Looking for a late spring blooming shrub/small tree? Check out the unique White Fringe tree! Did you know they have also been called old man's beard.
Tender Bulbs for spring/summer interest
Anyone wanting a tropical flare in their landscape this summer may be familiar with tender bulbs. Tender “bulbs” are plants which develop and grow from fleshy storage structures (bulbs, corms, rhizomes, tubers, and roots) which will not survive our cold winters outside. Follow the links & information below on more tips & tricks to caring for tender bulbs so you can make your landscape a tropical summer getaway!
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/storing-tender-bulbs-for-winter/
Flying Friends- The Oriole
The eye catching orange & black streaks of orioles have begun to grace our landscapes in the past few weeks! But did you know there are 8 common types of Orioles to look for throughout North America? Follow the link below for more information on the many different types of Oriole birds throughout the continent.
https://www.birdsandblooms.com/birding/bird-species/tanagers-and-blackbirds/species-orioles-know/
This is the story of the bleeding heart; One of the most well-known and well-loved of the spring blooming perennials.
~Once upon a time there was a prince that loved a princess who took no notice of him. To get the princess's attention and prove his love, he brought her amazing gifts from far and wide. One day he came across two magical pink bunnies and offered them both to the princess. (Storyteller pulls off the two outer pink petals and sets each on it sides to show the animals.)
The princess was unmoved by the rabbits so, he tried again and presented her with beautiful dangly earrings. (The two inner white petals are separated and held up next to the storyteller’s ears for display.)
Still, the princess paid him no attention. The prince was so distraught over being spurned that he took a dagger and stabbed himself. (The remaining center of the flower is shaped like an outline of a heart with a line down the center. The heart is held up, the dagger-like line is removed, and the storyteller plunges the "knife" through the heart's center.)
The princess, realizing too late that she did love the prince, cried out, "My heart shall bleed for my prince forever more!" and her heart bleeds to this day. ~
For more information on the bleeding heart, follow the link below! http://www.enchantedgardensdesign.com/blog/2015/2/9/bleeding-heart-an-old-fashioned-charmer
White Grubs- Lawn Care Problems- Insect/Disease
We've been receiving calls from homeowners who believe they are having issues with grubs in their lawn already this season. White grubs are the larvae of several species of beetles. The adults do not feed on grass but may damage ornamental plants. Extensive damage occurs when grubs feed on grass roots in the top layer of soil, 1-3" below the crown. Best way to determine if grubs are present for sure, grasp the grass & lift. It will break away at the roots; almost rolls up like a rug.
Make sure you understand the life cycle of the insects that may be harming your lawn. Grubs are a very common insect pest, but there are many other insect profiles & lawn diseases that may be causing lawn problems.
For more information on how to control lawn grubs follow the link guide shared below. Be sure to continue following our page, or blog for more information on lawn care problems & solutions.
Happy Earth Day!!
Today marks the 51st anniversary of celebrating our planet! Be sure to do your part & give back to the Earth; Recycle, Go paperless, Pick up trash, Compost, use refillable water bottles, go for a walk or bike ride. How do you plan on helping your planet?
Grass Clipping Practices
As the grass continues to grow quickly this season follow these practices on how to manage grass clippings properly without affecting our waterways.
“Mulch volcanoes”
“Mulch volcanoes”... As beneficial as mulch is, too much can be harmful (as shown in the 2 images attached). Mulch volcanoes are excessive piles of mulch materials applied around the base of trees. DO NOT DO THIS!
Problems Associated with Improper Mulching
• On wet soils, deep mulch can lead to excess moisture in the root zone, which can stress the plant and cause root rot.
• Piling mulch against the trunk or stems of plants can stress stem tissues and may lead to the development of insect and disease problems or stem girdling roots. YOU DO NOT WANT YOUR TREES TO LOOK LIKE TELEPHONE POLES STRAIGHT DOWN INTO THE GROUND. Be sure to keep the trees natural root flare exposed!
• Some mulches, especially those containing fresh grass clippings, can affect soil pH and may eventually lead to nutrient deficiencies or toxic buildups.
• Mulch piled high against the trunks of young trees may create habitats for rodents that chew the bark and can girdle the trees.
• Thick blankets of fine mulch can become matted and may reduce the penetration of water and air.
• Anaerobic “sour” mulch may give off pungent odors, and the alcohols and organic acids that build up may be toxic to young plants.
PROPER MULCHING TECHNIQUES
The generally recommended mulching depth is 2 to 4 inches.
• Determine whether soil drainage is adequate and if there are plants that may be affected by the choice of mulch.
• For well-drained sites, apply a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch (less if poorly drained). Place mulch out to the edge of a tree’s crown or beyond.
• If mulch is already present, check the depth. If sufficient mulch is present, break up any matted layers and refresh the appearance with a rake.
• If mulch is piled against the stems or tree trunks, pull it back several inches/centimeters so that the base of the trunk is exposed.
For more information on proper mulching techniques, check out this link! https://www.treesaregood.org/.../treecare/ProperMulching.pdf
Please keep these proper mulching techniques in mind while installing mulch around your trees this spring.
Training Young Apple Trees
Now's the time! Annual training and pruning is essential to the production of high-quality apples and to maintain the health and longevity of trees. Training a young tree helps develop a structure that will provide strong framework to support fruit production. Follow these steps for early training techniques.
Add a little purple to your green this St. Patrick's Day!
Check out the link below for a brief introduction to the Burgundy Shamrock.
With St. Patrick's Day approaching this week here is a fun article on the shamrock holiday!
Did you know most oxalis (shamrock) plants fold up their leaves at night, hugging them tight to the stems until daylight "wakes them up" again. Read more in the link below!
Rain Garden follow up
In case you missed last weeks webinar on rain gardening, here's a link with additional videos on benefits of a rain garden & how to install one.
Rain Garden 101
Having issues with yard drainage, or puddling? Maybe a rain garden is your solution! Be sure to tune into this free webinar on planning a rain garden
Bagworm Cocoon- Be on the lookout! ~Insect/Disease
Winter Shrub of Interest- Contorted Filbert
Corylus avellana 'Contorta', also known as Contorted Filbert, is a deciduous woody shrub with an unusual appearance. The 'Contorta' variation was discovered during the mid-1800s in Great Britain and was named for a Scottish vaudeville entertainer, Harry Lauder, who used a crooked branch from the shrub as a walking cane. Read more at the link below!
https://www.thespruce.com/harry-lauders-walking-stick-2132132
Rime Ice Vs. Hoar Frost
We've been very fortunate to have some cold and foggy mornings lately which make for a beautiful landscape display! But did you know the difference between Hoar Frost & Rime Ice? Depending on how much water vapor or water droplets are in the air, the results may be slightly different making these unique ice crystals.
Gardening Resolutions for the New Year
Ring in the New Year with these fun gardening resolutions for the upcoming summer!
1. Keep your tools organized
2. Prepare for pests
3. Improve water conservation
4. Take on a challenging project
5. Enjoy your outdoor space more
(Check out the link below for more details on these resolutions)
History of the Christmas wreath
The word 'wreath' comes from the Old English word 'writhen' which means to writhe or twist. Before the wreath became associated with Christmas, it was a prominent emblem of victory and power in ancient Greece and Rome. Rich Roman women also wore them as headdresses at special occasions like weddings and to show they were posh. They were also given to the winners of events in the original Olympic Games in Greece.
Holiday Cactus- Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter?
The Holiday season is upon us and that means not only decorations, but holiday plants! One of the most popular plants to give or receive at this time of year is the Christmas cactus. Or is it an Easter or Thanksgiving cactus? The difference between the three cacti is found in the shape of the leaves. Check out the link below for more information!
Thanksgiving dried arrangements
A beautifully set table makes any meal a special occasion — and what dinner could be more important than Thanksgiving? Just within a week away, it's the perfect time to start setting out dinner table decor. Bring nature inside with cheap and easy fall centerpieces made from fall perennials & shrubs in your own yard!
