Michigan Gardener - June 2015 by Michigan Gardener

June 2015

MichiganGardener.com

Your guide to Great Lakes gardening

New Plants

New perennials for 2015

Feature

Natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amazing seed dispersal strategies

Garden Visit

Matthaei Botanical Gardens

Profile

Gardening lessons at a special Detroit school

Perennials Knautia

Feature

Wood structures in the garden

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Michigan Gardener | June 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

June is National Rose Month. Telly’s has cultivated a reputation for offering the finest collection of high quality roses available anywhere. We offer a selection of roses that everyone, even the most casual gardener, can grow and enjoy. Telly’s is proud to offer the Easy Elegance Collection. These roses are disease resistant, hardy, low-maintenance plants that bloom all season long.

Garden Wisdom Anyone who stops learning is old. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. —Henry Ford

To-Do List......................................................8 Vegetable Patch.............................................10 Ask MG.........................................................12 Subscription Form.................................... 14

Welcome to where Summer always comes up roses. At Telly’s, Summer is our time to bloom. From roses to perennials to annuals and beyond, we truly are a summer gardener’s paradise. Come in for a visit and let us make your season really bloom.

New Perennials for 2015...........................16 Feature: How plants move around......24 Weather Wrap..........................................27 Tree Tips...........................................................28 Perennial Perspectives: Knautia............30 Books for the Michigan Gardener....... 32 Advertiser Index.......................................33 Calendar...................................................... 34 Where to pick up Michigan Gardener.........................................36 Getting to know: Flowering Dogwoods................................. 37 Profile: Matthaei Botanical Gardens................38

Feature: Wood structures in the garden......................Back Cover

Through the Lens......................................41 Places to Grow..........................................42 Classified Ads............................................43 Feature: Gardening and life lessons.........................................44

THE PURCHASE OF 3 OR MORE ROSES Expires 7/1/15. Not valid with any other offer or coupon.

Publisher/Editor Eric Hofley Design & Production Jonathon Hofley Advertising Eric Hofley Circulation Jonathon Hofley

TROY • 248-689-8735 3301 John R • 1/4 mile north of 16 Mile Rd.

Editorial Assistant Anna Doman

SHELBY TOWNSHIP • 248-659-8555 4343 24 Mile • Btwn Dequindre & Shelby Rd.

PONTIAC • 248-724-2300 559 Orchard Lake Rd (at Goldner Walsh) Between Telegraph & Woodward

find us on

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Contributors Karen Bovio Cheryl English Emaline Fronckowiak Mary Gerstenberger Julia Hofley Rosann Kovalcik Janet Macunovich Steve Martinko Beverly Moss Steven Nikkila George Papadelis Sandie Parrott Traven Pelletier Jean/Roxanne Riggs Deborah Silver Jim Slezinski Lisa Steinkopf Steve Turner

On the cover: Sedum ‘Touchdown Teak’ is just one of many new perennials in garden centers this season. Find out more on page 16. Photo: Terra Nova Nurseries

16291 W. 14 Mile Rd., Suite 5 Beverly Hills, MI 48025-3327 Phone: 248-594-5563 Fax: 248-594-5564 E-mail: publisher@MichiganGardener.com Website: www.MichiganGardener.com Publishing schedule 6 issues per year: April, May, June, July/Aug, Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec. Published the first week of the mo. Subscriptions (Please make check payable to Michigan Gardener) 1 yr, 6 iss/$14 2 yr, 12 iss/$26 3 yr, 18 iss/$36 Back issues All past issues are available. Please send your request along with a check for $3.00 per issue payable to Michigan Gardener. Canadian subscriptions 1 yr, 6 iss/$22 US 2 yr, 12 iss/$42 US Copyright © 2015 Michigan Gardener. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or used in any form without the expressed, written permission of the publisher. Neither the advertiser nor the publisher will be responsible for misinformation, typographical errors, omissions, etc. contained herein. Michigan Gardener is published by Motor City Publishing, Inc.

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Want to eliminate these two pests? Call Contender’s.

CHIPMUNKS

Q: When are chipmunks cute? A: When they’re on someone else’s property! The problem: Chipmunks cause extensive damage to landscapes, patios, walkways and plants. They spend the majority of their time burrowing and tending to their tunnels around a home. When the population has increased to more than 3 Chipmunks, extensive damage can be expected to patios, walkways and boulder wall foundations. Repairing these hardscapes can be very expensive— especially when foundations have to be repeatedly fixed every 3 to 4 years. Chipmunk facts: • They reproduce twice a year, producing 3 to 5 young each time • Their range is less than a 1/3 mile • Their average life expectancy is only 2 to 3 years assuming hawks, a fox or a coyote are nearby • A chipmunk’s burrow homes as much as 4 feet below grade

How we can help: Due to high demand, we simplified life for our clients by creating our signature Pest Solution Plus Service. Our pest control experts are wellequipped to handle any situation and we’ve structured this package in such a way that it will save you money. Pest Solutions Plus includes the following: • Perimeter pest control treatments outside your home, keeping your home pesticide-free on the inside • Spiders, ants, boxelder bugs, silverfish and many others covered • Installation of 2 lockable traps hidden from view • Trap monitoring throughout the year, adding new poison bait, resetting snap traps and cleaning • Rodents such as mice, chipmunks and voles will be controlled yearround • Free mole control for the entire year

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MOSQUITOES

Are mosquitoes biting you while you try to garden? Do mosquitoes ruin your family barbecues? We can help! Our season-long mosquito control service combats both larvae and adults so you can enjoy your property, even during rainy seasons. Plus, reduce the risk of West Nile Virus to you and your family, as well as your pets. Don’t let mosquitoes ruin your summer—call Contender’s today! Just a few of the diseases caused by mosquitoes: Malaria – Minor outbreaks still occur in the United States. Dengue – Over 165 cases in the U.S. since 2002. Florida reported over 20 cases in 2010 alone, marking the first return of this disease in 75 years. West Nile Virus – 2014 CDC stats show over 2,100 cases in the U.S., with 85 deaths associated. Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) About half of humans and animals die from infection. Vaccines are only available for horses, not humans.

Dog heartworm – Spread from host to host by mosquitos and can result in congestive heart failure. What is CDC’s position regarding the use of chemical mosquito control? Chemical control measures are one part of a comprehensive and integrated mosquito management program. An integrated program is the most effective way to prevent and control mosquito-borne disease. An integrated mosquito management program should include several components: 1. Surveillance (monitoring levels of mosquito activity, and where virus transmission is occurring) 2. Reduction of breeding sites 3. Use of pesticides and biological methods to control both mosquito larvae and adult mosquitoes as indicated by surveillance results 4. Community outreach and public education.

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2015

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Michigan Gardener | June 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

to-do list Annuals • Annuals should be filling in and blooming beautifully. Be sure to fertilize them regularly to help keep them healthy and flowering well. For great blooms, use a water-soluble fertilizer every 10 days to two weeks when watering. • Annuals add color to the garden throughout the season. It’s not too late to plant them, either in beds or containers.

Fruits

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• Use a fruit tree spray to prevent disease and fungus. Sprays generally contain an insecticide and fungicide to take care of any problems that may arise. Be sure to follow manufacturer’s instructions for when to apply, based on your specific plant type.

General • June is a great time to be in the garden. Summer begins. We look forward to days of sun and warm temperatures, and just the right amount of rain to keep the lawn looking lush and the garden colorful.

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• Herbs make wonderful landscape plants and also grow well in containers. Plus, they’re useful in a variety of culinary recipes. • Culinary herbs can be harvested throughout the month. It’s best to remove the flower heads from herbs like basil, oregano, thyme and dill, so energy goes to the plant, rather than producing seeds. Regular trimming and use keeps plants bushy, not leggy, and they’ll continue to grow throughout the season.

Houseplants • Houseplants should be growing happily now that temperatures are warmer and days are sunnier. So fertilize regularly with a balanced formula to support strong new growth. Any plants that were moved outside for the summer should receive a regular application of systemic insecticide so you prevent them from coming back into the house with bugs in the fall. • This is a good time of year to re-pot and prune any plants that have outgrown their containers. This will encourage healthy, strong growth. Use a pot that is just the next size up, or the plant will spend its energy growing roots to fill the pot, rather than putting on top growth.

Lawn • Regular maintenance is the key to keeping your lawn looking its best. Cut your lawn at

a three-inch height, and only remove onethird of the blade at a time to reduce stress. Keep the mower blade sharp. Use a mulching mower and let the clippings stay on the lawn for extra nutrients. • A healthy lawn needs one inch of water each week, either from nature or supplemental watering. Water in the morning to reduce the possibility of disease. • Watch for insect activity and lawn diseases, as both increase with the temperature.

Perennials • For continuous interest in the garden, fill your perennial garden with 25 percent spring bloomers, 50 percent summer bloomers and 25 percent fall bloomers. Consider height, texture, and color when selecting your plants. For best results, plant in mass with 3 to 5 plants in one area. Space properly and leave room for plants to grow. • Perennials are also great for containers, especially for shade. Keep them in containers for the season, but be sure to plant them into garden beds before frost. They’ll remain a beautiful addition to your garden. • June is a great time to add plants to your perennial garden to fill in holes. June is national perennial month. There are so many choices. Remember to match the plant to your site. For example, hostas are a light to medium shade perennial, and not for a sunny location. • A ring of diatomaceous earth will deter slugs from hostas. Be sure to re-apply after it rains. Also, keep mulch about 4 or 5 inches away from the hostas. Mulch provides a moist, dark hiding place for the slugs to hide during the heat of the day.

Trees & Shrubs • Prune spring-flowering shrubs that have finished blooming. Do not prune any later than mid-July to ensure you have blooms for next spring.

Roses • Prune any canes growing toward the inside of the bush. Cut off old flowers promptly. Deadhead roses by pruning back to the first set of five leaves pointing to the outside of the plant. The new growth will grow in the same direction that the leaf set is pointing, so choose well. Cut about 1/4 inch above the leaf on a 45-degree angle. Seal the top of the cane of prevent rose cane borers. • Japanese beetles are appearing now. Traps are effective; be sure to place them away from roses, so the beetles leave the area

MichiganGardener.com | June 2015 | Michigan Gardener

Feature Task: Planting a beautiful garden in the shade Creating a beautiful garden is possible, even in the shade. Most plants need at least 6 to 8 hours of sun to thrive, but there are many varieties that will turn drab, shady areas into beautiful spaces. As with any garden, it’s best to start with a plan. Here are a few things to consider when creating a shade garden. The best gardens have layers of plants. If you’re planting in the shade, chances are there’s a canopy of shade trees or shrubs already overhead. Do you need to add groundcovers or low-growing plants for the front of the space? Place tall plants in the back, stepping down to shorter ones in the front. In addition to plants, decorate the space with some accents, like gazing globes, statues or stepping stones. Be sure to select the right plants for the area. Some of the best options for shade: Annuals: begonia, caladium, calla lily, coleus, lobelia, torenia. Perennials: astilbe, bleeding heart, brunnera, coral bells, corydalis, fern, hosta, liriope, lysimachia, phlox, Jacob’s ladder. Groundcovers: ajuga, ivy, laminum, pachysandra. Shrubs: azalea, clethra, hydrangea, holly, pieris, rhododendron, yew. Trees: dogwood, flowering almond, Japanese maple, sweetbay magnolia. Proper planting is essential. Soil preparation is the most important step when where your beauties are growing. • Roses like an inch of water a week, but dislike sprinklers. Put the hose on a slow trickle at the base of the plant for 20 minutes or so to give plants a good soaking without damaging the foliage or spreading diseases.

Vines

Don’t miss the excitement, wonder & fun of

GARDEN DAY 2015 at MSU Horticulture Gardens

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 • 8AM - 4:15PM planting. Proper drainage is very critical, since soil must have air as well as moisture. Add soil amendments as necessary. Amend Featuring Rick Darke—Keynote Presenter with peat moss and topsoil when planting Rick is a widely published author, photographer, lecturer and in sandy soil. Add finely shredded pine bark consultant focused on regional landscape design, planning, when planting in clay soil. Plant at the same conservation, and enhancement. In 2014, Rick co-authored level the plant was growing in the pot. Never put any new soil on top of a root ball. The Living Landscape with another prominent figure in the world Regular maintenance is important for a of gardening, Doug Tallamy. Rick will captivate attendees with two beautiful garden. Most plants fail to grow or keynote presentations based on The Living Landscape. thrive due to improper water or improper Customize your Garden Day experience by selecting fertilization. New plants need water; but don’t overwater, particularly if they’re from the following engaging, hands-on workshops: planted in clay soil. Plants in the shade will Garden Walk with the Director! • Michigan Bees: Honey, Native, Wild, Invasive, or Wannabees? need less water than those planted in full Growing Gourmet Mushrooms Around Your Home • Grow A Row: Gardening for Your Community sun. Long and deep periods of watering are Growing and Enjoying Your Cutting Garden • Creating Landscape Night-lighting Magic better than short and frequent watering. Hydrangeas Demystified • Conifers for Michigan Landscapes • Insect Morphology This ensures water will reach the plants’ The Ever Changing Garden • Arboretum Design Tour • Herbal Blends and Spice Rubs roots. Feeding plants with the proper fertilFor more information and to register, visit: hrt.msu.edu/garden-day-2015 ization will help plants thrive. Regular pruning and deadheading of annuals and perennials keeps plants in shape The day includes two keynote presentations, two workshops of your choice, and looking their best. A layer of mulch over book signing with Rick Darke, parking, lunch and dessert from Grand Traverse Pie, garden beds helps keep weeds down and June 2014to the 5/15/14 10:01Marketplace. AM Page 1 materials and access Green Garden conserves moisture. Plants that are planted MI Gardener Pottery Emporium in the right area and properly maintained $75.60 for 2015 Garden members, $85.60 for non-members. with be healthier and less stressed. Quickly For more information and to register, visit: hrt.msu.edu/garden-day-2015 take care of any problems that do occur. Check your garden regularly and you’ll discover problems when they’re small and manageable, rather than large and out of control. Follow these simple steps and you can turn any shady spot into a beautiful paradise. water lilies and lotus plants. As the water warms up, they’ll really start to grow. Use an aquatic tablet fertilizer every two weeks to promote lots of flowering in the summer. This is also a great time to add tropical water lilies with vibrant, exotic colors to your garden.

ROSA’S FRONT PORCH

• Clean up plants by trimming out any dead wood and branches. This opens up air flow and gives new growth room to grow. Install new trellises, if necessary. Tree-form wisteria can be pruned to keep it under control. No pruning on other vines this month.

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Vegetables • Be sure to fertilize plants; organic fertilizers are great for vegetable gardens. Follow the application rates and times listed on the package—too much of a good thing, even in organic fertilizers, can be a bad thing. • Vegetables need at least one inch of water each week, either from nature or supplemental methods. Water in the morning so the plants can dry off during the day and have a lesser chance of developing any diseases.

Water Garden • Establish a regular feeding schedule for

21st Annual

June Fever Plant Sale

June 12 to 17, 9a-5p We open for you these 6 days only— otherwise find us at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market on Saturdays, 7a-3p Hundreds of Hosta Varieties, Lenten Roses, Native Plants, Vines & Butterfly Attractors Cake and Lemonade in the shade, same as always!

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Michigan Gardener | June 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

vegetable patch A pizza garden

flickr / radiomars

Pizza is one of the most popular foods in slicing tomatoes if used on top of the pizza. America. In our house it was almost a weekly Check your local farmers market for varieties requirement. Considering its popularity, it is available. Check seed catalogs for an even largno wonder that gardeners now grow pizza er selection to choose from—just remember if gardens. A common school or youth group you start the seeds indoors in the winter, wait project, it is something that can be to transplant them outside when the easily done in a backyard garden. weather and soil are warm. Start with the list of ingredients. Peppers are a popular addition to Tomatoes are the most obvious since any pizza. You can grow a variety they are the basis of the pizza sauce. of peppers from sweet bell to spicy Add to the sauce basil, garlic, oregahot depending on your preference. no, onion, and parsley if you choose. Consider growing a selection of colVegetable toppings may include pepors. Peppers can come in everything per, onion and even slices of tomato, from bright yellows to deep reds, as pieces of zucchini, individual basil Mary well as the traditional greens. leaves, or any other vegetable of your Gerstenberger Onions are another vegetable that 6925 Whitmore Lake Rd. choice if you want to get creative. can be grown in a range of colors. Whitmore Lake, MI Next, choose the variety and amount of the Choose from white, yellow or red. If purchasCorner of N. Territorial vegetable or herb you will be growing in the ing seed from a catalog, keep in mind that on& Whitmore Lake Rd. garden. If you are planning to cook the tomaions grown in Michigan should be long day, 734-741-1064 Providing dedication and quality since 1978 toes into a pizza sauce, consider growing Italintermediate or day-neutral choices. Short ian or plum-type tomatoes. Grow regular or day onions are intended for growing in southern climates where days are shorter in length when compared to the length of summer days in northern climates. The herbs you choose depend upon your taste. Bear in mind that some herbs are an25 pounds of nuals, such as basil and marjoram, while others may be perennial, such as oregano and grass seed, thyme. Basil comes in a nice variety of choices bale of straw, 2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford, MI 48328 from Italian large leaf to sweet Thai, to some ﬂat of tomatoes, 248.858.5495 • DestinationOakland.com lovely curly leaf purple varieties. Lodge frypan, As you consider the vegetables and herbs large coffee, for your pizza garden, keep in mind that and a bagel with greater variety in color may also provide a cream cheese. wider range of nutritional value. If working Our version with children, wider ranges of color also proof a fast food vide greater visual interest and the opportunity to broaden their eating choices. drive thru. The shape of a pizza garden can be circular with triangular pizza slice sections of vegetables, or square/rectangular like a deep dish pizza. You can also add some interest by outlining the garden with yellow flowers suchbale as marigolds, 25 pounds of grass seed, of to represent the cheese on the pizza. For an interesting look at a pizza Hours check out the MSU 4-H Children’s straw, ﬂat of tomatoes,garden, Lodge East Lansing or go to their website: 25 pounds of grass seed, Garden bale inof January to April: 25 pounds of grass seed, bale of www.4hgarden.msu.edu/tour/29. frypan, large coffee, and a bagel Saturday Only: 7am - 1:30pm

Oakland County Market

straw, ﬂat of tomatoes, Lodge Mary Gerstenberger is the Consumer Horcream cheese. coffee, and aticulture bagel Coordinator at the Michigan State version of a fast food University drive thru Extension in Macomb County, MI. straw, ﬂat of tomatoes,Our Lodge with cream cheese. For vegetable and gardening information from with coffee, cream cheese. MSU, visit www.migarden.msu.edu. frypan, large and a bagel

straw, ﬂat of tomatoes, Lodge May to December: with 25 pounds of grass seed, bale of large Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday: 7am - 1:30pmfrypan, large coffee, frypan, and a bagel Grower-direct fresh produce and flowers, baked goods, artisan crafts and more!

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Call the toll-free Michigan State University Lawn and Garden Hotline at 888-678-3464 for answers to your gardening questions.

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Say Hello to The Garden Company Is it time for something new in your garden? If you want help with your garden, but don’t want a cookie-cutter design, call us. We will give you one-on-one attention and provide you with uniquely personal ideas. Give us a call and we’ll give your garden a creative boost.

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Pick new pots for your front door. Plant some flowers. Think about a water feature. Grow some vegetables. Consider a sculpture. Delight in the garden. This is what we do. We help people make something grow.

COME CRUISE WITH US! On July 19, we are proud to present the 8th annual Garden Cruise, a tour of gardens designed, planted and/or inspired by Deborah Silver. Visit TheGardenCruise.org for details

1794 PONTIAC DRIVE, SYLVAN L AKE 248-335-8089 • DetroitGardenWorks.com

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Michigan Gardener | June 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

MEMBERSHIPS, PLANT SALES, GARDEN WALKS, TOURS & MORE! Visit our website for complete details HTTP://HOUSEGARDENS.CRANBROOK.EDU

Have a question? Send it in! Go to MichiganGardener.com and click on “Submit a question”

MEMBERSHIP IN BLOOM June 13 | 9:30 am - 11:30 am Discover the benefits of being a Cranbrook House and Gardens Auxiliary member, such as FREE admission. Guest speaker: Joan Mandell, Co-beekeeper/owner of Green Toe Gardens. NATIONAL GET OUTDOORS DAY June 13 | 11:00 am - 3:00 pm Outdoor activities including a yoga session, live animal presentation and bat house building workshop will make this one fun-filled Saturday!

How to eradicate wild garlic

CRANBROOK HOUSE & GARDENS TOURS The gardens are FREE in 2015 (May - October) courtesy of sponsors PNC Bank, Roberts Restaurant Group, and Meijer. Cranbrook House tours are available for an additional charge, Thursday - Sunday (June - October). 380 LONE PINE ROAD | BLOOMFIELD HILLS | MI | 48303 | 248.645.3149

Make us your Destination. Van Atta’s has one of the largest selections of garden accents, trees, garden toys, annuals, shrubs and perennials in Southeastern Michigan. We grow an enormous variety of perennial species and cultivars. There’s a good chance we have that one plant you’ve been searching for or the garden ornament that will set your yard apart. Come on out and stroll our grounds. You’ll be amazed any one item at what you’ll find, as well as the friendly Offer valid through June 30, 2015 service and expert advice you will receive.

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How do I get rid of wild garlic? It is coming up all over the garden, including in the middle of hostas, daylilies and other plants. It appears in small clumps with bulbs that grow rapidly. R., Ann Arbor Wild garlic (Allium vineale) is a cool season perennial that reproduces by seed, aerial bulblets, and underground bulbs. It is often confused with wild onion (Allium canadense). An easy way to identify the two is garlic leaves are hollow and circular in cross-section, while onions are flat and solid. The garlic’s aerial bulblets form right under the flower. When this topples over, they take root, and you have these clumps forming inside hostas and other perennials that disappear in winter but leave room for the garlic bulbs to root. Hoeing and cultivating the soil through fall and early spring in Michigan prevents the development of underground bulbs. Dig up isolated clumps, getting all the bulbs, and sift or replace the whole shovel full with clean soil. Individual clumps can be eliminated with glyphosate sprays. But for invasions within other plants, you have no choice but to lift the desirable plant carefully and extract the bulbs from the root ball. Bulbs can persist in a dormant state in the soil for six years. Persistent management is required for at least 3 to 4 years to substantially reduce the infestation. The object is to remove or kill existing plants before they can produce the next generation. When other desirable plants are affected, it is the manual method of extraction that makes a dent in the population rather than using herbicidal sprays.

Selecting a single fruit tree I have room for one fruit tree. What would be the easiest to grow in my area? J.C., Rochester Michigan is a great place to grow apples, pears and cherries. But if you have to pick only one and can’t fit in a second tree for cross-pollination, then try a tart cherry tree (Prunus cerasus). Most tart cherries are selfpollinating. This means it is not necessary to have a second tree in order to pollinate and produce fruit. Cross-pollination will increase the fruit yield but is not necessary. There is the well-known ‘Montmorency’ as well as ‘North Star.’ You might also try a new Hungarian variety called ‘Balaton’. Make sure your tree location is sunny, on high ground rather than in a swale, and that the soil is sandy loam. Avoid low-lying areas where frost can pocket in early spring or your flower buds will be nipped and you won’t have any fruit. Good sunlight, good air circu-

lation, and consistent water year-round will keep your tree healthy, unstressed, and in optimum shape for fruit production.

Discouraging deer from eating container plants Deer eat just about everything in my large planters. What can I plant in them that the deer won’t eat? I have containers on my front porch and the driveway on the side of the house. Are there any ornamental grasses that they don’t like? Deer repellents have not worked. L.W., Rochester Hills The caveat with deer is that if they are hungry enough, they will try to eat it. There are no deer-proof plants; only deer-resistant. A good rule of thumb is if it has strong aroma or odd texture, they will avoid it. You may be able to come up with a combination of prickly, fuzzy, smelly plants that will act as guardians to those that may be more appealing in your containers. In terms of ornamental grasses, deer may browse them more when the plants are young and newly sprouted, and they are winter hungry. However, mature grasses are rarely eaten. Blue fescues, golden hakone grass, maiden grasses (Miscanthus), and fountain grasses (Pennisetum alopecuroides) are the least interesting to deer. Consider herbs such as sage, oregano, and thyme; also perennials such as yarrow, artemisia, coreopsis and euphorbia. They rarely chew on cranesbill (Geranium), pincushion flower (Scabiosa), sea holly (Echinops), dead nettle (Lamium), bee balm or catnip. They dislike the fragrance of lavender, santolina, and verbena, and the texture of lamb’s ears puts them off. You can research online whole lists of annuals and perennials that deer will generally leave alone. Plant enough of those in a single container or in clustered pots around your more vulnerable plants, and you may find a way to make your containers less of a stop on their wandering salad bar.

Planting berry shrubs When is the best time to plant mail-order blackberry and raspberry plants outdoors in central Michigan? J.G., Rosebush Reputable mail order companies selling bramble fruit canes will ship them according to your hardiness zone. Central Michigan is classified as zone 5b, meaning the average annual low temperature reaches minus 10 to minus 15 degrees F. This year the soil was workable by the end of April, and began to be warm enough to plant by early to mid-May. You can purchase an inexpensive soil thermometer to ensure soil temperature is about 55 degrees. Discard packaging materials and soak

MichiganGardener.com | June 2015 | Michigan Gardener

the roots in a pail of water for several hours, keeping a towel loosely around the roots to keep moisture in and light out until you are ready to plant. Blackberry bushes in particular whose roots are exposed to bright sunlight may not survive the transplanting. Your planting site is equally important, as you must provide well-drained soil and full sun, but with protection from frost pockets. Temperatures below minus 20 degrees F will injure most fruit buds above the snow line. Colder temperatures, when no snow is present, can kill canes in the ground or damage roots. Young plants will die in early summer when not enough water can be taken in to support them. Remove any wild brambles within 600 feet of your crop plants if possible. These wild fruit harbor insects and diseases which can get transferred to your plants. Do not plant your bramble fruit where potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, or eggplant have recently been planted as these fruits and vegetables carry verticillium and other root fungus diseases that can infect your berry plants.

Propagating hens and chicks I am trying to propagate hens and chicks from leaf cuttings. I waited for them to callus, then set them on top of potting mix. When and how much do I water them and how long before they form roots? L.V. Because the popular “hens and chicks” (Sempervirens) are succulents, you must wait until the soil is completely dry and then water carefully at the roots, making sure not to get water on the leaves themselves. A layer of gravel on the surface will help keep them from sitting in a puddle or wet soil. Let the soil dry between waterings. Roots should form in roughly 40 to 60 days.

eas between your moss patches. However, keeping debris off the moss remains key to encouraging it to spread. Proper watering is important. Water daily for up to two months to promote growth. Then water every three days for one month, then once a week for a month. The caveat for frequent watering is being careful not to create conditions for sogginess that may cause root rot. Mist and moisten but don’t soak. Don’t get into a cycle of wet-dry-wet–dry extremes. Be careful when temperatures and humidity rise, as constant moisture can cause molds, mildews and fungi to form. The reason watering is tricky is that moss lacks true roots like vascular plants, so it is vital to keep them moist. It may take several weeks to see new moss growth. But in about five weeks, you should see your moss “garden” filling in. Answers provided by Beverly Moss, owner of Garden Rhythms.

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www.EnglishGardens.com Hours – Thru Sun, June 7: Mon-Sat 9-8, Sun 9-6; Starting Mon, June 8: Mon-Sat 9-7, Sun 10-5 Founded in 1954, English Gardens is familyand locally-owned, operating six full-service stores and a full-service landscaping company in Metro Detroit. Each full-service store has a nursery, garden center, patio shop, and seasonal Christmas center featuring the best value and finest quality products and services. For more information: 800-335-GROW.

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www.hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu April-October hours: Open daily 9-7 755 acres. Don’t miss one of the finest collections of Dwarf and Rare Conifers—over 500 specimens. Hosta Hillside has over 800 varieties. Enjoy a leisurely drive through the Arboretum. See lush tropicals in the Conservatory. Serene outdoor displays in the Bonsai Courtyard. The Demonstration Garden shows attractive mixed plantings. Great hiking trails and dog-friendly, too!

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www.hilltopgreenhousea2.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 9-7, Sat-Sun 9-6 Just 10 minutes from Ann Arbor or Chelsea, our greenhouse is a relaxing drive from all corners. Choose from over 8,000 baskets and 10,000 flats, plus veggie starters, specialty annuals, and lush combination planters. Each plant is grown on site, with hands-on care from start to finish. Smiles, hugs and a friendly staff, free of charge!

www.lodifarms.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-4, Sun ‘til Fathers’ Day 1-4 Come visit our wonderful nursery! We have shade and ornamental trees, evergreens, shrubs of all types, lots of dwarf conifers, and perennials. Bring your pictures and plans and we’ll help you choose the best plants! Check our sales calendar for specials and browse our catalog on the website. Take a roadtrip here soon!

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734-663-7848 www.producestation.com Hours: Mon-Sat 8-9, Sun 8-8 Proudly supplying high-quality, rare perennials and specialty annuals! Succulents, echeveria, agave, rare tropicals, sedum, and sempervivum. Unique dwarf conifers and alpine plants. Enormous selection of specialty herbs and vegetables, plus heirlooms! Vast hosta selection, including tea cup varieties. Gorgeous Vietnamese pottery! Additional location: 2105 W. Stadium Blvd. May-August: Mon-Sat 9-8, Sun 9-7.

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Michigan Gardener | June 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

Many Michigan gardeners go into garden centers in spring and summer looking for new plants to add to their perennial collections, beds and borders. This article is just a sampling of what is new this year from hundreds of introductions. Like you, we look forward to growing and learning more about these exciting, new perennials.

Julia Hofley

Astilbe ‘Chocolate Shogun’ In case you haven’t noticed, there are a bunch of new astilbes in the past few years. This genus has taken off in popularity in both breeding and buying, reflected by the flower colors, shapes and sizes that are now available. I love astilbe flowers for many reasons, like giving our shady hillside garden a well-needed flash of color in midsummer. They have super strong stems that stand well above the foliage for a long bloom time. If the flowers are not cut back, they even look good all winter through the snow. I am not alone in my astilbe infatuation as butterflies consider them fine dining. Added value is that hungry animals tend to avoid eating them. Savvy shade gardeners are always looking for a dramatic new plant that will accent their often foliage-based beds and borders and ‘Chocolate Shogun’ astilbe will deliver the goods. Although the glossy, rich chocolate-maroon leaves provide a high contrast background for the flowers which bud up pink and open to white, it’s not the summer flower that steals the show on this plant. It’s the unusual-colored foliage that holds its color through the summer. It offers a welcome relief in texture nestled within a hosta collection or is the perfect garden mate for a Japanese painted fern. Height: 20-24 inches. Width: 18-24 inches. Light: Part shade; moist soil.

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Bergenia ‘Spring Fling’ Bergenia ‘Spring Fling’ might be mistaken for one of your smaller pink azaleas from a distance since it forms a large, tight and upright plant that blooms heavily. The flowering stems branch out, creating more flower opportunity, versus other varieties that may get one flower per stalk. The foliage turns satiny purple-black in the fall and into winter, so during the spring flowering season it’s a gorgeous collar beneath the shocking magentapink flowers. Height: 12 inches. Width: 12 inches. Light: Full sun to part shade.

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This name conjures up an image that a gardener might not associate with a Japanese painted fern (Athyrium), but indeed it aptly describes the growing habit of this larger-than-life version of a shade garden favorite. It was discovered at Plant Delights Nursery and may be a chance sporeling of the Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’) and the lady fern (Athyrium filixfemina). It forms a massive, arching clump of exceptionally wide, silvery fronds with green highlights and dark purple stems that spread slowly where it’s happiest in moist, loamy soils. An attractive and unexpected filler for a spacious bed with jumbo-sized hostas that need a shady companion. Height: 3 feet. Width: 4-6 feet. Light: Part shade to full shade. NEW PERENNIALS continued on page 18

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Michigan Gardener | June 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from page 16

Turtlehead ‘Tiny Tortuga’ Turtlehead (Chelone lyonii) is one of our favorite plants as it sports thick, lustrously handsome, disease-free foliage all summer, along with sturdy stems that don’t require any care. Then just when the garden can use a splash of color in August, it’s covered with gorgeous dark pink flowers shaped like, you guessed it, turtleheads. It is a robust plant that you need some space to grow. Then along comes ‘Tiny Tortuga,’ which gives smallspace gardeners a chance to try a most garden-worthy perennial in a more diminutive proportion. Natural siting is at the entrance to a moist woodland. In our garden, we have it in two beds— one is a low-lying area that is moister when it rains, and that turtlehead gets bigger than the one growing in a drier bed. Both get sun in the first half of the day and flower the same amount. Turtlehead spreads slowly, but not enough to become a problem. Height: 11-15 inches. Width: 10 inches. Light: Full sun to part shade.

www.PerennialResource.com

Little bluestem ‘Smoke Signal’ This selection of the native little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is an improvement over older cultivars and has a beautifully refined habit. As the season progresses, it puts forth a strong show of color in late summer through fall while maintaining a strictly upright habit. Blue-green stems begin to turn scarlet red in late summer, then to an amazing deeper red-purple through the fall. A complementary garden mate as a backdrop to sedums, this little bluestem will thrive in hot dry areas that other plants have a hard time surviving. Height: 24-48 inches. Width: 18-24 inches. Light: Full sun.

Concept Plants

Salvia Color Spires ‘Violet Riot’ There’s a buzz going on about this meadow sage (Salvia nemorosa)—more than the usual visiting bees, butterflies and hummers. It’s all about the comparison to the industry standard salvia ‘May Night.’ ‘Violet Riot’ is reported to be a dramatic improvement. That’s a considerable accomplishment for this new perennial. Two feet above the aromatic, wrinkled green foliage, purple-blue blooms create a riot of color from late spring into early summer. Compared to ‘May Night,’ it has a denser habit and more concentrated show of color; showy enough to use in a container as a thriller. This easy-care plant needs good drainage and plenty of sun to put on the best show. Height: 22 inches. Width: 20-24 inches. Light: Full sun.

Lily ‘Tiny Shadow’ I’m not the biggest fan of dwarf Asiatic lilies, as they are, well, dwarf, and I prefer my lilies to be taller throughout our garden beds and borders. But my eyes were constantly drawn to this compelling, fiery burnt orange flower with deep maroon centers. It would be the perfect container plant that will shock you with its drama in midsummer and then after its long bloom period, could be moved into the front of the garden border. It is part of the Tiny series of the Lily Looks brand. What that means to the gardener is a large bud count (6 to 8 per stem), less yellowing of the bottom leaves, foliage that holds on the whole plant, a longer bloom time, and compact size. All that makes this petite, top-performing plant ideal for giving as a hostess gift. Plus, it www.PerennialResource.com

Julia Hofley

does not have fragrance that can overpower some people indoors and it can be moved into the garden to be enjoyed for years to come. Height: 10-12 inches. Width: 12 inches. Light: Full sun. NEW PERENNIALS continued on page 20

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Hosta ‘Mini Skirt’ The new millennium brought us a smallsized hosta series that started with award-winning ‘Blue Mouse Ears.’ That created a revolutionary new look in hostas for smaller gardens while giving plant collectors one more wonderful series of plants with which to create our jewel box gardens. Many years later, with 40 hostas in this esteemed lineage, we present the newest member of the Mouse Ears family: ‘Mini Skirt,’ which hails from west Michigan hosta breeder Hans Hansen of Walter’s Gardens.

‘Mini Skirt’ is a real head-turner with graygreen leaves surrounded by a wide, heavilyruffled, creamy yellow margin in spring. As summer progresses the leaves turn green and the margins lighten to a creamy white. To the delight of the hummingbirds, pale lavender flowers with deeper purple stripes are closely packed together on well-proportioned 7-inch scapes in early to midsummer. Height: 5-7 inches. Width: 13 inches. Light: Part shade to full shade.

Westflowers

Stachys/Lamium ‘Lilac Falls’

Blooms of Bressingham

Anemone ‘Pretty Lady Maria’ It’s hard to think about the garden’s fall finale during the spring but set yourself up for success with the newest addition to the Pretty Lady series of Japanese anemones (Anemone hupehensis). I love the anemone, but the size of so many take up a giant footprint in the border and that’s a commitment I usually regret. That’s what I appreciate about this tidy, compact series. ‘Pretty Lady Maria’ has an elegant, single, pure white, 2-inch wide flower with a pretty golden eye. This new introduction is both long and late blooming, finishing out the garden season in style along with hardy mums and asters. Height: 16 inches. Width: 24 inches. Light: Full sun to part shade.

At the spring trials, Allan Armitage said this hybrid (cross) was the plant that was calling everyone’s name. Stachys/Lamium ‘Lilac Falls’ is a completely different plant in that it is an intergeneric hybrid (between two different genera) of Stachys and Lamium. It has the best traits of both plants and a growing habit like the annual fan flower (Scaevola). Blooming April through autumn, ‘Lilac Falls’ is an excellent, low-growing plant with handsome lilac flowers and dark-green leaves. It hails from a German company that has been breeding plants for over 100 years. That’s a lot to get your head around, but when you see it, you will start thinking of where you will plant it in your garden. It would work as a groundcover to suppress weeds while giving some long-season color to a border. You could use it as an interesting container component or by itself in a hanging basket. It would be amazing in two urns flanking an entrance or on the patio of a windy lakeside garden. The stems are strong and have a great branching habit, plus the plant is heat tolerant, so it won’t fizzle out in midsummer. Hmmm…where am I going to plant this new one? Height: 17 inches. Width: 20-24 inches. Light: Full sun to part shade.

NEW PERENNIALS continued on page 22

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Grass Roots Nursery 24765 Bell Rd., New Boston, MI 48164

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Kurtzhals’ Farms 27098 Sibley Rd., Romulus, MI 48174

734-941-2081 Find us on Facebook May/June hours: 7 days 9-6, maybe later, please call Huge Selection! Most annual flats only $7.99. Unique combination baskets and planters with combos you won’t see elsewhere. Treated impatiens available. Proven Winners Certified Garden Center. Healthy vegetable plants, herbs and perennials. Delicious homegrown freshpicked fruits and vegetables July to November. 1/4 mile east of Inkster Rd.

www.panettasupply.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat 8-5, Sun 10-3 Wide variety of both decorative rock & flagstone. An assortment of mulches to meet your landscaping needs. Unilock & Oaks brick pavers. Try our RJ’s Potting Mix, a custom blend of soils & soil additives made just right for your garden. Visit each location to experience our vast variety of perennials, roses, shrubs and trees.

Pinter Flowerland 6830 Rawsonville Rd., Belleville, MI 48111

734-482-2776 www.pinterflowerland.com May/June hours: Open 7 days a week; please call for hours Buy direct from the grower—that means great quality and low prices. Family owned and operated since 1926. Annuals, hanging baskets, containers, perennials, garden supplies, soils, mulches, and much more. 13 acres of covered shopping—stay dry when it’s raining! Come see us at our Redford location also (313-538-7580).

Ray Hunter Florist & Garden Center 16153 Eureka Rd., Southgate, MI 48195

734-284-2500 www.rayhuntergardenshop.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-7, Sun 10-5 Proven Winners select hanging baskets & planters, annuals, perennials, great selection of Weeks roses, flowering shrubs, garden statuary & accents. Tomatoes are one of our specialties. We grow heirlooms, grafted tomatoes, old favorites, and the latest hybrids—over 100 varieties! Come pick out a plant or two for your garden.

flat rock

Ruhlig Farms & Gardens 24508 Telegraph Rd., Brownstown Twp, MI 48134

gibraltar

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20200 Goddard, Taylor, MI 48180

www.gorhamandsonsnursery.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-6, Sun 9-5 Trees, shrubs, evergreens & ornamental plants. Specializing in topiaries, Japanese maples & landscape design. Also fruit trees and blueberry, raspberry & blackberry bushes. We are proud of our personal service—bring us your questions & photos of your yard and we will offer advice. Just Southeast of the Sibley Road & I-275 intersection.

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734-782-9811 www.ruhligfarmsandgardens.com Spring hours: Mon-Sat 9-8, Sun 10-6 A Gardener’s Dream come true. Enhance your garden’s beauty and uniqueness at our premier garden center. Explore 2 acres of beautiful nursery and greenhouses. Discover the enormous selection of annuals, perennials, patio containers, hanging baskets and potted plants. Friendly staff are always available to assist. Make us your destination for Spring, Summer, Fall & Christmas.

Schoedel’s Nursery 20900 Merriman Rd., Romulus, MI 48174

734-753-4150 www.schoedelsnursery.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-5, Sun 10-4 A third-generation, family run business since 1949. Our 5-acre nursery has one of the largest selections in the area: ornamental and shade trees, specialty shrubs, broadleaf evergreens, and conifers. From the common to the unusual. There is something for everyone. 1 mile South of Sibley Rd.

Schwartz’s Greenhouse 30705 Sibley Rd., Romulus, MI 48174

734-753-9269 www.schwartzgreenhouse.com May hours: Mon-Sat 9-8, Sun 9-6. June: Call for hours Our specialty is spectacular hanging baskets! Discover flowers & plants at great prices! Bedding plants, roses, vegetable plants, herbs, perennials, container gardens, porch planters, and gardening supplies. Over 12 acres of greenhouses and 2 acres of shopping! 1/2 mile West of Middlebelt.

To advertise in Destinations, email Publisher@MichiganGardener.com or call Eric at 248-594-5563

Westcroft Gardens 21803 West River Rd., Grosse Ille, MI 48138

734-676-2444 www.westcroftgardens.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 8-7, Sat 9-7, Sun 10-5 Visit Michigan’s oldest farm still owned & operated by the same family, established 1776. Specializing in our own hybrids of azaleas & rhododendrons that grow well in Michigan. Also trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, herbs & vegetables. Our Greenleaf Compound will acidify & improve your soil. Stroll our botanical garden.

Zywicki Greenhouse 50705 Willow Rd., Belleville, MI 48111

734-461-6197 www.zywickigreenhouse.com May/June hours: Open 7 days a week, 9-7 Zywicki’s has served lower Michigan for over 50 years with quality annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, planters, window boxes, vegetable plants and roses. 200 varieties of vegetable and herb plants. Over 400 varieties of annuals, perennials, and hanging baskets. When it’s quality you need, it’s Zywicki’s indeed!

Michigan Gardener | June 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from page 20

Clematis Serious Black

Coral Bells ‘Berry Timeless’

Finally, this clematis (Clematis recta) made it across “the pond” from the garden in which it was found in Oxfordshire, England called Lime Close. It’s called Serious Black here in the U.S. as this bush type clematis has extraordinarily dark purple new foliage in spring, maturing to deep olive green as the season progresses. In late spring to early summer, antique ivory-colored blossoms about the size of a nickel appear in countless clusters, reminiscent of sweet autumn clematis. The effect is magical with the star-like white flowers twinkling against the dark foliage. They may reappear in midsummer, blooming on a softer purple new growth. Silvery seed heads follow in the fall. Gardeners who have grown this suggest a support structure during flowering time to keep the bush upright. I think I’ll plant this next to a beefy lily in our garden for a quick backup as a stake. A group 2 clematis. Height: 4-6 feet. Width: 3 to 4-1/2 feet. Light: Full sun to part sun.

Coral bells (Heuchera) foliage has become the patchwork quilt of our modern beds and borders. This new plant has leaves that are lightly silvered, mint green and form the traditional compact, dense form. It is a Heuchera villosa hybrid, making it robust and tolerant of high heat and humidity to endure a muggy, Michigan summer and still look good. But it’s the sheer flower power of ‘Berry Timeless’ that makes this plant the one to collect this year, as it is a virtual everlasting flower machine. Presented 10 to 12 inches above the foliage, the blooms produce a myriad of light pink flowers that age to a deeper rose-red. When the flowers are spent, they dry in place on the stems similar to statice, not leaving the stems bare. That’s where they get their endearing name, “everlastings.” You’ll get a two-toned look of light and dark pink flowers on the same plant for a strong show of prettiness. ‘Berry Timeless’ is aptly named, as the plant blooms and reblooms continuously, not in waves, from early summer to frost. Butterflies and hummers will feast on the gorgeous, long-lasting display. Height: 8-10 inches (flowers up to 20 inches). Width: 20 inches. Light: Full sun to full shade.

www.PerennialResource.com

Sedum ‘Touchdown Teak’ The Touchdown series of sedum (Sedum telephium) are bred to have a vigorous, multiple-crown habit, making them more full with a compact, low silhouette. ‘Touchdown Teak’ has the most striking foliage in the series, with thick, vibrant red-brown to purplebrown coloring and a glossy coating, giving it a shiny, silver-to-bronze appearance. Slightly scalloped leaves hold their sultry leaf color all season and produce rose-red flowers in August to September. Once established, sedums are drought tolerant and tough—real workhorses in the landscape. ‘Touchdown Teak’ offers beauty to boot. Plus, butterflies and bees adore sedum flowers! Height: 15-19 inches. Width: 16 inches. Light: Full sun. www.PerennialResource.com

Terra Nova Nurseries

Julia Hofley is a plant collector, freelance garden writer, lecturer, and independent sales rep (E-mail: julia@juliasbiglife.com).

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Michigan Gardener | June 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

Sand tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata), left, and showy tick trefoil (Desmodium canadense), right. As intimated by the common names for these two plants, their seeds are designed to hitchhike on passing fur- or fabric-clad mammals.

Downy serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea). The early-ripening fruits of this small tree are especially favored by robins, thrushes and thrashers. They are also edible for human beings, tasting like a cross between a raspberry and a blueberry.

How plants move around Nature’s amazing seed dispersal strategies

One characteristic we tend to identify with mammals alike—generally have a territory plants, as opposed to animals, is their inabilthrough which they travel in their daily or seaity to get around very well. Once they’re rootsonal routine. Plants with edible fruits—included in a given spot, that’s about it for the rest of ing serviceberry (Amelanchier), viburnum, and their terrestrial existence. elderberry (Sambucus)—are targeted by both But is that really true? Well, yes, birds and mammals for food. There in the sense that a particular plant, is a hierarchy here: highly desironce rooted, is pretty much home able fruits—fruits that are high in for the duration. That doesn’t mean, calories, where starches have been however, that its progeny are simiconverted to sugars—are eaten first, larly “stuck.” In fact, plants have with less desirable fruit lingering evolved some pretty amazing stratfurther into the season. In fact, some egies to get their seeds out—often, fruits are only really edible after they but not exclusively, through intigo through a freeze—one example of mate relationships with their more how Mother Nature keeps the larder Cheryl M. mobile faunal contemporaries. full through most of the year. English Fruit-eating animals—birds and Some fruits are only edible for

Virgin’s bower (Clematis virginiana). Blooming slightly earlier than the well-known yet invasive ‘Sweet Autumn’ clematis, this native vine is a superb substitute that boasts even showier, more persistent seed heads. certain animals. Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) contains oxalic acid, which is toxic for mammals (its crystalline structure irritates both the skin and the digestive tract) but causes no problem for birds, which feed on the fruit with impunity. If you’re looking for a deer-proof plant with terrific fall color, this one is the ticket. Nut-bearing plants subscribe to a similar

strategy. I have never seen a squirrel bury a nut where he finds it; rather, he takes the nut somewhere else to “plant” it, usually some obscure pile of leaves some yards away. Furthermore, squirrels can tell a good nut from a bad one—a nut that has aborted in its development or has been damaged by some kind continued on page 26

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Michigan Gardener | June 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from page 24

the trail to sprout anew. Not all seeds require animal assistance get of borer. Because the squirrel is storing food around. The seeds, or “achenes,” of clematis for winter sustenance, it makes sense for the species, including the native virgin’s bower squirrel to bury only the best nuts, which, of (Clematis virginiana) are quite small and have course, will grow into the very best trees. a feathery tail to help them ride the lightest of Some avian species—including chickadees breezes. This strategy can disperse the seed and blue jays—also cache seeds and nuts. In quite broadly—up to 500 miles away—but fact, the part of a chickadee’s brain relating isn’t particularly precise in terms of landing to short-term memory expands and contracts in a viable germination location. Since most with the seasons, growing with the onset of seed is lost, these plants produce a lot to inautumn and shrinking with spring’s arrival, crease the chances of success. helping this charismatic character remember Other species are masters of multi-tasking, where it has stored its winter stash. Blue jay employing varied agents to disperse their brains don’t undergo the same sort of change, seed. The earliest Michigan native you’re making it highly likely that they won’t relikely to see bloom would undoubtedly be member all of the nuts they’ve cached—givour Eastern skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus ing some the opportunity to germinate and foetidus). This relative of the beloved Jack-ingrow. So, while the acorn may not the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) is fall far from the tree, that doesn’t able to generate conditions up to 35 P H OTO G R A P H S BY D O N S C H U LT E mean that is where it is eventually degrees F above the ambient temgoing to sprout. perature through a chemical reacSome plant seeds develop with a substance tion, melting its way through the surrounding called elaiosome, a tasty little morsel of tisice and snow—and providing a warm haven sue that is very attractive to terrestrial insects, for early season pollinators. Its pungent odor including ants. In a dynamic referred to as not only attracts those pollinators, including “myrmecochory” (ant dispersal), ants harvest scavenging flies, it also deters browsing deer the seeds for the elaiosome, bringing the seeds and rodents. As the plant’s fruiting body beback to their colonies. After discarding (plantgins to break down in late October and early ing) the seeds in their subterranean waste November, the large, buoyant marble-like piles, which are chock full of all sorts of nutrifruits float their way to new germination tious organic waste, those seeds can germinate, sites. Small mammals can also carry the grow and thrive under optimal conditions. fruits to less desirable locations, where they Other plants rely on the structure of their may sprout but might not survive to maturity. seeds to get around, rather than their cuFinally, there are those plants that use exlinary attractiveness. The common names plosive “dehiscence” as their seed dispersal of both tickseed (Coreopsis) and tick trefoil strategy, in which the seed-bearing structure (Desmodium) originate in the ability of these ruptures in such a way as to hurl the seed plants’ seeds to attach themselves to the fur, from the parent plant like tiny missiles. That or clothing, of a passing mammal with tiny garden favorite, impatiens, is actually named burs or hooks, dropping off somewhere down for this characteristic: the plant’s impatience to get its seeds “out there.” It also occurs in numerous native plants, including our own common witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana). Unlike many witch hazels, which bloom very

Eastern skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus): Although hardly the most sought-after plant for the garden, this early riser is coveted in foreign climes for its unique qualities.

Common witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana). A stunner in the late-season garden, site this plant where the late season, late afternoon sun will set its delicate yellow flowers ablaze.

American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis). A big shrub that suckers generously, the delicate white flowers give way to delicious fruits favored by wildlife; they also make excellent preserves. early in the season, common witch hazel flowers late in the season: late October or early November. The fruit—a hard, woody capsule that matures one year after pollination— splits from its apex with explosive force, propelling the two shiny black seeds therein as much as 30 feet from the parent plant. So, although your garden plants may not be able to pick themselves up and move, they use a wide variety of strategies to help their offspring do just that!

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis). A surprisingly sturdy spring ephemeral (it blooms and leafs out early in the season, later going completely dormant), the roots of bloodroot are actually red in color.

Cheryl M. English owns Black Cat Pottery and gardens professionally in Detroit, MI. An Advanced Master Gardener and Master Composter, she speaks on numerous gardening topics and is a Wildflower Association of Michigan board member. Her typical urban lot has over 50 varieties of Clematis and almost 200 species of native plants. She opens her garden to the public twice a year at her Annual Spring/Summer Garden Tours. 2015 dates: May 30 & August 15. The tours are free; no pre-registration is required. Contact Cheryl to speak at your next meeting or event: cenglish@blackcatpottery.com. Follow Cheryl’s blog at BlackCatPottery. com and follow along at Facebook.com/ BlackCatPottery. Don Schulte is an avid gardener and enjoys interpreting Michigan wildflowers and other garden favorites through his photography. Don and Cheryl have been working together to document the clematis, other traditional garden favorites, and native plants in her garden. See more of his work at NotableGreetings. com and DonSchulte.com.

Drew’s Garden

Landscape Source

23751 Gratiot Ave., Eastpointe, MI 48021

17448 26 Mile Rd., Macomb, MI 48042

586-775-3770

586-677-7480

May/June hours: Mon-Sat 7-8, Sun 10-7 NEW Garden Center! Drew’s Garden will continue the Semrau tradition. New this year: lower pricing! Annuals, perennials, roses, shrubs, trees, houseplants—even palm trees, pineapple plants, and specialty items you won’t find anywhere else! Open through Christmas. Farmers Market with fresh produce and mums starting in August. Landscapers welcome—trade discount available.

www.landscapesource.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat 8-5, Sun 9-4 A premier landscape supply company. We have the amazing new ‘Regal Petticoat’ maple. 15 acres of products including trees, shrubs, perennials, soils, stone, mulch, fire glass, fireplaces and pond kits. Our trees and shrubs are the best available. Fendt, Oaks, and Unilock premium pavers and walls. Very reasonable prices and great quality.

Eckert’s Greenhouse & Perennials

Meldrum Brothers Nursery & Supply

34075 Ryan Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310 586-979-2409 www.eckertsgreenhouse.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 8:30-8, Sun 8:30-6 From the rare and unusual to the preferred and popular, you will find something extraordinary for your garden: Annuals, Geraniums, Hanging Baskets, Flower Pouches, Perennials, Collector’s Hostas, Roses (David Austin English, Hybrid Teas, Floribundas, and Shrub), Clematis, Vines, Alpine Plants, Groundcovers, Butterfly Plants, Native Plants. Gorgeous hosta display gardens too!

29500 23 Mile Rd., New Baltimore, MI 48047

586-949-9220 www.meldrumbros.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 8-8, Sun 10-5 We are one of the oldest and largest landscape supply and garden centers in Southeastern Michigan. We carry a huge selection of plants, bulk materials, paving & wall stones, garden décor, fountains & statuary, and organic & traditional lawn/plant care products. We pride ourselves on offering the best service and advice in the area.

Elya’s Village Gardens & Greenhouses

Young’s Garden Mart

24200 26 Mile Rd., Macomb, MI 48042

586-749-9212 or 586-405-7592

27825 Ryan Rd., Warren, MI 48092

586-573-0230

May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-7, Sun 10-3 We do more than just sell you plants—our award-winning landscape designers will help you select the right plants for your home and garden. Annuals, perennials, many hosta varieties, trees and shrubs from top-quality Michigan growers. Family-owned garden center since 1966. Also full-service landscape installation.

English Gardens 44850 Garfield Rd., Clinton Township, MI 48038  586-286-6100 www.EnglishGardens.com Hours – Thru Sun, June 7: Mon-Sat 8-9, Sun 8-6; Starting Mon, June 8: Mon-Sat 9-9, Sun 9-6 Founded in 1954, English Gardens is family- and locally-owned, operating six full-service stores and a full-service landscaping company in Metro Detroit. Each full-service store has a nursery, garden center, patio shop, and seasonal Christmas center featuring the best value and finest quality products and services. For more information: 800-335-GROW.

Find us on Facebook May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-7, Sun 10-5 Family run and operated since 1924, we offer a variety of annual, perennial, and tropical plants, as well as gardening gifts and tools. We are proud to be the area’s trusted garden center, open yearround. Our Christmas Shoppe, established in 1963, provides only the highest quality Christmas decorations.

English Gardens 22501 Kelly Rd., Eastpointe, MI 48021 586-771-4200 www.EnglishGardens.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-7; Sun 9-6 Founded in 1954, English Gardens is family- and locally-owned, operating six full-service stores and a full-service landscaping company in Metro Detroit. Each full-service store has a nursery, garden center, patio shop, and seasonal Christmas center featuring the best value and finest quality products and services. For more information: 800-335-GROW.

To advertise in Destinations, email Publisher@MichiganGardener.com or call Eric at 248-594-5563

Precipitation

Temperature

April 2015 April 2015

Detroit Flint Lansing Detroit Flint Lansing

NORMAL Avg. High 59.1 57.3 57.8 NORMAL Avg. Low 39.4 35.5 37.0

ACTUAL Avg. High 60.8 60.6 59.7 ACTUAL Avg. Low 39.2 36.1 35.2

Data courtesy National Weather Service

April 2014 DEVIATION from Normal 1.7 3.3 1.9 DEVIATION from Normal -0.2 0.6 -1.8

ORMAL N Avg. High 59.1 57.3 57.8 NORMAL Avg. Low 39.4 35.5 37.0

ACTUAL Avg. High 60.1 59.7 58.9 ACTUAL Avg. Low 37.7 34.6 35.0

DEVIATION from Normal 1.0 2.4 1.1 DEVIATION from Normal -1.7 -0.9 -2.0

NORMAL Monthly 2.90 2.89 3.03

NORMAL Yr. to Date 9.16 7.91 8.21

Detroit Flint Lansing

ACTUAL Monthly 2.61 1.63 1.29

April 2014 DEVIATION from Normal -0.29 -1.26 -1.74

2015 Year to Date: Jan 1 - Apr 30 Detroit Flint Lansing

ACTUAL Yr. to Date 6.21 4.72 4.28

DEVIATION from Normal -2.95 -3.19 -3.93

NORMAL

Monthly 2.90 2.89 3.03

ACTUAL Monthly 2.57 2.48 1.36

DEVIATION from Normal -0.33 -0.41 -1.67

2014 Year to Date: Jan 1 - Apr 30

NORMAL

Yr. to Date 9.16 7.91 8.21

ACTUAL Yr. to Date 9.80 7.70 6.97

DEVIATION from Normal 0.64 -0.21 -1.24

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Michigan Gardener | June 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

tree tips Abiotic disorders of plants

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These non-biological factors affect the health of your plants Part 1 of 2 STRIKING CONIFER TOPIARIES

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While the title sounds scientific it really is a simple way to categorize and help solve problems with plants. Abiotic simply means it is not a biological disorder. Easier yet, it is not an insect or disease that is causing the plant to decline; it is something to do with the growing environment, weather, cultural practices, mechanical damage, chemical inputs, nutrients, and the list goes on. When I am called out to diagnose a problem, it is my job as an arborist to figure out both the main problem and the contributing factors that have led to it. In almost all cases it is a combination of both biological Steve (biotic) and non-biological (abiotic) Turner factors. There are exceptions to this statement, such as invasive insects and wilt diseases such as emerald ash borer or Dutch elm disease, but in most cases the plant has been weakened by abiotic factors that set it up for biotic problems that cause further decline or death.

Cultural practices By far the most common abiotic problems fall into the cultural practices category. Thus, all of them could be prevented with proper knowledge and planning. First on this list would be improper planting. If a tree starts out planted wrong it will endure a lifetime of stress that will reduce its chance of reaching its full potential and can make it more prone to biotic attacks and other abiotic problems. For my instructions on how to properly plant a tree, see the April 2015 issue of Michigan Gardener (page 16). To read it online, go to MichiganGardener.com, click on Digital Edition, and go to the April 2015 issue. Improper pruning techniques such as topping, lion’s tailing, overpruning, bad pruning cuts, or pruning at the wrong time of year can all either expose the tree to biotic pathogens that can kill or weaken the tree, cause wounds that will never heal and allow decay to enter the tree, create structural problems that will make the tree more likely to fail in storms, or disfigure the natural structure, making the tree an eyesore. In smaller trees or ornamentals it may be possible to correct

past pruning errors and restore the natural structure, but this is not often the case with mature trees. If you improperly prune them, you essentially start the clock ticking toward the time when the tree will either fail or slowly decline over many years until it runs out of reserves and dies. The best way to prevent this is to hire professionals based upon skill and credentials, not the lowest bid. Saving a couple hundred dollars now might cause you to lose thousands later if the tree has to be removed. Pesticides and fertilizers used correctly and sparingly at the proper times are a valuable tool to maintain healthy landscapes. However, used too often or improperly, they can cause more problems than they solve. Overfertilization with nitrogen causes excessive, weak growth and makes trees a more nutritious target for many pests such as scale and aphids, and actually makes them more prone to infestation. Excessive pesticide cover sprays on entire landscapes reduce more natural predators than pests and helps create an environment for the pests to thrive. Applications that are plantand pest-specific timed to affect the pest at its most vulnerable stage are much more effective, cost efficient, and a lot better for the environment. Herbicides near trees can be a factor that is often overlooked but can cause major problems if they are used routinely in the landscape. They build up over time in the tissue of perennial plants and can cause cankers and bark splits as live tissue dies. Other symptoms can be stunted or disfigured growth of the twigs and leaves. Too much, too often, or improperly placed mulch will do more harm than good. 3 to 4 inches placed over as much of the root zone as possible and not piled against the trunk is a benefit. Any more and you impede the ability of water to penetrate to the soil below. If the mulch comes in contact with the trunk it will help create an ideal environment for pathogens and adventitious roots, which eventually can become stem-girdling roots and strangle the plant. Adding new mulch year after year can elevate the soil level if you don’t take the time to rake the older, broken down mulch out away from

Herbicides near trees can be a factor that is often overlooked but can cause major problems if they are used routinely in the landscape.

MichiganGardener.com | June 2015 | Michigan Gardener

the plant (thus expanding the diameter of the mulch ring) before piling more on top. Mechanical damage can be anything from mowers and weed whips hitting tree trunks, to root disturbance for new sidewalks or driveways, to major root disturbance for new home additions or sewer lines. Planning to reduce or eliminate the damage in the first place is much easier than trying to fix it after the fact. There are many techniques that can be used

to minimize the damage, but they all require advanced planning before the damage occurs. These are just a few of the more common cultural problems I deal with. There are more and I will cover some others, along with other abiotic problems such as weather and the growing environment, in the next Tree Tips. Steve Turner, Certified Arborist, is from Arboricultural Services in Fenton, MI.

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Michigan Gardener | June 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

perennial perspectives

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for an incredibly longblooming perennial that can take abuse and poor, dry soils, consider knautia (Knautia macedonica). Blooming from June until hard frost, it is always smothered in flowers, which look like nickel- to quarter-sized, deep crimson pincushions adorned by sugar sprinkles (white anthers provide this color contrast). What the flowers lack in size, they make up for in quantity. Add the fact that butterflies, bees and pollinator insects flock to it, and you would expect this perennial to be a mainstay in gardens. The relative obscurity of knautia (pronounced Karen naughty-ah) is perhaps Bovio due to the fact that it really has no good common name. But those whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen a well-grown specimen are sure to inquire about itâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the ruby-red flower color is a rarity in the world of perennials.

How to grow In addition to its long season of bloom and attractive burgundy color, knautia is easy to grow. It fares well in any location that has average, well-drained soil. Although it is always listed as a full-sun plant, many gardeners report good results in partial shade. The one thing it will not tolerate is wet soil, particularly in winter, so good drainage is paramount. Soggy soils always lead to an early demise. Growing about three feet tall with equal width, it is best suited for cottage-garden effects, where its blowsy form can be used to best advantage. Newly purchased plants grow surprisingly fast, consuming a fair amount of garden real estate, so it is not a good choice for small, well-manicured gardens. But the masses of blooms, which are excellent cut flowers, make knautia a worthy choice for larger gardens where its tendency toward floppiness and unruly habit can be accommodated. Plants can be contained by judicious pruning of wayward stems, by deadheading, and if necessary, by staking. Planting in sandy, lean (not nutrientrich) soil and keeping irrigation to a minimum will produce the most attractive plants.

Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener

Knautia is a billowy plant whose loose, rangy form lends itself to a cottage garden effect.

Varieties Watch for self-sown seedlings, as the flowers of the straight species are fertile. Birds love the seeds, but invariably some will drop and grow. Occasionally a seedling will produce pink, lavender or white flowers, but

Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener

Knautia plants are covered with small, deep crimson, pincushion-like flowers from June until fall.

Bees, butterflies, and pollinator insects flock to knautia.

MichiganGardener.com | June 2015 | Michigan Gardener

www.PerennialResource.com

Knautia’s flowers tend to sparkle, due to their tiny white anthers.

Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener

‘Thunder and Lightning’ is a new knautia variety that has leaves streaked with creamy white.

A knautia seed strain named ‘Melton Pastels’ (aka ‘Watercolours’) is available for those who like pink, salmon and lavender shades.

most gardeners prefer the rich burgundy, which fortunately, is the dominant color. A seed strain named ‘Melton Pastels’ (aka ‘Watercolours’) is available for those who like pink, salmon and lavender shades. The breakthrough variety ‘Mars Midget,’ a dwarf seed-grown strain, was introduced in 2002. This selection, with its compact, 16inch height and mounded habit, may help knautia achieve greater notoriety and more use in gardens. It retains the best qualities of the straight species—dark red color and long season of bloom—on a plant whose size and shape can be appreciated by more gardeners. Use it at the front or midsection of perennial beds, in rock gardens, and even in containers where its everblooming habit and striking wine-red color will be assets. The newest variety to hit the shelves is aptly named ‘Thunder and Lightning.’ The light green, lance-like leaves are streaked at-

age fertility and good drainage. It begins to bloom in June, generally the third or fourth week, and continues into summer and early fall. The flower stems, while not as long as those on the straight species, are still of sufficient length to make good cut flowers. Some gardeners have reported ‘Thunder and Lightning’ reverting to solid green, although the advertising for it describes the plant as “stable.” With variegated plants, it pays to be on the lookout for all-green reversions. If they occur (they are common in variegated sedums, for example), it is wise to dig the plant and divide it, separating the all-green part from the variegated. All-green parts are stronger (having more chlorophyll) and can potentially overtake the variegated portion. Because ‘Thunder and Lightning’ is a relatively new variety, the jury is still out on whether it will remain stable over the long haul. I, for one, am willing to risk it and find out!

www.PerennialResource.com

Knautia growing tips • Full sun to partial shade • Light-textured, well-drained soil • Low fertility, low moisture level • Good air flow; avoid low spots • Trim or prune plants as needed to maintain shape • Deadhead to avoid excessive selfsowing and increase flower production tractively with bolts of creamy-white, and the thunder is provided by the blood-red flower color that knautia is famous for. Another low grower at 15 to 18 inches tall, it is excellent at the front of the border and looks fantastic en masse. Like the other knautias, it wants a mostly sunny location with soil of only aver-

Companions for knautia Knautia—whether tall, short, or variegated—is an excellent mixer in the perennial garden. The dark red color, which tends toward purple, is easy to combine with colors on the cool end of the spectrum. It does not work as well with warm colors like scarletred, orange or golden yellow. The small, round flowers make good contrast with spiky blooms or those of more irregular shape—veronica, delphinium, lavender and lilies come to mind. Daisy-shaped flowers like coneflower, coreopsis and Shasta daisy would also make fine companions. Being long-bloomers themselves, these pink, pale yellow or white flowers, contrasted with the dark burgundy knautia, would create a harmonious garden scene lasting all summer long. Karen Bovio is the owner of Specialty Growers in Howell, MI.

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Michigan Gardener | June 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

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Advertiser Index A-1 Organic Lawns............................... 35 Abbott’s Landscape Nursery.......... 13 Aguafina Gardens International....25 Alexander’s Farm Mkt/ Greenhses................................................10 Auburn Oaks Gard Ctr........................ 17 Barson’s Greenhouse.........................29 Beauchamp Lawn & Landscape.......5 Bloom! Garden Ctr................................ 17 Blossoms.................................................. 35 Bogie Lake Greenhouses.................. 23 Bonide........................Inside Back Cover Campbell’s Greenhouses................. 23 Contender’s Tree/ Lawn Specialists......................................6 Cranbrook House & Gardens.......... 12 Destinations: Ann Arbor....................14 Destinations: Downriver....................21 Destinations: I-96................................ 33 Destinations: Macomb...................... 27 Detroit Garden Works.........................11 Downtown Home & Garden............10 Eckert’s Greenhouse............................ 17 EcoChic Landscape Design............. 35

English Gardens............................Page 3 Espoma...................................................... 15 The Flower Market.............................. 35 Fraleigh’s Landscape Nursery.........19 The Garden Company.........................11 The Garden Mill.................................... 32 Garden Rhythms.................................. 32 A Garden Space.................................... 32 Haley Stone Supply.............................. 13 Hidden Lake Gardens.........................34 Iron Barn Iron Work.............................29 LACASA Center......................................11 Matthaei Botanical Gardens...........25 Merrittscape..........................................28 Michigan Green Industry Assoc.... 15 Milarch Nursery....................................28 MSU Horticulture Gardens................9 Mulligan’s Garden Ctr........................ 32 Nature’s Garden Ctr............................ 32 Oakland Cty Market............................10 Orion Stone Depot............................... 23 Osmocote...............Inside Front Cover Piechnik’s Greenhouse.........................8 Plymouth Nursery...................................9

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June H Peony Season in Nichols Arboretum Tue, Jun 2, Through Jun 15, Ann Arbor. At Nichols Arboretum. FREE. The largest collection of heirloom herbaceous peonies in North America. mbgna.umich.edu/peony. H Cranbrook House & Gardens Tours Thu-Sun through Oct, Bloomfield Hills. At Cranbrook House & Gardens. Gardens FREE. House tours available for addt’l charge. 248-645-3149. HouseGardens.Cranbrook.edu. Milford Farmers’ Market Thursdays, Jun 4 through 10/15, 3-8pm, Milford. At East Liberty Street. Local products, fresh foods, live music, family fun & much more. www.MilfordFarmersMarket.org. H Brenda’s Butterfly Habitat Opening Thu, Jun 4, Westland. At Barson’s. Come see these winged beauties in all stages of their metamorphosis. www.butterfliesinthegarden.com. Kent/MSU Extension Grand Ideas Garden Plant Sale Fri, Jun 5, 5-8pm & Sat, 9am-1pm, Grand Rapids. At Kent MSU Extension office. Perennials, shrubs, natives & Master Gardeners on hand. www.facebook.com/ GrandIdeasGarden. H Flowering Table Top Garden for Your Patio Workshop Sat, Jun 6, 11am, Southgate. At Ray Hunter Florist & Garden. $40. Make a charming dish garden for outdoors. 734-284-2500, www.rayhunter.com. H Succulent Terrarium Workshop Sat, Jun 6, 2-4pm, Ann Arbor. At The Produce Station Garden Center. $20. Learn about care, then create a charming mason jar succulent terrarium! Tickets: http://ow.ly/M1Ilt 734-663-7848. H Hypertufa Toadstools Sat, Jun 6, 10am-noon, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $62.75. Create 2 whimsical hypertufa toadstools. Dress for mess! www.HeavenlyScentHerbFarm.com, 810-629-9208. Design Matters: A Cultural Landscape Symposium Sat, Jun 6, Dearborn. At Henry Ford Estate. Explore the historic landscapes of Henry Ford Estate, Monticello, & the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House. www.fordhouse.org, 313-884-4222. Tollgate Plant Sale Sat, Jun 6, 9am-2pm, Novi. At Tollgate Farm. Perennials for sun & shade, Tollgate volunteers answer gardening questions, rain or shine. Tollgate.msu.edu/programs, 248-347-3860, ext. 251. H Peony Blossoms & Pure Melodies Sun, Jun 7, 2pm, Ann Arbor. At Nichols Arboretum Peony Garden. FREE. An afternoon of Chinese flower songs set amid the garden. Rain date Jun 14, 2pm. Critter House Open Hours Sun, Jun 7, Weekly, Noon-3pm, Ann Arbor. At Leslie Science & Nature Ctr. FREE. Observe frogs, turtles, snakes, rabbits & more as they hop, crawl & slither. www.lesliesnc. org. H Hypertufa Workshop Sat, Jun 13, 2-4pm, Ann Arbor. At the Produce Station

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT PUBLIC GARDENS, please visit MichiganGardener.com. Click on "Resources" then "Public Gardens." Garden Center. $10. Create a homemade planter & learn how to fill it at home. Tickets: http://ow.ly/M1LoJ 734-663-7848. H National Get Outdoors Day Sat, Jun 13, 11am-3pm, Bloomfield Hills. At Cranbrook House & Gardens. Yoga session, live animal presentation & bat house building workshop. 248-645-3149. HouseGardens.Cranbrook.edu. Vermiculture Workshop Sat, Jun 13, 10am-Noon, Ann Arbor. By Project Grow at Leslie Science & Nature Ctr. $30. Create a worm composting bin to benefit your garden. www.eventbrite.com/e/ vermiculture-tickets-16386914703. H Pond & Waterfall Design Sat, Jun 13, 10am-Noon, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Workshop will address the key issues associated with designing & building your own pond. Register: www.PondPlace.com. H Rose Care Class Sat, Jun 13, 11am, Southgate. At Ray Hunter Florist & Garden. FREE. All you need to know about caring for your roses. 734-284-2500. H Pond Construction Sat, Jun 13, 1-3pm, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Optional hands-on experience building an 11’ x 16’ pond with stream, waterfall & bog. Register: www.PondPlace.com. H Membership in Bloom Sat, Jun 13, 9:30-11:30am, Bloomfield Hills. At Cranbrook House & Gardens. Discover the benefits of being a member. Guest speaker Joan Mandell. 248-645-3149. H Second Saturday Sunrise Series Sat, Jun 13, 15 Minutes before sunrise, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $10. Share 755 acres before the day begins. Limited space. Register: 517-431-2060. Fairy Garden Workshop Sat, Jun 13, 10-Noon, Taylor. At Taylor Conservatory. $25. Bring some magic to your life with a make & take fairy garden. Class is limited. www.TaylorConservatory.org. Monarch Butterfly Conservation Kickoff Sat, Jun 13, 1-3pm, Ann Arbor. At Leslie Science & Nature Ctr. FREE. Ages 8+. This is a hands-on workday planting our Insect Pollinator Garden. Plants for purchase. Register: 734-997-1553. H 25th Annual Ann Arbor Garden Walk Sat, Jun 13, & Sun, Jun 14, 10am-4pm, Ann Arbor. By Ann Arbor Farm & Garden. $25 through 6/1. 7 different gardens each day, Plants & Art Marketplace. www.AnnArborFarmAndGarden.org.

Promote your events! Send us your information! Website: Go to MichiganGardener.com and click on “Garden Event Calendar” E-Mail: calendar@michigangardener.com Upcoming Issues & Deadlines: Issue

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July/August 2015 September/October 2015

June 15, 2015 August 15, 2015

MichiganGardener.com | June 2015 | Michigan Gardener

eco Chic landscape design

Michigan’s Largest Bonsai Nursery

• Native Plant/Habitat Design • Natural Lakescaping • Invasive Plant I.D., Strategies, and Elimination • Birdscaping • Presentations & Consulting H Nature Hike Sat, Jun 13, 10:30am, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $5. Enjoy a family-friendly hike on Hidden Lake Garden’s many rolling & wooded trails. Register: hiddenlakegardens.msu. edu. 2015 Southfield Garden Walk Sun, Jun 14, 2-5pm, Southfield. By The Southfield Parks & Garden Club Washington Heights Neighborhood. $10. Shuttle available. 248-356-2281, www.southfieldparksandgarden.org. H Willow Workshop 2015 Sun, Jun 14, Haslett. At Van Attas. $45-$300. Sign up to make anything from a plant stand to a willow bench with many projects in between. Register: 517-339-1142. 30th Anniversary Franklin Garden Tour Wed, Jun 17, 10am-4pm & 6-9pm, Franklin. By WNF&GA Franklin Branch at 6 private gardens. $15. Artisan market. Tickets: 2015franklingardenwalk.eventbrite.com, franklingardenclub.org. Rochester Garden Walk Thu, Jun 18, 10am-6pm, Rochester. By Rochester Garden Club at 6 private gardens & Rochester Hills Museum gardens. $16. Open Aire Market on museum grounds 10am-4pm. 248-656-4663. H Wine & Design: Herb Pallet-Planting Thu, Jun 18, 6:30-7:30pm, Haslett. At Van Atta’s. $35. Bring your own beer or wine & we’ll provide everything you’ll need to create a beautiful take-home project. Register: 517-339-1142. H Behind the Scenes at Hidden Lake Gardens Thu, Jun 18, 6:30pm, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $5. Bring your questions & learn a few tips from HLG’s Managing Director, Paul Pfeifer. www.hiddenlakegardens. msu.edu. Growing It Greener with Organics Free Class Sat, Jun 20, 11am, Southgate. At Ray Hunter Florist & Garden. FREE. Learn how to garden organically in your flower & vegetable gardens, lawn & landscape. 734-284-2500. Trenton Garden Walk Sat, Jun 20, 10am-4pm, Trenton. At 6 Trenton area gardens. $8. Garden marketplace. Advance tickets & locations: 734-281-6504. H Pond Maintenance Sat, Jun 20, 10-11am, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Workshop will focus on keeping optimal water quality in water gardens & koi ponds. Register: www.PondPlace.com. H DIY Brick Paver & Retaining Wall Seminar Sat, Jun 20, 10-11am, Orion. At Orion Stone Depot. FREE. Learn how to install a full patio or garden wall from the pros. Register: 248-391-2490. H Fairy “Make-&-Take” Workshop Sat, Jun 20, 11am-Noon or 3-4pm, Chelsea. At The Garden Mill. We will provide a container, soil, a fairy, & a selection of accessories. Space is limited. Register: 734-475-3539. H Faerie Clay Pot House Garden Sat, Jun 20, 10am-noon, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $89.75. Create a faerie house out of a 20” clay pot. www.HeavenlyScentHerbFarm.com, 810-629-9208. H Nature A-Z Preschool Classes Sat, Jun 20, 10:30am, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $8. Children ages 3-7 are invited to explore the natural world through songs & crafts. Register: 517-431-2060. H Landscape Design Sun, Jun 21, 1-3pm, Detroit. At Detroit Farm & Garden. FREE. Learn useful planting tips to help you create a beautiful & sustainable plan. 313-655-2344. Protect our Pollinator Day Sun, Jun 21, 1-3pm, Taylor. At Taylor Conservatory. FREE. Join us for a Sunday Funday learning about our pollinator friends in honor of National Pollinator Week. www.TaylorConservatory.org. 24th Annual Grosse Pointe Garden Tour Fri, Jun 26, 10am-4pm, Grosse Pointe. By Grosse Pointe Garden Center, Inc at 7 private gardens. $15. Tickets

available at Grosse Pointe War Memorial. 313-881-7511 ext. 206. 2015 Wayne Garden Walk “Through the Garden Gate” Sat, Jun 27, 9am-4pm, Wayne. By Wayne GC at 7 private gardens & Brenda’s Butterfly House. $10 at 1st Congregational Church. Advance tickets: Wayne Library & Barson’s. 734-722-9666. Crocker House Garden Walk & “All about GMOs” Garden Breakfast Sat, Jun 27, 9am-4pm, Mt. Clemens. At Crocker House. $15. Breakfast talk with Stephen Hulbert $10 with advance reservation. www.CrockerHouseMuseum.com. Register: 586-465-2488. Color Your Garden with Perennials Sat, Jun 27, 11am, Southgate. At Ray Hunter Florist & Garden. FREE. 734-284-2500. H Fairy Day Sat, Jun 27, 10am-4pm, Saline. At Nature’s Garden Center. Games, prizes, face painting, food & fun. www.NaturesGardenCenter.com. MGAGC Garden Tour 2015 Sun, Jun 28, 10am-5pm, Genesee County. By MGAGC at 9 local gardens. Self-guided garden tour starting in Flint & ending in Davison. GCgardentour.weebly.com, birdieball@aol.com. 20th Annual Trailwood Garden Walk Tue, Jun 30, Noon-8pm, Plymouth. By Trailwood Garden Club. $10. Tickets at Backyard Birds, Saxton’s, & Sideways. Master Gardeners available for questions. 734-459-5087.

248-978-2300 www.ecochiclandscape.com design@ecochiclandscape.com

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July H Cranbrook House & Gardens Tours Thu-Sun through Oct, Bloomfield Hills. At Cranbrook House & Gardens. Gardens FREE. House tours available for addt’l charge. 248-645-3149. HouseGardens. Cranbrook.edu. Whimsical Wonderland Garden Walk Wed, Jul 8, 9am-4pm, Northville. By Country Garden Club of Northville at 6 private gardens. $10. Proceeds support local, state & national non-profit organizations. www.cgcnv.org. Troy Garden Walk “Splashes & Flowers” Wed, Jul 8, 9:30am-3pm & 5-8:30pm, Troy. By Troy Garden Club at 8 private gardens & Troy Historic Village. $15. Arts & crafts boutique & plant sale. Rain or shine. 248-540-4249. Fairy Tale Flower Show Thu, Jul 9, 10am-8pm & Fri-Sat, Jul 10-11, 10am-4pm, Shelby Twp. By The Shelby Garden Club at Shelby Public Library. FREE. Fairy tales interpreted florally. 586-781-6742. Garden Tour Sat, Jul 11, 10am-4pm, St. Clair County. By Master Gardeners of St. Clair County at 7 county gardens. Plant sale & garden boutique. $15. www.mgoscc.org, alican@comcast. net. 586-914-4521. Eat Your Weeds! Sat, Jul 11, 10am-Noon, Ann Arbor. By Project Grow at Leslie Science & Nature Ctr. $5. Learn about tasty edible weeds. www.eventbrite.com/e/eat-your-weedstickets-16386623833. H Pond & Waterfall Design Sat, Jul 11, 10am-Noon, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Workshop will address the key issues associated with designing & building your own pond. Register: www.PondPlace.com. H Second Saturday Sunrise Series Sat, Jul 11, 15 Minutes before sunrise, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $10. Share 755 acres before the day begins. Limited space. Register: 517-431-2060. H Managing Land on a Large Scale Sat, Jul 11, 9:30am-Noon, Tipton. By The Grand-Raisin Cluster of The Stewardship Network at Hidden Lake Gardens. www.stewardshipnetwork.org/rc. continued on next page

EXCEPTIONAL SELECTION • HANDMADE ARRANGEMENTS BOUTIQUE WEDDING & EVENT FLOWERS

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Michigan Gardener | June 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from previous page

Look for Allen Park • Ace Hardware

Clawson • Ace Hardware Clinton Twp Almont • MSU Extension• American Tree Macomb Cty Ann Arbor H English Gardens • Dixboro General H Tropical Treasures Store • Michigan Koi H Matthaei Botanical Clio Gard H Downtown Home & H Piechnik’s Greenhse Gard Commerce Twp • Wild Birds Unltd • Zoner’s Greenhse H The Produce Station Davison • Ace Barnes HardH Wojo’s Garden ware (Washtenaw Splendors Ave) H Turner’s Greenhse/ Dearborn • Fairlane Gard Gard Ctr • Ace Hardware H Lodi Farms H Abbott’s Landscp Dearborn Hts H English Gardens Nurs • Ace Barnes Detroit Hardware (West H Detroit Farm & Gard Stadium) • Detroit Gard Ctr H English Gardens • Ace Hardware • Larry’s Mower Shop Dexter H HillTop Greenhse & H Fraleigh’s Nurs Farms H Bloom! Gard Ctr Auburn Hills • Dexter Mill • Drake’s Landscp & • Earth Art Nurs Eastpointe H State Crushing H English Gardens • Ace Hardware H Drew’s Garden H Oakland Community Farmington Hills College H Steinkopf Nurs H Haley Stone • Saxton’s Flower Ctr Belleville • Ace Hardware H Zywicki Greenhse • Weingartz • Banotai Greenhse Fenton H Pinter Flowerland • Gerych’s • Gardeners Choice H Heavenly Scent Berkley Herb Farm • Garden Central Ferndale Beverly Hills • Casual Modes • Ace Hardware Home & Gard Birmingham Flat Rock H Blossoms • Masserant’s • Plant Station Feed Store Brighton Fostoria H Nature’s Home & H The Iron Barn Gard Fowlerville H Meier Flowerland H Arrowhead Alpines • Leppek Nurs Gladwin H Beauchamp Landscp H Stone Cottage Supp Gardens Brownstown Twp Grand Blanc H Ruhlig Farms & Gard H The Weed Lady • Raupp Bros Landscp Grand Rapids Supp • Meijer Gardens Canton Grosse Ile • Wild Birds Unltd H Westcroft Gardens • Canton Floral Grosse Pointe Gardens • Allemon’s • Crimboli Nurs Landscp Ctr • Clink Landscp & • Meldrum Nurs & Smith Nurs Chelsea Grosse Pointe Shores H The Garden Mill • Edsel & Eleanor Ford • The Potting Shed House • Heim Grosse Pointe Woods Gardens & Florist H Wild Birds Unltd Chesterfield Hadley • Van Thomme’s H Le Fleur Décor Greenhses Haslett Clarkston H Van Atta’s Greenhse • Ace Hardware (Sashabaw) Highland • The Birdfeeder • Colasanti’s • Lowrie’s Landscp Produce & Plants H The Pond Source H One Stop Landscp • Ace Hardware Supp (Dixie Hwy) • Five Star • Weingartz Ace Hardware • Country Oaks • Fragments Landscp Supp I • Ace Hardware

at these fine locations: Howell H Specialty Growers • Wilczewski Greenhses H Howell Farmer’s Mkt Imlay City H Earthly Arts Lake OrionH Wojo’s of Lake Orion • Lake Orion Lawn Ornaments H Orion Stone Depot Livonia • Valley Nurs H George’s Livonia Gard • Ace Hardware (6 Mi/Newburgh) • Ace Hardware (5 Mi/Middlebelt) • Superior Growers Supp • Bushel Mart Macomb • Ace Hardware • Boyka’s Greenhse • Olejnik Farms • Altermatt’s Greenhse H Landscape Source H Elya’s Village Gard Midland • Dow Gardens Milford H The Pond Place • Ace Hardware Monroe H The Flower Market New Baltimore H Meldrum Bros Nurs New Boston H Gorham & Sons Nurs H Grass Roots Nurs • Mums the Word New Hudson H Milarch Nurs North Branch H Campbell’s Greenhses H Oldani Landscp Nurs Northville • Begonia Bros (near downtown) • Gardenviews • Begonia Bros Novi • Glenda’s Gard Ctr • Ace Hardware • Wild Birds Unltd Oak Park • Four Seasons Gard Ctr • Ace Hardware Oakland H Piechnik’s Garden Gate Ortonville H Wojo’s Greenhse • Country Oaks Landscp Supp II Owosso H Everlastings in the Wildwood Plymouth • Rock Shoppe H Plymouth Nurs • Lucas Nurs • Sparr’s Greenhse • Backyard Birds • Sideways • Plymouth Rock & Supp

Pontiac • Goldner Walsh Gard/Home Ray • Heritage Oaks Design RedfordH Pinter Flowerland • Seven Mi Gard Ctr Rochester • Casual Concepts • Fogler’s Greenhse • Sherwood Forest Gard Ctr Rochester Hills H Haley Stone H Shades of Green Nurs • Wild Birds Unltd • Ace Hardware H Auburn Oaks Gard Ctr Romulus H Kurtzhal’s Farms H Schwartz’s Greenhse H Schoedel’s Nurs Roseville • Dale’s Landscp Supp • World Gardenland Royal Oak H English Gardens H Button’s Rent It • La Roche • Ace Hardware • Frentz & Sons Hardware • Billings Lawn Equip • Wild Birds Unltd • Manus Power Mowers Saginaw H Abele Greenhse & Gard Ctr Salem Twp H Willow Greenhses Saline H Nature’s Gard Ctr H Saline Flowerland • Junga’s Ace Hardware Shelby Twp H Telly’s Greenhse H Hessell’s Greenhses • Diegel Greenhses • Potteryland • Maeder Plant Farm South Lyon • Stone Depot Landscp Supp • Mike’s Garden • Ace Hardware • Hollow Oak Farm Nurs Southfield • Eagle Landscp & Supp • Lavin’s Flower Land • 3 DDD’s Stand • Main’s Landscp Supp Southgate H Ray Hunter Gard Ctr St Clair Shores • Ace Hardware (Harper/13 Mi) • Circare • Ace Hardware (Harper/Martin) • Hall’s Nurs • Soulliere Gard Ctr • Greenhouse Growers

Sterling Hts • Flower Barn Nurs • Decor Statuette • Prime Landscp Supp H Eckert’s Greenhse Stockbridge • Gee Farms Sylvan Lake H Detroit Garden Works H AguaFina Gardens Interntl Taylor H Beautiful Ponds & Gard • D&L Garden Ctr • Massab Acres H Panetta’s Landscp Supp Trenton • Keck Hardware • Carefree Lawn Ctr Troy H Telly’s Greenhse H Uncle Luke’s Feed Store • The Home & Gard Shop Utica • Stonescape Supp • Dale’s Landscp Supp • Weingartz Warren H Young’s Garden Mart • Garden Center Nurs • Beste’s Lawn & Patio Washington • United Plant Ctr H Rocks ‘n’ Roots • Landscape Direct • Miller’s Big Red Greenhse Waterford • Breen’s Landscp Supp • Jacobsen’s Flowers H Merrittscape • Ace Hardware West Bloomfield • Planterra H English Gardens • Whole Foods Westland H Barsons Greenhses • Panetta’s Landscp Supp • Merlino’s Bushel Ctr • Ace Hardware • Bushel Stop • Joe Randazzo’s Nurs White Lake • Sunshine Plants H Bogie Lake Greenhse H Mulligan’s Gard Ctr Whitmore Lake H Alexander’s Greenhses Williamston • Christian’s Greenhse Wixom • Angelo’s Landscp Supp • Brainer’s Greenhse Ypsilanti • Lucas Nurs • Margolis Nurs • Materials Unlimited • Schmidt’s Antiques • Coleman’s Farm Mkt

H Pond Construction Sat, Jul 11, 1-3pm, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Optional hands-on experience building an 11’ x 16’ pond with stream, waterfall & bog. Register: www.PondPlace.com. H LACASA’s Garden Tour Weekend Sat, Jul 11, & Sun, Jul 12, 9am-4pm, Livingston Co. By LACASA. $15 advance tickets. $20 at entrance. Scavenger hunt, blooming raffle, original botanical art t-shirts & garden strolling. All proceeds benefit abused children & victims of interpersonal violence. www.lacasacenter.org. H Nature Hike Sat, Jul 11, 10:30am, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $5. Enjoy a family-friendly hike on Hidden Lake Garden’s many rolling & wooded trails. Register: hiddenlakegardens.msu. edu. East Side, West Side Gardens Sun, Jul 12, 11am-4pm, Belleville. By Belleville Area District Library at 5 private gardens. $12. Garden marketplace. 734-699-3291, www.belleville.lib.mi.us. 12th Annual Tea Thyme in the Garden Sun, Jul 12, Lapeer. By Lapeer County Master Gardener Association at The Display Garden on Suncrest. Annual fundraiser for the Display Garden. 810-667-1994. Open Gate Garden Club Summer Tour Sun, Jul 12, 10am-5pm, Fenton. By Fenton Open Gate Garden Club at 7 private gardens. $10. Gardeners on hand to answer questions & much more. www.opengategardenclubgardentour.com. A Walk with Flowers & Friends Wed, Jul 15, Charlevoix. By Charlevoix Area Garden Club at 6 private area gardens. $15. Ticket information: 231-547-2119, navar@torchlake.com. Clarkston Garden Walk Wed, Jul 15, Noon-8pm, Clarkston. By Clarkston Farm & Garden Club at 6 private gardens & Clarkston Independence District Library grounds. Tickets: www.clarkstongardenclub.org. Lunch with Flowers & Friends Wed, Jul 15, Charlevoix. By Charlevoix Area Garden Club at Castle Farms. $25. Dazzling floral arrangements & catering by Staffords Weathervane. Register: 989-859-1666. H Wine & Design: Make a Miniature Garden & Accessories Thu, Jul 16, 6:30-7:30pm, Haslett. At Van Atta’s. $30. Bring your own beer or wine & we’ll provide everything you’ll need to create a beautiful take-home project. Register: 517-339-1142. H Behind the Scenes at Hidden Lake Gardens Thu, Jul 16, 6:30pm, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $5. Bring your questions & learn a few tips from HLG’s Managing Director, Paul Pfeifer. www.hiddenlakegardens. msu.edu. H Nature A-Z Preschool Series Sat, Jul 18, 10:30am, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $8. Children ages 3-7 are invited to explore the natural world through songs & crafts. Register: 517-431-2060. H DIY Brick Paver & Retaining Wall Seminar Sat, Jul 18, 10-11am, Orion. At Orion Stone Depot. FREE. Learn how to install a full patio or garden wall from the pros. Register: 248-391-2490. H Pond Construction Sat, Jul 18, 1-3pm, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Optional hands-on experience building an 11’ x 16’ pond with stream, waterfall & bog. Register: www.PondPlace.com. H Ephemeral Art With Nature Sat, Jul 18, Noon, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $10. Multimedia artist Lorenzo Cristaudo will lead participants in developing art objects with natural materials. Register: 517-431-2060. H Pond & Waterfall Design Sat, Jul 18, 10am-Noon, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Workshop will address the key issues associated with designing & building your own pond. Register: www. PondPlace.com. Art in the Gardens Open House at Tollgate Sat, Jul 18, 10am-3pm, Novi. At Tollgate Farm. FREE. Over a dozen gardens on display, tours, presentations, artists & more. Tollgate.msu.edu/programs, 248-347-3860. Kimchi Making Class Sat, Jul 18, 1-3pm, Ann Arbor. By Project Grow at Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living. $10. Make kimchi, a traditional fermented Korean dish. www.ProjectGrowGardens.org.

H The Garden Cruise Sun, Jul 19, 9am-4:30pm, Metro Detroit. By Detroit Garden Works & The Greening of Detroit. Tour Only: $35/person, tour & cocktail reception: $50/person. 248-335-8089. H Medicinal Herbs Sun, Jul 19, 1-3pm, Detroit. At Detroit Farm & Garden. FREE. This is an introductory class that will touch on many different aspects of herbalism. 313-655-2344. The Birds in our Backyards Tue, Jul 21, 6:30pm, Rochester. By The Rochester Garden Club at Van Hoosen Farm. Learn about bird habitat, behavior, songs & how to help their survival. www.RochesterGardenClub.org. H Pond Maintenance Sat, Jul 25, 10-11am, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Workshop will focus on keeping optimal water quality in water gardens & koi ponds. Register: www.PondPlace.com. Inspirations Garden Tour Sat, Jul 25, 9am-4pm, Harrison Twp. By Harrison Twp. Beautification Commission at 8 private gardens. $15. Ticket pick-up at Tucker Senior Ctr. Pre-sale VIP tickets available. 586-242-3868. H Tecumseh District Library Night at Hidden Lake Gardens Tue, Jul 28, 7-9pm, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. FREE for TDL cardholders. Come see hostas, conifers, bonsai as you stroll through the Conservatory. 517-423-2238.

August H Children’s Garden Day Sat, Aug 1, 11am-3pm, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. 517-431-2060. H MSU Garden Day Sat, Aug 1, 8am-4:15pm, East Lansing. At MSU Horticulture Gardens. $86.50. Author Rick Darke presents 2 keynote presentations. Includes 2 workshops of your choice, book signing, parking, lunch, materials & access to the Marketplace. www.hrt.msu.edu/garden-day-2015. H Tour of Bader Acres in Howell Tue, Aug 11, 10am, Howell. By APG at Bader Acres. $15. www.AssociationOfProfessionalGardeners.org, 248-375-9233. H Wine & Design: Unique Fall Container Garden Thu, Aug 13, 6:30-7:30pm, Haslett. At Van Atta’s. $35. Bring your own beer or wine & we’ll provide everything you’ll need to create a beautiful take-home project. Register: 517-339-1142. H Fermentation Sun, Aug 16, 1-3pm, Detroit. At Detroit Farm & Garden. FREE. We will discuss basic fermenting & there will be a hands on fermenting project. 313-655-2344.

September H Cranbrook House & Gardens Tours Thu-Sun through Oct, Bloomfield Hills. At Cranbrook House & Gardens. Gardens FREE. House tours available for addt’l charge. 248-645-3149. HouseGardens.Cranbrook.edu. Annual Dahlia Show Sun, Sep 6, Ann Arbor. By Michigan Dahlia Association at Washtenaw Community College. Annual Dahlia show in conjunction with Midwest show. 734-429-5796. H Pond Construction Sat, Sep 12, 1-3pm, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Optional hands-on experience building an 11’ x 16’ pond with stream, waterfall & bog. Register: www.PondPlace.com. H Pond & Waterfall Design Sat, Sep 12, 10am-Noon, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Workshop will address the key issues associated with designing & building your own pond. Register: www.PondPlace.com. H Wine & Design: Fall Door Hanging Thu, Sep 17, 6:30-7:30pm, Haslett. At Van Atta’s. $30. Bring your own beer or wine & we’ll provide everything you’ll need to create a beautiful take-home project. Register: 517-339-1142. H Algae & Weed Control for Large Earthen Bottom Ponds Sat, Sep 19, Noon-1pm, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Workshop will focus on the methods of controlling algae in small lakes & large ponds. Register: www.PondPlace.com. H The Art of Bonsai Sun, Sep 20, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. Celebrate our Bonsai collection. 517-431-2060. H Compost Sun, Sep 20, 1-3pm, Detroit. At Detroit Farm & Garden. FREE. We will cover different composting methods, materials for composting & ways to manage your pile. 313-655-2344.

MichiganGardener.com | June 2015 | Michigan Gardener

getting to know... Flowering Dogwoods Ornamental dogwood trees are well deserving of the title “choice specimen.” Naturally growing as an understory tree amongst large dominating canopies, the dogwood offers unique characteristics to American gardeners. Thomas Jefferson so cherished dogwoods that he planted them throughout his Virginia estate. Suburbanites’ love for dogwoods began in the latter half of the 20th century with varieties that were proven performers. When placed in semi-shaded areas resembling their natural habitat, they accented landscapes with a beautiful, long-lasting spring flower show, often replacing delicate cherry trees and old-time crabapples that were cursed for their leaf dropping due to excessive apple scab disease infections. But the benefits don’t stop there. Dogwoods have a beautiful branch pattern and they do not intrude upon other plant boundaries as some other species do, making them tame and polite for all to gaze upon. Landscapers find them easy to transport, install, and establish without much extra effort and attention. Aside from the beautiful spring color show, homeowners enjoy an array of birds that seek out its berries.

Westcroft Gardens PLANT NURSERY

ers. When high humidity occurs during the summer months, this disease is much more pronounced. In cooler weather, however, some may not even notice its presence. To the lay person it appears the dogwood tree just needs to be lightly trimmed of all the dead branch tips and one would think that is just a normal task required by this tree. That is not the case; the tree has anthracnose disease. Extreme summer infections cause the leaves to curl in odd ways, making them look unattractive. Dogwoods planted in late afternoon, full sun exposure tend to be the most prone to anthracnose infection.

Come visit the oldest farm in Michigan still owned and operated by the same family, established 1776

Call us to reserve our gardens for your wedding, party or special event

21803 W. River Rd., Grosse Ile 734-676-2444 www.westcroftgardens.com

Addressing anthracnose disease on dogwoods

Spraying fungicides will help reduce some infections depending on your situation. But what I believe to be the best solution involves an organic answer combined with a soil-injected fungicide. You might wonder, why not use organics alone and avoid any and all pesticide use? You can try that and you will see improvements by applying organic seaweed kelp to the root system, completely saturating the entire area under the tree’s drip line. The best time to do so is early spring. Kelp Disease problems arise adds beneficial organisms that reSo what could go wrong with duce pH and improve the plant’s upthis choice specimen? As our desire take of nutrients like iron. It doubles grew stronger for new color choices the leaves’ size which really helps the and cultivars, one species was espe- Steve tree produce its own sugars faster, cially hard hit: our native flowering Martinko thereby flushing more flowers and dogwood (Cornus florida). Many foliage. Most importantly, it causes will recognize it as having pink flowers and the leaf tissue to thicken, which increases the rough-barked trunks compared to the newer plant’s natural defense by preventing bactevarieties which have smooth trunks. Their ria and fungi to enter through the leaf’s sursize is also slightly larger, along with a wider face. It also increases hair and follicles which canopy. When other varieties were introkeep moisture elevated off the leaf surface so duced, so were newer strains of disease. spores can’t easily infect a plant. Yes, you want Anthracnose disease used to be a minor nuiyour leaves to be hairy. sance for our native dogwoods but the newer Over many years of testing ideas I have strains of this disease brought in from Asia found that kelp works very well. With some caused more serious infections. Asia generally varieties and extreme cases, I also discovered receives more rainfall on average than we do. the need to apply a biological fungicide to inSo the anthracnose spores developed a differternally control anthracnose that has already ent, more intense strain of anthracnose fungi. infected a dogwood tree. Even though the Over time, the Asian species developed their fungicide is safe and is naturally-occurring, it own natural immune defenses. However, as we is still classified as a pesticide because it goes have seen many times in recent years, an introthrough manufacturing and EPA testing is duction from another country can have hidden in place to ensure its safety. It is non-toxic to challenges to our native trees and shrubs. crops and does not translocate into the berries Anthracnose is observed on the leaves as where birds could come into contact with it. purplish splotches that turn grayish black Will we be able to completely fix flowering as the season progresses. During the winter dogwoods? Probably not, but feasible solumonths the disease hibernates within the tions are available so that we may continue to stem tissue, causing dieback in the spring. enjoy these beloved ornamental trees. Fortunately, our dogwoods are able to grow past it and survive. The unsightliness and Steve Martinko is the owner of Contender’s Tree tip dieback is what concerns many tree ownand Lawn Specialists in Oakland County, MI.

Trees • Shrubs • Herbs Perennials • Annuals Vegetables • Azaleas Rhododendrons Botanical Gardens Farmers Market • Halloween Rides

Since 1919

FLORIST & GARDEN Proven Winners Select Hanging Baskets & Planters • Annuals • Perennials Great selection of Weeks Roses • Garden Statuary & Accents • Flowering shrubs

June is Perennial & Rose Month!

Great selection of Hydrangeas too!

We have loads of fabulous perennials to brighten your garden year after year. Come check out our rose selection, from Shrub Roses to Hybrid Teas to the popular Knock Out and Drift series.

16153 Eureka, Southgate, MI 48195 • 734-284-2500 www.rayhuntergardenshop.com • Mon-Sat 9-7 Sun 10-5

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The Gateway Garden of New World Plants is an entrance to all of the other display gardens at Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor. It is an introduction to the diverse flora of the Americas, and includes both wild species and modern selections.

Michigan Gardener | June 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

Plants, Nature, and Learning A visit to Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor will leave you inspired and enriched

here is something for everyone at Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor. From a children’s garden to a grown-up solar project home; perennial gardens with a riot of color to a calming labyrinth; and solitary hiking and birding trails to public exhibits or classes.

A little history In 1854, a University of Michigan map shows a proposed botanical garden, although it was discussed as far back as 1817 when the university charter was written. Eventually, in 1907, the University of Michigan Botanical Garden and Arboretum was established in the Department of Botany. The decision to relocate the botanical gardens to the present site was made in 1957. Two hundred acres were donated by Frederick and Mildred Matthaei Sandie and additional land was purchased by the university. Parrott Architect Alden B. Dow designed the complex of buildings. The botanical garden was dedicated in 1962 and was renamed Matthaei Botanical Gardens in 1967. Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum were combined as one unit within the university in 2004. The garden and arboretum celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2007. Today, a long-term master plan for the gardens continues to be executed.

Changes to the garden “In recent years, we have chosen to group most of our display gardens around our building complex, where we could make them accessible, protect them from deer (within a deer fence) and concentrate our maintenance activities. Surrounding these gardens is a network of trails along Fleming Creek and a mosaic of fields and wooded areas,” described Bob Grese, the Director. Also included are multiple display gardens, a labyrinth, children’s garden, and woodland wildflower garden. The progress continues. In 2013 the Bonsai and Penjing Garden officially opened. A collection of over 70 trees beginning in 1977 were mostly kept behind the scenes. As Grese explained, “Before the garden opened, we were able to display only a few trees at a time in the Temperate House of the conservatory. With the new garden we can display many more, with space left over for staff and volunteers to work on trees in view of the public and during events such as the annual Ann Arbor Bonsai Society Show and Sale held at Matthaei.” The difference between bonsai and penjing is a subtle one. Penjing predates bonsai and is Chinese. However, the Japanese popularized bonsai, especially in America. Both Asian terms relate to a miniature plant that is grown and artistically trained

The fruit of the chocolate tree (Theobroma cacao) contains seeds (cocoa beans) that are the source of chocolate. They are delicate understory plants that flourish in a band 20 degrees north and south of the equator. The seeds are very bitter and must be ground and sweetened before being edible.

MichiganGardener.com | June 2015 | Michigan Gardener

The knot garden is a showy, formal garden that displays herb and medicinal plants. The knot’s shapes, paths and trimmed plants are very symmetrical and balanced.

The Wollemi pine is one of the world’s oldest plants (dating back to dinosaur times), yet was only discovered in 1994. “It was recently made available to botanical gardens around the world as part of a strategy for conserving it,” explained Matthaei Director Bob Grese. Find out more at www. wollemipine.com.

Entering the conservatory’s Tropical House, you will see a pool containing red mangrove, rice and tropical water lilies. A guava tree is on the right side of the pool.

in a mobile pot. In bonsai this can be a flower, tree, shrub or vegetable. Penjing (meaning “a pot with landscape”) is more of a miniature view of an imagined natural area, including rocks, proportional figurines, and representatives of water or structures. It is sometimes called three-dimensional painting. Scheduled to open in 2015 next to the conservatory, the Medicinal Garden will celebrate the P H OTO S BY connection between health and medicine S A N D I E PA R R OT T in the past and present. It will continue the university involvement in medicine from the first documented garden on campus which was partly a pharmaceutical garden. Traditionally, medical and pharmacy students also had rigorous coursework in botany as a routine part of their training. Plants will be arranged in the garden by human organ systems (e.g., cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal) and by condition (e.g., infectious disease, diabetes, cancer). For each group of plants, a well-known drug will be featured, such as aspirin, which was derived from the bark of the white willow (Salix alba). Another somewhat recent addition was the Campus Farm in 2012. It is small at one acre, but was added as a teaching space and to bring the university up to speed on sustainability. An undergraduate class looked at the feasibility of a farm. Students found that low startup costs, abundant space, and successful farms at peer institutions supported the establishment of a university farm. Graduate students in the School of Natural Resources and Environment made the farm a reality. continued on next page

Michigan Gardener | June 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

The MiSo solar-powered house was built by university students and employs passive energy methods and zeroenergy consumption strategies. It includes major living areas and is open seasonally on weekends. continued from previous page

Recent amazing blooms Did you miss the flowering of the voodoo lily (Amorphophallus konjac) in 2013 or the 80-year-old agave plant (Agave americana) in 2014? Here’s the story. Grown from a bulb, the voodoo lily (aka devil’s tongue) blossomed in March 2013. This is a gigantic, beautiful, shortblooming flower. It is prized for the gorgeous bloom, but not the scent, which resembles rotting meat the entire three days the flower is open. The variegated American agave was collected back in 1934—ironically, in Mexico—by a botany department graduate student. It has been in the collection ever since. Director Grese said, “In April 2014, a volunteer with the Michigan Cactus and Succulent Society noticed a flower stalk poking up from the center of the plant. Over the next 2-1/2 months the stalk grew, sometimes as much as six inches a day. The stalk was often described as an asparagus spear on steroids. In fact, the agave is in the asparagus family. The stalk reached the conservatory ceiling, at which time workers removed a pane of glass from the roof to allow the flower stalk to continue growing. Thousands of visitors came to see the plant that waited 80 years to bloom. The agave finished blooming by September. Staff at the gardens waited patiently for the plant to produce seeds, bulbils, or “pups,” which are genetically identical to the parent plant.” Unfortunately, after blooming, the parent plant will die. Admission to the Matthaei Botanical Garden’s conservatory, display gardens, and trails is free. There is just a nominal fee for parking. Check their website for seasonal hours. This low cost makes your visit a great value, while the fabulous facility and gardens bring much pleasure.

Tucked behind the conservatory, the perennial display garden is filled with many popular perennials.

Sandie Parrott is a Master Gardener who writes, blogs and gardens in her corner of Oakland County, Michigan.

V Website Extra Go to MichiganGardener.com and click on “Website Extras” for: • Photos of the 80-year-old agave bloom rising through the conservatory roof • An example of penjing

This native grass is commonly known as purple lovegrass (Eragrostis spectabilis). It develops purple seed heads in late summer which gradually fade to tan, break off and blow around like tumbleweeds. It tolerates a range of soils, but is found on sterile, sandy soils in the wild,” explained Director Bob Grese.

through the lens Photographs from Michigan gardeners at home and traveling

A CALL FOR PHOTOS! 1. E-mail us 1 or 2 of your best garden photos. Be sure to send us the full-resolution file. 2. Tell us where the photo was taken. 3. Include a one-sentence caption describing the scene and the plants. We are looking for photos of your garden, public gardens, and plant close-ups. E-mail them to: photos@ MichiganGardener.com. If your photo is published, we’ll award you with a free one-year subscription to Michigan Gardener.

Gunther Schabestiel captured this foliage combination in his garden of bamboo, hosta and variegated euonymus.

Robert Davis shot this dramatic image of roses along side his garage.

Matt Huff says, “I thought I’d shot a hummingbird on the butterfly bush, but when I saw it larger-than-life on a computer screen I realized it was a hummingbird moth.”

Michigan Gardener | June 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

A collection of stores and gardens to shop and visit. Please call ahead for hours, as they may vary from season to season.

eastpointe Columbiaville, Davison

Bay City, Burton, Clio, Gladwin, Midland, Saginaw

North Branch

Lapeer

Emmett

Lennon

Port Huron

Hadley Dryden

Grand Blanc

Flint

Bancroft, Owosso

Lakeport

Imlay City

Flushing

Metamora

H English Gardens 22501 Kelly Rd, MI 48021 586-771-4200 www.EnglishGardens.com H Drew’s Garden

farmington hills Angelo’s Landscp Supp Farmer John’s Greenhse Loeffler Stone Ctr H Steinkopf Nurs

Almont

fenton Gerych’s Flowers/Gift Fenton

Oxford

Ortonville

Addison Twp.

Orion

Hartland

Holly White Lake Waterford

White Lake Highland

East Lansing, Fowlerville, Grand Rapids, Haslett, Lansing, Mason, Williamston

Commerce

New Hudson South Lyon

Whitmore Lake

Novi Northville

Bloomfield Hills Birmingham

West Bloomfield

Farmington Hills Farmington

Wayne

Sterling Hts.

Southfield Oak Park Ferndale

Dearborn Dearborn Heights

Ypsilanti

Taylor Belleville

Romulus

Saline New Boston

Tipton

Troy

Eastpointe

Grosse Pointes

Detroit

Canton

Tecumseh

Brownstown Twp.

Southgate Trenton Grosse Ile

La Salle, Monroe

enhanced listing 4-line listing with your: • Business name • Address • Phone • Website or E-mail

premium listing 4-line listing PLUS highlighting: • Business name • Address • Phone • Website or E-mail

please contact us for info: publisher@ MichiganGardener.com 248-594-5563

H Denotes MG Advertiser almont American Tree

ann arbor H Abbott’s Nurs H Downtown Home/Gard H English Gardens 155 N. Maple Rd, MI 48103 734-332-7900 www.EnglishGardens.com H HillTop Greenhse/Farms H Lodi Farms H The Produce Station H Turner’s Greenhse/Garn Ctr Wild Birds Unltd

auburn hills Drake’s Landscp & Nurs H Haley Stone 3600 Lapeer Rd., MI 48326 248-276-9300 www.haleystone.net H State Crushing

bancroft Grand Oak Herb Farm

bay city H Begick Nursery & Garden Ctr 5993 Westside Saginaw Rd., 48706 989-684-4210 www.begicknursery.com

belleville Banotai Greenhse Gardeners Choice H Pinter Flowerland H Zywicki Greenhse

brighton H Beauchamp Landscp Supp Bordine’s Brighton Farmer’s Mkt Cowbell Lawn/Gard Leppek Nurs H Meier Flowerland H Nature’s Home & Garden Ctr

brownstown twp Bruce’s Pond Shop Raupp Brothers Gard Ctr H Ruhlig Farms & Gard H Walker Farms & Greenhouse 5253 E. Atherton Rd., MI 48519 810-743-0260 www.walkersfarm.com

canton Canton Floral Gardens Clink Nurs Crimboli Nurs H Wild Birds Unltd

cement city Hallson Gardens

chelsea

bloomfield hills

H Garden Mill 110 S. Main St., MI 48118 734-475-3539 www.thegardenmill.com

Backyard Birds

The Potting Shed

birmingham

chesterfield

berkley Garden Central

H Blossoms 33866 Woodward Ave, MI 48009 248-644-4411 www.blossomsbirmingham.com Plant Station Tiffany Florist

clinton twp H English Gardens 44850 Garfield Rd, MI 48038 586-286-6100 www.EnglishGardens.com Michigan Koi H Tropical Treasures

clio H Piechnik’s Grnhse & Gdn Ctr 13172 McCumsey Rd, MI 48420 810-686-9211 www.cliogreenhouse.com

burton

Want to advertise your local business in Places to Grow? 2 options: You have 2 options:

flushing

Clinton Twp.

Westland

Ann Arbor

Masserant’s Feed Store

New Baltimore

Utica

Livonia Redford

Dexter

Manchester

flat rock

Macomb

St. Clair Berkley Roseville Shores Madison Royal Oak Heights Warren

Plymouth

Cement City, Chelsea, Grass Lake, Jackson, Stockbridge

ferndale Casual Modes Home/Gard

Shelby Twp.

Auburn Hills

Walled Lake Wixom Brighton

Rochester Hills

Pontiac

Milford

Ray

Rochester

Sylvan Lake Howell

Washington

Oakland

Clarkston

H Heavenly Scent Herb Farm 13730 White Lake Rd., MI 48430 810-629-9208 www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com

columbiaville Hilltop Barn

commerce twp Zoner’s Greenhse

davison H Wojo’s Gard Splendors 7360 E. Court St., MI 48423 810-658-9221 www.wojos.com

dearborn Fairlane Gardens

dearborn heights H English Gardens 22650 Ford Rd, MI 48127 313-278-4433 www.EnglishGardens.com

detroit H Detroit Farm and Garden 1759 21st St., MI 48216 313-655-2344 www.detroitfarmandgarden.com

fowlerville H Arrowhead Alpines

gladwin H Stone Cottage Gardens 3740 W. Willford Rd., MI 48624 989-426-2919 www.stonecottagegardens.com

H Howell Farmer’s Market Dwntn Howell @ State & Clinton Sts. 517-546-3920 www.howell.org/19.html Penrose Nurs H Specialty Growers 4330 Golf Club Rd., MI 48843 517-546-7742 www.specialtygrowers.net Wilczewski Greenhses

imlay city H Earthly Arts Greenhse

jackson The Hobbit Place

lake orion Lake Orion Lawn Orn H Orion Stone Depot H Wojo’s of Lake Orion 559 S. Lapeer Rd, MI 48362 248-690-7435 www.wojos.com

lapeer H The Iron Barn

lasalle Fowler’s Gift Shop

lennon Krupps Novelty Shop

livonia Bushel Mart H George’s Livonia Gard Superior Growers Supp Valley Nurs

grand blanc

macomb

Bordine’s

Altermatt Greenhses Boyka’s Greenhse Deneweth’s Garden Ctr H Elya’s Village Gardens H Landscape Source Joe Randazzo’s Nurs Olejnik Farms Wade Nurs Wiegand’s Nursery

H The Weed Lady 9225 Fenton Rd., MI 48439 810-655-2723 www.theweedlady.com

grass lake H Designs by Judy Florist & Grnhse 3250 Wolf Lake Rd., MI 49240 517-522-5050 www.designsbyjudyflowers.com

manchester McLennan Nurs

grosse ile

mason

H Westcroft Gardens 21803 West River Rd., MI 18138 734-676-2444 www.westcroftgardens.com

Wildtype Nurs

grosse pointe

Milford Gardens H The Pond Place

Allemon’s Landscp Ctr Meldrum & Smith Nurs

grosse pointe woods H Wild Birds Unltd

hadley

metamora Gilling’s Nurs

milford monroe H The Flower Market

new baltimore H Meldrum Bros Nurs

H Le Fleur Décor 3442 Hadley Rd., MI 48440 586-495-4076 Find us on Facebook

new boston

Eastern Market

hartland

dexter

Deneweth’s Garden Ctr

new hudson

H Bloom! Gard Ctr 1885 Baker Rd., MI 48130 734-426-6600 www.bloom-gardens.com Dexter Mill

clarkston

H Fraleighs Landscape Nursery 8600 Jackson Rd., MI 48130 734-426-5067 www.fraleighs.com

Bordine’s Country Oaks Landscp I Lowrie’s Landscp H The Pond Source

H Guthrie Gardens 870 N. Lima Center Rd., MI 48130 734-475-8898 Open Fri/Sat, please call for hours

Van Thomme’s Greenhses

H Flushing Lawn & Garden Ctr 114 Terrace St., MI 48433 810-659-6241 www.unclelukes.com

howell

H Gorham & Sons Nurs H Grass Roots Nurs Mums the Word

Christian’s Greenhse H Van Atta’s Greenhse

H Milarch Nursery 28500 Haas Rd., MI 48165 248-437-2094 www.milarchnursery.com

highland

north branch

haslett

Colasanti’s Produce/Plant Fragments Highland Garden Ctr H One Stop Landscp Supp

H Campbell’s Greenhouses H Oldani Landscape Nurseries 2666 Tozer Rd., MI 48461 810-688-2363 www.oldanilandscapenurseries.com

northville Begonia Brothers Gardenviews H Willow Greenhouses

MichiganGardener.com | June 2015 | Michigan Gardener

novi Glenda’s Gard Ctr H Wild Birds Unltd

oak park Four Seasons Gard Ctr

oakland H Piechnik’s Garden Gate 1095 N. Rochester Rd., MI 48363 586-336-7200 www.cliogreenhouse.com

ortonville Country Oaks Landscp II H Wojo’s Greenhse 2570 Oakwood Rd., MI 48462 248-627-6498 www.wojos.com

owosso H Everlastings in Wildwood

oxford Candy Cane Xmas Trees Oxford Farm/Gard

plymouth Backyard Birds Graye’s Greenhse Lucas Nurs H Plymouth Nursery 9900 Plymouth Rd., MI 48170 734-453-5500 www.plymouthnursery.net Plymouth Rock & Supp Rock Shoppe Sparr’s Greenhse

pontiac Goldner Walsh Gard/Home H Telly’s at Goldner Walsh 559 Orchard Lake Rd., MI 48341 248-724-2300 www.tellys.com

ray Van’s Valley Greenhse

redford H Pinter Flowerland Seven Mi Gard Ctr

rochester Fogler’s Greenhse Sherwood Forest Gard Ctr

rochester hills H Auburn Oaks Garden Ctr 3820 W. Auburn Rd, MI 48309 248-852-2310 www.auburnoaksnursery.com Bordine’s H Haley Stone 3975 S. Rochester Rd., MI 48307 248-852-5511 www.haleystone.net H Shades of Green Nurs H Wild Birds Unltd

romulus

H Telly’s Greenhouse 4343 24 Mile, MI 48316 248-659-8555 www.tellys.com

south lyon Hollow Oak Farm Nurs Mike’s Garden Stone Depot Landscp Supp H Tuthill Farms

southfield 3 DDD’s Stand Eagle Landscp/Supp Lavin’s Flower Land Main’s Landscp Supp

trenton Carefree Lawn Ctr

troy H Telly’s Greenhouse 3301 John R Rd., MI 48083 248-689-8735 www.tellys.com H Uncle Luke’s Feed Store 6691 Livernois Rd., MI 48098 248-879-9147 www.unclelukes.com

Block’s Stand/Greenhse H Kurtzhals’ Farms H Schoedel’s Nurs

southgate

Dale’s Landscp Supp Stonescape Supp

H Ray Hunter Gard Ctr

walled lake

H Schwartz’s Greenhouse 30705 Sibley Rd., MI 48174 734-753-9269 www.schwartzgreenhouse.com

Greenhouse Growers Hall’s Nurs Soulliere Gard Ctr

roseville Dale’s Landscp Supp World Gardenland

royal oak Billings Lawn Equip H Button’s Rent-It 1126 S. Washington Ave., MI 48067 248-542-5835 www.buttonsrentit.com H English Gardens 4901 Coolidge Hwy, MI 48073 248-280-9500 www.EnglishGardens.com H Wild Birds Unltd

saginaw H Abele Grnhse & Garden Ctr 3500 Wadsworth Rd., MI 48601 989-752-5625 www.abelegreenhouse.com

saline H Nature’s Garden Ctr H Saline Flowerland

shelby twp Diegel Greenhses H Hessell’s Greenhse Maeder Plant Farm Potteryland

st clair shores

H Suburban Landscp Supp

warren

sterling heights

Beste’s Lawn/Patio Supp Garden Ctr Nurs H Young’s Garden Mart

Decor Statuette

washington

H Eckert’s Greenhouse 34075 Ryan Rd., MI 48310 586-979-2409 www.eckertsgreenhouse.com Flower Barn Nurs Prime Landscp Supp

stockbridge Gee Farms

Landscp Direct Miller’s Big Red Greenhse H Rocks ‘n’ Roots United Plant Ctr

waterford Breen’s Landscp Supp Hoffman Nurs H Merrittscape

sylvan lake H AguaFina Gardens International 2629 Orchard Lake Rd., MI 48320 248-738-0500 www.aguafina.com H Detroit Garden Works

taylor H Beautiful Ponds & Gardens 20379 Ecorse, MI 48180 313-383-8653 www.skippysstuff.com D&L Garden Ctr Massab Acres H Panetta’s Landscp Supp

tecumseh Mitchell’s Lawn/Landscp

H Oakland County Market 2350 Pontiac Lake Rd., MI 48328 248-858-5495 www.DestinationOakland.com

wixom

east lansing

Angelo’s Landscp Supp Brainer’s Greenhse Milford Tree Farm

H MSU Horticultural Gardens W.J. Beal Botanical Gard

west bloomfield

ypsilanti

H Sunny Fields Botanical Park 5444 Welch Rd., MI 48022 810-387-2765 www.visitsunnyfields.org

H English Gardens 6370 Orchard Lake Rd., 48322 248-851-7506 www.EnglishGardens.com Planterra

westland H Barson’s Greenhse 6414 N. Merriman Rd., MI 48185 734-421-5959 www.barsons.com

utica

Bushel Stop Joe Randazzo’s Nurs Merlino’s Bushel Ctr Panetta’s Landscp

white lake H Bogie Lake Greenhouses 1525 Bogie Lake Rd., MI 48383 248-887-5101 www.bogielakegreenhouses.com

Coleman’s Farm Mkt Lucas Nurs Margolis Nurs Materials Unlimited Sell Farms & Greenhse

Gardens to Visit ann arbor H Matthaei Botanical Gardens/ Nichols Arboretum 1800 North Dixboro Rd., MI 48105 734-647-7600 www.mbgna.umich.edu

bloomfield hills H Cranbrook Gardens 380 Lone Pine Rd., MI 48303 248-645-3147 housegardens.cranbrook.edu

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emmett

flint Applewood

grand rapids Frederik Meijer Gardens

grosse pointe shores Edsel & Eleanor Ford Hse

lansing Cooley Gardens

midland Dahlia Hill Dow Gardens

novi Tollgate Education Ctr

royal oak

dearborn

Detroit Zoo

H Mulligan’s Landscp & Gard Ctr Sunshine Plants

Arjay Miller Arboretum at Ford World HQ Henry Ford Estate

tipton

whitmore lake

detroit

H Alexander’s Greenhses

williamston Christian’s Greenhse

Anna S Whitcomb Conservtry

H Hidden Lake Gardens 6214 Monroe Rd. (M-50), MI 49287 517-431-2060 www.hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu

dryden Seven Ponds Nature Ctr

Classified Ads INTERIOR PLANTSCAPE HELP NEEDED We are looking for an experienced plantscape technician to maintain indoor plants in office buildings, hospitals, malls, etc. Flexible hours and mileage reimbursed. Send resume to info@ naturescreation.com. VANS VALLEY FARM MARKET & Greenhouse 66745 Van Dyke Rd. Romeo, Michigan. (586) 752-6002.

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MICHIGAN GARDENER E-NEWSLETTER Sign up for our free e-newsletter! We send out a few each year, and there are contests to win prizes as well. Go to www.MichiganGardener. com and simply enter your e-mail address. ADVERTISING SALES REP – Michigan Gardener has a part-time opportunity available. Advertising sales experience is preferred. Please forward your resume to: publisher@ MichiganGardener.com. GARDEN SPEAKER AVAILABLE for your club or group. Well-traveled garden writer does garden presentations & travelogues. This active collector gardener can speak on many subjects. Experienced to present at Garden Ctr open houses & conferences. For presentation list, biography, fee & references, contact Julia Hofley at Julia@juliasbiglife.com. 248-4972674. Find me on Facebook. DO YOU ENJOY SCRAPBOOKING? Then pick up a copy of Michigan Scrapbooker magazine. It’s free! Visit MichiganScrapbooker.com for more info and to sign up for the free Michigan Scrapbooker e-newsletter. Join the conversation at facebook.com/MichiganScrapbooker.

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Michigan Gardener | June 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

The Drew Horticulture Program features The Gardens at Drew, a year-round garden program that provides educational, vocational and life skills in a horticultural-based setting. Students proudly display their repurposed shipping crates that serve as fine raised containers for all sorts of vegetable plants.

Gardening and life lessons I

A Detroit horticulture program is making a difference in the lives of its students

am excited to relay to you the story of The Drew Horticulture Program featuring The Gardens at Drew, and in the process, include tips and techniques from our program that you can implement in your own gardens. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll also explain how we battled and defeated the dreaded blossom end rot on our precious tomatoes. The Charles Drew Transition Center, a Detroit Public School, is a unique post-secondary vocational center for the moderate and seMichael verely cognitively impaired, visually Craig impaired, hearing impaired, physically impaired, and students with autism. The Transition Center, which serves special education students ages 18-26, is a one-of-a kind

educational facility where students have access to an age-appropriate learning environment. The staff develops programs teaching vocational work skills leading to the possibility of employment, providing functional independence and full inclusion into community life. The Gardens at Drew is a yearround garden program existing for the dual purpose of providing educational, vocational and life skills in a horticultural-based setting, while providing fresh produce for our students, their families, and the local community through food agencies. In the City of Detroit, access to fresh, locallygrown produce is limited. We recognize this need, and are striving to impact our families

by providing an on-site school farm stand where low-cost produce can be purchased on a consistent basis, thus helping to ensure healthier lifestyle choices.

The hoophouse growing methods Central to our program is our hoophouse, a 26- by 72-foot, non-heated structure where we grow our heaviest concentration of greens using hugelkultur, or mound growing. In this method, our 50/50 mix of soil/compost is shoveled into a standard 4- by 14-foot bed, then is raked on both sides from the bottom up with a garden rake into a triangle-like shape. From there, students turn the rake over and smooth it into a tabletop, where rows are made and seeds are placed. This enables us to have taller beds where both greens and long-

rooted veggies like carrots can both thrive. Also, for our seed beds, we constructed wooden frames measuring 3 by 14 feet. These are easy for our students and there is no way to make a mistake by using the mantra â&#x20AC;&#x153;lift, place, and fill.â&#x20AC;? They lift the wooden frame, place it where the next bed will be, and fill it with the soil/compost mix. We were able to create 36 garden beds, 18 per side, giving us the ability to produce a great amount of lettuce mixes, spinach, kale, swiss chard, sweet peas, and more. In the course of our first year, we were able to consistently feed our school cafeteria year-round!

Increased production with creative solutions With all we had accomplished, we did recognize one flaw in our process, one that was a

MichiganGardener.com | June 2015 | Michigan Gardener

Anthony Grizzard attaches recycled windows to help build a cold frame.

Kimberly Moore waters greens that are grown using a hugelkultur (mound-growing) method.

Tomatoes suffered from blossom-end rot. A simple, yet effective solution helped rid the disease: a 50/50 solution of one percent milk and water.

James Stokes helps harvest mound-grown greens in the non-heated hoophouse. total surprise. With 15 students coming every hour, we were actually lacking in the amount of work! We needed to expand! But how to do this on a super tight budget? Aha—Craigslist is our friend. Browsing the free section, I came across multiple companies that give away plywood shipping crates. These we repurposed into raised beds (or call them super-containers), filling them halfway with plastic water bottles from the cafeteria (saving money on

soil), dropping the lid on them, then filling with the soil/compost mix. Using companion planting, we filled each crate (12 of them) with six tomato plants, and mixed in green bell, jalapeno and cayenne peppers, which fit perfectly under the canopy of the tomatoes. Then we thought, “How can we extend our growing season, both on the front and back ends of the season?” The solution came from donors willing to give us free or lowcost wooden windows and lumber for the students to construct cold frames. These cold frames are perfect for growing cold hardy crops like kale, collards, and mustard greens. Helping to aid us in our production are five indoor GrowLab units, acquired with grant funds (as a teacher and urban farmer/gardener, I have become a pretty good grant writer). Used for seed starting, we are able to grow strong plants for the hoophouse, cold frames, and our straw bale garden. Yes, you heard correctly—straw bale gardening is an old-time farmer’s technique in which plants are grown in and harvested di-

rectly from the bales. This type of gardening allows our wheelchair students and gardeners with back issues the ease to tend plants without excess bending and stooping, with the bonus of looking fantastic.

Solving the blossom end rot problem With all we had going on, we did have one issue that threatened our crop of more than 50 tomato plants: blossom end rot. Knowing that a calcium deficiency in the soil was most likely the main cause of this disease, the solution became a huge issue. Sure, we could have treated the soil with lime, bone meal or certain fertilizer mixes, but this posed a larger concern. We have never sprayed anything, and the students would never comprehend the underlying ways in which fertilizers helped. I needed to find a real-life method that was understandable, and would work. What do all kids know of that gives them P H OTO S BY M I C H A E L C R A I G

calcium? Milk! Sounds crazy, right? Over the course of a nine-day, every other day period, we applied a 50/50 solution of one percent milk (whole milk would most likely smell with the fat content) and water to all our plants. Then we watched as our new growth tomatoes came in perfect in every way—delicious, and worth the strange looks when buying all that milk! I wish all of you a fantastic growing season, enjoying the fruits of your labor! Michael Craig is a Detroit Public School special education teacher and horticulture program instructor at the Charles Drew Transition Center. In May, 2015, he won the 2015 Educator of the Year award given by the Michigan Lottery’s Excellence in Education program. Tom Izzo, the Michigan State University men’s basketball coach, presented the Educator of the Year award to Craig. Also in May, 2015, Craig was selected as a finalist (one of five out of nearly 500 submissions) for the 2015-16 Michigan Department of Education’s Michigan Teacher of the Year.

Michigan Gardener | June 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from back cover Arbors are great for setting off “rooms” in a garden, for hanging gates to integrate with fences, and for creating a heavenly corridor of flowers and scent to walk through when your climber is in blossom. A simple and creative arbor can be built by combining two unique curved branches or trunks from a small tree, fastening them together at the top, and digging the bases into the soil. This has a rustic feel and will last a few seasons, giving your flowering vine a unique place to expand in your bed.

Pergola Pergolas usually have four posts and are large enough to create sitting spaces for a few people underneath them. A variety of designs exist, ranging from curved faces and arches to multiple stacked layers of wood slats and trelliswork. All pergola designs are open format so that some light filters through. Depending on what is planted on them, they can become a single mass of vines that creates full shade or they can be pruned and maintained to create light shade. There are now outdoor fabric systems available to install on or under pergolas to protect you and your outdoor furniture from rain and sun. The systems are relatively expensive, but do give more functionality to the space as a true shelter. Adding a pergola to your garden Pergolas usually have four posts and are large enough to create sitting spaces for a few people underneath them. is usually done on a patio space and is a significant investment. Kits or prefor elaborate designs. A pergola will set off a gest browsing home and garden websites for built sets are usually in the $1,000 plus range. whole area of the garden and make it both inideas before planning one yourself. Custom-designed and installed pergolas ofviting and cozy as a space to socialize or relax. Occasionally I am asked what the diften cost several thousand dollars, if not more, The sky is the limit for pergola designs. I sugference is between a ramada and a pergola. While the term ramada is used less in our region, it is more common in the Southwest. Historically, it was a simple, roofed structure without walls created for shade during harPressure-treated wood is chemically treated pine or spruce. It is suitable for posts but vest times. Now the term is typically used generally should not be used for trelliswork or slats as it warps heavily (this tendency can be for a roofed but open structure in the garovercome in rigid designs with many attachment points). Lifespan ranges from 15 to 25 years. den. It is sometimes confused with or used Cedar is the most common and affordable naturally rot-resistant wood used in garden as a replacement for pergola, but technically structures. There are quite a few varieties of this material with different price levels. It comes a pergola is an open, latticework design and a kiln-dried and holds its form very well. Cedar doesn’t warp like pressure-treated wood, which ramada is a fully covered, roofed design. Both is why it is preferable for trellises, arbors and pergolas that all have mostly open designs. structures usually have posts and at least Lifespan is generally between 8 and 15 years. three open sides. A tip: since it rots quickly in contact with the soil, don’t use cedar for posts sunk in the This is the proper time to mention the ground unless you coat them to above-the-ground level (a roofing tar is the best choice). For gazebo, which is a fully roofed and walled posts, use pressure-treated wood and then wrap the posts aboveground with a set of cedar structure, usually with a door or set of doors boards. That way you get the rot resistance underground with the beauty of cedar above. that serve as a fully outdoor room in the Other materials. There are many faux wood products available, made from composites garden. While the most common gazebo deand PVC. The main problem with using them for garden structures and trellises is that they sign is an octagonal room, these have fallen are quite flexible and get even more so in the sun. They can be used as covering for a real out of fashion over the last decade, replaced wood structure, but are also quite expensive in comparison. Tropical hardwoods like ipe and by more open and flexible designs. teak are also used quite often for higher end and more permanent outdoor work. Lifespans for Whether you create an interesting row of these materials are 25 years plus with proper maintenance. simple trellises by planting a series of rustic branches or posts, or decide to build a whole

Materials overview

outdoor room to enjoy with your friends, you will not be disappointed by the dynamic that a garden structure brings to your landscape. You can play with the forms that wood structures add to your planting beds in many unique ways. The lines of wood will set up framed views and set off the delicate and wildly organic forms of your plantings! Traven Pelletier is the owner of Bloom Garden Center and lead designer at Elemental Design. An artist and designer at heart, Traven has worked in the landscape industry since 1995 with a primary focus on highly creative landscape/art installations. His design/ build installation company specializes in custom outdoor woodwork, stonework, and water features, as well as gardens of all sizes and types. The creative team has won multiple design/build awards for their installations and their new retail garden center in Dexter, Michigan is becoming a new destination for unique plants, garden art, and water gardening.

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| June 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

Wood structures in the garden T

Trellis he structure of a garden is not deA trellis is used to support climbing plants fined only by its plants. The architecand can be fixed to an architectural element ture and various items designed in or be freestanding in the garden. Trellises or around a garden often provide the stronoften double as sculptural elements in the gest elements of the space. While serving as garden. Creative designs have also been a backdrop, they also define the garden and made with metal that go far beyond what can the space itself. Wood structures in the garbe accomplished with den vary widely and are wood. often some of the easiest Many simple designs and most fun elements can be easily made by a to include in your garhomeowner. Use a trelden design. lis to create an upright In recent years, found form that is a focal point and aged elements have in a bed of lower plants. enjoyed a resurgence as If you want to get crefocal points. It is now ative and play with the fashionable to mix older idea of mixing food materials with modern and flowers, build or elements. Playful trellises buy a tuteur and plant and tuteurs (the French your favorite variety of name for pyramidalcommon pea (Pisum style plant trellises) are Cedar is the most common and affordsativum) under it. My available at some garden able naturally rot-resistant wood used favorite is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Swiss Giant stores. Arbors are often in garden structures. Snow Peaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; from Hudused for garden entrancson Valley Seed Library. es and pergolas are common elements for creStand back and watch as a wonderful, fastating relaxing shade and dining space. growing vine appears. Then be rewarded There are wonderful resources online for with fresh produce in the middle of your do-it-yourself projects incorporating simple annual or perennial bed. Living and edible designs or found elements. One of my favorite sculpture await you with a trellis! projects is the easy conversion of a leftover wood pallet into a modernArbor looking vertical garden for annuals, Arbors form a gate and an arch herbs, or even a variety of vegetables. for your climbing plants to cross a By using the slat spaces to create path or mark an entrance or exit to planting areas, the plants are ala garden. They are a step up in diffilowed to establish themselves horiculty as a do-it-yourself project. Trazontally and then the pallet is tipped ditional rounded arbors take quite up and secured vertically. It is such a bit of skill to create in wood, but a creative, simple, and remarkably Traven straight-topped arbors are a little unique way to reuse a wood element Pelletier simpler. Some handy designs incorand incorporate it in the garden. porate benches between the two arbor sides. With this article, my hope is to open your Basic arbors have only two posts, while wider mind and encourage your creative spirit to think designs have four posts with sides and trellisoutside the box and create a design for wood work between them. structures and focal points in your own garden. You can use three traditional forms as your decontinued on page 46 parture point for creative wood endeavors.

Photos by Elemental Design Landscape Contracting

Arbors often form a gate and an arch to mark an entrance or exit to a garden.