September/October 2019
MichiganGardener.com
Your guide to Great Lakes gardening
Perennials
Korean feather reed grass
Garden Profile Lush woodland
Feature Task
Forcing bulbs indoors
Thyme for Herbs
Making a stacked basket
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2019 | MichiganGardener.com
Garden Wisdom
(TREES AND SHRUBS AT SHELBY LOCATION ONLY)
It’s far from freezin’... Celebrate the SECOND SEASON!
(Troy store only)
Visit Telly’s for this once-a-year sale! Bring a flashlight (optional) and take advantage of our BIGGEST SALE of the season. Sale prices apply only during these hours.
To Our Readers...
Fall Events SPECIAL PRICE!
Attend BOTH classes for just $15 Conifer Forest Bonsai Workshop Sat, Sept 14, 1p, Troy • Fee: $129 Miniature Container Gardening Workshop Sat, Sept 21, 10a, Troy Workshop fee: $10 plus cost of materials Succulent Container Garden Workshop Sat, Sept 28, 10a, Troy • Fee: $50 Fall is for Planting Spring-Blooming Bulbs Sat, Oct 5, 10a, Troy • Fee: $10
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COLD TOLERANT PLANTS…
—Henry David Thoreau
Ask MG............................................................6 To-Do List........................................................8 Books for the Michigan Gardener.......10 Where to pick up Michigan Gardener......................................12 Weather Wrap............................................13 Subscription Form......................................13 Places to Grow............................................14 Thyme for Herbs........................................16 Calendar........................................................20 Classified Ads.............................................23
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 Blooming Perennials Sat, Sept 7, 10a, Troy • Fee: $10 Perennial Grasses Sat, Sept 7, 12p, Troy • Fee: $10
We can never have enough of nature.
On the cover: Korean feather reed grass is moderately sized, making it perfect for smaller gardens. Learn more starting on the back cover. Photo: Hoffman Nursery, Inc.
Please look for the next issue of Michigan Gardener in April, 2020. As we bring another season of Michigan Gardener to a close, a big Thank You to our advertisers, who have made Michigan Gardener available FREE since 1996. Please visit these loyal advertisers and purchase their products and services. When you do, please let them know you saw their ad in Michigan Gardener. They need to hear that feedback from you. Want to know what gardening events are happening this winter? Go to our website MichiganGardener.com and click on the garden event calendar. We keep that updated on an regular basis year-round. Best wishes for a great fall and holiday season—see you in the spring!
*Shelby location only
Late Season Perennials There are dozens of beautiful perennials for sun or shade that are just starting to bloom. Come in and see our enormous selection of underused fall bloomers.
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.
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
Advertiser Index........................................23 Bulk Subscriptions.....................................23 Garden Profile: Let’s Face It...................24 Through the Lens.......................................31 Perennial Perspectives: Korean feather reed grass......Back Cover
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Contributors Brian Allnutt Neil/Ruth Atzinger Karen Bovio Cheryl English Emaline Fronckowiak Mary Gerstenberger Julia Hofley Rosann Kovalcik 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 5 issues per year: April, May, June, July/Aug, Sept/Oct. Published the first week of the month. Subscriptions (Please make check payable to Michigan Gardener) 1 yr, 5 iss/$13 2 yr, 10 iss/$24 3 yr, 15 iss/$33 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, 5 iss/$22 US 2 yr, 10 iss/$42 US Copyright © 2019 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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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2019 | MichiganGardener.com
Bulbs for pollinators
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What bulbs can I plant in the fall that are both good for pollinators and native Michigan plants? M.W., Flint While most of the bulbs that you will find available are native to other parts of the world, using these spring- and fall-blooming bulbs is a good way to extend the pollinator buffet while waiting for the main course of native perennials to emerge. Minor bulbs like Siberian squill (Scilla siberica) and close relatives striped squill (Puschkinia) and glory-of the-snow (Chionodoxa) all attract the tiniest of bee species in early spring with their mini bouquets of starshaped flowers. There is also the bright yellow of winter aconite (Eranthis), which looks like a blazing star. Be aware that these early harbingers of spring can also be garden travelers. You will find them growing in places other than where you planted them. So plan ahead and give them the room they need. Planting in large groups or drifts can create a pollinator feeding field around deciduous shrubs and trees. When planted to come up through the fading bulb foliage, perennial favorites such as bleeding heart, foxglove and allium ‘Purple Sensation’ bring in the latespring show audience. Larger bees are often seen feeding on these taller plants, since they are acclimated to the area. Although not specifically bulbs, these early season perennials can make the difference of survival for bees just coming out of hibernation. Summer bulbs like star of Persia (Allium christophii) and allium ‘Millenium’ add to the variety and are pollinator magnets. With many allium cultivars that bloom throughout spring and summer, possibilities are endless to fill in the spaces between perennial pollinator favorites. One of our few fall-blooming bulbs is autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale), sometimes called meadow saffron or naked ladies. Though not a true crocus, create a special group of these where you can see them pop up unexpectedly. The foliage appears in early summer and then dies back. The naked flower stems suddenly burst forth in fall from the soil surface. They are beautiful but rather ephemeral. Oddly enough, the dazzling array of daffodils in spring rarely suit the honeybee. Bees much prefer the crocus, hyacinth, borage, calendula, and wild lilac. Daffodils are not native to Michigan, but rather are a European import that has become so hybridized and acclimated to our senses that they seem to belong here.
Redbuds are yellowing in summer Why did the new leaves on my mature, beautiful redbud tree yellow and fall off this summer? G.H., Lansing Premature leaf yellowing before fall typi-
cally relates to a lack of water, so the plant is unable to absorb nutrients. Photosynthesis requires water, carbon dioxide and sunlight. Plants also need three essential nutrients in great quantity to photosynthesize: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. If those, as well as 13 micronutrients, aren’t available, the leaves can become chlorotic (yellow) and die. Perhaps your watering habits were different this summer due to our erratic weather systems. Our rain pattern went from flood to drought. We humans think there is plenty of water left in the soil for trees and shrubs to access after a series of rains. That is a misconception because water is always moving through the soil and plants are using it up. Therefore it pays to water on a schedule rather than rely on getting predicted rainfall. Provide a regular watering regimen for your redbud as well as other trees, especially during the months of July and August leading up to the fall. Plants have already been gearing up for winter storage. The more regular water you can provide into October and even November, the better chance they have of accessing nutrients in the soil and surviving winter when they are dormant.
How to transplant iris I must move a bed of bearded iris. Should I cut the leaves back to 6 inches, or just leave them long and replant them? When should I do the transplanting? Do I need to let them dry a bit before replanting? C.C., Berkley Bearded iris are best moved after they have flowered and blossoms have dissipated. July through September is an excellent time to lift the rhizomes and examine them for botrytis or iris borer activity. This prevents the disease and pest from wintering over in the tubers and destroying the plant. Dispose of any unhealthy or compromised tissue in the garbage, not the compost. The leaf blades should be cut back to about eight inches so there is enough leaf remaining for photosynthesizing. The plant then concentrates on storing energy to produce next year’s blossoms and grow roots. Transplant only the healthiest rhizomes and divide off the younger ones that have grown from the main root. Dispose of the older rhizomes and plant the new pieces just below the soil surface. Don’t bury them too deep or they will rot. If planting a group of 3 to 5 pieces, face the rhizomes away from each other in a circular pattern. Spread out the roots and cover them with soil. Unlike dahlia tubers in our climate that must be lifted for winter and dried before storing, iris rhizomes do not need a dryingout period. However, they can be stored dry for a week or two if there is a need to wait between lifting and transplanting.
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2019 | Michigan Gardener
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Have a question? Send it in! Remember to select a sunny, well-drained site for the transplants. Also, be very thorough about fall sanitation practices around iris. Remove dead leaves and keep the base of the irises clear of leaf litter, which can harbor borers looking for a winter home.
Controlling powdery mildew Every year, my scarlet bee balm starts out lush and green and then just as the plant begins to bloom, it is taken over by powdery mildew. I have tried several sprays, but they don’t seem to combat the disease. Should I discard the plants and the soil and start again? J.P., Canton Powdery mildew on bee balm (Monarda), lilacs, and phlox makes every gardener throw up their hands in disgust. Unfortunately, we cannot control the weather. Warm days and high humidity provide perfect germinating conditions for the spores, which increase by mycelial growth (a branch-like network) over the surface of infected leaves. Thankfully, the fungus only damages the appearance of the plant, not its overall health. Try a preventative maintenance approach. Check the site and see if the plants are in full
Go to MichiganGardener.com and click on “Submit a question” early morning sun, so the evening dew will dry quickly from their leaves. Provide adequate water and appropriate sun and soil conditions to minimize stress, which can make plants susceptible to disease. That also means to water the roots, not the foliage. Promote air circulation by giving plants plenty of space. With herbaceous perennials like bee balm, cutting out a quarter of the stems at ground level in spring will help with air movement (and increase flower size). This works with phlox as well. Introduce mildewresistant monarda cultivars into the bed. When considering sprays, look for an organic product with potassium bicarbonate as its main ingredient. Spray every two weeks. This acts as a fungicide, actually eliminating powdery mildew once there because it kills the spores. Be careful to spray the leaves and shield the flowers from overspray to prevent contaminating any of the pollen. Answers provided by Beverly Moss, owner of Garden Rhythms.
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2019 | MichiganGardener.com
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Annuals
General
• Leave the soil in your hanging baskets and containers to re-use as a base for winter decorating with greens and twigs. • Fall is the time to remove tired-looking annual plantings. It’s also the perfect opportunity to plan for fall and spring color. Remove spent or declining annuals. Turn the soil over to make it easy to plant springflowering bulbs. • If your annuals still look good, continue to fertilize and water them until frost, which can be many weeks away. They’ll stay healthy far longer than you would expect. If a sudden frost comes while they still look good, cover them with burlap or paper, not plastic, to protect them against the cold.
• In the fall, use leaves as natural mulch in garden beds. They’ll break down and provide lots of good nutrients.
Bulbs: Spring-Flowering
Fall is for Planting & Landscaping! Fall is a great time to landscape or refresh your existing grounds.
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• Plant tulips, daffodils and other springflowering bulbs for your spring garden. Tulips are the most popular, but they’re a favorite of squirrels and rabbits. Try planting other varieties instead, such as alliums, crocus, daffodils, fritillaria, grape hyacinth, hyacinth, scilla, or snowdrops. No plant is totally safe if the critters are hungry enough, but these should last the longest. • When planting, mix bone meal into the bulb hole to help get plants off to a healthy start.
Evergreens • This is a great time of year to plant evergreens. Soil preparation is one of the most important steps in planting. Amend the soil with organic matter like soil conditioner (finely shredded pine bark) or compost. Use a plant starter fertilizer. Even though plants will be going dormant, the roots will continue to grow until the ground freezes. • Evergreens continue to lose water to the wind all winter long. Give them a thorough watering before the ground freezes and they will be much happier in the spring.
Herbs • Collect herbs and consider preserving some for the winter. Bundles of herbs, such as basil, oregano or sage, can be dried by hanging them upside down in a dry area. Once dry, strip the leaves off the stems and store in an airtight container. Herbs can also be dried in the oven. Spread a layer of leaves on a cookie sheet and place in a 200-degree oven for an hour. Allow to cool, then store in an airtight container.
Lawn
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• September is the best time to reseed, overseed, or sod a lawn. Soil temperatures are warm, the days are cooler, and the fall rains have begun, so you usually have to water less frequently.
Houseplants • Bring houseplants back inside soon; usually before the furnace is turned on for the winter, or you start shutting the windows at night. During September, when the temperatures inside and outside the house are very similar, the transition is easier. • Before the plants come inside, check for uninvited guests. If plants have received systemic granules all summer, there shouldn’t be problems, but check anyway. One favorite spot for pests is the undersides of leaves near the top of the plant. • If necessary, spray with an insecticide, wait a few days, and check again. Bring the plant inside once pests are gone. Be sure to check the soil for ants, centipedes and other pests.
Perennials • The question is: “To cut down or not to cut down?” The answer depends on what interesting seeedpods have developed on the perennials and how much you like a tidy garden. Many perennials develop attractive seedpods that are food sources for birds and other wild animals. These pods also give you something interesting to look at in the winter. • Mulch the perennial beds in late October to minimize the heaving of roots during a freeze and thaw cycle in the winter. • Add some fall color to spruce up the beds. Mums are great, as well as asters and anemones. Perennials planted in the fall get a much larger root system and yield larger plants next year.
Shrubs & Trees • This is a great time of the year to plant trees and shrubs. The soil is still warm to encourage root growth. Remember to call MISS DIG before you plant so you do not have any accidents with underground utilities. • Fertilize with an organic fertilizer after Halloween. • Piling mulch up around the stems of your plants so they look like little volcanoes is a bad practice for the health of your plant. Although it’s commonly done, it is very harmful. Bark is used to being exposed to air. The mulch keeps it wet and can cause it to rot. Too much rot and the plant can die.
Vines • Cut fruiting branches of bittersweet for dried arrangements.
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2019 | Michigan Gardener
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Milarch Nursery Q UA LIT Y P L A N TS & S E RV I C E S I N C E 1 972
Feature Task: Forcing bulbs indoors Spring-flowering bulbs provide a welcome sight after a long, cold winter. Consider bringing that joy into the house and try forcing bulbs indoors. Bulbs require a cold period of about 12 to 15 weeks at temperatures between 41 and 48 degrees F. Daffodils, grape hyacinths, crocus, hyacinths, or paperwhites work best. Tulips can be forced into bloom, but they’re a little more difficult. Use high quality bulbs for the best results. Plant them in pots, then store in a refrigerator. After the cold storage period, the bulb’s root system should be well established. When the bulbs have oneinch sprouts, move the pot to a sunny location. Ideally, the room should be 65 degrees F. Warm room temperatures promote fast growth. Cooler temperatures slow things down and keep bulbs blooming longer. Water plants once a day or every other day to keep the soil moist. Be prepared to stake plants and tie them up if shoots get too tall and fall over. Once the flowers have died down, discard the plants. Bulbs that have been forced indoors usually have no value for planting outside.
Vegetables • Lettuce, spinach, peas, and radishes can still be planted in the first half of Septem-
ber. Jerusalem artichoke and Chinese cabbage can also be planted in September. • As you finish harvesting, remove old plants and add them to the compost pile, except those that are diseased. • Finish the harvest of cold-tender crops when they can no longer be protected from frost. • Partially ripe tomatoes can be picked and ripened indoors. Green tomatoes can be pickled or sliced, dipped in flour and fried.
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES
Roses • In late fall, roses need to go dormant. Clean up fallen leaves around the plants to help control black spot and powdery mildew that overwinter in the soil. • Heavy pruning of roses should wait until the spring.
Water Garden • Cover the pond with pond netting to keep leaves out of the water. Remove floating plants like water hyacinths and water lettuce. These are annuals and will turn to mush if they are left in the water during a frost. • When it gets colder, cut the foliage off all hardy pond plants to get them ready for winter, and to prevent the foliage from decaying during the winter. • Have a pond heater and/or aerator ready to keep a patch of open water to allow pond gasses to escape; especially essential for koi. • Refresh the beneficial bacteria with a fall/ winter formulation.
FLOWERING PERENNIALS
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2019 | MichiganGardener.com
Grow in the Dark: How to Choose and Care for Low-Light Houseplants by Lisa Eldred Steinkopf Having a south-facing window doesn’t always guarantee you the best light to grow plants—especially if your window faces an alley or a tree-lined street. Grow in the Dark (Cool Springs Press, 160 pages, $25.00) highlights 50 of the best houseplants you can grow in your dim or dark interior. Author Lisa Eldred-Steinkopf, the Houseplant Guru and a writer for Michigan Gardener, shares the knowledge she has gained tending to her own personal jungle of over 1,000 houseplants. This compact guide will help you learn how to make the most of your light so you can reap the physical and emotional benefits of nurturing plants. Detailed profiles include tips on watering your plants properly, potting them, and troubleshooting pests and diseases. You’ll also learn which plants are safe to keep around your pets. This book will steer you toward houseplant success in your low-light areas.
Vegetable Gardening Wisdom: Daily Advice and Inspiration for Getting the Most from Your Garden by Kelly Smith Trimble
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Gardenlust: A Botanical Tour of the World’s Best New Gardens by Christopher Woods Do you dream of traveling to far corners of the globe to take in fascinating gardens and green spaces? A steep hillside oasis in Singapore, a garden distinguished by shape and light in Marrakesh, a haunting tree museum in Switzerland—these are just a few of the extraordinary outdoor havens visited in Gardenlust (Timber Press, 416 pages, $40). In this sumptuous global tour of modern gardens, the intrepid author and plant expert spotlights 50 gardens that push boundaries and define natural beauty in different ways. Featuring both private and public gardens, this journey makes its way from the Americas and Europe to Australia and New Zealand, with stops in Asia, Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula. Along the way, you’ll learn about the people, plants, and stories that make these iconic gardens so worthy. This inspiring book will bring you both insight and delight.
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BEST SELECTION of ORGANIC fertilizers and soil amendments in Southeastern Michigan
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.
Featuring organic fertilizers & soil amendments FALL is an EXCELLENT time to fertilize your lawn, perennials, trees & shrubs
Uncle Luke’s Feed Store
Welcome Fall Event
6691 Livernois, Troy (1/4 Mile S. of South Blvd.)
Sunday, Sept.29, 12-4pm Cider, donuts, fun family activities, and SALES!
248-879-9147 www.unclelukes.com Mon-Fri 9-6:30 • Sat 8-6 • Sun 9-5
Family owned and operated since 1980
9008 Old M-78•Haslett, MI 517-339-1142 www.vanattas.com • Open year round
Please don’t buy anything! The crew has the store looking perfect!
Visit our 2nd location:
Flushing Lawn & Garden 114 Terrace St., Flushing, MI 810-659-6241
But the boss says:
COME IN ANY TIME!
Halloween and Fall Decorations • Pumpkins • Indian corn • Gourds • Straw • Corn stalks • Mums
Creators of Exceptional Gardens & Tranquil Escapes
2629 Orchard Lake Rd. Sylvan Lake, MI 248-738-0500 / aguafina.com Mon-Sat 9am-5pm
The Iron Barn Iron Work for the Home & Garden
IRON FENCE
Pre-finished: galvanized or powdercoat paint. 5’ high x 8’ long fence sections: Only $199/section (while supplies last). Also available in 3’, 4’, and 6’ high sections.
IRON RAILINGS Custom made to perfectly fit your steps, patio, deck, or home
HOME AND GARDEN DECOR
Handicapped rails for both interior & exterior. INSTALLATION AVAILABLE!
Wrought Iron and Aluminum— 100s of items to choose from!
ALUMINUM LAMPS 20 different outdoor styles to choose from
6823 N. Lapeer Rd. (M-24) • 12 mi. N. of Lapeer • 810-358-0010 OPEN SAT & SUN 9-3 - APPOINTMENTS WELCOME • theironbarn.com
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2019 | MichiganGardener.com
Look for Allen Park • Ace Hardware Almont • Brohl’s Flower Gdn H American Tree Ann Arbor • Dixboro Gen Store H Matthaei Botanical Gard H Downtown Home & Gard • Wild Birds Unltd H Produce Station • Ace Barnes Hdwe (Washtenaw Ave) H Turner’s Greenhse/ Gard Ctr H Lodi Farms H Abbott’s Landscp Nurs • Ace Barnes Hdwe (West Stadium) • Weingartz H HillTop Greenhse & Farms Armada • Pond Guy Auburn H Warmbier Farms Auburn Hills • Ace Hardware • Drake’s Landscp & Nurs H State Crushing H Haley Stone Belleville • Gardeners Choice H Zywicki Greenhse H Banotai Greenhse H Pinter Flowerland Berkley • Garden Central Beverly Hills • Ace Hardware Birmingham H Blossoms Brighton • Grasshopper Gdns • Ace Hardware H Meier Flowerland • Leppek Nurs • Brighton Stone & Fireplace H Beauchamp Landscp Supp Brownstown Twp H Ruhlig Farms & Gard • Raupp Bros Landscp Supp Bruce Twp H Van’s Valley Greenhse Burton H Country Oaks Landscp Supp Canton • Wild Birds Unltd • Canton Floral Gardens • Schmidt’s Roadside Chelsea H Garden Mill • Potting Shed • Ace Hardware Chesterfield H Van Thomme’s Greenhses Clarkston • Gateway • Lowrie’s Landscp • Ace Hardware (Dixie Hwy) • Ace Hardware (Sashabaw) • Weingartz H Country Oaks Landscp Supp Clawson • Billings Lawn Equip • 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 • Detroit Gard Ctr Dexter H Fraleigh’s Nurs • Bloom! Gard Ctr H Dexter Mill • Earth Art Eastpointe H English Gardens • DeRonne True Value Hardware • Drew’s Garden Farmington • Alexander True Value Hardware Farmington Hills • Ace Hardware • Weingartz H Steinkopf Nurs • Saxton’s Flower Ctr 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 Weed Lady Grand Rapids • Meijer Gardens Grass Lake H Designs by Judy Grosse Ile • Grosse Ile Pet & Gard Ctr H Westcroft Gardens Grosse Pointe • Allemon’s Landscp Ctr 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 Hdwe • Fragments • Ace Hardware
Howell H Specialty Growers • Wilczewski Greenhses H Superior Landscp Supp Imlay City H Earthly Arts Keego Harbor • Creative Brick Paving Lake Orion H Orion Stone Depot H Lake Orion Lawn Ornaments • Fogler’s Greenhse • Ace Hardware Livonia • Weingartz • Ace Hardware (6 Mi/Newburgh) • Ace Hardware (5 Mi/Middlebelt) • GrowGeneration • Bushel Mart • Valley Nurs H George’s Livonia Gard Macomb • Landscape Source H Elya’s Village Gard H Brohl’s Greenhouse • Joe Randazzo’s • Altermatt’s Greenhse • Boyka’s Greenhse • Olejnik Farms • Wild Birds Unltd Midland • Dow Gardens Milford H Pond Place • Peter’s True Value Hardware • Ace Hardware Monroe • Flower Market New Baltimore H Meldrum Bros Nurs New Boston H Grass Roots Pond & Gard • Mums the Word New Hudson H Milarch Nurs • Fletcher & Rickard Landscp Supp North Branch H Campbell’s Greenhses H Oldani Landscp Nurs Northville • Begonia Bros • Gardenviews at Home 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 Gard Ctr Ortonville H Wojo’s Greenhse Owosso H Everlastings in the Wildwood Oxford • Ace Hardware • Dafoe’s Feed & Seed Pinckney • Bock’s General Plymouth • Graye’s Greenhse • Sparr’s Greenhse
• Sideways • Plymouth Rock & Supp H Rock Shoppe H English Gardens Plymouth Nurs Pontiac • MSU ExtensionOakland Cty H Goldner Walsh Gard/Home Ray H Heritage Oaks Redford • Seven Mi Gard Ctr H Pinter Flowerland 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 Romeo • Cold Frame Farm Romulus • Rush Gard Ctr • Kurtzhal’s Farms • Schwartz’s Greenhse Roseville H Dale’s Landscp Supp • Flower Barn Nurs Sea World Royal Oak H English Gardens • Frentz & Sons Hardware • Ace Hardware • Wild Birds Unltd • Manus Pwr Mowers Saginaw H Abele Greenhse & Gard Ctr Salem Twp H Willow Greenhse Saline • KBK Gard Ctr • Saline Flowerland • Junga’s Ace Hdwe H Clink Landscp & Nurs Shelby Twp • Diegel’s Greenhse H Hessell’s Greenhses H Telly’s Greenhse • Ace Hardware • Maeder Plant Farm • PJ Hebert South Lyon • Ace Hardware • Bader & Sons • Stone Depot Landscp Supp • Mike’s Garden Southfield • Eagle Landscp & Supp • Lavin’s Flower Land • 3 DDD’s Stand • Main’s Landscp Supp Southgate • Ray Hunter Gard Ctr St Clair Shores • Ace Hardware (Harper/13 Mi) • DeRonne True Value Hardware H Hall’s Nurs • Soulliere Gard Ctr • Greenhouse Growers
Sterling Heights • Sterling Hts Nature Ctr Sterling Hts • Decor Statuette • Prime Landscp Supp H Eckert’s Greenhse Stockbridge • Gee Farms Superior Twp • Lucas Nurs Sylvan Lake H Detroit Gdn Works H AguaFina Gardens Interntl Taylor • Massab Acres Greenhse • Ace Hardware • D&L Garden Ctr H Panetta’s Landscp Supp Trenton • Keck Hardware • Carefree Lawn Ctr • Ace Hardware Troy H Uncle Luke’s Feed Store H Home & Gard Shop H Telly’s Greenhse Utica • Stonescape Supp • Weingartz Warren • Ace Hardware • Kutchey Family Mkt • Beste’s Lawn & Patio • Greco’s Nurs Washington • Big Red Orchard • Landscape Direct • Rocks ‘n’ Roots Waterford • Ace Hardware • Breen’s Landscp Supp H Merritt Home Design • Jacobsen’s Flowers West Bloomfield H English Gardens • ACE Hardware • Whole Foods Westland • Panetta’s Landscp Supp H Barsons Greenhses • Ace Hardware • Merlino’s Bushel Ctr • 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 • Green Oak Gard Williamston H Christians Greenhse Wixom • Angelo’s Landscp Supp • Brainer’s Greenhse Ypsilanti H Sell Farms & Greenhse H Margolis Nurs • Michigan Greenscape Supp • Materials Unlimited • Schmidt’s Antiques • Coleman’s Farm Mkt
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2019 | Michigan Gardener
13
NCS gives you a better view with landscape design and brush control.
Precipitation July 2019
Detroit Flint Lansing
NORMAL Monthly 3.37 3.32 2.84
ACTUAL Monthly 2.63 1.96 2.73
July 2018 DEVIATION from Normal -0.74 -1.36 -0.11
2019 Year to Date: Jan 1 - July 31
Detroit Flint Lansing
NORMAL Yr. to Date 19.43 17.38 17.86
ACTUAL Yr. to Date 21.46 20.69 22.69
DEVIATION from Normal +2.03 +3.31 +4.83
NORMAL Monthly 3.37 3.32 2.84
ACTUAL Monthly 4.24 1.37 1.03
DEVIATION from Normal +0.87 -1.95 -1.81
2018 Year TOTAL: Jan 1 - July 31
NORMAL
Yr. to Date 19.43 17.38 17.86
ACTUAL Yr. to Date 26.30 17.80 18.83
DEVIATION from Normal +6.87 +0.42 +0.97
We are landscape architects and ecologists dedicated to designing beautiful, living, low-profile landscapes that provide pretty habitats and a clear view of all the outdoors has to offer. SPECIALIZING IN: Butterfly and rain gardens Natural shorelines • Invasive species control
Ask about
20% OFF Brush Control/ Landscape Design
248-513-1909 • info@NaturalCommunityServices.com
Temperature July 2019
July 2018
Detroit Flint Lansing
NORMAL Avg. High 83.4 82.0 82.1
ACTUAL Avg. High 86.7 86.6 85.3
DEVIATION from Normal +3.3 +4.6 +3.2
ORMAL N 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
Detroit Flint Lansing
NORMAL Avg. Low 63.6 59.1 58.4
ACTUAL Avg. Low 66.8 63.5 64.1
DEVIATION from Normal +3.2 +4.4 +5.7
ORMAL N 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
Data courtesy National Weather Service
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24th Annual Fall Plant Sale Open to the Public Friday-Sunday, Sept 20-22, 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
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
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Saginaw North Branch Clio
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Davison
Imlay City
Flushing
Owosso
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Burton
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Bruce Twp. Fenton
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Stockbridge
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Pontiac
Dexter
Ann Arbor
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Superior Twp
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Taylor Belleville
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Saline New Boston Tipton
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Southgate Brownstown Trenton Twp. Grosse Ile Flat Rock
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Washington
Macomb Rochester Hills Shelby Twp. New Utica Baltimore Auburn Hills Sylvan Lake Clinton Twp. Chesterfield Commerce Milford Troy West 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 Ferndale Whitmore Northville Grosse Lake Pointes Livonia Redford Highland
Fowlerville
Want to advertise your local business in Places to Grow? 2 options:
Richmond
Lake Orion
Haslett
Monroe
Ottawa Lake
cement city H Hallson Gardens 14280 US-127, MI 49233 517-592-9450 www.perennialnursery.com
chelsea H Garden Mill 110 S. Main St, MI 48118 734-475-3539 www.thegardenmill.com The Potting Shed
chesterfield
La Salle
H Van Thomme’s Greenhses 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 210 S Ashley St, MI 48104 734-662-8122 www.downtownhomeandgarden.com 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 H Begick Nursery & Garden Ctr 5993 Westside Saginaw Rd, MI 48706 989-684-4210 www.begicknursery.com
belleville
brownstown twp
clarkston
H Banotai Greenhse Gardeners Choice H Pinter Flowerland H Zywicki Greenhse
Bruce’s Pond Shop Raupp Brothers Gard Ctr H Ruhlig Farms & Gard
Bordine’s H Country Oaks Landscp Supp Lowrie’s Landscp
bruce twp
clinton twp
berkley
H Van’s Valley Greenhse
Garden Central
burton
birmingham
H Country Oaks Landscp Supp
H Blossoms
brighton H Beauchamp Landscp Supp Bordine’s Brighton Stone Leppek Nurs H Meier Flowerland 8087 W. Grand River, MI 48114 810-229-9430 www.meierflowerland.com
H Walker Farms & Greenhouse 5253 E. Atherton Rd, MI 48519 810-743-0260 www.walkersfarm.com
canton Canton Floral Gardens Schmidt’s Roadside Wild Birds Unltd
H English Gardens 44850 Garfield Rd, MI 48038 586-286-6100 www.englishgardens.com Michigan Koi Tropical Treasures
clio H Piechnik’s Greenhouse 13172 McCumsey Rd, MI 48420 810-686-9211 www.cliogreenhouse.com
columbus Haack’s Farm Greenhses
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2019 | 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
dearborn Fairlane Gardens
dearborn heights H English Gardens 22650 Ford Rd, MI 48127 313-278-4433 www.englishgardens.com
detroit Eastern Market
dexter Bloom! Gard Ctr H Dexter Mill 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 Drew’s Garden
farmington hills Angelo’s Landscp Supp Farmer John’s Greenhse Loeffler Stone Ctr H Steinkopf Nurs
fenton Gerych’s Flowers/Gift H Heavenly Scent Herb Farm 13730 White Lake Rd, MI 48430 810-629-9208 www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com
ferndale Casual Modes Home/Gard
flat rock Masserant’s Feed/Grain
flushing H Flushing Lawn & Garden Ctr 114 Terrace St, MI 48433 810-659-6241 www.unclelukes.com
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
grosse ile H Westcroft Gardens 21803 West River Rd, MI 48138 734-676-2444 www.westcroftgardens.com
grosse pointe Allemon’s Landscp Ctr
grosse pointe woods Wild Birds Unltd
hadley Le Fleur Décor
hartland Deneweth’s Garden Ctr
haslett H 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 Penrose Nurs H Specialty Growers 4330 Golf Club Rd, MI 48843 517-546-7742 www.specialtygrowers.net H Superior Landscape Supplies 4805 Musson Rd, MI 48855 517-548-2068 Find us on Facebook
milford
rochester
Milford Gardens H The Pond Place
sylvan lake
williamston
Fogler’s Greenhse Sherwood Forest Gard Ctr
H Christians Greenhse
monroe
rochester hills
H AguaFina Gardens International 2629 Orchard Lake Rd, MI 48320 248-738-0500 www.aguafina.com
The Flower Market
new baltimore H Meldrum Bros Nurs
new boston H Grass Roots Pond & Gard Mums the Word
new hudson Fletcher & Rickard Landscp Supp 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
northville Begonia Brothers Gardenviews at Home H Willow Greenhouse 7839 Curtis Rd, MI 48168 248-437-7219 www.willowgreenhouse.com
Wilczewski Greenhses
novi
imlay city
Glenda’s Gard Ctr Wild Birds Unltd
H Earthly Arts Greenhse Schutz’s Tree Farm Super & Sons Nurs
jackson The Hobbit Place
lake orion H Lake Orion Lawn Orn H Orion Stone Depot
lansing Lansing Gardens
lapeer H The Iron Barn
lasalle Fowler’s Gift Shop
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 Grow Generation Valley Nurs
macomb Altermatt Greenhses Boyka’s Greenhse H Brohl’s Greenhse Deneweth’s Garden Ctr H Elya’s Village Gardens Landscape Source Joe Randazzo’s Nurs Olejnik Farms Wade Nurs Wiegand’s Nursery Wild Birds Unltd
oak park Four Seasons Gard Ctr
oakland H Piechnik’s Garden Ctr 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
ottawa lake H Beauchamp Landscp Supp
owosso H Everlastings in Wildwood Crooked Tree Nurs Sunburst Gardens
oxford Dafoe’s Feed & Seed
plymouth H English Gardens Plymouth Nurs 9900 Ann Arbor Rd W, MI 48170 734-453-5500 www.englishgardens.com Graye’s Greenhse Plymouth Rock & Supp H Rock Shoppe Sparr’s Greenhse
pontiac H Goldner Walsh Gard/Home
ray Heritage Oaks
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
taylor
Wild Birds Unltd
tecumseh
romulus Block’s Stand/Greenhse Kurtzhals’ Farms Rush Gard Ctr Schwartz’s Greenhouse
roseville H Dale’s Landscp Supp Flower Barn Nurs Sea World
royal oak 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 H Clink Landscaping & Nursery 9403 W. Michigan Ave, MI 48176 734-495-3779 www.clinklandscaping.com KBK Gard Ctr Saline Flowerland
shelby twp Diegel Greenhses H Hessell’s Greenhouse Maeder Plant Farm H Telly’s Greenhouse 4343 24 Mile, MI 48316 248-659-8555 www.tellys.com
south lyon Mike’s Garden Stone Depot Landscp Supp
southfield 3 DDD’s Stand Eagle Landscp/Supp Lavin’s Flower Land Main’s Landscp Supp
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
walled lake H Suburban Landscp Supp
H Eckert’s Greenhouse 34051 Ryan Rd, MI 48310 586-264-5678 www.eckertsgreenhouse.com
McLennan Nurs
Gee Farms
mason
richmond
stockbridge superior twp Lucas Nurs
Coleman’s Farm Mkt H Margolis Nurs Materials Unlimited H Sell Farms & Greenhouses 7200 Willis Rd, MI 48197 866-296-3090 www.sellfarmsandgreenhouses.com
Gardens to Visit ann arbor H Matthaei Botanical Gardens/ Nichols Arboretum 1800 North Dixboro Rd, MI 48105 734-647-7600 www.mbgna.umich.edu
battle creek Leila Arboretum
bloomfield hills H Cranbrook Gardens 380 Lone Pine Rd, MI 48303 248-645-3147 housegardens.cranbrook.edu
clinton twp Tomlinson Arboretum
dearborn
washington
Arjay Miller Arboretum @ Ford World HQ Henry Ford Estate
Landscp Direct Rocks ‘n’ Roots
waterford Breen’s Landscp Supp Hoffman Nurs H Merritt Home Design 5940 Cooley Lake Rd., MI 48327 248-681-7955 www.merritthomedesigns.com
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
H Bogie Lake Greenhouses 1525 Bogie Lake Rd, MI 48383 248-887-5101 www.bogielakegreenhouses.com
Decor Statuette
ypsilanti
Beste’s Lawn/Patio Supp Kutchey Family Mkt
st clair shores
sterling heights
Angelo’s Landscp Supp Brainer’s Greenhse Milford Tree Farm
warren
white lake
Prime Landscp Supp
Jusko's Greenhse
trenton
Ray Hunter Gard Ctr Greenhouse Growers H Hall’s Nurs Soulliere Gard Ctr
wixom
Mitchell’s Lawn/Landscp
southgate
H Pinter Flowerland Seven Mi Gard Ctr
Wildtype Nurs
D&L Garden Ctr Massab Acres Greenhse H Panetta’s Landscp Supp
Bushel Stop Joe Randazzo’s Nurs Merlino’s Bushel Ctr Panetta’s Landscp
redford
manchester
H Detroit Garden Works 1794 Pontiac Dr, MI 48320 248-335-8089 www.detroitgardenworks.com
15
H Mulligan’s Landscp & Gard Ctr 8215 Elizabeth Lake Rd, MI 48386 248-698-4741 www.mulliganlandscaping.com Sunshine Plants
whitmore lake H Alexander Farm Mkt & Greenhouses 6925 Whitmore Lake Rd, MI 48189 734-741-1064 Find us on Facebook
detroit Anna S Whitcomb Conservtry, Belle Isle
dryden Seven Ponds Nature Ctr
east lansing H MSU Horticulture Gardens W.J. Beal Botanical Gard
emmett H Sunny Fields Botanical Park 5444 Welch Rd, MI 48022 810-387-2765 www.visitsunnyfields.org
flint H 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 Meadow Brook Hall & Gardens
taylor Taylor Conservatory & Botanical Gard
tipton H Hidden Lake Gardens 6214 Monroe Rd (M-50), MI 49287 517-431-2060 www.hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu
16
Michigan Gardener | September/October 2019 | MichiganGardener.com
Crafting with dried herbs and flowers: A stacked basket
A
wonderful way to showcase your and glue gun. dried herbs and flowers involves arThose are some of our favorite plants that ranging them in a container. We hold their colors very well when dried and taught a class at our farm that was popular look good for a long time. Some are perennial, and fun. We are going to share those same some are annual, and some are collected from steps so you can make your own stacked basthe wild, but all have plenty of good stems and ket, which contains layers of flowers to work with. Try to dried herbs and flowers to vary the lengths of the dried create quite a visual show of stems so you can layer them colors and textures. better. Before you start the projTo keep the stems of your ect, you need to dry some dried flowers straight and long herb and flower stems. colorful, pick your herbs Some of the best and most and flowers when the flowbeautiful plants to grow ers are open fully on a dry Jean & Roxanne for projects include: oregday, tie them with rubber Riggs ano, lavender, sages, anise bands, hang upside down (to hyssop, mints, monardas, keep the stems straight) in a sunflowers, globe amaranth, larkspur (Delwarm, dry and dark location for a few weeks phinium), dock, wheat, annual statice in difduring the summer and fall months. Sunlight ferent colors, strawflowers, roses in various ruins dried herbs and flowers by turning colors (we buy these and dry them), plume them an ugly brown, so keep them in the dark and cockscomb celosia, and goldenrod. Other while drying. supplies you will need: Spanish or green sheet continued on page 18 moss, floral foam (Oasis), ribbons, baskets,
2 The first two layers have been inserted into the floral foam: dock in back, and bearded wheat next.
1 At left: dried herbs and flowers. Right: some materials for project, including basket, floral foam, and glue gun. Use the glue gun to securely affix the foam block to the bottom of the basket.
3 Keep adding shorter and shorter layers until the stacked basket is full.
The Art of Bonsai BONSAI SHOW
Garden & Perennial Mums
Sunday, September 15, 11am - 4pm Displays • Art Exhibit • Vendors Classes • Hidden Lake Bonsai Collection
FALL FOLIAGE FESTIVAL Saturday, October 19
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2019 | MichiganGardener.com
P H OTO G R A P H S BY J E A N A N D R OX A N N E R I G G S
4 Place moss around the base to hide the floral foam.
6 A teacup stack is easy—a fun project for kids, and a great gift for the holidays. continued from previous page
Making the stacked basket
5 Add a finishing touch with a ribbon bow.
When your herbs and flowers are dry, they are ready to arrange. You will need a variety of colors and textures to make this arrangement. Start with a small bread basket or oval basket, and a few blocks of floral foam. Use a glue gun to affix the foam block to the bottom of the basket. Make sure the foam is stable and does not move after you glue. The foam should cover most of the basket bottom. Now, pick a background of dried material that is the tallest (at least 12 inches long) and fullest possible. We used dock for the tallest layer, which is a wild plant that you can harvest in a field, or pick along ditches or in meadows. You can also grow it in the garden. It dries dark naturally in the fall, looks very good as a background, and holds up well. Try to get stems that are similar in size or trim them to make a layer of stems the same size. Test one stem before trimming all of them! To start out, press the stems into the foam, in a straight row, in the very back of the basket. Next, we use a layer of bearded wheat. Wheat is available at craft stores or you can grow it in the garden. It comes in two colors: white and dark brown. Either one is a great addition to this arrangement, as the stems are all the same length. We trimmed the long pieces of the wheat on top, so it was uniform in size and we can still see our back layer. Place the stems of the wheat close to the back layer and make sure they are straight in the basket—the stems should not lean towards you. For a layer of color, we used purple statice, which is an annual plant with lots of naturally straight stems. It holds its color for a long time and is a favorite of ours. Try growing
statice with plants from the garden center or by seeds. Place these stems right next to the wheat in a line. Be sure to push stems well into the foam so they are secure. If you break a stem, use the glue gun to repair it. Roses dry well. We used cream-colored blooms that we bought in a bunch, but many rose colors are pretty. Red roses dry very dark, so stick with pinks, creams, and yellows. These rose bunches have strong stems and are easy to arrange in a straight line. Again, if you break a rose off the stem, repair it with the glue gun. Lavender stems are fragrant and beautiful to use. Lavender is a perennial herb and everybody should grow it. The trick to growing lavender is to not cut it back, except the bloom stems. It is a woody perennial and cannot survive our Michigan winters if pruned too far back. Pick the stems when the flowers are just coming out. Hang upside down and you have sturdy lavender stems to use in crafting projects. They dry the same color and hold their fragrance. Carefully arrange a row of lavender by pressing the stems into the block. Make sure you can still see every layer of dried flowers that you have used and that you are not covering up the previous layer. Finish with mosses and ribbons. We used sheet moss all around the basket to hide the flower foam, but Spanish moss works well also. Hot glue the moss in place and use a ribbon bow for an accent. Step back and admire your masterpiece! For a teacup layered arrangement, cut and place floral foam into a teacup to the top of the cup. Do not glue, but place firmly into the cup. Use one of your own cups or find one at an antique shop. Place a few tall flowers, such as roses, in the middle. Then place a layer underneath, such as lavender stems. Use rose leaves and mosses to finish and cover the foam. Tie a ribbon around the entire stack or place a bow on for accents. This is a great gift for loved ones or friends, or use as a place card holder on the holiday table. If you take reasonable care of these arrangements, they will last for months or even a couple of years. Keep them out of the sun, with as little humidity as possible, and dust lightly with a feather duster. Then simply wait for the rave reviews from your guests! Jean and Roxanne Riggs operated Sunshine Farm and Garden in Oakland County, MI and now enjoy retirement up north.
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2019 | MichiganGardener.com
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FOR INFORMATION ABOUT PUBLIC GARDENS, please visit MichiganGardener.com. Click on "Resources" then "Public Gardens."
September / October / November / December
September H Cranbrook Gardens: Self-Guided Walks Sun, Sep 1, Daily, 7am-7pm, Bloomfield Hills. At Cranbrook House & Gardens. Enjoy free self-guided admission to all 40 acres. www.housegardens.cranbrook.edu/explore/ gardens. Grounds & Gardens Tour at Ford House Tue, Sep 3, Every other Tue, Grosse Pointe. At Ford House. $10. Get captivated by the naturalist-style landscapes on this guided tour. 313-884-4222. Paint Your Own Rustic Sign Wed, Sep 4, 4pm, Lake Orion. At Fogler’s Greenhouse, 559 S. Lapeer Rd. $40/person. Come join the sign painting class, to guide your inner DIY. Just bring your creativity. 248-690-7458. Macrame Hanging Planter Thu, Sep 5, 4pm, Lake Orion. At Fogler’s, 559 S. Lapeer Rd. $30. Come for a fun evening of macrame. You will leave with a beautiful handmade macrame plant hanger & glass piece. 248-690-7458. Art on the Island Thu, Sep 5, 6pm-9pm, Holland. At Windmill Island Gardens. The park is hosting a wind-driven sculpture exhibit featuring works by local artist Peter Griz. 616-355-1030. a.day@cityofholland.com. Healthy Soils & Wise Fertilizing Thu, Sep 5, 6:30pm, Mt. Clemens. By Macomb Cty Master Gardener Assoc at Mt. Clemens Public Library. $5. Learn how focusing on soil & fertilizer can eliminate many other chores & problems. macombcountymga@yahoo.com. H Fall Blooming Perennials Sat, Sep 7, 10am, Troy. At Telly’s. $10. Attend the 12pm “Perennial Grasses” class for just $5 more. 248-689-8735, www.tellys.com. H Live Healthier with Houseplants Sat, Sep 7, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. FREE. Did you know certain houseplants can improve the air quality of your home? www.EnglishGardens.com. H Nature Hike at Hidden Lake Gardens Sat, Sep 7, 10:30am, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $10. Enjoy a family-friendly hike on Hidden Lake Gardens’ many rolling & wooded trails. hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu. H Perennial Grasses Sat, Sep 7, 12pm, Troy. At Telly’s. $10. Attend the 10am “Fall Blooming Perennials” class for just $5 more. 248-689-8735, www.tellys.com. H Dividing Perennials Free Seminar Sat, Sep 7, 12-12:30pm, Haslett. At VanAtta’s. FREE. All you need to know about splitting perennials up & getting them replanted. www.vanattas.com. Kent Garden Club Presents: A Standard Flower Show Sat, Sep 7, & Sun, Sep 8, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. $14. Beautiful arrangements by members of Kent Garden Club, West Michigan Flower Arranger’s Guild, & Michigan Garden Club District IV. H Craft Days at Stone Cottage Gardens Sun, Sep 8, 10-11:30am, Gladwin. At Stone Cottage Gardens. www.StoneCottageGardens.com, 989-426-2919.
Hardy Plant Society Meeting Mon, Sep 9, 7pm, Bloomfield Hills. By Hardy Plant Society at Congregational Church of Birmingham. Guest fee: $5. For more info, visit us on Facebook or email: julia@juliasbiglife.com. Behind the Seen: DIA Garden Art Mon, Sep 9, Royal Oak. By Royal Oak Garden Club at Royal Oak Public Library Auditorium. FREE. DIA’s collection of garden-related art from the museum to your community. 248-398-4996. Exploring Natural Communities of Michigan Tue, Sep 10, 6:30, Bloomfield Hills. By Master Gardener Society of Oakland Cty at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church. $5. Conserve native plants & biodiversity through your landscaping. www.mgsoc.org. Suds N’ Succulents Thu, Sep 12, 5pm, Oxford. By Fogler’s Greenhouse at HomeGrown Brewery. $40/person. Take home a beautiful succulent planter at the end of the night. 248-690-7458. Ferndale Garden Club Meeting Thu, Sep 12, 7pm, Ferndale. By Ferndale Garden Club at Kulick Community Center. Members share garden tips/ plant recommendations & submit entries for best zinnia bloom. 248-541-6427. Biennial Shelby Gardeners’ Flower Show Thu, Sep 12, Fri, Sep 13, & Sat, Sep 14, 9am-5pm, Shelby Twp. By Shelby Garden Club at Shelby Library. “Flowers from the Heart”. 586-873-3782. H Fall is for Planting Sat, Sep 14, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. Fall is the best time to get a head start in your garden for next year. www.EnglishGardens.com. H Hydrangea Wreath Sat, Sep 14, 10am-Noon, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $69.99. Kathy Mathews will help you fashion an elegantly simple 18” hydrangea wreath. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com. Dahlias: 67th Annual Dahlia Show & Competition Sat, Sep 14, Noon-9:30p & Sun, Sep 21, 9am-3pm, West Bloomfield. By SE Michigan Dahlia Society at Orchard Mall. 500+ dahlias on display. Members on hand to answer questions. www.semds.org, 248-689-5947. H Conifer Forest Bonsai Workshop Sat, Sep 14, 1pm, Troy. At Telly’s. $129. www.tellys.com. H Exotic Plant Show & Sale Sat, Sep 14, & Sun, Sep 15, 10am-4:30pm, Ann Arbor. At Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Cactus, succulents, & bromeliads, including air plants on display. 248-798-4139, www.mbgna.umich.edu. H Pond & Waterfall Design Sun, Sep 15, 10am-Noon, Milford. At The Pond Place. This workshop will address the key issues associated with designing & building your own pond, stream and/or waterfall. www.pondplace.com. H The Art of Bonsai: Bonsai Show Sun, Sep 15, 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.
Promote your events! Send us your information! Nursery & Garden Center 2781 Scio Church • Ann Arbor
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Website: Go to MichiganGardener.com and click on “Garden Event Calendar” E-Mail: calendar@MichiganGardener.com Upcoming Issues & Deadlines: Issue
April 2020 May 2020
Deadline March 15, 2020 April 15, 2020
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2019 | Michigan Gardener
21
Westcroft Halloween Gardens Hayrides! PLANT NURSERY
H Orchid Doctor – Bring in Your Problem Plants Sun, Sep 15, 2-3pm, Ann Arbor. At Matthaei Botanical Gardens. FREE. www.mbgna.umich.edu. Michigan Orchid Society Meeting Sun, Sep 15, 2:30pm, Birmingham. By the Michigan Orchid Society at the First Baptist Church, 300 Willits St. Discussion & demo on growing orchids under glass. Plant sales & raffle. H Discover Our Underwater Forests: Michigan’s Aquatic Plants Mon, Sep 16, 7:30pm, Ann Arbor. At Matthaei Botanical Gardens. FREE. www.mbgna.umich.edu. H Ikebana: Japanese Flower Arranging Thu, Sep 19, 1-2:30pm, Ann Arbor. At Matthaei Botanical Gardens. $20. www.mbgna.umich.edu. H Make It & Take It: Fall Container Garden Thu, Sep 19, 6pm, Eastpointe; 7pm, all other locations. At English Gardens. $44.99. We provide all the materials & info to create a fall container garden to take home. Register: EnglishGardens.com. H Auburn Oaks Fall Plant Event Fri, Sep 20, & Sat-Sun, Sep 21-22, 9am-4pm, Fenton. At Auburn Oaks Farm. Come in & check our where the plants are grown. www.auburnoaksnursery.com. Chrysanthemums & More Fri, Sep 20, through Oct 27, 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 21, 9-11am, St Clair Shores. By The Yardeners at St. Clair Shores Public Library. Bag, tag & drag your offerings to trade or give away to other gardeners. No cash involved. scsyardeners@gmail.com. Perennial Plant Exchange Sat, Sep 21, 9-11am, Royal Oak. By Royal Oak Garden Club at Mahany-Meininger Senior Center. Label your perennial plants. No trees or shrubs for exchange. 248-585-4271. Tollgate Fall Plant Sale Sat, Sep 21, 9am-Noon, Novi. At Tollgate Farms. Perennial plants for sale, with volunteers to provide advice. Proceeds support Tollgate. www.canr.msu.edu, 248-347-3860 ext. 251, prentic1@msu.edu. H Miniature Container Gardening Workshop Sat, Sep 21, 10am, Troy. At Telly’s. Workshop fee: $10 plus cost of materials. www.tellys.com. H Plant Spring-Flowering Bulbs Sat, Sep 21, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. FREE. After a cold, drab winter, it’s exciting to see those first green shoots popping out of the ground. www.EnglishGardens.com. H Pond Winterization Sat, Sep 21, 10-11am, Milford. At The Pond Place of Michigan. How to perform a fall pond cleaning and how to winterize your pond, plants & fish. www.pondplace.com. H Tips for Growing Rhododendrons & Azaleas Sat, Sep 21, 1-3:30pm, Ann Arbor. At Matthaei Botanical Gardens. FREE. www.mbgna.umich.edu. H Edible Centerpiece Demo Sat, Sep 21, 2-2:45, Haslett. At VanAtta’s. FREE. How to construct a table centerpiece out of vegetables. www.vanattas.com. H Piechnik’s Fall Open House Sat, Sep 21, Oakland. At Piechnik’s Garden Gate. Dozens of colors & sizes of mums. Corn stalks, pumpkins, gourds & more. Call for times & info: 586-336-7200. www.Piechniks.com. Fall Plant & Garden Swap Sun, Sep 22, 1:30pm, Wixom. At Gunnar Mettala Park, 645 Mettala Drive. FREE. No selling. Bring perennials, garden tools, yard art, anything garden related. Label plants. 248-767-2490. Master Composter Program Wed, Sep 25, 6pm, Ann Arbor. By Project Grow at Pioneer High School. $59. 7 series class. Take 1 class or all. Register: 734-994-2300.
Secrets for the Best Hydrangeas Thu, Sep 26, 11am, Lake Orion. At Fogler’s Greenhouse, 559 S. Lapeer Rd. $20/person. Secrets & knowledge on the many challenges of hydrangeas. Bring your questions. 248-690-7458. Meadow Brook Garden Club Fri, Sep 27, 9:15am, Rochester. By The Meadow Brook Garden Club. Program at 10am. $5/non-member. Ron Rademacher: “Nature’s Getaways.” meadowbrookhall.org. H Halloween Hayrides Fri, Sep 27, thru Oct 30. Fri & Sat, 7-11pm & Sun, 7-10pm, Grosse Ile. At Westcroft Gardens. $10/person. Family friendly hayride through 13 acres of decorated woods. Closed when raining. www.WestcroftGardens.com. H Top 20 Fall Garden Tips Sat, Sep 28, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. FREE. We will provide information on how to transition your garden from summer to fall to help it stay beautiful. www.EnglishGardens.com. H Succulent Container Garden Workshop Sat, Sep 28, 10am, Troy. At Telly’s. $50. 248-689-8735. www.tellys.com. H Pond Winterization Sat, Sep 28, 10-11am, Milford. At The Pond Place of Michigan. How to perform a fall pond cleaning and how to winterize your pond, plants & fish. www.pondplace.com. Branches, Burlap, & Gourds Sat, Sep 28, 11am, Lake Orion. At Fogler’s Greenhouse, 559 S. Lapeer Rd. $20/person. How to use ornamental branches, burlap, & gourds for fall decorating that your neighbors will be envious of. 248-690-7458. H Putting Your Garden to Bed Sat, Sep 28, 11am-12pm, North Branch. At Campbell’s Greenhouses. What you need to do before winter arrives to have the best success in your garden. $7. www.campbellsgreenhouses.com H Community Dahlia Competition & Storing Demonstration Sat, Sep 28, 1-4pm, Ann Arbor. By Michigan Dahlia Assoc at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Open to all who will not be competing in an ADS sanctioned show. Enter from 11am-12:30pm. 248-330-4078. H Spring Blooming Bulbs Sat, Sep 28, 1-2pm, North Branch. At Campbell’s Greenhouses. Choosing the right bulbs, planting tips, and deer & rabbit issues. $7. www.campbellsgreenhouses.com H Night Hike at Hidden Lake Gardens Sat, Sep 28, 8:30-10:30pm, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $15. This hike offers ideal opportunities to spy on nighttime critters & experience the forest’s subtle noises. Register: 517-431-8044. H Welcome Fall Event Sun, Sep 29, Noon-4pm, Haslett. At Van Atta’s. Family fun activities to welcome the season. www.vanattas.com.
Sept 27 thru Oct 30
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
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!
21803 W. River Rd., Grosse Ile 734-676-2444 www.westcroftgardens.com
Closed when raining
PRIVATE PARTIES WELCOME! PLEASE CALL FOR RESERVATIONS.
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Poison Ivy Control OF MICHIGAN
October Grounds & Gardens Tour at Ford House Tue, Oct 1, Every other Tue, Grosse Pointe. At Ford House. $10. Get captivated by the naturalist-style landscapes on this guided tour. 313-884-4222. Autumn Succulent Centerpiece Wed, Oct 2, 5pm, Lake Orion. At Fogler’s Greenhouse, 559 S. Lapeer Rd. $35/person. How to plant succulents into a real pumpkin for a stand-out fall display. 248-690-7458. H Scottish Gardens Wed, Oct 2, 7pm, Ann Arbor. At Matthaei Botanical Gardens. FREE. www.mbgna.umich.edu. Fall Into Spring Sat, Oct 5, 8am, Flint. By Master Gardener Assoc Genesee County at Mott Community College Event Ctr. An educational conference featuring 4 speakers. www.fallintospring.weebly.com. continued on page 22
Call 844-IVY-GONE (844-489-4663)
www.PoisonIvyControlofMichigan.com WE ALSO PROVIDE INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL
22
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2260 Auburn Rd. • Auburn Hills • 248-332-6210 www.StateCrushing.com • Hours: Monday-Friday 7-5 Saturday 7-1
Michigan Gardener | September/October 2019 | MichiganGardener.com
continued from page 21 H Fall is for Planting Spring-Blooming Bulbs Sat, Oct 5, 10am, Troy. At Telly’s. $10. 248-689-8735, www.tellys.com. H African Violets, Gesneriads, Terrarium & Fairy Garden Plants Display & Sale Sat, Oct 5, 10am-3:30pm, Ann Arbor. At Matthaei Botanical Gardens. FREE. www.mbgna.umich.edu. H Bonsai Workshop Sat, Oct 5, 1pm, Troy. At Telly’s. $45. www.tellys.com. Dahlias: Digging, Dividing & Storing Tubers Sat, Oct 5, 2-4pm, Troy. By SE Michigan Dahlia Society at Telly’s Greenhouse. Dr. Keith Berven & members will be demonstrating the how-to’s of digging, dividing and storing. www.semds.org, 248-689-5947. Fall Bonsai Show Sat, Oct 5, & Sun, Oct 6, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. See a variety of bonsai on display, from trees in early stages of training to lovely older trees. Watch bonsai artists at work and shop for bonsai trees/supplies. Hardy Plant Society Meeting Mon, Oct 7, 7pm, Bloomfield Hills. By Hardy Plant Society at Congregational Church of Birmingham. Guest fee: $5. For more info, visit us on Facebook or email: julia@juliasbiglife.com. Woodland Treasures for Shady Gardens Tue, Oct 8, 6:30pm, Bloomfield Hills. By Master Gardener Society of Oakland Cty at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church. $5. Presented by Dr. Tony Reznicek. www.mgsoc.org. Bees, Pollination & Beekeeping Wed, Oct 9, 6:30pm, Mt. Clemens. By Macomb Cty Master Gardener Assoc at Mt. Clemens Public Library. $5. Presentation followed by primer on beekeeping w/emphasis on how to beekeep. macombcountymga@yahoo.com. H Ikebana: Japanese Flower Arranging Thu, Oct 17, 1-2:30pm, Ann Arbor. At Matthaei Botanical Gardens. $20. www.mbgna.umich.edu. H Make It & Take It: Pumpkin Floral Arrangement Thu, Oct 17, 7pm, Dearborn Hts, West Bloomfield, Clinton Township, Royal Oak. At English Gardens. All the materials to create a pumpkin floral arrangement. Register: www.englishgardens.com/events. H Pond Winterization Sat, Oct 19, 10-11am, Milford. At The Pond Place of Michigan. How to perform a Fall pond cleaning & how to winterize your pond, plants & fish. www.pondplace.com. H 6th Annual Pumpkin Day Sat, Oct 19, 11am-2pm, Chelsea. At Garden Mill. FREE. Join us for a pumpkin decorating party. www.TheGardenMill.com. H Bonsai Workshop Sat, Oct 19, 1pm, Troy. At Tellys. $45. 248-689-8735, www.tellys.com. Betsy Campbell Lecture at DIA Sat, Oct 19, By Friends of Art & Flowers at the DIA, at Detroit Film Theatre. Paul Zammit is the Nancy Eaton Director of Horticulture at the Toronto Botanical Garden. Paul is renowned for his creative approach to container gardening & plant selection. www.dia.org. H Fall Foliage Festival Sat, Oct 19, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. 517-431-2060, www.hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu. Trash to Treasures by Sue Keehn Mon, Oct 21, 7pm, St. Clair Shores. By The Yardeners at St. Clair Shores Library. FREE. Using unexpected objects in the garden involves the thrill of the hunt, an open mind & imagination. scsyardeners@gmail.com. H The Chinese Art of Penjing: Taking Bonsai to a World Stage Wed, Oct 23, 7-9pm, Ann Arbor. At Matthaei Botanical Gardens. mbgna.umich.edu. Meadow Brook Garden Club Fri, Oct 25, 9:15am, Rochester. By The Meadow Brook Garden Club. Program at 10am. $5/non-member. Diana Noone: “Awesome Autumn Arragements”. meadowbrookhall.org. H Night Hike at Hidden Lake Gardens Sat, Oct 26, 8-10pm, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $15. This hike offers ideal opportunities to spy on nighttime critters & experience the forest’s subtle noises. Register: 517-431-8044.
November H Ladies Night Out Fri, Nov 1, 6-8:30pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. FREE. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com. H Primulas Wed, Nov 6, 7pm, Ann Arbor. At Matthaei Botanical Gardens. FREE. www.mbgna.umich.edu. H Woolie Pine Swag Sat, Nov 9, 10am-1pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $54.99. Learn how to create an everlasting, evergreen swag from wool! www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com. Hardy Plant Society Meeting Mon, Nov 11, 7pm, Bloomfield Hills. By Hardy Plant Society at Congregational Church of Birmingham. Guest fee: $5. For more info, visit us on Facebook or email: julia@juliasbiglife.com. Drought Tolerant Plants Tue, Nov 12, 6:30pm, Bloomfield Hills. By Master Gardener Society of Oakland Cty at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church. $5. Sue Grubba reviews drought tolerant plants & tips to get our gardens through the dry spells. www.mgsoc.org. Succulents Tue, Nov 12, 6:30pm, Mt. Clemens. By Macomb Cty Master Gardener Assoc at Mt. Clemens Public Library. $5. George Papadelis, owner of Telly’s, shares his knowledge of growing succulents. macombcountymga@yahoo.com. H Bromeliads A-Z, Part 1 Sat, Nov 16, 2pm, Ann Arbor. At Matthaei Botanical Gardens. FREE. www.mbgna.umich.edu. H Ikebana: Japanese Flower Arranging Thu, Nov 21, 1-2:30pm, Ann Arbor. At Matthaei Botanical Gardens. $20. www.mbgna.umich.edu. H Arts & Greens Holiday Art Market Fri, Nov 22, 1-7pm; Sat, Nov 23, 9am-5pm; Sun, Nov 24, 10am-4pm, White Lake. At Bogie Lake Greenhouses. Shop the artist’s booths between our festive displays. Kids activities & more. www.bogielakegreenhouses.com. H Christmas Open House Fri, Nov 29, to Sun, Dec 1, 10-5pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. Get into the Christmas mood. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com. H Annual Holiday Greens Workshop Sat, Dec 7, 10am-Noon, Ann Arbor. At Matthaei Botanical Gardens. $15. Denise Looker will demo how to make a holiday wreath, centerpiece, or fireplace decoration. mbgna.umich.edu.
December H Fresh Holiday Wreath Sat, Dec 7, 10am-12:30pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $51.99. Create a 14” wreath using fresh boxwood, seeded eucalyptus, fresh juniper & pine. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com. H Holiday Festival Sat, Dec 7, 4-8pm, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. Celebrate the holiday season with lights, luminaries, decorations, music, crafts, refreshments, & Santa. www.hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu. H Evening of Lights Sun, Dec 8, 5-8pm, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. Over 2000 candle-lit luminaries on display. hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu, 517-431-2060. H Ikebana: Japanese Flower Arranging Thu, Dec 12, 1-2:30pm, Ann Arbor. At Matthaei Botanical Gardens. $20. www.mbgna.umich.edu. H Fresh Boxwood & White Pine Tree Sat, Dec 14, 10-12:30pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $51.99. Create a holiday centerpiece. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com. H Evening of Lights Sat, Dec 14, & Sun, Dec 15, 5-8pm, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. Over 2000 candle-lit luminaries on display. hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu, 517-431-2060.
January 2020 Hardy Plant Society Meeting Sun, Jan 6, 7pm, Bloomfield Hills. By Hardy Plant Society at Congregational Church of Birmingham. Guest fee: $5. For more info, visit us on Facebook or email: julia@juliasbiglife.com.
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2019 | Michigan Gardener
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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. 248-497-2674. Find me on Facebook.
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Join us for a pumpkin decorating party on Sat, Oct 19, 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.
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2019 | MichiganGardener.com
After witnessing a hosta collection on a garden walk many years ago, Pat and Patricia Major started their own collection along a woodland path, complete with Hosta Society stepping stones.
Let’s face it
Pat and Patricia Major’s unique garden is both a lush woodland and a collection of artistic faces
A
s you stroll through the a few fruit trees grown by the preGenesee county garden of vious landowners. They have conPat and Patricia Major, you tinued that tradition, adding more realize they like to play with scale— fruit trees of their own. the bigger, the better. The three They built their home and then enormous face containers on the started designing the garden. It front stoop make a statement and was a daunting task to design and draw your attention immediately landscape the large yard, as it has to the front door. It also quickly beareas of full sun along with deep Lisa comes obvious that they have an afshade. With shared plants from Steinkopf finity for using faces in their eclectheir mothers’ gardens, attending tic garden. the Detroit News perennial plant The first thing you notice is the view of exchanges, and haunting local garden centhe lake—a focal point in almost every part ters, they have managed to furnish the garof the garden except the woodland paths. Pat den with many exciting and unusual plants. and Patricia have been gardening here for 25 As they were creating the planting beds, years and started with a blank slate except for they found the clay soil was hard to work
This face is just one of many looking up from the woodland floor in the “garden” of faces.
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Pat and Patricia Major enjoy working in the garden together and sharing it with their grandchildren.
A second pergola, smaller and more rustic, is in the woods at the lake edge. They have used their favorite color blue to decorate.
Out in the woods, “Mud Man” is a surprise of epic proportions.
The enormous head planter is a focal point in the garden, standing sentinel over the lake. The Majors painted it with their favorite blue color.
with, so they amend it continually. They initially added five layers of newspaper on top of the soil, wetting and covering it with leaves and a layer of mulch to top it off. They find it makes a big difference and even began to see more worms when digging holes for planting. When it comes to planting, if a plant is not working where it is, Patricia isn’t afraid to move it to a new location, hoping for a better outcome. After attending a garden walk eight years ago and seeing numerous hostas, they attended a local hosta society meeting and were hooked. They now have over 200 varieties and keep adding new ones. Since they have a plethora of shade, they can incorporate them with other shade-loving plants. The Majors are sentimental gardeners and have plants from their family members. One tree is surrounded by their grandmas’ hostas and Patricia has lilies, sedum, and roses from her mom. They both agree though: their fa-
vorite plant is great grandma’s rose, which is several decades old. They don’t know the variety, but it blooms reliably and has never had any disease or insect problems.
The head planter The focal point of the garden—and one that cannot be missed even by passing boats—is a 12-foot tall sculptural head planter. Amazing! It came from Chicago where it had been one of 15 in an art installation on the Magnificent Mile. They were planted and displayed along Michigan Avenue during the summer of 2013. It was a temporary exhibit sponsored by Plant Green Ideas, an organization formed to bring sustainability awareness to the people of Chicago. The Majors bought it after the Chicago installation was removed and the heads were auctioned off for charity. continued on next page
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2019 | MichiganGardener.com
The face of Neptune looking up through the water causes folks on the dock to do a double take.
Three enormous face planters greet you at the home’s front door.
continued from previous page These planters would be LEED certified if they were buildings, made from recycled aluminum, steel, and concrete, weighing in at over 2,000 pounds each. The Major’s planter was formerly lime green. They had it repainted in the blue shade that is their favorite color to use in the garden. Every year they fill it with a different array of plants. No matter the plants chosen, the head has a commanding presence overlooking the lake.
More heads are better than one That is only one of many faces and head planters to be found in the garden, but surprisingly, not the largest. As you traverse the paths in the woods, you come upon an enormous face on the ground. “Mud Man,” as Pat calls him, was created after he saw a picture of a similar one. It is made out of excess soil removed from planting beds that has been shaped to form a face, and then covered with moss. The hair is a planting of daylilies and the eyes are mosaics made from broken pottery. The ears are quite large, created by carving out forms in the sand on the lakeshore and then pouring cement into the forms. It is a sight to behold. That isn’t the only form Pat has made in the woods. A mermaid reclines on the forest floor with a cement head planter complete with ric rac cactus hair that evokes movement, like
The Majors have added many unusual plants such as a weeping burgundy redbud, tri-color beech and numerous weeping conifers throughout the garden.
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P H OTO G R A P H S BY L I S A S T E I N KO P F
long hair floating underwater. That, along with the shadow outline of Sasquatch made by a friend, makes for a spooky walk in the twilight hours! A face fountain spitting water into the lake adds sound to the garden. If you walk out onto the dock and look down, yours is not the only face looking back at you. A head depicting Neptune is buried in the sand, and as the water ripples over him, it is quite surprising to see. There are numerous small statues of heads mixed in with the rocks lining the walkways and a “garden” of faces looking up at you along the woodland walk. When I asked the Majors about the heads and faces, they said it wasn’t a conscious decision to collect them— they just like faces! After a while, they had quite a collection. You never know when one will be peeking at you from behind a leaf or greeting you along a walkway. This garden—filled with sentimental family plants, faces, and well-planned garden beds—is a testament to the work and thought Pat and Patricia have put into the property together. And best of all, at the end of the day, they can sit under the pergola by the beach and enjoy the beautiful lake view.
A pergola built on the lakeshore is a wonderful place for a meal or a place to relax after a long day working in the garden.
Made of moss, complete with a head planter of flowing “hair,” this mermaid relaxes in the woods.
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 734-7481241). Follow her on Facebook (Facebook.com/ HouseplantGuru), Twitter (@houseplantguru), and Instagram (houseplantguru).
A head planter full of succulents greets visitors as they enter the woodland path.
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2019 | MichiganGardener.com
continued from back cover Korean feather reed grass can provide texture, movement and autumn interest—the hallmark features of ornamental grasses—in varying levels of shade from full sun to less than four hours of direct light per day. What a boon to shade gardeners—having a showy ornamental grass in their plant palette!
Versatile plant size and habit The foliage mounds of Korean feather reed grass rarely exceed two feet tall, with flowering height around four feet—a useful size that makes it appropriate for gardens where larger, taller grasses might be overwhelming. The willowy, mediumgreen foliage grows in arching mounds that are quite attractive even when not in bloom. It has a more relaxed habit than its strictly upright cousin, the feather reed grass ‘Karl Foerster.’ The leaf blades are wider and more substantial too, ranging from 1/4 to 5/8 inch wide, which adds mass and helps to give the impression of a large ornamental grass without the difficulties of properly siting and maintaining larger species like maiden grass or switchgrass.
Outstanding flowering plumes Korean feather reed grass is useful because it works well in a variety of garden settings, but it is a truly outstanding grass
Hoffman Nursery, Inc.
Korean feather reed grass grows in mounds of foliage two feet wide and tall.
Hoffman Nursery, Inc.
Bristles on the flowers capture and hold water. A plant in full bloom, its sparkling pink inflorescences covered with morning dew, is a breathtaking sight.
www.PerennialResource.com
As the fall season deepens, the flowers mature to a beige-buff color.
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because of the sheer beauty of its flowering plumes. The inflorescences emerge from within the foliage mounds in September, starting off as shafts of very pale sea-green. As they develop, they expand and widen, becoming a gorgeous shade of mauve-pink, and finally maturing to beige-buff. Few grasses are as magnificent in early autumn. The wide but intricately formed inflorescences capture the sunlight, particularly when backlit, providing a glittering effect that has earned it the alternate common name of diamond grass. The spikelets that make up the flowering plume are tipped with protruding bristles that capture and hold water. A plant in full bloom, its sparkling pink inflorescences covered with morning dew, is a breathtaking sight. Although the flowering plumes remain attractive through the fall, they usually do not persist through the winter. That said, Korean feather reed grass can be relied upon for excellent yellow fall foliage color.
Uses in the landscape With so many ornamental features to offer, it’s easy to find uses for Korean feather reed grass in the garden. Its flowing foliage habit makes it a good choice for massing in large settings, whereas its moderate size makes it perfect in smaller gardens when used as a focal point. It is striking when used at intervals, like repeated punctuation marks in the garden. Its informal habit makes it a superb choice for naturalized gardens, in either sun or partial shade. Unlike its cousin ‘Karl Foerster,’ which is a cool-season grass that emerges quite early in the spring, Korean feather reed grass is a warm season grass that doesn’t break dormancy until May. Planting spring-flowering bulbs and early perenniHoffman Nursery, Inc.
Korean feather reed grass is a low maintenance garden plant, requiring only average soil and moisture.
continued on next page
Hoffman Nursery, Inc.
At the Lurie Garden in Chicago, Korean feather reed grass anchors this early fall scene.
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2019 | MichiganGardener.com
continued from previous page als as grass companions is a time-honored technique that provides color and interest before the grasses take center stage. The lovely green foliage of Korean feather reed grass contrasts with the colorful perennials and annuals of summer, and its impressive flowering can be highlighted with fall-blooming perennials and groundcovers such as sedum, plumbago, rudbeckia, turtlehead, anemone, and monkshood.
How to grow Korean feather reed grass is a low maintenance garden plant, requiring only average soil and moisture. It is not fussy about soil type, and is one of the few grasses that tolerates clay soil and/or damp soil, as long as it is not waterlogged. Because it prefers consistent soil moisture, it is not the best choice for hot, dry, windy sites—there are plenty of other grasses to choose for those conditions. Like most grasses, it does not need much fertilizer. In fact, overdoing the fertilizer, particularly in damp soils and partial shade, might result in floppy flowering stems. The only care required is cutting back in either late fall or early spring. Fortunately this is a relatively easy task compared to cutting back the other popular large grasses. Interestingly, there are no horticultural cultivars of Korean feather reed grass. Plants sold in the nursery trade are either grown from seed or from division. Growing from seed is relatively easy, but plants grown this way will take about three years to attain flowering size. Seed-grown plants may show variation among individuals because they are not 100 percent genetically identical. Nurseries and gardeners may note slight differences in plant habit, such as height, color of foliage and flower, more or less upright habit, profuseness of bloom, and other characteristics. This species is ripe for exploration by horticulturists and hybridizers to select and breed for superior forms, which could then be propagated by division and sold as named cultivars. It remains yet to be seen whether Korean feather reed grass will become a garden staple as significant as ‘Karl Foerster,’ but gardeners from novice to expert will take delight in discovering this little-known but exceptional ornamental grass.
Hoffman Nursery, Inc.
Korean feather reed grass is spectacular in mass plantings.
Karen Bovio is the owner of Specialty Growers in Howell, MI.
Korean feather reed grass Botanical name: Calamagrostis brachytricha (ka-la-ma-GRAH-stiss brack-ee-TRY-kuh) Ornamental grass Plant type: Mounding Habit: 2 feet wide, 2 feet tall; 4 feet tall in Plant size: bloom Hardiness: Zone 4 Flowers: Plumes of pale green, changing to pink, then tan Bloom period: Autumn Leaves: Green in summer; yellow in fall Light: Sun to partial shade Soil: Average, loamy to clay; sandy soil acceptable with irrigation during dry periods Average to moist; tolerates occasional Water: wet periods Uses: Massing, groups, specimen, cut flowers Remarks: One of the few ornamental grasses that performs well in the shade.
www.PerennialResource.com
As the inflorescences develop, they become a gorgeous shade of mauve-pink.
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2019 | Michigan Gardener
through the lens Photographs from Michigan gardeners
Send Us Your Photos! 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.
“The heart-shaped leaves of redbud ‘Ruby Falls’ and the hakone grass are a nice combination of color and texture.” —Carol Taylor
This bee feeds on an allium in Jenn Faber’s backyard.
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Hope Bertrand caught her cat playing with the plumes of a pennisetum ‘Fireworks.’
Wendy Leach photographed a black swallowtail butterfly and a monarch butterfly enjoying her zinnias.
| September/October 2019 | MichiganGardener.com
Korean feather reed grass M
any gardeners are familiar with the feather reed grass ‘Karl Foerster’ (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’), the grass that earned the Perennial Plant of the Year award in 2001. It has become one of the best-selling ornamental grasses of all time, and is often used in commercial plantings as well as home landscapes. However, most American gardeners are unaware of Korean feather reed grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha), although it is also an award winner, receiving the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in 2006. Fortunately, this easy-to-grow grass is gaining recognition and popularity as it becomes more widely available.
Shade tolerance Native to Europe and Eurasia, Calamagrostis brachytricha (sometimes listed as C. arundinacea var. brachytricha) has many virtues to recommend it to gardeners in all temperate regions, worldwide. Topmost, it is one of the few ornamental grasses that is equally at home in sun or shade. In its native habitat, Korean feather reed grass grows in moist, deciduous woodlands in dappled shade. The ability to grow and perform well in every light level is an advantage to gardeners who have had difficulty with grasses in shady sites. For example, popular varieties of maiden grass (Miscanthus) or switchgrass (Panicum) will decline after a few years in too much shade. If they do survive, they rarely flower well, and may become floppy and disheveled.
Karen Bovio
continued on page 28
www.PerennialResource.com
Its moderate size makes Korean feather reed grass perfect for smaller gardens.
Hoffman Nursery, Inc.
Korean feather reed grass is one of the few ornamental grasses that performs well in the shade.