The Black Sheep Blog

Design Thinking View all

The Magic of Matrix Planting: Groundcovers + Layers
The Magic of Matrix Planting: Groundcovers + Layers
by Mouton Noir
Framing Views and Creating Focal Points in Your Landscape
Framing Views and Creating Focal Points in Your Landscape
by Mouton Noir
Garden Paths and Plant Flow: Designing with Movement in Mind
Garden Paths and Plant Flow: Designing with Movement in Mind
by Mouton Noir
Combining Colours with Intention: Warm, Cool, and Contrasts
Combining Colours with Intention: Warm, Cool, and Contrasts
by Mouton Noir
Planting by Mood: Calm, Vibrant, Structured or Wild?
Planting by Mood: Calm, Vibrant, Structured or Wild?
by Mouton Noir
Layer It On: How to Use Height and Texture for Gorgeous Garden Beds
Layer It On: How to Use Height and Texture for Gorgeous Garden Beds
by Mouton Noir
How to Create Drifts and Repetition Like Piet Oudolf
How to Create Drifts and Repetition Like Piet Oudolf
by Mouton Noir
How to Create a Four-Season Garden That Shines All Year
How to Create a Four-Season Garden That Shines All Year
by Mouton Noir

Plant Profiles View all

Salvia nemorosa: Colour, Structure, and Pollinators All in One
Salvia nemorosa: Colour, Structure, and Pollinators All in One
by Mouton Noir
Nepeta: A Long-Blooming Pollinator Magnet
Nepeta: A Long-Blooming Pollinator Magnet
by Mouton Noir
Plant Profiles – Amsonia: Blue Star Power for Your Borders
Plant Profiles – Amsonia: Blue Star Power for Your Borders
by Mouton Noir
Geum: An Underused Garden Gem
Geum: An Underused Garden Gem
by Mouton Noir
Geranium macrorrhizum: Fragrant, Tough Groundcover
Geranium macrorrhizum: Fragrant, Tough Groundcover
by Mouton Noir
Epimedium - Delicate Flowers, Tough Plant—The Woodland Wonder You’ll Fall For
Epimedium - Delicate Flowers, Tough Plant—The Woodland Wonder You’ll Fall For
by Mouton Noir
Brunnera: The Quiet Star of Spring Shade Gardens
Brunnera: The Quiet Star of Spring Shade Gardens
by Mouton Noir
Pulmonaria – Spotted Leaves and Early Blooms That Steal the Spring Show
Pulmonaria – Spotted Leaves and Early Blooms That Steal the Spring Show
by Mouton Noir
Hellebores - The First Signs of Spring
Hellebores - The First Signs of Spring
by Mouton Noir

How-To & Maintenance View all

Dealing with Pests Without Reaching for Chemicals
Dealing with Pests Without Reaching for Chemicals
by Mouton Noir
Deadheading for Continued Bloom: Timing and Technique
Deadheading for Continued Bloom: Timing and Technique
by Mouton Noir
Watering Newly Planted Perennials: Getting It Right from the Start
Watering Newly Planted Perennials: Getting It Right from the Start
by Mouton Noir
Installing Plant Supports Before You Need Them
Installing Plant Supports Before You Need Them
by Mouton Noir
How to Plant Perennials: Step-by-Step for New Gardeners
How to Plant Perennials: Step-by-Step for New Gardeners
by Mouton Noir
Pull, Smother, Repeat
Pull, Smother, Repeat
by Mouton Noir
Spring Clean-Up: When and How to Cut Back Ornamental Grasses
Spring Clean-Up: When and How to Cut Back Ornamental Grasses
by Mouton Noir
How to Divide Perennials in Early Spring (and Which Ones to Skip)
How to Divide Perennials in Early Spring (and Which Ones to Skip)
by Mouton Noir
Waking Up the Garden - Spring Cleanup Without Disturbing Wildlife
Waking Up the Garden - Spring Cleanup Without Disturbing Wildlife
by Mouton Noir

Themes & Mini-Guides View all

The Best Drought-Tolerant Perennials for Southern Ontario
The Best Drought-Tolerant Perennials for Southern Ontario
by Mouton Noir
Designing a Low-Maintenance Garden That Still Has Wow Factor
Designing a Low-Maintenance Garden That Still Has Wow Factor
by Mouton Noir
Plants for Tough Spots: Dry Shade, Windy Beds, and More
Plants for Tough Spots: Dry Shade, Windy Beds, and More
by Mouton Noir
Gardening in Clay Soil: Embrace the Challenge
Gardening in Clay Soil: Embrace the Challenge
by Mouton Noir
Sun-Loving Natives That Thrive in Poor Soil: Hardy Beauties for Tough Spots
Sun-Loving Natives That Thrive in Poor Soil: Hardy Beauties for Tough Spots
by Mouton Noir
Potted & Powerful
Potted & Powerful
by Mouton Noir
Deer-Resistant Garden Planning: How to Keep Your Perennials (and Your Sanity)
Deer-Resistant Garden Planning: How to Keep Your Perennials (and Your Sanity)
by Mouton Noir
Native Plants for Shade: A Beginner’s Guide to Beautiful, Low-Light Gardens
Native Plants for Shade: A Beginner’s Guide to Beautiful, Low-Light Gardens
by Mouton Noir
Gardening for Pollinators - What to Plant First to Welcome the Buzz
Gardening for Pollinators - What to Plant First to Welcome the Buzz
by Mouton Noir

Cut Flower Friday View all

Harvesting Tips for Warm Weather Bouquets
Harvesting Tips for Warm Weather Bouquets
by Mouton Noir
Growing Perennials That Pair Well with Annuals in Arrangements
Growing Perennials That Pair Well with Annuals in Arrangements
by Mouton Noir
Adding Texture: Spiky, Airy, and Bold Cut Flowers
Adding Texture: Spiky, Airy, and Bold Cut Flowers
by Mouton Noir
Perennials That Bloom Their Heads Off All Season Long
Perennials That Bloom Their Heads Off All Season Long
by Mouton Noir
Best Perennial Fillers for Bouquets – Airy, Soft, and Long-Lasting
Best Perennial Fillers for Bouquets – Airy, Soft, and Long-Lasting
by Mouton Noir
When to Harvest Flowers for the Longest Vase Life
When to Harvest Flowers for the Longest Vase Life
by Mouton Noir
Top Long-Stemmed Perennials for Early Season Cutting: Cut Flower Garden Favourites
Top Long-Stemmed Perennials for Early Season Cutting: Cut Flower Garden Favourites
by Mouton Noir
Why Foliage Matters – Perennials That Add Structure to Bouquets
Why Foliage Matters – Perennials That Add Structure to Bouquets
by Mouton Noir
Perennials That Pull Double Duty in Garden and Vase
Perennials That Pull Double Duty in Garden and Vase
by Mouton Noir

Mythbusting & FAQs View all

“It’s Too Hot to Plant”: Summer Planting Myths Debunked
“It’s Too Hot to Plant”: Summer Planting Myths Debunked
by Mouton Noir
Can I Still Plant Perennials This Late in May?
Can I Still Plant Perennials This Late in May?
by Mouton Noir
“Mulch Solves Everything”: The Limits of a Good Mulch
“Mulch Solves Everything”: The Limits of a Good Mulch
by Mouton Noir
When Do I Cut Back Spring Bulb Foliage?
When Do I Cut Back Spring Bulb Foliage?
by Mouton Noir
“More Water is Always Better”: Why You Might Be Drowning Your Plants
“More Water is Always Better”: Why You Might Be Drowning Your Plants
by Mouton Noir
Plant in Threes? Why It Works—And When to Break the Rule
Plant in Threes? Why It Works—And When to Break the Rule
by Mouton Noir
Should I Fertilize My Perennials in Spring?
Should I Fertilize My Perennials in Spring?
by Mouton Noir
Mythbusting "Native Means Messy": How to Design Beautiful Gardens with Native Plants
Mythbusting "Native Means Messy": How to Design Beautiful Gardens with Native Plants
by Mouton Noir
Can I Start Planting Now? The Real Deal on Soil vs. Air Temperature
Can I Start Planting Now? The Real Deal on Soil vs. Air Temperature
by Mouton Noir

In the Garden Now View all

Late May Checklist: Stake, Water, Weed, Repeat
Late May Checklist: Stake, Water, Weed, Repeat
by Mouton Noir
Bloom Tracking and Notes: Why You Should Keep a Garden Journal
Bloom Tracking and Notes: Why You Should Keep a Garden Journal
by Mouton Noir
May Tasks: Top Dressing, Watering, and Weed Watch
May Tasks: Top Dressing, Watering, and Weed Watch
by Mouton Noir
What’s Blooming Now: May’s Early Highlights
What’s Blooming Now: May’s Early Highlights
by Mouton Noir
Late April Garden Tasks: Prune Back Winter Interest
Late April Garden Tasks: Prune Back Winter Interest
by Mouton Noir
Mid-April Tasks That Make May Magic
Mid-April Tasks That Make May Magic
by Mouton Noir
Frost Watch in the Garden - How to Protect Tender New Growth in Zone 5
Frost Watch in the Garden - How to Protect Tender New Growth in Zone 5
by Mouton Noir
What’s Emerging in Early April – Shoots, Surprises, and What to Watch For
What’s Emerging in Early April – Shoots, Surprises, and What to Watch For
by Mouton Noir