What We Do

The Floral Ménagerie is the expression of my love of gardening and creating a beautiful garden space by offering a wide variety of garden accents. Our offerings include beautiful one of a kind custom designed containers ready made for your patio, entrance way or outdoor living space. We also provide a unique selection of garden perennials suited for Nova Scotia's specific climate zone.

Do you need assistance in creating your perfect garden space? Our friendly staff will be happy to help you realize your gardening dreams.

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How To Choose Your Container Garden

Choosing the right container is your first important decision. Plastic containers do not freeze over the winter months. The frost will not crack them. Clay containers are porous so they breathe and are better able to absorb and retain moisture.

A good soil mix is essential in your container. Special container soil is used that has additional fertilizers and nutrients. Garden soil should not be used as it is too heavy and may hold too much water.

Make sure your container has holes in the bottom for proper drainage. When creating your own container put a screen over drainage holes and use small stones or broken clay pots as drainage.

If your container has a well remember not to not leave water in the saucer as the roots may become water logged and shorten the life of your garden.

Be creative in your choices. Choose a container with edible flowers and greens. Hostas (certain varieties) do well in a container. They certainly make a statement!

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How To Care For Your Container Garden

• Recycle pop bottles (with Pin holes) inverting them in your container after filling it with water and fertilizer.
• Foliage plants (ferns or hostas) can be as impressive as the most colourful flowers.
• Perennials may be used in your container making sure to plant them in the ground in the fall.
• Garden accents (statues, metalwork) add height to your garden.
• Remember to use new soil in your container each spring.
• Water your plants in the evenings or in the mornings when the sun is low. Add water soluble fertilizer every ten days.
• Pinch off spent flowers to encourage second blooms.

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How To Choose And Care For Perennial Plants

Perennial plants are plants that will bloom and grow every year with the right care. Annual plants (marigolds, petunias) are plants that only bloom for one season.

Make sure to purchase perennials that are adapted to your climate zone. Around Shubenacadie, we are in a zone 5.

You may be able to grow a zone 6 perennial if you have a microclimate in your yard. A microclimate is usually a protected spot out of the wind that gets a great deal of sunlight that can generate heat.

If you have bought a perennial in a container garden, remember to plant it in the ground in the fall.

Remember to fertilize your perennials early in the spring.

Some perennials (delphiniums, maltese cross, etc…) respond well to deadheading and will bloom a second time.

If you are planting perennials in a shady spot, try plants with white flowers or perhaps a variegated hosta as these plants will stand out more.

If you are planting in a sunny dry spot try a Yucca plant this plant can reward you with spectacular flowers on stalks as tall as 6 feet!

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