Living gift this Mother’s Day could be cherished more than we realize

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Almost worldwide, the biggest floral holiday of the year is just a week away. So, we all have a few days to decide what to give the moms in our life. It should be something meaningful that they will truly appreciate.

As we continue to struggle with this COVID-19 pandemic and all its consequences, a little thoughtfulness will go a long way. A beautiful, living gift could possibly be cherished more than we realize.

With the current trend of aligning our gardens more closely with nature, a patio container should include plants that attract and support pollinators, butterflies and hummingbirds. Just think of the enjoyment that comes with watching bees, butterflies and birds gather nectar and pollen. It may be hard to find this type of crossover container readymade, but you can easily create one yourself.

For sunny locations, here are some pollinator magnets. Cupheas (the so-called cigar plants) are some of the best tender perennials to attract pollinators and hummingbirds. I particularly like the Proven Winners variety, C. Vermillionaire, which blooms all summer and into fall. Because of its spillover habit, it’s attractive in hanging baskets.

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Adding just a few select pollinator-attracting perennials to any container can create a delightful look as well as attract wildlife. My favourites are the new, long-blooming achilleas (yarrow); columbine for shade; globe thistles (like eryngiums and echinops); monarda (bee balm); red crocosmias (loved by hummingbirds); all lavenders; echinaceas; and the new perennial Salvia greggii series that are attractive (particularly the red), long-flowering and come in a wide range of colours. Try blending them with annuals for a more continuous show of colour in containers or in the ground.

Today, many moms might appreciate having their own food growing in containers on their decks or patios. This trend has been made possible by the many new veggie varieties bred specifically for container growing. Herb gardens, too, would top many culinary wish lists, especially when planted with perennial and biennial varieties that will provide fresh greens all summer and into fall. Chives, thyme, oregano, mints and marjoram are standard fare, and the many varieties of rosemary are a must. Biennials, like curled or Italian parsley, would also be a nice touch. Bay leaves add so much flavour to any meat dish, and a bay tree (Laurus nobilis), planted in a larger-sized container, would be something special. As with all container-growing, larger pots mean less care and reduced watering.

Leafy vegetables, like the Simply Salad and other gourmet blends of lettuce, can be both colourful and delicious. Swiss chard, especially the Bright Lights series, and Slow Bolt spinach, will provide a continuous buffet of attractive, tasty, healthy greens.

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Tomatoes are certainly the most-in-demand vegetable, and there are a few standouts. In good-sized hanging baskets or pots, the spillover Tumbler, Tumbling Tom and Tumbling Tom Yellow are among the best choices for an early, continuous supply of small, delicious fruits. There is also a wide selection of tomatoes with bite-sized fruits, such as Proven Winners Tempting Tomatoes Goodhearted and old favourites, like Tiny Tim and Patio Improved. I think the best-flavoured tomatoes are the tall, vine-grown varieties, such as Sun Sugar and Sun Gold, and they grow well in larger containers but must be staked.

Moms who like preparing ethnic recipes may appreciate a container of hot peppers, such as Basket of Fire, a crossover ornamental/edible variety. Peppers do very well in containers. The super-hots are the Ghost pepper, Scotch Bonnet, Habanero, Caribbean Red Hot, Trinidad Scorpion and the hottest of all, Carolina Reaper. If there are kids about, maybe stick with jalapenos.

Patio cucumbers are now much improved over the older types. With some trellising, Patio Snacker and Salad Bowl are among the easiest to grow.

Small fruits, growing on mom’s patio, would be a real delight. Everbearing strawberries, trailing over a hanging basket or a tall patio pot, are the No. 1 choice in this category. A slow-release fertilizer, like 14-14-14, will keep them growing and producing well into fall. There are so many varieties available today, both from plant divisions and also seed. I like Albion and Tristar as plants and Berri Basket, Berries Galore and Berries Hill Montana as seedlings. Proven Winners have a unique series of strawberries, called Berried Treasure, with either pink, red or white flowers, as well as delicious fruit.

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The reality of today’s high-density living can create challenges, such as pollution, noise, congestion and stress. Your mom might appreciate a little more privacy on her deck. Using a lightweight pot and soil, beautiful, small trees, like a Japanese maple, can provide both screening and a little patio shade. If you add a few LED lights, it will also make an attractive evening feature year-round.

High-traffic situations can make patios and decks quite noisy. The sound of flowing water from a small, self-contained fountain is a nice way to counteract the din of traffic and other unpleasant noises.

Fragrance can add a sense of serenity. Fragrant buddleias (butterfly shrub) will flower all summer, and they attract butterflies and other pollinators. Perfumed heliotropes are some of the most-sought-after fragrant plants. When space is an issue, incorporate them into other containers.

If mom has a passion for gardening, she would greatly appreciate a gift card to her favourite garden store. Subscriptions to garden magazines will be treasured year-round, as will a season pass to a public garden (once they open again, hopefully this fall). Unique garden art is becoming a huge trend. The B.C. florist industry has many talented designers, and sometimes a beautiful bouquet or arrangement of flowers is the perfect gift.

In whatever way you decide to celebrate your mom, or someone special to you, this Mother’s Day, make it a thoughtful and meaningful expression of your appreciation.