Rhodos, Azaleas Promise Great Springtime Blooms

Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Magnolias, Japanese Cherry, Forsythia, Tulips, Red Bud On Track for Great Spring Blooming Season April to June

---

A walk around Brueckner Rhododendron Garden today showed most of the rhodos, azaleas and magnolias sporting fat buds that promise a fantastic spring blooming season, thanks to a good winter -- not too cold, a bit of snow cover -- and a garden well-winterized with snow fencing, mulch and compost and good moisture level. Here are a few pictures of how the Garden looks in early March.

Brueckner Memorial Magnolia in Full Bud

Near the Lakeshore Road West parking lot, the buds on this memorial Magnolia promise another great blooming show this Spring. See pictures of this tree from last April.

Magnolia Tree in Bud ~ Port Credit Ontario

Several more magnolias were planted near the Brueckner memorial magnolia last summer, and this spring will be their first blooming in the BRG. These new trees, too, seem to have weathered the winter in fine style. Sadly, one beautiful magnolia in the east garden did not fare well, and was removed last fall.

Rhododendron in Bud ~ Brueckner Rhododendron Garden

This wonderfully shaped rhododendron is the centerpiece of a shrub bed just south west of the parking lot and the Kennedy Memorial Plaque. Virtually every twig and branch ends in a fine healthy looking bud. And as we walked the Garden, almost every rhododendron and azalea, be they large or small varieties, showed the same healthy looking buds.

BRG East Garden Bed 1 Rhododendrons Azaleas

Para Kanp, head gardener, BRG City of Mississauga, surveys the newly-labeled Bed 1 in the East Garden. All the new beds in the East Garden are now identified with a number marker. This picture shows mulch that was added around these new rhododendron and azalea bed to conserve moisture, acidify and protect them, especially in winter.

Broken Branches Rhododendron Shrub Damage ~ Port Credit Ontario

One rhododendron in Bed 2 appeared to be victim to random vandalism, as all branches had been snapped off and lay on the ground. Another rhododendron in this same area had been uprooted. With frost still in the ground, a proper replanting was not possible, but by loosening the soil, it was possible to set the plant upright, and replace the soil around the base. With above zero temperatures and heavy rains forecast for the next two days, this 'replanting' should be enough to protect it before the next freeze.

Brueckner Rhododendron Garden East Garden Shrubs

This spring will be the first blooming season at Brueckner for hundreds of new rhododendrons and azaleas, most of them planted in the new beds in the East Garden, and Para expects them to be spectacular! Last summer and fall, irrigation was extended into the East Garden; This spring, installing drip irrigation to these new beds will be a major project.

Mallard Ducks at BRG ~ Lake Ontario Shore

Mallards and winter ice with bits of driftwood and branches along the BRG Lake Ontario Waterfront make a pretty picture. It's too early in the season to see what debris winter waves and winds may have washed ashore. The beach at the Garden is usually treated to a clean up once or twice a year, often by volunteers.
 

Clump of Elm Trees Removed BRG Port Credit

A clump of Dutch Elm diseased elm trees was cut down in late Fall; you can see the stumps in the picture (click on it to enlarge, then click back button to return to this page). These elm trees were near the clump of tamarack and beech trees on the east side of the South bridge on the Waterfront Trail near Godfreys Lane. This area is to be improved with the addition of shrub beds, and hopefully, some Japanese Cherry trees. These new plantings will also protect nearby shrubs from winter winds coming in from the Lake.

Rhododendron 'Hot Dawn' in Full Bud at BRG

'Hot Dawn' is a recent rhododendron addition to Brueckner, in the West garden, overlooking Lake Ontario. Its fat buds are irresistible to squirrels; One can only hope that they find an alternate treat, as we look forward to seeing this variety bloom this spring.

Holly Bushes  Red Berries Add Winter Interest

The red berries of holly add winter interest to the BRG Heritage Bed, site of the Brueckner Memorial Plaque. The rhododendrons and azaleas in this well established bed appear to have come through the winter with flying colours.

As much as this morning's walk indicated a great blooming season, it also served as a To-Do list of tasks to be done this spring and into summer.

• The Peony Garden could use a good early season weeding as soon as it's possible, and before the peonies get serious about growing. Once they've bloomed, it will be time to start thinking about weed control measures such as landscape fabric and mulch. 
• Garlic mustard, greatly reduced thanks in large part to the years-long efforts of volunteer David Culham, still needs to be uprooted wherever it surfaces.
• Wildflowers need to be planted and transplanted, as do perennials like hostas, coneflowers and black-eyed Susans.
• Winter winds have dropped branches around the Garden that need to be piled up for chipping.
• There's mulch to be spread, weeds to be pulled, but these tasks are always with us.

It's still too early to be gardening and cultivating, but while we wait for this winter to end, it's a breath of fresh air, literally, to be out in the Garden, planning and dreaming of Spring.

Happy Holidays from Brueckner Rhododendron Garden

Settling into Winter, Eager for Spring that promises to be the best blooming time ever!

---

---

It's been a very busy and productive year at this City of Mississauga (Ontario, Canada) public garden. Many new rhododendron and azalea beds were added, along with companion plants.

As well, new sitting areas were installed, dozens of perennials added, new fencing installed, and drainage improved. Many new trees were planted (including some of the wonderful spring blooming magnolias) and a few old soldiers, like one grand but damaged American Chestnut, were removed.

2011 promises to be one of the BRG best blooming seasons ever, weather and a gentle winter permitting, and staff and volunteers are eagerly awaiting the Spring 2011 season to see the fruits of their labour over the past few years.

Many thanks to the dozens of volunteers who came to help maintain and build this showcase public garden, with its hundreds of rhododendrons and azaleas.

The 'growing' of the Garden has been a monumental task, and special thanks go out to head gardener, Para Kanp, and to tireless volunteer labourer, David Culham. Thousands of visitors over the decades to come will reap the colourful rewards of all your hard work.

Thanks, too, to the City of Mississauga staff who oversee this garden, and make the large projects possible.

If you'd like to help us grow, or to get the email edition of the BRGSC newsletter, leave a comment below, with your contact information (will not be published).

To all our visitors, a very Happy New Year! We look forward to seeing you in the Rhodo Garden in the spring!

Pine Needle Mulch, Compost ~ Rhododendron Azalea Winter Preparations at Brueckner Garden

---

November 8 Monday: Volunteers to spread 20 tonnes of compost 

---

The countdown is on to the first snowfall of the winter: Will the compost get spread before winter sets in? Happily the weather forecast for the second week in November is for sunny and fairly mild days. With the weather cooperating, all that's needed is a bit of help from our Friends of the Garden to spread the 20 tonnes of compost coming November 8!

Pine Needle Mulch New Rhodo Beds East Garden Port Credit

This past week, volunteers David, Lynne and Karen (moi!) worked on several mornings adding pine needle mulch around the rhodos and azaleas in the East Garden. A few hardy azaleas rewarded us with mauve blossoms. These plants were new to the Garden this year, and all are looking very healthy and happy in their new location.

Wheelbarrows full of Pine Needle Mulch for Winterizing  Rhododendrons

Spreading pine needle mulch is one of the easier garden tasks: the mulch is light, and it smells wonderfully pine-y! Toss in a sunny fall day, and the work goes fast. Not only does mulch acidify the soil, among other things, it also helps keeps weeds at bay and conserve on water.

Landscape Fabric Rhododendron Azalea Bed Pre-Mulch

Volunteers also worked on this bed near the new benches overlooking Lake Ontario adding a patchwork of landscape fabric first to help keep weeds out, water in. New plantings were added to established rhodos and azaleas this season. Landscape fabric and mulch added this year will help in the goal to make the Garden beds lower maintenance in the years to come.

Re-Locating Iceberg Roses, Planting New Roses Fall Garden 

Volunteer and Garden stewardship committee member Terry demonstrates his hole-digging skills as the Iceberg roses from one bed were moved to another bed of Iceberg to fill it in. Then volunteers and staff planted several new rose varieties in the newly-emptied bed.

Head Gardener and Volunteers Get the Rose Garden Job Done!

Here's another view of the 'new' rose bed. Almost all the plantings, new and established, shrubs and perennials and trees, are looking very healthy and happy this fall. They promise to give a wonderful show of blooms next spring and summer.

What better way to say goodbye to a glorious Autumn that to spend time out of doors with a congenial group helping grow the Garden?

If you can help, call 311 and let us know. Or leave a comment below. Or just come by the Garden (Lakeshore and Shawnmarr) on Monday November 8 as close to 9 a.m. as you can. Bring gloves if you have them, a snack and a drink.

See 20 tonnes of compost unloaded, shifted and spread in record time by men, women and machines. Have a look at photos of compost spreading photos from last fall and fall garden prep and planting.

Rhododendron

New Rhododendron, Azalea Plants Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens

---

Eight new rhododendron gardens! Eight! All new beds, with hundreds of rhododendrons and azaleas and companion plants have been planted at Brueckner Rhododendron Garden in Port Credit (Mississauga, Ontario).

And the established beds around the Garden have been topped up with dozens of new rhodos and azaleas. Next spring promises to be spectacular with blooms!

Here are some pictures showing how the new rhododendron gardens came to be, thanks to hard work from the head gardener and staff, with help from the team at the City of Mississauga.

Breaking Ground ~ New Rhododendron Garden ~ Mississauga

One of the new rhodo gardens is located in the northeast corner of BRG, where Godfrey's Lane meets Lakeshore Road. This part of the Garden was once the site of several homes, the structures long since demolished and and the land filled in.  As the Gardens team cut the new beds, concrete parts of old foundations came to the surface, and were removed from the site.

East Rhododendron Garden ~ Godfrey's Lane

Another of the new rhododendron beds was established in the East Garden. In this picture, the staff is removing stones and debris, and raking the bed to level the ground.

BRG Staff Preparing New Rhododendron Garden

The above photo is a closer look at the slope in the East Garden as staff (and a volunteer) prepare one of the new rhodo gardens. In the background, you can see a front end loader doing a lot of the heavy lifting on another of the new rhodo beds.

City Of Mississauga Crew At Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens

A group photo of the crew, with head gardener, Para, second from right, and volunteer Don, third from left. The usual complement of gardens staff on site at Brueckner is 2-4; For the new rhododendron plantings, extra staff were brought in to help with this huge project.

Delivering Peat Moss for New Rhododendron Garden Port Credit

After the crew prepared the new rhodo gardens, their work was only partly done. Then came the trucks with tonnes of compost and bales of peat moss that had to be carted to the newly prepared gardens.

Truckload of Compost for New Rhododendron Azalea Gardens

The front end loader and cart moved the huge pile of compost and dozens of bales of peat moss to the new rhodo and azalea beds. A monumental task! Makes me weary just looking at the photo!

City of Mississauga Gardeners BRG Moving Compost, Peat Moss

Using the front end loader and cart, staff moved compost and peat moss to the new rhodo gardens, then spread them on, tilled them in and raked the new beds smooth in preparation for bringing in and planting hundreds of rhodos, azaleas and companion plants.

New Rhododendron Garden Plantings ~ East Brueckner Garden

And so the new rhododendron gardens took shape, with rhodos, azaleas and shade trees planted and mulched. The rhododendrons planted in these sunnier locations are more heat and light tolerant varieties.

New Rhododendron Plants, Azaleas, Shrubs

This new rhododendron garden pictured above is the same one shown being prepared in the top photo on this page. Although these new rhododendron gardens are not particularly lovely to look at this summer (mostly just a bed of greenery), by next spring, the rhodos and azaleas should start pulling their weight with the established rhododendrons, and give a blooming good show!

Blooming Hydrangeas ~ Heritage Rhododendron Garden

But now, this summer, the hydrangeas step up their blooms to cheer us along until the rhodos and azaleas bloom next spring (late March to mid June, depending on weather and growing conditions). The annual beds and wildflowers, too, are in full bloom, and the hostas are lush and lovely.

Do stop by and walk around this wonderful public garden! Here's a googlemap.

And for as lovely as Brueckner Rhododendron Garden is now, imagine how gorgeous it will become over the coming decades.  A wonderful legacy for future generations!

(If you'd like to come help us grow, here's how on this post.)

---

Rhododendrons, Azaleas Peak Blooming Time Port Credit Mississauga Ontario

Blooming Update June 8, 2011: Peak Blooms this week at Brueckner for azaleas and rhodos.

---

Though the Rhododendron Gardens tour took place a week ago, the rhodos and azaleas are still in glorious full bloom and make a spectacular show!

Here are some pictures taken over the past few days. [Click on photo to enlarge, then click Back button to return to this page]

Lake Ontario Micro-Climate Great for Rhodos!

The Gardens location on Lake Ontario in Port Credit (Mississauga) suits rhodos and azaleas to a T. Visitors find this setting spectacular, too. This view is looking south towards Niagara Falls and St Catharines.

Rhodos and Azaleas ~ Close-up on Lake Ontario

This bed of azaleas and rhododendrons is just steps from the Waterfront Trail through the Gardens, just west from the south bridge. Overlooking the beach, with several comfy benches, this spot is a great favorite with visitors. Especially on hot sunny days, watching the boats on Lake Ontario.

Waterfront Trail Views to Brueckner Heritage Garden

The Waterfront Trail runs along Tecumseh Creek through the Gardens. This is the view across the lawns to the Heritage bed on the west side of garden.

Waterfront Trail Cyclist at BRG Heritage Garden

This Waterfront Trail cyclist didn't even bother following the Trail around to the Heritage Beds: He made a bee-line across the lawns to get a closer look. Such is the power of rhodos and azaleas in full bloom: Charms the cyclists off the paths!

Yellow Azaleas near Waterfront Trail Rhododendron Gardens

There are several yellow azalea bushes throughout the Gardens; I found this one close to the South Bridge (bridge closest to Lake Ontario). There are currently three bridges in the Gardens that cross over Tecumseh Creek that separates the West Garden (Heritage beds) from the East Garden, where 7 new rhododendron beds are planned.

Orange Rhododendron Waterfront Trail South bridge

As well as yellow azaleas, BRG has several large orange rhododendron shrubs. This one in the picture is beside the yellow azalea, at the south bridge, west side.

White Rhododendron with yellow freckles

This white rhododendron stunner (especially in close up), is located outside the nursery fence, near the Godrey's Lane entrance to the Gardens, closest to Ben Machree Park and the Lake.

From a distance, the rhodo flowers appear white or pale pink. Leave the path and get a close up look at the large shrub up against the wrought iron fence, and you'll see the lovely yellow freckles on the blossoms.

Over the past week or two, Mississauga has enjoyed unseasonably warm weather. It's been gloriously sunny and dry, even along the usually cooler lakefront.

Since the hot weather makes the plants bloom faster, the flowering season will be over all too soon. Don't miss the show: Head out to the Gardens (See the link for the map in the right menu).

Catch a cool breeze from the lake, sit a spell, and admire the stunning rhododendrons and azaleas while they're in full bloom! One serious thunderstorm, and they could be done.

Next Up: The Peonies!

Rhododendron Gardens Tour Date May 23 ~ Rhodos, Azaleas, Japanese Cherry

[BRG Tour Date 2012: Sunday May 17, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free!]

---

The Gardens Tour date has been changed! The new Rhododendron Gardens tour date is Sunday, May 23, 2010.

Magnolia, Japanese Cherry, Rhododendrons

The magnolias (white, photo) are almost finished blooming. The rhodos, azaleas and the Japanese cherry trees are coming into bloom earlier than usual so the garden tour has been advanced one week from the original date May 30.

Mauve Rhododendrons in Bloom - Port Credit Mississauga Ontario

Even the apple trees, legacy of the original Cranberry Cove farmland where the Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens now flourish, are popping buds open as fast as they can. The forecast weather over the coming weeks is for more sunshine and seasonably warm temperatures, which will encourage many of the flowering shrubs to bloom earlier than usual.

Pink Rhododendron Flowers - BRG Mississauga Ontario

The Rhododendron 'Heritage Bed' is marked with split rail fencing, and signed with information about Dr. Brueckner and his legacy rhodos. These pink rhododendrons can be seen in the Heritage Bed, and in one of the beds closer to Lake Ontario.

Split Rail Fencing Marks the Brueckner Heritage Garden

The gate in the split rail fence that separates the paved trail (path) from the parking lot and the heritage rhodos is now open so that photographers, wedding parties and rhodo fanciers can get close to the beautiful rhododendrons. However, do leave your dogs on leash outside the fenced area. Cyclists: Park your bikes outside the heritage bed.

Pink - Mauve Rhododendrons - Brueckner Heritage Gardens

These early blooming rhododendrons provide a good show for visitors now, and over the coming weeks. There is some concern that even with the Gardens tour date being advanced one week that warm weather in the interim will force all the rhodos into unusually early bloom, and that they may well be in the final stages of blooming by May 23.

White Rhododendron with Pink Tinge - Port Credit Ontario

This rhododendron blooms white, with a pale pink tinge to the flowers. Look for this tiny shrub amidst the larger rhodo plants; it's easy to overlook. This rhodo can be found in the heritage bed, and at the top of the hill heading towards the lake, and in the beds in the south garden area overlooking Lake Ontario.

Mauve Charmer! Azalea in Bloom Mississauga Ontario

Look for azaleas in bloom, too. I took these pictures at the BRG on Tuesday, April 27. Here are pictures and two post dates from previous years (posted on my own blog that predates the BRG blog by 2 years) and pictures of blooming rhododendrons from last May.

• Snapshot rhodos May 17 2007
• Snapshot rhodos May 17, 2008
• BRG blog Rhodos  May 12  2009

---------
Update: May 10, 2010: Japanese Cherry Trees BRG

Japanese Cherry Trees In Bloom ~ BRG Mississauga Port Credit

High winds and rain over the weekend in Port Credit ON did not to any favours to the blooming Japanese Cherries at the Gardens. Luckily, Para Kanp, head gardener, had a few days earlier taken this photo of the trees in full bloom (Click on any photo to enlarge; click Back button to return to this page).

Rhododendrons, Magnolias, Forsythia in Bloom, Rhodos in Bud, Rose Garden, Gardens Tour, and Volunteers Needed!

Spring has Sprung at the BRG in Port Credit, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada! Here's what's new at the BRG this week:

• Rhododendrons, Magnolias, Forsythia in bloom
• Rhododendrons in bud
• Rose Garden Layout
• 2010 Garden Tour May 2010
• Spring bulbs in bloom and bud 
• Volunteers Needed Now, and June 3, 2010

Magnolias Starting to Bloom

Most of the magnolias are still in fuzzy buds, but with a few days of warm weather, they'll be in full flower  soon.
.

Magnolia Tree - Brueckner Plaque at Base

The Brueckner memorial magnolia tree is first to bloom (see pictures from last year). Note the white magnolias near here, just south of main parking lot Lakeshore Road west and Shawnmarr Road.

Rhododendron Early Bloomers at the BRG

Mauve Rhododendrons in the Heritage Garden area are in flower behind the split rail fence added last fall to deter dogs from harming the rhodos.

Many dog owners seem to be under the impression that the BRG is a park, and an off-leash one at that. It is not. Nor is the BRG a soccer pitch, a ball park, or any kind of sports field. It is a Garden.

Rhododendron with Forsythia Overlooking Lake Ontario

The early blooming rhodos in the Gardens are a sure sign of spring, and the booming period depends on the temperatures. If the weather stays warm, or gets warmer, then the rhodos (and much else) will bloom earlier; If there is a cold spell over the next few weeks, the blooming will slow down.

Mauve Rhododendrons

More Rhododendrons are in the beds overlooking Lake Ontario. Early blooming rhododendrons are Doricum and Isola Bella.

Rhododendrons the Star Attraction ~ Garden Tour May 30, 2010

Many of the rhodos are in bud now, and seemed to have enjoyed the mild winter. With the garden tour set for May 8 or 9, and if the weather cooperates, there should be many rhodos still in bloom, as well as azaleas. Update: the weather is not cooperating as expected and the shrubs and trees are coming into bloom several weeks ahead of schedule: thus, the rhodo garden tour date has been advanced several weeks.

The View From The Hill ~ Rose Garden Layout Design

The Layout and Design of the Rose Garden is best appreciated before the roses begin to grow and flower. Volunteers will edge the rose beds to delineate paths between beds, and keep the bark mulch away from the plants.

Spring Bulbs in Bloom Throughout Rhododendron Gardens

Look for all the usual spring bulb suspects:  daffodils, tulips, crocuses, snow drops and more throughout the gardens. Stay on the paths and trails, as you might not notice you've crushed a plant until it's too late!

Call for Volunteers at the Gardens June 3 2010
Volunteers -- 9 will do, but more would be nice -- are needed to help plant 1,000 plants and shrubs in the ecoswale in the East Gardens on Thursday, June 3, 2010 (See this post).

If you want to help make Mississauga beautiful, call David 'Sweat Equity' Culham at 905-608-2886 to let him know you are ready to dig in and help out!