September/October 2018
Perennials
MichiganGardener.com
Milkweeds for your garden, Part 2
Garden to Table Zucchini and carrots
Profile
Gardens, Ponds, and Bonsai
Vegetable Patch End-of-season tasks
Please thank our advertisers in this issue
Your guide to Great Lakes gardening
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20-50% OFF SELECT PERENNIALS 30-50% OFF TREES & SHRUBS
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2018 | MichiganGardener.com
Garden Wisdom
(TREES AND SHRUBS AT SHELBY LOCATION ONLY)
— Elizabeth Lawrence
AUTUMN AUTUM N R
FU
.
RADIANCE
IS
It’s a long way from freezin’… Come celebrate second season!
There are two awakenings in the garden: one in spring, and one in autumn.
OL LL OF C
O
At Telly’s, September marks the start of the second season. While the selection of plants at many garden centers is dwindling, we are stocked with plants to keep your garden looking great until winter.
Fall Events
Participants will recieve 10% OFF all regularly priced items on the day of the event.
Classified Ads..............................................15
Come visit Telly’s for this once a year sale. Bring a flashlight and take advantage of our biggest sales event of the season. Sale prices apply only during these hours.
Through the Lens.......................................18 Advertiser Index.........................................19
ON SALE NOW…
Calendar........................................................20
20-50% OFF Ceramic Pottery
Weather Wrap...........................................23
Saturday September 15, 1pm at Troy Workshop fee is $75
Ornamental Grass Class Saturday September 22, 10am at Troy Class Fee is $10
(sale excludes bonsai pots)
30-50% OFF All Roses 30-50% OFF all Trees & Shrubs*
Participants will recieve 10% OFF all regularly priced items on the day of the event.
Succulent Container Garden Workshop Saturday September 29, 10am at Troy Workshop fee $50
Fall is for Planting Spring-Blooming Bulbs
*Shelby location only
Select perennials 20-50% OFF!
Saturday October 7, 10am at Troy Class fee is $10 Participants will recieve 10% OFF all regularly priced items on the day of the event.
COLD TOLERANT PLANTS…
Places to Grow............................................16
Subscription Form.....................................23 Garden Profile: Gardens, Ponds, and Bonsai Too........24 Garden to Table..........................................28 On the cover: Rose hips are the fruit of the rose garden. While not as showy as flowers, these bright fruits are beautiful in their own right during late fall.
Perennial gardening means color and interest nearly year-round. Many plants just starting to give their best show: Japanese anemone, ornamental grasses, sedums and many more!
We offer an extensive selection of cold tolerant, fall flowering plants including pansies, calibrachoa, trailing verbena, petunias, creeping Jenny, annual fountain grass, ornamental cabbage and kale, and much more.
Perennial Perspectives: Milkweeds For Your Garden ���Back Cover
Photo: Eric Hofley/Michigan Gardener
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.
SHELBY TOWNSHIP • 248-659-8555 4343 24 Mile • Btwn Dequindre & Shelby Rd.
www.tellys.com
www.AnniesAnnuals.com
Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica)
Late Season Perennials
Bonsai Workshop
Pre-registration required VISIT TELLYS.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION
Vegetable Patch..........................................12
Troy: September 6, 7 & 8 7:30-9:30pm
Juniper Bonsai Workshop
Saturday October 7, 1pm at Troy Workshop fee is $39
Books for the Michigan Gardener...................................10 Where to pick up Michigan Gardener.......................................... 14
Saturday September 8,10am at Troy Workshop fee is $20, $30, or $40 Visit tellys.com for more information Saturday September 8, 1pm at Troy Class Fee is $10
To-Do List........................................................8
FLASHLIGHT SALE…
Fall Container Gardening Workshop
Fall is for Planting Perennials
Ask MG............................................................6
Editorial Assistant Anna Doman
find us on
Contributors Brian Allnutt Karen Bovio Cheryl English Emaline Fronckowiak Mary Gerstenberger Julia Hofley Rosann Kovalcik Steve Martinko Beverly Moss George Papadelis Sandie Parrott Traven Pelletier Jean/Roxanne Riggs Deborah Silver Jim Slezinski Lisa Steinkopf Steve Turner Emily Wilson
30747 Greenfield Rd., Suite 1 Southfield, MI 48076 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 © 2018 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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Our Specialty: Specialty:NEW NEW & CHOICE varieties
Liven up your fall garden with our Mums, Pansies, Asters, Ornamental Kale, Pumpkins, Proven Winners Specialty Annuals, and more!
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Fresh shipments arrive throughout the Fall. Stop in to see the latest gems! Maples
Fall is the best time for planting. And it is a great time to pick out a tree while it is displaying its brilliant fall color! Come stroll through our huge inventory of top quality plants and make your selection. Proudly serving Metropolitan Detroit since 1931
20815 Farmington Rd. (1 blk N of 8 Mile) Farmington Hills / 248-474-2925 Fall hours: Mon-Fri 8-7 Sat 8-6 Sun 10-4
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2018 | MichiganGardener.com
Have a question? Send it in! Go to MichiganGardener.com and click on “Submit a question”
Lilac will not bloom I have a 10-foot tall lilac that is five years old. It bloomed the first year, but has not produced a flower in four years. I have used all the chemicals that were recommended, and have pruned. The sun is limited, yet the leaves grow like weeds. Why doesn’t it bloom? S.B., Mancelona The wonderful, spring-blooming lilac (Syringa vulgaris) must have at least six hours of full sun to reliably bloom. If its location has become shaded, you may need to move it. Lilacs also appreciate loamy soil that has good drainage. They rarely need chemicals to increase their growth if the soil is amended annually with compost. Observing exponential leaf growth may indicate you used a fertilizer high in nitrogen, which only encourages leaves. Check the N-P-K ratio on your fertilizers. Nitrogen is used by plants for lots of leaf growth and good green color. Phosphorus helps form new roots, and make seeds, fruit and flowers. It’s also used to help fight disease. Potassium helps make strong stems. Pruning at the correct time is critical for spring-blooming shrubs. Lilacs should be pruned immediately after flowering. If you wait to prune in late summer or fall, you are cutting off the plant tissue already set to form flowers for the next season. If you prune before leaf bud break in early spring, you are also cutting off potential flower buds. If you look carefully at the lilac’s current location, your pruning practices, and the fertilizers you are using, you can correct the lack of blooms. In order to have their wonderful fragrance closer to nose level where it can be appreciated, lilacs should be no more than 6 feet tall. You may have to cut it back hard to regain
Ginkgo
control of the height, as well as move it into a sunnier location. Change your use of fertilizers and your pruning practices. You may lose a year of blooms, but the lilac will ultimately thank you by flowering like it is designed to.
How to grow healthy cucumbers In midsummer, my cucumber plants (small and pickling) started to die after producing very little. We added new soil this year from a horse farm. We lightly water the entire garden with a sprinkler every two nights, which does not exceed more than 1/4 inch of water. I built a trellis for vines to lift them off the ground. What am I doing wrong? J.B., Grandville It does not matter the size or type of cucumber. Anything that interferes with pollination of the female flowers reduces fruit-set and yield. Factors that affect pollination include cold temperatures and rainy weather, which hamper bee activity, and improper use of insecticides that kill bees. Cucumbers will grow best when planted in full sun. Cucumber plants that do not get enough sunlight are more likely to have a poor fruit set and produce an overall lower yield. Therefore, it is best to plant them in areas that get at least eight hours of direct sunlight each day. An overhead tree canopy may have matured and may be robbing your cucumbers of that sun by midsummer. You might have to relocate the cucumber bed to a sunnier location. Next, they need water: frequently and preferably in early morning. Watering at night sets up conditions for both powdery and downy mildew issues because the leaves don’t get to dry out. They also want plenty of organic matter and compost worked into their root zones.
Japanese Maple
Katsura
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Guiding them onto a trellis is a good means of accessing optimum sunlight as well. Plus it removes potential cucumbers from resting on the ground and rotting. If you want to amend soil with manure, it is best to get aged cow manure. If the manure-enhanced soil that you are adding is too fresh, it can burn the plants. Further, horses eat grains with seeds that can pass through their systems and be viable for up to five years, sprouting up in your garden. Cows eat grass products and there are few repercussions of nuisance weeds from their aged manure. Examine these factors in your cucumber plot and see if you can make the necessary adjustments.
Strange fungus in garden soil I have strange, orange, finger-like things coming up in my rose and creeping phlox bed. They come out in the morning, then shrivel up later and lots of flies land on them. What to do? You have experienced the ubiquitous stinkhorn fungus (Mutinus elegans) that is spread by spores and often appears in mulch. If one digs carefully down below the stem of the fungus sprout, you will find a small white sac about the size of a quarter. It is a soft, bladder-like egg that attaches to the decaying wood mulch substrate. The sac splits and a hollow, spongy stalk expands upward, tapering toward the tip. There is a slimy, olive-brown spore mass near the stalk tip that is highly attractive to flies, who in turn spread the spores. If the egg sac is removed and disposed of in a black garbage bag, the fungal source is removed, and the fruiting body will not have the opportunity to spread its spores.
Low maintenance screen In northern Michigan, we have a marina with 500 feet of chain link fence in need of some beautification. The soil is naturally sandy. Is there a vine or shrub that could be used to cover the fence quickly and with low maintenance? D.H., Commerce Low maintenance and sandy soil are your key factors in what plants to choose. Note that whatever is planted needs tender loving care to become established during the first year. That means amending the sandy soil with compost in and around the planting hole and regularly augmenting the watering, beyond what nature supplies randomly. You need roughly a 4- to 5-foot deep bed in front of that chain link fence so that the plants have space to settle in and establish a root system. For an upright evergreen, you might try the ‘Hetz’ juniper which has an open columnar appearance. It can tolerate some drought and loves full sun. While the junipers are young and small, intersperse between them ornamental grasses such as columnar feather reed grasses (Calamagrostis) and fountain-shaped maid-
en grasses (Miscanthus). The feather reeds are cool season grasses and green up first in spring. The maiden grasses wake up later in spring but put on a wonderful mid to late fall show. You cut grasses back in early spring so sun and moisture can reach the grass crown for it to regrow. Place them between the evergreens, forward in the bed, to avoid the look of a straight row of soldiers. Consider the ninebark (Physocarpus) and bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) flowering shrubs for leaf and flower interest. ‘Amber Jubilee’ ninebark has burgundy leaves with a glowing gold center. It grows 5 to 6 feet tall and about 4 feet wide. The flowers are a simple white against the stunning foliage, which glows in the fall. It also produces reddish berry fruit. Bottlebrush buckeye has large, coarse, compound leaves and bright white flowers that truly look like a bottlebrush. Both of these shrubs are drought tolerant and handle lean soil. They don’t need any regular pruning, which lowers your maintenance.
Using leaves and cuttings as mulch Are fall leaves (mostly oak, with a little maple, ash, and birch) good or bad for surrounding garden areas? Can they be mixed with material from shrubs, pine tree needles, and annual and perennial cuttings to serve as a compost and/or mulch for the following seasons? J.V., Clarkston Fall leaves are a wonderful mulch and soil amendment. You don’t see Mother Nature cleaning up the tree-filled woods. The biodegrading process provides nutrients for perennials and woody plants alike, while still providing a mulch-like covering. Through the growing season, they can be cultivated into the soil and a new layer applied. However, it is best to grind them up to some degree, especially the oaks, which have tannic acid in them. Unless the oak leaf surface is cut, they become difficult to break down. Mowing over them and blowing or raking them into your garden beds is ideal. Mixing them in with pine tree needles or clippings from shrubs is an excellent way to mulch or blend your compost pile. It generally takes about three years of pile rotation to break down into a useable form of compost with which you can amend your soil. Sometimes leaves carry fungus spores or insect problems. For example, maples get tar spot, which is aesthetically annoying, but is a non-lethal disease. However, if there has been a problem with insects or a disease that could overwinter in the leaf litter, then it is best to dispose of those leaves and not transfer the problem into your garden beds as a compost or as a mulch. Answers provided by Beverly Moss, owner of Garden Rhythms.
Fall is Here...
Join us
Friday, September 14 at 5:00pm
and Winter is Coming! #GameofThrones
Be the first to see our newest finds as we open crates from owner Daryl Toby’s latest trip to Asia.
Then stay to play with fire and enjoy refreshments.
Prepare with Netting, Aerators, Heaters 25% OFF KOI - while supplies last
2629 Orchard Lake Rd. • Sylvan Lake, MI • 248-738-0500
Open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm • www.aguafina.com
PREPARE TO PROSPER. Help your yard thrive throughout the season. Fall is the season of change. During this transitional time, our arborists can help you prepare your property for winter to ensure it will thrive when spring arrives.
Monroe 419-464-7038
Auburn Hills 248-518-0560
Chesterfield 586-221-0530
Full Service Tree Care Plant Health Care | Lawn Programs The Davey Tree Expert Company | davey.com
Canton 734-249-6695
Wixom 248-621-3828
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2018 | MichiganGardener.com
to-do list Annuals • Temperatures are starting to cool down—a great time to refresh the garden after summer. Add a new color with cold-tolerant plants, such as pansies, asters, mums, osteospermum, verbena, or diascia that will bloom late into the year. Refresh patio containers with these varieties to create a new look on your patio or front porch.
Bulbs: Spring-Flowering
E LL S FA HOU EN OP
e or p st a-6 d. 10 r R 6, te 5-1 es t 1 ch ep Ro , S at -Sun t Sa
• Bulbs can be planted any place in the garden that has good drainage. Prepare the beds by loosening the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches, adding organic material if necessary. Mix fertilizer into the soil in the bulb hole. Planting depths depend on the size of the bulbs and can be found on the packages. Remember to plant pointed side up. Plant bulbs in clumps for a more impressive impact. Mulch the area after you plant to protect the bulbs over the winter. • Plant a variety of bulbs and you’ll have blooms from early spring until June.
Bulbs: Summer-Flowering • Summer-flowering bulbs, such as dahlias and gladiolas, should bloom until frost. After that, if you want to keep them for next year, you’ll need to dig them up and save them. Dig up plants and cut off the top. Dry the bulbs for three days; then put them in a cardboard box or paper bag. Cover them with vermiculite or peat and try to keep them from touching. Keep them in a cool but not cold place, like a basement. Pull them out next March and pot them up for a head start on next year’s plants.
Fruits
FALL DECORATING Garden Mums: Dozens of Colors and Sizes Corn Stalks • Pumpkins • Gourds • And more! Enormous perennial, hosta, tree & shrub selection: Fall is a great time to plant!
PIECHNIK’S Garden Gate 5 min. North of Rochester
PIECHNIK’S Greenhouse 10 min. from I-75, exit 131
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• Keep track of fruiting canes on raspberry plants. Mark the ones that have fruited this year with string or tape that will last through the fall. Cut out those canes, since raspberries only fruit on one-year-old canes.
Herbs • To prolong the taste of summer, bring a few pots of herbs inside. Use a container with a drainage hole and plant in a specially-formulated potting mix. Place near a sunny window, and you’ll have fresh herbs to add spice to your winter meals.
Houseplants • Bring nature indoors by adding a few green tropical plants to your home. Plants add beauty and have the added benefit of cleaning the air indoors. How much light is in a room is the most important consideration when selecting plants. • Before bringing your plants inside, check them for any hitchhikers such as mealy
bugs or red spider mites. Spray your plants with an insecticidal soap and then give them an application of a systemic insecticide for long-term protection. • Bring houseplants back inside if they spent the summer outdoors. Plants will be less stressed if you do this when the inside and outside temperatures are about the same.
Lawns • Apply a fall fertilizer application in mid to late October before the temperatures dip below 50 degrees to help the lawn start the winter as healthy as possible. • Repair any damage from summer, and reseed or sod the lawn. The warm soil temperatures mean fast germination and cooler temperatures mean frequent watering isn’t as necessary to get your new lawn established.
Perennials • Fall is a busy time for perennial gardeners: dividing, deadheading, and watering will help keep plants healthy. Divide any plants that have become too crowded or have begun to die in the middle. Deadheading keeps plants healthy and keeps the garden looking neat. • Water when the soil is dry about 1 to 2 inches down.
Pruning • Fall is a good time to prune many plants. Chip pruned branches if possible and shred leaves, then use them in your compost pile. Avoid using any diseased materials, as well as black walnut leaves, branches or nuts in your compost.
Roses • During fall dry spells, water when the soil is dry to the touch 1-1/2 inches deep. • Plan a winter protection program so you can purchase the necessary supplies now. Don’t use them until it gets cold and stays cold, generally sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Shrubs & Trees • Fall is a great time to plant woody ornamentals. The cooler temperatures and increased rainfall help plants establish quicker and reduce the need for supplemental watering. • A tree is a long-term investment and you should choose wisely. Determine if you need a tree for shade or ornamental purposes. If you consider an ornamental flowering tree, check to see if its possible petal drop or fruit will be a nuisance. • Cover the planted area with a 2-inch layer of mulch. Keep the mulch 4 to 6 inches away from the trunk.
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2018 | Michigan Gardener
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Feature Task: Making Compost in Your Garden A successful garden starts with good soil. The key to achieving better soil is incorporating organic matter like compost, which is easy to make from your garden. Compost is decayed organic material in a humus-like state. Over time, organic material like leaves, plant clippings, and food waste turns into a rich usable additive that can transform your existing soil into a rich environment full of beneficial life to promote plant health and vigor. To make your own compost, start by identifying an area in your yard to build your pile of organic material. A 3-foot by 3-foot area out of the way is all the space you’ll need. If space is limited, consider a compost bin made just for this purpose. A compost pile is comprised of 80 percent “brown” material like autumn leaves, dried grass clippings, twigs and branches; and 20 percent “green” material like food waste and green, leafy plants. Brown materials provide carbon, while green materials provide nitrogen and other types of nutrients. Build the pile by collecting leaves in the fall and chopping them up with a lawn mower. The smaller they are, the faster they’ll decompose. Add grass clippings, and mix together. Then, add a layer of food scraps and
green, leafy plants. Twigs and branches can be added, but make sure to run them through a chipper first so they’ll break down quicker. Animal products, such as meat scraps or dairy, should not be added to the pile. The material on the bottom will decompose first, so every few months, turn your compost pile, bringing the bottom of the pile to the top. Be sure to turn the pile before adding a new layer. To help speed the process, sprinkle water on the pile, particularly during dry periods. Over the course of a year, you’ll be rewarded with rich, organic compost that will enhance your soil and feed your plants. Compost makes terrific mulch for all plants. Add a layer on garden beds to help keep weeds down. Be sure to keep it away from stems of trees and shrubs. For new garden beds, mix a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost into the upper 6 to 12 inches of existing soil. Use more in sandy soils and less in clay-like soils. For existing beds, spread a two-inch layer of compost over the entire bed. Utilize a compost that is lightweight and crumbly. Keep fresh compost a few inches away from the stems or trunks of any existing trees and shrubs.
Vegetables
Water Garden
• Keep harvesting. Keep vegetable plants watered and fertilized, and beds free of weeds. You’ll be surprised how long you’ll continue to get fruits and vegetables.
• If you have a waterfall, keep leaves and debris away from the area to prevent a dam from forming and causing water loss. • Continue to remove bottom debris.
Vines
Provided by the professionals at English Gardens.
• Check for changes in leaf size, color or general plant appearance, which will indicate any disease or pest infestation.
MUMS AVAILABLE!
Garden & Perennial Mums Garden Mums: Incredible, bold color for the fall Perennial Mums: Hardy plants that bloom every fall We are one of the few places in Southeast Michigan that carry Perennial Mums! Fall Combo Pots also available
FALL SALES!
Perennials 30% OFF or more!
Eckert’s Greenhouse FROM THE RARE & UNUSUAL TO THE PREFERRED AND POPULAR!
34051 Ryan Rd (between 14 & 15 Mile) • Sterling Heights September/October hours*: Mon-Fri 9-5 Sat-Sun 9-5 *Supplies permitting
586-264-5678 • www.eckertsgreenhouse.com
Perennials 30% OFF Fall Pansies & Mums • Ornamental Kale Coming in Late September: Pumpkins, Gourds, Straw, Corn & Corn Stalks
248-887-5101
Locate a Certified Pro at:
MNLA.org
1525 Bogie Lake Rd. / White Lake
Open Seven Days 1-1/2 Miles S. of M-59 • Across from Lakeland H.S.
Milarch Nursery
10
Michigan Gardener | September/October 2018 | MichiganGardener.com
Q U A L I T Y P L A N T S & S E R V I C E S I N C E 19 7 2 SUCCULENT SEDUMS
GREEN GIANT ARBORVITAES
GRACEFUL ORNAMENTAL GRASSES
Gardens of the High Line: Elevating the Nature of Modern Landscapes
FALL is for PLANTING!
by Piet Oudolf and Rick Darke
27 ACRES of Flowering & Shade Trees, Shrubs, Evergreens, Roses, Perennials, Groundcovers & Topiaries
TO SEE OUR INCREDIBLE SELECTION, PLEASE VISIT MILARCHNURSERY.COM AND CLICK ON “AVAILABILITY.”
Inquire about our specials!
28500 HAAS RD • NEW HUDSON, MI 48165 • 248-437-2094 www.milarchnursery.com • Mon-Fri: 8-5 Sat: 8-1 Sun: Closed
Before it was restored, the High Line was an untouched, abandoned landscape overgrown with wildflowers. Today it’s a central plaza, a cultural center, a walkway, and a green retreat in a bustling city that is free for all to enjoy. But above all else, it is a beautiful, dynamic garden with plantings designed by Piet Oudolf, one of the world’s most extraordinary garden designers. Gardens of the High Line (Timber Press, 320 pages, $40) offers an in-depth view into the planting designs, plant palette, and maintenance of this landmark achievement. Gardens of the High Line reveals a four-season garden that is filled with native and exotic plants, drought-tolerant perennials, and grasses that thrive and spread. It also offers inspiration and advice to home gardeners and garden designers looking to recreate its iconic, naturalistic style. Featuring photographs by Rick Darke and an introduction by Robert Hammond, cofounder of Friends of the High Line, this photo-driven book is perfect for anyone who appreciates the nature of design.
Garden Builder: Plans and Instructions for 35 Projects You Can Make by JoAnn Moser
A Fall Fête and Festival Saturday, October 6, 9am-5pm Sunday, October 7, 12-4pm
Enjoy cider & donuts while strolling through our pumpkin patch filled with rare and heirloom varieties. We’ll also have an wide selection of gourds, branches & mums.
1794 Pontiac Dr. • Sylvan Lake DetroitGardenWorks.com • 248-335-8089 follow us on instagram: @detroitgarden
Perfect for any gardener or outdoor enthusiast with a few basic do-it-yourself skills, this guide is packed with complete project plans, each one featuring finished photos along with cut lists and shopping lists, a construction diagram, and step-by-step instructions (complete with photos). Most projects are made from durable, exterior-rated wood and can be created with basic carpentry skills. That said, several of these highly desirable garden accessories are made with materials like concrete, metal, and wire. Garden Builder (Cool Springs Press, 192 pages, $24.99) includes projects like trellises, raised beds, harvest boxes, garden benches, planters and garden art. Follow the clear and comprehensive instructions, and you’ll have a garden that’s rich in design elements, useful aids, and practical furnishings.
The Spirit of Stone: 101 Practical & Creative Stonescaping Ideas for Your Garden by Jan Johnsen Since ancient times, stone has been revered for bringing a special feel to the garden. But a new generation of gardeners is incorporating natural stone in the landscape for function and beauty. In The Spirit of Stone (St. Lynn’s Press, 192 pages, $21.95), it’s all about achieving low-maintenance stonescapes with high-end appeal. Award-winning designer Jan Johnsen presents a richly photographed, authoritative guide to creative and practical uses for stone in the landscape: steps, paths, garden walls, dry streams, benches, rock gardens, driveways and more. The practicality of stone is especially appreciated by homeowners concerned with low maintenance, sustainability and water conservation—with the side benefit of enhancing their property value. The Spirit of Stone is an excellent idea book and how-to guide for designers, stonemasons, homeowners, and gardeners.
Fall is for Planting!
Time to Landscape!
Fall container gardening • Fall bulb planting for spring blooms!
Fall is a great time to landscape or refresh your existing grounds.
THE WEED LADY Gift, Home & Landscape Shop Garden Center Greenhouse • Florist Design / Build / Maintenance Landscape Company BOO! Great gifts and decorating ideas for fall entertaining and Halloween
9225 FENTON RD • GRAND BLANC • 25 MINS FROM GREAT LAKES CROSSING • THEWEEDLADY.COM • 810-655-2723
The Art of Bonsai BONSAI SHOW
Sunday, September 16, 11am - 4pm Displays • Art Exhibit • Vendors Classes • Hidden Lake Bonsai Collection
FALL FOLIAGE FESTIVAL Saturday, October 20
Perennials, annuals & herbs...our outdoor-grown plants are acclimated to Michigan’s weather for better performance in your garden
Come see THE HARPER COLLECTION:
Our selection of beautiful well-tended perennials, hostas, and grasses can’t be beat!
Mon-Sat 9-5 Sun 10-4
Sept. 1 through Oct. 7, 2018 Not valid with any other offers or discounts
Open by appointment after Oct 7
M-59 (Highland Rd.)
Golf Club Rd. Specialty Growers
Gra nd Riv er A 96 ve.
Hughes Rd.
517-431-2060 • hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu
plant purchase
4330 Golf Club Rd. Howell ~ 517-546-7742
Laston Rd.
Botanical Garden & Arboretum • Hosta Hillside • Plant Conservatory Flower Gardens • Picnic Area • Bonsai • Hiking Trails • Weddings & Tours by appointment
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Pinckney Rd.
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ORTONVILLE
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2570 Oakwood Rd. Ortonville, MI 48462 248-627-6498 3 Mi E. of M-15 at Hadley Rd.
7360 E. Court St. Davison, MI 48423 810-658-9221 Exit #143 off I-69 at Irish Rd.
559 S. Lapeer Rd. Lake Orion, MI 48362 248-690-7435 3/4 Mile N. of Clarkston Rd.
Wojo-grown mums, cabbage, kale and pansies are the BEST!
Get ready for fall with our great selection of pumpkins straw, gourds, and cornstalks
Westcroft Halloween Gardens Hayrides!
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Come visit the oldest farm in Michigan still owned and operated by the same family, established 1776
Fri & Sat: 7-11pm / Sun: 7-10pm Family Hour every Sunday from 6-7pm
End-of-season tasks in the veggie garden
Call us to reserve our gardens for your wedding, party or special event
Join us for our family friendly hayride through 13 acres of decorated woods, then warm up by the bonfire with a drink and snack! $10 per person.
PLANT NURSERY
21803 W. River Rd., Grosse Ile 734-676-2444 www.westcroftgardens.com
Sept 28 thru Oct 30
Closed when raining
PRIVATE PARTIES WELCOME! PLEASE CALL FOR RESERVATIONS.
Auburn Oaks GARDEN CENTER
High quality plants & service for your garden success since 1964.
Auburn Oaks Farm 23rd Annual Fall Plant Sale Open to the Public Friday-Sunday, Sept 21-23, 9am-4pm 8048 Allen Rd, Fenton, MI • 810-629-7848 Come on in and check out where the plants are grown!
It’s Fall Think SPRING! Hardy Mums • Spring Bulbs (Plant Now!) Pumpkins and Corns Stalks (arriving end of Sept) Clearance of Select Plants and Garden Art 3820 West Auburn Rd (2 blocks E of Adams) • Rochester Hills • 248-852-2310 www.auburnoaksnursery.com Mon-Sat 8-6 Sun 10-5
Michigan Gardener | September/October 2018 | MichiganGardener.com
vegetable patch
T
he end is near! Well, at least for the bles, a row cover may help maintain a few devegetable garden season. Now is the grees more heat for extending their harvest. time to take note of what has worked, Lastly, clean and store your garden equipwhat hasn’t worked, and any changes or adment. Remove soil and dirt from shovels, ditions to the garden you would like to make rakes, trellises, tomato cages, etc. Properly for next year. Write them down now, since store any leftover fertilizer or garden chemiour thoughts and ideas are often forgotten cals. Clean and store container pots—sanitize by spring. Once that is done, we can start the if necessary by soaking in a 10 percent bleach garden cleanup. solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) for 30 First, if there were any diseased plants, minutes. Clean and sanitize pruners, clippers, make sure they are completely removed from or scissors used in the garden. Drain and the garden. Good garden sanitation is imporstore hoses and watering cans. Taking good tant to prevent possible re-infection during care of your equipment now will save time the next growing season. The remand money in the spring. nants of healthy plants as well as There are a few odds and ends autumn leaves can be composted or to consider. If you have never had turned back into the soil to return a soil test done, now would be a the nutrients, which helps reduce good time to get one. The results fertilizer use and improve soil conwill help you get a jump-start on ditions. adding any soil amendments and Also, if you had any insect issues, provide information on any needed learn a little about the life cycle of fertilizer for the spring planting. the pesky critter and whether or Remember that October is the time not they might overwinter or leave to plant garlic, so be sure to get it in Mary Gerstenberger eggs or larvae behind in the leaf before the end of the month. If you litter or soil. Take steps to avoid are saving seeds, store them propproviding them their desired habitation. As erly. Information on saving and storing seeds much as possible, plan to rotate your crops can be found at: bit.ly/2w4RQgS. next season. One of the main reasons to roA happy, healthy garden next season betate crops in the garden is to prevent recurgins with the care taken in the cleanup for ring problems with insects or diseases. this one! Next, remember that some crops (such as Mary Gerstenberger was the Consumer Horcarrots, kale or turnips) can handle a light ticulture Coordinator at the Michigan State frost, and often taste better after it. Harvest University Extension in Macomb County, MI. the more tender crops first, and leave the cold For vegetable and gardening information from weather crops to harvest in the cooler temMSU, visit www.migarden.msu.edu. peratures. For some of the root crops, such as carrots and radishes, extend their harvest Call the toll-free Michigan State University deeper into the cold weather by mulching Lawn and Garden Hotline at 888-678-3464 the area where they are growing so that the for answers to your gardening questions. ground does not freeze. For tender vegeta-
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3600 Lapeer Rd. • Auburn Hills
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9900 Ann Arbor Rd W 7 Miles East of US-23 • 7 Miles West of I-275 1 1/2 Miles South of M-14 Corner of Gotfredson Rd.
The Best Solution for Problem Lawns With an N-P-K of 15-0-7, Grass Magic contains primarily organic materials with a small addition of urea to allow for a quick green-up in the spring. Unlike most lawn fertilizers, it also contains kelp, seaweed, and beneficial soil microbes to help grass plants better absorb the nutrients. Grass Magic lasts for 12 to 16 weeks, so its nutrients continue to be effective for much longer than water soluble fertilizers, which release their nutrients in a brief spurt after water is applied. This often causes stress to the grass by forcing growth at the expense of root development and plant vigor. In addition, the insoluble nature of Grass Magic is far less susceptible to leaching and run-off than soluble fertilizers.
Michigan Gardener | September/October 2018 | MichiganGardener.com
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Allen Park • Ace Hardware Almont H American Tree Ann Arbor • Dixboro General Store H Matthaei Botanical Gard H Downtown Home & Gard • Wild Birds Unltd H The Produce Station • Ace Barnes Hardware (Washtenaw Ave) H Turner’s Greenhse/ Gard Ctr H Lodi Farms H Abbott’s Landscp Nurs • Ace Barnes Hardware (West Stadium) • Larry’s Mower Shop H HillTop Greenhse & Farms Auburn H Warmbier Farms Auburn Hills • Drake’s Landscp & Nurs H State Crushing • Ace Hardware H Haley Stone Belleville H Zywicki Greenhse • Banotai Greenhse H Pinter Flowerland Berkley • Garden Central Beverly Hills • Ace Hardware Birmingham H Blossoms Brighton • Grasshopper Gardens • Ace Hardware H Meier Flowerland • Leppek Nurs H Beauchamp Landscp Supp Brownstown Twp H Ruhlig Farms & Gard • Raupp Bros Landscp Supp Bruce Twp H Van’s Valley Greenhse Canton • Wild Birds Unltd • Canton Floral Gardens • Crimboli Nurs • Schmidt's Roadside Chelsea H The Garden Mill • The Potting Shed • Ace Hardware Chesterfield H Van Thomme’s Greenhses Clarkston • The Gateway • Lowrie’s Landscp • Backyard Oasis • Ace Hardware (Dixie Hwy) • Ace Hardware (Sashabaw) • Weingartz • Country Oaks Landscp Supp Clawson • Ace Hardware
at these fine locations: Clinton Twp • MSU ExtensionMacomb Cty H English Gardens • Tropical Treasures • Michigan Koi Clio H Piechnik’s Greenhse Commerce Twp H Zoner’s Greenhse Davison H Wojo’s Garden Splendors Dearborn • Fairlane Gard • Ace Hardware Dearborn Hts H English Gardens Detroit • Cheryl English • Detroit Gard Ctr Dexter H Fraleigh’s Nurs • Bloom! Gard Ctr H Dexter Mill • Earth Art Eastpointe H English Gardens • Drew’s Garden Farmington • Alexander True Value Hardware Farmington Hills H Steinkopf Nurs • Saxton’s Flower Ctr • Ace Hardware • Weingartz Fenton • Gerych’s H Heavenly Scent Herb Farm Ferndale • Casual Modes Home & Gard Flushing H Flushing Lawn & Gard Ctr Fostoria H The Iron Barn Fowlerville • Green-Up Gard Ctr Gladwin H Stone Cottage Gdns Grand Blanc H The Weed Lady Grand Rapids • Meijer Gardens Grosse Ile • Grosse Ile Pet & Gard Ctr H Westcroft Gardens Grosse Pointe • Allemon’s Landscp Ctr • Meldrum & Smith Nurs Grosse Pointe Shores • Edsel & Eleanor Ford House Grosse Pointe Woods • Wild Birds Unltd Hadley • Le Fleur Décor Haslett H Van Atta’s Greenhse Highland • Thornton Nurs • Colasanti’s Produce & Plants H One Stop Landscp Supp • Five Star Ace Hardware • Fragments • Ace Hardware
Howell H Specialty Growers • Wilczewski Greenhses H Superior Landscp Supp • Howell Farmer’s Mkt Imlay City H Earthly Arts Keego Harbor • Creative Brick Paving Lake Orion H Orion Stone Depot H Lake Orion Lawn Ornaments H Wojo’s of Lake Orion • Ace Hardware Livonia • Saxton’s Power Equip • Valley Nurs H George’s Livonia Gard • Ace Hardware (6 Mi/Newburgh) • Ace Hardware (5 Mi/Middlebelt) • Superior Growers Supp • Bushel Mart Macomb • Wild Birds Unltd • Joe Randazzo’s • Ace Hardware • Boyka’s Greenhse • Olejnik Farms • Altermatt’s Grnhse H Landscape Source H Elya’s Village Gard Midland • Dow Gardens Milford H The Pond Place • Peter’s True Value Hardware • Ace Hardware Monroe • The Flower Market New Baltimore H Meldrum Bros Nurs New Boston H Grass Roots Nurs • Mums the Word New Hudson H Milarch Nurs • Fletcher & Rickard Landscp Supp North Branch H Campbell’s Greenhses H Oldani Landscp Nurs Northville • Gardenviews • Begonia Bros Novi • Tollgate Education Ctr - MSU • Glenda’s Gard Ctr • Ace Hardware • Wild Birds Unltd Oak Park • Ace Hardware • Four Seasons Gard Ctr Oakland H Piechnik’s Garden Gate Ortonville H Wojo’s Greenhse Owosso H Everlastings in the Wildwood Oxford • Oxford Farm & Gard Pinckney • Bock’s General Store & Gard Ctr
Plymouth • Rock Shoppe H Plymouth Nurs • Lucas Nurs • Sparr’s Greenhse • Sideways • Plymouth Rock & Supp Pontiac • MSU ExtensionOakland Cty • Goldner Walsh Gard/Home Ray • Heritage Oaks Redford H Pinter Flowerland • Seven Mi Gard Ctr Rochester • Allstate Home Leisure • Fogler’s Greenhse • Sherwood Forest Gard Ctr Rochester Hills H Haley Stone H Auburn Oaks Gard Ctr • Wild Birds Unltd • Ace Hardware Romulus • Kurtzhal’s Farms • Schwartz’s Greenhse H Schoedel’s Nurs Roseville • Dale’s Landscp Supp • Flower Barn Nurs Sea World Royal Oak • Frentz & Sons Hardware • Billings Lawn Equip • Ace Hardware • Wild Birds Unltd • Manus Power Mowers H English Gardens Saginaw H Abele Greenhse & Gard Ctr Salem Twp H Willow Greenhses Saline • Nature’s Gard Ctr H Saline Flowerland • Junga’s Ace Hdwe • Clink Landscp & Nurs Shelby Twp • Ace Hardware H Telly’s Greenhse H Hessell’s Greenhses H Diegel’s Greenhse • Maeder Plant Farm South Lyon • Stone Depot Landscp Supp • Mike’s Garden • Ace Hardware Southfield H 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 H Hall’s Nurs H Soulliere Gard Ctr • Greenhouse Growers
Sterling Heights • Sterling Hts Nature Ctr • Decor Statuette • Prime Landscp Supp H Eckert’s Greenhse Stockbridge • Gee Farms Sylvan Lake H Detroit Garden Works H AguaFina Gardens Interntl Taylor • Beautiful Ponds & Gard • D&L Garden Ctr • Ace Hardware • Massab Acres H Panetta’s Landscp Supp Trenton • Keck Hardware • Carefree Lawn Ctr • Ace Hardware Troy H Telly’s Greenhse • Gramma’s Gardens H Uncle Luke’s Feed Store • Home & Gard Shop Utica • Stonescape Supp • Weingartz Warren • Greco’s Nurs • Kutchey’s Farm Market • Garden Center Nurs • Beste’s Lawn & Patio Washington • Rocks ‘n’ Roots • Landscape Direct • Miller’s Big Red Greenhse Waterford • Ace Hardware • Breen’s Landscp Supp H Merrittscape • Jacobsen’s Flowers West Bloomfield H English Gardens • ACE Hardware • Whole Foods Westland H Barsons Greenhses • Panetta’s Landscp Supp • Merlino’s Bushel Ctr • Ace Hardware • Bushel Stop • Joe Randazzo’s Nurs White Lake H Mulligan’s Gard Ctr • Sunshine Plants H Bogie Lake Greenhse Whitmore Lake H Alexander’s Greenhses Williamston • Christian’s Greenhse Wixom • Angelo’s Landscp Supp • Brainer’s Greenhse Ypsilanti H Sell Farms & Greenhse • Lucas Nurs • Margolis Nurs • Materials Unlimited • Michigan Greenscape Supp • Schmidt’s Antiques • Coleman’s Farm Mkt
MATTHAEI BOTANICAL GARDENS
always in season!
WILDFLOWER AND NATIVE PLANT SALE
162 South Old Woodward Ave. Birmingham MI. 248-647-4414 www.grinsteinjewelry.com
Sat. & Sun., Oct. 6 & 7, 10 am-4:30 pm
Two-day sale featuring a selection of native plants grown on-site. Native plants attract pollinators and beneficial insects—making them great garden choices for our region. Ann Arbor-based Native Plant Nursery will also be on hand with plants native to Michigan.
Free admission. 10% Matthaei-Nichols member discount. Not a member? Join online & save. University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens 1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor 734.647.7600 mbgna.umich.edu
Fall is coming and so is our new series of acorn and oak leaf jewelry! With a share of the proceeds donated to support The Greening of Detroit, what better way to welcome the season? Visit us in-store, online or call for details.
PR[MIUM MUlCH - lOPWll - D[CORAHV[ HON[ - flAGHON[ - VAllHON[ - BOUlDm - �AND - GRAV[l - PAV[R�
Classified Ads OUR BUSINESS IS GROWING! Goldner Walsh Garden and Home is seeking creative, motivated and energetic landscape designer to join our team. Our design and installation process includes appointment management and scheduling, client meetings and customer service, design, estimating, plant selection and on-site installation management of experienced crew. GW utilizes a very hands-on approach to design for projects both big and small, from start to finish. Requirements: knowledge of plant materials; strong organizational, communication and collaboration skills; comfortable working with many clients at once in active, fun work environment. We value a strong work ethic and commitment to quality and detail. Please visit our website to get a feel for our multi-faceted company: www.goldnerwalsh.com. Please direct inquires to: landscape@goldnerwalsh.com. 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.
NEED A HAND? Call “The little gardener that could.” 15 yrs experience at Botanical Gardens. FREE Estimates. Pat: 586-214-9852, agardenspace.com. HARDY PLANT SOCIETY, GREAT LAKES CHAPTER - Events are at Congregational Church of Birmingham (1000 Cranbrook Rd., Bloomfield Hills). Guest fee: $5. For more info: julia@juliasbiglife.com or visit us on Facebook. DON’T LOOK. Oops, you looked. And so will 70,000 potential customers. Advertise in Michigan Gardener. Call 248-594-5563 or e-mail 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.
Michigan Gardener Classified Advertising is a cost-effective way to promote yourself and your business. Need help? Have help to give? Have a big event coming up? Have some items to sell? Let our readers know! Go to MichiganGardener.com and click on “Classified Advertising.”
YOUR ONf-�lOP �HOP lO BfAUilrY YOUR HOMf fOR OVfR 30 YfAR�! www.orionstone.com 248-391-2490 Orion Stone Depot I 4888 Joslyn Road, Orion, Ml 48359 Located 1/2 mile north of 1-75 and Great Lakes Crossing Outlets
A collection of stores and gardens to shop and visit. Please call ahead for hours, as they may vary from season to season.
Mt. Pleasant
Gladwin
Bay City
Midland
Auburn
Saginaw North Branch Clio
Lapeer
Davison
Imlay City
Flushing
Owosso
Lennon
Burton
Flint
Emmett
Hadley
Grand Blanc
Port Huron
Dryden
Metamora
Almont
Bancroft
Grand Rapids
Bruce Twp. Fenton Ortonville
Lake Orion
Haslett
Lansing
East Lansing
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
Oakland
Clarkston
Washington
Ray
Rochester Macomb Rochester Shelby Twp. Highland Fowlerville Pontiac Hills New Utica Baltimore Auburn Hills Sylvan Lake Clinton Twp. Chesterfield Commerce Milford Howell Troy West Mason Sterling Hts. Bloomfield Bloom. Hills Birmingham Walled Lake St. Clair Berkley Wixom Roseville Shores Brighton Warren Royal Oak New Hudson Eastpointe South Lyon Novi Farmington Southfield Hills Oak Park Stockbridge Ferndale Whitmore Northville Grosse Lake Pointes Livonia Redford canton Canton Floral Gardens Plymouth Detroit Crimboli Nurs Dexter Wild Birds Unltd Chelsea Westland Canton cement city DearbornDearborn Ann Heights H Hallson Gardens Grass Lake Arbor 14280 US-127, MI 49233 Ypsilanti Jackson Taylor 517-592-9450 www.perennialnursery.com Romulus Southgate Belleville Manchester Trenton Saline chelsea Brownstown Twp. Grosse Ile H Garden Mill New Boston Flat Rock 110 S. Main St, MI 48118 Tipton Tecumseh 734-475-3539 Monroe www.thegardenmill.com Cement City Ottawa Lake La Salle The Potting Shed Hartland
Williamston
Want to advertise your local business in Places to Grow? 2 options:
Oxford
White Lake
White Lake Waterford
chesterfield almont H American Tree
ann arbor H Abbott’s Nurs & Garden Ctr 2781 Scio Church Rd, MI 48103 734-665-8733 www.abbottsnursery.com H Downtown Home/Gard H HillTop Greenhse/Farms H Lodi Farms H The Produce Station H Turner’s Greenhse & Garden Ctr 4431 South Wagner Rd, MI 48103 734-663-7600 www.turnersannarbor.com Wild Birds Unltd
auburn H Warmbier Farms 5300 Garfield Rd, MI 48611 989-662-7002 www.warmbierfarms.com
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
brighton
H Begick Nursery & Garden Ctr 5993 Westside Saginaw Rd, MI 48706 989-684-4210 www.begicknursery.com
H Beauchamp Landscp Supp Bordine’s Leppek Nurs H Meier Flowerland
belleville
brownstown twp
Banotai Greenhse Gardeners Choice H Pinter Flowerland H Zywicki Greenhse
Bruce’s Pond Shop Raupp Brothers Gard Ctr H Ruhlig Farms & Gard
berkley
H Van’s Valley Greenhse
Garden Central
birmingham H Blossoms 33866 Woodward Ave, MI 48009 248-644-4411 www.blossomsbirmingham.com
bruce twp burton H Walker Farms & Greenhouse 5253 E. Atherton Rd, MI 48519 810-743-0260 www.walkersfarm.com
H Van Thomme’s Greenhses
clarkston Bordine’s Country Oaks Landscp I Lowrie’s Landscp Backyard Oasis Pond & Gard
clinton twp H English Gardens 44850 Garfield Rd, MI 48038 586-286-6100 www.EnglishGardens.com Michigan Koi Tropical Treasures
clio H Piechnik’s Greenhouse & Garden Ctr 13172 McCumsey Rd, MI 48420 810-686-9211 www.cliogreenhouse.com
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2018 | Michigan Gardener
commerce twp H Zoner’s Greenhse 2355 E. Commerce Rd, MI 48382 248-363-6742 www.zonersgreenhouse.com
davison H Wojo’s Gard Splendors 7360 E. Court St, MI 48423 810-658-9221 www.wojos.com
grosse ile H Westcroft Gardens 21803 West River Rd, MI 48138 734-676-2444 www.westcroftgardens.com
manchester
rochester
stockbridge
whitmore lake
Gee Farms
H Alexander’s Greenhses
mason
Fogler’s Greenhse Sherwood Forest Gard Ctr
sylvan lake
williamston
Wildtype Nurs
rochester hills
H AguaFina Gardens International 2629 Orchard Lake Rd, MI 48320 248-738-0500 www.aguafina.com
Christian’s Greenhse
McLennan Nurs
metamora
grosse pointe
Gilling’s Nurs
Allemon’s Landscp Ctr Meldrum & Smith Nurs
milford
grosse pointe woods
Milford Gardens H The Pond Place
Wild Birds Unltd
monroe
dearborn
hadley
H The Flower Market
Fairlane Gardens
Le Fleur Décor
new baltimore
dearborn heights
hartland
H Meldrum Bros Nurs
Deneweth’s Garden Ctr
new boston
haslett
H Grass Roots Nurs Mums the Word
H English Gardens 22650 Ford Rd, MI 48127 313-278-4433 www.EnglishGardens.com
detroit Eastern Market
dexter Bloom! Gard Ctr H Dexter Mill Earth Art H Fraleighs Landscape Nursery 8600 Jackson Rd, MI 48130 734-426-5067 www.fraleighs.com Guthrie Gardens
eastpointe H English Gardens 22501 Kelly Rd, MI 48021 586-771-4200 www.EnglishGardens.com
Christian’s Greenhse H Van Atta’s Greenhse
highland Colasanti’s Produce/Plant Fragments Highland Garden Ctr H One Stop Landscp Supp Thornton Nurs
howell Howell Farmer’s Mkt Penrose Nurs H Specialty Growers 4330 Golf Club Rd, MI 48843 517-546-7742 www.specialtygrowers.net
new hudson H Milarch Nurs 28500 Haas Rd, MI 48165 248-437-2094 www.milarchnursery.com
north branch H Campbell’s Greenhouses 4077 Burnside Rd, MI 48461 810-688-3587 www.campbellsgreenhouses.com H Oldani Landscape Nurseries 2666 Tozer Rd, MI 48461 810-688-2363 www.oldanilandscapenurseries.com
H Superior Landscape Supplies 4805 Musson Rd, MI 48855 517-548-2068 Find us on Facebook
northville
Wilczewski Greenhses
novi
Angelo’s Landscp Supp Farmer John’s Greenhse Loeffler Stone Ctr H Steinkopf Nurs
imlay city H Earthly Arts Greenhse
Glenda’s Gard Ctr Wild Birds Unltd
jackson
oak park
The Hobbit Place
Four Seasons Gard Ctr
fenton
lake orion
oakland
Gerych’s Flowers/Gift
H Lake Orion Lawn Orn H Orion Stone Depot
Drew’s Garden
farmington hills
H Heavenly Scent Herb Farm 13730 White Lake Rd, MI 48430 810-629-9208 www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com
ferndale
H Wojo’s of Lake Orion 559 S. Lapeer Rd, MI 48362 248-690-7435 www.wojos.com
Begonia Brothers Gardenviews H Willow Greenhouses
H Piechnik’s Garden Gate 1095 N. Rochester Rd, MI 48363 586-336-7200 www.cliogreenhouse.com
ortonville H Wojo’s Greenhse 2570 Oakwood Rd, MI 48462 248-627-6498 www.wojos.com
Casual Modes Home/Gard
lansing
flat rock
Lansing Gardens
Masserant’s Feed Store
lapeer
flushing
H The Iron Barn
ottawa lake
H Flushing Lawn & Garden Ctr 114 Terrace St, MI 48433 810-659-6241 www.unclelukes.com
lasalle
H Beauchamp Landscape Supp
Fowler’s Gift Shop
owosso
fowlerville Green-Up Gard Ctr
gladwin H Stone Cottage Gardens 3740 West Willford Rd, MI 48624 989-426-2919 www.stonecottagegardens.com
grand blanc Bordine’s H The Weed Lady 9225 Fenton Rd, MI 48439 810-655-2723 www.theweedlady.com
grass lake H Designs by Judy Florist & Greenhse 3250 Wolf Lake Rd, MI 49240 517-522-5050 www.designsbyjudyflowers.com
lennon Krupps Novelty Shop
livonia Bushel Mart H George’s Livonia Gardens 31405 W. 7 Mile Rd, MI 48152 248-476-6719 Find us on Facebook Superior Growers Supp Valley Nurs
macomb 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 Wild Birds Unltd
H Everlastings in Wildwood
oxford Candy Cane Xmas Trees Oxford Farm/Gard
plymouth Graye’s Greenhse Lucas Nurs H Plymouth Nursery 9900 Ann Arbor Rd W, MI 48170 734-453-5500 www.plymouthnursery.net Plymouth Rock & Supp Rock Shoppe on Gotfredson Sparr’s Greenhse
pontiac
H Auburn Oaks Garden Ctr 3820 West 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 Wild Birds Unltd
romulus Block’s Stand/Greenhse Kurtzhals’ Farms H Schoedel’s Nurs Schwartz’s Greenhouse
roseville Dale’s Landscp Supp Flower Barn Nurs Sea World
royal oak Billings Lawn Equip H English Gardens 4901 Coolidge Hwy, MI 48073 248-280-9500 www.EnglishGardens.com Wild Birds Unltd
saginaw H Abele Greenhouse & Garden Ctr 3500 Wadsworth Rd, MI 48601 989-752-5625 www.abelegreenhouse.com
saline Clink Landscp & Nurs Nature’s Garden Ctr H Saline Flowerland
shelby twp H Diegel Greenhses H Hessell’s Greenhouse 14497 23 Mile Rd, MI 48315 586-247-4675 www.hessellsgreenhouse.com Maeder Plant Farm 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
southfield 3 DDD’s Stand H Eagle Landscp/Supp Lavin’s Flower Land Main’s Landscp Supp
southgate H Ray Hunter Gard Ctr
st clair shores Greenhouse Growers H Hall’s Nurs H Soulliere Gard Ctr
sterling heights Decor Statuette
Heritage Oaks
H Eckert’s Greenhouse 34051 Ryan Rd, MI 48310 586-264-5678 www.eckertsgreenhouse.com
redford
Prime Landscp Supp
Goldner Walsh Gard/Home
ray
H Pinter Flowerland Seven Mi Gard Ctr
H Detroit Garden Works 1794 Pontiac Dr, MI 48320 248-335-8089 www.detroitgardenworks.com
taylor Beautiful Ponds & Gardens D&L Garden Ctr Massab Acres H Panetta’s Landscp Supp
tecumseh
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wixom Angelo’s Landscp Supp Brainer’s Greenhse Milford Tree Farm
ypsilanti Coleman’s Farm Mkt Lucas Nurs Margolis Nurs Materials Unlimited H Sell Farms & Greenhouses 7200 Willis Rd, MI 48197 866-296-3090 www.sellfarmsandgreenhouses.com
Mitchell’s Lawn/Landscp
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
utica Stonescape Supp
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
walled lake
clinton twp
H Suburban Landscp Supp
Tomlinson Arboretum
warren
dearborn
Beste’s Lawn/Patio Supp Garden Ctr Nurs Kutchey’s Farm Mkt
Arjay Miller Arboretum @ Ford World HQ Henry Ford Estate
washington
detroit
Landscp Direct Miller’s Big Red Greenhse Rocks ‘n’ Roots
Anna S Whitcomb Conservtry, Belle Isle
dryden
waterford
east lansing
Breen’s Landscp Supp Hoffman Nurs
H MSU Horticulture Gardens W.J. Beal Botanical Gard
H Merritt Home Design 5940 Cooley Lake Rd., MI 48327 248-681-7955 www.merritthomedesigns.com
emmett
Oakland County Market
west bloomfield H English Gardens 6370 Orchard Lake Rd, MI 48322 248-851-7506 www.EnglishGardens.com
westland H Barson’s Greenhse 6414 North Merriman Rd, MI 48185 734-421-5959 www.barsons.com Bushel Stop Joe Randazzo’s Nurs Merlino’s Bushel Ctr Panetta’s Landscp
Seven Ponds Nature Ctr
H Sunny Fields Botanical Park 5444 Welch Rd, MI 48022 810-387-2765 www.visitsunnyfields.org
flint Applewood Estate
grand rapids Frederik Meijer Gardens
grosse pointe shores Edsel & Eleanor Ford Hse
lansing Cooley Gardens
midland Dahlia Hill Dow Gardens
novi Tollgate Education Ctr
rochester
white lake
Meadow Brook Hall & Gardens
H Bogie Lake Greenhouses 1525 Bogie Lake Rd, MI 48383 248-887-5101 www.bogielakegreenhouses.com
taylor
H Mulligan’s Landscp & Gard Ctr 8215 Elizabeth Lake Rd., MI 48386 248-698-4741 www.mulliganlandscaping.com Sunshine Plants
Taylor Conservatory & Botanical Gard
tipton H Hidden Lake Gardens 6214 Monroe Rd (M-50), MI 49287 517-431-2060 www.hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2018 | MichiganGardener.com
Send Us Your Photos!
through the lens
1. E-mail 2 or 3 of your best garden photos to: photos@MichiganGardener.com. We are looking for photos of your garden, both wide-angle and plant close-ups. Be sure to e-mail a high-resolution file. 2. Please include your full name and a caption describing the scene and the plants. 3. If your photo is published, we’ll give you a free one-year subscription to Michigan Gardener.
Photographs from Michigan gardeners
Succulents, wild roses and milkweed are just a few of the plants featured in Theresa Turner’s backyard.
“Birds plant all the sunflowers in my garden from the feeder.” — Audra Spondike
Valerie Maness snapped this banana plant soaking up the sun.
Judy Garrett’s sunny front yard garden gets many compliments from families in the neighborhood as they take their evening walks. Zinnias, daylilies, vinca, million bells, petunias and clematis all show off their colorful blooms.
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Advertiser Index Abbott’s Landscape Nursery...........................23 Aguafina Gardens International........................7 Assoc. of Professional Gardeners..................23 Auburn Oaks Gard Ctr..........................................12 Barson’s Greenhouse...........................................20 Beauchamp’s/The Pond Place...........................5 Blossoms.....................................................................19 Bogie Lake Greenhouses.......................................9 Davey Tree...................................................................7 Detroit Garden Works..........................................10 Eckert’s Greenhouse...............................................9 English Gardens..............................................Page 3 Fraleigh’s Landscape Nursery..........................13 The Garden Mill......................................................23 Garden Rhythms....................................................23
A Garden Space......................................................22 Gordon’s Lawn Core Aeration............................8 Grass Magic..............................................................14 Grinstein Jewelry & Design................................15 Haley Stone................................................................13 Hidden Lake Gardens............................................11 Honda.........................................Inside Front Cover Iron Barn Iron Work..............................................23 Lake Orion Lawn Ornaments...........................20 Matthaei Botanical Gardens.............................15 Michigan Nursery/Landscp Assoc.................9 Milarch Nursery......................................................10 Mulligan’s Garden Ctr.............................................6 The Original Budget Tree Service...................12 Orion Stone Depot.................................................15 Piechnik’s Greenhouse...........................................8 Plantskydd..................................................................19
Plymouth Nursery..................................................14 Poison Ivy Control of Michigan.......................22 Sam’s Yard Guard..................................................22 Schuman Landscape Lighting...........................13 Specialty Growers...................................................11 State Crushing..........................................................19 Steinkopf Nursery.....................................................5 Stone Cottage Gardens.......................................22 Telly’s Greenhouse...................................................4 Turner’s Landscp & Gard Ctr............................20 Tuthill Farms & Composting.............................22 Uncle Luke’s Feed Store.......................................21 Van Atta’s Greenhouse........................................21 Warmbier Farms.....................................................13 The Weed Lady.........................................................11 Westcroft Gardens................................................12 Wojo’s...........................................................................11
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2018 | MichiganGardener.com
calendar
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT PUBLIC GARDENS, please visit MichiganGardener.com. Click on "Resources" then "Public Gardens."
September / October / November / December
The best fall color display! Fall Color Pots • Mums, Pansies, Kale Tailgate Accents • Perennials on Sale Closed September 2 & 3 Mon-Fri 9-5:30 Sat 9-4 • Sun 11-3
4431 South Wagner Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
734-663-7600 • turnersannarbor.com
Check our website for our “Fall Pond Closing” seminar date, plus other great events!
FALL DÉCOR CORN STALKS • STRAW PUMPKINS • GOURDS COMING MID-SEPTEMBER!
HUGE
SELECTION OF FALL MUMS
WE STOCK ALL YOUR INDOOR GROWING NEEDS!
New expanded line of indoor growing supplies HUGE SELECTION OF FAIRY GARDENING SUPPLIES
6414 N. Merriman • Westland, MI • Located btwn Ford & Warren
734-421-5959 • www.barsons.com Join us on Facebook for early notices on sales & events
Lake Orion Lawn Ornaments LakeOrion 25% OFF ALL IN-STOCK ITEMS Plus: Large DISCOUNT area, up to 50% OFF! Sale Ends 9-30-18
Gardener’s Paradise! Over 800 different items on display
Concrete Benches • Tables • Fountains • Planters Saucers • Birdbaths • Statues • Religious Statues • Rails Animals • Ballisters • Oriental Lanterns • Pier Caps
62 W. Scripps Rd., Lake Orion • 248-693-8683 Corner of M-24 (Lapeer Rd) & Scripps Rd. - 4 mi N. of The Palace of Auburn Hills
www.lakeorionconcrete.com • Call ahead for hours
September H Free Admission at Cranbrook Gardens Sat, Sep 1, 9am-5pm, Bloomfield Hills. At Cranbrook Gardens. FREE. Through Oct 31. Enjoy 40 acres of gardens. 248-645-3147, houseandgardens@cranbrook.edu. H The Fall Garden Sat, Sep 1, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. Proper planning is the key to a beautiful landscape. We will share our expertise. www.EnglishGardens.com. Michigan Dahlia Association’s 70th Annual Dahlia Show Sat, Sep 1, 12-5pm & Sun, Sep 2, 11am-2pm, Ann Arbor. By Michigan Dahlia Association at Washtenaw Community College, Morris Lawrence Building. 1000+ blooms on display. 734-429-5796. Michigan Caterpillars Tue, Sep 4, 6-8pm, East Lansing. By Capital Area Master Gardeners at MSU Plant & Soil Science Building. $3. Speaker: Duke Elsner. mgacac@wordpress.com. Evenings in the Garden Series Thu, Sep 6, 6:30-8:30pm, Novi. At MSU Tollgate. $20. “Household Pests & Backyard Wildlife Management”. Register: events.anr.msu.edu/evenings18summer. H Art in the Elements Fri, Sep 7, 5-8pm; Sat-Sun, Sep 8-9, 10am-4pm, Bloomfield Hills. At Cranbrook House & Gardens. Discover living sculpture exhibits of fresh floral & botanicals designed by AIFD. 248-645-3149, housegardens.cranbrook.edu. H Fall is for Planting Sat, Sep 8, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. Fall is an excellent time to plant. We will share tips on what can be done now to add color for next season. www. EnglishGardens.com. H Super Sprout’s Kid’s Club: Grandparents Day Gift: Decorate a Stepping Stone Sat, Sep 8, 11:30am, all locations. At English Gardens. $5. Decorate a garden stepping stone to give as a gift or keep for your own garden. Register: www.EnglishGardens.com. Grounds Tour at Ford House Tue, Sep 11, 6-8pm, Grosse Pointe Shores. At Edsel & Eleanor Ford House. $10. Get captivated by the landscape at Ford House on this guided tour of the grounds while you learn about Jens Jensen. www.fordhouse.org. Fall Time: Best Time for Startin’ a New Garden Tue, Sep 11, 6:30-7:30pm, Mt. Clemens. By Macomb Cty Master Gardener Association at Mt. Clemens Library. $5. Prepare & shape your beds for spring using simple methods. MCMGA annual meeting to follow. www.macombcountymga.com.
Ferndale Garden Club Meeting Thu, Sep 13, 7pm, Ferndale. By Ferndale Garden Club at Kulick Community Center. “Water Conservation in the Garden” with MSU Extension. Guests are welcome. 248-541-6427. Ask Our Experts at Ford House: Plant for Fall Displays Fri, Sep 14, 2-4pm, Grosse Pointe Shores. At Edsel & Eleanor Ford House. An informal opportunity to chat with an expert horticulturist from the Ford House team. www.FordHouse.org, 313-884-4222. H Aguafina’s Latest Finds Fri, Sep 14, 5pm, Sylvan Lake. At Aguafina Gardens International. Be the first to see our newest finds from owner’s Daryl Toby’s latest trip to Asia. www.aguafina.com. Fall Perennial Exchange Sat, Sep 15, 9-11am, Royal Oak. By Royal Oak Garden Club at Mahany/Meininger Senior Community Center. Bring labeled plants (no trees/woody shrubs), swap held inside. 248-585-4271. H Freshen Up for Fall Sat, Sep 15, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. Summer heat take its toll on your garden? We have new varieties of cold-tolerant plants that will freshen up your yard. www.EnglishGardens.com. H Hydrangea Wreath Sat, Sep 15, 10am-Noon, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $69.75. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com. 66th Annual Dahlia Show & Competition Sat, Sep 15, 12noon-9:30pm; Sun, Sep 16, 9am-3pm, West Bloomfield Twp. By SE Michigan Dahlia Society at Orchard Mall. 500 dahlias of varying size, color & form. www.semds.org, 248-689-5947. H Piechnik’s Fall Open House Sat, Sep 15, & Sun, Sep 16, 10am-6pm, Oakland. At Piechnik’s Garden Gate. Dozens of colors & sizes of mums. Corn stalks, pumpkins, gourds & more. www.Piechniks.com. H Exotic Plant Show & Sale Sat, Sep 15, & Sun, Sep 16, 10am-4:30pm, Ann Arbor. By Michigan Cactus & Succulent Society and SE Michigan Bromeliad Society at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Hundreds of plants ranging from the beautiful to the bizarre. Plant sale by Society members. 734-237-4427. H The Art of Bonsai Sun, Sep 16, 11am-4pm, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. Bonsai show, art inspired by bonsai exhibit, learning sessions, & the Hidden Lake Gardens Bonsai Collection. www.HiddenLakeGardens.msu.edu. Michigan Orchid Society Meeting Sun, Sep 16, 2:30pm, Birmingham. By Michigan Orchid Society at the First Baptist Church, 300 Willits St. The topic for discussion will be on Sarcochilus Orchids. The public is welcomed to attend.
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
Deadline
November/December 2018 October 15, 2018 April 2019 March 15, 2019
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2018 | Michigan Gardener
Royal Oak Garden Club Meeting Wed, Sep 19, 7pm, Royal Oak. At Royal Oak Public Library. Jennifer Lau from English Gardens presents “Four Seasons of Container Gardening”. 586-486-4571. Evening of Roses at the Ford House Thu, Sep 20, 5:30-8:30pm, Grosse Pointe Shores. At Edsel & Eleanor Ford House. $60. Sip a signature roseinspired cocktail, sample exquisite rose desserts, create your own custom botanical perfume & more with our Ford House experts. Space is limited. Register: 313-884-4222. H Make It & Take It Workshop: Fall Grapevine Door Wreath Thu, Sep 20, 7pm, all locations. At English Gardens. $39. Welcome fall by designing a decorative wreath to hang on your door or inside your home. Register: www.englishgardens.com. H Auburn Oaks Fall Plant Event Fri, Sep 21,& Sat-Sun, Sep 22-23, 9am-4pm, Fenton. At Auburn Oaks Farm. Come in and check our where the plants are grown. www.auburnoaksnursery.com. Chrysanthemums & More Fri, Sep 21, through Oct 28, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. Celebrate the autumn season with an extensive display of hundreds of flowering plants. Color tours, tram rides & seasonal children’s activities. Yardeners Fall Plant Exchange Sat, Sep 22, 9-11am, St. Clair Shores. By Yardeners at parking lot behind St. Clair Shores Public Library. Bag, tag, & drag your offerings to trade or give away. No money involved. scsyardeners@gmail.com. H Fall Lawn Care Sat, Sep 22, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. Fall is a crucial season for your lawn. We will share our tips on preparing your lawn to make sure it flourishes next spring. www.EnglishGardens.com. H Pond Winterization Sat, Sep 22, & Sat, Sep 29, & Sat, Oct 13, 10-11am, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. How to clean-up & winterize your pond. www.pondplace.com. Spring Bulbs Mon, Sep 24, 7pm, Birmingham. By Metro Detroit Hosta Society at First United Methodist Church. Prolong the color show among your dormant plants. Hgold2843@comcast.net. Creative Vegetable Gardening Fri, Sep 28, 10am, Rochester. By Meadow Brook Garden Club at Meadow Brook Hall. $5. Dr. Art Cameron gives tricks to make vegetable gardening more fun & productive. 248-364-6210, MBGCmembers@ gmail.com. H Halloween Hayrides Fri, Sep 28, thru Tue, Oct 30: Fri & Sat, 7-11pm & Sun, 7-10pm, Grosse Ile. At Westcroft Gardens. $10/person. Join us for a family friendly hayride through 13 acres of decorated woods. Closed when raining. www.WestcroftGardens.com. H Arranging Fresh-cut Flowers Sat, Sep 29, 10am, Clinton Township, Dearborn Heights, Royal Oak, & West Bloomfield. At English Gardens. A EG floral designer will demonstrate the basics of floral design. www.EnglishGardens.com. H Community Dahlia Competition & Tuber Storing Demonstration Sat, Sep 29, 1-4pm, Ann Arbor. At Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Open to all area Dahlia growers & the public. Entries may be made from 11am–12:30pm. Demo @ 1pm. mbgna.umich.edu.
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H Night Hike Sat, Sep 29, 7:15pm, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $13/adult, $10/child. Bring headlamp/flashlight & proper dress/shoe. www.hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu, 517-431-2060. H Van Atta’s Welcome Fall Event Sun, Sep 30, Noon-4pm, Haslett. At VanAtta’s. Family fun activities to welcome the season. www.vanattas.com. Honey Bees Tue, Oct 2, 6-8pm, East Lansing. By Capital Area Master Gardeners at MSU Plant & Soil Science Building. $3. Speaker: Mike Risk, owner of Risk Apiary. mgacac@wordpress.com. Fall Into Spring Sat, Oct 6, 8am, Flint. By Master Gardener Association Genesse County Michigan at Mott Community College Events Ctr. An educational conference featuring 4 speakers. MGs are able to earn 5 credits. http://fallintospring.weebly.com. H A Fall Fête & Festival Sat, Oct 6, 9am-5pm & Sun, Noon-4pm, Sylvan Lake. At Detroit Garden Works. Come stroll through our pumpkin patch. Gourds, mums, branches & more. 248-335-8089. H Spring Flowering Bulbs Sat, Oct 6, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. An overview of the many varieties of bulbs, how to plant them, care for them and the basics of design. www.EnglishGardens.com. H African Violets Display & Sale Sat, Oct 6, 10am-3:30pm, Ann Arbor. At Matthaei Botanical Gardens. African Violets & other Gesneriads, Terrarium & Fairy Garden Plants. 11am: propagating workshop. LynnAllen0413@comcast.net. H Nature Hike at Hidden Lake Gardens Sat, Oct 6, 10:30am, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $5/person. Enjoy a family-friendly hike on Hidden Lake Gardens’ many rolling & wooded trails with nature enthusiast Howard Pennington. 2 hours at easy pace. Register: 517-431-2060. Dahlias: Digging, Dividing & Storing Sat, Oct 6, 3-5pm, Troy. By SE Michigan Dahlia Society at Telly’s. Dr. Keith Berven & members will demo the how-to’s of digging, dividing & storing tubers for the winter. www.semds.org, 248-689-5947. Fall Bonsai Show Sat, Oct 6, & Sun, Oct 7, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. See a variety of bonsai on display. Watch bonsai artists at work & shop for bonsai trees as well as bonsai tools/supplies. www.meijergardens.org. H Wildflower & Native Plant Sale Sat, Oct 6, & Sun, Oct 7, 10am-4:30pm, Ann Arbor. At Matthaei Botanical Gardens. FREE admission. Native plants attract pollinators & beneficial insects. mbgna. umich.edu. 2018 Fall Perennial Swap Sun, Oct 7, 1:30pm, Wixom. By Lakes Area Plant & Garden Swap at Gunnar Mettala Park. FREE. Round robin style swap. www.facebook.com/ groups/890567411066035. Grounds Tour at Ford House Tue, Oct 9, 5:30-7:30pm, Grosse Pointe Shores. At Edsel & Eleanor Ford House. $10. Get captivated by the landscape at Ford House on this guided tour of the grounds. www.fordhouse.org, info@fordhouse.org, 313-884-4222. continued on page 22
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 at what you’ll find, as well as the friendly service and expert advice you will receive.
Family owned and operated since 1980
9008 Old M-78 • Haslett, MI • 517-339-1142 www.vanattas.com • Open year round
Welcome Fall Event
Sunday, Sept. 30, 12-4pm Cider, donuts, fun family activities, and SALES!
Uncle Luke’s We have fresh, local produce though October! Beautiful fall-blooming mums t Seasoned firewood bundles t LARGE selection of BIRD FEED & feeding equipment t Deer feed AND deer repellents t Complete pet & animal food lines: Taste of the Wild • NutriSource Canidae • Solid Gold • Iams • Wysong • Lotus • Holistic Select Victor • Eukanuba • Chicken Soup • Natural Balance • Fromm t t
BEST SELECTION of ORGANIC fertilizers and soil amendments in Southeastern Michigan Featuring organic fertilizers & soil amendments FALL is an EXCELLENT time to fertilize your lawn, perennials, trees & shrubs
Halloween & Fall Decorations Pumpkins • Indian corn • Gourds • Straw • Corn stalks • Mums
UNCLE LUKE’S FEED STORE
6691 Livernois, Troy • (1/4 Mile S. of South Blvd.) • 248-879-9147 www.unclelukes.com • Mon-Fri 9-6:30 • Sat 8-6 • Sun 9-5 Visit our 2nd location in Flushing: Flushing Lawn & Garden • 810-659-6241
Poison Ivy Control of Michigan
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2018 | MichiganGardener.com
POISON IVY & BUCKTHORN We get rid of it! That’s all we do.
Call us—we are experts at identifying and removing poison ivy and buckthorn from your property, from single homes to large parks. Serving residential, commercial, and municipal. Licensed & Insured.
Call Toll-Free 844-IVY-GONE (489-4663) www.PoisonIvyControlOfMichigan.com continued from page 21
ARE DEER EATING YOUR PLANTS?
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On your way Up North, stop by and wander through our beautiful display gardens that surround our old stone cottage & farm buildings. Open May 9 - Oct. 6 Mon-Fri 10-6 Sat 9-4
3740 Willford Rd. Gladwin, MI 989-426-2919 www.stonecottagegardens.com Check out our gardens on
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734-449-8100 TuthillFarms.com
Ferndale Garden Club Meeting Thu, Oct 11, 7pm, Ferndale. By Ferndale Garden Club at Kulick Community Center. Presentation on “Urban Chickens in the Garden”. Guests welcome. 248-541-6427. H Nature’s Bounty with Ellyn Meyers Thu, Oct 11, 7pm, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. FREE. Learn how to identify the edible species, where to look for them & when to collect ripe fruit & nuts. 517-431-2060, hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu. Ask Our Experts at Ford House: Get Plants Ready for Winter Fri, Oct 12, 2-4pm, Grosse Pointe Shores. At Edsel & Eleanor Ford House. An informal opportunity to chat with a landscaping expert from the Ford House team. www.fordhouse.org, info@fordhouse.org, 313-884-4222. H Indoor Herb Gardening Sat, Oct 13, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. Tips on growing & caring for herbs in your house so you can enjoy them throughout fall & winter. www.EnglishGardens.com. H Pond Winterization Sat, Oct 13, 10-11am, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. How to clean-up & winterize your pond. www. pondplace.com. H Kid’s Event: Halloween Party Sat, Oct 13, 11:30am, all locations. At English Gardens. FREE. Come dressed in your Halloween costume & enjoy fun activities. Adult helper required. Register: www. EnglishGardens.com. Herb & Gourd Fest Sat, Oct 13, & Sun, Oct 14, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. Discover a variety of ways to use herbs & gourds in this fall event. Gourds available for purchase. www.meijergardens.org. Preparing the Garden for Winter Wed, Oct 17, 6:30-7:30, Mt. Clemens. By Macomb Cty Master Gardener Association at Mount Clemens Library. $5. Jim Miller of English Gardens will tell you exactly what needs to be done to get off to a blooming start next spring. www.macombcountymga.com. H Make It & Take It Workshop: Create a Fall Tablescape Thu, Oct 18, 7pm, all locations. At English Gardens. $39. Create a beautiful fall tablescape with painted & gilded pumpkins. We will provide all materials needed. Register: www.EnglishGardens.com.
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H Putting Your Garden to Bed Sat, Oct 20, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. The march towards winter is inevitable & your garden needs to be prepared. We’ll tell you exactly what needs to be done. www.EnglishGardens.com H 5th Annual Pumpkin Day Sat, Oct 20, 11am-2pm, Chelsea. At Garden Mill. We’ll supply the pumpkins, you bring imagination & enthusiasm. www.thegardenmill.com, 734-475-3539. Michigan Orchid Society Monthly Meeting Sun, Oct 21, 2:30pm, Birmingham. By Michigan Orchid Society at the First Baptist Church, 300 Willits St. The topic for discussion: Phragmipedium Orchids. The public is welcomed to attend.
Putting Your Garden to Rest Mon, Oct 22, 7pm, St. Clair Shores. By The Yardeners at St. Clair Shores Public Library. Get your spring garden off to a good start in the fall. scsyardeners@gmail.com. Hosta 101 Mon, Oct 22, 7pm, Birmingham. By Metro Detroit Hosta Society at First United Methodist Church. Species recognition & characteristics. Hgold2843@comcast.net. Berries, Bugs & Snags: Gardening for Birds Fri, Oct 26, 10am, Rochester. By Meadow Brook Garden Club at Meadow Brook Hall. $5. Rosann Kovalcik will talk about creating a garden with birds in mind. 248-364-6210. H Holiday Decorating Ideas Sat, Oct 27, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. It’s never too early to start planning your holiday decorating. www.EnglishGardens.com. Betsy Campbell Lecture - The Art of Gardening Sat, Oct 27, 2pm, Detroit. By Friends of Art & Flowers at DIA Danto Lecture Hall. Award-winning Head Gardener Bill Thomas of Chanticleer Gardens in Philadelphia. maryvmchale@comcast.net. H Ladies Night Out Fri, Nov 2, 6-9pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. Luxurious scents, sounds, sweets & shopping. www.HeavenlyScentHerbFarm.com. Ferndale Garden Club Meeting Thu, Nov 8, 7pm, Ferndale. By Ferndale Garden Club at Kulick Community Center. Blind Auction. Guests welcome. 248-541-6427. Art in the Meadow Sat, Nov 10, 9am-Noon, Grosse Pointe Shores. At Edsel & Eleanor Ford House. $35. Enjoy the estate & a leisurely morning creating art with watercolor paints. 16+. Suggested supply list at fordhouse.org, 313-884-4222. Garden Rooms Wed, Nov 14, 6:30-7:30pm, Mt. Clemens. By Macomb Cty Master Gardener Association at Mt. Clemens Library. $5. Sue Keehn presents an overview of what an outdoor garden room is. She will share creative ideas & planning tips. www.macombcountymga.com. H Winter White Centerpiece Sat, Nov 17, 10-Noon, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $76.75. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com. H Christmas Open House Fri, Nov 23, & Sat, Nov 24, 10am-5pm & Sun, Nov 25, 11am-5pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. Various styles of tree collections. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com. Annual Holiday Greens Market Sat, Dec 1, 9am-3pm, Clarkston. By Clarkston Farm & Garden Club at Calvary Lutheran. Arrangements, wreaths, roping, swags, fresh mixed greens & more. www.clarkstongardenclub.org. H Fresh Holiday Wreath Sat, Dec 1, 10am-12noon, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $49.75. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com. H Fresh Boxwood & White Pine Tree Sat, Dec 8, 10-Noon, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $49.75. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com.
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2018 | Michigan Gardener
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Decorate this fall with our locally grown mums, asters, pansies, pumpkins, and more! Plant bulbs this fall for a beautiful spring! Check out our great selection of tulips, daffodils, crocus, hyacinths & more.
Precipitation July 2018
NORMAL Monthly 3.37 3.32 2.84
Detroit Flint Lansing
ACTUAL Monthly 4.24 1.37 1.03
DEVIATION from Normal +0.87 -1.95 -1.81
2018 Year to Date: Jan 1 - July 31
NORMAL Yr. to Date 19.43 17.38 17.86
Detroit Flint Lansing
ACTUAL Yr. to Date 26.30 17.80 18.83
5th Annual Pumpkin Day
July 2017
DEVIATION from Normal +6.87 +0.42 +0.97
NORMAL
ACTUAL Monthly 2.44 2.72 2.70
Monthly 3.37 3.32 2.84
DEVIATION from Normal -0.93 -0.60 -0.14
2017 Year to Date: Jan 1 - July 31
NORMAL Yr. to Date 19.43 17.38 17.86
ACTUAL Yr. to Date 21.39 21.81 23.51
DEVIATION from Normal +1.96 +4.43 +5.65
Temperature
Join us for a pumpkin decorating party on Sat, Oct 20, 11am-2pm We’ll provide pumpkins & decorating supplies—you supply imagination and enthusiasm. The result: a charming, spooky, or hilarious jack-o-lantern to take home. Pumpkins & decorations are free. Limit 1 per person. Look for specials on Halloween gifts and décor. Visit our website & Facebook page for details on these & other workshops.
110 S. MAIN • DOWNTOWN CHELSEA • 734-475-3539 • www.thegardenmill.com
GARDEN RHYTHMS CREATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR
July 2018
RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPES
July 2017
Detroit Flint Lansing
NORMAL Avg. High 83.4 82.0 82.1
ACTUAL Avg. High 85.6 83.8 84.9
DEVIATION from Normal +2.2 +1.8 +2.8
NORMAL vg. High A 83.4 82.0 82.1
ACTUAL Avg. High 84.1 82.2 84.0
DEVIATION from Normal +0.7 +0.2 +1.9
• Ornamental Pruning • Seasonal Containers • Maintenance & Redesign • Garden Coaching
Detroit Flint Lansing
NORMAL Avg. Low 63.6 59.1 58.4
ACTUAL Avg. Low 66.2 59.4 61.5
DEVIATION from Normal +2.6 +0.3 +3.1
ORMAL N Avg. Low 63.6 59.1 58.4
ACTUAL Avg. Low 64.7 59.5 62.4
DEVIATION from Normal +1.1 +0.4 +4.0
Certified Master Gardeners & Designers
Data courtesy National Weather Service
It’s an excellent time to plant perennials, trees, shrubs & evergreens We continue to restock our outstanding selection with healthy & fresh plants! Our services include: Pick-up, delivery, installation, design & consultation
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2018 | MichiganGardener.com
Beth and Richard Rubinstein weave their interests together and their garden is a testament to how well those passions mesh
M
The stream starts at the top of a hill and cascades down, adding soothing sound to Beth and Richard Rubinstein’s garden. The path is lined with beautiful shrubs and plants to soften the stone edges.
y six-year-old great nephew and I went on the Michigan Koi and Pond Club’s annual garden tour last summer. He was enamored with the fish and the many fairy/miniature gardens we saw on the tour. So was I actually—because who isn’t? The piece de resistance of every garden we visited was the beautiful pond filled with koi fish. Yet, in many of the gardens, the plantings around the ponds were also amazing. Such was the case at Beth and Richard Rubinstein’s garden in Oakland County. Beth has designed the landscape with a patchwork quilt concept. She mixes things in a pleasing way that works together to make a complete picture. She has many different types of Japanese maples, as well as many kinds of annual flowers and perennials. Beth has also mixed vegetables into Lisa the landscape. These aren’t just conSteinkopf tained in out-of-sight places, such as the backyard, but are grown in the front yard landscape. As you walk up to the front door, you are greeted by goji berries—after you have strolled by three different types of raspberries. She has incorporated tomatoes, leeks, chives, parsley, sage, and basil as well. I had walked right by the raspberry bushes and didn’t even realize they were an edible part of the landscape, growing in the bed under a littleleaf linden tree. Of course, they were on the edge of the bed, to get as much sun as possible. The tree off the front corner of the house is a Montmorency cherry and the Rubinsteins usually get enough cherries to freeze for a pie to enjoy in the winter. Beth also mixes in plenty of evergreens for the backbone of the garden and loves yellow foliage. She especially loves weeping evergreens and the weeping Norway spruce at the top of the stream is a good example. She did have problems with some plants as the wind off the lake can be quite strong. One of their Hinoki cypresses had to be moved to a more protected place. There is quite a difference in the soil from the front yard to the back. The garden in the front is full of clay soil and Beth uses peat moss, worm castings, and manure to amend it. The house is built into a hill and the backyard is much lower by the lake, where the soil is very sandy. It is also amended to help with water retention. text continued on page 26
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2018 | Michigan Gardener
The bright yellow flowers of ‘The Rocket’ ligularia (Ligularia stenocephala ‘The Rocket’) pair well with the cascading ‘All Gold’ hakone grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’).
A mixed palette of colors is displayed under the linden trees in the front landscape.
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This lucky frog is doing what we all would like to do in the garden—relax and read a book while drinking coffee!
The Montmorency cherry tree is surrounded by pink Knockout roses and color-themed annuals in the summer.
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2018 | MichiganGardener.com
The edges of the 7,000-gallon pond are softened with low groundcovers and succulents that bask in the heat given off by the stonework. A stone bridge connects two patio areas.
These koi fish are all named and kept healthy and happy.
V Website Extra Go to MichiganGardener.com and click on “Website Extras” for more photos of the Rubinstein garden. text continued from page 24
The ponds and the fish Even though the gardens were beautiful, the pond and fish were amazing. The 42 koi that call the 7,000-gallon pond home all have names. Richard even allowed my nephew to feed the fish. He was thrilled! The pond ranges from 24 to 48 inches deep and a river starts at the top of the hill by the drive and falls down many levels to the pond below. The Rubinstein ponds are built of stone and lined with rubber. The stones are placed around the pond to make it appear as natural as possible. The ponds are 60 to 70 degrees in summer, at which time the pond has to be watched so no bacteria takes hold and affects the fish. I visited Beth and Richard’s garden again in the late fall and they explained to me how the fish are taken care of during the winter. They do stay outside as they go into torpor, or hibernation, and need no food at that point. This happens when the temperature drops to 48 degrees. The temperature of the pond can be tracked from the house and if the temperature falls lower than 48 degrees, the Rubinsteins are alerted. Richard constructs a dome over the pond so that evaporation is kept to a minimum. The pond can freeze over as long P H OTO G R A P H S BY L I S A S T E I N KO P F
The pond is covered in winter to keep hungry marauders out of the pond and the fish safe. as the bad gases can escape. One filter runs in the winter and a de-icer floats around the pond to keep an area unfrozen so the gases escape and the fish don’t die. The heaters are kept on from November to May to keep the water 48 to 50 degrees, as it is less stressful for the fish. The more shallow areas and the river are covered with two-inch Styrofoam and the river is turned off. These spots do not need to be protected as the fish are not in these shallow waters in the winter.
The fish are very special to Richard and he exhibits them in judged shows that are similar to dog and cat shows. They even attend a show in Hawaii in the spring. While there a couple years ago, they bought five new fish. They are building a new 10,000-gallon pond to house these new fish. In the interim, they are being boarded in Hawaii until the pond is ready. I asked how they would get them to Michigan and found out they fly them over in darkened coolers.
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2018 | Michigan Gardener
The hardy bonsai, which need a cold season, are stored in a protected spot outside.
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During the summer, the deck is home to Beth’s bonsai collection.
And bonsai too! The beautiful sights kept coming—up next were the wonderful bonsai on the deck. A member of the local bonsai society, Beth has both tropical and hardy bonsai. During the summer, the plants are kept outside on the deck on the northwest side of the house. Over the winter, the tropical bonsai are stored in the garage, which is kept at 68 degrees. They reside four feet below grow lights, which are on for 12 hours per day. When the weather is reliably above 60 degrees, they go back outside to the deck. When the threat of frost is imminent, usually around mid-October, they are brought in for the winter. To keep the bugs away, Beth sprays the plants with 1/2 teaspoon of Dawn dish soap mixed in 24 ounces of water. She mixes 1/8 teaspoon of Superthrive fertilizer in a gallon of water when she waters through the winter. Before the plants go back outside for summer, they get an application of Osmocote slow-release fertilizer. She also gives them organic Green Dream fertilizer once a month when they are outside and applies Bonide Houseplant Insect Control twice a year. These are well-taken-care-of bonsai! The hardy bonsai are treated much differently in the winter. They stay outside, and the pots are placed in shallow plastic storage containers and buried in peat moss. Then they are placed in a protected area and set on heated mats. If snow is available, that is also packed around the storage containers. A cup of water is placed outside near the bonsai. If it isn’t frozen over, they are watered during the winter. If it is frozen, they are not watered. Beth and Richard work well together, yet each has their own interests. Their garden is a testament to how well those interests mesh. Beth designs the gardens, while Richard makes the beautiful ponds she gets to design around. As soon as it is ready, Beth will get to work designing the garden around the new pond. I’m sure it will be as spectacular as the rest of their garden.
The tropical bonsai are kept under lights in the warm garage all winter.
Lisa Steinkopf is The Houseplant Guru. Check out her newly updated website and blog at www.thehouseplantguru.com. Contact Lisa to speak at your next club meeting or event (houseplantgurulisa@gmail.com or 734-748-1241). Follow her on Facebook (Facebook.com/HouseplantGuru), Twitter (@houseplantguru), and Instagram (houseplantguru).
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2018 | MichiganGardener.com
Zucchini, Carrots, Corn & Peaches
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ummertime eating is in full swing and I am officially obsessed. Leafy greens, sweet corn, juicy peaches, gorgeous zucchini and all kinds of fresh herbs; food really doesn’t get better than this. Zucchini is one of those vegetables that I particularly enjoy in the summer months. It gets a bad rap for being bland, but it can be enjoyed for its mild flavor. I also appreciate the texture that zucchini lends to a dish and how versatile it is. Diced, grated, carved and stuffed, or spiralized into noodles, zucchini can be transformed in a multitude of ways. Good thing too because now that your plant has produced fruit, you might have quite a lot of zucchini on your hands!
Emily Wilson
While I have not yet grown my own corn, I make a point to overindulge on fresh cobs as soon as they hit my local market. It’s nearly impossible to get too much of the stuff, knowing that soon enough the season will be over. One of my favorite things to do with fresh corn is to simply carve the kernels right off the cob and eat them raw. With all the summer bounty that’s easy to love this season, it’s just so hard to choose a favorite. That’s why I created a recipe that packed a bunch of my favorites all into one dish. These zucchini-carrot fritters with corn and peach salsa are hearty, flavorful and so full of summer. I hope you enjoy!
Growing tips • Plant zucchini in well-drained, compost-rich soil when soil temperature has reached at least 60-degrees. • Corn prefers lighter soils to accommodate its tap root and is a heavy feeder. Work compost into your bed the winter before planting. • Carrots require that the soil be moist, but not wet, in order to germinate. After sowing seeds, monitor soil moisture daily until sprouts appear. • If considering a peach tree in your garden, research varieties that will yield the best quality and cold tolerance for your area. The MSU Extension has published a good summary at bit.ly/2o1Bjpn.
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2018 | Michigan Gardener
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Zucchini-Carrot Fritters with Corn and Peach Salsa Ingredients
Instructions
For the Fritters: • 1 packed cup zucchini, grated • 1 packed cup carrots, grated (I like to use different colored carrots) • 1/2 cup flour • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper • 3/4 cup whole milk • 1 cup vegetable or canola oil Optional toppings: prepared pesto, sour cream or hot sauce
1. Grate the zucchini and wrap tightly in a few layers of paper towel. Let it rest while you grate the carrots. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper. Slowly whisk in the whole milk and stir until smooth. Fold in the grated zucchini and carrots.
For the Salsa: • 2 cobs of corn, husks removed • 2 peaches • 2-3 tablespoons of fresh herbs like parsley and/or basil (cilantro, chives or mint would also be delicious!) • 2 ounces goat cheese or feta, crumbled - optional • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil • 1 tablespoon honey • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar • Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
2. Pour vegetable or canola oil into a medium saute pan so it’s nearly 1/2-inch deep. Warm over medium-high heat. While you wait for the oil to heat up, prepare a plate with a layer of paper towel. 3. After a few minutes, test the oil by dropping a small drop of batter into the pan. If it releases from the bottom and floats to the top quickly with lots of bubbles, it’s hot enough. If not, let it warm a little longer and test again. 4. Once oil is ready, use a soup spoon to scoop a spoonful of batter into the oil. Drop batter in carefully so as not to splatter the oil. Use the spoon to arrange the batter into a somewhat round shape that is flat and a little higher than the oil. Repeat with 3 or 4 more fritters. Do not overcrowd the pan. Leave room to flip the fritters. Cook about 3 minutes on the first side, then carefully flip and cook the second side another 2-3 minutes. You want them to turn golden
brown on the outside and cook through in the middle, about 6 minutes total. If they are getting too brown too quickly, lower the heat. NOTE: Flip the fritters away from you to prevent splattering. The zucchini may also release some liquid as they cook, which can pop in the oil, so be sure to use caution. 5. While the first batch of fritters cooks, make the salsa. Stand a corncob upright in a large bowl. Use your knife to shave the kernels off the cob into the bowl. Cut the peaches into a small dice and chop the fresh herb(s). Add both to the bowl of corn. 6. In a small bowl, measure the olive oil, honey and rice wine vinegar. Stir until the honey is mostly dissolved. Pour over the corn and peaches. Stir to combine, then season with salt and pepper to taste. 7. Once the fritters are golden brown on both sides, transfer to the plate with paper towel and sprinkle with salt while warm. Repeat with the remaining batter. This recipe should yield between 8 and 10 fritters, depending on how big you make them. 8. Place two fritters on each plate and top with a generous scoop of peaches and corn salsa. Add a dollop of pesto, sour cream or hot sauce and enjoy!
Drop batter in carefully so as not to splatter the oil.
The finished plate—delicious!
Once the fritters are golden brown on both sides, transfer to the plate with paper towel and sprinkle with salt while warm.
Emily Wilson is Chef/Owner of Guest Chef, a personal chef and catering service in Metro Detroit, as well as the recipe developer and food writer behind The Craveable Kitchen food blog. Each of these projects are the manifestation of Emily's past work experiences, from catering in New York City to recipe development for various websites and publications, and the overflow of her ever-present passion for cooking, feeding people and helping others cook better too. Inquire about Emily cooking for you at Emily@GuestChefDetroit.com or find more recipes at www.TheCraveableKitchen.com.
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2018 | MichiganGardener.com
www.PerennialResource.com
Swamp milkweed flowers are attractive to many pollinating insects. ‘Ice Ballet’ is a white, seed-grown strain. continued from back cover at Specialty Growers, we find more monarch caterpillars on this species than any other. In a “good monarch year” we’ve had plants nearly defoliated by the caterpillars. This does not seem to bother our customers, who always feel that they are getting a special bonus when they buy a plant with caterpillars already on it! Swamp milkweed, contrary to its name, does not need a swamp to grow well, but it does prefer a moist or average garden soil, rather than the dry, well-drained soil that orange butterfly weed requires. Best of all, it does not spread by aggressive underground roots—it makes an upright clump with a fibrous root system, growing 3 to 4 feet tall. Flowers are generally rose pink and are attractive to many pollinating insects. A white, seed-grown strain is available, sold as ‘Milkmaid’ or ‘Ice Ballet.’ Many people who raise monarchs for release use swamp milkweed as the host plant. It has a very broad range in the wild, and is found in all but the far western states. Sullivant’s milkweed or prairie milkweed (Asclepias sullivantii) resembles common milkweed, but is somewhat smaller in stature, with smaller flowers and less fuzzy leaves. It is less aggressive than common milkweed, with a deep taproot that makes it very drought tolerant. However, it does spread by underground rhizomes and can
become aggressive in the garden. The flowers are mauve to purplish-pink and very fragrant. Whorled milkweed (Asclepias verticillata) derives its name from the whorls of narrow leaves that characterize this plant (a “verticil” is a whorl). The thin, ferny foliage resembles that of Arkansas bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii) but it has yet to achieve similar fame and horticultural appreciation. Like that amsonia, it also develops beautiful yellow fall color. Its flowers are white and borne in loose umbels, blooming anywhere from July to September. Plants grow about 2 feet tall and have underground, colonizing rhizomes. Because it is one of the last milkweeds to drop its leaves in fall, it is a good late-season food source for monarch larvae. It is native over much of the U.S. and Canada. Tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is a non-native species (Central and South American) hardy to zone 9 that has naturalized in parts of Florida, Louisiana, Texas and California. It is grown in most of the country as an annual and is a preferred monarch host plant. The plants grow 2 to 4 feet tall and have bright orange and red flowers. Several seed strains are available with various flower colors, such as ‘Silky Gold,’ ‘Silky Scarlet,’ and ‘Silky Deep Red,’ which can sometimes be found for sale at greenhouses and garden centers. Tropical milkweed is often used for rearing monarchs and makes a beautiful garden annual or container plant. There is some controversy over using this
www.PrairieNursery.com
Sullivant’s milkweed or prairie milkweed (Asclepias sullivantii) resembles common milkweed, but is somewhat smaller in stature. The flowers are mauve to purplish-pink and very fragrant.
www.AnniesAnnuals.com
Tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is grown in Michigan as an annual and has bright orange and red flowers.
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2018 | Michigan Gardener
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www.AnniesAnnuals.com
Several seed strains of tropical milkweed are available with various flower colors, including ‘Silky Deep Red,’ shown here.
www.PrairieNursery.com
The thin, ferny foliage of whorled milkweed (Asclepias verticillata) develops beautiful yellow fall color. It is one of the last milkweeds to drop its leaves in fall, so it is a good late-season food source for monarch larvae.
plant in the South where it is a perennial, as it can become a carrier of spores of the deadly monarch disease known as OE (Ophryocystis elektroscirrha), which results in a high mortality rate for monarchs that become infected. In cases where the disease does not kill the insect, those surviving adults can transmit the disease to their offspring through viable spores remaining on the leaves of tropical milkweed after egg-laying, increasing disease proliferation. This is not a big concern in northern climates where OE spores cannot
overwinter, so there is no danger of using the plant as a host for monarchs and as a garden subject in areas with cold winters. Editor’s note: Part 1 of this milkweed article appeared in the July/August 2018 issue of Michigan Gardener. You can read it online at MichiganGardener.com by clicking on “Digital Edition.” Karen Bovio is the owner of Specialty Growers in Howell, MI.
| September/October 2018 | MichiganGardener.com
Milkweeds For Your Garden Once considered a weedy pest to be eliminated, milkweed now stands at the center of an ongoing effort to restore monarch butterfly populations Part 2 of 2: Milkweeds for Michigan gardens
H www.PrairieNursery.com
Swamp milkweed or red milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is perhaps the best choice among the hardy milkweed species for both ornamental and monarch use.
www.PrairieNursery.com
Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is an aggressive plant, with long, underground rhizomes capable of forming extensive colonies. If used by gardeners, common milkweed is probably best used in more remote areas of the landscape due to its growth habit, rather than in traditional perennial gardens where it will spread into other perennials.
abitat restoration efforts (highway corridor plantings and restoration plantings in both rural and urban areas) usually focus on planting common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) for two reasons: 1) it is the most prevalent milkweed over two-thirds of North America, including the important north-south flyway used by the eastern monarch population to their wintering grounds in Mexico, and 2) it has been heavily impacted by agricultural use of herbicides. Common milkweed is an aggressive plant, with long, underground rhizomes capable of forming extensive colonies. When herbicides like Roundup are used to control milkweed in agricultural fields, large swaths of it can be killed because the root system of such colonies is Karen Bovio interconnected. Due to its growth habit, common milkweed is probably best used in highway plantings and restoration efforts, and if used by gardeners, in more remote areas of the landscape, rather than in traditional perennial gardens where it will spread into other perennials. Even so, common milkweed is an attractive plant in its own right, and is one of the preferred species for monarch egg-laying. It grows 2 to 3 feet tall, with broad leaves and attractive, nodding, mauve to dusky lavender flower heads that are very fragrant. In addition to serving as a host for monarch larvae, it is a desirable nectar plant for bees, wasps and many species of butterflies. It is also tolerant of a wide range of soil types,
from sand to clay, and is very drought resistant. Like all milkweeds, it prefers full sun and develops nice yellow fall color that is particularly attractive en masse along highways. The orange butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is probably the premier milkweed species for the garden. It does not have aggressive underground rhizomes; it has a deep taproot and is best planted after careful consideration of the site because it does not transplant well. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and dislikes crowding in the garden. Plant it where it can show off as a specimen plant, and choose a full sun site. Its brilliant orange flowers, clustered in umbels, appear in July in Michigan. In nature it can be found in prairies and fields, dry open woods, near rocky outcroppings, and along roadsides, often on hilly ground where it will have the drainage it requires. It is found over most of the U.S. and Canada. It will grow in sandy or clay-based soils as long as they do not retain water; it will rot in wet soil. Growing 2 to 3 feet tall with a vaseshaped habit, it makes a wonderful addition to the garden. Unlike other milkweeds, butterfly weed contains little or no milky juice. While monarchs will use it as a food source when no other milkweeds are available, it is not a preferred species for rearing their young. Swamp milkweed or red milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is perhaps the best choice among the hardy perennial species for both ornamental and monarch use. Here continued on page 30