Spring is blossoming

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Story, video and images: Adriana Pacheco
With the winter weather ceasing, it looks like spring is finally on its way. Parkwood Estate & Gardens is celebrating the warmer weather by hosting a series of garden workshops, kicking off on Thursday March 24.
 

 
 
“This is the first garden workshop this spring,” said Angie Vehof, who works at the historic site that honours the former home of the founder of General Motors of Canada, Robert McLaughlin.
“We have another one coming up on March 31 on native plants. Then on April 7 there is one called Showstoppers and we will be exploring our mosaic culture gardens. Then there is one on April 14 called Real Dirt, where we will see what we have in our flower beds.”
Vehof said the first event next Thursday is called Berries, Berries and More Berries. It is hosted by Nancy Lawrence, Parkwood’s green house grower. Lawrence will look at where the best berries can be found and she will answer questions about gardening as well. The workshop runs from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
“It’s $10 per person and as part of the event we will be providing coffee, tea and scones, “ said Vehof. “It is filling up quickly. We’ve had to cut it off at 22 people for that day. Right now we are at 15.”
Spots in the workshop are still available by calling Parkwood at 905-433-4311.
 

 
 
If you don’t want to wait for your garden to flower, local florists have some great pre-cut arrangements and suggestions to make your home spring-worthy.
“Right now we have iris, tulips and freesia, which are lovely spring flowers,” said Ann Marie Kirkpatrick of Classic Flowers, located at 74 Simcoe St. S.
 

 
“We get them imported so they’re here before they’re in the gardens. We always have lily’s and roses, but as far as spring flowers go, they are all available right now.”
 

 
 
Click to watch staff from Reed’s Florist Ltd. (12 Simcoe St. S.) explain about what types of flowers are popular for spring, both for planting and arranging.