During the dog days of summer, having a resilient, dependable, and beautiful perennial flower in your garden is terrific. Meet the Black-Eyed Susan. They are quick to establish and mature, and perfect for a perennial border, cutting garden, or naturalized garden. Depending on the variety, they will grow 1-3 feet tall and spread about 2 feet wide, making them a show-stopping spectacle!
If that and the cheerful, dark-centred, golden-yellow, daisy-shaped flowers aren’t enough to draw you in, here are more reasons we love these plants!
Black-Eyed Susan (Latin name: Rudbeckia) is a prolific bloomer whose flowers can last from July to October. At a time in the season when many other flowers can look weary, Rudbeckia is a shining star. Its flowers grow on sturdy stems, which adds to their resilience.

Rudbeckia are robust! They are drought—and heat-tolerant and generally do well in hard-to-grow locations. Once established, they do not require frequent watering. Rudbeckia hirta is an Ontario native plant, and exceptionally hardy.
Plant Black-Eyed Susan in full sun to partial shade and almost any type of soil. They are adaptable, generally trouble-free and do not require any extra care.
We aren’t the only ones who love Rudbeckia; butterflies, birds and bees do, too. This makes Black-Eyed Susan a perfect partner for other pollinator-friendly plants like Monarda (aka Wild Bergamot and Bee Balm), Gaillardia (Blanket flower), Yarrow and Echinacea (aka Coneflower).
Who doesn’t love Black-Eyed Susans? Because of the course hairs on the stems, this is a plant that rabbits and deer don’t care for.
Black-Eyed Susan is perfect to grow in a border, bed, planter, or in a field as a mass planting. It’s resilient, attractive, low maintenance and a beneficial addition to any garden!

The much-loved boxwood hedge has been a classic for centuries and is widely used in gardens worldwide. Neatly trimmed and manicured boxwood becomes the framework for containing everything from roses to riots of perennial blooms. From extensive estate gardens to small and modest yards, boxwood is a versatile shrub that earned its place by being easy to care for and prune.
Unfortunately, this staple shrub has trouble brewing, which impacts its leafy lifespan.
Since its first appearance in Ontario in 2014, the Boxwood Blight has become a significant concern for gardeners. However, the University of Guelph is not sitting idly by. They are actively researching this issue and working hard to find solutions to protect beloved boxwood shrubs.
Sometimes, being popular isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Because Boxwood is a widely planted favourite, a new pest attracted to it, the Boxwood Moth (from Asia), has easily spread and is infecting shrubs.
Boxwood Blight and Boxwood Moth do pose severe threats to Boxwood shrubs, but here's the good news—many shrubs make great alternatives! Using a similar shrub is one of the simplest solutions to Boxwood's issues. You have lots of options to protect and diversify your garden.
The closest Boxwood lookalike is the Inkberry holly. It naturally grows in a rounded evergreen mound, can be trimmed like a traditional boxwood hedge, and has other enticing bonuses! Not only is it native to North America, but unlike boxwood, it blooms. In the spring, Inkberry holly is covered in showy white flowers, making it a standout alternative to boxwood. Here at Eising Greenhouses, look for Gem Box Inkberry Holly.

Blue Arrow and Moffat Blue Junipers make beautiful hedges and stand-alone accent trees. Both have an elegant upright form, striking blue evergreen foliage, and silvery blue berries from late spring to late fall. If that isn’t enticing enough, add drought tolerance to the list of features!
Consider a standard evergreen or a dwarf variety that has been pruned and sculpted to become a piece of art if you want to add something even more unusual. What’s a standard? It’s usually a single trunk with a plant at the top, like a compact evergreen shrub.
Standards and shaped dwarf evergreens can make a bold statement or add wonderful whimsy to your garden. We have lots to choose from, but here are a few examples to get your imagination going!
When it comes to replacing boxwood, there are many creative solutions and beautiful plants to choose from!

Landscape Ontario - Boxwood Blight and Boxwood Moth
Toronto Master Gardeners - Rethinking Boxwood
Canada.ca - Box tree Moth
Tropical Hibiscus evokes all of the best descriptions imaginable when you see one. Showy, stunning, exotic, vibrant, impressive, large, lush, colourful and flamboyant flowers grace branches of dark, glossy, green leaves. It just seems unreal! This plant conjures up images of the tropics, but it will grow in a pot on your sunny patio or inside your home!
If you’re looking to create your own tropical paradise, this surprisingly low-maintenance plant is a great addition. Its showy trumpet-shaped blooms make it a great focal plant and the wide variety of shapes and colours available is astounding!
Tropical Hibiscus flowers are rich in nectar, attracting hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and other beneficial pollinators to your garden.
Planting tropical Hibiscus in a pot makes it easier to move the plant to a sunny, warm location, which provides the conditions for it to thrive. Be sure to ease your plant outside by hardening it off though. If it’s been indoors or in a greenhouse, give it time to acclimate, or it will become scorched or worse, die. Hardening off is a simple process of slowly easing your plants into life outdoors.


Tropical Hibiscus will bloom all summer long here in southern Ontario when provided with sun, warmth, ample water and nutrients. During the growing season, water the soil regularly to keep it evenly moist. While it loves full sun, the sun’s rays can be dehydrating. Hibiscus is a thirsty plant when it’s in bloom so don’t let the soil completely dry out. Of course, there’s a limit to how much water you use. Too much water will cause the roots to rot. The key word is “moist” - not monsoon wet! Using mulch will help to retain moisture in the pot.
To provide your plant with proper nutrition, use a time-release fertilizer in May or a balanced, diluted water-soluble fertilizer like fish emulsion about once a week over the summer months.
Each blossom lasts one day. They are short-lived, but don’t worry - Tropical Hibiscus will produce a succession of flowers during the growing season with ample light, water, and fertilizer. Once a faded bloom wilts, remove it from the plant to make way for the next one.
If you’re planning to keep your Hibiscus over the winter, here are a few tips to help.
Before the first frost, inspect the plant thoroughly for any bug hitchhikers or pests like aphids or spider mites. Give the entire plant a thorough shower and then bring it indoors. If you’ve found that your plant needs constant watering and has outgrown its pot, this is a great time for repotting before it comes indoors. Find a pot that is only 1-2” bigger than the pot it’s currently in and transplant it with some fresh, tropical potting mix.
This is another big transition for your plant, and you may find it loses some leaves unless you slowly migrate it from outdoor to indoor conditions. Place your Tropical Hibiscus in a warm, sunny window. Don’t move it to a cold basement right away, even if that will ultimately be its winter home. Just as you hardened it off in the Spring, slowly move it to a cooler location for winter storage if you don’t have a sunny, warm location. Be sure though that it ends up in an area where it’s getting at least 3 hours of direct sun each day.
At this point, stop fertilizing your tropical Hibiscus and reduce the amount of water used. Allowing the soil to dry out between waterings while the plant is dormant and not blooming is okay.
Enough talk of winter! While the weather is warm, pop an umbrella into a fruity summer drink and enjoy your beautiful tropical Hibiscus oasis!

Clematis, the climbing plant that looks far too elegant and exotic to be growing in Ontario! Not only beautiful, Clematis gets along well with climbing roses (this is a gorgeous combination), trees, shrubs, and perennials. Different varieties of Clematis can also be grown together and provide a succession of blooms!
The variety of shapes, sizes, and colours available make Clematis a very desirable plant. Ranging from delicate, white, bell-shaped blossoms to dreamy, pastel rosettes, or sumptuous, deep purple double-flowers, and everything in between.
A stroll through the garden centre is a must to peruse Clematis labels and choose the ones that are most appealing to you. The varieties that we have will all suit our southern Ontario climate.
While the blooms vary widely, planting Clematis is straightforward. A few simple considerations when planting will help avoid root stress or Clematis Wilt, which are common problems when the location is wrong and the soil isn’t enriched. Here are some simple steps to ensure success!
Clematis like at least 6 hours of sunlight a day, but not an excessively hot location. Some shade in the late afternoon will extend the length of time that a bloom looks good.
A trellis, archway, arbor, or even a shrub or tree, all make excellent supports for your clematis. Install a well-secured support system first, to avoid damaging your clematis roots.
Fertile, well-drained soil is essential to successfully growing Clematis. These vines are heavy feeders and require nutrients to produce their show-stopping flowers. Prepare your soil by mixing in plenty of compost or well-rotted manure.
Dig a hole that’s as deep as it is wide. Use the plant as your guide and dig approximately 13 cm or 5 inches deeper than the root ball. Add some of the soil that’s been amended with compost, then check to see that your plant is sitting at the right height - the top of the root ball should be even with the soil around it. Once the root ball is sitting at the right height, backfill the rest of the hole with more amended soil and gently firm the soil around the plant with your hands.
Water deeply after planting, and keep the soil and root ball moist, not water-logged, throughout the season. Be sure to water at soil level, not with an overhead sprinkler which can scorch leaves and flowers.
Mulch the soil around your plant to help suppress weeds and maintain moisture. Compost, organic shredded bark, or straw works well.
Fertilize regularly throughout the season, or apply a slow-release fertilizer at the beginning of the season to maximize the blooming potential of your Clematis. For more information about fertilizer, see this article about caring for annuals and perennials.
Pruning instructions are often included on your plant label as requirements vary from variety to variety. If in doubt, there are many growers who recommend pruning early blooming Clematis a little, after they bloom, to maintain the desired shape of the plant. For later blooming types, cut the vines right back to 45-60 cm in early spring.
Following these steps will provide a healthy environment for your Clematis to thrive. But be careful, Clematis are like potato chips - bet you can’t have just one!

If you have some space in your flower or vegetable garden, growing herbs is definitely worth it! Many are drought tolerant, do well in containers, require very little care, and can provide a bountiful harvest all summer long.
Buying herbs at the grocery store is often pricey. Growing them at home, using the tips below, helps to ensure a steady supply for a fraction of the price.
If you’re not accustomed to adding herbs to meals at home, buying a plant is a great way to experiment and see which ones you like. If you try Cilantro, for example, and don’t like it, place it in a nice pot and take it as a hostess gift the next time someone invites you to a barbeque. Especially if you’re coming over to our house, we love it!

If you’ve planted tomatoes, it just makes sense to add a few basil plants! The tomatoes will love them, and so will you on your toasted tomato sandwiches. Basil loves full sun, and evenly moist soil.
Chives are one herb that you may want to allow to flower. Its blossoms are great for flavouring vinegar, and the plant will still produce mildly onion-flavoured stems. Chives like full sun but will still grow in partial shade, and once established they only need watering during dry spells.
To some people with a very specific gene Cilantro tastes like soap! For everyone else, it’s one of the most delicious herbs and a taco wouldn’t be the same without it. Cilantro prefers part shade, but will tolerate full sun. It can be allowed to dry out, but it may flower prematurely if it gets too dry.

While Dill is considered an annual, many people in Ontario find that if you allow it to eventually go to seed, it will reseed and grow again the following season. No guarantees. But worth a try, right? Dill plants love full sun, and their roots just slightly moist.
Fresh leaves can be used to make tea all summer long, or can be dried for winter use. But this versatile herb can be used for many things from pesto to cookies! Grow Lemon Balm in full sun to partial shade, and keep the soil moist for optimal growth.
A staple in Thai cooking, Lemongrass is a great addition if you love to cook. Full sun and moist soil will keep this herb happy and producing lots of lemony stalks. You might want to try bringing it indoors for the winter as well.
This herb comes in so many variations that are just simply delicious - spearmint, peppermint, apple mint, chocolate mint, and more! But this is one plant you’ll want to keep in a pot, well away from garden soil. It’s also one to trim before it sets seeds or you will have a garden that’s full of mint! It can be invasive. It will thrive in full sun but will stand some shade, and it likes moist soil.
For obvious reasons, (tomato sauce) Oregano is a great addition to the garden. It will spread and reseed throughout the garden if you let it go to seed, but some people like this feature and use it as a groundcover or border for a perennial bed. Oregano likes full sun to partial shade and once it’s established it is very drought tolerant.
There was a time when every restaurant meal was adorned with a sprig of Parsley. It’s pretty. But it’s also an underrated culinary herb and can add wonderful flavour to soups and stews as well as other savoury dishes. Keep this plant moist and in full sun to part shade.

Is anyone else addicted to bread with olive oil, salt and Rosemary? It can’t just be us! This is another garden staple that loves full sun and slightly moist soil. It can also be brought indoors for the winter, but be sure to keep the soil from drying out completely.
Perennial, with a caveat. In Ontario, it’s best to provide some winter protection for this plant if you want it to survive the winter. I’ve had reasonable success with bringing it indoors for the winter, or it can be treated as an annual. Sage likes full sun and moist soil but don’t overwater this one! It does love the heat of summer and will produce a nice big plant once temperatures heat up.
Thyme is just so good in so many things - vegetables, meats, soups, and of course stuffing! It’s easy to grow if it has well-drained soil and full sun. Once it’s established it is moderately drought tolerant and can be harvested from early Spring until Winter.
Like all herbs - don’t forget to give it frequent haircuts!
At Eising Garden Centre you’ll also find many more herbs to grow and enjoy. Do stop by and give them a try!

Let’s face it, summers are short and when we invest in plants we all want annuals and perennials that are long blooming. Flowers that last the duration of the summer are ideal! To achieve this, there are a few things to consider like: the plants you choose, good soil, and the amount of sun the flowers will get. When you come into Eising Garden Centre we can help you find sun or shade loving plants, and soil for your hanging pots, planters or garden beds, but to get started you’ll find some of our favourite plants listed below. First, a little plant primer that will help you make decisions.
Annuals and perennials are in separate areas of the greenhouse because they are plants that we will treat differently in the garden.
Here is the best way to remember the difference:
It’s good to know the difference, right? Now you know what to expect from the plants you buy!
Because Annuals and Perennials are in separate areas of the greenhouse, you might think that the two don’t mix in the garden, but they absolutely do. For example, Perennials can make a great backdrop for Annuals. Or, a well placed pot of Annuals amongst Perennials or shrubs can fill in a gap, or bring a pop of colour once other blooms have faded. Using Annuals, Perennials and Shrubs together can really maximize the beauty in your space!
If you’re not sure where to start, here are some of our favourite sun loving flowering plants that are easy to grow and long blooming!
While most annuals provide a continuous succession of flowers, perennials tend to bloom for two to six weeks. Many perennials will bloom, rest, and then rebloom if you cut off, or deadhead, any spent flowers. A little tender loving care for your annuals and perennials throughout the summer will help blooms last as long as possible. We’ll cover that in our next blog!
Spring is the season to refresh and renew our clothing as we begin to finally put away our winter wardrobe and get ready for Summer. Hooray!
While fashion trends are constantly evolving, at Sassyfras we’re committed to helping you find clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident. We have a great selection of women’s and men’s clothing all conveniently located inside Eising Garden Centre in Simcoe.
So, how does a private preview of what’s in store sound? Here’s a little look-see at some of the items you’ll find at Sassyfras (depending on availability) when you stop by this Spring.
Jewelry, to handbags. Spa items, to the ever popular Sloggers for anyone who loves to spend time outdoors. You’re sure to find a gift that will be a hit for any occasion.

We’re so excited about all of the beautiful fabrics in the store right now! Inspired by nature, you’ll find the prettiest florals, patterns and colours in stock. Orientique is one of our popular brands, and we’re loving their dresses and tops that will brighten up any wardrobe.
We all need some great fitting pants or jeans to go with everything. You’ll find a great selection of colours and styles that will become the staples you’ll come back to every time.

If you’re heading out to the fairway soon, stop by our golfwear section. We’re loving these fresh colour combinations.
If lightweight, moisture wicking, great looking shirts are something that sounds good to you, we’ve got you covered gentlemen. Some of our shirts are even reversible. Now that’s versatility.

Complete your ensemble, keep your head cool, and protect your skin from harmful rays. A stylish hat can do it all!
When we say that we’ve got you covered, we really mean it. We hope to see you soon so that you can see for yourself.
Sassyfras in Eising Garden Centre is open 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday. You can find us at 814 Cockshutt Road, Simcoe, Ontario.
PS: If you’re having trouble organizing your closet, and figuring out what pieces to get to freshen up your wardrobe, now is a great time to follow our 6 Steps to a Revitalized Wardrobe. These simple steps don’t take long, and make it possible to quickly see what you need, and what you already have!
After a winter like the one we had, we’re all ready and eagerly anticipating the spring, when our favorite blooms and a little greenery will finally take over from the dreary and dark winter days. There’s something special about the optimism of spring and all of the bright and clean colours that it brings with it - we can’t help but smile when we see the first buds and blooms poking their heads out to brave the spring weather. Here are some of our favourite seasonal blooms and how you can get them in your own yard:
These flowers, either planted as starters or grown from seed, are some of the traditional classics that we can’t get enough of. There’s a reason that these flowers have been endlessly popular and iconic for decades, and we’re not ones to knock a formula that’s working. Try one of these in a traditional look, or pick up a new variety that offers a fun and stylish spin on and old favourite:
Carnations are a frilly and delicate-looking flower that are simple to grow and offer endless choices with hundreds of varieties to choose from. Long lasting in vases, growing them outside and taking a little bit indoors to be appreciated is recommended in the spring when we are ready to absorb as much colour as we can! If protected against hard weather, you can enjoy your carnations well into the fall. They can be grown from seed, sown into well-draining soil, but also can be started from cuttings or propagated from mature plants. Tough, yet pretty, you can start growing these as soon as your last frost date is passed as they do best in the milder temperatures of spring.
Hydrangeas are best started from a starter plant or a cutting, but once they are established their old-fashioned charm is enough to keep you wanting more - thankfully, these perennials will be back to bloom again in the spring as long as you protect them during the cold winter months! These are the perfect bloom for gardeners that want a lot of style and punch for their effort because they are easy to grow and manage, while producing delightful bunches of blooms. While traditional colours focus on shades of pink and blue, there are now lots of options that include white, lavender, and purple. For the garden chemists out there, you can even experiment to change the colour of some types of hydrangeas from pink to blue with some soil pH tinkering. Tolerant of many conditions and often thriving the more you ignore them these flowers are a pretty statement in your garden, in a vase inside, or even dried. You’ll be excited for spring every year with these pretty blooms in your yard.

Snapdragons are a bold statement flower with towering spikes of blooms that add interest and sweet fragrance to your yard. These blooms are a late spring and early summer treat that are worth the anticipation all spring. These flowers offer a unique look to your garden, but with endless choices when it comes to colour and height they are a fully customizable look. We love them as accents or in borders, but we also love taking cuttings and bringing them inside to enjoy, too. Although your snapdragons will stop blooming during the hottest days of the summer, you’ll be thrilled to find them blooming again in the fall before they freeze. Start these pretty blooms from seed indoors now to have seedlings that are ready to move outside in the spring. Plant the hardened-off seedlings outdoors with lots of room (6 to 12 inches between plants) to grow, in an area with full sun and rich, well draining soil. Remove the flower spikes - we recommend cutting them for bouquets - to encourage your snapdragons to keep blooming as long as possible, giving your the benefit of a long-lasting and impressive show.
Many of our classic garden favourites are actually bulbs! These are the ultimate plant-it-then-forget it blooms that you can plant in the fall, chill in the ground over the winter, and they will be ready to shine before the rest of your garden is even ready to plant. A lot of spring traditional favourites, these bulbs can be planted in the fall for an easy and simple show in the following spring. If you didn’t get to planting bulbs this past fall? You can always try again this year, or try planting bulbs that have been pre-chilled at the perfect temperature to mimic winter, ready to be planted in your thawed garden for a display of colour this season.

Tulips are arguably one of the most classic signs of spring, perhaps tied with the other classic bulb - the daffodil. Tulips have been a popular sensation for centuries and we have all of those years of growing to thank for their wide variety of colours and styles. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil for the best and brightest tulips. These bulbs are like a painting in your backyard and make excellent cut flowers for a spring bouquet. Many tulip varieties will only give you triumphant cups of joy for a few years, so replant some fresh bulbs every fall to avoid disappointment in the spring.
Daffodils are like droplets of sunshine in your garden, just in time for when the weather is warm enough to actually get out and enjoy their cheerful yellow colour. That said, new innovations in daffodils have a whole roster of other non-yellow shades and unique shapes to choose from so that your daffodil garden is truly customizable to your tastes. These flowers are always sure to put us in a mood for spring. Plant them in partial to full sun to have them reach their full potential. These plants are tough and long lasting, so your investment in a single fall planting could last for up to multiple decades! That’s a lot of springtimes full of joy and colour.
Hyacinths are a great opportunity for a little bit of cooler-tone colour in your springtime garden, especially next to the bold and daring shades of daffodils and many tulips. These flowers offer clusters of blooms that smell just as fabulous as they look. We love to plant these in full-sun spots that have high traffic so that we get to enjoy the full sensory experience of them, not just their look. Just be sure to wear gloves when working with them as their sap can be an irritant.

Spring weather just makes us want to get outside and enjoy the milder temperatures and sunshine, but what better way to make our gardens incredibly enticing than a batch of fresh spring colour? Whether you want to plant something now to enjoy it for a season or plant something long lasting for years of seasonal blooms, spring is the perfect time to embrace life and colour right in our own homes.