August is the height of summer at Royal City Nursery, and it’s always one of the most vibrant months. It’s when summer vacations are in full swing, the first Fall Mums arrive, and the benches are bursting with colour from Black-Eyed Susans, Hibiscus, and Helenium (Sneezeweed – one of my personal favourites). It’s also the time when we start getting more questions about watering and whether it’s too late to plant. While many hesitate to plant in the heat, our landscape team works nearly year-round – from the first ground thaw to the final frost. The only time we recommend holding off? Right before you head out on a two-week vacation… which might just be in August!
Kate’s 3 Top Tips
Shopping Tip: Don’t forget to check out the discount racks while you’re here! August is the perfect time to score great deals—especially during our weekly ‘Sizzling Summer Sales’. You’ll often find unique one-off plants or standout specimens at a lower price point. Just be sure to give them a good once-over for any signs of pests or disease, and steer clear of anything without visible top growth. It’s also a fantastic time to browse summer décor – think cushions, gazing balls, or charming garden accessories like the bunny statue below.
Landscaper Tip: Watering is essential in August, when warm days and mild nights create consistent heat stress for plants. While we recommend checking your plants almost daily, that doesn’t mean you need to water every day. One of the best ways to help plants establish strong root systems is to water deeply rather than frequently. Deep watering encourages roots to grow downward into the soil, giving them better long-term access to moisture and improved stability.
To deep water effectively, turn your hose to a slow trickle, gently move any mulch aside to expose the soil surface, and place the hose at the base of the plant. Leave it there for a few minutes—longer for larger plants. For example, a large gallon-sized tree typically needs about 40 litres of water per week. On my hose, that’s about 15 minutes. Like ovens, every hose and water pressure setup is different, so it’s worth running a few timed tests to determine what works for you.
We also carry weeper hoses at Royal City Nursery – a great tool for efficient, low-maintenance watering.
Designer Tip: August is a perfect month for garden reflection and forward planning. With most of the growing season behind you, it’s easier to assess what worked well and what might need a few adjustments for next year.
If summer vacation plans are keeping you from planting, it’s still a great time to focus on hardscape projects. In fact, as I prepare for my own time away, I’ve turned to our talented landscaping team to share their favourite non-plant design ideas. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or need a hand with installation, we’re here to help – reach out to us here to get started.
Kayla’s Go-to Design Component – Highlight and Define a Space with Vertical Planes
Wood panels are a great way to create a visual backdrop for key landscape features – like the one pictured in the garden above. They work by giving the eye a place to rest, subtly blocking unwanted views while also highlighting the elements you want to showcase. Kayla especially loves the unique diagonal board placement and the unexpected stone detail in the center panel, which ties in beautifully with the rock elements in the garden below. Paired with the rock garden in front, the panels help define the space by creating a layered effect: the rock garden serves as the foreground and middle ground, while the panels complete the scene as a striking background.
Todd’s Go-To Design Component – Transform Your Garden with Thoughtful Landscape Lighting
Thoughtfully placed landscape lighting allows you to enjoy your outdoor space year-round – without making it feel like the Las Vegas Strip. Pathway and step lighting not only add safety but also guide movement through your garden. Todd loves using lighting to subtly lead people where you want them to go – whether it’s along a winding garden path or straight to the patio for a party. His favourite lighting effect? A spotlight tucked beneath a beautifully branched Weeping Japanese Maple. Serbian Spruces also look stunning when up-lit, bringing drama and depth to the evening landscape.
Kerry’s Go-To Design Feature: A Cozy Fire Pit with Natural Stone Seating
Nothing captures the essence of summer quite like gathering around a fire with a s’more in hand. For Kerry, a fire pit surrounded by natural stone seating is a favourite landscape addition – it brings that relaxed, cottage vibe right into your own backyard. Just be sure to check your local municipal bylaws to confirm whether fire pits are permitted in your area and what regulations apply before getting started.
Katherine’s Go-To Design Element: Build a Thriving Ecosystem in Your Yard
While your garden might simply be a patch of greenery to you, to insects, frogs, and other wildlife, it can become an entire world. Creating a habitat that welcomes wildlife benefits both your garden and the creatures that call it home. Adding a bubbling rock feature, for example, provides birds and small animals with a refreshing source of water for bathing and drinking.
If you’re looking for a simpler DIY project, consider building a frog bog or a stumpery – both excellent ways to support local wildlife and add unique interest to your garden.
Brandon’s Go-To Design Element: A Tranquil, Low-Maintenance Water Feature
Water features add beauty and serenity to any landscape and they can be tailored to fit yards of all sizes. If you love the soothing sound of water but want to avoid the upkeep of a traditional pond, Brandon recommends a pondless stream or waterfall. These features offer many of the same benefits as a pond, including the calming sound of flowing water and a welcoming habitat for local wildlife, but with a simpler maintenance routine.
Pondless water features – such as streams, waterfalls, and bubbling rocks – also provide added safety, as they don’t have exposed deep water, eliminating the need for fencing to protect children and pets. Maintenance is generally minimal and can often be managed with just a monthly check-in. Plus, we offer professional maintenance services to help with seasonal openings, closings, and keeping your feature looking beautiful all year round!
Dave’s Go-To Design Element: A Gate That Transports You to Another World
At Royal City Nursery, we’ve encountered some truly creative gates – used both traditionally as entryways and innovatively as trellises for raised beds.
Dave is drawn to unexpected gates because they spark intrigue while remaining welcoming. Traditionally, gates mark the transition between spaces and control access, but they can also tell a story. For example, these vintage doors from the Gardens of Hope in Prince Edward Island create a charming entrance to a “fairy forest,” evoking whimsy and the feeling of stepping into a realm of magic and make-believe.
An unexpected gate serves a similar purpose – it frames a view and hints at what lies beyond, inviting exploration by partially concealing what’s ahead. This creates a sense of mystery that naturally draws people forward into the unknown.
One of Dave’s favourite gates is pictured above. We love its graceful shape and openness, which brings a light, airy feeling to the space. Its design perfectly balances privacy with invitation, making it both functional and enchanting. The combination of natural materials and subtle craftsmanship helps it blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape while standing out as a captivating focal point.
August is the perfect time to relax and enjoy your garden while also starting to plan for next year’s growth. If you’re planting this month, be sure to water thoughtfully and follow any local watering regulations in place. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed or looking for fresh ideas to refresh your outdoor space, don’t hesitate to reach out to our landscape design team or visit us in-store. We’re here to offer expert guidance and help you create a garden that’s truly your own.
About Kate Van Schaik
Kate Van Schaik (Bachelor of Arts & Sciences (B.A.S.) has been growing plants since she was 5 years old. This lifelong passion led to a career in horticulture, spending 15 years growing for a commercial nursery before joining the RCN team as a Landscape Designer in 2022. With a B.A.S. in Forest Science and Geography (University of Guelph), and post diplomas in Ecosystem Restoration (Niagara College) and Landscape Design (University of Guelph), Kate is uniquely qualified to create beautiful and inspiring landscapes that live in harmony with the environment around us.
About Royal City Nursery
Guelph, Ontario’s only third-generation, full-service garden centre! We specialize in creating custom outdoor living spaces and unique solutions for all your garden, landscape, and seasonal decorating needs! At our new greenhouse, located between Guelph and Cambridge, we are the garden centre of choice for discerning homeowners, landscapers, and designers.
