what thrives in my garden so that daily watering is not a necessary chore. 

Our neighbour gave us a small cutting of brittle prickly pear cactus last year. After the winter it was shrivelled and flat, but it has grown extremely well and is covered in yellow blooms right now. It loves our sand and sun. We also planted a clump of Ohio spiderwort, a native plant, and it is spreading well with lovely purple flowers. Perennial herbs often do well in poor, dry soils and lavender and sage need very little attention from me. Our tarragon has grown like a shrub. 

Milkweed, Lavender, Hens & Chicks, Sedum, Deck annuals

I allow some milkweed to grow at the back of the garage in order to attract Monarch butterflies. It is very invasive with running roots, so we dig new shoots up in the spring. Succulents like hens and chicks, Thompson yucca and sedums love our garden. 

The only annuals I purchased this year are in pots around the deck where they are easy to water. 

I want a garden that attracts pollinators, birds and butterflies. Perennials add interest as different plant species bloom at successive times during the growing season. 

Our yard will not make the cover of a gardening magazine, but it is a lovely place relax with a "cuppa" and a good book. We added a 10x10 foot portable canopy this year. It really has been our best purchase this year, allowing us a place to visit a few friends outdoors, rain or shine, while staying socially distanced.