June 2017
MichiganGardener.com
Your guide to Great Lakes gardening
Perennials
Jacob’s ladder Feature
Native vines
Tree Tips
Street tree choices
New Plants
New perennials for 2017
Vegetable Patch Succession planting
Please thank our advertisers in this issue
Plants don’t get to choose, but you do. Osmocote® Smart-Release® Plant Food Flower & Vegetable feeds continuously and consistently for up to 4 full months. If you grow your own, grow with Osmocote®. © 2017, The Scotts Company, LLC. All rights reserved
At Telly’s, Summer is our time to bloom.
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Michigan Gardener | June 2017 | MichiganGardener.com
From roses to perennials to annuals and beyond, we truly are a summer gardener’s paradise. Come in for a visit and let us make your season really bloom.
Welcome to where Summer always comes up roses. June is National Rose Month. Telly’s has cultivated a reputation for offering the finest collection of high quality roses available anywhere. We offer a selection of roses that everyone, even the most casual gardener, can grow and enjoy. Telly’s is proud to offer the Easy Elegance Collection. These roses are disease resistant, hardy, low-maintenance plants that bloom all season long.
‘Screaming Neon’
NEW Easy Elegance Rose for 2017!
‘Lemon Fizz’
NEW Kolorscape, easy care shrub rose.
Garden Wisdom A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all, it teaches entire trust. — Gertrude Jekyll
Ask MG............................................................6 To-Do List........................................................8 Vegetable Patch..........................................10 Getting to Know: Stink bugs...................12 Tree Tips........................................................ 14 Advertiser Index..........................................17 Feature: Native vines for the Michigan garden ....................... 28 Books for the Michigan Gardener.......32 Classified Ads..............................................33 Bulk Subscriptions......................................33 Calendar........................................................34 Weather Wrap............................................35 Subscription Form..................................... 36 Places to Grow........................................... 38 Perennial Perspectives: Jacob’s ladder.................................................40 Through the Lens...................................... 42 Where to pick up Michigan Gardener....43 Garden Profile: A garden of rooms...................Back Cover On the cover: ‘Stairway to Heaven’ Jacob’s ladder
‘Super Hero’
‘Sweet Fragrance’ Easy Elegance roses don’t get much prettier than this.
W. Atlee Burpee Company
Butterfly bush ‘Wisteria Lane’
New Perennials for 2017 ����������������18
Photo: www.PerennialResource.com
This Easy Elegance rose is a perfect Father's Day gift!
In honor of National Rose Month, Telly's will feature a Rose of the Week for the month of June. Check out tellys.com and our Facebook page for special offers! Visit tellys.com for our complete 2017 Rose List
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
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find us on
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Contributors Brian Allnutt Karen Bovio Cheryl English Emaline Fronckowiak Mary Gerstenberger Julia Hofley Rosann Kovalcik Steve Martinko Beverly Moss George Papadelis Sandie Parrott Traven Pelletier Jean/Roxanne Riggs Deborah Silver Jim Slezinski Lisa Steinkopf Steve Turner Bill Van Kosky
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 © 2017 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 | June 2017 | MichiganGardener.com
Have a question? Send it in! Go to MichiganGardener.com and click on “Submit a question”
Hydrangea won’t bloom I received a hydrangea from a friend who couldn’t get it to bloom. Three years ago, I transplanted it at my house in northern lower Michigan. Since then, it has only produced one bloom. It is a beautiful big bush every year. My yard is very sandy and receives lots of morning sun. I do a lot of watering, which I don’t mind, except when I only get green leaves. Can I do anything to get some blooms? D.L., Cheboygan Not all hydrangeas are created equal. Some varieties can be notoriously fickle to bloom. It seems like you have a hydrangea that sets its flower buds in the fall and flowers the next spring on that old wood. If you are cutting it back every fall or spring, stop doing so to see if you’ve been cutting off the flower buds. If you get more blooms when you don’t cut it back, you have a hydrangea that sets bloom in fall, and only one third of the old growth should be pruned out to maintain a healthy plant. These are called big leaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla). Next, hydrangeas really love rich, moist humus soil with good drainage. Filtered morning sun is good but your sandy soil needs copious amounts of compost amendment to retain those precious nutrients. Adding cow manure to the initial planting or amending the soil in spring with manure often helps in holding moisture and creating the nutrients these workhorse shrubs need. Hydrangeas can also benefit from a light application of slow-release, acidifying fertilizer in the spring and fall. Michigan typically has alkaline soils, which produce pinker blooms. Soil that is acid and rich in compost will turn the blooms toward blue. If you improve your soil conditions and
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monitor your pruning habits, you may get your hydrangea to bloom instead of producing only foliage. Flowering shrubs also need a couple years to adjust to a new growing site. A location in northern lower Michigan is pushing a hydrangea’s hardiness zone limits. Protection from winter winds and snow can protect fall set flower buds from freezing and failing to bloom.
Hostas are being eaten I have hostas near my house that critters have been eating the past few years. I planted marigolds near the hostas, but to no avail. The munching is actually getting worse. Strangely, I have other hostas in nearby beds (not far from the scene of the crime) and they are untouched, year after year. Any suggestions to keep the grazers away from the hostas near my house? M.F., National City Take a look at the type of hostas near the house and those farther away. Rabbits and deer both seem to prefer the smaller variegated and smooth leaf hostas. It’s basically a salad bar to them. They do not like as much the tougher, corrugated leaf hostas or the thicker blue leaf hostas, which prefer shade. Those planted near the house may offer a sense of covert protection rather than those out in the open where a rabbit could get caught by an overhead predator. That being said, you will have to resort to a repellent, both granular and foliar spray, and be consistent in application to habituate them. There are several on the market. You need one that either has predator scent or dried blood meal in it. They are often in combination with pungent oils. The stinkier to them, the better. We can’t smell it as much, if at all. Do not rely on just one product, but use at least two in rotation and both granular and spray to prevent them from acclimating to the smell. When hungry enough, rabbits and deer will eat things not on their preferred menu. The object is to make it as detestable as possible.
How much light for bleeding hearts Do bleeding hearts like sun or shade? K.B., Farmington Hills Depending on which bleeding heart you plant, they tolerate different light conditions. The traditional, old-fashioned bleeding heart like your grandmother had (Dicentra spectabilis) is definitely a shade lover and a spring ephemeral. The arching stems, with lovely
heart-shaped flowers dangling beneath, never fail to bring a sigh that winter is finally over. There has been some hybridizing of this species to include ‘Valentine,’ a variety with red flowers, and ‘Gold Heart,’ with chartreuse leaves against deep pink flowers. The D. spectabilis types are definitely early season bloomers and their foliage dissipates and withers to a dormant crown. On the other hand, fringed bleeding heart (Dicentra eximia) appreciates some early day sun and keeps sending up blooms throughout the season, if planted in a cool location. It may not bloom in the heat of summer, but will resume flower production as fall and cooler temperatures occur. Its fernlike, heavily dissected foliage gives fine, blue-green texture to the garden even when not in bloom. Flower colors range from soft pink to deep red, as in ‘King of Hearts,’ a compact selection that typically grows to 15 inches tall. Both species of bleeding heart are deer and rabbit resistant, making them a preferable plant for areas populated by these animals. Both types prefer moist, humus-rich soil with good drainage.
Blueberry bush growth and pruning We bought blueberry bushes last summer with blossoms and, later, blueberries on them. They survived winter. We pruned them early this spring. They now have tons of green leaves and branches, but no flowers or fruit. Any thoughts? M. Regular pruning is essential for blueberry management, but selecting which canes to remove can be critical. First, look for winterdamaged or broken canes, or canes with disease or insect damage. Remove chafing canes to prevent wounds for canker. You want an upright plant, but with an open canopy for light penetration. Do not arbitrarily trim the blueberry shrub as if it were an ornamental evergreen or a flowering shrub. After harvest, the blueberry bush stores reserves for next year’s growth. Shoot growth may begin again. The key point is that flower buds for next year’s crop form in September and October. These flower buds form first at the shoot tips. These large, clearly visible buds can be used to estimate next year’s crop potential. You may have inadvertently trimmed off your fruit crop. There are two types of buds: flower buds and vegetative buds. The flower buds are located at the stem tips. If you pruned back your bushes this spring, you
probably took off most of those bud tips that were set last fall. Michigan State University has an excellent website showing pictures of the various stages of flower and fruit development: tinyurl. com/l6eqlgn. Plus, here is the growth cycle of blueberry shrubs: tinyurl.com/k3oko9r. You may not have any fruit this year, but corrected pruning techniques will offer you flower and fruit in future seasons.
Partner plants for spiderwort Please recommend companion plants for spiderwort. J.K., Oakland Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) got its genus name from John Tradescant and his son who were botanists and gardeners for Charles I of England in the 1600s. Spiderwort likes full sun but needs some filtered shade from hot afternoon heat. The tuberous roots are very similar to daylilies with the same tenacity to persist. The flowers also only last for one day. They begin to bloom in May and finish in June. At that point their foliage is spent and it is best to trim it to the ground. The foliage will regrow and behave like an ornamental grass, with a possible second bloom. Therefore, companion plants that come into flower as the spiderwort wanes are a must to cover the unsightly foliage and empty space. Consider getting the spiderwort variety ‘Sweet Kate,’ which has chartreuse foliage against the deep blue flowers. It is also considered less invasive than the green-leaved species. The foliage acts as a great counterpoint to mid- to later-season bloomers such as the chocolate leaf bugbane (Cimicifuga or Actaea) with its white fragrant flowers in August to September and astilbe-like foliage. Pair it with false sunflower (Heliopsis) ‘Lorraine Sunshine.’ This two-foot sunflower blooms July to August and has variegated silver and green, lance-shaped leaves. The yellow sunflowers highlight the spiderwort’s foliage while the variegated foliage provides added visual interest. Also consider the many burgundy-leaved varieties of coral bells (Heuchera). Such selections as ‘Bella Notte,’ ‘Frost,’ and ‘Chocolate Ruffles’ repeat the burgundy of the bugbane with dashes of silver and deep merlot. One of the secrets to interesting gardens is to incorporate foliage interest through variegation, texture and shape while flowers are between bloomings. Answers provided by Beverly Moss, owner of Garden Rhythms.
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Michigan Gardener | June 2017 | MichiganGardener.com
to-do list
Feature Task: Benefit from insects—not all insects are bad! No garden is free of bugs. And not all bugs are bad. Some insects, like bees and butterflies, pollinate our plants and flowers, while others prey on harmful insects to keep our gardens free of pests. Insects like aphids, scale, spider mites, thrips, and whitefly are some of the common pests that can harm plants. It’s possible to help control infestations of these pests by introducing beneficial insects into your garden. Here are some of the controls that can be used: Praying mantis. There are two types found in Michigan: Chinese mantis or European mantis. Chinese mantis are brown or tan with green edges around the wings. European mantis are green with a black spot of bullseye on the upper front legs. Praying mantis are hungry and will eat just about anything that can fit in their mouth, including aphids, thrips, leafhoppers and chinch bugs. New eggs are laid in September or early October and will overwinter in the garden. You’ll find egg cases at least two feet off the ground in a warm, protected area like the crook of a tree limb or hung from a tree to protect them from predators in the spring. Eggs hatch in late May or early June. Contrary to popular belief, females don’t always eat the male mantis. Ladybugs prefer aphids, but will eat scale, mealybugs, boil worm, leafhopper and corn earworm. Adult beetles can eat up to 100 aphids in a day, while larvae can consume up
Annuals • Water annuals regularly. They need at least an inch of water each week. Fertilize every other week with a water-soluble fertilizer specifically formulated to keep plants blooming. • Mulch New Guinea impatiens varieties, even if they’re in containers. Mulch helps keep the soil moist, a must for beautiful impatiens of any type.
General • Start a compost pile, if you don’t already have one. Adding compost to your garden soil, around trees and shrubs, or even on your lawn can help produce healthier plants. Organic materials—grass clippings, sticks, fallen leaves, etc.—can go into the compost pile. Add kitchen waste, such as fruit and salad peelings, used coffee grounds, eggshells, tea bags and spoiled fruit or vegetables. This debris will decompose over time. If you want to speed up the process, turn the pile and add a compostaccelerating product.
Houseplants • Take houseplants outside for the summer and they’ll thrive. Most will do well in a partially shaded location, away from direct sunlight. Fertilize regularly with a balanced formula to support strong new growth. A regular application of systemic insecticide will prevent bugs coming into the house with the plants in the fall.
• Regular mowing will keep the grass looking good throughout the month. Cut off no more than one-third of the grass blades at one time. Trimming too much causes stress.
Lawn • If you’re following a four-step fertilizing program, apply the second step, which usually contains broadleaf weed control. Be alert for any insect or weed breakouts. A healthy lawn is better able to fight them off, but it’s also easier to take care of a problem when it’s small, before it overwhelms the entire yard. If necessary, use a liquid weed killer to spot treat any outbreaks.
Plant Maintenance • A layer of organic mulch on bare soil helps conserve water, reduce weeds, and keep garden beds looking fresh. Which mulch to use is a matter of personal preference and what is appealing to you. Keep mulch away
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to 40 aphids an hour. The more they eat, the more they breed. Young ladybugs look more like tiny black caterpillars with orange spots rather than their hard-shelled adult counterparts and are often mistaken as pests. If purchasing ladybugs for the garden, release them after sundown to keep them in the yard, as they only fly during the daytime. They eat at night and will remain in the area as long as there is sufficient food. It is best to water the area before release. Beneficial nematodes attack more than 230 kinds of soil-dwelling and wood-boring pests, such as flea larvae, white grubs, cutworms, corn rootworms, strawberry weevils, gypsy moth larvae, cabbage root maggots, fungus gnat larvae and others. They can be mixed with mulch or soil, or spread on the soil surface and watered in as long as the ground isn’t frozen. Keep them out of direct sunlight. Beneficial nematodes are microscopic and live below the soil surface and prefer a moist environment. Nematodes do not harm worms, birds or plants. They seek out and eat grub larvae, remaining effective up to two years. Annual applications are recommended to boost populations. Female mason bees emerge in early spring and immediately begin to forage for pollen and nectar, which they collect from fruit trees, berries, flowers and vegetables. They pack this food into the far end of their nesting cavity until they decide there’s enough there to feed a young bee. Then the female lays an egg
and seals up the cell. This process continues until the bee has filled the entire chamber with a series of pollen/nectar/egg cells. Mason bees are very effective pollinators. Just 2 or 3 females can pollinate a mature apple tree! Leafcutter bees are productive pollinators for summer gardens and flowers. The female carries pollen on the underside of her hairy abdomen, and then scrapes the pollen off within her nesting hole. Because the pollen is carried dry on her hair, it falls off easily as she moves among blossoms. This results in significantly more pollinated flowers than her cousin, the honeybee, who wets the pollen so it sticks to the legs during transport to the hive. These hardworking creatures will fly up to two miles from their hive to find nectar and can carry almost half their weight in pollen. During the summer, individual worker bees may live for only six weeks, but because queen bees can lay up to 2,000 eggs a day, new worker bees are constantly being produced. Honeybees are more interested in gathering pollen than they are in stinging you, so if you leave them alone, there’s no need to worry. To protect bees and other pollinators, add plants that are attractive to them, and reduce the use of insecticides. Be kind to these beneficial insects by planting a varied garden and avoiding a monoculture. Avoid the use of pesticides. If pesticides are necessary, use them wisely, and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
from plant stems and tree trunks. Don’t pile mulch more than 3 inches deep. • Watch for signs of deer and rabbit damage, and treat with a repellent as necessary. Follow label instructions for best results. Switch up the repellents if animals become accustomed to one particular product. Fences can also keep animals away from your prized plants. • To keep the garden tidy, deadhead (remove spent blooms) as the flowers die. This also encourages new blooms to form.
weeds down and makes it easy to pull those that do appear. Mulch helps reduce moisture loss, keeps the soil cool and inhibits the spread of disease. Till mulch into the soil from year to year to help aerate it and add organic matter. • Fertilize plants regularly. Organic fertilizers are great for vegetable and herb gardens. Follow the application rates and times listed on the package—too much of a good thing, even in organic fertilizers, can be a bad thing.
Roses
Perennials
• Roses are at their best in June. Cooler temperatures encourage larger blooms and more fragrance than during the summer heat. • When pruning roses, prune down to a set of five leaflets pointing out of the rose bush. New growth will point in the same direction the leaf does, so this outward direction increases air circulation and cuts down on diseases. The rose cane borer can be a problem, so seal the cut afterwards.
• Perennials help fill gaps left between shrubs and annuals. There are varieties which stay about an inch tall and others that grow to more than six feet.
Vegetables • Mulch is very important in vegetable gardens. It lets you walk through rows, so you don’t compact the soil. It also helps keep
Water Gardens • Now that the water has warmed up, it’s time to start fertilizing pond plants. This is especially important for heavy feeders like water lilies and lotus. Fertilize with 4 to 6 tablets every 4 to 6 weeks. Provided by the professionals at English Gardens.
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Michigan Gardener | June 2017 | MichiganGardener.com
vegetable patch
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Succession planting
H
ow can we get the most production the timing, so you plant a row of beans now, from our vegetable gardens? The and then two weeks later another row, and best way may be succession planting. another row two weeks after that. The size So what exactly do we mean by succession of your garden and how much produce you planting? want or need may affect how many times you First, it may be using the same space to plant a row or two. Cold or heat tolerance will grow a cool season vegetable, replacing it with also need to be considered to determine how a warm season veggie, and then replacing early to start, or when to stop planting a parthat one by another cool weather vegetable to ticular vegetable. round off the growing season. Second, it can Succession planting of early, mid and be staggering the planting time of the same late maturing varieties of a vegetable can crop. Third, it can be planting the same vegealso extend the harvest time. The difference table at the same time but using early, mid and in maturing dates may only be a few days to a late season varieties to stagger the harvest. week or more from early to mid to late season, Succession planting of different vegbut it may still help spread out the harvest if etables requires knowing which are cool or the seeds were all planted on the same day. warm season and also the number of days to Succession planting can really extend the maturity. Always bear in mind that weather harvest and increase the variety of vegetables conditions, watering and fertilization can afbeing grown in our Michigan gardens. It is fect the days to maturity and how soon you important to take into consideration the zone can harvest. you live in, the frost dates, soil temperatures, When scheduling your plantings, and maturity dates for whatever you need to check for the last frost you choose to plant. Be sure to keep date in spring and the first frost date good records of what was planted in fall. A chart of last frost dates for and how well it succeeded so that different locations in Michigan can any adjustments can be made for be found at: tinyurl.com/mypu8vp. next year’s growing season. TransInformation on frost and freezing plants and row covers can also help in fall vegetable crops can be found with succession planting and exat: tinyurl.com/lodytlz. The article tending the growing season. Taking includes a link to first frost informatime to make good plans, using good Mary Gerstenberger tion along with a table of vegetables judgment, and getting to know your and their freeze/frost tolerance. vegetables will allow you to use Once you know the frost dates, you can succession planting to get the most amazing backtrack the timing of your first cool vegyield from your garden! etable to be planted, what warm season vegMary Gerstenberger is the Consumer Horgie you will follow it with, and then what you ticulture Coordinator at the Michigan State can plant again for late fall harvest. InformaUniversity Extension in Macomb County, MI. tion on warm season vegetables can be found For vegetable and gardening information from at: tinyurl.com/lhgr3zp. Information on cool MSU, visit www.migarden.msu.edu. season vegetables can be found at: tinyurl. com/mpr7s2g. Call the toll-free Michigan State University Using row covers for frost protection in the Lawn and Garden Hotline at 888-678-3464 fall and using plastic to warm the soil in the for answers to your gardening questions. spring are also ways to help extend the beginning and end of the growing season. Don’t Upcoming Macomb County forget to check which vegetables may be early MSU Extension Events: maturing or may be mid-season or late-seaWednesday, June 14. Gardening for Small son maturing, as this can affect how you plan Spaces. 1-2:30pm: at the Max Thompson to succeed one vegetable with another. Family Resource Center in Warren, and 6:30Succession planting the same vegetable 8pm at the Macomb County MSU Extension at different times helps avoid trying to harOffice in Clinton Twp (21885 Dunham Rd). vest and preserve a ton of beans or beets or 586-469-6440. whatever else, all in just a few days. Stagger
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Come Cruise With Us! We are proud to present the 10th, and final, Garden Cruise on July 16. Over the last 9 years, this tour of gardens designed, planted and/or inspired by Deborah Silver has raised over $100,000 in support of The Greening of Detroit. Come join us and tour some gardens for a good cause! TheGardenCruise.org
1794 Pontiac Drive • Sylvan Lake DetroitGardenWorks.com • 248-335-8089
WARMBIER FARMS Everything for your Garden, Home, and You
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Michigan Gardener | June 2017 | MichiganGardener.com
getting to know... Stink bugs
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Available seasonally, we have a wonderful assortment of annuals and herbs. And roses! Over 100 varieties each year, including hybrid teas, floribundas, grandifloras, shrubs & miniatures. Plus, outdoor-grown perennials & shrubs. Why does outdoor-grown matter? Our plants are hardy, healthy & well-rooted— ready to succeed in your garden from day one.
Over 2,000 different cement garden statues in our outdoor showroom, all made here in Michigan by us! Plus, come see our mind-boggling selection of garden decor, arbors, gazing globes, furniture, and so much more.
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Auburn Oaks Farm
22nd Annual Summer Plant Sale Open to the Public
Friday-Sunday, June 23-25, 9am-4pm
8048 Allen Rd, Fenton, MI • 810-629-7848
Come on in and check out where the plants are grown! 3820 W. Auburn Rd. (2 blks E. of Adams Rd.) • Rochester Hills • 248-852-2310 Mon-Fri 8-7 Sat 8-6 Sun 10-5 • www.auburnoaksnursery.com
ince first entering Michigan in 2010, shelter from the cold. While indoors, they are the brown marmorated stink bug found invading living spaces as well as hiding (Halyomorpha halys) has become more in dark areas such as attics and crawl spaces. prevalent in the Great Lakes State. People are Even during the warmer winter days, BMSB beginning to take notice as the population can be mobile. As winter ends and temperahas rapidly increased in southern Michigan; tures rise in the spring, BMSB is on the move before long it will reach the entire state. towards the landscape and sunlight once again. The BMSB is native to southeast Asia. In BMSB is considered a nuisance pest beSeptember of 1998, BMSB was first recorded cause it populates indoors and, when threatin Allentown, Pennsylvania. Like ened, it secretes a foul odor, remany invasive or nonnative species, maining true to its name. As far as it was introduced via agricultural experts know, BMSB is not linked imports to the east coast states. Over to any health risks for humans or 25,000 stink bugs were once recordanimals. ed inside one east coast home! With the ever-growing populaThe insect has since spread and, tion of this bug, people are asking, in 2010, it entered Berrien County, “How do we keep them out of our Michigan—the southwest corner of homes?” The answer is exclusion the state. As of 2015, BMSB has been Steve and eradication. There are simple recorded in 42 states, and detected Martinko ways to keep BMSB, as well as other in 23 of the 68 Michigan Lower Peninsects and spiders, from entering insula counties. your house: BMSB is often found disturbing agricul• Check for cracks and crevices around all tural areas. Most Michigan residents, howevdoors and windows that may need to be reer, will find them resting on the ornamental sealed. landscape, chewing on plant material such • Screens that have holes should be replaced as honeysuckle, butterfly bush, crabapple, vior repaired. burnum and rose. • Inspect the foundation of your home for When not found in the landscape, BMSB cracks and seal them appropriately. tend to aggregate on the south and west sides • Inspect your roof overhangs, making sure of the home—the sides that receive the most the vents are completely sealed and have sunlight. BMSB is similar to lady beetles and fine enough screens to keep all bugs from boxelder beetles, populating indoors and outcrawling into the attic. doors around the nearest heat source. BMSB Although exclusion from the home can gather around doors, windows and screens help to reduce interior infestations, it still that receive the most sunlight during the day. leaves us with BMSB in our landscapes, When fall arrives in Michigan, temperatures where they breed and multiply at a rapid rate. drop and BMSB begin to move indoors seeking Homeowners may find it easy to capture and collect these beetles since they are slow movers. Simply use a butterfly collection net and shake a plant’s foliage to drop BMSB inside the netting. Once you have collected a large number, dump them into a small garbage bag and then tie it tightly for disposal. ed. A perimeter pest control treatment can ou look al customers. y , s p o O otenti p help reduce BMSB numbers in the landscape 0 0 will 70,0 and on the house. A band of insecticide apAnd so plied around the home’s foundation, doors, Advertise in and windows can effectively reduce their occurrence in your house. With a combination of collection practices and proper pesticide treatments, a BMSB population should be controllable. 248-594-5563 Steve Martinko is the owner of Contender’s Tree publisher@MichiganGardener.com and Lawn Specialists in Oakland County, MI.
. k o o L t Don’
Uncle Luke’s featuring
Westcroft Gardens
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Come visit the oldest farm in Michigan still owned and operated by the same family, established 1776
PLANT NURSERY
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Vegetables, Annuals, Herbs: Fresh plants arrive through mid-June!
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Call us to reserve our gardens for your wedding, party or special event
21803 W. River Rd., Grosse Ile 734-676-2444 www.westcroftgardens.com
Trees • Shrubs • Annuals Herbs • Perennials • Azaleas Vegetables • Rhododendrons Botanical Gardens • Halloween Rides Greenleaf Compound: Our customblend soil conditioner improves your azalea & rhododendron blooms!
Uncle Luke’s Feed Store 6691 Livernois, Troy • (1/4 Mile S. of South Blvd.) 248-879-9147 • www.unclelukes.com Mon-Fri 9-6:30 • Sat 8-6 • Sun 9-5 Visit our 2nd location in Flushing: Flushing Lawn & Garden • 810-659-6241
Celebrating
37 YEARS
in business! • Perennials– Flat of 18 $ 3999 Mix & Match • New! Native Plant section • Large Selection of plants to attract hummingbirds, butterflies & all other pollinators
• Heirloom, Organic & Non-GMO Seeds • Huge selection of organic amendments & fertilizers • Hanging Baskets • Vegetables & Herbs • Huge line of perennials– Lots of NEW varieties! • Great selection of 4" Annuals • Worm Castings • Greenview 2- & 4-Step lawn fertilizer
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BRENDA’S BUTTERFLY HABITAT - NOW OPEN! WED-SUN 10-4 Brenda’s Butterfly Habitat is filled with butterflies, and host and nectar plants that are native to the area. You will see the complete life cycle of these winged beauties in all stages of their metamorphosis!
EXPANDED SELECTION
of Miniature & Fairy Gardening supplies, plus beautiful stone houses
6414 N. Merriman • Westland, MI Located between Ford and Warren
734-421-5959 • www.barsons.com Check our website for sales & seminar dates/times
Make us your Destination. Van Atta’s has one of the largest selections of garden accents, trees, garden toys, annuals, shrubs and perennials in Southeastern Michigan. We grow an enormous variety of perennial species and cultivars. There’s a good chance we have that one plant you’ve been searching for or the garden ornament that will set your yard apart. Come on out and stroll our grounds. You’ll be amazed any one item at what you’ll find, as well as the friendly Offer valid through June 30, 2017 Not to be combined w/other offers service and expert advice you will receive.
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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
Celebrating 50 years in business!
Garden Center Nursery Landscaping
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Michigan Gardener | June 2017 | MichiganGardener.com
tree tips
We grow our own annuals & perennials: You are buying fresh directly from the grower—quality guaranteed!
COME SHOP OUR INCREDIBLE 2 ACRES OF GREENHOUSES! • • • •
Area’s largest selection of annuals & perennials Fully stocked nursery Fairy garden plants & accessories Pottery, Campania statuary, granite benches & birdbaths
4431 South Wagner Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
734-663-7600 • turnersannarbor.com
Street trees Part 2 of 2: Tree choices for the difficult growing sites along streets
I
n the April 2017 “Tree Tips” column, I covered all the different factors you need to consider when choosing a street tree. In this article, I will discuss specific trees that are often used for street trees, explain their needs, and outline their pros and cons.
Maples There are 4 types of maples commonly used in our area: sugar, silver, Norway, and red. The first two have been used in the past as street trees but are not anymore, due to the experience gained through trial and error. Sugars are very sensitive to road salt, and silvers get too big, too quickly, and become weak and prone to failure as they mature. Norways and reds, on the other hand, are used quite often—maybe too often, since they are now both considered overplanted in our area. It is easy to see why—neither of them has any serious insect and disease problems, and both adapt well to urban settings. There are, however, a couple issues you need to keep in mind with them. Norways will rarely live more than 30 to 40 years because of their high propensity for stemgirdling roots, which cause them Steve to strangle themselves as they grow Turner and mature. Reds are pH sensitive and will become chlorotic in alkaline soil. They can also develop stem-girdling roots, but not as bad as Norways.
Oaks
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While there are many oak species, there are 4 commonly used ones. We can break them into two categories: white or red. Swamp white oak and burr oak (white), and Northern red oak and pin oaks (red) are the most commonly used. They all are some of the toughest street trees we have and often the longest lived ones in our area. They can tolerate a lot, but are not invincible to root disturbance. They have minimal insect and disease problems, with the exception of oak wilt, which is fatal in red oaks. Oak wilt should not be a high risk unless an oak is pruned or storm damaged in the warm seasons. Pin oaks are also pH sensitive and will be chlorotic in alkaline soils. While oaks are slower growing, they will eventually need space as they are one of our biggest street trees. They should be reserved
for larger easements or wide boulevards.
Native trees We have several Michigan natives that make good street trees. The most commonly used one would be the honeylocust, which is often used in downtown areas with very little soil and lots of concrete. They can survive in these harsh conditions, but they do have some insect and disease issues that can further stress them. They do much better in normal easements, but they have become overplanted in some areas. Many people like them for the light shade they provide, and the ease of cleaning up the small leaves in the fall. Lesser used, but growing in popularity is the hackberry. Elm-like in shape with minimal insect and disease issues, it provides a good food source for wildlife without the mess of typical berry trees. The berries will rarely touch the ground, as birds will devour them as soon as they ripen. Sycamores are not used as much as they once were, but it is still a nice tree in the right spot. Their downfall is their huge leaves and peeling bark, which some consider to be a nuisance because of the mess they can make. The flipside is that they have some of the most interesting bark, with a mix of different colors and textures that change as they age. They are prone to anthracnose, which can cause some leaf drop in June. Their cousin, the London planetree, is much less susceptible to this disease and is very similar otherwise. Both will grow to be huge trees and need space. They will easily heave concrete out of their way as they grow if not given enough room. Catalpa is an underused street tree that has minimal problems, but could be considered messy due to its seed pods. That said, it has a large, showy flower in the spring, which is rare among street trees, as most have flowers we barely notice. Tulip poplar is a huge but interesting tree. It too has showy, tulip-like flowers once the tree matures (25 years), and has a deep yellow fall color. The drawbacks are its size and that it has weaker wood like most poplars, causing it to be more prone to storm damage. Other notable natives include black tupelo, Kentucky coffee tree, and yellowwood.
MichiganGardener.com | June 2017 | Michigan Gardener
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Trees • Shrubs • Perennials Premium Landscape Supplies: Composted Pine Bark Premium Soils Organic Products Flagstone, Limestone & Boulders Campania Fine Garden Statuary Landscape Design & Installation Services
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8215 Elizabeth Lake Rd. • White Lake
MulliganLandscaping.com Open 7 days during May & June
Wikimedia Commons / Crusier
Ginkgos are hardy and can handle extreme conditions, making them excellent street trees.
Exotic trees While some people might frown upon the use of exotics in the landscape when it comes to street trees, we need all the diversity we can get. Ginkgos are at the top of the list as they are very hardy and can handle extreme conditions—they survived the nuclear blast of Hiroshima. Having a very unique leaf, their only drawback is that they are very slow growing. Zelkova is a medium-sized, vase-shaped tree with a rounded top and has a serrated leaf similar to an elm. One of its attributes is its interesting bark. Zelkova has no major insect or disease problems. Dawn redwood dates back to the dinosaurs. It is a fast-growing tree that is also strong—a combination rarely seen among trees. It is a conifer, but it sheds its needles each fall and has a nice maroon fall color. While it has no major insect or disease problems, it does have a large, tapered trunk that will need room to grow. Its bottom limbs will need to be removed when used as a street tree.
My favorite choice It was once a staple of city trees and shaded many urban streets, but the American elm fell victim to Dutch elm disease (DED) and all
but disappeared from the urban landscape. Today, breeders have developed several hybrid American elms that are very resistant to DED and many cities have begun to replant these amazing street trees. If not for DED, these trees were very tough and almost impossible to kill. Their huge vase shape makes them ideal for streets as their branches form a huge umbrella that does not often interfere with wires and structures like other trees do, thus reducing the need for trimming. They have strong, flexible wood and are not very prone to storm damage. Their one structural downfall is the tight crotches that can have included bark, making them weak at these points. Proper pruning when the trees are young can help alleviate that. They are still vulnerable to leaf beetles, but the new elms are not susceptible to DED, which the beetles can spread. Overall, this urban warrior can handle some of the harshest sites we encounter and I look forward to the next generation of these trees shading our streets like the elms of my youth once did. Steve Turner, Certified Arborist, is from Arboricultural Services in Fenton, MI.
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Abbott’s Landscape Nursery 2781 Scio Church Rd., Ann Arbor MI 48103 734-665-8733 www.abbottsnursery.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-6, Sun 10-5. Abbott’s turn-of-the-century farm is a perfect setting for our unique nursery. Mike Abbott likes what gardeners like, both classic and new, and handpicks all our plants. Over 55 Japanese maples and 25 reliably-blooming hydrangea varieties. Also garden ornaments, fixtures, containers and more. Come see us—we stock plants you demand and probably some you never knew existed.
Alexander’s Farm Market & Greenhouses 6925 Whitmore Lake Rd., Whitmore Lake, MI 48189 734-741-1064 www.alexandersfarmmarketandgreenhouse.com May/June hours: Daily 9-7. We’re that hidden gem you’ve been hoping to find! Homegrown annuals, vegetables, perennials, extraordinary hanging baskets and planters. Plus our exclusive 99¢ seed perennials. Distinctive variety of fruit trees, small fruits, flowering shrubs, climbing vines, herbs, fairy garden plants, and roses, including easy-care shrubs, and luxuriously scented David Austins.
Bloom! Garden Center & Lotus Gardenscapes 1885 Baker Rd., Dexter, MI 48130 734-426-6600 www.lotusgardenscapes.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 12-5. A relaxed atmosphere with nursery, plus visit our new BLOOMtique! for great gifts and specialty indoor plants! Unique plants and natives, fountains and water gardening supplies, creative garden art and fairy finds. Expert staff will help you pick the perfect plant, and award-winning landscape designers are available weekdays. Gardening and Fairy workshops monthly.
English Gardens 155 N. Maple Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103 734-332-7900 www.EnglishGardens.com Hours – Thru Monday, July 3: Mon-Sat 9-8, Sun 9-6. Founded in 1954, English Gardens is family- and locally-owned, operating six full-service stores and a full-service landscaping company in Metro Detroit. Each full-service store has a nursery, garden center, patio shop, and seasonal Christmas center featuring the best value and finest quality products and services. For more information: 800-335-GROW.
Fraleighs Landscape Nursery 8600 Jackson Rd., Dexter, MI 48130 734-426-5067 www.fraleighs.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 10-5. Wide variety of perennials, shrubs, ornamental grasses, flowering ornamentals, native plants, shade trees, and evergreens. Expert staff to assist with your landscaping and horticultural questions. We source plants from Michigan growers whenever possible. We stock unusual items, but we really love selling plants that are reliable and functional, but never boring!
MANCHESTER
SALINE
MILAN
The Garden Mill
TECUMSEH 110 S. Main St., Chelsea, MI 48118 734-475-3539 www.thegardenmill.com May/June hours: Sun-Mon 12-6, Tue-Thu 10-7, Fri-Sat 10-8. An ever-changing variety of beautiful and functional products. Unique and hand-crafted artifacts for garden and home. Wrought iron and rustic garden features, eclectic wind chimes, fountains, classic garden sculptures, colorful plant containers, magical fairy garden supplies, birdhouses, feeders, and baths, seasonal seeds, hanging baskets, and bedding plants.
Hidden Lake Gardens 6214 Monroe Rd. (M-50), Tipton, MI 49287 517-431-2060 www.hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu April-October hours: Open daily 9-7. 755 acres. Don’t miss one of the finest collections of Dwarf and Rare Conifers—over 500 specimens. Hosta Hillside has over 800 varieties. Enjoy a leisurely drive through the Arboretum. See lush tropicals in the Conservatory. Serene outdoor displays in the Bonsai Courtyard. The Demonstration Garden shows attractive mixed plantings. Great hiking trails and dog-friendly, too!
HillTop Greenhouse & Farms 8996 West Liberty, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 734-302-4233 www.hilltopgreenhousea2.com May hours: Mon-Fri 9-7, Sat-Sun 9-6. June hours: Please call. Just 10 minutes from Ann Arbor or Chelsea, our greenhouse is a relaxing drive from all corners. Choose from over 8,000 baskets and 10,000 flats, plus veggie starters, specialty annuals, and lush combination planters. Each plant is grown on site, with hands-on care from start to finish. Smiles, hugs and a friendly staff, free of charge!
Lodi Farms 2880 S. Wagner Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103 734-665-5651 www.lodifarms.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-4, Sun in May 1-4. Come visit our wonderful nursery! We have a fantastic selection of Michigan-grown shade and ornamental trees, evergreens, shrubs of all types, and perennials. Bring your pictures and plans and we’ll help you choose the best plants! Check our sales calendar for specials and browse our catalog on the website. Take a roadtrip here—soon!
Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum Matthaei: 1800 North Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48105 Arboretum: 1610 Washington Hts., Ann Arbor, MI 48109 734-647-7600 • www.mbgna.umich.edu May 1-14: Daily 10-4:30; Wed 10-8 • May 15-Labor Day: Daily 10-8. Trails open sunrise to sunset. The University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum offer trails and natural areas, children’s garden, native plant gardens, bonsai garden, large collection of heirloom peonies, year-round conservatory, wedding venues, special events and sales, youth and adult educational programs, gift shop, and more.
Plymouth Nursery 9900 Ann Arbor Rd W, Plymouth, MI 48170 734-453-5500 www.plymouthnursery.net May/June hours: Mon-Fri 8-8, Sat 8-6, Sun 9-5. For over 50 years we have offered premium quality plants on our 16 acres. Huge selection of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals. Plus Weber grills, garden art and gifts. Our “Pottery Emporium,” one of S.E. Michigan’s largest, displays premium pots. We have everything you need to grow your garden!
Saline Flowerland 7370 Michigan Ave., Saline, MI 48176 734-429-4458 www.salineflowerland.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 8-7, Sat 8-6, Sun 10-5. Saline’s Full Service Greenhouses, “Blooming Strong since 1977.” Our beautiful plants are grown on site for best quality & bloom count. Hundreds of hanging baskets, vegetables, annuals, perennials, herbs, succulents, tropical patio planters, groundcovers & fairy gardens. When size is important...we have many 4-inch potted varieties. Multiple mulch types & colors, & topsoil delivery too.
Sell Farms & Greenhouses 7200 Willis Rd., Ypsilanti, MI 48197 866-296-3090 www.sellfarmsandgreenhouses.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-7. Family-owned. Great selection of high quality Annuals, Perennials & non-GMO Vegetable plants at reasonable prices. Thousands of Hanging Baskets, Combination Planters, Geraniums & Proven Winners plants. One of the best selections of Perennials, Hydrangeas & Roses in the area. We use non-chemical methods like beneficial insects and other Biological methods to control plant pests.
Turner’s Landscape & Garden Center 4431 South Wagner Rd., Ann Arbor MI 48103 734-663-7600 www.turnersannarbor.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 9-7, Sat 9-6, Sun 10-4. Ann Arbor’s premier garden center and nursery. We grow an unbelievable selection of annuals and perennials in our greenhouses. Plus a fully-stocked nursery with mature trees and shrubs. Landscape design, construction and installation also available. Our quality plants and knowledgeable, friendly, helpful staff will make your garden a success.
Willow Greenhouse 7839 Curtis Rd., Northville, MI 48168 248-437-7219 www.willowgreenhouse.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-6, Sun 10-5. Full of beauty, free of pesticides—all our plants are grown pesticide-free! Buy direct from the grower. Thousands of Annuals, Perennials, Proven Winners, Wave Petunias, Fairy Garden Plants & Supplies, Vegetables, Heirloom Tomatoes, Herbs, Trees, Shrubs, and much more. Now offering full landscape services. Like us on Facebook!
QUALITY. STRENGTH. DURABILITY.
To advertise in Destinations, email Publisher@MichiganGardener.com or call Eric at 248-594-5563
MON & THURS: 8 AM - 7 PM TUES, WED & FRI 8 AM - 5 PM SAT 10 AM - 2 PM
Advertiser Index Abbott’s Landscape Nursery..........32 Aguafina Gardens International.....19 Alexander’s Farm Mkt/Greenhses.........................23 Assoc. of Professional Gardeners.32 Auburn Oaks Gard Ctr.........................12 Barson’s Greenhouse...........................13 Bloom! Garden Ctr................................33 Blossoms...................................................36 Bogie Lake Greenhouses...................27 Bonide.........................Inside Back Cover Campbell’s Greenhouses...................21 Contender’s Tree/ Lawn Specialists......................................11 Destinations: Ann Arbor.....................16 Destinations: Downriver.....................31 Destinations: I-96.................................35 Destinations: Macomb.......................25 Detroit Garden Works...........................7 Eckert’s Greenhouse............................21 English Gardens............................Page 3
Espoma...................................................... 14 Everlastings in the Wildwood...........19 Fraleigh’s Landscape Nursery.........37 The Garden Company........................23 The Garden Mill....................................... 8 Garden Rhythms......................................5 A Garden Space.....................................32 Gordon’s Lawn Core Aeration.........33 Haley Stone...............................................15 Heavenly Scent Herb Farm...............23 Hidden Lake Gardens..........................33 Joe’s Trailer Company..........................17 LACASA Center......................................17 Lake Orion Lawn Ornaments..........33 Matthaei Botanical Gardens.............19 Merrittscape...........................................27 MSU Horticulture Gardens............. 34 Milarch Nursery.................................... 34 Mulligan’s Garden Ctr..........................15 Orion Stone Depot................................10 Osmocote................Inside Front Cover
Piechnik’s Greenhouse...................... 30 Plantskydd.................................................21 Plymouth Nursery..................................21 The Pond Place/Beauchamp..............5 Proven Winners Color Choice........... 9 Schuman Landscape Lighting.........37 Sell Farms & Greenhouses................27 Specialty Growers..................................19 State Crushing........................................23 Stone Cottage Gardens......................32 Suburban Landscape Supply...........27 Telly’s Greenhouse.................................4 Tropical Treasures................................10 Turner’s Landscp & Gard Ctr........... 14 Tuthill Farms & Composting............32 Uncle Luke’s Feed Store......................13 Van Atta’s Greenhouse.......................13 Warmbier Farms....................................12 The Weed Lady..................................... 30 Westcroft Gardens...............................13
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13374 FARMINGTON RD. LIVONIA, MI 48150 (734) 261-0050
18
Michigan Gardener | June 2017 | MichiganGardener.com
Julia Hofley
Many Michigan gardeners go into garden centers in spring and summer looking for new plants to add to their perennial collections, beds and borders. This article is just a sampling of what is new this year from hundreds of introductions. Like you, we look forward to growing and learning more about these exciting, new perennials.
Bluestar ‘Storm Cloud’
W. Atlee Burpee Company
Butterfly bush ‘Wisteria Lane’
www.PerennialResource.com
Emerging in spring, this native garden stalwart (Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Storm Cloud’) has near black stems that open to silver-veined dark green leaves. The leaves lighten to olive
green by summer while light periwinkle-blue, star-shaped flowers bloom abundantly from late spring until early summer, and may have a light rebloom. The breeders who collected,
trialed and selected ‘Storm Cloud’ consider it the best bluestar they’ve ever grown. Height: 24-30 inches. Width: 42 inches. Light: Full to part sun. Zone: 4.
Hosta ‘Hans’
www.PerennialResource.com
This new hosta has a story behind it that involves Michigan hosta breeder, Hans Hansen, and his friend Tony Avent from Plant Delights Nursery. Years ago, Hans named Hosta ‘Andrew’ for his brother and it became very desirable for collectors. Over time, in a patch of ‘Andrew,’ Tony selected this much-improved sport and named it ‘Hans.’ Glaucous blue-green, rounded leaves have a showy, wide, feathery white center with light green jetting between the center and margin. The leaf texture is interesting as it is corrugated and puckered with ruffling at the base. All this hosta terminology equates to ‘Hans’ being more vigorous than its brother ‘Andrew.’ Early to midsummer, pale lavender, 20-inch tall flowers are appreciated by hummingbirds. ‘Hans’ is a noticeably different and gardenworthy hosta to add to your collection. Height: 21 inches. Width: 32 inches. Light: Morning sun to light shade. Zone: 3.
I know butterflies and other pollinators LOVE butterfly bushes, but for me to add another one to our garden, it needs to also earn its garden real estate by bringing something new to the table. Buddleia davidii ‘Wisteria Lane’ does all that and more! When I first saw it in the new plant section at a major trade show, I thought it was a wisteria—the flowers are truly reminiscent of wisteria with their unusual trailing and weeping habit. Long, majestic, rich-violet flowers drape over the entire plant throughout the summer, making it ideal for a large, dramatic focal point container. Enjoy the honey-scented flowers next to your veranda and bask in the compliments when you entertain garden guests. For some gardeners, wisteria can be ever elusive trying to get it to bloom. The butterfly bush ‘Wisteria Lane’ may give you the look and scent you are craving without the hassle. Height: 24-36 inches. Width: 36-48 inches. Light: Full to part sun. Zone: 5. NEW PERENNIALS continued on page 20
We Specialize in Container Planting!
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EVERLASTINGS IN THE WILDWOOD 2577 West Brewer Rd., Owosso, MI 48867 • 989-723-7175 www.EverlastingsInTheWildwood.com Open 7 Days: 10am-6pm / 4.5 mi. N of I-69, take M-52 N, then E on Brewer Rd
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always in season!
2017 Peony Season Nichols Arboretum PEONY BLOOM SEASON - May 30-June 15
The largest collection of heirloom herbaceous peonies in North America is getting ready to bloom. Dates approximate; peony bloom depends on the weather. Free. Visit our dedicated website for current garden conditions: peony.mbgna.umich.edu.
PEONIES GALORE SALE - June 3, 10 am
Bring some vintage beauty to your garden with our heirloom varieties of peonies. Sale held adjacent to the historic Nichols Arboretum Peony Garden. Arrive early; peonies sell out quickly.
PEONY BLOSSOMS & PURE MELODIES - June 4, 2 pm
Enjoy an afternoon of Chinese flower songs set amid the Nichols Arboretum Peony Garden. Free. Presented by the U-M Confucius Institute and Matthaei-Nichols. Note: Rain date Sun., June 11, 2 pm.
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Michigan Gardener | June 2017 | MichiganGardener.com
Coreopsis UpTick ‘Yellow & Red’
continued from page 18
This easy-to-grow tickseed is the fourth color in the popular UpTick series and was a top performer in field trials across the country as well as winning the coveted Industry’s Choice Medal of Excellence Award in 2016. That’s a lot to live up to, but this short and tidy plant is covered in jumbo flowers, each with a dark red eye surrounded by a halo of yellow for long-lasting, high color impact from early to late summer. UpTick ‘Yellow & Red’ also brings the bees and butterflies to the table. Height: 12-14 inches. Width: 12-14 inches. Light: Full sun. Zone: 5.
www.PerennialResource.com
Epimedium ‘Pink Champagne’ While this plant is not brand new, it is now getting more mainstream distribution so we can look forward to finding it on our local garden center benches, and for a good reason. A long-lived perennial for the woodland walk or shady glen, ‘Pink Champagne’ is considered one of the finest fairy wings to hit the market from well-respected epimedium breeder Darrell Probst. The unusually pretty flowers have long, upright, pale pink-white spurs attached to dramatic raspberry cups
that rise above heavily speckled leaves with dark purple blotches. In April and May, the 16-inch tall flower display creates a welcome magical effect, since epimedium flowers are sometimes buried within the foliage and aren’t that noticeable. Shade gardeners looking to add color to their gardens will find ‘Pink Champagne’ a subtle, yet worthy addition. Height: 12-16 inches. Width: 24 inches. Light: Part shade to shade. Zone: 5.
Ball Horticultural Co.
Sempervivum Chick Charms ‘Gold Nugget’ What is old is new again with this modern version of an old-fashioned plant (hens and chicks), once a staple in our grandparents’ gardens. It’s getting a lot of attention for its flashy spring color that starts out the season with leaves that are noticeably brilliant gold with red picotee tips. ‘Gold Nugget’ holds its colorful brightness until hot weather settles in, when it turns to a lime green for the summer. In the fall, when temperatures start to drop, this little jewel box plant turns back www.chickcharms.net into its colorful cool weather coat of gold and red and then turns a vibrant red for the winter up until snowfall. The rosettes can reach 5 inches across and produce numerous baby chicks to form a tight, colorful clump over time. This unique introduction of the first gold-leafed sempervivum comes to us by Michigan’s own Chris Hansen. Height: 2-3 inches. Width: 6-8 inches. Light: Full sun. Zone: 4.
Ball Horticultural Co.
NEW PERENNIALS continued on page 22
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Michigan Gardener | June 2017 | MichiganGardener.com
continued from page 20
Bergenias ‘Sunfur’ and ‘Dumbo’ I never really noticed bergenia until seeing Beth Chatto’s collection of them in England. They weren’t even in bloom, but the memory of their glossy, handsome leaves planted as “collars” around beds in her garden inspired me to start a collection. Since then, I’ve kept my eye open for any new ones at the trade shows, in gardens, and landing on our shores from elsewhere. Fringed, frilly, or hairy-leafed pig squeak (aka Bergenia ciliata) is perfect for gardeners always on the hunt for drama in dappled shade gardens or locations with a few hours of morning sunlight, i.e. part shade to part sun. Two new gardenworthy varieties have a fresh look with noticeably large leaves that are soft and downy, compelling garden visitors to reach out and touch them. These are slow-growing plants so I placed them in and around my collections of astilbe, ferns and hellebores—to be a big, bold leaf shape that provides a dramatic background to show the finer-leafed plants to their best advantage. They also will take your hakone grass to a whole new level. Unlike the other bergenias, these go completely dormant over the Michigan winter. Spring flowers are enjoyed by bees.
Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener
Bergenia ‘Dumbo’ Bergenia ciliata ‘Dumbo’ came first and it was love at first sight! I had never seen or heard of it and well, that name... I was hooked! Super-sized, bright green fuzzy leaves are 12 to 14 inches long and in springtime, clusters of short-stemmed, pastel pink flowers top the newly emerging plant. Height: 12-16 inches. Width: 12-23 inches. Light: Part shade to part morning sun. Zone: 5. In our garden, Bergenia ciliata ‘Sunfur’ bloomed with pinkish-white flowers held well above the clump of wavy-edged foliage for weeks this spring and earlier than bergenia ‘Dumbo.’ Introduced by plantsman Barry Glick of Sunshine Farm & Gardens, this selection was chosen for its exceptionally furry leaves that attain a size of 8 to 12 inches. He says, “It’s like an African Violet on steroids!” Height: 8-12 inches. Width: 14-18 inches. Light: Part shade to part sun. Zone: 5.
Big bluestem ‘Blackhawks’
Intrinsic Perennials (2)
This North American native big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) provides a dark backdrop for perennial borders or as a specimen plant in a sunny location with average to dry soil. The tall upright habit of ‘Blackhawks’ stands out in the landscape with long, deep green blades that take on deep purple tones in midsummer and later develop accents of dark purple to black. ‘Blackhawks’ is a new, easy care plant that will contrast nicely with late summer heleniums, asters and sedums. Height: 5-6 feet. Width: 2 feet. Light: Full sun. Zone: 4.
Julia Hofley
Bergenia ‘Sunfur’
NEW PERENNIALS continued on page 24
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Michigan Gardener | June 2017 | MichiganGardener.com
continued from page 22
From the Land of Little… Astilbe ‘Liliput’ I planted this diminutive astilbe (Astilbe x crispa ‘Liliput’) at the base of a step on the hillside where I can sit on a bench and admire the garden theatre from above. In the high dappled light under mighty oak trees, it has other little companions to keep it company, like dwarf Solomon’s seal, ‘Metallica Crispa’ ajuga, and ‘Lady in Lace’ fern. Astilbe ‘Liliput’ delights me whether in bloom or not—it has reddish bronze color when in new growth and matures to an unusually congested, crimped, dark green shiny foliage as it settles into summer. Good-size, salmon-pink flowers are full and stand just above the thick foliage in mid to late summer, adding value to this pretty little hillside nook, while providing a food source for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Astilbes are long-lived perennials that only require consistent moisture. Deer and rabbits tend to not browse them. Height: 8 inches. Width: 12-14 inches. Light: Part sun to shade. Zone: 4.
Bluestone Perennials
Dwarf lady fern ‘Lady in Lace’
Marco van Noort
Sanguisorba ‘Little Angel’ I cannot resist a new variegated plant, so into our garden I planted this dwarf burnet (Sanguisorba minor ‘Little Angel’), with its compact form of tiny, green leaves and creamy white margins that form a dense, petite clump of foliage. The variegated foliage nearly laid flat on the ground with many bright green stems that emerge above the foliage in midsummer, holding oval-shaped, rosy red flower panicles enjoyed by butterflies. Burnets traditionally prefer moist soil, but once established, they may adapt to less water and would even make a showy rock garden plant with their diminutive size. The Japanese have enjoyed this plant for years and it was recently brought to the U.S. through the Netherlands. Height: 8-10 inches. Width: 10-12 inches. Light: Full sun to part sun. Zone: 4.
This new introduction is a cloned selection of dwarf crested lady fern (Athyrium filixfemina). ‘Lady in Lace’ completely stood out on a bench full of ferns and was so unusual I thought it was a tropical fern in the wrong place. This sweet, little cousin of athyrium ‘Dre’s Dagger’ resembles bright green prehistoric parsley. It will make a frilly, fine gem to add to perennial jewel box gardens such as miniature hosta collections, fairy gardens, or containers on the shady porch, or simply along the primrose path in the woodland garden. ‘Lady in Lace’ is a slow grower, needing a few years to attain full size, but is worth the wait. With unusual texture that may look dainty, but is not finicky as long as you keep it out of the sun, away from salt, and site it in evenly moist, rich soil. Height: 14 inches. Width: 12 inches. Light: Part to full shade. Zone: 4.
Terra Nova Nurseries
NEW PERENNIALS continued on page 26
American Tree
English Gardens
3903 Van Dyke, Almont, MI 48003 810-798-2525 www.americantreeinc.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 8-8, Sun 9-6. Family owned & operated since 1990. American Tree offers an assortment of annuals, perennials, ornamental grasses, herbs, heirloom & organic vegetables, a large selection of roses, acres of evergreen & flowering trees & shrubs, plus hundreds of fruit trees. We have a complete landscape supply yard and a full service landscaping company.
Beste’s Indoor/Outdoor Garden Center 21410 Schoenherr Rd., Warren, MI 48089 586-776-1794 www.besteslawn.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat 8-5, Sun 10-3. Serving Metro Detroit since 1940. Our commitment is to provide quality service to do-it-yourself homeowners, gardeners, and contractors. We have a nice selection of annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, potted plants, vegetables, mulches, topsoils, sands, wallstone, patio stone, pavers and more.
Eckert’s Greenhouse & Perennials 34051 Ryan Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310 586-264-5678 www.eckertsgreenhouse.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 8:30-8, Sun 8:30-6. From rare and unusual to preferred and popular, you will find something extraordinary: Annuals, Geraniums, Hanging Baskets, Flower Pouches, Perennials, Collector’s Hostas, Roses (David Austin English, hybrid tea, floribunda, shrub, climbing, grandiflora, tree, groundcover, miniature, rugosa), Clematis, Vines, Alpine Plants, Groundcovers, Butterfly Plants, Native Plants, Tropicals, Succulents. Gorgeous hosta display gardens too!
Elya’s Village Gardens & Greenhouses 24200 26 Mile Rd., Macomb, MI 48042 586-749-9212 or 586-405-7592 May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-7, Sun 10-3. We do more than just sell you plants—our award-winning landscape designers will help you select the right plants for your home and garden. Annuals, perennials, many hosta varieties, trees and shrubs from top-quality Michigan growers. Familyowned garden center since 1966. Also full-service landscape installation.
44850 Garfield Rd., Clinton Township, MI 48038 586-286-6100 www.EnglishGardens.com Hours – Thru Sun, June 4: Mon-Sat 8-9, Sun 8-6; Starting Mon, June 5: Mon-Sat 9-9, Sun 9-6. Founded in 1954, English Gardens is family- and locally-owned, operating six full-service stores and a full-service landscaping company in Metro Detroit. Each full-service store has a nursery, garden center, patio shop, and seasonal Christmas center featuring the best value and finest quality products and services. For more information: 800-335-GROW.
English Gardens 22501 Kelly Rd., Eastpointe, MI 48021 586-771-4200 www.EnglishGardens.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-7; Sun 9-6. Founded in 1954, English Gardens is family- and locally-owned, operating six full-service stores and a full-service landscaping company in Metro Detroit. Each full-service store has a nursery, garden center, patio shop, and seasonal Christmas center featuring the best value and finest quality products and services. For more information: 800-335-GROW.
Landscape Source 17448 26 Mile Rd., Macomb, MI 48042 586-677-7480 www.landscapesource.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat 8-5, Sun 9-4. A premier landscape supply company. We have the amazing new ‘Regal Petticoat’ maple. 15 acres of products including trees, shrubs, perennials, soils, stone, mulch, fire glass, fireplaces and pond kits. Our trees and shrubs are the best available. Fendt, Oaks, and Unilock premium pavers and walls. Very reasonable prices and great quality.
Meldrum Brothers Nursery & Supply 29500 23 Mile Rd., New Baltimore, MI 48047 586-949-9220 www.meldrumbros.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 8-7, Sun 10-5. Huge selection of plants, bulk and bagged materials, decorative stone, Fendt and Oaks paver bricks and wall stones, garden decor, fairy gardening supplies, Traeger grills, fountains, and statuary. Organic and traditional lawn and plant care products including fertilizers, soils, and mulches. We pride ourselves on offering the best service and advice. Come see our newly remodeled showroom!
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Telly’s Greenhouse 4343 24 Mile Rd., Shelby Twp, MI 48316 248-659-8555 www.tellys.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-8, Sun 10-5. We find and grow new, rare, and choice plants from the United States and around the world. You will see unique annuals, tropicals, and perennials that you are unlikely to find elsewhere. Our Shelby Township store is the newest addition to our original Troy location. To advertise in Destinations, email: Publisher@MichiganGardener.com or call Eric at 248-594-5563
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Michigan Gardener | June 2017 | MichiganGardener.com
continued from page 24
Heuchera Primo ‘Black Pearl’ The talk of the trade shows from last summer was this head-turning, jet-black coral bells called Primo ‘Black Pearl.’ The four-inch leaves were truly remarkable, with scalloped, ruffled edges that reveal purple undersides. Primo ‘Black Pearl’ keeps its black intense color, even in full sun, instead of bleaching to brown, but the oldest leaves have a slight silver overlay. It is a villosa hybrid, meaning it is a late bloomer with increased tolerance to high heat and humidity (think: the summer of 2016). Heucheras are noteworthy since they are salt tolerant, making them the perfect edger along a walkway. They can also grow under walnut trees for those gardeners who struggle finding plants to fit this need. White flowers with pink calyxes that stand up to 20 inches are enjoyed by butterflies and hummers. Height: 8-10 inches. Width: 18-20 inches. Light: 4 hours of sun to part shade. Zone: 4.
www.PerennialResource.com
Brunnera ‘Diane’s Gold’ Welcomed sky blue flowers float above chartreuse foliage that lights up the shady garden in spring to the delight of the color-starved Michigan gardener and hungry butterflies as well. Found in a Madison, Wisconsin garden, this brunnera is stable and holds its bright chartreuse/ gold color all summer long, adding a dramatic touch to the woodland garden. Like all brunneras, ‘Diane’s Gold’ prefers rich soil that is moist but well-drained. It produces new foliage when flower stems are trimmed off after blooming. Height: 12 inches. Width: 24 inches. Light: Shade to part shade. Zone: 4.
Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener
Meadowsweet ‘Red Umbrellas’ A hybrid between two Filipendula species, this new meadowsweet has deeply lobed, maplelike leaves with crimson veining that is especially prominent on new growth. In early summer, the plants are topped with fluffy umbels of pink flowers that have sturdy stems that are good for cutting. Slightly moist soils are best. Height: 24-30 inches. Width: 18-24 inches. Light: Morning sun to part shade. Zone: 3. Julia Hofley is a plant collector, freelance garden writer, lecturer, and independent sales rep (E-mail: julia@juliasbiglife.com).
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28
Michigan Gardener | June 2017 | MichiganGardener.com
Going up! Native vines for the M
D
espite their versatility, one of the least utilized plants in gardens are vines, which transition effortlessly from groundcover to full-on vertical gardening. Many of our native vines are not only excellent habitat plants, they are also eminently suitable to the managed garden, providing beautiful flowers and foliage as well as shelter and food for native faunal species.
Virginia creeper
(Celastrus orbiculatus), introduced into the eastern United States in the 1880s, is making inroads in the South and Midwest—to some extent through hybridization with the native species. The plants can be distinguished from each other primarily on flowering and fruiting characteristics, but it takes some expertise. Be sure you are dealing with a reputable source before planting any bittersweet. If you are using any dried bittersweet for ornamental purposes, be careful to dispose of it properly (don’t compost or disperse it in the landscape) to minimize the risk of aiding the invasive plant in our landscape.
Probably the best known of our native vines is Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), a member of the grape family and cousin to non-native Boston ivy (ParClematis thenocissus tricuspidata). Virginia Many gardeners enjoy non-native creeper gets a pretty bad rap due to clematis species and varieties in its ubiquitousness and hardiness, their gardens while being unaware but I have seen it used effectively that two clematis species are naas a deer- and rabbit-proof groundtive to Michigan. Virgin’s bower (C. cover. The plant’s tissues contain oxvirginiana), the better known of the alic acid—the same chemical found two, closely resembles sweet auin daffodils, making it inedible for tumn clematis with its small, white, mammals. (Beware of handling the star-shaped flowers. The native speplant without gloves: oxalic acid is Cheryl M. cies blooms slightly earlier in the not only a digestive irritant, it can English season, and is a bit smaller (20 to 25 also irritate the skin.) Birds, howfeet versus 25 to 30 feet). I also find ever, have no such issues and actuthat the seedlings of the native species are ally rely on the plant’s berries for food. It also easier to pull. As with Oriental bittersweet, has unparalleled early fall color. Clinging via I’m actually perplexed at the presence of aerial roots like a climbing hydrangea, Virsweet autumn clematis, as the native plant is ginia creeper can easily cover an unsightly so similar in appearance while being easier snag, fence or shed. When it gets out of hand to manage. It also has far more ornamental in my yard, I just whack it back hard: like a seed heads, which can persist well into even grapevine, you don’t have to hold back when the most challenging of Michigan winters. putting it in its place. Prune this plant hard in the spring to keep it American bittersweet in bounds and productive. American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) Less well known is early virgin’s bower is another fairly rampant native vine that, un(C. occidentalis), a spring-blooming species. fortunately, is on the wane in Michigan due Highly variable, its flowers can range from to an invasive species. Oriental bittersweet white to pinks or blues, with both single and
Virgin’s bower (Clematis virginiana)
Early virgin’s bower (Clematis occidentalis)
Moonseed vine (Menispermum canadense)
MichiganGardener.com | June 2017 | Michigan Gardener
29
e Michigan garden
Running strawberry (Euonymous obovata) P H OTO G R A P H S BY D O N S C H U LT E
Running strawberry A delicate vining species native to much of the Lower Peninsula, running strawberry (Euonymous obovata) makes a well-behaved ornamental groundcover. It plays well with other plants, making it perfect for a mixed wildflower bed. Small, apricot-tinged chartreuse flowers are followed by bumpy fruit capsules that open to reveal scarlet fruits. The plant can develop new roots where the stem touches the ground.
Limber honeysuckle
Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) double forms. A more modest plant than virgin’s bower, don’t prune unless it is going someplace you don’t want it to. Like all vining clematis, it “grabs hold” with the leaf stem, or petiole. Provide a support more robust than monofilament line, but typical lattice is a bit too large for the stem to grab securely. A simple trellis or obelisk is sufficient support. It can re-bloom modestly late in the season.
Moonseed vine Moonseed vine (Menispermum canadense) is characterized by 3- or 5-lobed palmate leaves, similar to grape leaves except they are not toothed. Interestingly, unlike most plants, the petiole (leaf stem) actually attaches to the leaf’s underside. Small, rather inconspicuous chartreuse flowers are held in loose racemes, followed by fruit ripening to dark blue, almost black, that closely resemble grapes. Unlike grapes, all of the parts of this plant are toxic for humans. The single, flattened, crescent moon-shaped seeds are the identifier here, as grape seeds are spherical and occur in multiples. Although not advisable as a plant for
children’s gardens, moonseed vine is a terrific foliage plant that can clothe an unsightly fence, garden shed or snag. Provide a trellis or other structure as the plant grows by twining around supports.
Wild yam Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) is another gardenworthy native vine that has not been well utilized. The plant is better known for its medicinal uses rather than its horticultural applications. This herbaceous vine has beautifully pleated, heart-shaped chartreuse leaves and twining stems. Racemes of inconspicuous yet lovely chartreuse flowers precede papery, three-sided, wind-dispersed seeds. The vine dies to the ground each year but will send up more and more shoots with each passing season as the tubers expand and multiply. Be sure to provide some support around which the plant’s stems will twine. It’s not difficult to dig plants; just look for a discrete collection of emerging stems and carefully dig to find the main tuber to which they’re attached.
If you’re looking for an alternative to Japanese honeysuckle, look no further than our own limber or red honeysuckle (Lonicera dioica), one of a number of native honeysuckles. With its dramatic, deep fuchsia flowers, it’s more than a match for the rather pedestrian white and yellow flowers of the problematic Asiatic species. Plant it to either sprawl or to twine on an obelisk or trellis. Blooming in mid to late spring, it can rebloom in the fall if conditions are favorable.
Wild cucumber One of my favorites—and a plant I’m seeing more frequently out in the wild landscape—is wild cucumber (Echinocystis lobata). This annual vine, due to its lifespan, moves around my garden in a pleasantly unexpected manner. The first year I grew this plant, it festooned my agastache, ironweed, and false sunflower like a summer garland. Two years later it sprouted in a different part of the bed, eventually becoming a beautiful companion to one of my clematis. Clinging via tendrils, its chartreuse leaves continued on page 30
Time for a visit to THE WEED LADY for inspiration & rejuvination!
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Michigan Gardener | June 2017 | MichiganGardener.com
THE WEED LADY IS A :
Gift, Home & Landscape Shop Garden Center ~ Greenhouse ~ Florist
Design/Build/Maintenance Landscape Co. 9225 FENTON RD • GRAND BLANC 25 MINS FROM GREAT LAKES CROSSING
THEWEEDLADY.COM • 810-655-2723 Limber honeysuckle (Lonicera dioica) continued from page 29
HUGE PLANT SELECTION 1200+ varieties of perennials & hostas! • Specialty annuals • Patio Tropicals Proven Winners • Bulk seed • Herbs • Hanging baskets • Container gardens Patio pots & baskets • Trees & shrubs • Miniature & fairy gardening plants & supplies
PIECHNIK’S Garden Gate
PIECHNIK’S Greenhouse
1095 N. Rochester Rd, Oakland, MI 48363
13172 McCumsey Rd, Clio, MI 48420
10 min. North of Downtown Rochester
586-336-7200
10 min. from I-75, exit 131
www.ClioGreenhouse.com
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Expires 6-30-17 • Not to be combined with other offers • Excludes gift cards
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are complemented by upright panicles of tiny, lacy flowers followed by papery, round, spiky fruits containing a few large, flattened, cucumber-like seeds. Since the plant is very shallowly rooted, do not cultivate in the root zone, as any disturbance is likely to result in the plant’s untimely demise. Similarly, the gardener should resist any impulse to train the delicate stems to avoid the same outcome. Just enjoy the plant’s progress through the season and harvest seed to plant in your favorite spot next year. This is but a small sampling of native Michigan vines. Aside from their considerable ornamental value, they provide habitat for many of our native animals, adding even more seasonal interest to your home landscape.
Wild cucumber (Echinocystis lobata)
Cheryl M. English owns Black Cat Pottery and gardens professionally in Detroit, MI. An Advanced Master Gardener and Master Composter, she speaks on numerous gardening topics and is a Wildflower Association of Michigan board member. Her typical urban lot has over 50 varieties of clematis and almost 200 native plant species. She runs a Clematis Pruning Workshop in May. She opens her garden to the public twice a year at her free Spring/Summer Garden Tours. 2017 dates: June 3 & August 19. No pre-registration is required. Contact Cheryl to speak at your next meeting or event: cenglish@blackcatpottery.com. Follow Cheryl’s blog at BlackCatPottery.com and Facebook.com/BlackCatPottery. Don Schulte is an avid gardener and enjoys interpreting Michigan wildflowers and other garden favorites through his photography. Don and Cheryl have been working together to document the clematis, other traditional garden favorites, and native plants in her garden. See more of his work at NotableGreetings.com and DonSchulte.com.
melvindale
allen park lincoln park van buren twp.
Grass Roots Nursery
Ruhlig Farms & Gardens 24508 Telegraph Rd., Brownstown Twp, MI 48134 734-782-9811 www.ruhligfarmsandgardens.com Spring hours: Mon-Sat 9-8, Sun 10-6. A Gardener’s Dream come true. Enhance your garden’s beauty and uniqueness at our premier garden center. Explore 2 acres of beautiful nursery and greenhouses. Discover the enormous selection of annuals, perennials, patio containers, hanging baskets and potted plants. Friendly staff are always available to assist. Make us your destination for Spring, Summer, Fall & Christmas.
woodhaven
huron twp.
d
20200 Goddard, Taylor, MI 48180 313-291-3880 www.panettasupply.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat 8-4, Sun 10-3. Wide variety of both decorative rock & flagstone. An assortment of mulches to meet your landscaping needs. Unilock & Oaks brick pavers. Try our RJ’s Garden Mix, a custom blend of soils & soil additives made just right for your garden. Visit each location to experience our vast variety of perennials, roses, shrubs and trees.
16153 Eureka Rd., Southgate, MI 48195 734-284-2500 www.rayhuntergardenshop.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-7, Sun 10-5. Proven Winners select hanging baskets & planters, annuals, perennials, great selection of Weeks roses, flowering shrubs, garden statuary & accents. Tomatoes are one of our specialties. We grow heirlooms, old favorites, and the latest hybrids—over 100 varieties! Come pick out a plant or two for your garden.
sumpter twp.
oo
Panetta’s Landscape Supplies
Ray Hunter Florist & Garden Center
riverview brownstown
w
27098 Sibley Rd., Romulus, MI 48174 734-941-2081 Find us on Facebook May/June hours: 7 days 9-6, maybe later, please call. Huge Selection! Most annual flats only $7.99 (plus, our flats have 48 plants!). Unique combination baskets & planters with combos you won’t see elsewhere. Treated impatiens available. Proven Winners Certified Garden Center. Healthy vegetable plants, herbs & perennials. Delicious homegrown fresh-picked fruits & vegetables July to November. 1/4 mile east of Inkster Rd.
southgate wyandotte
ck
Kurtzhals’ Farms
taylor
Pinter Flowerland 6830 Rawsonville Rd., Belleville, MI 48111 734-482-2776 www.pinterflowerland.com May/June hours: Open 7 days a week; please call for hours. Buy direct from the grower—that means great quality and low prices. Family owned and operated since 1926. Annuals, hanging baskets, containers, perennials, garden supplies, soils, mulches, and much more. 13 acres of covered shopping—stay dry when it’s raining! Come see us at our Redford location also (313-538-7580).
ecorse
trenton
ro
24765 Bell Rd., New Boston, MI 48164 734-753-9200 www.grassrootsnursery.com Grass Roots Pond and Garden: Michigan’s place for quality pond supplies and service. See our website for hours and specials. Thank you, The Bates family.
romulus
river rouge
flat rock
grosse ile brownstown gibraltar
Schoedel’s Nursery 20900 Merriman Rd., Romulus, MI 48174 734-753-4150 www.schoedelsnursery.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-5, Sun 10-4. A third-generation, family run business since 1949. Our 5-acre nursery has one of the largest selections in the area: ornamental and shade trees, specialty shrubs, broadleaf evergreens, and conifers. From the common to the unusual. There is something for everyone. 1 mile South of Sibley Rd.
Westcroft Gardens 21803 West River Rd., Grosse Ille, MI 48138 734-676-2444 www.westcroftgardens.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 8-7, Sat 9-6, Sun 10-5. Michigan’s oldest farm still owned & operated by the same family, established 1776. Specializing in our own azalea & rhododendron hybrids that grow well in Michigan. Also trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, herbs & vegetables. Our Greenleaf Compound acidifies & improves your soil. Stroll our botanical gardens or rent them for your next special event.
Zywicki Greenhouse 50705 Willow Rd., Belleville, MI 48111 734-461-6197 www.zywickigreenhouse.com May/June hours: Open 7 days a week, 9-7. Zywicki’s has served lower Michigan for over 50 years with quality annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, planters, window boxes, vegetable plants and roses. 200 varieties of vegetable and herb plants. Over 400 varieties of annuals, perennials, and hanging baskets. When it’s quality you need, it’s Zywicki’s indeed!
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The print edition of Michigan Gardener is still your exclusive source for new gardener profiles, how-to articles, features, Plant Focus and much more.
SUMMER COLOR PLANTS
Over 25 varieties of Hydrangeas, all reliable bloomers: Bobo, Strawberry Sundae, Little Quickfire, Incrediball, Munchkin, Gatsby Moon, and many more!
Outstanding collection
of summer-blooming trees, shrubs & perennials
Stone Cottage Gardens
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Michigan Gardener | June 2017 | MichiganGardener.com
Huge selection of perennials & daylilies
High quality tools / Cocoa shell mulch Organic garden amendments & animal repellents Help for your gardening questions & concerns
On your way Up North, stop by and wander through our beautiful display gardens that surround our old stone cottage & farm buildings. Open May 1 - Oct. 14 Mon-Fri 10-6 Sat 9-4
3740 Willford Rd. Gladwin, MI 989-426-2919 www.stonecottagegardens.com Check out our gardens on
The Well-Tended Perennial Garden
FARM COMPOST Topsoil & Mulch Bulk or bags.
Nursery & Garden Center 2781 Scio Church • Ann Arbor
734-665-TREE (8733)
Delivery available. Tuthill Farms & Composting 10505 Tuthill Rd., S. Lyon, MI 48178
734-449-8100 TuthillFarms.com
IMPROVE YOUR WORLD WITH HELP FROM OUR KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF
by Tracy DiSabato-Aust Since its original publication nearly 30 years ago, The WellTended Perennial Garden (Timber Press, 416 pages, $34.95) has helped gardeners successfully plan, plant, and tend their gardens. Now Tracy DiSabato-Aust’s trusted advice is back in this completely revised new edition. Novice and experienced gardeners alike will benefit from the author’s thorough details on the essential practices of perennial care, including deadheading, pinching, and thinning. This updated edition has growing information for new species and cultivars, on-trend garden design advice, and details on native plants and gardening for wildlife. The A-to-Z encyclopedia clearly discusses the pruning and maintenance needs of the most useful perennial species. A month-by-month planting and maintenance schedule, and lists of plants for specific conditions are invaluable references. This classic book should be an even more effective ally in your quest to create a beautiful, healthy, and well-maintained perennial garden.
100 Plants to Feed the Bees: Provide a Healthy Habitat to Help Pollinators Thrive by The Xerces Society call
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The international bee crisis is threatening our global food supply, but 100 Plants to Feed the Bees: Provide a Healthy Habitat to Help Pollinators (Storey Publishing, 240 pages, $16.95) shows what you can do to help protect our pollinators. The first simple step toward helping pollinators is to provide the flowers they need, using no pesticides. The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation offers 100 profiles of common flowers, herbs, shrubs, and trees that attract bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds. Each plant profile includes which pollinators visit the plant, the quality of honey the nectar produces, when it blooms, how best to use it in the landscape, and planting tips. With guidance from the global authority on insects and other invertebrates, you can turn your backyard, farm, or community into a thriving pollinator habitat.
High-Value Veggies by Mel Bartholomew
Need help in your garden? Hire a Professional
Our members work with Integrity, Intelligence & Pride Visit our website to find a professional gardener in your area: www.associationofprofessionalgardeners.org Email us at: aprogardener@gmail.com
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Get the most return on investment from your garden by calculating which vegetables, fruits, and herbs give the highest payback. Make the selection process easier with High-Value Veggies (Cool Springs Press, 128 pages, $17.99) by Mel Bartholomew, author of the best-selling Square Foot Gardening. This easy-touse reference book helps you choose edibles that make the most financial and spatial sense. Explore the thought processes and math behind growing vegetables and herbs in order to craft the best plan for your produce. Whether you’re interested in growing tomatoes, pumpkins, cabbage, corn, or anything else, it’s wise to consider the invisible dollar signs sown along the way. The relative return on investment for each veggie in High-Value Veggies is calculated based on dollar value generated for each square foot planted. You don’t need to be a math whiz to plan your next vegetable garden. The author has done the math for you, and he has cost-effective answers. Enjoy fresh, delicious veggies from the garden while cutting down on your grocery bills.
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62 W. Scripps Rd., Lake Orion • 248-693-8683 Corner of M-24 (Lapeer Rd) & Scripps Rd. - 4 mi N. of The Palace of Auburn Hills
www.lakeorionconcrete.com • Call ahead for hours
1885 BAKER RD · DEXTER, MI 48130 M-SAT. 10-6 SUN. 12-5 (734) 426·6600 WWW.LOTUSGARDENSCAPES.COM
Classified Ads NEED A HAND? Call “The little gardener that could.” 15 yrs experience at Botanical Gardens. FREE Estimates. Pat: 586-214-9852, agardenspace.com. POISON IVY & BUCKTHORN – We get rid of it! That’s all we do. Call us—we are experts at identifying and removing poison ivy and buckthorn from your property, from single homes to large parks. Licensed & Insured. Poison Ivy Control of Michigan. Call Toll-Free 844-IVY-GONE (489-4663). www.poisonivycontrolofmichigan.com. MICHIGAN GARDENER E-NEWSLETTER Sign up for our free e-newsletter! We send out a few each year, and there are contests to win prizes as well. Go to www.MichiganGardener. com and simply enter your e-mail address.
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A collection of stores and gardens to shop and visit. Please call ahead for hours, as they may vary from season to season.
Mt. Pleasant
Gladwin
Bay City
Midland
Saginaw North Branch Clio
Lapeer
Davison
Imlay City
Flushing
Owosso St. Johns
Lennon
Burton Grand Blanc
Flint
Emmett
Hadley Metamora
Bancroft
Port Huron
Dryden Almont
Grand Rapids Fenton
Oxford
Ortonville Grand Ledge
Orion
Haslett
Lansing
East Lansing
Oakland
Clarkston
Fowlerville
Howell
Mason
Stockbridge
White Lake
White Lake Waterford
Plymouth Dexter
Chelsea
Jackson
Grass Lake
Detroit Westland
Ann Arbor
Canton
Manchester
DearbornDearborn Heights
Ypsilanti
Taylor Belleville
Tipton
Saline New Boston
Romulus
Southgate Brownstown Trenton Twp. Grosse Ile
Tecumseh
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please contact us for info: publisher@ MichiganGardener.com 248-594-5563
H American Tree
ann arbor H Abbott’s Nurs & Garden Ctr 2781 Scio Church Rd., MI 48103 734-665-8733 www.abbottsnursery.com 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 The Produce Station
H Turner’s Greenhse & Garden Ctr 4431 South Wagner Rd., MI 48103 734-663-7600 www.turnersannarbor.com Wild Birds Unltd
auburn H Warmbier Farms 5300 Garfield Rd., MI 48611 989-662-7002 www.warmbierfarms.com
auburn hills Drake’s Landscp & Nurs H Haley Stone 3600 Lapeer Rd., MI 48326 248-276-9300 www.haleystone.net H State Crushing
brighton
Grand Oak Herb Farm
H Beauchamp Landscp Supp Bordine’s Leppek Nurs H Meier Flowerland
H Begick Nursery & Garden Ctr 5993 Westside Saginaw Rd., MI 48706 989-684-4210 www.begicknursery.com
belleville Banotai Greenhse Gardeners Choice H Pinter Flowerland H Zywicki Greenhse
berkley Garden Central
H Hallson Gardens 14280 US-127, MI 49233 517-592-9450 www.perennialnursery.com
chelsea H Garden Mill 110 S. Main St., MI 48118 734-475-3539 www.thegardenmill.com
H Van Thomme’s Greenhses
bancroft bay city
cement city
chesterfield
La Salle
almont
New Baltimore
The Potting Shed
Monroe
Cement City
Want to advertise your local business in Places to Grow? 2 options:
Ray
Rochester Macomb Rochester Shelby Twp. Highland Pontiac Hills Utica Auburn Hills Sylvan Lake Clinton Twp. Commerce Milford Troy West Sterling Hts. Bloomfield Birmingham Walled Lake St. Clair Berkley Wixom Roseville Shores Brighton Warren Royal Oak New Hudson Eastpointe South Lyon Novi Farmington Southfield Hills Oak Park Ferndale Whitmore Northville Grosse Lake Pointes Livonia Redford Hartland
Williamston
Washington
brownstown twp Bruce’s Pond Shop Raupp Brothers Gard Ctr H Ruhlig Farms & Gard
burton H Walker Farms & Greenhouse 5253 E. Atherton Rd., MI 48519 810-743-0260 www.walkersfarm.com
birmingham
canton
H Blossoms 33866 Woodward Ave, MI 48009 248-644-4411 www.blossomsbirmingham.com
Canton Floral Gardens Crimboli Nurs Wild Birds Unltd
clarkston Bordine’s Country Oaks Landscp I Lowrie’s Landscp Backyard Oasis Pond & Gard
clinton twp H English Gardens 44850 Garfield Rd, MI 48038 586-286-6100 www.EnglishGardens.com Michigan Koi H Tropical Treasures
clio H Piechnik’s Greenhouse & Garden Ctr 13172 McCumsey Rd, MI 48420 810-686-9211 www.cliogreenhouse.com
commerce twp Zoner’s Greenhse
MichiganGardener.com | June 2017 | Michigan Gardener
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 H Fraleighs Landscape Nursery 8600 Jackson Rd., MI 48130 734-426-5067 www.fraleighs.com Guthrie Gardens
eastpointe H English Gardens 22501 Kelly Rd, MI 48021 586-771-4200 www.EnglishGardens.com Drew’s Garden
farmington hills Angelo’s Landscp Supp Farmer John’s Greenhse Loeffler Stone Ctr H Steinkopf Nurs
fenton Gerych’s Flowers/Gift H Heavenly Scent Herb Farm 13730 White Lake Rd., MI 48430 810-629-9208 www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com
ferndale Casual Modes Home/Gard
flat rock Masserant’s Feed Store
flushing 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 West Willford Rd., MI 48624 989-426-2919 www.stonecottagegardens.com
grand blanc Bordine’s H The Weed Lady 9225 Fenton Rd., MI 48439 810-655-2723 www.theweedlady.com
grass lake H Designs by Judy Florist & Greenhse 3250 Wolf Lake Rd., MI 49240 517-522-5050 www.designsbyjudyflowers.com
grosse ile H Westcroft Gardens 21803 West River Rd., MI 48138 734-676-2444 www.westcroftgardens.com
grosse pointe Allemon’s Landscp Ctr Meldrum & Smith Nurs
grosse pointe woods Wild Birds Unltd
hadley Le Fleur Décor
hartland Deneweth’s Garden Ctr
haslett Christian’s Greenhse H Van Atta’s Greenhse
highland Colasanti’s Produce/Plant Fragments Highland Garden Ctr H One Stop Landscp Supp Thornton Nurs
howell H Howell Farmer’s Mkt Downtown Howell @ State & Clinton 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 H Superior Landscape Supplies 4805 Musson Rd., MI 48855 517-548-2068 Wilczewski Greenhses
imlay city H Earthly Arts Greenhse
jackson The Hobbit Place
lake orion H 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
lansing Lansing Gardens
lapeer H The Iron Barn
lasalle
mason
redford
stockbridge
whitmore lake
Gee Farms
H Alexander’s Greenhses
metamora
H Pinter Flowerland Seven Mi Gard Ctr
sylvan lake
williamston
Gilling’s Nurs
rochester
H AguaFina Gardens International 2629 Orchard Lake Rd., MI 48320 248-738-0500 www.aguafina.com
Christian’s Greenhse
Wildtype Nurs
milford Milford Gardens H The Pond Place
monroe The Flower Market
new baltimore H Meldrum Bros Nurs
new boston H Grass Roots Nurs Mums the Word
new hudson H Milarch Nurs 28500 Haas Rd., MI 48165 248-437-2094 www.milarchnursery.com
north branch H Campbell’s Greenhouses 4077 Burnside Rd., MI 48461 810-688-3587 www.campbellsgreenhouses.com H Oldani Landscape Nurseries 2666 Tozer Rd., MI 48461 810-688-2363 www.oldanilandscapenurseries.com
northville Begonia Brothers Gardenviews H Willow Greenhouses
novi Glenda’s Gard Ctr Wild Birds Unltd
oak park Four Seasons Gard Ctr
oakland H Piechnik’s Garden Gate 1095 N. Rochester Rd., MI 48363 586-336-7200 www.cliogreenhouse.com
ortonville Country Oaks Landscp II H Wojo’s Greenhse 2570 Oakwood Rd., MI 48462 248-627-6498 www.wojos.com
owosso H Everlastings in Wildwood
oxford Candy Cane Xmas Trees Oxford Farm/Gard
Fowler’s Gift Shop
plymouth
lennon
Graye’s Greenhse Lucas Nurs
Krupps Novelty Shop
livonia Bushel Mart H George’s Livonia Gardens 31405 W. 7 Mile Rd., MI 48152 248-476-6719 Find us on Facebook Superior Growers Supp Valley Nurs
macomb Altermatt Greenhses Boyka’s Greenhse Deneweth’s Garden Ctr H Elya’s Village Gardens H Landscape Source Joe Randazzo’s Nurs Olejnik Farms Wade Nurs Wiegand’s Nursery Wild Birds Unltd
manchester McLennan Nurs
H Plymouth Nursery 9900 Ann Arbor Rd W, MI 48170 734-453-5500 www.plymouthnursery.net Plymouth Rock & Supp H Rock Shoppe on Gotfredson 6275 Gotfredson, MI 48170 734-455-5560 www.rock-shoppe.com Sparr’s Greenhse
pontiac Goldner Walsh Gard/Home H Telly’s at Goldner Walsh 559 Orchard Lake Rd., MI 48341 248-724-2300 www.tellys.com
ray Heritage Oaks Van’s Valley Greenhse
Fogler’s Greenhse Sherwood Forest Gard Ctr
rochester hills H Auburn Oaks Garden Ctr 3820 West Auburn Rd, MI 48309 248-852-2310 www.auburnoaksnursery.com Bordine’s H Haley Stone 3975 S. Rochester Rd., MI 48307 248-852-5511 www.haleystone.net Wild Birds Unltd
romulus Block’s Stand/Greenhse H Kurtzhals’ Farms H Schoedel’s Nurs Schwartz’s Greenhouse
roseville Dale’s Landscp Supp Flower Barn Nurs Sea World
royal oak Billings Lawn Equip Button’s Rent-It H English Gardens 4901 Coolidge Hwy, MI 48073 248-280-9500 www.EnglishGardens.com
H Detroit Garden Works 1794 Pontiac Dr., MI 48320 248-335-8089 www.detroitgardenworks.com
taylor H Beautiful Ponds & Gardens 20379 Ecorse, MI 48180 313-383-8653 www.skippysstuff.com D&L Garden Ctr Massab Acres H Panetta’s Landscp Supp
tecumseh Mitchell’s Lawn/Landscp
trenton Carefree Lawn Ctr
troy H Telly’s Greenhouse 3301 John R Rd., MI 48083 248-689-8735 www.tellys.com
Wild Birds Unltd
H Uncle Luke’s Feed Store 6691 Livernois Rd., MI 48098 248-879-9147 www.unclelukes.com
saginaw
utica
H Abele Greenhouse & Garden Ctr 3500 Wadsworth Rd., MI 48601 989-752-5625 www.abelegreenhouse.com
saline Clink Landscp & Nurs Nature’s Garden Ctr H Saline Flowerland
shelby twp Diegel Greenhses Flower Barn Nurs H Hessell’s Greenhouse 14497 23 Mile Rd., MI 48315 586-247-4675 www.hessellsgreenhouse.com Maeder Plant Farm Potteryland H Telly’s Greenhouse 4343 24 Mile, MI 48316 248-659-8555 www.tellys.com
Stonescape Supp
walled lake H Suburban Landscp Supp
st clair shores Greenhouse Growers Hall’s Nurs Soulliere Gard Ctr
sterling heights Decor Statuette H Eckert’s Greenhouse 34051 Ryan Rd., MI 48310 586-264-5678 www.eckertsgreenhouse.com Prime Landscp Supp
H Sell Farms & Greenhouses 7200 Willis Rd., MI 48197 866-296-3090 www.sellfarmsandgreenhouses.com
Gardens to Visit ann arbor H Matthaei Botanical Gardens/ Nichols Arboretum 1800 North Dixboro Rd., MI 48105 734-647-7600 www.mbgna.umich.edu
bloomfield hills H Cranbrook Gardens 380 Lone Pine Rd., MI 48303 248-645-3147 housegardens.cranbrook.edu
clinton twp Tomlinson Arboretum
dearborn Arjay Miller Arboretum @ Ford World HQ Henry Ford Estate
detroit Seven Ponds Nature Ctr
washington
H MSU Horticulture Gardens W.J. Beal Botanical Gard
waterford Breen’s Landscp Supp Hoffman Nurs H Merrittscape Oakland County Market
west bloomfield H English Gardens 6370 Orchard Lake Rd., MI 48322 248-851-7506 www.EnglishGardens.com
H Barson’s Greenhse 6414 North Merriman Rd., MI 48185 734-421-5959 www.barsons.com
H Ray Hunter Gard Ctr
Coleman’s Farm Mkt Lucas Nurs Margolis Nurs Materials Unlimited
dryden
Hollow Oak Farm Nurs Mike’s Garden Stone Depot Landscp Supp
southgate
ypsilanti
Anna S Whitcomb Conservtry
westland
3 DDD’s Stand Eagle Landscp/Supp Lavin’s Flower Land Main’s Landscp Supp
Angelo’s Landscp Supp Brainer’s Greenhse Milford Tree Farm
H Beste’s Lawn/Patio Supp Garden Ctr Nurs Young’s Garden Mart
south lyon
southfield
wixom
warren
Landscp Direct Miller’s Big Red Greenhse Rocks ‘n’ Roots United Plant Ctr
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 8215 Elizabeth Lake Rd., MI 48386 248-698-4741 www.mulliganlandscaping.com Sunshine Plants
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east lansing emmett H Sunny Fields Botanical Park 5444 Welch Rd., MI 48022 810-387-2765 www.visitsunnyfields.org
flint Applewood
grand rapids Frederik Meijer Gardens
grosse pointe shores Edsel & Eleanor Ford Hse
lansing Cooley Gardens
midland Dahlia Hill Dow Gardens
novi Tollgate Education Ctr
royal oak Detroit Zoo
tipton H Hidden Lake Gardens 6214 Monroe Rd. (M-50), MI 49287 517-431-2060 www.hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu
Don’t miss the excitement, wonder & fun of
GARDEN DAY 2017 at MSU Horticulture Gardens SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 • 8AM - 4:15PM
Featuring Helen Yoest—Keynote Presenter Helen Yoest, Director of BeeBetter.info, is a frequent speaker for horticultural societies and Master Gardener groups throughout the nation. One of Helen’s books, Plants with Benefits, will be the topic of her first presentation and is sure to add some spice to your life! You’ll find out how 50 plants got their hot reputation—and what modern science has to say about it. In her second presentation, My Forever Garden, find out how to make your garden manageable and more desirable than ever, leading to years of future enjoyment!
CUSTOMIZE YOUR GARDEN DAY EXPERIENCE BY SELECTING FROM THE FOLLOWING WORKSHOPS: Cacti and Succulents for the Michigan Garden • Herbaceous Perennial Garden Tour 50 Garden Ideas & French Lavender Goat Milk Soap Making • Garden-Sized Trees Attracting Butterflies, Hummingbirds and Other Pollinators • Don’t Let Your OAK WILT Close Entomology of the Gardening Kind • Pressed Flower Art Techniques • Growing Soup
For more information and to register, visit: hrt.msu.edu/garden-day
The day includes two keynote presentations, two workshops of your choice, book signing, parking, lunch and dessert from Grand Traverse Pie, materials and access to the Green Garden Marketplace. $76.00 for 2017 Garden members, $86.00 for non-members.
For more information and to register, visit: hrt.msu.edu/garden-day
Milarch Nursery Q UA LIT Y P L A N TS & S E RV I C E S I N C E 1 972
27 ACRES of flowering & shade trees, flowering shrubs, perennials, evergreens, and ground covers. We have gorgeous Rhododendrons, Roses, Topiaries and Perennials! TO SEE OUR INCREDIBLE SELECTION, PLEASE VISIT MILARCHNURSERY.COM AND CLICK ON “AVAILABILITY.”
AMAZING AZALEAS
MANY FABULOUS FLOWERING SHRUBS
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Michigan Gardener | June 2017 | MichiganGardener.com
calendar
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT PUBLIC GARDENS, please visit MichiganGardener.com. Click on "Resources" then "Public Gardens."
June / July / August / September
June H Peony Season in Nichols Arboretum Thu, Jun 1, Through Jun 15, Ann Arbor. At Nichols Arboretum. FREE. The largest collection of heirloom herbaceous peonies in North America. peony.mbgna.umich.edu. H Free Admission to Cranbrook Gardens Thu, Jun 1, 9am-5pm, Daily through October 31, Bloomfield Hills. At Cranbrook House & Gardens. www.cranbrook.edu. Annual Spring Plant Exchange Sat, Jun 3, 9am-noon, Clinton. By Macomb MSU Extension Office at parking lot behind Verkuilen Building. Bring healthy labeled plant material to share & exchange. 586-469-6440. 6th Annual Shiawassee County Master Gardener Plant Sale Sat, Jun 3, 9am-Noon, Owosso. By Shiawassee County Master Gardeners at 1541 N. Hickory Rd. Large variety of hostas, daylilies, hellebores, lilies & more. timnjenhes@aol.com. 9th Annual Spring Garden Tour Sat, Jun 3, 10am-2pm, Detroit. At Black Cat Pottery. Register: www.blackcatpottery.com. Harrison Township “Trunk” Plant Exchange Sat, Jun 3, Noon-2pm, Harrison Twp. By Harrison Twp. Beautification Comm. at Tucker Park Parking Lot. Open your trunk, & enjoy exchanging your bareroot plants. 586-242-3868. MSU Tollgate Farm & Gardens Spring Plant Sale Sat, Jun 3, 9am-2pm, Novi. At MSU Tollgate Farm. Michigan hardy perennials for sun & shade. Shrubs, native seedlings, daylilies & more. 248-347-3860 ext. 251, www.tollgate.msu.edu. H Peonies Galore Sale Sat, Jun 3, 10am, Ann Arbor. At Nichols Arboretum. Several varieties of locally grown heirloom peonies for sale. 734-647-7600, mbgna.umich.edu. Perennial Plant Exchange Sat, Jun 3, 8:30am, Clarkston. By The Clarkston Farm & Garden Club at Clarkston Village Parking Lot. Rain/Shine. Pot & identify your plants. 248-625-2644, www.clarkstongardenclub.org. H Peony Blossoms & Pure Melodies Sun, Jun 4, 2pm, Ann Arbor. At Nichols Arboretum. FREE. Enjoy an afternoon of Chinese flower songs set amid the peony garden. 734-647-7600. Secrets of the Shade Tue, Jun 6, East Lansing. By Capital Area Master Gardeners at MSU Plant & Soil Science Building. $3. Focus on hostas, the queen of shade. mgacac.wordpress.com. Art & Garden Festival Wed, Jun 7, Saginaw. At Andersen Enrichment Center. Original art, handcrafted items & gardeners offering advice on native plants as well as rose bushes. 989-759-1362.
Evenings in the Garden Thu, Jun 8, 6:30–8:30pm, Novi. At MSU Tollgate Farm. $20. Dr. Robert Schutzki shares necessary steps to a successful planting project. www.tollgate.msu.edu/events/evenings-in-the-garden H Growing Hydrangeas & Perennials Sat, Jun 10, 11am, Southgate. At Ray Hunter Garden Center. FREE. Expert advice from Master Gardener Paul Rodman. 734-284-2500. H Bats, Bees & Beneficial Insects Sat, Jun 10, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. Learn about bats & beneficial insects that you’ll want in your garden to keep pests away. www.EnglishGardens.com. Iris Show Sat, Jun 10, 1:30-4:30pm, Alpena. By Mio Irisarians at Word of Life Baptist Church. FREE entry. Youth-Adult divisions. Many categories. Entries accepted 7-10am. www.mioiris.com. H Stained Glass Tree Sat, Jun 10, 10am-12:30pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $89.75. Create an inspirational piece of art for your garden. Bring wire cutters, gloves & needle nose pliers. 810-629-9208. Yardeners Native Plant Sale Sat, Jun 10, 9am-Noon, St. Clair Shores. By Yardeners at St. Clair Shores Public Library, Selinsky-Green Farmhouse Museum. Pre-order by May 20. scsyardeners@gmail. com. H 27th Annual Ann Arbor Garden Walk Sat, Jun 10, 10am-4pm, Ann Arbor. By Ann Arbor Farm & Garden at 6 private gardens. $15. Marketplace in Kerrytown 10am-4 pm. Benefits local scholarships. www.annarborfarmandgarden.org. 2017 Franklin Garden Walk Wed, Jun 14, 10am-4pm & 6-9pm, Franklin. By Women’s National Farm & Garden Association at 6 private gardens. $15. Artisan Market. Tickets: 2017franklingardenwalk. eventbrite.com, franklingardenwalk@gmail.com. Rochester Garden Club Garden Walk Thu, Jun 15, 10am-5pm, Rochester. By Rochester Garden Club at area public/private gardens. $16. Open Aire Artisan Market, Children’s Garden. www. RochesterGardenClub.org, 248-656-4663. H DIY Paver & Retaining Wall Seminar Sat, Jun 17, 10-11am, Orion. At Orion Stone Depot. FREE. Learn how to install a full patio or garden wall. Register: 248-391-2490. H Cool Plants for Shade Sat, Jun 17, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. FREE. Basic information on planning, planting & maintaining flowers & plants in the shade. www.EnglishGardens.com. Trenton Garden Walk Sat, Jun 17, 10am-4pm, Trenton. Enjoy 7 beautiful gardens in the quaint city of Trenton. Glenda Albright: 734-281-6504. continued on page 38
Promote your events! Send us your information! Website: Go to MichiganGardener.com and click on “Garden Event Calendar” E-Mail: calendar@MichiganGardener.com
28500 HAAS RD • NEW HUDSON, MI 48165 • 248-437-2094 www.milarchnursery.com • Mon-Fri: 8-5:30 Sat: 8-3 Sun: Closed
Upcoming Issues & Deadlines: Issue
July/Aug 2017 Sept/Oct 2017
Deadline June 15, 2017 August 15, 2017
Lansing
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East Haslett Lansing Williamston
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Milarch Nursery Arrowhead Alpines 1310 Gregory Rd., Fowlerville, MI 48836 517-223-3581 www.arrowheadalpines.com May/June hours: Fri-Sun 11-5. Specializing in rare and unusual plants. One of the most wellknown specialty nurseries in Michigan, with a huge selection of perennials, woodland wildflowers, unusual ferns, and rare alpines for rock gardens, miniature landscapes, and fairy gardens. We’re always on the hunt for new plants; the more unusual the better!
Beauchamp Landscape Supply 948 North Old US-23, Brighton, MI 48114 248-684-0332 www.beauchamplawn.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat 8-3, Sun 9-3. We carry superior products at very fair prices. Bulk materials— mulch, topsoil, decorative stone, sand, gravel, boulders, outcropping, cobbblestone. Call us for same day delivery! Plus, fireplaces & firepits, garden decor, irrigation, tools & power equipment, outdoor lighting, pavers, water features. And plants! Annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, fruits, vegetables, herbs.
28500 Haas Rd., New Hudson, MI 48165 248-437-2094 www.milarchnursery.com Hours – Thru Sat, June 25: Mon-Fri 8-5:30, Sat 8-3; Starting Mon, June 27: Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat 8-1. The finest nursery stock and perennials since 1972. We grow and maintain quality plants, along with special care in handling. 27 acres of shade and flowering trees, evergreens, flowering shrubs, perennials and groundcovers. Landscape-grade sizes are available. We offer each customer a knowledgeable salesperson to assist with plant selection.
One Stop Landscape Supply 2586 S. Milford Rd., Highland, MI 48357 248-684-0332 www.onestoplandscapesupply.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 7:30-6:30, Sat 7:30-5, Sun 9-3. Over 5 acres of landscape supplies, plus an outdoor living display. Mulches, soils, stone, garden decor, tools, water features, lighting, and much more. We are your One Stop for everything you need as a do-it-yourself gardener. Knowledgeable staff helps answer your questions. Call us for same day delivery!
The Pond Place of Michigan 3505 W. Highland Rd., Milford, MI 48380 248-889-8400 www.pondplace.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-4, Sun 11-4. Established in 2001, The Pond Place is one of the largest retailers and wholesalers of pond supplies in Michigan. Our knowledgeable staff is here to help with your pond supply, koi, goldfish and water plant needs. Visit www.pondplace.com for online shopping and browse our list of free pond workshops!
Wixom
Specialty Growers 4330 Golf Club Rd., Howell MI 48843 517-546-7742 www.specialtygrowers.net May/June hours: Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-5, Sun 10-4. Excellent selection of perennials, grasses, hostas, native plants, herb and vegetable plants, all grown here at our nursery. Heirloom tomatoes and interesting pepper varieties. Perennials from starter 3.5” pots up to 2-gallon size. Outdoor-grown perennials, acclimated to local weather conditions, selected for Michigan gardens. Complete catalog on our website. Knowledgeable, experienced staff.
Van Atta’s Greenhouse 9008 Old M-78, Haslett, MI 48840 517-339-1142 www.vanattas.com Hours – May: Mon-Sat 9-9, Sun 10-7; June: Mon-Sat 9-8, Sun 10-7. One of the largest selections of plants and garden accents in Southeastern Michigan. We grow an enormous variety of perennials. There’s a good chance we have that one plant you’ve been searching for, or the garden ornament that sets your yard apart. Come stroll our grounds—you’ll be amazed at what you find.
To advertise in Destinations, email Publisher@MichiganGardener.com or call Eric at 248-594-5563
Temperature
Precipitation April 2017
Detroit Flint Lansing
NORMAL Monthly 2.90 2.89 3.03
ACTUAL Monthly 3.55 5.19 4.66
April 2016 DEVIATION from Normal +0.65 +2.30 +1.63
2017 Year to Date: Jan 1 - April 30
Detroit Flint Lansing
NORMAL Yr. to Date 9.16 7.91 8.21
ACTUAL Yr. to Date 12.54 13.95 14.57
DEVIATION from Normal +3.38 +6.04 +6.36
NORMAL
Monthly 2.90 2.89 3.03
ACTUAL Monthly 2.31 2.33 2.51
April 2017 DEVIATION from Normal -0.59 -0.56 -0.52
2016 Year to Date: Jan 1 - April 30
NORMAL Yr. to Date 9.16 7.91 8.21
ACTUAL Yr. to Date 10.53 10.51 9.92
DEVIATION from Normal +1.37 +2.60 +1.71
April 2016
Detroit Flint Lansing
NORMAL Avg. High 59.1 57.3 57.8
ACTUAL Avg. High 64.5 62.2 62.8
DEVIATION from Normal +5.4 +4.9 +5.0
ORMAL N Avg. High 59.1 57.3 57.8
ACTUAL Avg. High 56.2 57.0 55.0
DEVIATION from Normal -2.9 -0.3 -2.8
Detroit Flint Lansing
NORMAL Avg. Low 39.4 35.5 37.0
ACTUAL Avg. Low 44.1 40.5 42.5
DEVIATION from Normal +4.7 +5.0 +5.5
ORMAL N Avg. Low 39.4 35.5 37.0
ACTUAL Avg. Low 36.4 34.8 34.3
DEVIATION from Normal -3.0 -0.7 -2.7
Data courtesy National Weather Service
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Michigan Gardener | June 2017 | MichiganGardener.com
continued from page 36
Au Naturale!
Rose Show Sat, Jun 17, & Sun, Jun 18, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. View beautiful roses, including hybrid teas, miniatures, floribundas & more. www.meijergardens.org. Attracting Butterflies to Your Garden Wed, Jun 21, 7pm, Westland. By SEMBA at Barson’s. Brenda Dziedzic shares what plants attract butterflies to your garden. www.sembabutterfly.org/meetings. 26th Grosse Pointe Garden Tour Fri, Jun 23, & Sat, Jun 24, 10am-4pm, Grosse Pointe. By Grosse Pointe Garden Center, Inc at 8 area gardens. $20. Rain/shine. Tickets: 313-499-0743, gpgardencenter@outlook.com. Battle Creek Garden Tour Sat, Jun 24, & Sun, Jun 25, 10am-4pm, Battle Creek. By Leila Arboretum Society at 5 private gardens. $12. Battle Creek area. lasgarden.org, 269-969-0270. H Create a Garden to Attract Pollinators Sat, Jun 24, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. FREE. Create a Garden to Attract Pollinators. www.EnglishGardens.com. PCMGA Garden Walk Sat, Jun 24, 9am-4pm, Valparaiso. By Porter County Master Gardeners Association in & around Valparaiso. pcgarden.info or Porter County Master Gardeners Facebook page. H Pond & Waterfall Design Sat, Jun 24, 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.
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H Painted Garden Pole Sat, Jun 24, 10am-1pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $68.75. All of the supplies you need to create your very own garden pole. www.HeavenlyScentHerbFarm. com. H Pond Construction Sat, Jun 24, 1-3pm, Waterford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Dress for mess. Hands-on experience building an 11’ x 16’ pond with a stream, waterfall & bog. www.pondplace.com. Crocker House Garden Walk Sat, Jun 24, 9am-4pm, Mount Clemens. By Macomb County Historical Society at local gardens. $15. View private local gardens. Tour begins in the Crocker House Garden. 586-465-2488. H Create a Garden to Attract Pollinators Sun, Jun 25, 1pm, all locations. At English Gardens. FREE. Create a Garden to Attract Pollinators. www.EnglishGardens.com.
address city
Genesee County Garden Tour 2017 Sat, Jun 24 & Sun, Jun 25, 10am-5pm, Flushing & Flint. By Master Gardener Association of Genesee County at 9 area gardens. $10. Children 12 & under $2. www.gcgardentour.weebly.com.
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Meadow Brook in Bloom Sun, Jun 25, Through Jun 30, Rochester. At Meadow Brook Hall. Celebrating 25 years of the Meadow Brook Garden Club. Week-long series. 248-364-6252, www.meadowbrookhall.org.
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michigan gardener is published in april, may, june, july/aug, sept/oct, & nov/dec Canadian subscriptions: 1 year, 6 issues for $22.00 USD / 2 years, 12 issues for $42.00 USD
H Appreciation Sunday Sun, Jun 25, 11am-4pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. FREE. Enjoy cake & tea, garden gifts given away every 15 minutes. 810-629-9208.
please enclose your check (payable to michigan gardener) & mail to: Michigan Gardener 16291 W. 14 Mile Rd., Suite 5 Beverly Hills, MI 48025-3327
22nd Annual Flowers Are Forever Garden Walk Tue, Jun 27, Noon-8pm, Plymouth. By Trailwood Garden Club at various area gardens. $10. Rain/shine. Master Gardeners available to answer questions. 734-748-7991. H Children’s Garden Scavenger Hunt Tue, Jun 27, 1-3pm, Rochester. At Meadow Brook Hall. $10/child 3-12. Under 2 Free. Kids will have the run of the garden as they hunt for clues. 248-364-6252.
H The Art of the Bloom: Garden Gala Wed, Jun 28, 1-3pm, Rochester. At Meadow Brook Hall. $125/person. Wine, dine & enjoy a special program by world renowned floral designer Hitomi Gilliam. 248-364-6252. H Meadow Brook Gardening Workshop Thu, Jun 29, 9am-1pm, Rochester. By MBH & Proven Winners at Meadow Brook Hall. $75/person. Presentations by Proven Winners professionals John Gaydos, Stacy Hirvela & Melinda Myers. Lunch & plant included. Register: 248-364-6252. www.meadowbrookhall.org/gardening-workshop/.
July Port Sanilac Garden Walk Sat, Jul 8, 10am-4pm, Port Sanilac. “Welcome to My Garden” by Port Sanilac Garden Club. $12. Visit 9 beautiful gardens. Lila: 810-404-1646. Daylily Show Sat, Jul 8, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. See flowers that vary in size from less than 1 inch across to almost 10 inches; & discover spider, ruffled, & eyed forms. www.meijergardens.org. Bedford Flower & Garden Club 21st Annual Garden Tour Sat, Jul 8, 9am-3pm, Bedford. By Bedford Flower & Garden Club at 6 gorgeous private gardens. $8. Tickets available at the Bedford Public Library. grandmax3@bex.net. Celebration of Gardens & Art Sat, Jul 8, 10am-4pm, Romeo. By Friends of the Romeo District Library in & around Romeo. $15. Plein air artists will be on site. www.romeodistrictlibrary.org/friends. H An Evening with the Butterflies Charity Event Sat, Jul 8, 6-8pm, Westland. At Brenda’s Butterfly Habitat at Barson’s Greenhouse. $10/person. Featuring harp & flute music. All proceeds go toward Monarch Watch. Rain date July 9. H 19th Annual LACASA’s Garden Tour Weekend Sat, Jul 8, & Sun, Jul 9, 9am-4pm, Livingston County. By LACASA at area gardens. $20. Scavenger hunt, raffles & more. Proceeds benefit abused children & victims of interpersonal violence. Advance tickets: www.lacasacenter.org. H Fenton Open Gate Garden Club 20th Annual Summer Garden Tour Sun, Jul 9, 10am-5pm, Fenton. By Fenton Open Gate Garden Club at 7 area gardens. $10 at A.J. Phillips Fenton Museum. www.opengategardenclubgardentour.com. Northville Garden Walk Wed, Jul 12, 9am-4pm, Northville. By Country Garden Club of Northville at Mill Race Village & 6 private gardens. $15. Walk at your own pace & stop for lunch. No walkers/ strollers. www.cgcnv.org. 43rd Annual Troy Garden Walk “Garden Gifts” Wed, Jul 12, 9:30am-3pm & 5-8:30pm, Troy. By Troy Garden Club. $10 advance tickets. 9am-6pm: Arts & Crafts Boutique, Plant Sale, Fabulous Finds & Student Art Exhibit. www.TroyGardenClubMI.com, 248-854-3728. A Day in the Garden: A Garden Walk Wed, Jul 12, 1-6pm, Gaylord. By The Edelweiss Garden Club of Gaylord at 6 area gardens. $8. Tickets: The Spud Warehouse, Saturn Book Store, North Star Gardens or Family Fare. ptrckhgrty@charter.net H Garden Delight Tours Wed, Jul 12, 11am-1pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $29.75. 810-629-9208. Adrian Bloom Lecture & Book Signing Thu, Jul 13, 6:30-8:30pm, Dearborn. By American Conifer Society at The Dearborn Inn. $45 day of. Widelyacclaimed British gardener Adrian Bloom will speak on “Designing Drama in The Year-Round Garden: Making the Most of Trees, Shrubs, Conifers, Perennials, Grasses, Ferns & Bulbs”. In addition to his presentation, he will autograph copies of his books & pose for photos. H Garden Delight Tours Thu, Jul 13, 6-8pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $29.75. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com.
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MERfu-FgaLOWERI M U Cimici • Dict NG S am nu OF tisia •
Blooming Arts Garden Walk Sat, Jul 15, 11am-4pm, Pentwater & surrounding area. Garden Club of Pentwater at 6 unique gardens. $10. Tickets available at Village Green day of. pdegreg51@gmail.com. Standard Flower Show Sat, Jul 15, & Sun, Jul 16, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. Creative floral designs & the best cut blooms. Design demos Sat 10:30am & 2pm, and Sun 2 pm. www.meijergardens.org. H The Garden Cruise Sun, Jul 16, 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 Outdoor Garden Tea Party Wed, Jul 19, 11:30am-1:30pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com. 12th Annual Clarkston Garden Walk Wed, Jul 19, 11am-7pm, Clarkston. By Clarkston Garden Club at 6 private gardens. $18. Tickets at Library. Artisan Market, 11am-5pm. 248-620-3131, www.clarkstongardenclub.org. H Pond & Waterfall Design Sat, Jul 22, 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. MSU Tollgate Farm & Gardens “Summer Garden Celebration” Sat, Jul 22, 4pm-7pm, Novi. At MSU Tollgate Farm. FREE admission. Tour the 20 photogenic gardens with some short presentations. No pets. 248-347-3860 ext.251, www.tollgate.msu.edu. Harrison Township Inspirations Garden Tour Sat, Jul 22, 9-4pm, Harrison Twp. By Harrison Township Beautification Comm. at 8 private gardens. $15. VIP Bus Tour Available. Harrison Twp. Senior Center is the start point. 586-242-3868. H Pond Construction Sat, Jul 22, 1-3pm, Waterford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Dress for mess. Hands-on experience building an 11’ x 16’ pond with a stream, waterfall & bog. www.pondplace.com. H Outdoor Garden Tea Party Tue, Jul 25, 11:30am-1:30pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $31.75. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com.
August MDOT Sunflower Project Tue, Aug 1, East Lansing. By Capital Area Master Gardeners. $3. An innovative way to fight invasive species & support pollinator species. mgacac.wordpress.com. H Garden Day 2017 Sat, Aug 5, 8am-4:15pm, East Lansing. At MSU Horticulture Gardens. $86. Includes 2 presentations, your choice of 2 workshops, book signing, parking & lunch. Featuring keynote speaker Helen Yoest. hrt.msu.edu/garden-day. 24th Annual Yardeners Garden Tour Sat, Aug 5, 9am-3pm, St Clair Shores. By Yardeners. Start at the Selinsky-Green Farmhouse Museum. $5.
September Landscape Design Tue, Sep 5, By Capital Area Master Gardeners. $3. Learn the basics to good landscape design. mgacac.wordpress.com. Heirloom Tomatoes Sat, Sep 9, & Sun, Sep 10, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Join us for a flavorful weekend focused on heirloom tomatoes. 616-957-1580, www.meijergardens.org. H Pond Winterization Sat, Sep 23, 10-11am, Milford. At The Pond Place. Learn to perform a fall pond clean-out, & winterize your pond, plants & fish. www.PondPlace.com. Free Fall Plant Exchange Sat, Sep 23, 9-11am, St. Clair Shores. By Yardeners at Selinsky-Green Farmhouse Museum parking lot. FREE. Load up your extra (labeled) plants & divisions. scsyardeners@gmail.com. H Algae & Weed Control for Large Earthen Bottom Ponds Sun, Sep 24, 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. Pruning 101 Sat, Sep 30, 11am, Southgate. At Ray Hunter Florist & Garden. FREE. Pruning is an essential gardening skill. Learn the basics with our expert Paul Rodman. 734-284-2500. H Pond Construction Sat, Sep 30, 1-3pm, Waterford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Dress for mess. Hands-on experience building an 11’ x 16’ pond with a stream, waterfall & bog. www.pondplace.com. H Pond Winterization Sat, Sep 30, 10-11am, Milford. At The Pond Place. Learn to perform a fall pond clean-out, & winterize your pond, plants & fish. www.PondPlace.com. Environmental Stewardship Program Tue, Oct 3, East Lansing. By Capital Area Master Gardeners. $3. See how the program is involving the community with removing invasive plants & replacing with natives. mgacac.wordpress.com. H Pond Winterization Sat, Oct 14, 10-11am, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Learn to clean & winterize your pond. www.pondplace.com. Free Seminar: What is Lurking in My Garden Mon, Oct 16, 7pm, St. Clair Shores. By Yardeners at St. Clair Shores Library. Learn to identify some of these sneaky invaders & what to do about them. Presented by Michelle Serreyn. scsyardeners@gmail.com.
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Michigan Regional Lily Society Hybrid Lily Show Sat, Jul 15, 9am-2pm, Southfield. By Michigan Regional Lily Society at a private home. Judged hybrid lily stem competition/show. Show your prized stems. www.mrls.org, silvertp2@aol.com.
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Come Explore the Gardens of Warren Sat, Jul 15, 10am-4pm, Warren. By Warren Garden Club at 6-7 outstanding private gardens. Relaxing water features, interesting landscape designs, architectural pieces & more. 586-582-9708.
Tour some of the loveliest or interesting natural gardens. scsyardeners@gmail.com. H APG Tour of Hidden Lake Gardens Sun, Aug 6, 10am, Tipton. By APG at Hidden Lake Gardens. www.associationofprofessionalgardeners.org. 7th Annual Summer Garden Tour Sat, Aug 19, Detroit. At Black Cat Pottery. Register: www.blackcatpottery.com. 4th Annual Downriver TomatoFest Sat, Aug 19, 10am-1pm, Southgate. At Ray Hunter Florist & Garden. FREE. Featuring tomato tastings, largest tomato contest, prizes & more. 734-284-2500. Dahlia Show Sat, Aug 26, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. Marvel at the variety of colors, shapes & sizes of dahlia flowers. 616-957-1580, www.meijergardens.org. H Summer Herb Faire Sat, Aug 26, 10am-5pm & Sun, Aug 27, 11am-5pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $2. www. heavenlyscentherbfarm.com, 810-629-9208. H Pond Construction Sat, Aug 26, 1-3pm, Waterford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Dress for mess. Hands-on experience building an 11’ x 16’ pond with a stream, waterfall & bog. www.pondplace.com.
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St Clair County Annual Garden Tour Sat, Jul 15, 10am-4pm, St. Clair Co. By Master Gardeners of St Clair County at 6 area gardens. $15. gina92pj@comcast.net, mgoscc.org, 586-727-2563.
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Michigan Gardener | June 2017 | MichiganGardener.com
Jacob’s ladder
Take another look at these new, worthy plants
I
n the 1970s and 80s when I started my career in horticulture, perennials were not an important part of the ornamentals industry. Many nurseries simply grew a few perennials from seed, with little effort given to marketing and promotion. Most of the perennials offered were unimproved species because few plant breeders were interested in perennials, and tissue culture was in its infancy. Although some popular cultivars were offered (vegetatively-propagated varieties of astilbe, phlox and sedum, for example), the perennial department in garden centers was mostly stocked with simple plants like Shasta daisy, coreopsis, gaillardia (blanket flower), globe thistle, poppies, and other perennials that could be grown inexpensively from seed. Among them was the common European species of Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium Karen caeruleum). It was a Bovio pleasant enough perennial—in springtime it had plenty of appeal with its phlox-like clusters of blue flowers and unique ladder-like arrangement of compound leaves. Although it was easy to produce and sold well due to its attractiveness in the peak spring-selling season, it never became a garden favorite. That is most likely because it is a rather short-lived perennial in much of the country. Native to damp meadows, woodlands, and grasslands in temperate areas of Europe and Asia, it doesn’t fare well in hot or droughty climates. It also has a relatively short season of interest, particularly if the foliage—one of the most ornamental qualities of Jacob’s ladder—becomes scorched in the summer heat.
‘Stairway to Heaven’
A quick guide to Jacob’s ladder species
The initial variegated cultivar In the 1990s, a new variegated cultivar of Jacob’s ladder was discovered in Anjou, France. It was patented in 1995, and given the name ‘Brise d’Anjou.’ It was an instant hit, due to its beautiful yellow-edged foliage, but its popularity was short-lived. Many gardeners gave up on growing it when it failed to return after the winter, and wrote it off as “not hardy.” In fact, P. caeruleum and the variety ‘Brise d’Anjou’ are plenty hardy—zone 3 for the species and zone 4 for the cultivar. Rather, the plants become weakened during our hot summers, and the debilitated plants don’t have the strength to emerge in spring. The promotional material states, “It performs well in the Northeast, upper Midwest and Northwest. In more southern states it may melt down in periods of high heat and high humidity.” No doubt ‘Brise d’Anjou’ is an ex-
‘Apricot Delight’ cellent plant for gardeners in England and France. Although it is now hard to find in local nurseries, it is still worth seeking out if you have the ideal conditions: a cool site in partial shade, with moist but well-drained soil. The sheer beauty of its foliage is unrivalled.
Northern Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium boreale) – Native to the far north, including subarctic areas. The variety ‘Heavenly Habit’ is sturdier and more gardenworthy, with thicker dark green foliage. It is grown from seed and sometimes available in garden centers. 12-15 inches tall. European Jacob’s ladder (P. caeruleum) – The name caeruleum refers to the blue color of the flowers. The variety ‘Blue Pearl’ is often assigned to this species, although it is probably one and the same, i.e. not an actual cultivar or variety. Royal Jacob’s ladder (P. carneum) – Unusual pink flowers changing to apricot, often called ‘Apricot Delight.’ Native to the Pacific Northwest. Requires a cool, moist site. 16 inches, zone 4. Yellow Jacob’s ladder (P. pauciflorum) – Elongated yellow flowers, often tinged with red or orange. The variety ‘Sulphur Trumpets’ may be the same as the species. Very ferny leaves. Plants are short-lived, but may self-sow. Often treated as an annual. 16 inches tall, zone 6. Showy Jacob’s ladder (P. pulcherrimum) – Native to the mountainous areas of the western U.S. and Canada. Requires good drainage and a cool climate. 16 inches, zone 3. Creeping Jacob’s ladder (P. reptans) – Native to the eastern U.S. and Canada. Does not creep, but has a spreading habit. ‘Stairway to Heaven’ and ‘Touch of Class’ are variegated cultivars. All varieties are well-suited to eastern and midwestern states. 12-16 inches, zone 3. Purple-leaf Jacob’s ladder (P. yezoense) – The derivation of this species in uncertain, but is always associated with dark-leafed forms. Good garden performance. 20 inches tall, zone 4.
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Growing Jacob’s ladder in the garden • Partial shade with morning sun preferred • Moist, well-drained soil • Rich to moderately rich soil • Most species have blue flowers similar in shape to phlox, to which it is related • Trim off dead flowers for a neater appearance after blooming • May be short-lived in excessively hot and humid climates • No serious insect or disease problems
P H OTO G R A P H S CO U R T E SY O F P E R E N N I A L R E S O U R C E .CO M
Newer, better variegated cultivars Gardeners got their wish for a longer-lived variegated Jacob’s ladder in the early 2000s when the New England Wildflower Society introduced and patented ‘Stairway to Heaven,’ a variety of native Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium reptans). Discovered in Massachusetts, this variegated form held the promise of better performance in the U.S. due to its being a sport of a native species. Since its introduction in 2001, ‘Stairway to Heaven’ has become a best-seller. It forms low mounds of ferny, medium green leaves edged in creamy yellow and strongly flushed with pink in cool spring weather. Light violet, bell-like flowers on nodding stems appear in mid to late spring. It is recommended for partial sun or light shade. Although more drought tolerant than the European species, it still prefers regular moisture. In 2007, another P. reptans cultivar was introduced. When I first grew ‘Touch of Class,’ I thought of it merely as a follow-up act to ‘Stairway to Heaven.’ But after years of growing both of the variegated P. reptans varieties, I have come to appreciate their differences, and the unique charms of ‘Touch of Class.’ It has what I’d call a “sparkling” effect in the garden, due to its much whiter variegation and finer texture compared to ‘Stairway to Heaven.’ Although both of these forms can be a bit finicky when young, they should fill out well and last many years in the garden after they’re established. The key is to provide adequate moisture without overdoing it—young plants can easily rot if their small root mass is overwhelmed with water. It is also essential to plant them in a location with sufficient sun to promote growth and blooming, but not so much as to scorch the foliage. Morning sun is ideal. Full shade locations will doom them to a long slow death as they fade away over time.
‘Touch of Class’
‘Heavenly Habit’
‘Purple Rain’
continued on page 43
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through the lens Photographs from Michigan gardeners
“The delicate dogwood in my yard.” —Donna Dalziel
A peace rose photographed by Tricia Hoen.
Send us Your Photos! 1. E-mail us 2 or 3 of your best garden photos. Be sure to e-mail the high-resolution file. 2. Please include your full name and a caption describing the scene and the plants. We are looking for photos of your garden, both wide-angle and plant close-ups. If your photo is published, we’ll give you a free one-year subscription to Michigan Gardener. E-mail your photos to: photos@MichiganGardener.com.
Cheryl Pullen wanted something different in the garden that would attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The annual cardinal climber vine has been perfect.
Jan and Fred Clear’s garden in all its fall splendor with texture and color of trees, shrubs, and grasses.
MichiganGardener.com | June 2017 | Michigan Gardener
Look for Allen Park • Ace Hardware Almont H American Tree Ann Arbor H Abbott’s Landscp Nurs • Ace Barnes Hardware (Washtenaw Ave) • Ace Barnes Hardware (West Stadium) • Dixboro General Store • Downtown Home & Gard H English Gardens H HillTop Greenhse & Farms • Larry’s Mower Shop H Lodi Farms H Matthaei Botanical Gard • The Produce Station H Turner’s Greenhse/ Gard Ctr • Wild Birds Unltd Auburn Hills • Ace Hardware • Drake’s Landscp & Nurs H Haley Stone • Oakland Community College H State Crushing Belleville • Banotai Greenhse H Pinter Flowerland H Zywicki Greenhse Berkley • Garden Central Beverly Hills • Ace Hardware Birmingham H Blossoms Brighton H Beauchamp Landscp Supp • Grasshopper Gardens • Leppek Nurs H Meier Flowerland Brownstown Twp • Raupp Bros Landscp Supp H Ruhlig Farms & Gard Canton • Canton Floral Gardens • Crimboli Nurs • Wild Birds Unltd Chelsea • Heim Gardens & Florist H The Garden Mill • The Potting Shed Chesterfield H Van Thomme’s Greenhses Clarkston • Ace Hardware (Dixie Hwy) • Ace Hardware (Sashabaw) • Backyard Oasis • Country Oaks Landscp Supp I • Lowrie’s Landscp • The Gateway • Weingartz Clawson • Ace Hardware Clinton Twp H English Gardens • Michigan Koi • MSU ExtensionMacomb Cty H Tropical Treasures
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at these fine locations: Clio H Piechnik’s Greenhse Commerce Twp • Zoner’s Greenhse Davison H Wojo’s Garden Splendors Dearborn • Ace Hardware • Fairlane Gard Dearborn Hts H English Gardens Detroit • Cheryl English H Detroit Farm & Gard • Detroit Gard Ctr Dexter H Bloom! Gard Ctr • Dexter Mill • Earth Art H Fraleigh’s Nurs Eastpointe • Drew’s Garden H English Gardens Farmington • Alexander True Value Hardware Farmington Hills • Ace Hardware • Saxton’s Flower Ctr H Steinkopf Nurs • Weingartz Fenton • Gerych’s H Heavenly Scent Herb Farm Ferndale • Casual Modes Home & Gard Flushing H Flushing Lawn & Gard Ctr Fostoria H The Iron Barn Fowlerville H Arrowhead Alpines • Green-Up Gard Ctr Gladwin H Stone Cottage Gardens Grand Blanc H The Weed Lady Grand Rapids • Meijer Gardens Grosse Ile H Westcroft Gardens Grosse Pointe • Allemon’s Landscp Ctr • Meldrum & Smith Nurs Grosse Pointe Shores • Edsel & Eleanor Ford House Grosse Pointe Woods • Wild Birds Unltd Hadley • Le Fleur Décor Haslett H Van Atta’s Greenhse Highland • Ace Hardware • Colasanti’s Produce & Plants • Five Star Ace Hardware • Fragments H One Stop Landscp Supp • Thornton Nurs Howell H Howell Farmer’s Mkt H Specialty Growers H Superior Landscp Supp • Wilczewski Greenhses
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‘Heaven Scent’ continued from page 41
Other worthy choices The native, green-leafed P. reptans fares better in shade than the variegated forms, although it too blooms best when it gets some sun. The name connotes a creeping habit, but the plants are actually more sprawling, not creeping—they do not form runners that root into the soil. P. reptans certainly has a place in less formal gardens or woodland settings. Pair it with the native yellow wood poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum) for a lovely springtime contrast of blue and yellow flowers. Another beautiful Jacob’s ladder is P.
yezoense ‘Bressingham Purple,’ noted for its dark purple foliage in spring. Unfortunately the foliage fades to green by midsummer, but not before the lovely sprays of bluish-purple, phlox-like flowers appear. ‘Purple Rain’ is a seed-grown, non-patented form of this species that looks quite similar. Lastly, ‘Heavenly Scent’ boasts blue flowers with a light grape fragrance. This hybrid between P. reptans and P. yezoense has burgundy-flushed foliage as it emerges, turning to green in the summer. Karen Bovio is the owner of Specialty Growers in Howell, MI.
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continued from back cover so the electricity does not go down the pole and into the ground. In the early 1800s when telegraph and telephone wires were first placed, insulators became a necessary item. Because many lines are now underground, the insulators have become quite collectible. Elaine received her first 20 or so insulators from her dad and has been collecting them ever since. She finds them at estate sales, auctions, and garage sales. A picket fence surrounds this garden and each picket was cut down to allow an insulator to be placed on top of it. This garden also holds her collection of shoe lasts. And what are those? Shoe lasts were used, and may still be somewhere, to make shoes. Shaped like the human foot, they were made of metal and hardwoods so they would keep their shape when wet leather was stretched over them. Here, Elaine uses them to line the paths and Roy welded a few together to make a garden flower sculpture. Elaine buys the products and comes up with the ideas and her husband brings her ideas to fruition. She gardens and he builds. Works great, if you ask me! P H OTO G R A P H S BY L I S A S T E I N KO P F
In Elaine Smith’s favorite garden, every picket on the fence is topped with an electrical insulator.
A pallet works well as a vertical garden. Before being stood up, it was planted and left horizontal until well rooted.
Although there are some hostas left, dead ash trees have left much of this garden in full sun.
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By welding these shoe lasts together, Roy Smith formed a flower.
An arbor made of ladders beckons you to enter the ladder garden.
Miniature scenes are scattered throughout the gardens.
The original garden room The garden located next to the insulators is the birdhouse garden—Elaine’s first garden room. It started out as her hosta shade garden, but unfortunately the emerald ash borer decimation of ash trees turned this shady spot into a sunny space. This is a problem that many people have faced in the wake of the emerald ash borer. Elaine adapted well to the situation. They used branches of the dead trees to make walls, moved the hostas to shadier climes, and created her succulent garden. This year was her first attempt at making a vertical garden from a pallet and it turned out amazingly well. She planted the pallet, left it horizontal for a few weeks to allow it to root, and then stood it up vertically.
More rooms
Elaine Smith stands under the morning glory-covered arbor leading into the birdhouse garden.
There are many gardens along the wood’s edge and even gardens along a trail in the woods. A few of the accoutrements, such as a child’s sled and bed springs, were found in an
old dump in their woods. The bed springs have been fashioned into rusty wreaths. The ladder garden is entered through an arbor constructed from three ladders. Elaine saw an arbor like this at an art show for $250. She fell in love and searched for three of her own ladders. She found them for under $20 and Roy built the arbor for her. She also collected orchard ladders and these have new lives as plant stands. In her travels, Elaine saw a bus stop shelter and knew she needed one to serve as a playhouse for the grandchildren. She took a picture of it and Roy built a replica. They situated it in a raised garden bed, which helps the plants grow better in the heavy clay soil. In other areas of the yard that aren’t raised, Elaine uses mulch and compost to improve the clay soil. The pond was a swamp in its former life. They decided to work with what they had and dug a pond 23 feet deep and added an aerator to keep the algae under control. Now continued on next page
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continued from previous page they have a body of water the wildlife can still enjoy, while the family can enjoy it too. In their pond, they swim, paddleboat, and watch the wildlife. An empty, electric wire spool was recycled as a wellhead cover and has a fairy garden planted on top. Elaine’s grindstone garden has a very small stone that she almost didn’t get on the plane coming back from Oregon. Fortunately, with much cajoling, this little grindstone treasure made it home to the garden. Elaine has used many recycled products and antiques to make her garden the eclectic showplace that it is today. Her imagination and ideas brought to fruition by her husband makes this a collaboration that works seamlessly. Luckily for me, and many garden walk attendees, we were able to visit this amazing garden. Now we have many new ideas for our own gardens. Thanks, Elaine! Lisa Steinkopf is The Houseplant Guru. Check out her newly updated website and blog at www.thehouseplantguru.com. Contact Lisa to speak at your next club meeting or event (houseplantgurulisa@gmail.com or 734-7481241). Follow her on Facebook (Facebook.com/ HouseplantGuru), Twitter (@houseplantguru), and Instagram (houseplantguru).
Elaine planted a vertical succulent garden and then framed it.
A fountain in the formal garden is visible from the home’s front porch.
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| June 2017 | MichiganGardener.com
A garden of rooms Elaine and Roy Smith made their vast property more intimate through a series of small spaces
T
hough 40 acres, the garden of Roy and Elaine Smith in Livingston County seems much smaller. The unusual part of this vast garden is the many rooms Elaine has created to make the approximately two acres that is under cultivation seem much more intimate. She has created over 10 small rooms, each with a different theme. I asked Elaine how she came up with the idea to make the smaller spaces. She said that in the winter when she can’t be outside gardening, she peruses garden magazines and finds ideas. During the summer she also goes on numerous garden Lisa Steinkopf walks, both in Michigan and in Chicago, where her daughter lives. The magazines and walks are wonderful ways to find ideas that you can incorporate into your own landscape. Elaine and Roy have lived at this address since 1989, but Elaine only started gardening around the mid 1990s. A surgical nurse, Elaine started gardening to escape the stresses associated with her job. Coming home and immersing herself in the garden and its care helps untangle the knots of an occupation that deals with life and death. She does all the gardening and her husband is the builder, rock mover, and welder.
This playhouse was constructed from a picture of a school bus shelter that Elaine Smith photographed on her travels.
Her favorite garden room Each garden is approximately the size of a small city backyard and could be adapted as such. Her favorite one is the insulator garden. What is an insulator, you ask? Insulators were used on the tops and cross arms of telephone and electrical poles. They insulate the wires continued on page 44
This flower wall art is made from recycled wine bottles. In turn, it is part of a “wall� created by welding steel wheels together.
Elaine has collected grindstones from as far away as Oregon for this garden.