Michigan Gardener - July / August 2015 by Michigan Gardener

July/August 2015

New Plants

New shrubs & trees for 2015

Please thank our advertisers in this issue

MichiganGardener.com

Vegetable Patch

Controlling animal pests

Profile

A local tribute to a favorite garden

Your guide to Great Lakes gardening

Thyme for Herbs Edible flowers

Perennials

A summer combination of textures

TIRED of messy sprays from your tree & shrub care company? Tree sprays drifting all over your yard and your neighbors! • Marginal results with no real improvements! Devastating the population of beneficial insects! • Monthly treatment schedules can be costly! Rhododenrons, Azaleas & Hollies barely survive through the winter season!

What you get with Contender’s: ✔ NEW! Control of Needlecast Disease (general thinning) on Spruces (fungicide injection provides control for 1 year) ✔ Control of Anthracnose (premature leaf drop) on Sycamores, Maples and Oaks (fungicide injection provides control for 1 year) ✔ NEW! Protection of Nematodes (helps prevent premature death) on Pines (insecticide injection provides control for 3 years) ✔ NEW! Control of Verticillium Wilt (Example: help prevent branch death in Japanese Maples) ✔ Control of Applescab Disease (premature yellowing of leaves) on Crabapple trees (fungicide injection provides control for 1 year)

DISCOUNTS: Mention this Michigan Gardener ad for a 10% discount! If you prepay, you get a 15% discount!

✔ NEW! Control of Diplodia Tip Blight (browned tips of needles) on all Pines, especially Austrian and Scotch (fungicide injection provides control for 2 years) ✔ NEW! Control of Phytophora Root Rot (Example: scraggily-looking Rhododendrons, Azaleas, and Hollies) ✔ NEW! Control of invasive Calico Scale (sticky honeydew raining down on cars, patio furniture, and more) using an enzyme blocker (100% control with 1 application)

Untreated Austrian Pine

✔ NEW! Chlorotic Oaks – Deep-root organic feeding formulation turns sickly yellow leaves to green (Results occur in weeks, not months)

Flower bed weed control Deer repellents • Mole control Organic lawn fertilizing

Call or e-mail us today for a FREE ESTIMATE! 248-698-4470 • www.contenders-mi.com service@contenders-mi.com S ERV I CI N G WAY N E , OA KL A N D & M ACO M B CO U N T I E S

1 year later: This Austrian Pine was treated the previous summer

2 years later: Austrian Pines looking great since treatment (NO sprays required; 1 injection only)

Summer Events Make Life Beautiful

FREE In-stoRE PREsEntatIons: July & august 2015 New Plants for 2015 Saturday, July 11 at 10 a.m.

Low maintenance Gardening Tips Saturday, August 1 at 10 a.m.

Cool Plants for Shade Saturday, August 22 at 10 a.m.

All About Hydrangeas Saturday, July 18 at 10 a.m.

Keep the Bugs at Bay Saturday, August 8 at 10 a.m.

Add Fall Color to Containers Saturday, August 29 at 10 a.m.

Perennial Gardening 101 Saturday, July 25 at 10 a.m.

Planting for Screening Saturday August 15 at 10 a.m.

MaKE It & taKE It WoRKsHoPs: July 2015

We provide all the supplies and instructions to create a fun project to take home and enjoy! Advance registration required for all workshops. Sign up in-store or on-line at: EnglishGardens.com Mosquito Repelling Kids: Create a Garden Kids: Painted Container Gardening Game – Tic Tac Toe Plant Pals Saturday, August 8 Tuesday, July 21 Tuesday, July 7 11:30 a.m. 10 a.m. 10 a.m. FEE: $29.99; Value: $54.99 FEE: $15 FEE: $10

2 Days!

Live appearance & book signing by

Award-winning Landscape Designer

Jamie Durie Friday, July 24

6 p.m. to 8 p.m. • Royal Oak

Exclusive FREE event for Garden Club members.

Not a member?

Visit EnglishGardens.com to sign up today!

Saturday, July 25

1 p.m. to 3 pm. • Royal Oak Pre-registration required instore or at EnglishGardens.com

Buy Jamie’s Book & Get it Signed During His Appearance! Choose from two books: EDIBLE GARDEN DESIGNS or THE OUTDOOR ROOM

A Family Owned Michigan Business Ann Arbor 734-332-7900 Eastpointe 586-771-4200

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Award-Winning Landscape Services: 248-874-1400

EnglishGardens.com

In July, perennial gardeners are just getting started.

Michigan Gardener | July/August 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

Garden Wisdom Is there a time of day when you stroll through your garden? Perhaps in the morning before work? Or after dinner, just before dusk? Choose a time when you walk for the sheer pleasure of enjoying your garden.

At Telly’s, there is always something fresh to add color to your summer garden. Come see why we are a favorite summer destination for so many Michigan gardeners.

—Cheryl Wilfong

To-Do List...................................................... 6 Ask MG..........................................................8 Getting to know: Bumble bees...............10 Vegetable Patch............................................. 12 Advertiser Index........................................12 Anemone 'Fantasy Pocahontas': Compact & floriferous late summer/fall bloomer.

Buddleia 'Glass Slippers': Unique, powder blue butterfly bush; only 3' tall.

Books for the Michigan Gardener........14 Perennial Partners........................................16 Calendar........................................................18 Subscription Form................................... 20 Where to pick up Michigan Gardener..........................................21 Weather Wrap...........................................21

Coreopsis ‘Li'l Bang Daybreak’: Blooms all summer; only 8-12" tall; sterile.

Echinacea ‘Sombrero Salsa Red’: Deep orange-red coneflowers late June to Aug.

Places to Grow..........................................22 Bulk Subscriptions....................................23 Classified Ads............................................23 Thyme for Herbs..........................................24 New Shrubs and Trees for 2015...........26 Through the Lens.................................... 30

Hellebore 'Blushing Bridesmaid': Plant now for beautiful double flowers next Mar/Apr.

Hosta ‘Mini Skirt’: Great variegation; only 5" tall. Perfect for miniature/fairy gardens.

Profile: A dream garden modeled after a legendary public garden.....Back cover

On the cover: Globe thistle (Echinops ritro) sprinkles small spheres of blue in the late summer garden. It is also excellent for cutting or dried flower arrangements. Photo: Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener

Phlox amplifolia 'Goliath': New summer phlox with enormous flowers; 2-3' tall.

Itoh Peony 'Singing in the Rain': Huge apricot flowers next spring. Extra shade tolerant.

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

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

Editorial Assistant Anna Doman

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

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

find us on

www.tellys.com

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

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

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Michigan Gardener | July/August 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

to-do list Annuals • Annuals should be showing huge splashes of color now. If they aren’t, check the amount of sunlight they receive or start fertilizing more regularly. Many people incorrectly estimate the amount of sunlight an area receives, especially if trees have gradually grown up and shaded an area. What used to be full sun, may now be part or full shade. If so, try planting shade-tolerant annuals, such

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• Support tall-growing plants like dahlias, lilies, and gladiolas with stakes. Remove faded blooms from plants to encourage reblooming. • Don’t prune evergreens during the summer. Pruning promotes new growth that won’t harden off before winter sets in.

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Coreopsis ‘Red Chiffon’

as wax begonias and torenia. • Water, fertilize and deadhead to keep annuals looking their best. Water in the morning and use a water-soluble fertilizer every other week to keep everything blooming. • Evaluate your plants and make notes in your gardening journal throughout the growing season. If you kept the tags with the plant variety names on them, tape one of each type into the journal so you’ll remember next year what you planted. Gardening journals are great tools for planning next year.

Fruits • Start harvesting blueberries, raspberries, and even some peaches. It’s best to pick

Hosta ‘Coast to Coast’

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fruit early in the morning. If birds are getting to the fruit before you have a chance to harvest, use a protective netting that will let light, air and water get through to the plants but keep birds away.

Houseplants • Houseplants love this time of year—it’s the closest they get to their natural conditions. • Most outdoor containers will need to be watered every day during hot weather.

Lawn • As you mow each week during the summer, remember the importance of a sharp blade. If the lawnmower blade is dull, you can still cut the lawn, but you’re ripping the grass blades, leaving jagged edges, instead of cutting them. • Supplemental watering may be necessary, depending on rainfall. A healthy lawn should receive one inch of water each week. • Spot treat any weed problems.

Roses • Roses should be in full bloom right now, or they may be taking a break. Most roses that receive proper care cycle through a bloom and rest period throughout the summer. • Roses prefer to be watered at the base of the plant. Give them an inch each week.

• Deadhead or prune old flowers regularly. New growth will emerge where the plant has been pruned, so cut back to a leaf with 5 leaflets. Seal your cuts to prevent rose cane borers.

General • Continue with regular maintenance, including pulling weeds. A little effort every day or so will go a long way to keeping gardens neat and tidy. Weeds compete with plants for water and nutrients. Your garden will perform better with minimal weeds. • Monitor plants for pests and take care of small problems before they become big. • Mosquitoes are out in full force this summer. Mosquitoes are attracted to water and bright lights. Eliminate or reduce the amount of standing water, where mosquitoes breed. Replace white light bulbs with yellow ones, and use lower wattage bulbs outside. Turn off unnecessary lights. • To keep mosquitoes away, try natural remedies like citronella plants, marigolds, mint, rosemary or lemongrass. Also consider garlic oil. One application can protect your yard up to 6 weeks and your lawn up to 2 weeks. Use it on anything green, including your vegetable garden. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for best results. Spray at dusk when the plant’s pores are open for longer-lasting protection.

Summer Garden Sensations! Over 900 Varieties of Perennials Potted annuals for instant summer color Hanging Baskets, Accent Plants, and Unique Combination Planters

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MichiganGardener.com | July/August 2015 | Michigan Gardener

Perennials • Perennials do not need a lot of maintenance except for weeding. Remove any spent blooms to keep them looking their best. • Water if extremely dry and mulch around plants to help keep moisture in and weeds out. Unless there is a lot of insect damage, perennials do not need to be sprayed.

Shrubs & Trees • Check out burgundy-leaved native plants. There are several varieties of elderberry (Sambucus) and nine-bark (Physocarpus) that are easy to care for, very hardy, bug and disease resistant, and a great fit in any garden. • Hand-weed around trees and shrubs so you don’t cut the bark with weed whacker damage. A layer of mulch will reduce weeding, but do not pile it on too deeply. Two to three inches is enough.

Vegetables • Maintain your watering and fertilizing schedule to maximize yields. Provided by the professionals at English Gardens.

Great gardens and well-designed landscapes start with a plan. 1. The first step is to figure out what you want to do and why. Do you have a corner that needs reworking, or a flower bed that needs tweaking? Or are you looking to redo your backyard, or increase your home’s curb appeal? 2. Take the time to capture all the existing elements of your landscape. Make note of items you like and don’t like. 3. Collect ideas for what you like and what you want to create. This can be done by collecting magazine pictures, taking photos while traveling around town, or searching social media sites like Instagram or Pinterest. Pay attention to what you like and why it makes you feel the way it does. Consider the details of the space. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you see a landscape that you like? 4. Conduct an inventory and analysis of the site. Sketch the area on a piece of paper. It doesn’t need to be to scale, but keep everything in relative proportion. Be sure to include your driveway, walkways, garage/ shed, utilities, hose hook-up, power outlets, downspouts and existing plants. Make a

note of the compass orientation, light levels and wind exposure. Determine potential views, both from inside the house and outside. Indicate natural drainage, swales, etc. Make notes about the soil type and moisture. 5. Create the plan by converting the sketch to a scaled plan. Measure the space with a tape measure and write the information down on your sketch. Convert measurements and plot on graph paper. This base plan is a scaled plan or proportional twodimensional visual representation of your garden. 6. Allocate areas based on usage with bubble diagrams. Be as specific as possible. Include public spaces, private areas, utility lines, connections, and areas for gardens, dining, cooking, play, as well as resting and relaxation. 7. Organize the space. Start by determining bed lines. This is where the style of your house and the style of landscape will affect your choice. Is the landscape formal or informal? Do you want beds that are sweeping and flowing or simply straight lines? 8. Actually lay out the spaces in your yard. Use string and stakes or even a garden

hose. This will ensure you’re happy with all elements before you begin the work. 9. Select your trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals. You will need to consider the size, growth habit, speed of growth, flowering time, flower color, light needs, and wind tolerance. 10. Place your plants, taking into account their full sizes. Place focal points first, then fill in the background and foreground. The landscape design process is a series of fairly easy steps. However, it takes a keen attention to detail and knowledge to yield the best results. If you plan to tackle this on your own, there are many of books available to use as resources. You’ll need plant information, elements of design, construction and more. It is a rewarding process. If you’re hiring the installation, consider using a qualified landscape design/build company from the beginning. This will save time and give you the best results overall. Professional designers are trained in gathering information, assessing needs and desires, and developing a plan that features an aesthetically pleasing and functional solution that fits your budget. You’ll maximize your return on investment in both enjoyment and resale value.

Detroit Garden Works is proud to present the 8th annual Garden Cruise— a tour of gardens designed, planted and/or inspired by Deborah Silver. The landscapes themselves are varied in style and approach, but all reflect an ownership for whom the beauty of a garden is an important part of life. Our most serious mission as a business is to foster the idea of stewardship of the environment—a duty The Greening of Detroit embraces every day. All tour proceeds will benefit the planting and educational programs at The Greening of Detroit.

Sunday, July 19, 9am-4:30pm

Tour only: $35/person • Tour & Cocktail Reception: $50/person PURCHASE IN-STORE OR OVER PHONE: Detroit Garden Works • 248-335-8089 PURCHASE ONLINE: TheGardenCruise.org Learn more, including garden descriptions at TheGardenCruise.org

SHOP OUR WEBSITE—WE SHIP: www.DetroitGardenWorks.com

Michigan Gardener | July/August 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

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

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Status of traditional impatiens

Cascading perennials for a wall

This spring, I saw impatiens in garden centers. Is it safe to plant them? I have not planted them for years due to the disease they have had in Michigan. L., Shelby Twp Traditional impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) are still susceptible to impatiens downy mildew, a disease caused by a water mold. New Guinea impatiens (I. hawkerii) are not affected. The SunPatiens (a derivative of the New Guinea) and Bounce impatiens (I. hybrida) series also appear to be disease resistant, with the added benefit of heat tolerance. Purchasing traditional impatiens from a reputable greenhouse is good insurance against the fungus. There is considerable time and money invested in preventing the disease in that retail stock. Greenhouses that grow and sell impatiens are mandated to follow the fungicide application protocols prescribed by such universities as Michigan State, where extensive testing has been done since the disease became a notable problem in 2011. The protocol involves consistent, timed fungicide applications and switching chemicals at each interval so that the disease does not become resistant to any one fungicide. Garden centers that do not grow their own plant stock but sell traditional impatiens should be purchasing plants that have been treated by the grower in the greenhouse or that are resistant alternatives such as those listed above. Some greenhouses elect not to sell treated impatiens due to the time and energy required to prevent the disease, and the cost they have to pass on to their customers. They promote the disease-resistant New Guinea impatiens or alternative plant species. You can ask to speak to a greenhouse manager to see what their growing procedure is or what their guidelines are for purchased plant stock. There are a number of alternative plants that can be substituted for the impatiens that give a similar look and performance in the garden. Annual vinca and several of the landscape begonias offer a similar petal shape and color choices. This is especially true if dealing with soil that has been previously infected with the fungal spores, so that traditional impatiens can no longer be planted there. Because the mold fungus spores are spread through wind, water and contaminated soil, uninfected impatiens in the garden could still potentially contract the problem from neighboring landscapes. Consequently, homeowners are cautioned to reduce moisture and humidity by watering in the early morning and watering deeply but infrequently to reduce leaf moisture.

I have a retaining wall in my yard with a privacy fence on top of it. It is mostly shaded with spotted sunlight. I’m looking for a perennial that will cascade over and down the wall without climbing up my neighbor’s fence. L.D., Greenville Perennials that are selected for their trailing habit will give you the cascade effect over the wall without climbing your neighbor’s fence. With spotted sunlight, you can intersperse variegated hostas with your perennial choices to give some mid-range height. It is better to use 2 or 3 perennial varieties rather than install a monoculture which can become vulnerable to a disease that takes out the entire bed. Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) is a tough little evergreen perennial often used on retaining walls. Its brilliant, white flowers in spring last for several weeks. As the blooms fade, a light shearing freshens the foliage and keeps it perky for the season. A perennial geranium (Geranium sanguineum), such as ‘Rozanne,’ is a workhorse in the garden, putting forth excellent blue flowers from spring through fall. Its sturdy stems weave through the garden, keeping the flower show going all season. Snow in summer (Cerastium tomentosum) is often planted for its tight gray foliage, happily dripping over walls and boulders, and sporting white flowers in early summer. Avoid perennials that say “fills in quickly” or “fast grower.” Examples are bugleweed (Ajuga), Bishop’s weed (Aegopodium), dead nettle (Lamium) and myrtle (Vinca). Although every one of them is a good plant, they can be bullies in the garden and overrun other desirable plants you’ve put in.

Eradicating wild onions Is digging the only way to get rid of wild onion? Does cutting just the top do any good in slowing it down? D.T., Novi Wild onions (Allium canadense), as well as wild garlic (Allium vineale), are difficult to control for two reasons. First, they grow from bulbs or bulblets, designed to pull away from the mother plant. It is nearly impossible to pull out a clump without leaving roots behind. Second, the thin, flat, waxy leaves of the onion make it difficult for a post-emergent herbicide to stick. Persistence and patience are the bywords. Dig them out carefully and slowly with a garden spade or sharp trowel. It will take at least a couple seasons to reduce the population. Do not try to shake off excess soil. Do not compost, or you will spread them all over

Growing Meidiland roses I am in zone 5, and I wondered if I can grow a white Meidiland rose. It would be facing south in an unprotected area. Also, do deer like roses? E.C., Chelsea White Meidiland roses require full sun, medium moisture and slightly acidic but loamy soil. A southern exposure should provide plenty of sun if the soil and moisture criteria are met. Make sure the soil is amended with compost before planting and that there is consistent water available during times of drought. The Meidiland roses are a series of landscape and groundcover roses developed by Meilland of France. They are noted for their vigor, disease resistance, winter hardiness and general tolerance of growing conditions, while being low maintenance. Pruning in late winter or early spring is all that may be necessary to keep the desired shape. The white Meidiland rose is one of the most prostrate, growing about 2 feet high and spreading 5 to 6 feet wide. The flower has no fragrance but has an extended bloom from May until frost. Removing the spent flowers via shearing will keep the plant flowering continuously. Roses are most susceptible to deer early in the growing season when they are forming buds. If food was scarce over winter, deer will try almost anything. Nursing females in spring will browse heavily on fresh new growth. It is smart to spray the roses with a deer deterrent early in the growing season and repeat weekly for the first month or two to habituate the deer to leave those plants alone. Sprays that use peppermint oil, blood, or predator urine will afford the most protection. Switching products also keeps the deer from getting accustomed to one scent.

Easy apple tree What is an easy, disease-resistant apple tree to grow in southeastern Michigan? I am trying to interest the kids in fruitgrowing. A., Livonia Cornell University has developed a list of varieties introduced by the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station (NYSAES) that are easy for the home orchard. Their recommendation is that a homeowner should not grow any apple variety that requires production orchard chemicals to keep diseases and pests at bay. That being said, there is no one apple type that is completely foolproof. And if you do have a pest problem, use a professional arborist. Liberty, introduced in 1978, is an excellent, medium-size dessert apple, rated with Empire in taste tests. The flesh is crisp and juicy and will keep well in storage until February. The tree has medium vigor, a spreading habit,

Rose of Sharon seedlings are spreading Along our back fence, our neighbor’s rose of Sharons are about 10 feet high and run 30 feet wide. The plant’s suckers have invaded our backyard. Is there a weed killer that can get rid of the suckers or any organic remedy? M.S. Most rose of Sharons (Hibiscus syriacus) are so prolific in their seed that they do not need suckers to propagate. What you are seeing is seedling growth from seeds dispersed in fall. Once the beautiful late blooms are spent, rose of Sharon goes into hyperdrive and makes thousands of black seeds in those papery capsules. They fall on the ground and lay dormant under the snow until spring when the soil warms up and they can germinate. If the shrub is not pruned before those paper husks open and seeds disperse, then you have thousands of seedlings proliferating out from the shrub’s canopy in spring. In your lawn they can be quite a nuisance. Because it is a tree/shrub seedling, it is not going to respond to a post-emergent weed killer designed for common turf weeds. Unfortunately, even vinegar and hot water will kill the lawn as well as the seedling. The key is pruning the shrubs after they finish bloom, to remove the green capsules before they mature. You can shear them on your side of the fence. They are fast growing and easily grow 1-1/2 to 2 feet in a season. Cutting the shrubs back hard after bloom will not affect the density of their foliage or next year’s growth and bloom. But it will reduce the number of seedlings that sprout in your yard. If caught early, the seedlings are easy to pull out. When in the lawn, repeated mowing will eventually weaken the seedling until it dies. Answers provided by Beverly Moss, owner of Garden Rhythms.

SE F M RE IN E A RS

and is quite productive. The canopy should be thinned periodically to attain adequate fruit size. More recently introduced in 1983 by NYSAES is Freedom. This is a red, medium-tolarge fruit with tender juicy flesh. The tree is vigorous, spreading and very productive. It makes good pies and can be stored until January. It blooms shortly after McIntosh apples and ripens before Delicious. Consider the space you have to plant and you may want to try one of the dwarf varieties, which stay in the 10- to 12-foot range. Apple trees also grow best when they have another apple tree with which to cross-pollinate. Favorite varieties in Michigan are Braeburn, Gala, Ginger Gold, Honeycrisp, and McIntosh, which may come grafted to a standard to maintain a smaller more manageable profile in the home garden. Select your planting site carefully for full sun (6 to 8 hours worth), good loamy soil, and avoid low-lying areas where frost could pocket and kill flower buds in spring.

ER RS SS V O YEA INE S 87 BU IN

your yard. You can keep them trimmed short, but you will never get rid of them unless you remove the bulb itself. Even short leaves will feed the bulb. But mowing will keep them from flowering and setting seed.

C FO KS R NR SC O H OT ED S. U CO LE M

MichiganGardener.com | July/August 2015 | Michigan Gardener

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Michigan Gardener | July/August 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

getting to know... Bumble bees: The garden gatekeepers Protecting bees is of the upmost importance so we can continue to enjoy flourishing gardens Guidelines for protecting bees and a well-balanced habitat for all. The bumble • Do not apply liquid insecticides to flowers. bee has been labeled as “the gatekeeper” due to • In one study, granular insecticides its presence among small landscapes. It doesn’t had no effect on bees, especially travel long distances like honeybees do. Its purwhen they were watered in. pose is to serve smaller spaces within neigh• Read product labels and follow instructions. borhoods and its presence indicates how viable the overall bee population is. insecticides posed any threats to the bees. The Many beekeepers have seen their hondelicate nature of pollinating flowers demoneybee colonies collapse and those concerns strated how fragile bees are to insecticides have prompted many leading experts to study applied directly to the flowers themselves and the reason(s). One concern relates to the varyet how unaffected they are when the flowers roa mite, which infects a colony, causing mass are left untouched. disease in a short amount of time. In a real world example in Oregon, Experts now believe the varroa mite a tree company inadvertently and is a main cause for the widespread tragically killed thousands of bumdecline in bee populations. This inble bees when they sprayed linden sect is treated using low dose pestitrees at a large mall. Label instruccides to protect the bee colony. tions were not followed according to A leading entomology expert, Dr. EPA and Department of Agriculture Daniel Potter from the University of guidelines, which specified to never Kentucky, has recently completed spray trees in bloom. That company a study that measured the effects Steve demonstrated itself to be irresponsible of pesticides applied to bumble bee Martinko by not following proper procedures. habitats. He and his research team The moral of the story is that while we unconducted a study by erecting screened tents derstand the importance of treating for varroa with no bottoms over lawn areas. These lawn mites, we need to stay away from treating flowareas also contained clover that was in the ers using liquid insecticides. Further, when a flowering stage. The study took different types granular insecticide is necessary, it’s probably a of insecticide treatments and introduced bees good practice to also water it in afterwards. into those areas at different times. They found The next time you are working in your garno negative responses from the bees when den, pay attention to the bumble bees, knowapplying a granular insecticide to flowering ing their presence confirms your bee populaclover. Once a liquid insecticide was applied to tion is alive and doing well. the lawn that also covered the clover’s flower petals, over 90 percent of the bees died within Steve Martinko is the owner of Contender’s Tree 48 hours. But when the clover was not in the and Lawn Specialists in Oakland County, MI. flowering stage, neither granular nor liquid

Hidden Lake Gardens BOTA N IC A L G A R DEN & A R BOR ET U M

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Uncle Luke’s

Michigan Gardener | July/August 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

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Fresh, local produce arrives starting mid-July as the crops ripen—Come see what’s available! Tomatoes • Corn • Peppers • Cherries • Peaches & much more! Our sweet corn is fresh-picked DAILY

Uncle Luke’s Feed Store

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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

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It’s always enjoyable to see rabbits, squirRepellents of various types are available rels, and beautiful white-tailed deer at a naat most garden centers. Keep in mind that ture center or state park, but finding them in they may need to be reapplied regularly or our vegetable gardens does not produce that after any rain. Used in or near the vegetable same happy feeling, especially if it means the garden, check the label for any warnings reloss of our beloved veggies. So the question lated to use on vegetables, such as how long becomes, “How do we control the wildlife before harvesting or if they can be used on getting into our gardens?” vegetables to begin with. One thing that The first thing when controlling any wildshould never be done is to use moth balls as life is having a positive identification on a deterrent. Moth balls are a registered pestiwhat animal is doing the damage. Knowing cide and as such may only be used as directed for certain what you are dealing with will deon the label. It is illegal to use a registered termine the appropriate control strategy. pesticide in a manner inconsistent with the Check for anything that may be attracting label directions. unwanted critters to your yard (besides the Other options include noise makers, senvegetable garden). Bird feeders and sor systems that spray water, and birdbaths, fountains or water bowls shiny objects for scaring birds and may provide an attractive food or other wildlife from an area. There water source that may need to be reare a wide variety of scare devices located. Improperly managed comavailable but success may be varipost piles or wood piles can provide able. shelter or nesting areas for unwantGood information on “Problem ed wildlife. Wildlife in the Garden and Yard” Some animals can be excluded along with related topics and links through fencing or barriers. Rab- Mary can be found at the National Pesbits, raccoons and opossum can Gerstenberger ticide Information Center: tinyurl. easily be fenced out of the garden com/qynxqxz. although you may need to bury the fencing Personally, while I get a bit annoyed at losand turn the bottom edge outward for several ing some of my garden to wildlife, I can’t help inches. Squirrels are another matter and fencthinking how much habitat (food sources, ing may need to include an electrical wire to shelter, nesting areas, etc.) that the wildlife discourage them. For white-tailed deer the has lost to me. Sharing the wealth a little may recommendation is usually fencing over 8 feet not be so bad. in height. If you already have a lower fence, a Mary Gerstenberger is the Consumer Horsecond fence about 4 to 5 feet away will usuticulture Coordinator at the Michigan State ally stop the deer since they would hesitate University Extension in Macomb County, MI. to land on or between them. Solid fences that For vegetable and gardening information from deer can’t see through are also a means of MSU, visit www.migarden.msu.edu. stopping them, since they can’t be sure whether dinner or danger is on the other side. The Call the toll-free Michigan State University University of Georgia Extension has a good Lawn and Garden Hotline at 888-678-3464 website on fencing out animals, including cats for answers to your gardening questions. and dogs, at: tinyurl.com/qb3caq6

Advertising Index Abbott’s Landscape Nursery......................20 Aguafina Gardens International................. 15 Assoc. of Professional Gardeners.............. 13 Auburn Oaks Gard Ctr..................................... 13 Barson’s Greenhouse......................................... 11 Beauchamp Lawn & Landscape...................5 Bloom! Garden Ctr.............................................. 11 Blossoms................................................................. 13 Bogie Lake Greenhouses..................................6 Bonide.....................................Inside Back Cover Contender’s Tree/ Lawn Specialists...............Inside Front Cover Detroit Garden Works.......................................7 Eckert’s Greenhouse...........................................6 EcoChic Landscape Design.............................7

English Gardens..........................................Page 3 The Flower Market............................................20 The Garden Company...................................... 17 The Garden Mill.................................................... 11 Garden Rhythms.................................................18 A Garden Space...................................................18 Haley Stone Supply............................................ 12 Hidden Lake Gardens.......................................10 Howell Farmer’s Market..................................14 Iron Barn Iron Work...........................................18 Merrittscape.........................................................19 Milarch Nursery.....................................................9 Natural Community Services.......................18 Oakland Community College.......................19 Oakland Cty Market..........................................18

Orion Stone Depot.............................................10 Piechnik’s Greenhouse.......................................8 Plymouth Nursery.............................................. 15 Rocks ‘n’ Roots........................................................9 Schuman Landscape Lighting...................... 13 Shades of Green Nursery...............................21 Specialty Growers.............................................. 17 State Crushing......................................................14 Stone Cottage Gardens...................................14 Telly’s Greenhouse...............................................4 Tropical Treasures..............................................10 Turner’s Landscp & Gard Ctr......................... 11 Uncle Luke’s Feed Store................................... 12 Van Atta’s Greenhouse................................... 15 The Weed Lady..................................................... 11

Auburn Oaks GARDEN CENTER

High quality plants & service for your garden success since 1964.

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3820 West Auburn Rd (2 blocks E of Adams) • Rochester Hills • 248-852-2310 www.auburnoaksnursery.com Mon-Fri 8-7 Sat 8-6 Sun 10-5

We help gardeners become professionals. Join us to see how to turn your passion into a business. We are dedicated to promoting the business of professional gardening. Member benefits include access to best gardening practices through participation in educational programs and tours.

Tour of Bader Acres Tuesday, August 11, 2015, 10am 3600 Bowen Rd, Howell, 48855 • 517-548-3094 • www.baderacres.com Our August destination garden tour, Bader Acres is located on a quiet, 14-acre property in Livingston County. The Baders have developed a 6-acre garden with beds featuring a mix of perennials, annuals, conifers, and 60 varieties of daylilies. Koi ponds, waterfalls, and an island are accessed via a nature-themed bridge. The blooming success is due to composted leaf mulch—lots and lots of composted leaf mulch. Bader Acres is Livingston County’s premier supplier of natural leaf mulch. Their website has more info on purchasing leaf mulch. Visit the APG website for additional Livingston County destinations. Non-member fee is $15.

Save the dates – Upcoming meetings: Thurs, Sept 10, 4-7pm • Thurs, Nov 5, 6:30-9pm

Non-member fee: $15. Please contact us for more information about our substantive lectures and programs, as well as membership. Web: www.associationofprofessionalgardeners.org Email: suegrubba@sbcglobal.net Phone: Sue Grubba at 248-375-9233

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Howell’s Sunday Farmers’ Market May 3 through October 25 9am-2pm Located in Downtown Howell at State and Clinton Streets, adjacent to the historic Livingston County Courthouse.

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Michigan Gardener | July/August 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

• 850 varieties of bare-root daylilies • Hundreds of potted perennials for sun & shade • Herbs, Vines, Ferns & Shrubs GOING “UP NORTH” FOR THE WEEKEND? • American-made tools Stop by to see us, and check • Garden art & supplies the Michigan Gardener calendar for our website • Morgan’s Dairy Doo compost for special events.

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Stone Cottage Gardens

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Our “wood fines” and “red pine bark” products are a gardener’s dream. Very finely shredded, you can mix them in with your existing soil to create an excellent amended soil for planting. You’ll also love our premium compost & cedar bark mulch. Call us!

2260 Auburn Rd. • Auburn Hills • 248-332-6210 www.StateCrushing.com • Hours: Monday-Friday 7-5 Saturday 7-1

Designing and Planting a Woodland Garden: Plants and Combinations that Thrive in the Shade by Keith Wiley Woodlands are magical places, with their mosscovered stones, towering trees, and pockets of quiet shade. Now, even small gardens can capture an enchanted woodsy atmosphere with a little help from Designing and Planting a Woodland Garden (Timber Press, 280 pages, $34.95). Horticulturist Keith Wiley explains how to combine plants in self-supporting colonies and offers his handpicked selection of interesting collectables including shrubs, perennials, bulbs, ferns, and grasses. Wiley mingles beguiling, lesser-known plants with familiar favorites to create fabulous effects in all seasons. Gardeners will learn how to combine plants that will thrive together and even how to create shade if they don’t already have it. Featuring over 200 color photos and illustrations, Wiley inspires readers to bring home the relaxing feel of the woods with his naturalistic style.

Grow a Little Fruit Tree: Simple Pruning Techniques for Small-Space, Easy-Harvest Fruit Trees by Ann Ralph Imagine a peach tree that’s the same height as you. Picture an apple tree that doesn’t require a ladder to reach the top-most fruit. In Grow a Little Fruit Tree (Storey Publishing, 168 pages, $16.95), expert pruner Ann Ralph reveals a simple yet revolutionary secret that keeps an ordinary fruit tree much smaller than normal. These great little trees take up less garden space, require less care, offer an easy harvest, and produce just the right amount of fruit for most households. Following Ralph’s timed pruning plan and simple maintenance guidelines, you can keep ordinary fruit trees small and manageable. In addition to her best pruning secrets, Ralph shares charming anecdotes gathered from her more than 20 years of experience in the nursery business. With Grow a Little Fruit Tree, gardeners can enjoy apples, figs, plums, cherries, pears, apricots, and peaches in even the smallest backyard.

Visions of Loveliness: Great Flower Breeders of the Past by Judith M. Taylor Gardeners today take for granted the many varieties of geraniums, marigolds, roses, and other beloved flowers in their gardens. Few give any thought to how this incredible abundance came to be or to the people who spent a good part of their lives creating it. While there are many books about plant collectors and explorers, there are few about plant breeders. Drawing from libraries, archives, and the recollections of family members, horticultural historian Judith Taylor traces the lives of prominent cultivators in Visions of Loveliness (Ohio University Press, 424 pages, $29.95). The book is international in scope, profiling plant breeders from many countries—such as China and the former East Germany—whose work may be unknown to the American reader. In addition to chronicling the lives of breeders, Taylor also includes chapters on the history behind the plants by genus, from shrubs and flowering trees to perennials.

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Van Atta’s has one of the largest selections of garden accents, trees, garden toys, annuals, shrubs and perennials in Southeastern Michigan. We grow an enormous variety of perennial species and cultivars. There’s a good chance we have that one plant you’ve been searching for or the garden ornament that will set your yard apart. Come on out and stroll our grounds. You’ll be amazed any one item at what you’ll find, as well as the friendly Offer valid through August 31, 2015 service and expert advice you will receive.

Come talk ponds with Matt Niemiec, our resident pond geek. Matt holds a bachelors degree in Fisheries & Wildlife Management from Michigan State.

Come visit our display pond.

Check out the Michigan Gardener event calendar and www.aguafina.com for our announcement to celebrate the arrival of new pieces and finds from abroad.

2629 Orchard Lake Rd. Sylvan Lake, MI

MI Gardener July 2015 2.qxd

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Hydrangea Headquarters

Van Atta’s Greenhouse & Flower Shop Family owned and operated since 1980

9008 Old M-78 • Haslett, MI • 517-339-1142 www.vanattas.com • Open year round

Sweetheart of the summer garden for sun or shade. We have over 50 varieties to choose from! • The area’s most comprehensive calendar of garden event listings • Sign up for our FREE E-Newsletter • Read both current & back issues online • Submit your garden event listings • Find your county MSU Extension contact info in “Garden Help” • Submit a classified ad to promote your product or service • Learn where you can pick up Michigan Gardener • And much more!

The print edition of Michigan Gardener is still your exclusive source for gardener profiles, how-to articles, features, Plant Focus and much more.

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Saturday, July 11 & 18, 1pm. Same class, 2 choice dates. Call to reserve your place!

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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.

Michigan Gardener | July/August 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

perennial partners

Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener

Color is present in this late summer scene, but texture and form are also at work. Starting at the far left, the tall yellow cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum) is a dominant figure. Fine-textured bluestar (Amsonia) is in front of it, with rigidly upright, yet wispy switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) to the right.

Go beyond color to create memorable perennial combinations What makes a perennial partnership work? Have you ever put together what you thought would be a perfect combination—color-coordinated and bloom time on target—and yet the combination fell flat, not quite living up to your expectations? The task of creating harmonious color combinations with plants that bloom at the same time can be a challenge, and quite satisfying when achieved. But the best perennial combinations have a “certain something” beyond color that elevates the design and makes it memorable. That certain something can often be found in the realm of texture and form. Even the most perfectly color-coordinated combo can be dull if the plants are all the same height and texture. Gardens that feature plants of varying texture and form are more exciting; the viewer’s eyes move into and around the garden. It’s an interactive experience that makes the garden more stimulating. In this photo, we see the common late-summer combination of yellow with shades of purple and mauve. The cup plant (Silphium perfo-

liatum) provides much more than yellow color; it is clearly the dominant plant based on sheer size. Notice how its broad, coarse leaves contrast with the fine-textured bluestar (Amsonia) in front of it, and how the two of them are tied together by the rigidly upright but wispy form and texture of the switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). There is nothing static or boring about this design! Other perennials of interest in this combination include the yellow prairie coneflower (Ratibida pinnata, center), rudbeckia ‘Henry Eilers’ (far right), purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea, lower center), and Joe pye weed (Eupatorium ‘Gateway,’ left center). Karen Cup plant is a towering giant, Bovio with its distinctive big leaves that appear to be pierced through by the stems. The large, opposite leaves, up to 8 inches long and 5 inches across, clasp the stems, forming a little cup that collects rainwater, hence the name. This unique feature, along with its

large nutritious seeds, makes it a favorite of goldfinches and chickadees who find water, food, and shelter all in one plant. Cup plant has gained popularity as the interest in native plants has accelerated over the past decade. The yellow, daisy-like flowers are attractive to many bees, butterflies and pollinator insects. Because its seeds germinate readily, be on guard for self-sowing and remove unwanted seedlings promptly. The size, power and drama of the cup plant make it well-suited to large settings, but it can also serve as a focal point in more modest-sized gardens if used carefully. Bluestar is a perennial that is a designer’s dream, but perhaps not as well known as it should be. Although most of the species and cultivars of bluestar have attractive sky-blue, star-shaped flowers in May, it’s the foliage and lovely golden fall color that is their claim to fame. They’re known for their willowy foliage. The best fall color—gold, sometimes tinged with burnt or-

ange—is achieved when grown in full sun. Among the various bluestars, there are differences in plant form and height. One of the best, Arkansas bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii), is perhaps the most available due to its tenure as Perennial Plant of the Year in 2011. It has extremely narrow, needle-like leaves arranged like a bottlebrush. It has become a popular texture plant in perennial gardens. Plant breeders are working on hybridization among the species, many of which are native to the south-central plains and desert southwest. ‘Halfway to Arkansas,’ a newcomer with great potential is pictured here in this photo from the Michigan State University Horticulture Gardens. Bred in Illinois by Brent Horvath of Intrinsic Perennial Gardens and hardy through zone 5, it makes a 3-foot by 3-foot mound of feathery foliage that stands more upright, even during inclement weather. It is variously listed as a hybrid of A. hubrichtii or A. ciliata. Watch for this plant to start showing up in local garden centers, where it will join other popular selections like

MichiganGardener.com | July/August 2015 | Michigan Gardener

At a glance Cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum) • Imposing native prairie plant, 6 to 10 feet tall • Yellow, 2-1/2- to 3-inch, daisy-like flowers in July to early September • Provides wildlife habitat • Prefers full sun and deep loamy soil but adaptable to adverse conditions Bluestar (Amsonia species and hybrids) • Attractive fine-textured foliage; green in summer, golden in fall • Clusters of pale blue (rarely white), star-shaped flowers in May to early June • Grows best in full sun; drought tolerant • Recommended species and varieties: A. hubrichtii, A. ciliata, A. illustris, A. tabernaemontana, ‘Halfway to Arkansas,’ ‘Blue Ice,’ ‘Short Stack’ Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum and cultivars) • Attractive, hardy, easy-to-grow grass, 3 to 6 feet tall depending on variety • Wispy panicles of tan, rose or burgundy in August through fall • Prefers full sun and well-drained soil but very adaptable • Recommended varieties: Red-tinted: ‘Shenandoah,’ ‘Prairie Fire,’ ‘Cheyenne Sky’ Blue-green: ‘Heavy Metal,’ ‘Northwind,’ ‘Dallas Blues,’ ‘Cloud Nine’

‘Blue Ice,’ ‘Short Stack,’ A. illustris, and A. tabernaemontana. Switchgrass serves as the third partner is this perennial combination. Switchgrass has become a garden staple due to its ease of culture, adaptability to nearly all soil types, and of course its ornamental qualities. In addition to attractive strap-like foliage and upright habit, many switchgrass varieties exhibit burgundy coloration in varying degrees, in both the foliage and the flower panicles. Shown here is ‘Shenandoah,’ surely a staple in the nursery business, and now followed by other red-tinted varieties like ‘Prairie Fire’ and ‘Cheyenne Sky.’ The red pigmentation adds a note of color to this garden scene, complementing the mauve-pink coneflowers and dusty purple Joe pye weed. Switchgrasses with green and blue-gray foliage are also

available and equally attractive, such as the 2014 Perennial Plant of the Year, ‘Northwind.’ Depending on variety, you can expect switchgrasses to grow 3 to 6 feet tall. Some have wider leaf blades, some narrower, but all selections are well-behaved in the garden, and generally stand upright. Best color and form are achieved in full sun and welldrained soil, but I’ve also had good success with the native species (it’s an integral part of the tall-grass prairie flora) in a wet, lowland setting. The spiky grass blades— topped with large, airy inflorescences in August and beyond—add striking elements of form and texture to many perennial combinations in any kind of garden. Karen Bovio is the owner of Specialty Growers in Howell, MI.

• The area’s most comprehensive calendar of garden event listings • Sign up for our FREE E-Newsletter • Read both current & back issues online • Submit your garden event listings • Find your county MSU Extension contact info in “Garden Help” • Submit a classified ad to promote your product or service • Learn where you can pick up Michigan Gardener • And much more!

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Back By Popular Demand…Daylily Dig! Saturday, July 25, 9am-5pm Walk the field and choose your favorite daylilies! Our staff will dig and package your plants for you. You’ll find nearly every color of the rainbow, including gorgeous bicolored and eyed varieties. Potted daylilies and perennials of all types will also be available.

1pm FREE Presentation: Dividing Daylilies At 1pm, gather under the tent for owner Karen Bovio’s presentation, Dividing Daylilies. Karen will discuss the how’s and why’s of dividing daylilies. She will explain and demonstrate tips and techniques so that you will have a clear understanding of how to properly divide daylilies in your own garden.

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4330 Golf Club Rd. • Howell 517-546-7742 • Mon-Sat 9-5 Sun 10-4 Our catalog is online! SpecialtyGrowers.net

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May to December Hours:

Michigan Gardener | July/August 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

calendar July / August / September / October July H 4th of July Festival Sat, Jul 4, 10am-5pm, Hadley. At Le Fleur Decor. Garden walks, art, more. 586-495-4076. H Cranbrook House & Gardens Tours Sat, Jul 4, Thursdays to Sundays through October, Bloomfield Hills. At Cranbrook House & Gardens. Gardens FREE. House tours available for addt’l charge. 248-645-3149. HouseGardens.Cranbrook.edu. H Kid’s Workshop: Painted Plant Pals Tue, Jul 7, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. $10. Create a decorative pot & beautiful container garden. www.EnglishGardens.com. Music & Art in the Gardens Wed, Jul 8, Wednesdays, through Aug, 5:30-8:30pm, Taylor. At Taylor Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. $5. Chairs/blankets encouraged. events@taylorconservatory.org, 888-383-4108. Northville Garden Walk Wed, Jul 8, 9am-4pm, Northville. By Country Garden Club of Northville at 6 private gardens. $10. Proceeds support local, state & national non-profit organizations. www.cgcnv.org. Troy Garden Walk “Splashes & Flowers” Wed, Jul 8, 9:30am-3pm & 5-8:30pm, Troy. By Troy Garden Club at 8 private gardens & Troy Historic Village. $15. Arts & crafts boutique & plant sale. Rain or shine. 248-540-4249. Milford Farmers’ Market Thu, Jul 9, Thursdays through Oct 15, 3-8pm, Milford. Local products, fresh foods, live music, family fun & more. www.MilfordFarmersMarket.org. Fairy Tale Flower Show Thu, Jul 9, 10am-8pm & Fri-Sat, Jul 10-11, 10am-4pm, Shelby Twp. By The Shelby Garden Club at Shelby Public Library. FREE. Fairy tales interpreted florally. 586-781-6742. H Hydrangeas 101 Sat, Jul 11, 1pm, Plymouth. At Plymouth Nursery. FREE. Find out how to plant & care for them & discover why yours may not be blooming. Register: 734-453-5500. Garden Tour Sat, Jul 11, 10am-4pm, St. Clair County. By Master Gardeners of St. Clair County at 7 county gardens. Plant sale & garden boutique. $15. www.mgoscc.org, alican@comcast.net. 586-914-4521. Eat Your Weeds! Sat, Jul 11, 10am-Noon, Ann Arbor. By Project Grow at Leslie Science & Nature Ctr. $5. Learn about tasty edible weeds. www.eventbrite.com/e/ eat-your-weeds-tickets-16386623833. Romeo Area Garden Walk Sat, Jul 11, 10am-6pm, Romeo. By Friends of the Romeo District Library at 6 area gardens. $10. Garden walk, concert, book sale & tea party. www.romeodistrictlibrary.org/friends. H New Plants for 2015 Sat, Jul 11, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. FREE. Learn about new varieties of plants we’ll be featuring this year. www.EnglishGardens.com.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT PUBLIC GARDENS, please visit MichiganGardener.com. Click on "Resources" then "Public Gardens." H Pond & Waterfall Design Sat, Jul 11, 10am-Noon, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Workshop will address the key issues associated with designing & building your own pond. Register: www.PondPlace.com. H Second Saturday Sunrise Series Sat, Jul 11, 15 Minutes before sunrise, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $10. Experience 755 acres before the day begins. Limited space. Register: 517-431-2060. H Managing Land on a Large Scale Sat, Jul 11, 9:30am-Noon, Tipton. By The Grand-Raisin Cluster of The Stewardship Network at Hidden Lake Gardens. www.stewardshipnetwork.org/rc. H Pond Construction Sat, Jul 11, 1-3pm, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Optional hands-on experience building an 11’ x 16’ pond with stream, waterfall & bog. Register: www.PondPlace.com. H LACASA’s Garden Tour Weekend Sat, Jul 11, & Sun, Jul 12, 9am-4pm, Livingston Co. By LACASA. $15 advance tickets. $20 at entrance. Scavenger hunt, blooming raffle, original botanical art t-shirts & garden strolling. All proceeds benefit abused children & victims of interpersonal violence. www.lacasacenter.org. H Nature Hike Sat, Jul 11, 10:30am, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $5. Enjoy a family-friendly hike on Hidden Lake Garden’s many rolling & wooded trails. Register: hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu. H Brick Pavers, Walls & Steps Sat, Jul 11, 8am, Washington. At Rock ‘N’ Rocks. FREE. Rain or shine. 586-752-1123. River Appreciation Day Sun, Jul 12, Noon-4pm, Ann Arbor. By Huron River Watershed Council at Gallup Park. Family fun on the water. hrwc.org/events/river-appreciation-day. East Side, West Side Gardens Sun, Jul 12, 11am-4pm, Belleville. By Belleville Area District Library at 5 private gardens. $12. Garden marketplace. 734-699-3291, www.belleville.lib.mi.us. 12th Annual Tea Thyme in the Garden Sun, Jul 12, Lapeer. By Lapeer County Master Gardener Association at The Display Garden on Suncrest. Annual fundraiser for the Display Garden. 810-667-1994. Open Gate Garden Club Summer Tour Sun, Jul 12, 10am-5pm, Fenton. By Fenton Open Gate Garden Club at 7 private gardens. $10. Gardeners on hand to answer questions & more. www.opengategardenclubgardentour.com. A Walk with Flowers & Friends Wed, Jul 15, Charlevoix. By Charlevoix Area Garden Club at 6 private area gardens. $15. Ticket information: 231-547-2119, navar@torchlake.com.

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MichiganGardener.com | July/August 2015 | Michigan Gardener

Clarkston Garden Walk Wed, Jul 15, Noon-8pm, Clarkston. By Clarkston Farm & Garden Club at 6 private gardens & Clarkston Independence District Library grounds. Tickets: www.clarkstongardenclub.org. Lunch with Flowers & Friends Wed, Jul 15, Charlevoix. By Charlevoix Area Garden Club at Castle Farms. $25. Dazzling floral arrangements & catering by Staffords Weathervane. Register: 989-859-1666. Ornamental Grasses to Know & Grow Wed, Jul 15, 6:30-8pm, Clinton Township. At MSUE Assembly Room. $5. Sue Grubba introduces us to all the varieties of ornamental grasses & how to use them. macombcountymga@gmail.com. H Wine & Design: Make a Miniature Garden & Accessories Thu, Jul 16, 6:30-7:30pm, Haslett. At Van Atta’s. $30. Bring your own beer or wine & we’ll provide everything you’ll need to create a beautiful take-home project. Register: 517-339-1142. H Behind the Scenes at Hidden Lake Gardens Thu, Jul 16, 6:30pm, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $5. Bring your questions & learn a few tips from HLG’s Managing Director, Paul Pfeifer. www.hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu. H All About Hydrangeas Sat, Jul 18, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. FREE. How do you pick the hydrangea right for your garden? Plus, tips & care. www.EnglishGardens.com. H Clarkston Area Charity Pond Tour Sat, Jul 18, 9am-4pm, Clarkston. At The Pond Source. Self-guided tour of local ponds & luncheon. 100% of ticket sales go to SCAMP, a camp for children with disabilities. 248-922-7759. H Nature A-Z Preschool Series Sat, Jul 18, 10:30am, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $8. Children ages 3-7 are invited to explore the natural world through songs & crafts. Register: 517-431-2060. H DIY Brick Paver & Retaining Wall Seminar Sat, Jul 18, 10-11am, Orion. At Orion Stone Depot. FREE. Learn how to install a full patio or garden wall from the pros. Register: 248-391-2490. H Miniature Gardening Make & Take Workshop Sat, Jul 18, 11am, New Boston. At Grass Roots Nursery. Wooden planting trough, liner, soil & plant selection provided. Accessories available. Register: 734-753-9200. Palmer Woods Garden Tour Sat, Jul 18, 10am-4pm, Detroit. By Palmer Woods Association at 6 private gardens. $20 at 19301 Burlington. Pre-tour party 7/17, $75, includes access to tour. communications@palmerwoods.org. Investigating Lake Ecology Sat, Jul 18, Clarkston. By MSU Extension at Independence Oaks County Park. $35. Learn about common vegetation, invasive species & more. http://events.anr.msu.edu/ LakeEcology. H Pond Construction Sat, Jul 18, 1-3pm, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Optional hands-on experience building an 11’ x 16’ pond with stream, waterfall & bog. Register: www.PondPlace.com. H Seminar: Ponds & Water Gardens Sat, Jul 18, 8am, Washington. At Rock ‘N’ Rocks. FREE. Rain or shine. 586-752-1123. Daylily Show Sat, Jul 18, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Discover an amazing variety of daylily flowers. Children’s art activity. 616-957-1580, www.meijergardens.org. H Ephemeral Art With Nature Sat, Jul 18, Noon, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $10. Multimedia artist Lorenzo Cristaudo will lead participants in developing art objects with natural materials. Register: 517-431-2060. H Pond & Waterfall Design Sat, Jul 18, 10am-Noon, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Workshop will address the key issues associated with designing & building your own pond. Register: www.PondPlace.com. Battle Creek Garden Tour Sat, Jul 18, 10am-4pm, Battle Creek. By Leila Arboretum Society at 5 private Battle Creek area gardens. $12. www.lasgarden.org, 269-969-0270. Warren Garden Club Rummage Sale Sat, Jul 18, & Sun, Jul 19, 10am-5pm, Warren. By Warren Garden Club at 4824 Chicago Rd. Rummage sale to benefit scholarship fund. 586-978-1284.

Art in the Gardens Open House at Tollgate Sat, Jul 18, 10am-3pm, Novi. At Tollgate Farm. FREE. Over a dozen gardens on display, tours, presentations, artists & more. Tollgate.msu.edu/programs, 248-347-3860. H Hydrangeas 101 Sat, Jul 18, 1pm, Plymouth. At Plymouth Nursery. FREE. Find out how to plant & care for them & discover why yours may not be blooming. Register: 734-453-5500. Kimchi Making Class Sat, Jul 18, 1-3pm, Ann Arbor. By Project Grow at Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living. $10. Make kimchi, a traditional fermented Korean dish. www.ProjectGrowGardens.org. H The Garden Cruise Sun, Jul 19, 9am-4:30pm, Metro Detroit. By Detroit Garden Works & The Greening of Detroit. Tour Only: $35/person, tour & cocktail reception: $50/person. 248-335-8089, www.thegardencruise.org H Medicinal Herbs Sun, Jul 19, 1-3pm, Detroit. At Detroit Farm & Garden. FREE. This is an introductory class that will touch on many different aspects of herbalism. 313-655-2344. The Birds in our Backyards Tue, Jul 21, 6:30pm, Rochester. By The Rochester Garden Club at Van Hoosen Farm. Learn about bird habitat, behavior, songs & how to help their survival. www.RochesterGardenClub.org. H Kid’s Workshop: Create a Garden Game Tue, Jul 21, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. $15. Create a fun game to play in the garden. www.EnglishGardens.com. H Jamie Durie Appearance and Book Signing Fri & Sat, July 24 & 25, Royal Oak. At English Gardens. Friday (6-8pm) is an exclusive FREE event for Garden Club members. Saturday (1-3pm) is a FREE event open to all. Durie will share tips on creating a beautiful outdoor living space, answer questions and sign books. Space is limited. Register in-store or online at www.EnglishGardens.com H Pond Maintenance Sat, Jul 25, 10-11am, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Workshop will focus on keeping optimal water quality in water gardens & koi ponds. Register: www.PondPlace.com. H Perennial Gardening 101 Sat, Jul 25, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. FREE. Bring color & texture to your garden year after year. We’ll share our list of best performers. www.EnglishGardens.com. “Inspirations” Garden Tour Sat, Jul 25, 9am-4pm, Harrison Twp. By Harrison Twp. Beautification Commission at 8 private gardens. $15. Ticket pick-up at Tucker Senior Ctr. Pre-sale VIP tickets available. 586-242-3868. H Dividing Daylilies Sat, Jul 25, 1pm, Howell. At Specialty Growers. FREE. Owner Karen Bovio discusses the how’s & why’s of dividing daylilies. www.SpecialtyGrowers.net, 517-546-7742. H Daylily Dig Sat, Jul 25, 9am-5pm, Howell. At Specialty Growers. Walk the field & choose your favorite daylilies. Our staff will dig & package them. www.SpecialtyGrowers.net, 517-546-7742. Organic Produce & Farmer’s Market Sun, Jul 26, Through Sep, 10am-2pm, Fenton. At Gerych’s. Organic produce, essential oils, flowers, honey, jewelry, art, plants & much more. 810-629-5995, www.GerychsFlowers.com. H Tecumseh District Library Night at Hidden Lake Gardens Tue, Jul 28, 7-9pm, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. FREE for TDL cardholders. Come see hostas, conifers, bonsai as you stroll through the Conservatory. 517-423-2238.

August H Children’s Garden Day Sat, Aug 1, 11am-3pm, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. Nature crafts, food & fun activities for the entire family. hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu, 517-431-2060. H MSU Garden Day Sat, Aug 1, 8am-4:15pm, East Lansing. At MSU Horticulture Gardens. $86.50. Author Rick Darke presents 2 keynote presentations. Includes 2 workshops of your choice, book signing, parking, lunch, materials & access to the Marketplace. www.hrt.msu.edu/garden-day-2015.

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continued from previous page H Low Maintenance Gardening Tips Sat, Aug 1, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. FREE. Learn some tips in creating a low maintenance garden, so you have time to enjoy it. www.EnglishGardens.com. H Miniature Gardening Make & Take Workshop Sun, Aug 2, 11am, New Boston. At Grass Roots Nursery. Wooden planting trough, liner, soil & plant selection provided. Accessories available. Register: 734-753-9200. H Kid’s Workshop: Super Succulents Tue, Aug 4, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. $29.99. Learn about trendy plants & create a succulent garden to take home. www.EnglishGardens.com. Music & Art In The Gardens Wed, Aug 5, Wednesdays, through Aug, 5:30-8:30pm, Taylor. At Taylor Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. $5. Chairs/blankets encouraged. events@taylorconservatory.org, 888-383-4108. H Mosquito Repelling Container Gardens Sat, Aug 8, 11:30am, all locations. At English Gardens. $29.99. Plant a garden that will keep the mosquitos at bay. www.EnglishGardens.com. H Keep the Bugs at Bay Sat, Aug 8, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. FREE. Learn about some of the more common problems you’ll encounter during gardening, www.EnglishGardens.com. Stage Nature Center Grand Re-Opening Sun, Aug 9, 1-3pm, Troy. Ribbon cutting ceremony & ice cream social, butterfly garden installment, guided trail walks, butterfly/bee talks, crafts, storytelling, activities. www.troynaturesociety.org H Tour of Bader Acres in Howell Tue, Aug 11, 10am, Howell. By APG at Bader Acres. $15. 6-acre garden, koi ponds, waterfalls & more. www.AssociationOfProfessionalGardeners.org, 248-375-9233. H Wine & Design: Unique Fall Container Garden Thu, Aug 13, 6:30-7:30pm, Haslett. At Van Atta’s. $35. Bring your own beer or wine & we’ll provide everything you’ll need to create a beautiful take-home project. Register: 517-339-1142. H Plants for Screening Sat, Aug 15, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. FREE. We’ll give you a list of plants that will create privacy in your yard. www.EnglishGardens.com. H Fermentation Sun, Aug 16, 1-3pm, Detroit. At Detroit Farm & Garden. FREE. We will discuss basic fermenting & there will be a hands-on fermenting project. 313-655-2344. H Kid’s Workshop: Flower Pot Birdbath Sun, Aug 16, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. $15. Create & decorate a birdbath to take home & enjoy. www.EnglishGardens.com. Janet Macunovich Double Presentation Tue, Aug 18, 6:30-9pm, Clinton Township. At MSUE Assembly Room. $10. Janet presents “Saving Time & Money on Yardwork” & “Nosing Around: Smelling Your Way to a Better Garden.” macombcountymga@gmail.com. H Cool Plants for Shade Sat, Aug 22, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. FREE. The basics on shade gardening. www.EnglishGardens.com. Deciduous Tree Collections of Historic Bennett Arboretum Sat, Aug 22, 1-4pm, Northville. At Bennett Arboretum. By Wayne County Parks at Bennett Arboretum. Hike the hilly terrain & meet at the Disc Golf parking lot. Register: 734-261-1990.

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Dahlia Show Sat, Aug 29, & Sun, Aug 30, Noon-5pm, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Marvel at the variety of colors, shapes & sizes of dahlia flowers. www.meijergardens.org. H Add Fall Color to Container Gardens Sat, Aug 29, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. FREE. Freshen up your containers with new varieties of coldtolerant annuals & perennials. www.EnglishGardens.com.

September H Cranbrook House & Gardens Tours Tue, Sep 1, Thursdays to Sundays through October, Bloomfield Hills. At Cranbrook House & Gardens. Gardens FREE. House tours available for addt’l charge. 248-645-3149, HouseGardens.Cranbrook.edu. Milford Farmers’ Market Thu, Sep 3, Thursdays through Oct 15, 3-8pm, Milford. Local products, fresh foods, live music, family fun & more. www.MilfordFarmersMarket.org. Annual Dahlia Show Sun, Sep 6, Ann Arbor. By Michigan Dahlia Association at Washtenaw Community College. Annual Dahlia show in conjunction with Midwest show. 734-429-5796. H Pond Construction Sat, Sep 12, 1-3pm, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Optional hands-on experience building an 11’ x 16’ pond with stream, waterfall & bog. Register: www.PondPlace.com. H Pond & Waterfall Design Sat, Sep 12, 10am-Noon, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Workshop will address the key issues associated with designing & building your own pond. Register: www.PondPlace.com. H Wine & Design: Fall Door Hanging Thu, Sep 17, 6:30-7:30pm, Haslett. At Van Atta’s. $30. Bring your own beer or wine & we’ll provide everything you’ll need to create a beautiful take-home project. Register: 517-339-1142. H Algae & Weed Control for Large Earthen Bottom Ponds Sat, Sep 19, Noon-1pm, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Workshop will focus on the methods of controlling algae in small lakes & large ponds. Register: www.PondPlace.com. Dahlia Hill Society Autumn Equinox Sun, Sep 20, 2pm-4pm, Midland. By Dahlia Hill Society of Midland at 2809 Orchard Dr. FREE. View thousands of dahlias, enjoy free cider & donuts, music & studio tours. 989-631-0100. H The Art of Bonsai Sun, Sep 20, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. Celebrate our Bonsai collection. 517-431-2060. H Compost Sun, Sep 20, 1-3pm, Detroit. At Detroit Farm & Garden. FREE. We will cover different composting methods, materials for composting & ways to manage your pile. 313-655-2344.

October African Violets & Other Gesneriads Sat, Oct 3, 11:30am, Ann Arbor. By Michigan State African Violet Society at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. FREE. Display, seminar & hands-on workshop. lynnallen0413@comcast.net. H Pond Winterization Sat, Oct 3, 10-11am, Milford. At The Pond Place. Learn to perform a fall pond clean-out, & winterize your pond, plants & fish. www.PondPlace.com. H Fall Foliage Festival Sat, Oct 3, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. 517-431-2060. H Pond Winterization Sat, Oct 10, 10-11am, Milford. A t The Pond Place. Learn to perform a fall pond clean-out, & winterize your pond, plants & fish. www.PondPlace.com. H Wine & Design: Welcoming Wall Cone with Gourds Thu, Oct 15, 6:30-7:30pm, Haslett. At Van Atta’s. $30. Bring your own beer or wine & we’ll provide everything you’ll need to create a beautiful take-home project. Register: 517-339-1142. H Pond Winterization Sat, Oct 17, 10-11am, Milford. At The Pond Place. Learn to perform a fall pond clean-out, & winterize your pond, plants & fish. www.PondPlace.com. H Fall Clean Up Sun, Oct 18, 1-3pm, Detroit. At Detroit Farm & Garden. FREE. Come learn from the pros how to put your garden to rest for winter. 313-655-2344.

MichiganGardener.com | July/August 2015 | Michigan Gardener

Look for Allen Park • Ace Hardware

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

Something

Special

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

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

Sterling Hts • Flower Barn Nurs • Decor Statuette • Prime Landscp Supp H Eckert’s Greenhse Stockbridge • Gee Farms Sylvan Lake H Detroit Garden Works H AguaFina Gardens Interntl

Unique plant varieties

is where we truly sparkle— Come see some of the jewels at Shades of Green! Just to name a few:

Taylor H Beautiful Ponds & Gard • D&L Garden Ctr • Massab Acres H Panetta’s Landscp Supp

Paperbark Maple • Royal Frost Birch Weeping Alaskan Cedar Pagoda Dogwood • Tatarian Maple Dawyck Purple Beech • Blackgum Parrotia • Weeping White Pine Columnar Norway Maple Slender Silhouette Sweetgum Sunkist Arborvitae Gold Rush Dawn Redwood Peve Minaret Baldcypress

Trenton • Keck Hardware • Carefree Lawn Ctr Troy H Telly’s Greenhse H Uncle Luke’s Feed Store • The Home & Gard Shop Utica • Stonescape Supp • Dale’s Landscp Supp • Weingartz Warren H Young’s Garden Mart • Garden Center Nurs • Beste’s Lawn & Patio

Need a focal point in your landscape? Plant collector? Looking for something a little different? Then Shades of Green is the place for you! Shrubs and trees are a long-lived investment, so start with quality plants that have been well cared for. Visit Shades of Green, meet our knowledgeable staff, and see our superior quality.

496 East Avon Rd • Rochester Hills 3 MILES NORTH OF M-59, BETWEEN ROCHESTER & JOHN R

248.651.1620 www.ShadesofGreenNursery.com

Washington • United Plant Ctr H Rocks ‘n’ Roots • Landscape Direct • Miller’s Big Red Greenhse Waterford • Breen’s Landscp Supp • Jacobsen’s Flowers H Merrittscape • Ace Hardware West Bloomfield • Planterra H English Gardens • Whole Foods Westland H Barsons Greenhses • Panetta’s Landscp Supp • Merlino’s Bushel Ctr • Ace Hardware • Bushel Stop • Joe Randazzo’s Nurs White Lake • Sunshine Plants H Bogie Lake Greenhse H Mulligan’s Gard Ctr Whitmore Lake H Alexander’s Greenhses Williamston • Christian’s Greenhse Wixom • Angelo’s Landscp Supp • Brainer’s Greenhse Ypsilanti • Lucas Nurs • Margolis Nurs • Materials Unlimited • Schmidt’s Antiques • Coleman’s Farm Mkt

Precipitation May 2015

NORMAL Monthly 3.38 3.08 3.36

NORMAL Yr. to Date 12.54 10.99 11.57

Detroit Flint Lansing

ACTUAL Monthly 5.53 3.40 3.77

May 2014 DEVIATION from Normal +2.15 +0.32 +0.41

2015 Year to Date: Jan 1 - May 31 Detroit Flint Lansing

ACTUAL Yr. to Date 11.74 8.12 8.05

NORMAL Monthly 3.38 3.08 3.36

ACTUAL Monthly 4.87 7.25 4.24

DEVIATION from Normal +1.49 +4.17 +0.88

2014 Year to Date: Jan 1 - May 31

DEVIATION from Normal -0.80 -2.87 -3.52

NORMAL

Yr. to Date 12.54 10.99 11.57

ACTUAL Yr. to Date 14.67 14.95 11.21

DEVIATION from Normal +5.2 +6.0 +3.1 DEVIATION from Normal +4.6 -3.9 +3.8

ORMAL N Avg. High 69.9 68.5 68.8 NORMAL Avg. Low 49.4 55.2 46.7

ACTUAL Avg. High 71.5 70.8 69.6 ACTUAL Avg. Low 51.3 48.6 47.3

DEVIATION from Normal +2.13 +3.96 -0.36

Temperature May 2015 Detroit Flint Lansing Detroit Flint Lansing

NORMAL Avg. High 69.9 68.5 68.8 NORMAL Avg. Low 49.4 55.2 46.7

ACTUAL Avg. High 75.1 74.5 71.9 ACTUAL Avg. Low 54.0 51.3 50.5

Data courtesy National Weather Service

May 2014 DEVIATION from Normal +1.6 +2.3 +0.8 DEVIATION from Normal +1.9 -6.6 +0.6

Michigan Gardener | July/August 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

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

Columbiaville, Davison

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

North Branch

Lapeer

Emmett

Flushing Lennon

Port Huron

Hadley Dryden

Grand Blanc

Flint

Bancroft, Owosso

Lakeport

Imlay City

Metamora

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

Almont

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

Fenton

Oxford

Ortonville

fenton

Addison Twp.

Gerych’s Flowers/Gift

Orion

Hartland

Holly White Lake Waterford

White Lake Highland

Rochester

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

Commerce

Milford

New Hudson South Lyon

Whitmore Lake

Novi Northville

Bloomfield Hills Birmingham

West Bloomfield

Farmington Hills Farmington

Ann Arbor

Dearborn Dearborn Wayne Heights Taylor

Belleville Saline New Boston Tipton

Tecumseh

Brownstown Twp.

Eastpointe

Grosse Pointes

Southgate Trenton Grosse Ile

La Salle, Monroe

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

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

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

H Denotes MG Advertiser almont American Tree

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

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

bancroft Grand Oak Herb Farm

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

belleville Banotai Greenhse Gardeners Choice H Pinter Flowerland H Zywicki Greenhse

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

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

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

cement city Hallson Gardens

chelsea

bloomfield hills

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

Backyard Birds

The Potting Shed

birmingham

chesterfield

berkley Garden Central

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

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

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

burton

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

flushing

Sterling Hts.

Detroit

Romulus

Masserant’s Feed Store

Clinton Twp.

Southfield Oak Park Ferndale

Ypsilanti

flat rock

Troy

Westland Canton

Casual Modes Home/Gard

New Baltimore

Utica

Livonia Redford

Dexter

Manchester

ferndale

Macomb

St. Clair Berkley Roseville Shores Madison Royal Oak Heights Warren

Plymouth

Cement City, Chelsea, Grass Lake, Jackson, Stockbridge

Shelby Twp.

Auburn Hills

Walled Lake Wixom Brighton

Rochester Hills

Pontiac Sylvan Lake

Howell

Washington

Oakland

Clarkston

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

Ray

columbiaville Hilltop Barn

commerce twp Zoner’s Greenhse

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

dearborn Fairlane Gardens

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

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

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

clarkston

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

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

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

Van Thomme’s Greenhses

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

fowlerville H Arrowhead Alpines

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

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

imlay city H Earthly Arts Greenhse

jackson The Hobbit Place

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

lapeer H The Iron Barn

lasalle Fowler’s Gift Shop

lennon Krupps Novelty Shop

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

grand blanc

macomb

Bordine’s

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

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

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

manchester McLennan Nurs

grosse ile

mason

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

Wildtype Nurs

grosse pointe

Milford Gardens H The Pond Place

Allemon’s Landscp Ctr Meldrum & Smith Nurs

grosse pointe woods H Wild Birds Unltd

hadley

metamora Gilling’s Nurs

milford monroe H The Flower Market

new baltimore H Meldrum Bros Nurs

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

new boston

hartland

new hudson

Deneweth’s Garden Ctr

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

Christian’s Greenhse H Van Atta’s Greenhse

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

highland

north branch

haslett

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

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

MichiganGardener.com | July/August 2015 | Michigan Gardener

northville

rochester

shelby twp

tecumseh

Begonia Brothers Gardenviews H Willow Greenhouses

Fogler’s Greenhse Sherwood Forest Gard Ctr

Diegel Greenhses H Hessell’s Greenhse Maeder Plant Farm Potteryland

Mitchell’s Lawn/Landscp

novi Glenda’s Gard Ctr H Wild Birds Unltd

oak park Four Seasons Gard Ctr

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

ortonville

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

Country Oaks Landscp II

romulus

H Wojo’s Greenhse 2570 Oakwood Rd., MI 48462 248-627-6498 www.wojos.com

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

owosso H Everlastings in Wildwood

oxford Candy Cane Xmas Trees Oxford Farm/Gard

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

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

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

roseville Dale’s Landscp Supp World Gardenland

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

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

saline

ray Van’s Valley Greenhse

redford H Pinter Flowerland Seven Mi Gard Ctr

H Nature’s Garden Ctr H Saline Flowerland

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

south lyon

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

trenton Carefree Lawn Ctr

west bloomfield

troy H Telly’s Greenhouse 3301 John R Rd., MI 48083 248-689-8735 www.tellys.com

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

H Uncle Luke’s Feed Store 6691 Livernois Rd., MI 48098 248-879-9147 www.unclelukes.com

southfield

utica

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

southgate H Ray Hunter Gard Ctr

st clair shores Greenhouse Growers Hall’s Nurs Soulliere Gard Ctr

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

Dale’s Landscp Supp Stonescape Supp

walled lake H Suburban Landscp Supp

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

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

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

westland H Barson’s Greenhse 6414 N. Merriman Rd., MI 48185 734-421-5959 www.barsons.com Bushel Stop Joe Randazzo’s Nurs Merlino’s Bushel Ctr Panetta’s Landscp

white lake H Bogie Lake Greenhouses 1525 Bogie Lake Rd., MI 48383 248-887-5101 www.bogielakegreenhouses.com H Mulligan’s Landscp & Gard Ctr Sunshine Plants

whitmore lake

waterford

H Alexander’s Greenhses

Breen’s Landscp Supp Hoffman Nurs H Merrittscape

williamston

stockbridge Gee Farms

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

Christian’s Greenhse

wixom

Brainer’s Greenhse Milford Tree Farm

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

east lansing H MSU Horticultural Gardens W.J. Beal Botanical Gard

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

Gardens to Visit

flint

ann arbor

grand rapids

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

Applewood Frederik Meijer Gardens

grosse pointe shores Edsel & Eleanor Ford Hse

lansing

bloomfield hills

Cooley Gardens

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

midland Dahlia Hill Dow Gardens

clinton township

Tollgate Education Ctr

novi

Tomlinson Arboretum

royal oak

dearborn

Detroit Zoo

Arjay Miller Arboretum at Ford World HQ Henry Ford Estate

detroit Anna S Whitcomb Conservtry

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

dryden Seven Ponds Nature Ctr

Angelo’s Landscp Supp

Classified Ads

H Detroit Garden Works

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

POISON IVY – We get rid of it! That’s all we do. Call us—we are experts at identifying and removing poison ivy from your property, from single homes to large parks. Licensed and Insured. Poison Ivy Control of Michigan. Call Toll-Free 844-IVY-GONE (489-4663). www. poisonivycontrolofmichigan.com. VANS VALLEY FARM MARKET & Greenhouse 586-752-6002. 66745 Van Dyke Rd. Romeo, Michigan.

Bulk Subscriptions • Great for clubs and retail stores outside our regular circulation routes. • Have Michigan Gardener delivered in bulk and give copies to your members and customers. • These copies are sent directly to the address you specify. • The cost per copy is much lower than the individual subscription price. • It’s a great way to provide another benefit to your members and customers. The order form is available at MichiganGardener.com or please contact us for an order form: publisher@MichiganGardener.com • 248-594-5563

HELP WANTED - Sterling Hts. horticultural company looking for full/part-time gardeners with perennials/annuals experience. JOB: Residential maintenance throughout SE Michigan. Hourly wage dependent on experience. Send Resume: pat@agardenspace. com. Call: 586-991-6389 or 586-214-9852. DO YOU ENJOY SCRAPBOOKING? Then pick up a copy of Michigan Scrapbooker magazine. It’s free! Visit MichiganScrapbooker.com for more info and to sign up for the free Michigan Scrapbooker e-newsletter. Join the conversation at facebook.com/MichiganScrapbooker.

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 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. 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. ADVERTISING SALES REP – Michigan Gardener has a part-time opportunity available. Advertising sales experience is preferred. Please forward your resume to: publisher@ MichiganGardener.com.

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.”

Michigan Gardener | July/August 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

Edible flowers Before you get all silly about us telling you lings of their herb plants. Only buy plants from to eat herb flowers and make bad faces at the a greenhouse that sells edible plant stock that thought, remember that many of the common hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been sprayed. Label each one carefully vegetables you find in the fresh produce aisle so you know exactly what you are growing. are flowers or flower buds also, including Many of the edible flower herbs are annuals: broccoli, cauliflower, and artichokes. We also they bloom their hearts out for one season dureat the seeds of plants, like peas, beans, corn, ing the spring, summer and fall. They are easy and the flavorful herbs caraway, dill, fennel, to grow from seed and they will give you the anise, and coriander, as well as the flowering most flowers for your money. Some of them stalks of asparagus and celery. come in fantastic shapes and bright colors. So when we tell you about eating flowers, Edible annual flowers can also be grown it is no new thing, just a way in containers. They should for you to taste and use some be fertilized organically new goodies out of your and watered regularly. Most herb garden. Start by learnof them are excellent pot ing about each edible flower plants and will thrive with described in this article and good care, giving you many try growing and using a few flowers to use. of them. Herbal flowers are Hardy perennial herb a beautiful and fun way to plants will come back every dress up an ordinary dinner. year stronger and produce Jean & Roxanne When you are taking a dish more and more flowers. Riggs to pass at a picnic or potJust like annuals, growing luck and you bring a salad or your own perennial herbs dessert with edible flowers in it, you will be assures you that no harmful pesticides have deemed a gourmet chef by your friends and been used and that they are safe to consume. relatives. Some of the perennial herbs will grow in pots on your windowsill, but they rarely flower in Annual and perennial edible flowers the winter months. A great idea is to start your edible flowers Favorite edible flowers from seed in a specified area of your garden. When you are in the garden selecting your Or ask your friends for rooted pieces or seedannual or perennial flowers for eating, be selective and educated. Some of the herbal P H OTO G R A P H S BY flowers are not suitable because they are poiJ E A N A N D R OX A N N E R I G G S sonous, especially if they are growing in the

An edible flower ice ring using scented geranium flowers, calendula, violas, lavender, and anise hyssop.

This â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Scarlet Uniqueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rose geranium has scented flowers. medicinal garden, like foxgloves or aconites. Further, do not use flowers from the florist or those grown in the wild, because you do not know their growing conditions or with what chemicals they may have been sprayed. There are so many suitable plants from which to choose; we hope to inspire you to try plenty of them. We have included a lot of our favorites here, including many easy-to-grow flowers.

Annuals or tender perennials: Basil (annual). Small white flowers on green stems. Not as pretty as some but extra flavorful and fragrant. Nice in salads.

Flower butter made with calendula petals.

Borage (annual). Beautiful small blue starry flowers with a pretty, dark center. Calendula (annual). Daisy-like flower comes in a variety of bright colors. You can use petals or whole flowers. The petals were used to color margarine in the olden days. Lemon verbena (tender perennial or treat as annual). White flower sprays that smell and taste of lemons. Nasturtium (annual). Great vibrant colors and spicy leaves; kissing cousin to water cress. Pineapple sage (tender perennial or treat as annual). Vibrant red flowers that smell and taste like fruit. Scented geranium (tender perennial or treat

MichiganGardener.com | July/August 2015 | Michigan Gardener

The perennial herb flower anise hyssop tastes like licorice. as annual). A wide range of stylish blossoms in many different shapes and colors. Tastes vary according to type grown, and include rose, lemon, peppermint, and more. Violas (annual or perennial). Multi-colored, happy-faced flowers that are gorgeous.

Hardy perennials: Anise hyssop. Spikes of blue-purple flowers that taste like licorice. Chives. Purple or white round blossoms that taste like mild onions and make a beautiful vinegar. Garlic chives. White round blossoms that taste like mild, sweet garlic.

Lavender sugar is wonderful in icing, tea or cupcakes.

White blossoms on garlic chives.

Nasturtium ‘Alaska’ with pretty edible flowers and leaves.

Daylilies. Wonderful colors and edible blossoms. Mints. Spikes of soft colors that smell and taste delicious. Lavender. Spikes of lavender buds and flowers that are delicate and tasty. When blended with thyme, basil, savory, rosemary, and marjoram, they become “Herbs de Provence.” Oregano. Clusters of small purple flower heads that taste like a sweet, mild oregano. Roses. Many different colors of petals make any dish sparkle.

to dry. Some recommend pulling out stamens and pistils from the middle of the big flowers (such as daylilies), as they can be tough and scatter pollen all over everything. Use the flowers freely and enjoy! Most edible flowers can remain in a baggie in the refrigerator for a few days. Revive them, if necessary, by placing them in a bowl of cool water.

Cut your flowers when in full bloom, wash gently and lay on paper towels for a short time

Recipes Herbal flower butter. Use petals of flowers; chop and mix with melted butter. Serve with crackers. Herbal ice ring or cubes. Place different edible flowers in each ice cube or make an

ice ring with all different colors, freeze overnight, and float in drinks or punch bowls. Herbal flower cakes. Make a regular frosted cake and decorate sides and tops with flowers. Potato salad. Make an arrangement of edible flowers on top of the salad for a stunning presentation that makes your salad very special. Lavender sugar. Put a tablespoon of lightly crushed fresh lavender flowers into a cup of sugar. This is wonderful in icing, tea or cupcakes. Jean and Roxanne Riggs operated Sunshine Farm and Garden in Oakland County, MI and now enjoy retirement up north.

Homemade potato salad with roses and nasturtium flowers and leaves.

Michigan Gardener | July/August 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

Spring Proven Winners

Spirea Double Play Blue Kazoo This neat, mounded plant (Spiraea media) produces Cool bluish foliage that contrasts the white blooms in summer. New leaf growth shows hints of burgundy while the fall brings out a rich red color. Use this compact plant as a groundcover, low hedge, or mass planting. Height: 2-3 feet. Width: 2-3 feet. Light: Full sun to part shade.

Fall

UpShoot (2)

Parrotia Persian Spire The columnar growth habit distinguishes this new parrotia (Parrotia persica) from other upright parrotias such as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Vanessa.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The leaves emerge in spring with a purple cast that fades into a purple halo along the leaf margins. Summer foliage is a dark emerald green. In fall, Persian Spire has a long-lasting color display of yellow, orange, burgundy and red hues. Height: 25 feet. Width: 10 feet. Light: Full sun to part sun.

J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.

Black Gum Afterburner What differentiates this black gum tree (Nyssa sylvatica) is its symmetrical and upright branch structure and straight central leader. The green, glossy foliage shines during the summer and then turns bright red in fall, holding its red leaves longer than most other black gum trees. This upright pyramidal to oval black gum makes an excellent street tree. Height: 35 feet. Width: 20 feet. Light: Full sun to part sun.

Elderberry Lemony Lace

Proven Winners

Grow this cutleaf elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) for its bright golden foliage. The large golden mound starts off with colorful reddish new growth on the extremely fine leaves. White spring flowers on this native plant cultivar will produce red fruit in the fall. Height: 4-5 feet. Width: 4-5 feet. Light: Full sun to part shade.

MichiganGardener.com | July/August 2015 | Michigan Gardener

Proven Winners

Hydrangea Little Quick Fire

This dwarf version of the original Quick Fire (Hydrangea paniculata) has the same early bloom time, but is about one third the size. The white flowers quickly age to deep burgundy red before other varieties even start to bloom. The compact size makes it a good choice for smaller gardens and containers. Adaptable to most soils. Height: 3-5 feet. Width: 4-6 feet. Light: Full sun to part shade.

Barberry Toscana & Limoncello

Arborvitae Ember Waves

Monrovia

This new evergreen conifer is a sport of the arborvitae ‘Green Giant’ (Thuja standishii x plicata). It boasts bright yellow new foliage that matures to chartreuse, creating a striking color contrast. In winter, the foliage turns deep gold with orange-red tips. A vigorous grower and deer resistant, it is slightly more compact than its parent ‘Green Giant.’ Use as a large accent or screen. Height: 25 feet. Width: 8 feet. Light: Full sun.

Bailey Nurseries

Bailey Nurseries (2)

Toscana

Limoncello

Limoncello barberry (Berberis thunbergii) forms a tidy, round mound of striking chartreuse foliage with an unusual red, almost dotted, pattern around the leaf margins. The fall foliage turns to orange, yellow and red. The compact habit makes it a good accent or foundation plant. Toscana barberry’s (Berberis thunbergii) large foliage emerges red in spring with a fine, bright yellow margin. The margin eventually fades through the summer, while the foliage stays red. The leaves darken in fall, taking on burgundy tones. This plant forms an upright shrub with arching branches. Limoncello—Height: 3-4 feet. Width: 3-4 feet. Light: Full sun. Toscana—Height: 3-5 feet. Width: 2-4 feet. Light: Full sun.

Birch Parkland Pillar Parkland Pillar is a birch (Betula platyphylla) with a narrow, upright, dense habit. It has white bark and dark green foliage that turns gold in late fall. This fast-growing variety tolerates heat, drought, and alkaline soils. An excellent choice for urban landscapes, its narrow form also makes it useful as an accent tree in small gardens or it can be planted in multiples to form a privacy screen. Height: 40 feet. Width: 6-7 feet. Light: Full sun.

Michigan Gardener | July/August 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

May Dubuc created her garden as a tribute to God. May’s granddaughter Rebecca designed this plaque showing plants mentioned in the Bible.

A side view of the house. Black-eyed Susan, Shasta daisies (‘Alaska’), peonies and a magnolia bush form a lovely curved bed while clematis and trumpet vine cover the arch at left.

A local craftsman built this little cottage for Dubuc’s 40 great-grandchildren that visit frequently, as well as the neighborhood children. continued from back cover The trees were only about three feet tall when planted. Roger designed the garden that she had in her head all those years, starting with the courtyard, and extending to a rose garden, trees, many paths, and hundreds of annuals and perennials situated on their one acre lot. An adjoining lot has a long row of three types of daylilies alternated and an adorable children’s playhouse. “I planted every plant and tree, except the really big ones,” Dubuc proudly noted. Roger also made plaques with biblical sayings for May. Spirituality is important to May and her garden. Every year, she, her helper Patrice, and her granddaughter Rebecca dedicate the garden. “All three of us go into the garden, and we say something like, ‘Lord, this is your garden. We dedicate it

May and her garden helper Patrice show proud smiles standing amongst gorgeous blooming flowers and giant daylilies.

MichiganGardener.com | July/August 2015 | Michigan Gardener

The lovely waterfall is surrounded by a red weeping beech, weeping hemlock, daylilies, grasses, Queen Anne’s lace, red barberry hedge, and ‘Profusion’ zinnias. The remembrance garden is patterned after a piece of Butchart Gardens in British Columbia, Canada. This original courtyard is surrounded by four arborvitae and a garden maiden amidst colorful plants.

to you. We know you are the master gardener. We pray you bring people to enjoy your handiwork, read the verses from the Bible, and enjoy the peace and solitude of the garden.’” May has been the main gardener up until about four years ago. She hired Patrice at that time to help in the garden, mostly from spring until fall. Dubuc explained, “I taught her to garden. We worked side by side and I showed her what to do.” In 2014, because May’s garden was on the Northville Garden Walk, Patrice basically worked full time. For the two years leading up to the garden walk, granddaughter Rebecca also helped out in the garden. Patrice said, “I couldn’t have done it without her. She was a big help, especially for the garden walk.” Patrice enthused about her employer, “She is a very nice lady and easy to work with. She taught me everything I know about gardening... the names of plants, how to deadhead, plant properly, care for the plants, and look for pests. P H OTO S BY S A N D I E PA R R OT T Patrice went on to say, “We don’t use pesticides in the garden, just compost and fertilizer.” She added, “Approximately 60 containers are hand watered. We load up the golf cart— which is a huge help—with watering cans, and water each one by hand, almost daily.” Thankfully, there is a watering system for the rest of the garden. Patrice continued with heartfelt emotion, “Working with May has been a great experience; I wouldn’t have traded it for the world. She gave me a lot of knowledge. She is not just an employer, she is a friend. She says I am part of the family.” May’s personality shines through in her garden full of love and spirituality. She said, “I want everyone to come and enjoy nature and the solitude of the garden, which is indeed God’s garden.” Editor’s note: The 2015 Northville Garden Walk is on July 8, 9am-4pm. For information, visit www.cgcnv.org.

The garden has many courtyards for relaxing amidst plants spilling over onto the stone, such as baptisia, lady’s mantle, and coreopsis.

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

A memorial to Anne Williams’ cat, Duke, sits among the wild ginger and Japanese Iris.

through the lens Photographs from Michigan gardeners at home and traveling

Lani Kyle-Moar shot this view of her perennial garden featuring the varied textures of lambs ears, Pacific coast giant delphiniums, wisteria, lupine, violas, blue fescue, and clematis.

A passion flower winds its way through the deck railing at Kathy Bauer’s home.

A Call For Photos! A 7-year-old clematis ‘Jackmanii’ grows on a trellis in Farmington Hills.

1. E-mail us 1 or 2 of your best garden photos. Be sure to send us the full-resolution file. 2. Tell us where the photo was taken. 3. Include a one-sentence caption describing the scene and the plants.

We are looking for photos of your garden, public gardens, and plant close-ups. E-mail them to: photos@MichiganGardener.com. If your photo is published, we’ll award you with a free one-year subscription to Michigan Gardener.

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A tribute to her favorite garden May Dubuc fulfilled a dream by modeling her own garden after a legendary public garden

ay Dubuc and her late husband, Roger, built their lakefront home in Northville about fifteen years ago. They proceeded to dig a very large hole near the house for May’s sunken garden. “We had many loads of soil taken out by truck to make my special sunken garden. It is modeled after Butchart Gardens in British Columbia, Canada. It is my favorite garden, and it is dedicated to God,” said Dubuc. Dubuc’s father brought the family to Prince Rupert, British Columbia when he was working on the railroad there in the early 1900s. After May graduated from school at 17 years old, she started a oneroom schoolhouse in Prince Rupert. She lived in the back of the house and taught grades 1 to 7. Approximately two years later she went to college on Vancouver Island. At that time it took two days and three nights by boat to travel from her home in Prince Rupert to Vancouver Island. Sandie While in college, May visited Butchart Parrott Gardens frequently. “I just loved the gardens. I especially loved the spot where you look down into the garden.” The Butchart sunken gardens are built in an exhausted stone quarry. Dubuc recalled, “I always said, ‘Someday I’ll make a garden to remind me of Butchart.’ I kept it in my head for many years. It wasn’t until

The entrance to May Dubuc’s garden off the driveway is flanked by two urns overflowing with million bells. The garden has stone paths, seating areas, hedges, arbors, trees and many plants. This brick paver path is lined with roses, ageratum, myrtle, sedum, coneflowers, perennial geranium, marigolds, zinnias, New Guinea impatiens, bridal wreath spireas, arborvitae, and boxwood hedges. my seven children were grown and we moved to this house that I could have my piece of the garden.” May followed her family in her love of gardening. Before coming to North America, her father worked with her grandfather in England on large estates. The start of May’s garden was four arborvitae arranged around a courtyard just like she remembered from Butchart. continued on page 28

May Dubuc shows off spectacular coral orange daylilies.