Michigan Gardener - June 2018 by Michigan Gardener

June 2018

MichiganGardener.com

Your guide to Great Lakes gardening

Please thank our advertisers in this issue

Feature

2018 Perennial Plant of the Year

Profile

A hillside rock garden delight

Perennials Small and miniature hostas

Tree Tips The value of a tree inventory

New Plants New perennials for 2018

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®. © 2018, The Scotts Company, LLC. All rights reserved

SUPER S! SPROUT

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

Michigan Gardener | June 2018 | MichiganGardener.com

Celebrating 40 YEARS!

Garden Wisdom Treat plant knowledge like a hot potato. Pass it along as fast as you can. —Roy Lancaster

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.

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‘Cameo’ Perennial Perspectives: Part 3 of 3: Small and Miniature Hostas ��Back Cover

‘Super Hero’

‘Sweet Fragrance’ Easy Elegance roses don’t get much prettier than this.

This Easy Elegance rose is a perfect Father's Day gift!

To-Do List........................................................6

Advertiser Index........................................37

Ask MG............................................................8 Vegetable Patch..........................................10

Garden Profile: Rock garden delight ................................38

Tree Tips........................................................12

Subscription Form.....................................43

New Perennials for 2018.........................16

Through the Lens..................................... 44

Classified Ads.............................................27

Weather Wrap...........................................45

Books for the Michigan Gardener..................................28

Places to Grow...........................................46

Perennial Plant of the Year....................30 Calendar........................................................32 Where to pick up Michigan Gardener..........................................36 ‘Rosie the Riveter’

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 2018 Rose List

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

3301 John R • 1/4 mile north of 16 Mile Rd.

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

www.tellys.com

Photo: Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener

‘Frida Kahlo’

A floribunda, named to honor female A floribunda with unique, striped flowers all Summer long. factory workers during WWII

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On the cover: Allium ‘Millenium,’ the 2018 Perennial Plant of the Year, is a superb plant for Michigan gardens. Read about it starting on page 30.

Editorial Assistant Anna Doman

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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 Emily Wilson

30747 Greenfield Rd., Suite 1 Southfield, MI 48076 Phone: 248-594-5563 Fax: 248-594-5564 E-mail: publisher@MichiganGardener.com Website: www.MichiganGardener.com Publishing schedule 6 issues per year: April, May, June, July/Aug, Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec. Published the first week of the mo. Subscriptions (Please make check payable to Michigan Gardener) 1 yr, 6 iss/$14 2 yr, 12 iss/$26 3 yr, 18 iss/$36 Back issues All past issues are available. Please send your request along with a check for $3.00 per issue payable to Michigan Gardener. Canadian subscriptions 1 yr, 6 iss/$22 US 2 yr, 12 iss/$42 US Copyright © 2018 Michigan Gardener. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or used in any form without the expressed, written permission of the publisher. Neither the advertiser nor the publisher will be responsible for misinformation, typographical errors, omissions, etc. contained herein. Michigan Gardener is published by Motor City Publishing, Inc.

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to-do list Annuals • Pinch the growing tips of young plants to promote bushier growth and more blooms. • Check the moisture level on hanging baskets on a daily basis. • Remove spent flowers (deadhead) to encourage continuous blooming. • When planting in the ground, be sure to adequately prepare the soil. Mix in soil amendments for a rich loamy mixture. Peat moss helps sandy soils retain moisture. Soil conditioner helps break up clay soil. When planting in containers, use a potting mix specially formulated for containers. Many contain fertilizer as well as moisture-retaining crystals to keep plants healthy.

Bulbs: Summer-Flowering • Plant gladiolus bulbs each week and you’ll get a succession of flowers every week during the summer.

Feature Task: Attract butterflies & hummingbirds to your garden Create a haven in your garden for butterflies and hummingbirds by providing a few essential things: • Shelter from elements and predators. • Plants to provide food, nesting sites, perches and shelter. • Clean water source in a birdbath, dish, pond or even a patio water garden. Hummingbirds start migrating through Michigan in the late spring. Attract these winged creatures with spring-blooming lilacs and rhododendrons, and other summerblooming flowers. Hummingbirds prefer long, trumpet-shaped flowers, preferably in shades of red, orange and yellow. For shady areas, plant New Guinea impatiens, fuchsia, perennial lobelia, columbine, and the tropical lipstick plant. For sunny areas, plant petunias, morning glory vine, mandevilla, black-eyed Susan vine, hibiscus, canna, phlox, lantana, ver-

Evergreens

Fruits

• Once the flush of evergreens’ new growth has hardened off, prune hedges, like boxwood, yews and arborvitae. It is also a good time to prune and shape topiaries, like poodles, pompoms and spiral forms.

• Want to grow apples, but don’t have room for two trees? Try a couple columnar apples that only grow 2 to 3 feet wide and produce plenty of apples to eat. Remember, you need at least two different varieties

bena, and salvia. A hummingbird feeder placed in close proximity to the containers will also attract these birds. Be sure to change the nectar frequently to keep birds healthy. To attract butterflies, add another essential element: A place to bask in the sun, preferably a flat rock in a protected area out of the wind. Water can come from a variety of sources: birdbath, puddle or pond. It can be natural or provided. The key is a consistent source that butterflies can rely on. Mud puddles work too. Plants provide two important things for butterflies: places to lay eggs and sources for food. Nectar plants attract butterflies by providing a feeding station at which to rest. Larval plants keep them within the area by furnishing the proper habitat to deposit eggs. A variety of plants is best, which provides something blooming throughout the season. Select a variety of nectar plants that that will pollinate each other. • Use a fruit tree spray to prevent disease and fungus. Sprays generally contain an insecticide and fungicide to take care of any problems that may arise. Be sure to follow manufacturer’s instructions for when to apply, based on your specific plant type.

General

bloom throughout the season: primrose and lilacs in the spring; buddleia, butterfly weed, coneflower, coreopsis, lavender, and phlox in the summer; and sedum during the fall. Great annuals include: cleome, heliotrope, lantana, marigolds, petunias, and zinnas. Chives are another great option. Larval plants include: clover, hollyhock, lupine, parsley, turtlehead, Queen Anne’s lace, and violets. Whenever possible, keep the use of pesticides to a minimum, unless pests threaten the life of your plant. Use sound pest management practices and carefully diagnose pest problems to determine the best course of action for treatment. Birds in your garden will often deal with the problem on their own and your pesticide application may not be necessary. If you do use a treatment, always read label directions before applying. If you need advice, talk with an expert at your local garden center. every year? This may be the year to give those plants one last hurrah! Then let them go with dignity. Consider planting these behemoths into the ground. They’ll have a great summer and then let them die with the fall frost. This is a less guilty way to let your plants go and make room for new specimens that will fit your house better.

• Add a water element to your garden with a fountain or birdbath. The gentle sound of moving water provides peace and tranquility. Fountains come in many shapes and sizes to fit the style of any garden. Birdbaths are a great source of water for birds. Keep both fountains and birdbaths clean and free of debris to create a welcoming environment.

Lawns

Herbs

Perennials

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

• Pinch chrysanthemums 2 to 3 times before the Fourth of July to encourage bushiness. • Use a good organic fertilizer. Organic formulas help improve the soil, which helps to improve plants even more. • Beware of what you are adding to your garden because many perennials look innocent in their pots, but once out of them they can become invasive and take over your garden. This is especially true of certain groundcovers.

Houseplants • The danger of frost has safely passed. Move your houseplants outside for the summer. Be sure to place them in a protected area, and out of direct sunlight. Monitor watering; it’s going to be different than when they’re inside. Continue a monthly fertilizing schedule while the plants are actively growing. • Take stock of your plants: Are there plants which struggle from winter to winter, looking ugly and taking months to recover? Are there plants that have outgrown your space and are too big to keep moving in and out

• If you haven’t applied the second round of fertilizer, try to do so early in the month or 4 to 6 weeks after the first application. • A healthy lawn needs an inch of water a week, generally half an inch at a time. Use a rain gauge to measure the amount received.

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

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

Build a strawberry garden Please provide advice for setting up a strawberry garden for my kids. C.C., Farmington Hills With kids, keep it simple and fun! Strawberries need good drainage. A container bed provides that—one that stands about 12 to 18 inches high and about 3 feet wide by 6 feet long. You can build one simply enough with cedar boards and preformed metal corner brackets that hold it together. There are also several kits available in various dimensions that also offer screen protection against deer, squirrels and groundhogs from sampling the harvest. Creating a raised bed makes it easy for everyone to watch the plants grow, and keep them watered and weed free, while also giving proper drainage and easy harvest. When planting strawberries, be sure the crown is above soil level and the uppermost roots are 1/4 inch beneath soil level. Buried crowns rot and exposed roots dry out. Have kids measure and then dig holes for placing plants, depending on space and quantity. Strawberry plants should be placed approximately 14 to 18 inches apart, in neat rows that are separated. Use mulch to keep berries clean, conserve moisture, and control weeds.

Although strawberries just seem to lure children to the garden, you might also plant one tomato plant and a few bush green beans. These are things they can pick and eat fresh from the plant. Once children see the process of both sweet fruit and veggies growing under their own care, they often are more amenable to eating things normally not on their favorites list. It makes the mental connection from dirt to table. Depending on your space available, you could also devote another small bed to growing pumpkins. Nothing is more fun than watching the vines expand and produce that wonderful pumpkin to carve for Halloween.

Planting ajuga under trees I am considering ‘Chocolate Chip’ ajuga for an area where the soil has many tree roots. Can I get the ajuga established there? If so, will it invade into the lawn? D.S., Gulliver, MI Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) is a great low maintenance groundcover. The ‘Chocolate Chip’ variety has unusually narrow, dark green foliage overlaid with chocolate-brown during the cooler months. It has a very low, mounding habit. Short spikes of showy blue

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flowers appear in late spring to early summer, which contrast nicely with the dark leaves. It is definitely not as quick to spread as many of the larger selections in its genus, making it preferable as a groundcover or edging plant in any shady area with reasonably moist soil. When planting between the root flares of your tree, you should add a little compost soil base for the ajuga to grab hold of between the flares. You do not want to plant over the roots. However, once established, the ajuga will gradually fill in the necessary areas. Keep it consistently moist, since under a full tree canopy it will need to compete for water. Because it is not as aggressive as the species, it should be relatively easy to control any creeping stolons headed toward the lawn. Those can be broken off and transplanted into other areas under the tree needing coverage. Be careful about getting lawn fertilizers on the ajuga, as the excess nitrogen they contain may cause the ajuga to revert to its green parent. Then you could have an invasion problem.

Trumpet vine in trees Will a tree be injured by a trumpet vine growing in it? G.C. Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) is a colorfully flowered vine that attaches to trees with hair-like roots and twines around its support structure. It can climb up to 30 to 40 feet in a season. This makes it on the aggressive side. Although the hair-like roots are merely attaching structures and do no harm in themselves, it is the rapid growth rate of the vine that endangers the tree’s canopy. The vine can outrun the tree’s ability to produce leaves to feed itself and maintain its own metabolism and growth. By shading and covering the tree’s leaf production in its striving for light, the vine can basically starve the tree, which will eventually succumb. If the tree is already in decline, then the vine can use it as a trellis. However, planting a trumpet vine on a healthy tree is asking for trouble in the long term. The vine will win; the tree will die. The trumpet vine can be as detrimental to a tree as wild grapevine, which can also encompass a tree canopy in a single season. It is best to plant the trumpet vine on a strong arbor or pergola, rather than another living plant.

Problems growing squash My squash plants start growing, but then I get rot every time. How do I prevent this? D.T., Oak Park Squash blossom end rot is frustrating but preventable. It occurs from a calcium deficiency. Calcium helps a plant create a stable structure. If squash gets too little or runs out of available calcium while the fruit is developing, there isn’t enough to sufficiently build the cells on the fruit. The bottom of the fruit, which grows the fastest, doesn’t get enough.

As the fruit gets larger, the cells collapse, starting with those weakest cells at the bottom. Where the blossom is, rot sets in and a black indentation forms. Once the fruit is affected, you cannot correct it. The first means of prevention is to water evenly. If the plant goes through drastic changes in the amount of water it gets, it won’t be able to take up calcium when it needs it. Second, add a low nitrogen fertilizer to the soil before you plant. That’s the first number in the N-P-K fertilizer notation. Too much nitrogen means too many leaves and not enough roots to take up nutrition. Third, test the pH of your soil. It needs to be between 6.0 and 6.5, a relatively narrow margin, for optimal calcium uptake. Use lime to balance the pH if needed; read the label to add the correct amount if your soil pH is too low. Another way to provide quick calcium is adding gypsum to the soil. However, a soil test is recommended before applying any of these conditioners to make sure you get the right proportions of the right products. In your soil sample test, ask for recommendations for growing squash. The resulting analysis will give you the correct amendments and quantities to apply.

How to fertilize blackberry bushes What kind of fertilizer should I use for blackberry bushes? B.D., Sterling Heights Blackberries are considered a bramble fruit. They grow best in full sun and welldrained soil that is high in organic matter, like compost and sanitized cow manure. Brambles such as raspberries and blackberries can be fertilized in the absence of a soil test with a balanced granular fertilizer, i.e. 1010-10, 12-12-12, etc. at a rate of 1 to 2 pounds per 100-foot row. This works out to about 3 to 4 ounces per blackberry bush. If planting new plants, wait about 3 to 4 weeks before applying fertilizer. If these are established plants, then apply the above in spring, right after growth starts until the third year. Then double the amount proportionately in the next two years. After many years using this option, phosphorous and potassium levels in the soil will build up. A soil test every three years will help to monitor the nutrient situation. There are new blackberry cultivars that are thornless and still provide the luscious fruits we crave. Even though they are easier to harvest, all bramble fruit benefits from regular fertilizing to get that bumper crop. Once the spring granular fertilization is done, make sure they get consistent water, keep the organic matter worked into their root areas on a monthly basis, and apply late fall fertilization before the first frost. Answers provided by Beverly Moss, owner of Garden Rhythms.

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Come Cruise With Us! We are proud to present the Garden Cruise on July 15. Over the last 10 years, this tour of gardens designed, planted and/or inspired by Deborah Silver has raised over $123,000 in support of The Greening of Detroit. Come join us and tour some gardens for a good cause! TheGardenCruise.org

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Michigan Gardener | June 2018 | MichiganGardener.com

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rowing onions in Michigan is not difyour sets. Round onion sets tend to produce ficult, but may require a little more flat onions. Elongated sets are more likely to attention in terms of weeding and form round onions. watering. Onions are cool weather plants, so Once the onions are growing, the main they can be planted fairly early in the season. thing is to watch the weeding and the waterThere are several options on starting your oning. Onions have shallow roots and do not ions: seeds, sets or transplants. The first thing compete well with weeds. Cultivate carefully to consider, however, is your soil. to keep weeds out, but not damage the onion Whenever gardening, whether for onions bulb or roots. Side dress with fertilizer acor any other vegetable, it is always best to cording to soil test recommendations. Water start with a soil test. The soil test will give to keep the soil evenly moist, but not wet. If you the nutrient levels and make a fertilizer growing for green onions, you can develop recommendation based on those the long white stems by drawing numbers. It will also give you the about 1 inch of loose soil around pH. For onions and most other vegthe plants when they are about 5 to etables, a pH of 6.5 is ideal, but 6.0 6 inches tall. Do not pull loose soil to 7.0 is fine. The soil test should up around plants you are planning also tell you what type of soil you to use for dry storage as this can inhave. Onions prefer a sandy loam crease the likelihood of bulb decay soil, so it may be necessary to looswhile in storage. en the clay soils with the addition of Green onions can be pulled any compost. Bulbs do not form well in time after the tops reach about Mary heavy soils that do not allow good 6 inches. If a plant has formed a Gerstenberger bulb growth. Onions also prefer flower stalk, pull and use immewell drained soil. diately as they will not do well for If starting the onions from seed, it is imstorage. Onions for storage are usually harportant to get them in the ground as soon as vested after most of the tops have fallen over. the soil is workable and the soil temperature They should be pulled in the morning and is above 40 degrees F. Check the package diallowed to sun cure for 2 to 7 days. It is best rections for depth and spacing of the seeds. not to wash onions before drying as this may Starting from seed gives you a greater selecreduce storage time. Keep the dry wrapper tion of onions from which to choose, but also scales as intact as possible to enhance keepbear in mind that they will need a longer time ing time. After bulbs dry, the tops should be to develop than when planting from transcut to 1-1/2 to 2 inches. Bulbs that are damplants or sets. aged, cut or diseased should not be kept in Onion transplants and sets can be purstorage. Enjoy those onions! chased at most garden centers and farmers Editor’s note: Part 1 (“Types of onions”) markets. Transplants already have green appeared in the May 2018 issue of growth and are fairly easy to establish. They Michigan Gardener. are usually planted 1 to 1-1/2 inches deep and about 4 to 6 inches apart to allow for the deMary Gerstenberger was the Consumer velopment of the bulb. Sets are the dormant Horticulture Coordinator at the Michigan bulbs of onions grown the previous year. State University Extension in Macomb County, Purchase sets while firm and still dormant. MI. For vegetable and gardening information Smaller sets (about the diameter of a dime or from MSU, visit www.migarden.msu.edu. slightly smaller) are best for growing bulbs. Larger sets (greater than the diameter of Call the toll-free Michigan State University a dime) are better for green onions as they Lawn and Garden Hotline at 888-678-3464 are likely to bolt, or form seed, and cause for answers to your gardening questions. the bulb to stop growing. Check the shape of

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Michigan Gardener | June 2018 | MichiganGardener.com

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 4 • 8AM - 4:15PM

Featuring Tracy DiSabato-Aust—Keynote Presenter Join us for a very special 25th Anniversary edition of Garden Day and be inspired by Tracy DiSabato-Aust! With over 40 years of experience, Tracy is an award-winning garden designer, international speaker, best-selling author, and world-class triathlete with a passion for plants and design, as well as a dynamic, inspiring message.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR GARDEN DAY EXPERIENCE BY SELECTING FROM THE FOLLOWING WORKSHOPS: Garden Mixology from Garden to Glass • Landscape Critique – Enhancing Your Design Skills Community Mural: Make Your Mark! • Making Compost for Container Plant Growing Media Cultivating Your Green Thumb: Indoors • Native Plants for Getting Cool Insects into the Yard Garden Walk with the Director! • What Goes Into Bringing a New Plant to Market?

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Tree inventories: What they are and why we do them

ree inventories are performed for a variety of reasons. In the past, they may have only been done for major developments and natural resource management, to get an idea of what might be lost or what needs to be preserved and protected. Today, they are being used and required much more often, as we have come to value these resources better than in the past. Municipalities have come to realize that trees are assets and not just an expense to maintain and plant. Many have now contracted to have their trees both mapped out with GPS and inventoried to better understand what they have. Plus, they learn how to best maintain and even improve their trees as needed to meet the goals of their community. In the age of data, the more we know, the better we can plan for the future, as well as know where to put our resources now so they can do the most good. Steve Tree inventories can be as simple Turner as listing the tree’s species, size, and general condition or they can be extensive, including detailed data about health, structure, growth, insect and disease pressures, hazards, pruning needs, wildlife habitat, and more. A typical inventory will involve measuring the “diameter at breast height” (dbh) of every tree in a given area over a pre-determined size (for example, 6 inches dbh). Next, we would identify each tree; look for insect and disease issues; examine the roots, base and trunk for defects or decay; observe the structural limbs and branches, looking for deadwood and weakly attached limbs or other defects; and look at the foliage for density, color and size, as well as the growth increments at the ends of the twigs. If we are doing hazard evaluations, we will look more closely at the tree’s growing environment, possible root disturbances, and its location for targets, to determine the potential risk. Once all data is collected and entered into a database, you can use it to meet your objectives. Common inventory uses include appraisals for eminent domain situations where utility companies remove or damage trees for new easements. Once all data is collected, we

can use it to put a value on the tree loss. Developers are often required to do a tree inventory on all projects where trees will be removed or impacted. They are typically required to replace what they remove. If they take down four 12-inch dbh trees, they will have to replant 48 inches of new trees, such as 24 twoinch trees, to compensate for the lost ones. Tree inventories can also be used to determine potential habitat of endangered species, so the work schedule can be adjusted to minimize the impact. In Michigan we have restrictions on when trees can be removed due to endangered nesting bats. Municipal and natural resource tree inventories are more about using the data to plan and budget for future needs or trends. They act as a base map to gauge whether plans are working or need adjustments to achieve their goals. For municipalities, the focus will be on improving canopy cover, increasing the diversity of tree species and ages in the urban forest, and identifying and reducing hazards. Today, these databases can be meshed with I-Tree, a software program sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service that can give them a wealth of info on the benefits of their urban forest or even an individual tree. Examples include the amount of air pollution the trees absorb and the carbon they sequester, the amount of rainwater they absorb and divert from city sewers, and even the reduced utility costs needed to heat or cool buildings. The software can generate a dollar figure for all these benefits individually or all together. Essentially it allows you to place a value on every tree, which indicates how much that tree gives back to the community. This valuable info allows cities to make informed decisions in managing their urban forests. For natural resources use, the focus will be on invasive species, rare or endangered species, habitat, diversity, etc. Along those lines, I was recently part of a tree inventory on Belle Isle in Detroit. I will discuss that fascinating process in an upcoming column. Steve Turner, Certified Arborist, is from Arboricultural Services in Fenton, MI.

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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 savvy gardeners have been raving about. 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.

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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!

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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!

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The Produce Station 1629 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104 734-663-7848 www.producestation.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 8-9, Sun 8-8. Proudly supplying high-quality, rare perennials and specialty annuals! Succulents, echeveria, agave, rare tropicals, sedum, and sempervivum. Unique dwarf conifers and alpine plants. Enormous selection of specialty herbs and vegetables, plus heirlooms! Vast hosta selection, including tea cup varieties. Gorgeous Vietnamese pottery! Additional location: 2105 W. Stadium Blvd. May-August: Mon-Sat 9-8, Sun 9-7.

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Julia Hofley

Many Michigan gardeners visit 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.

‘Blue Frills’ Stokes’ Aster ‘Blue Frills’ (Stokesia laevis ‘Blue Frills’) produces large, vivid violet-blue flowers with a white center that form an attractive canopy of color above the foliage. Plant in free-draining soil and look forward to lowmaintenance, long-blooming flowers in July and August on a tidy, compact plant that is vase shaped. It won a prestigious award in 2016 for best new perennial. Not only will it attract butterflies and bees, but it makes a fine cut flower for the table. Height: 16-18 inches. Width: 20 inches. Light: Full sun. Zone: 5.

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‘Georgia Peach Pie’ Dianthus

Atlantis Sedum This head-turning bright light (Sedum takesimense Atlantis) was a beacon along a pathway that caught my eye last summer. I was surprised I hadn’t seen or heard of it, but it has a good story with a Michigan connection. According to Tony Avent, from Plant Delights Nursery, the species Sedum takesimense is a clumping, small sedum from the volcanic island of Ulleungdo, off the South Korean coast. It is not a desert plant, so while good drainage is important, so is adequate moisture. Atlantis is a stellar sport of the species and was found here in west Michigan by Michigan’s own Dave MacKenzie, savvy

At the 2016 Chelsea Flower Show in England, plant buzz abounded around the award-winning Whetman American Pie dianthus series, including the new ‘Georgia Peach Pie’ (Dianthus American Pie ‘Georgia Peach Pie’). I believe it. When I first saw it at a trade show last year, I needed to get close and take in one of my favorite spicy scents—I wasn’t disappointed. This hardy dianthus is bred for beautiful, scented blooms and excellent garden performance, like cold and drought tolerance. With timeless elegance, ‘Georgia Peach Pie’ has the palest, blush pink blooms with unique, vibrant coral centers. These large single blooms are presented on sturdy stems, making them perfect for flower arranging. The compact mounding habit makes the most of tight spaces in the garden, along a path, or in containers. Deadheading encourages repeat blooming.

PerennialResource.com

horticulturist and owner of Hortech, Inc. Green rosettes with serrated leaves edged in wide, creamy white margins will draw the eye immediately to wherever this showy plant is placed in your garden. In midsummer the clumps are topped with clusters of small yellow flowers held just above the foliage. In late autumn, the creaminess may take on some pink as the weather turns cooler. From South Korea to west Michigan, to a high profile location in your own backyard, this is a new, exciting succulent hardy to zone 4. Height: 4-6 inches. Width: 10-12 inches. Light: Full sun. Zone: 4.

Height: 11 inches. Width: 11 inches. Light: Full sun. Zone: 5.

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NEW PERENNIALS continued on page 18

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continued from page 16

Newsworthy Nepetas At the 9th Annual Daffodil Day on Belle Isle luncheon this spring, Lynden B. Miller, public garden designer and founder of The Daffodil Project in New York, was the keynote speaker. During her presentation, she showed slides of well-used and well-loved pocket gardens throughout New York and other green spaces that showcased ‘Walker’s Low’ catmint (Nepeta) as being beautiful yet tough, long blooming, low maintenance, heat and drought tolerant, and pollinator friendly. She also mentioned that because of the small, aromatic leaves,

rats don’t like catmint. It helped to plant catmints in those city green spaces—the rats abandoned their nests in those areas and moved on. Residential neighborhoods that back up to retail grocery stores and restaurants where food is discarded in dumpsters may want to consider planting catmint to help ward off rats—as well as rabbits and deer. ‘Six Hills Giant’ and ‘Walker’s Low’ are classic catmints, but not everyone has room for a plant that size. Here are two new, short-instature catmints to consider for smaller spaces:

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‘Pippa’s Purple’ Hellebore

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‘Cat’s Pajamas’ Catmint Unlike older varieties that only produce flowers at the top of the stems, this little, ball-shaped wonder carries long, dark flower stems that hold indigo blue flowers from the base of the plant to its tips. Even when the flowers are past peak, the color of the rosy purple calyxes give your garden an additional splash of color. Height: 12-14 inches. Width: 18-20 inches. Light: Full sun. Zone: 3.

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‘Kitten Around’ Catmint More compact and petite than its predecessor (‘Purrsian Blue’), ‘Kitten Around’ (Nepeta faassenii ‘Kitten Around’) forms a tight, round mound of aromatic foliage with bright, rosy-purple calyxes that hold periwinkle blue flowers. Ideal for edging paths or the front of the border, ‘Kitten Around’ blooms from early spring to late summer and repeats bloom, especially with a healthy cutback after flowering. Height: 12-14 inches. Width: 20-22 inches. Light: Full sun. Zone: 3.

Hellebore aficionados know that hellebores are the reliable, tough, dark green stalwarts that line woodland paths year in and year out, as browsing animals avoid them. They also offer up some of the first flowers of spring that are long lasting and oh so welcome. The Frostkiss series rises to the top of this genus with its star feature being the heavily marbled foliage of mint green, with a hint of pink in the midrib vein, over the top of dark green glossiness in the spring. Once the flowers have aged, the dark petals behind them prolong the show, while the foliage continues to be interesting with its light green marbling, stepping this evergreen up from just being a background plant that blends into the woodland. Also noteworthy is that the Frostkiss series blooms in their first year. Shade gardeners are always looking for added interest in their gardens and the Frostkiss series does the job. They hail originally from the U.K. and commemorate English plantswomen like Penelope Hobhouse (‘Penny’s Pink’) and Anna Pavord (‘Anna’s Red’). Like its siblings, ‘Pippa’s Purple’ (Helleborus Frostkiss ‘Pippa’s Purple’) has dazzling marbled foliage that ages to silver veins as the season progresses. In early spring, the plant is topped with an impressive batch of large, single, violet-purple flowers with a huge central boss of stamens. Other features of this high-end line of hellies is that they are completely sterile with outfacing flowers, allowing gardeners to enjoy the flower show without having to get down on their knees. Height: 24 inches. Width: 24 inches. Light: Part shade to shade. Zone: 5. NEW PERENNIALS continued on page 20

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continued from page 18

‘American Gold Rush’ Black-eyed Susan Belarina Amethyst Ice Primrose

color until frost. Enjoyed by songbirds and butterflies too!

If you’re going to stroll down the primrose path, create a runway of beauty with this fragrant new one (Primula vulgaris Belarina Amethyst Ice). Rising above the crinkly foliage are many stems of double rosebud blossoms lined with a white picotee trim, giving this little bundle of violet blue more dimensional layers. These are tough little zone 4 plants that can take what Michigan dishes out. In spring containers, they make gorgeous complemental plants with pansies, as their sterile flowers result in plants that are longer blooming. Later, move them on to your shady garden areas as a perennial. Keep them slightly moist during the summer months and mulch lightly with shredded leaves. Other colors available include Buttercup, Cobalt Blue, Cream, Nectarine, Pink Ice, and Valentine.

Height: 22-26 inches. Width: 40-44 inches. Light: Full sun to part sun. Zone: 4.

Height: 5-8 inches. Width: 10-12 inches. Light: Part shade to shade. Zone: 4.

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For gardeners who love the summer’s end, classic beauty of the black-eyed Susan, but dislike the unsightly Septoria leaf spot, ‘American Gold Rush’ enters the garden scene. Thinner and hairier leaves of this hybrid

(Rudbeckia ‘American Gold Rush’) show no signs of the fungus even in wet, humid conditions. A dome-like habit of golden yellow flowers with black centers are produced heavily from July to September with some

Cultivaris

‘Waterslide’ Hosta Nothing beats connecting the dots in a shade garden better than a dramatic hosta that you can see from a distance. Astilbes, ferns, hellebores, azaleas, and primroses weave a beautifully textural quilt. Hostas dotted through the scene bring a repeated pattern and tie it all together. This is where the dramatic, glaucous-blue mound of ‘Waterslide’ (Hosta Shadowland ‘Waterslide’) comes into the picture. An offspring of the popular hosta ‘Neptune,’ it has good genes and its long-lasting blue color holds well into the summer. The leaves are pointed, wide, heavily textured, and dramatically twisted and ruffled. In mid-August, hungry hummingbirds will find the clumps topped with clusters of medium lavender flowers held just above the foliage. Height: 14-17 inches. Width: 30-32 inches. Light: Full shade to part shade. Zone: 3.

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NEW PERENNIALS continued on page 22

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CASCADE SERIES continued from page 20

Heucherella:

Drama in the Shade Building a hillside garden under mighty oaks has given us the opportunity to try out many groundcovers that complement and co-habitate well with collections of hostas, ferns, astilbes, hellebores, rhodies, azaleas and more. Foamy bells (Heucherella) groundcovers have captured my eye on the garden center benches for years and captured my heart in our hillside garden with its high, dappled light. Colorful and trendy heucherellas are a hybrid between the sturdy groundcover Tiarella (foamflower) and the ever-popular

This series surprised me with soft waves of curly leaves that turned this way and that, maximizing color, shading and texture. The multi-hued tones of the leaf top complement the darker underside as they catch the light. Note the spacing on this plant and site appropriately, as it would look lovely along a path, surrounding a large tree to keep the mowers at bay, or falling over a stone wall. It also would make a stunning spiller in a focal point container, providing unexpected drama. This zone 4 plant is hardy enough to grow anywhere in Michigan and comes in Autumn, Plum, Copper and Gold Cascade shades.

Heuchera (coral bells). Heucherellas have showier leaves like heuchera and cover ground like a tiarella, although with a less aggressive habit. They are available in an amazing array of colors, textures, and flowers. I am growing these desirable plants all over our garden, learning about how they perform, and watching them make a handsome tapestry amongst my shade plant collections on our hillside. Here are some new Heucherellas to consider for your garden.

Terra Nova Nurseries

‘Autumn Cascade’ Blooming in June and July, this low-growing, trailing heucherella has a lovely blend of warm autumn hues: reds, oranges, yellows, and tan-colored leaves shaped like lobed oak leaves. Space accordingly upon planting in the shady garden bed, since this stellar groundcover roots into the ground at the nodes and spreads with excellent vigor. Height: 4-14 inches. Width: 36 inches. Light: Part shade to full shade. Zone: 4.

‘Plum Cascade’ PerennialResource.com

Blooming May to October, the first purple heucherella, ‘Plum Cascade’ has elegant, lobed, purple-silver leaves with a vigorous, trailing habit. When you’re looking for a bold color statement for the shade garden, the foliage interest alone would carry this plant, but small, light pink flowers appear all summer on short stems, putting icing on the cake.

PerennialResource.com

‘Eye Spy’

‘Catching Fire’

Part of the Fun and Games heucherella series, ‘Eye Spy’ has striking, dissected foliage with bubblegum pink flowers that bloom for many weeks. Amber yellow spring foliage has deep rose centers and mellows to chartreuse green with a silver overlay on this low-mounding plant. The series also comes in other striking colors: ‘Hopscotch’ and ‘Red Rover.’

Vibrant, lime green leaves centered with defined, flame-shaped markings that flare from the center like cherry red fire. In summer, these markings will deepen to mahogany, while cream-colored flowers appear in early summer. This vigorous plant forms a very dense, mounding groundcover and is a Heuchera villosa hybrid, making it more heat and humidity tolerant.

Height: 8-16 inches. Width: 16-20 inches. Light: Part shade to full shade. Zone: 4.

Height: 8-10 inches. Width: 16-20 inches. Light: Part sun to full shade. Zone: 4.

Height: 9-12 inches. Width: 32 inches. Light: Part shade to shade. Zone: 4.

Terra Nova Nurseries

NEW PERENNIALS continued on page 24

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Michigan Gardener | June 2018 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from page 22

‘Delicious Candy’ Coneflower

PerennialResource.com

This compact plant (Echinacea ‘Delicious Candy’) grew super-fast last summer in our garden and the cones took on the shape of chocolate truffles on dark stems, perched above the glowing magenta flowers. Then I saw the plant in its mature size, at both a tradeshow and in the baking hot sun at the Ohio State trial garden. I was blown away by its lusciousness—the result of great branching that creates an abundance of blooms. With this kind of flower count, there is plenty for flower arranging and still plenty for the garden. One of the first echinaceas to bloom, ‘Delicious Candy’ begins flowering midsummer and continues though early fall with deadheading, or just leave the flowers intact for birds, butterflies and hummers to enjoy the seed heads. It comes from Dutch breeder Marco Van Noort; Tony Avent agrees that it is one of the best coneflowers they’ve seen in the last five years. Height: 18-24 inches. Width: 14-16 inches. Light: Full sun to part sun. Zone: 4.

Nimbus White Meadow Rue

Darwin Perennials

‘Bandwidth’ Maiden Grass This compact version of zebra grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Bandwidth’) was bred by North Carolina State University and is certified infertile, making an old favorite safe for our natural environment by avoiding the possible seeding around into the wild. Rust resistance gives it clear, bright bands of color. Drought tolerance makes this plant a showy specimen within a perennial border, along a lakeside dock, or at a subdivision entrance. Prefers well-drained soil. Height: 30-36 inches. Width: 30-36 inches. Light: Full sun. Zone: 5. Julia Hofley is a plant collector, freelance garden writer, speaker, and independent sales rep (E-mail: julia@juliasbiglife.com).

Terra Nova Nurseries

A cloud-like plume of white flowers over multiple, dark stems with fern-like leaves gives gardens a unique focal point in late spring to early summer. This compact, upright, clumping version of this pollinator favorite has huge inflorescences that turn into lavender pink seed heads, extending the showy season. Position it in high, dappled light and this small footprint meadow rue (Thalictrum

aquilegifolium Nimbus White) blooms the first year after planting. But in the second year, look forward to an even heartier floral show. Once established, it will tolerate less-than-ideal conditions. Also available in pink. Height: 28 inches. Width: 16 inches. Light: Part shade to full sun. Zone: 5.

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American Tree 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.

Diegel’s Greenhouse 14499 25 Mile Rd., Shelby Twp., MI 48315 586-781-4463 www.diegelsgreenhouse.com May/June hours: Please call or check our website. Our small family business is dedicated to providing you with quality plants and friendly, knowledgeable customer service. Annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, planters and so much more! Plus mums and autumn decor in the fall. Don’t forget Christmas with our beautiful poinsettias, grave blankets, wreaths and more! Visit our website for events and specials!

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. Family-owned garden center since 1966. Also full-service landscape installation.

English Gardens 44850 Garfield Rd., Clinton Twp, MI 48038  586-286-6100 www.EnglishGardens.com Hours – Thru Sun, June 10: Mon-Sat 8-9, Sun 8-6; Starting Mon, June 11: Mon-Sat 9-9, Sun 9-6. Founded in 1954, English Gardens is familyand locally-owned, operating six full-service stores and a full-service landscaping company in Metro Detroit. Each full-service store has a nursery, garden center, patio shop, and seasonal Christmas center featuring the best value and finest quality products and services. For more information: 800-335-GROW.

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 familyand locally-owned, operating six full-service stores and a full-service landscaping company in Metro Detroit. Each full-service store has a nursery, garden center, patio shop, and seasonal Christmas center featuring the best value and finest quality products and services. For more information: 800-335-GROW.

Hall’s Nursery 24300 Harper, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080 586-775-3455 Find us on Facebook May/June hours: Mon-Sat 8-7, Sun 9-5. Two acres in the middle of the city. Since 1937, a big city garden center with personable, small-town customer service. Family-owned. Trusted advice on plants and superb landscape design too. Annuals, perennials, roses, shrubs, ornamental trees—we have plants you won’t find at big box stores!

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

Hessell’s Greenhouse 14497 23 Mile Rd., Shelby Twp, MI 48315 586-247-4675 www.hessellsgreenhouse.com Hours – May: Mon-Wed & Sat 8-8, Thu & Fri 8-8:30, Sun 8-7. June: Mon-Sat 8-7, Sun 9-5:30. Not your typical garden center. We specialize in annuals, perennials, unique hanging baskets, colorful planters, and vegetable plants, including many varieties of heirloom and “Around the World” vegetables. Also many unique gift and garden items. We grow our own plants on-site to offer you the best, freshest plants available.

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, mulches. We pride ourselves on offering the best service and advice. Visit meldrumbros.com for coupons and promotions.

Soulliere Garden Center 23919 Little Mack, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080 586-776-2811 www.soullieregardens.com Hours – May: Mon-Fri 8-7, Sat 8-6, Sun 104. June: Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat 8-5, Sun 10-4. Family-owned and operated, the one-stop shop for all your landscaping needs. Founded in 1952. Our knowledgeable, friendly staff will help you pick the perfect trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals. Plus, bulk landscape materials, stones, brick pavers, and gardening supplies. Fabulous selection of garden decor and patio furniture.

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.

Van Thomme’s Greenhouses 32385 23 Mile Rd., Chesterfield Twp., MI 48047 586-725-3708 www.vanthommesgreenhouses.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 8-8, Sun 9-5. Established in 1963. Huge variety of annuals, perennials, vegetables, and gorgeous hanging baskets. We carry Proven Winners. Big selection of organic vegetables, with over 65 varieties of tomatoes, many heirlooms. Lots of herbs too. Fall decor and hardy mums. Fairy gardens, wrought iron plant stands, fertilizers, and complete gardening supplies.

Van’s Valley Greenhouse 74865 Van Dyke, Bruce Twp, MI 48065 586-752-6002 www.vansvalley.com May/June hours: 7 days a week, 8–7 We’ve moved to a new location! Just south of 35 Mile. Wide variety of annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetable plants, succulents, garden art, wreaths, fairy gardens and much more! Oneof-a-kind hanging baskets and porch pots. Your pot or our pot: we will customize it and fill with our beautiful flowers. Can’t wait to see you!

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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. HARDY PLANT SOCIETY, GREAT LAKES CHAPTER - Events are at Congregational Church of Birmingham (1000 Cranbrook Rd., Bloomfield Hills). Guest fee: $5. For more info: julia@juliasbiglife.com or visit us on Facebook. DON’T LOOK. Oops, you looked. And so will 70,000 potential customers. Advertise in Michigan Gardener. Call 248-594-5563 or e-mail publisher@MichiganGardener.com.

GARDEN SPEAKER AVAILABLE for your club or group. Well-traveled garden writer does garden presentations & travelogues. This active collector gardener can speak on many subjects. Experienced to present at Garden Ctr open houses & conferences. For presentation list, biography, fee & references, contact Julia Hofley at Julia@juliasbiglife.com. 248-497-2674. Find me on Facebook. MICHIGAN GARDENER E-NEWSLETTER Sign up for our free e-newsletter! We send out a few each year, and there are contests to win prizes as well. Go to www.MichiganGardener.com and simply enter your e-mail address.

Michigan Gardener Classified Advertising is a cost-effective way to promote yourself and your business. Need help? Have help to give? Have a big event coming up? Have some items to sell? Let our readers know! Go to MichiganGardener.com and click on “Classified Advertising.”

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Michigan Gardener | June 2018 | MichiganGardener.com

Peony: The Best Varieties for Your Garden by David C. Michener and Carol A. Adelman The bold blooms, pretty colors, and heady fragrances of peonies make them one of the most popular flowers, both in gardens and floral arrangements. Peony: The Best Varieties for Your Garden (Timber Press, 256 pages, $27.95) makes it easier than ever to grow them at home. Enthusiastic home gardeners and peony collectors alike will learn the history of the plant, discover the different types of peonies available, and enjoy 194 profiles of the best varieties, along with 250 photos. Growing information includes details on climate, soil, light, planting, and water needs. Helpful lists detail the best peony varieties for specific needs, and a resource listing shares the best places to buy peonies and the best public gardens in which to see them.

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The author introduces you to more than 200 curious varieties of veggies from around the world in Veggie Garden Remix (Storey Publishing, 240 pages, $19.95). Start with familiar favorites like broccoli, tomatoes, or cucumbers, then let your imagination go wild with choices like cucamelons, Cape gooseberries, and Piracicaba broccoli. With a little help, you’ll make your vegetable garden into a treasure trove of flavors. With her lively “Like this? Then try this!” approach, the author encourages you to start with what you know and expand your repertoire to try related plants, many of which are delicacies in other cultures. This peppy guide includes detailed growing information for each plant, along with fun facts and plant history. Be prepared to have your mind expanded and catch Jabbour’s contagious enthusiasm for experimentation and fun in the garden.

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This second edition of Garden Insects of North America (Princeton University Press, 704 pages, $35) revises and expands this comprehensive guide to the common insects, mites, and other “bugs” found in our backyards and gardens. Featuring 3,300 color photos and detailed text, this book covers the hundreds of species of insects and mites associated with fruits and vegetables, shade trees and shrubs, flowers and ornamental plants, and turfgrass. This new edition also provides a greatly expanded discussion of common pollinators and flower visitors, the natural enemies of garden pests, and the earthworms, insects, and other arthropods that help with decomposing plant matter in the garden. Designed to help you easily identify what you find in the garden, the book is organized by where insects are most likely to be seen: on leaves, shoots, flowers, roots, or soil. This handy guide to the natural microcosm in our backyards is a definitive resource for amateur gardeners, insect lovers, and professional entomologists.

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Michigan Gardener | June 2018 | MichiganGardener.com

2018 Perennial Plant of the Year: Allium ‘Millenium’ A

llium ‘Millenium’ has been selected as the 2018 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association. This herbaceous perennial, a relative to the common onion, is a workhorse of the late summer garden. Bred by Mark McDonough, a horticulture researcher from Massachusetts, ‘Millenium’ was introduced in 2000 and has proven itself year after year, earning rave reviews. Interestingly, ‘Millenium’ is spelled with one “n,” as officially registered, but is occasionally incorrectly listed with two “n’s.” This cultivar is the result of a multigenerational breeding program involving Allium nutans and A. lusitanicum. It was selected for late flowering with masses of rose-purple blooms, uniform habit with shiny green foliage that remains attractive season long, and its drought resistance. The genus Allium contains more than 900 species in the northern hemisphere, but is perhaps best known for a dozen or so species of culinary vegetables and herbs: onion, garlic, leeks, shallots, scallions, and chives. The genus is also known for a few dozen ornamentals that grow from bulbs and sport tall stems with big, globe-shaped blooms in spring. The vast majority of the genus is little known and absent from horticulture, yet possesses significant ornamental potential.

How to grow ‘Millenium’ in the garden Growing best in full sun, ‘Millenium’ typically produces an upright foliage clump of grass-like, glossy, deep green leaves reaching 10 to 15 inches tall in spring. In midsummer, flower scapes rise above the foliage, with each scape producing showy, two-inch rosepurple blooms that last as long as four weeks. These flower umbels are completely round (spherical), not domed or hemispherical as they are in some allium species. They dry to a light tan, often holding a blush of their former rose-purple color. While other alliums can look scraggly in the heat of summer, ‘Millenium’ does not let the heat bother it. No serious pest problems have been reported. Plus, deer and rabbits leave it alone. ‘Millenium’ has a fibrous root structure that forms an herbaceous clump that is readily propagated by division. Once in the garden, ‘Millenium’ can easily be lifted and divided in either spring or fall. Pollina-

Allium ‘Millenium’ Plant type: Plant size:

Perennial 12-18 inches tall, 10-15 inches wide Habit: Compact, upright clump Hardiness: Zone 4 Rose-purple; tight, round Flowers: clusters Bloom period: Mid to late summer Glossy green, strappy Leaves: Light: Full to part sun Well drained Soil: Water: Average to low Perennial border; cut Uses: flowers; butterfly magnet Easy to grow. Interest Remarks: through multiple seasons for both its foliage and gorgeous blooms. Winter interest: the stems and flowers dry to tan and gray, and remain upright in winter. Deer- and rabbit-resistant.

PerennialResource.com

‘Millenium’ allium is a superb perennial for Michigan gardeners.

tors, including butterflies and bees, flock to it. Hardy to zone 4, it makes a great perennial for Michigan.

Companion plants Pair ‘Millenium’ with shorter goldenrods (Solidago) such as ‘Little Lemon,’ which reaches 1-1/2 feet tall. Goldenrods are late summer pollinator magnets that offer beautiful, contrasting golden yellow blooms. Another late summer-blooming, companion perennial to consider is ‘Shimmer’ evening primrose (Oenothera fremontii ‘Shimmer’), with its low-growing, silvery foliage adorned daily with large yellow flowers that open in late afternoon and fade to an apricot color by morning. Being tap-rooted, this evening primrose is well behaved, not creeping through the garden, which rhizomatous, spreading evening primroses are famously known for. ‘Millenium’ also looks great backed with the silver foliage of Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) or the native downy skullcap

Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener

This perennial even looks good in the winter, as it remains upright and contrasts nicely with snow.

MichiganGardener.com | June 2018 | Michigan Gardener

PerennialResource.com

The round, two-inch, rose-purple blooms last as long as four weeks. (Scutellaria incana) with its numerous spikes of blue flowers above trim, green foliage. Or simply plant ‘Millenium’ en masse and enjoy the rose-purple display. Blooming at a time of the season when many gardens begin to decline, ‘Millenium’ allium offers much needed color. This low-

maintenance, dependable perennial is an all-season plant that offers attractive shiny foliage spring through summer and caps off the season with its crown of perfectly round rose-purple flowers. Courtesy of the Perennial Plant Association.

Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener

A true multi-season plant, the stems and flowers on ‘Millenium’ dry in the fall to a nice tan and gray.

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www.MeierFlowerLand.com We are Greenhouse: 810-229-9430 worth Florist: 810-220-4848 the drive!

Campbell’ s G

Michigan Gardener | June 2018 | MichiganGardener.com

calendar

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT PUBLIC GARDENS, please visit MichiganGardener.com. Click on "Resources" then "Public Gardens."

June / July / August / September

reenhouses campbellsgreenhouses.com

Annuals • Perennials • Herbs • Roses Bulk Mulches & Soil • Decorative Stone Hanging Baskets • Trees • Shrubs • Arbors Home & Garden Décor • Birdbaths Aquatic Plants & Supplies • Wind Chimes Trellises • Enormous Pottery Selection Benches • Unilock Brick Pavers

May

A shop for home, garden, and soul.

June

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Campbell’s carries a One 10-inch Hanging Basket wide selection of Unilock Products. Stop in today to plan 4077 Burnside Rd. • 810-688-3587 Halfway btwn M-53 & M-24 in North Branch your next paver project! Valid 6/1/18 to 6/30/18. Exclusions may apply. Cannot be combined with any other sales or coupons.

Open 7 days a week through October 31

NICHOLS ARBORETUM

MSU Tollgate Evenings in the Garden: Tollgate History Thu, May 31, 6:30p, Novi. At MSU Tollgate Farm. $20. Roy Prentice presents MSU Tollgate Farms: Carrying on Novi’s Agricultural Traditions. Register: www.canr.msu. edu/tollgate/events/evenings-in-the-garden.

always in season!

2018 Peony Season Nichols Arboretum Peony Bloom Season - Memorial Day-June 15

The largest collection of heirloom herbaceous peonies in North America. Dates approximate; bloom depends on the weather. Free. Visit our dedicated website for current garden conditions: peony.mbgna.umich.edu.

Peonies Galore Sale - June 2, 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 3, 2 pm

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 10, 2 pm.

1610 Washington Hts., Ann Arbor 48109 734.647.7600 peony. mbgna.umich.edu

H Brenda’s Butterfly Habitat Fri, Jun 1, Opening Day. Westland. At Barson’s Greenhouse. Come see the butterfly life cycle & native host & nectar plants. www.Barsons.com. MSU Tollgate Spring Plant Sale Sat, Jun 2, 9am-2pm, Novi. At MSU Tollgate. Great plants at a good price and support Tollgate. www.tollgate.msu.edu. Perennial Plant Exchange Sat, Jun 2, 8:30am, Clarkston. By Clarkston Farm & Garden Club at Clarkston Village Parking Lot. Rain/shine. Pot/label your plants. www.clarkstongardenclub.org. MSU Extension Perennial Plant Exchange & Plant Sale Sat, Jun 2, 9am-Noon, Clinton Twp. By MSU Extension at 21885 Dunham Rd. Bring your healthy perennials in labeled containers. Macomb.msue@macombgov.org, 586-469-6440. H Peonies Galore Sale Sat, Jun 2, 10am, Ann Arbor. At Nichols Arboretum. Several varieties of locally-grown heirloom peonies for sale. 734-647-7600, mbgna.umich.edu. H Container Gardening Class Sat, Jun 2, 11am, Southgate. At Ray Hunter Florist & Garden. FREE. Master Gardener Paul Rodman will present techniques for useful & beautiful container gardens. 734-284-2500. H Taste of Weber Sat, Jun 2, Noon-3pm, Plymouth. At Plymouth Nursery. 734-453-5500. www.plymouthnursery.net. Harrison Township “Trunk” Plant Exchange Sat, Jun 2, Noon-2pm, Harrison Twp. By Harrison Twp. Beautification Commission at Tucker Park Parking Lot, 27100 Ballard. Free. Rain or shine. 586-242-3868. 10th Annual Spring Garden Tour Sat, Jun 2, Detroit. At Black Cat Pottery. Register: www.blackcatpottery.com. H Peony Blossoms & Pure Melodies Sun, Jun 3, 2pm, Ann Arbor. At Nichols Arboretum. FREE. An Afternoon of Chinese flower songs set amid the peony garden. Rain date June 10, 2pm. peony. mbgna.umich.edu.

Guided Meditation at the Garden Mon, Jun 4, Mondays in June, 5-6pm, Traverse City. At The Botanic Garden. $20/4 sessions. All proceeds donated back to The Botanic Garden. www.thebotanicgarden.org. Yardeners Native Plant Sale Sat, Jun 9, 9am-Noon, St Clair Shores. By Yardeners at Selinsky-Green Farmhouse Museum grounds. Deadline to order is May 25. Plant list & order forms: scsyardeners@gmail.com. 28th Annual Ann Arbor Garden Walk Sat, Jun 9, 10am-4pm, Ann Arbor. By Ann Arbor Farm & Garden at 6 private gardens. $15 through June 8 ($20 day of walk). K-12 students $3. Garden Walk Marketplace. Info: www.AnnArborFarmAndGarden.org. H Kid’s Club Event Sat, Jun 9, 11:30am, 5 locations. At English Gardens. FREE. Hand painted ladybug rocks. Advance registration required. www.EnglishGardens.com. H Ladybug Giveaway & Seminar Sat, Jun 9, At English Gardens. FREE seminar at 10am: Bees & Beneficial Insects. Organic pest control for the garden. Gardeners get 1 bag of 150 ladybugs free w/any purchase. www.englishgardens.com. Growing & Displaying Herbs Sun, Jun 10, 1-2:30pm, Niles. At Fernwood Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve. $12. Register by June 8: 269-695-6491, info@fernwoodbotanical.org. H Preschool Series at Hidden Lake Gardens Tue, Jun 12, 10:30am-Noon, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $9/class. Ages 3-6. Register: 517-431-2060. H Pests & Weeds Seminar Tue, Jun 12, 6:30-7:30pm, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $20. A wide variety of techniques including organic, chemical, & biological will be covered. Registration required: 517-431-2060. Franklin Garden Walk Wed, Jun 13, 10am-4pm, 6-9pm, Franklin. By Franklin Garden Club at 6 area gardens. $15 at Franklin Village Boutique. www.franklingardenwalk2018.eventbrite. com. 248-851-3410, franklingardenwalk@gmail.com. Preserve It Yourself: 4-Part Series Thu, Jun 14, 6-8:30pm, Taylor. By Taylor Conservatory at St. John’s Lutheran of Taylor. $15/class or $55/series. June 14: Jams & Jellies, July 12: Bread & Butter Pickles, Aug 9: Water Bath Canning, Sept 13: Herbal Vinegars, Oils & Pesto. Register: Patty@taylorconservatory.org, 888-383-4108. continued on page 34

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

July/August 2018 September/October 2018

Deadline June 15, 2018 August 15, 2018

Celebrating

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

Michigan Gardener | June 2018 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from page 32

MSU Tollgate Evenings in the Garden: Water Thu, Jun 14, 6:30p, Novi. At MSU Tollgate Farm. $20. Mary Gerstenberger presents “Water: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly”. Register: www.canr.msu.edu/tollgate/ events/evenings-in-the-garden. H Patio Centerpiece Workshop Thu, Jun 14, 7pm, 5 locations. At English Gardens. Make it and take it. $24.99. www.EnglishGardens.com. Ottawa Hills 25th Annual Garden Tour Sat, Jun 16, 9am-1pm, Grand Rapids. By Ottawa Hills Neighborhood Association. FREE. Gardens large & small, sunny & shady. www.ottawahillsgr.org/ neighborhood-events/ottawa-hills-annual-garden-tour/ H Floral Wall Weaving Sat, Jun 16, 10am-Noon, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $48.75. Back after 30 years, you’ll create a one-of-a-kind piece of wall art. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com. H Seminar: Landscape Design Tips Sat, Jun 16, 10am, 5 locations. At English Gardens. FREE seminar. www.EnglishGardens.com. Frederik Meijer Gardens Rose Show Sat, Jun 16, & Sun, Jun 17, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. Enjoy a variety of rose blossoms on display, all locally grown & carefully prepped. www.meijergardens.org. Fernwood Garden Party Sat, Jun 16, 6pm, Niles. At Fernwood Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve. Experience a special menu prepared by Chef Tim Carrigan & live silent auctions. 269-695-6491, info@fernwoodbotanical.org. Rochester Garden Walk Thu, Jun 21, 10am-5pm, Rochester Hills. By Rochester Garden Club & Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm & several public & private gardens. www.RochesterGardenClub.org. A Bouquet of Gardens Garden Walk Thu, Jun 21, 10am-4pm, Lexington. By Lakeshore Garden Club of Lexington at 7 unique gardens. $10. Tickets: Lexington Gardens, Noble, Weekends, Croswell Greenhouse & Raymond Hardware. 248-652-1394. Summer Solstice Garden Walk Thu, Jun 21, 3-8pm, Grand Rapids. By Kent Garden Club at 6 area gardens including the historic Brookby Estate. $10. akw47@comcast.net, kentgardenclub1913@gmail. com. H MSU Horticulture Gardens Summer Solstice Soiree Thu, Jun 21, 5:30pm, East Lansing. At MSU Horticulture Gardens. Come celebrate how the gardens have grown over the past 25 years. Register by June 4: www.hrt.msu.edu/solstice. 27th Grosse Pointe Garden Tour Fri, Jun 22, 10am-4pm, Grosse Pointe. By Grosse Pointe Garden Center, Inc. at 6 private gardens. $20. Tickets at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. 313-499-0743, gpgardencenter@outlook.com Pollinator Hoopla Sat, Jun 23, 8am-4pm, Clinton Twp. By BMO Logistics at Macomb Community College. Educational conference focused on pollinators. 586-473-8182, BMOLogistics.com. H Seminar: Attracting Birds & Hummingbirds Sat, Jun 23, 10am, 5 locations. At English Gardens. FREE seminar. www.EnglishGardens.com. H Fairy Day Sat, Jun 23, 11am-3pm, Plymouth. At Plymouth Nursery. 734-453-5500, www.plymouthnursery.net. Summer Night Hike Sat, Jun 23, 9-10:30pm, Niles. At Fernwood Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve. $12. 8 & under FREE. Discover the magic of nature at night. Bring a flashlight. Register by June 21: 269-695-6491, info@fernwoodbotanical.org. Blooms, Birds, Bees, & Butterflies Sun, Jun 24, 10am-5pm, Genesee County. By Genesee Co. Master Gardeners at 5 area gardens. $10. Selfguided. http://gcgardentour.weebly.com/2018, leemar4321@frontier.com.

H Appreciation Sunday: Celebrating 30 Years Sun, Jun 24, 11am-4pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. Stroll through the garden & celebrate 30 years with us. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com. H MSU Bee Palooza Sun, Jun 24, 1-4pm, East Lansing. At MSU Horticulture Gardens. FREE. In celebration of National Pollinator Week. www.beepalooza.org. H Preschool Series at Hidden Lake Gardens Tue, Jun 26, 10:30am-Noon, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $9/class. Ages 3-6. Register: 517-431-2060. 22nd Annual Flowers are Forever Garden Walk Tue, Jun 26, Noon-8pm, Plymouth/Canton. By Trailwood Garden Club. $10. Chat with the homeowners, get horticultural tips from our MGs & shop the Treasures Sale. www.TrailwoodGardenClub.com. H Seminar: Plant a Garden Resistant to Deer, Rabbit & Squirrels Sat, Jun 30, 10am, 5 locations. At English Gardens. FREE seminar. www.EnglishGardens.com. Grass Lake Garden Tour Sat, Jun 30, 10am-5pm, Jackson. By Jackson Co. Master Gardener Assn. at 8 unique gardens. $10. Vendors at Grass Lake Depot. Rain or shine. jcmga2013@gmail.com, 517-499-4442, marlagilpin05@gmail.com.

July H Preschool Series at Hidden Lake Gardens Tue, Jul 10, 10:30am-Noon, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $9/class. Ages 3-6. Register: 517-431-2060. H The Fruits, Vegetables, & Herbs of Your Labor Tue, Jul 10, 6:30-7:30pm, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $20. How to can, freeze, or dehydrate the food from your garden. Take home lots of fun new recipes to try as well. Registration required: 517-431-2060. Country Garden Club of Northville: Silver Anniversary Garden Walk Wed, Jul 11, 9am-4pm, Northville. By The Country Garden Club of Northville at 6 area gardens. $15 at the Mill Race Village gate. Garden market, live music & more. 734-788-9935. 44th Annual Troy Garden Walk: Invitation to the Gardens Wed, Jul 11, 9:30am-3pm & 5-8:30pm, Birmingham & Troy. By Troy Garden Club at 7 private gardens. $10 in advance; $15 day of walk. Arts & crafts boutique, plant sale & student art competition. www.TroyGardenClubMI.com, 248-540-6158. Shelby Garden Club Bi-Annual Garden Walk Sat, Jul 14, 10am-4pm, Shelby Twp. By Shelby Garden Club at private area gardens. $10. Advance tickets available: Shelby Township Library & Parks & Recreation. Day of: Heritage Garden. A Day in the Garden: Tour & Garden Thyme Market Sat, Jul 14, 10am-4pm, Hastings. By Thornapple Garden Club at 5 area gardens. $10. “Garden Thyme Market” 9am-5pm on the courthouse lawn. ThornappleGardenClub@yahoo.com. H Garden Delight Tour Afternoon Wed, Jul 11, 11am-1pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $29.75. Steve Mathews guides you through a 1 hour tour of Heavenly Scent’s gardens. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com. H 20th Anniversary LACASA’s Garden Tour Weekend Sat, Jul 14, & Sun, Jul 15, 9am-4pm, Livingston County. By LACASA at area gardens. $20. Scavenger hunt, raffles & more. Celebrate our 20th Garden Tour. Proceeds benefit victims of child abuse & interpersonal violence. Advance tickets: www.lacasacenter.org. Frederik Meijer Gardens Daylily Show Sat, Jul 14, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. See an amazing variety of daylily flowers that vary in size from less than 1 inch across to almost 10 inches. www.meijergardens.org. 4 Seasons Garden Club: 2018 Garden Walk Sat, Jul 14, 10am-4pm, South Lyon. By 4 Seasons Garden Club of South Lyon at 7 area gardens. $10. Begin at the Salem-South Lyon Library. 248-437-8539.

MichiganGardener.com | June 2018 | Michigan Gardener

H Hydrangeas 101 Sat, Jul 14, 1pm, Plymouth. At Plymouth Nursery. Learn the basics of growing hydrangeas. Register: 734-453-5500. www.plymouthnursery.net. H The Garden Cruise Sun, Jul 15, 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. Fenton Open Gate Garden Club 21st Annual Summer Garden Tour Sun, Jul 15, 10am-5pm, Fenton. By Fenton Open Gate Garden Club at beautiful & innovative gardens. $10 at A.J. Phillips Fenton Museum. Kids 12 & under free. www.opengategardenclubgardentour.com. 13th Annual Clarkston Garden Walk Wed, Jul 18, 11am-7pm, Clarkston. By Clarkston GC at 6 private gardens. $18. Day of tickets available at the Library. Artisan market 11am-5pm. 248-620-313, www.clarkstongardenclub.org/events. H Outdoor Garden Tea Party Wed, Jul 18, 11:30am-1:30pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $31.75. The perfect way to celebrate summer. Dates: Jul 18, Jul 19, Jul 20, Jul 24, Jul 25, Jul 26. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com. H Daylily Dig Sat, Jul 21, 9am-5 pm, Howell. At Specialty Growers. Free talk on daylilies at 1 pm. www.specialtygrowers.net, 517-546-7742. Harrison Township 2018 Inspirations Garden Tour Sat, Jul 21, 9am-4pm, Harrison Twp. By Harrison Township Beautification Comm. at 8 private gardens. $15. VIP Bus Tour Available. Harrison Twp. 586-242-3868. H Preschool Series at Hidden Lake Gardens Tue, Jul 24, 10:30am-Noon, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $9/class. Ages 3-6. Register: 517-431-2060. Farmington Garden Club Garden Tour Sat, Jul 28, 10am-4pm, Farmington. By Farmington Garden Club at area gardens including the Governor Warner Mansion. fgc1932@gmail.com, 248-477-3854. Goodrich Garden Walk Sat, Jul 28, 10am-4pm, Goodrich. By Goodrich Garden Club at 5 private gardens. $10 at Brown’s Do It Center. Tour & shop salvaged garden items & local artists. Rain or shine. 248-909-1642. H Hydrangeas 101 Sat, Jul 28, 1pm, Plymouth. At Plymouth Nursery. Learn the basics of growing hydrangeas. Register: 734-453-5500. www.plymouthnursery.net

August H Garden Day, featuring Tracy DiSabato-Aust Sat, Aug 4, 8am-4:15pm, East Lansing. At MSU Horticulture Gardens. $76. Select 2 workshops of your choosing & enjoy 2 keynote presenters including Tracy DiSabato-Aust. Register: hrt.msu.edu/garden-day. Yardeners 25th Annual Garden Tour Sat, Aug 4, 9am-3pm, St. Clair Shores. By The Yardeners of St. Clair Shores. $5. 12 & under FREE. View some of the loveliest yards in St. Clair Shores. scsyardeners@ gmail.com. H Preschool Series at Hidden Lake Gardens Tue, Aug 7, 10:30am-Noon, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $9/class. Ages 3-6. Register: 517-431-2060. 8th Annual Summer Garden Tour Sat, Aug 18, Detroit. At Black Cat Pottery. Register: www.blackcatpottery.com. H Michigan Koi & Pond Club: Annual Koi Show Fri, Aug 24, 3-5pm; Sat, Aug 25, 10am-4pm; Sun, Aug 26, 10am-1pm; Milford. At The Pond Place of Michigan. Koi show & vendor event. Vote for your favorite koi. 734-846-8588, www.mkpc-se.com. H Annual Summer Herb Fair Sat, Aug 25, 10am-5pm & Sun, Aug 26, 11am-4pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $2. 48 different artisans, huge plant sale & more. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com. Frederik Meijer Gardens Dahlia Show Sat, Aug 25, & Sun, Aug 26, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. Marvel at the variety of colors, shapes & sizes of dahlia flowers & view creative floral arrangements. www.meijergardens.org. 66th Annual Dahlia Show & Competition Sat, Sep 15, 12noon-9:30pm; Sun, Sep 16, 9am-3pm, West Bloomfield Twp. By SE Michigan Dahlia Society at Orchard Mall. 500 dahlias of varying size, color & form. www.semds.org, 248-689-5947. Chrysanthemums & More Fri, Sep 21, through Oct 28, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. Celebrate the autumn season with an extensive display of hundreds of flowering plants. Color tours, tram rides & seasonal children’s activities. Yardeners Fall Plant Exchange Sat, Sep 22, 9-11am, St. Clair Shores. By Yardeners at parking lot behind St. Clair Shores Public Library. Bag, tag, & drag your offerings to trade or give away. No money involved. scsyardeners@gmail.com. H Pond Winterization Sat, Sep 22, & Sat, Sep 29, & Sat, Oct 13, 10-11am, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. How to clean-up & winterize your pond. www.pondplace.com.

Come see the HOSTA HILLSIDE COLLECTION: A world-class collection of more than 1,000 hosta varieties

Botanical Garden & Arboretum • Dwarf & Rare Conifers • Plant Conservatory Flower Gardens • Picnic Area • Bonsai • Hiking Trails • Weddings & Tours by appointment 6214 Monroe Rd. (M-50) • Tipton, MI • OPEN DAILY

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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

Michigan Gardener | June 2018 | MichiganGardener.com

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• Small Tree & Shrub Pruning

Allen Park • Ace Hardware Almont H American Tree Ann Arbor • Dixboro General Store H Matthaei Botanical Gard H Downtown Home & Gard • Wild Birds Unltd H The Produce Station • Ace Barnes Hardware (Washtenaw Ave) H Turner’s Greenhse/ Gard Ctr H Lodi Farms H Abbott’s Landscp Nurs • Ace Barnes Hardware (West Stadium) • Larry’s Mower Shop H HillTop Greenhse & Farms Auburn H Warmbier Farms Auburn Hills • Drake’s Landscp & Nurs H State Crushing • Ace Hardware H Haley Stone Belleville H Zywicki Greenhse • Banotai Greenhse H Pinter Flowerland Berkley • Garden Central Beverly Hills • Ace Hardware Birmingham H Blossoms Brighton • Grasshopper Gardens • Ace Hardware H Meier Flowerland • Leppek Nurs H Beauchamp Landscp Supp Brownstown Twp H Ruhlig Farms & Gard • Raupp Bros Landscp Supp Bruce Twp H Van’s Valley Greenhse Canton • Wild Birds Unltd • Canton Floral Gardens • Crimboli Nurs Chelsea H The Garden Mill • The Potting Shed • Ace Hardware Chesterfield H Van Thomme’s Greenhses Clarkston • The Gateway • Lowrie’s Landscp • Backyard Oasis • Ace Hardware (Dixie Hwy) • Ace Hardware (Sashabaw) • Weingartz • Country Oaks Landscp Supp Clawson • Ace Hardware

at these fine locations: Clinton Twp • MSU ExtensionMacomb Cty H English Gardens • Tropical Treasures • Michigan Koi Clio H Piechnik’s Greenhse Commerce Twp H Zoner’s Greenhse Davison H Wojo’s Garden Splendors Dearborn • Fairlane Gard • Ace Hardware Dearborn Hts H English Gardens Detroit • Cheryl English • Detroit Gard Ctr Dexter H Fraleigh’s Nurs • Bloom! Gard Ctr H Dexter Mill • Earth Art Eastpointe H English Gardens • Drew’s Garden Farmington • Alexander True Value Hardware Farmington Hills H Steinkopf Nurs • Saxton’s Flower Ctr • Ace Hardware • Weingartz Fenton • Gerych’s H Heavenly Scent Herb Farm Ferndale • Casual Modes Home & Gard Flushing H Flushing Lawn & Gard Ctr Fostoria H The Iron Barn Fowlerville • Green-Up Gard Ctr Gladwin H Stone Cottage Gdns Grand Blanc H The Weed Lady Grand Rapids • Meijer Gardens Grosse Ile • Grosse Ile Pet & Gard Ctr H Westcroft Gardens Grosse Pointe • Allemon’s Landscp Ctr • Meldrum & Smith Nurs Grosse Pointe Shores • Edsel & Eleanor Ford House Grosse Pointe Woods • Wild Birds Unltd Hadley • Le Fleur Décor Haslett H Van Atta’s Greenhse Highland • Thornton Nurs • Colasanti’s Produce & Plants H One Stop Landscp Supp • Five Star Ace Hardware • Fragments • Ace Hardware

Howell H Specialty Growers • Wilczewski Greenhses H Superior Landscp Supp • Howell Farmer’s Mkt Imlay City H Earthly Arts Keego Harbor • Creative Brick Paving Lake Orion H Orion Stone Depot H Lake Orion Lawn Ornaments H Wojo’s of Lake Orion • Ace Hardware Livonia • Saxton’s Power Equip • Valley Nurs H George’s Livonia Gard • Ace Hardware (6 Mi/Newburgh) • Ace Hardware (5 Mi/Middlebelt) • Superior Growers Supp • Bushel Mart Macomb • Wild Birds Unltd • Joe Randazzo’s • Ace Hardware • Boyka’s Greenhse • Olejnik Farms • Altermatt’s Grnhse H Landscape Source H Elya’s Village Gard Midland • Dow Gardens Milford H The Pond Place • Peter’s True Value Hardware • Ace Hardware Monroe • The Flower Market New Baltimore H Meldrum Bros Nurs New Boston H Grass Roots Nurs • Mums the Word New Hudson H Milarch Nurs • Fletcher & Rickard Landscp Supp North Branch H Campbell’s Greenhses H Oldani Landscp Nurs Northville • Gardenviews • Begonia Bros Novi • Tollgate Education Ctr - MSU • Glenda’s Gard Ctr • Ace Hardware • Wild Birds Unltd Oak Park • Ace Hardware • Four Seasons Gard Ctr Oakland H Piechnik’s Garden Gate Ortonville H Wojo’s Greenhse Owosso H Everlastings in the Wildwood Oxford • Oxford Farm & Gard Pinckney • Bock’s General Store & Gard Ctr

Plymouth • Rock Shoppe H Plymouth Nurs • Lucas Nurs • Sparr’s Greenhse • Sideways • Plymouth Rock & Supp Pontiac • MSU ExtensionOakland Cty • Goldner Walsh Gard/Home Ray • Heritage Oaks Redford H Pinter Flowerland • Seven Mi Gard Ctr Rochester • Allstate Home Leisure • Fogler’s Greenhse • Sherwood Forest Gard Ctr Rochester Hills H Haley Stone H Auburn Oaks Gard Ctr • Wild Birds Unltd • Ace Hardware Romulus • Kurtzhal’s Farms • Schwartz’s Greenhse H Schoedel’s Nurs Roseville • Dale’s Landscp Supp • Flower Barn Nurs Sea World Royal Oak • Frentz & Sons Hardware • Billings Lawn Equip • Ace Hardware • Wild Birds Unltd • Manus Power Mowers H English Gardens Saginaw H Abele Greenhse & Gard Ctr Salem Twp H Willow Greenhses Saline • Nature’s Gard Ctr H Saline Flowerland • Junga’s Ace Hdwe • Clink Landscp & Nurs Shelby Twp • Ace Hardware H Telly’s Greenhse H Hessell’s Greenhses H Diegel’s Greenhse • Maeder Plant Farm South Lyon • Stone Depot Landscp Supp • Mike’s Garden • Ace Hardware • Hollow Oak Farm Nurs Southfield H Eagle Landscp & Supp • Lavin’s Flower Land • 3 DDD’s Stand • Main’s Landscp Supp Southgate H Ray Hunter Gard Ctr St Clair Shores • Ace Hardware (Harper/13 Mi) • Circare H Hall’s Nurs H Soulliere Gard Ctr • Greenhouse Growers

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

melvindale

allen park lincoln park romulus

van buren twp.

river rouge ecorse

taylor southgate wyandotte

Grass Roots Nursery

sumpter twp.

oo d

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).

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.

Schoedel’s Nursery

Pinter Flowerland

woodhaven

huron twp.

Panetta’s Landscape Supplies 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 decorative rock and mulches. Unilock and Oaks brick pavers and wall blocks. Flagstone. New natural stone coping and pillar caps. Try our RJ’s Garden Mix, a custom blend of soils and soil additives— perfect for your garden. Visit both locations to experience our vast variety of perennials, roses, shrubs and trees.

riverview brownstown

trenton

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.

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.

flat rock

grosse ile brownstown gibraltar

Zywicki Greenhouse

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.

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!

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

Advertiser Index Abbott’s Landscape Nursery...............43 Abele Greenhouse & Gard Ctr............... 8 Aguafina Gardens International..........19 Alexander’s Farm Mkt/Greenhses...33 Assoc. of Professional Gardeners......43 Auburn Oaks Gard Ctr.............................29 Barson’s Greenhouse...............................33 Beauchamp’s/The Pond Place...............5 Blossoms........................................................27 Bogie Lake Greenhouses........................23 Campbell’s Greenhouses.......................32 Civiltech..........................................................28

Davey Tree......................................................17 Destinations: Ann Arbor........................ 14 Destinations: Downriver.........................37 Destinations: I-96..................................... 45 Destinations: Macomb............................26 Detroit Garden Works............................... 9 Eckert’s Greenhouse................................ 10 EcoChic Landscape Design...................36 English Gardens.................................Page 3 Espoma............................................................19 Fraleigh’s Landscape Nursery..............29 The Garden Mill..........................................43

Garden Rhythms........................................43 A Garden Space..........................................36 Gordon’s Lawn Core Aeration.............35 Grass Magic..................................................23 Grinstein Jewelry & Design...................25 Haley Stone....................................................15 Heavenly Scent Herb Farm....................28 Hidden Lake Gardens...............................35 Honda...............................................................13 LACASA Center............................................7 Lake Orion Lawn Ornaments.............. 34 The Lumberjacks Tree Service........... 34

Matthaei Botanical Gardens.................32 Meier Flowerland........................................31 Merrittscape.................................................12 MSU Horticulture Gardens....................12 Milarch Nursery..........................................10 Mosquito One..............................................29 Mulligan’s Garden Ctr............................. 34 Organimax....................................................23 The Original Budget Tree Service.......36 Orion Stone Depot.....................................33 Osmocote.....................Inside Front Cover Piechnik’s Greenhouse.............................21

Plantskydd......................................................21 Plymouth Nursery.....................................25 Poison Ivy Control of Michigan............43 Proven Winners Color Choice...............11 Ray Hunter Garden Ctr........................... 34 Sam’s Yard Guard......................................43 Schuman Landscape Lighting...............15 Sell Farms & Greenhouses.................... 34 Specialty Growers......................................25 State Crushing.............................................25 Steinkopf Nursery.......................................17 Stone Cottage Gardens...........................43

Suburban Landscape Supply.................21 Telly’s Greenhouse......................................4 Turner’s Landscp & Gard Ctr.................21 Tuthill Farms & Composting.................43 Uncle Luke’s Feed Store..........................36 Van Atta’s Greenhouse............................19 Warmbier Farms........................................27 Waterscape..................................................23 The Weed Lady...........................................29 Westcroft Gardens...................................33 Zoner’s Greenhouse................................... 6

Michigan Gardener | June 2018 | MichiganGardener.com

Barb Haman

Barb and John Haman’s gorgeous rock garden is at its peak in the spring.

A rock garden delight Barb and John Haman have transformed a steep lakeshore slope into a superb mixed rock garden When you view the hillside rock them from their previous garden garden in Barb and John Haman’s in St. Clair Township. The rocks garden, you would assume it has alare originally from Canada, near ways been there and that the plants Calgary. Fasten your seatbelt for a were naturally growing amongst crazy story. John and Barb rented the rocks. Their Sanilac County a dump truck, boarded the Magarden is located on the shore of rine City ferry, sailed across the Lake Huron, which is rocky, so it St. Clair River to Sombra, Ontario, makes sense that the rocks would disembarked, picked up a load of Lisa be part of the natural landscape. rock, drove back onto the ferry, and Steinkopf But nothing could be further from cruised back across to Michigan. the truth. Not just once, but three times, to Not only was each rock carefully placed get enough rock to make the garden. These by Barb and John, this isn’t the first garden are some dedicated rock gardeners! the rocks have been in—the Hamans moved These rocks are actually tufa rocks, and because they are limestone and have a porous makeup, they are perfect for small rock garP H OTO G R A P H S BY L I S A S T E I N KO P F den plants. They love to nestle into the small

Barb made this group of hypertufa pots and filled them with small plants.

Barb made this dancing lady using a wire form, cloth strips, and cement.

MichiganGardener.com | June 2018 | Michigan Gardener

This small fuzzy plant looks like a cross between a lamb’s ear and an African violet, but isn’t related to either. It is a Jankaea, which flowers in the spring and is native to Greece. crevices and indentations in the rocks—they live quite happily there. Many of the plants used in rock gardens are quite diminutive. So Barb’s garden on a steep hill is perfect for viewing these tiny plants up close. Some are actually at eye level. She says the small plants cause one to slow down and really look. I saw plants I never knew existed. I was especially intrigued that she had a plant in the Gesneriaceae family (a cousin of the African violet) that is hardy in Michigan. Barb is a member of the Great Lakes Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society, or NARGS for short. This group concentrates on plants that grow best in alpine gardens that prefer well-drained soil and often grow at high altitudes. If you would like more information about the NARGS or the Great Lakes Chapter, go to www.nargs.org. If you are interested in starting a rock garden, Barb recommends A Rock Garden Handbook for Beginners, published by the NARGS.

The beginnings This garden growing on a slope on the Lake Huron shores was not attractive before it became a rock garden. The Haman house was built in the 1970s and is nestled into the bluffs overlooking the lake. Building houses this close to the lakeshore is no longer alBarb Haman

Weeding knife in hand, Barb Haman stands in front of her rock garden.

continued on next page

Michigan Gardener | June 2018 | MichiganGardener.com

These huge planters start out as antique cement sinks that Barb covers with hardware cloth and cement.

This view is what you see as you walk up to the front door of the Haman’s home. The sound of the waves on the beach is soothing while Barb works in the garden. continued from previous page lowed. Thus, their steep hillside garden is unique. A little over 10 years ago, the hill was covered with crown vetch, English ivy, and what we in Michigan call “ditch lilies.” They cleared all of that off the hill before placing the rocks and installing the plants. The soil does have some clay, but it doesn’t hinder the drainage because of the hill’s steepness and the type of soil the plants are growing in. Barb calls it “lakey loam.” The garden faces east and so receives plenty of morning sunshine. There is more shade on one end of the garden than the other, so Barb has added hellebores, epimediums, and Solomon’s seal in that area. There are also a few dwarf conifers mixed in with the flowering rock plants. I visited in July and again in September, and saw plenty of flowers, but Barb says

the best time for rock gardens is in the spring, when the entire hill is covered with blooms. Where does Barb find these small, alpine plants? She goes to plant exchanges and sales put on by the NARGS, and she also starts a large number of her plants from seed. She uses a mix of compost, sand, and topsoil and covers the top of the mix with chicken grit to prevent the plants from rotting.

Homemade containers and more Barb is multi-talented and not only grows plants, but makes containers for them as well. She builds small hypertufa containers and also large containers, which are scattered throughout the garden. The large containers started life as concrete sinks. She finds them, brings them home, wraps them in hardware cloth and covers that in cement. The containers stay out all year because, frankly, who could move them?!

These gentians are a beautiful blue.

MichiganGardener.com | June 2018 | Michigan Gardener

The shady end of the rock garden is filled with hellebores, epimedium, and Solomon’s seal. She also makes little figures that she includes in her pots. They are wire forms she creates that are then wrapped in “cloth” paper mache, as Barb calls it. Instead of using paper, flour and water, she uses strips of cloth dipped in a thin cement mixture which she then wraps around the wire forms until it has the shape she wants. Her creations thus far include a girl dancing, one bending over to smell the flowers, and a man sitting on the edge of the pot. They are so distinctive. A newer edition to the garden is her potting shed. This is where she makes her beach glass art with pieces of glass collected from her own stretch of beach. She also starts her seeds in the shed where she has light stands to jump-start their growth. She is so generous with her seedlings—everyone on a recent garden walk was able to take home a baby plant. She even got her shovel out when I was there to give me pieces of plants! Small sempervivums are tucked into pockets in the tufa rock.

continued on next page

Michigan Gardener | June 2018 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from previous page Remember, just because plants are small, doesn’t mean they aren’t interesting. This type of garden is definitely conducive to adding some miniature garden accessories for those of you who like fairy gardening. Barb and John’s garden piqued my interest in rock gardening. After a few glimpses at the photos, you might get hooked too. 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).

The garden is filled with not only tiny rock garden plants but many dwarf conifers as well.

This glass mailbox is filled with beautiful flowers and foliage instead of the usual paper envelopes.

Barb starts many of her plants from seed. The tops of the pots are covered with chicken grit to keep the seedlings from rotting.

This sempervivum is blooming in the rock garden.

FARM COMPOST

Stone Cottage Gardens Huge selection of perennials & daylilies

High quality tools / Cocoa shell mulch Organic garden amendments & animal repellents Help for your gardening questions & concerns

Topsoil & Mulch

On your way Up North, stop by and wander through our beautiful display gardens that surround our old stone cottage & farm buildings.

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Delivery available.

Open May 9 - Oct. 6 Mon-Fri 10-6 Sat 9-4

Tuthill Farms & Composting 10505 Tuthill Rd., S. Lyon, MI 48178

3740 Willford Rd. Gladwin, MI 989-426-2919 www.stonecottagegardens.com Check out our gardens on

734-449-8100 TuthillFarms.com

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POISON IVY & BUCKTHORN We get rid of it! That’s all we do.

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Michigan Gardener | June 2018 | MichiganGardener.com

through the lens Photographs from Michigan gardeners

Julie Czerwinski captured blossoms on the trunk of this redbud.

Send Us Your Photos! 1. E-mail 2 or 3 of your best garden photos to: photos@MichiganGardener.com. We are looking for photos of your garden, both wide-angle and plant close-ups. Be sure to e-mail a high-resolution file. 2. Please include your full name and a caption describing the scene and the plants. 3. If your photo is published, we’ll give you a free one-year subscription to Michigan Gardener.

”My backyard water garden, along with butterfly weed and sedum.” —Jennifer Young

Judy Parsons converted a barren field with a functioning World War II bomb shelter into this beautiful perennial and dahlia garden.

Kumiko Ito Tietgen snapped a photo of this resting butterfly.

Lansing

Owosso

East Haslett Lansing Williamston

Hartland Highland

Fowlerville Howell

Mason

Milford

Brighton

New Hudson

Wixom

Beauchamp Landscape Supply 948 North Old US-23, Brighton, MI 48114 248-684-0332 www.beauchamplawn.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat 8-5, 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.

Milarch Nursery 28500 Haas Rd., New Hudson, MI 48165 248-437-2094 www.milarchnursery.com Hours – Thru Sat, June 23: Mon-Fri 8-5:30, Sat 8-3; Starting Mon, June 25: 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 8-6, Sat 8-5, 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!

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 2018

Detroit Flint Lansing

NORMAL Monthly 2.90 2.89 3.03

ACTUAL Monthly 3.79 3.11 3.07

April 2017 DEVIATION from Normal +0.89 +0.22 +0.04

2018 Year to Date: Jan 1 - April 30

Detroit Flint Lansing

NORMAL Yr. to Date 9.16 7.91 8.21

ACTUAL Yr. to Date 12.05 10.10 10.97

DEVIATION from Normal +2.89 +2.19 +2.76

NORMAL

Monthly 2.90 2.89 3.03

ACTUAL Monthly 3.55 5.19 4.66

April 2018 DEVIATION from Normal +0.65 +2.30 +1.63

2017 Year to Date: Jan 1 - April 30

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

April 2017

Detroit Flint Lansing

NORMAL Avg. High 59.1 57.3 57.8

ACTUAL Avg. High 52.3 49.3 50.1

DEVIATION from Normal -6.8 -8.0 -7.7

ORMAL N 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

Detroit Flint Lansing

NORMAL Avg. Low 39.4 35.5 37.0

ACTUAL Avg. Low 33.6 28.9 30.5

DEVIATION from Normal -5.8 -6.6 -6.5

ORMAL N 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

Data courtesy National Weather Service

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

Flint

Emmett

Hadley

Grand Blanc

Port Huron

Dryden

Metamora

Almont

Bancroft

Grand Rapids Fenton

Oxford

Ortonville

Orion

Haslett

Lansing

East Lansing Fowlerville

Mason

Stockbridge

Chelsea Grass Lake

Manchester

Tipton

White Lake

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White Lake Waterford

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

Tecumseh Monroe

Cement City

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ann arbor H Abbott’s Nurs & Garden Ctr 2781 Scio Church Rd, MI 48103 734-665-8733 www.abbottsnursery.com H Downtown Home/Gard H HillTop Greenhse/Farms H Lodi Farms H The Produce Station H Turner’s Greenhse & Garden Ctr 4431 South Wagner Rd, MI 48103 734-663-7600 www.turnersannarbor.com Wild Birds Unltd

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H Van Thomme’s Greenhses

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

MichiganGardener.com | June 2018 | Michigan Gardener

commerce twp H Zoner’s Greenhse 2355 E. Commerce Rd, MI 48382 248-363-6742 www.zonersgreenhouse.com

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

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H Meldrum Bros Nurs

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

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dexter Bloom! Gard Ctr H Dexter Mill Earth Art H Fraleighs Landscape Nursery 8600 Jackson Rd, MI 48130 734-426-5067 www.fraleighs.com Guthrie Gardens

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

Christian’s Greenhse H Van Atta’s Greenhse

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

howell Howell Farmer’s Mkt Penrose Nurs H Specialty Growers 4330 Golf Club Rd, MI 48843 517-546-7742 www.specialtygrowers.net

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

north branch H Campbell’s Greenhouses 4077 Burnside Rd, MI 48461 810-688-3587 www.campbellsgreenhouses.com H Oldani Landscape Nurseries 2666 Tozer Rd, MI 48461 810-688-2363 www.oldanilandscapenurseries.com

H Superior Landscape Supplies 4805 Musson Rd, MI 48855 517-548-2068 Find us on Facebook

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Wilczewski Greenhses

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H Lake Orion Lawn Orn H Orion Stone Depot

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

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H Wojo’s of Lake Orion 559 S. Lapeer Rd, MI 48362 248-690-7435 www.wojos.com

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

ortonville Country Oaks Landscp II

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H The Iron Barn

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

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H Everlastings in Wildwood

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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

livonia Bushel Mart H George’s Livonia Gardens 31405 W. 7 Mile Rd, MI 48152 248-476-6719 Find us on Facebook Superior Growers Supp Valley Nurs

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

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

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

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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

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royal oak Billings Lawn Equip H English Gardens 4901 Coolidge Hwy, MI 48073 248-280-9500 www.EnglishGardens.com Wild Birds Unltd

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saline Clink Landscp & Nurs Nature’s Garden Ctr H Saline Flowerland

shelby twp H Diegel Greenhses H Hessell’s Greenhouse 14497 23 Mile Rd, MI 48315 586-247-4675 www.hessellsgreenhouse.com Maeder Plant Farm H Telly’s Greenhouse 4343 24 Mile, MI 48316 248-659-8555 www.tellys.com

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

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

southgate H Ray Hunter Gard Ctr

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

sterling heights Decor Statuette H Eckert’s Greenhouse 34051 Ryan Rd, MI 48310 586-264-5678 www.eckertsgreenhouse.com Prime Landscp Supp

H Detroit Garden Works 1794 Pontiac Dr, MI 48320 248-335-8089 www.detroitgardenworks.com

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

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trenton Carefree Lawn Ctr

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

utica Stonescape Supp

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

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

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

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

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Michigan Gardener | June 2018 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from back cover The American Hosta Society further refines these definitions for registration purposes, and classifies the small and miniature groups by leaf size. In order to qualify as a mini, the leaf blade must have a leaf area (width x length) of less than 4-1/2 square inches. Therefore, a variety with mature leaves 2 inches by 2 inches qualifies as a miniature, but one that is 2 inches by 3 inches does not! However, this definition does not apply well to hostas whose leaves are very long and narrow. A low-growing hosta (4- to 6-inch height) with leaves 1 inch wide by 6 inches long might look perfect combined with other minis, but does not qualify as a true miniature. For this reason, growers and gardeners often add an in-between category referred to as “very small,” which fills the gap between small and true miniature. In addition to some narrow-leaf hostas, the everpopular ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ fits the “very small” category too.

Using little hostas in the garden In reality, people choose small and mini hostas not by their designated size limits, but how they plan to use them in the garden. Many of the small hostas are tough plants with good growth rates that can be used in gardens in the same way as larger varieties. Additionally, small hostas can be used as edgers or groundcovers, serving some practical purposes that the larger varieties cannot. Small hostas can also be used as featured specimen plants, accents for statuary or art, or simply to show off in an attractive container. They can create textural and color contrasts in traditional shade gardens featuring wildflowers, ferns, bleeding hearts, brunnera, epimediums and the like. However, the true miniature hostas have more exacting cultural requirements, making them poor choices to mix with traditional garden plants. Their small size can easily be overwhelmed by larger neighbors, and they often look out of place, or worse, inconsequential in larger gardens. So collectors of mini hostas have found other ways to grow and display these little gems. Containers of all kinds can be used, as long as they have perfect drainage; the tiny roots of mini hostas easily succumb to root rots in wet soil. Hypertufa is especially good because of its porous nature. Raised beds also provide the required drainage, and can be constructed to house an entire collection of mini hostas. In this way, the gardener can indulge his or her desire to collect dozens of varieties and display them in a fraction of the space that would be required to grow larger varieties—an obvious advantage for apartment and condo dwellers. The mini and small hostas are also naturals for rock gardens and rockeries, particularly when planted in soil pockets that assure both moisture retention and good drainage. Mini hostas are excellent choices for fairy gardens, either in-ground or in containers. Garden centers often have entire fairy garden departments offering ready-made items to enhance these small scale fantasy-scapes. Creative gardeners also use things found in nature, like stones, wood burls, and pine cones to enhance their minilandscapes. Gardeners often plant small heucheras, ferns, primroses, violas and other small shade plants in their minihosta gardens, just as gardeners use the larger versions of these plants with their more typical-sized hostas in shade or woodland gardens.

Cultural requirements Like their large and medium-sized counterparts, small and miniature hostas tolerate varying amounts of sunlight. Those with thin leaves or a lot of white variegation are likely text continued on page 51

‘Rainforest Sunrise’

Recommended Small and Miniature Hostas Because the smaller hostas, particularly miniatures, provide greater cultural challenges than their larger counterparts, it is worth seeking out varieties with a proven track record. Here are some recommendations, including approximate height and width.

Small

Miniature

‘Autumn Frost’ – 12” x 24” ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ – 8” x 12”, and its kin (size varies) ‘Fire Island’ – 10” x 14” ‘Lakeside Paisley Print’ – 10” x 20” ‘Lemon Lime’ – 10” x 24”, and its kin ‘Maui Buttercups’ – 10” x 16” ‘Rainbow’s End’ – 11” x 21” ‘Rainforest Sunrise’ – 10” x 16” ‘Wheee!’ – 11” x 18”

‘Alakazaam’ – 7” x 12” ‘Cameo’ – 4” X 10” ‘Cheatin’ Heart’ – 7” x 15” ‘Curly Fries’ – 6” x 16” ‘Mini Skirt’ – 5” x 13” ‘Munchkin Fire’ – 6” x 15” ‘Pandora’s Box’ – 5” x 5” ‘Pixie Vamp’ – 6” x 12”

‘Rainbow’s End’

MichiganGardener.com | June 2018 | Michigan Gardener

‘Munchkin Fire’

‘Pandora’s Box’

‘Mini Skirt’

‘Wheee!’

Michigan Gardener | June 2018 | MichiganGardener.com

‘Maui Buttercups’

‘Curly Fries’

‘Lakeside Paisley Print’

‘Cameo’

MichiganGardener.com | June 2018 | Michigan Gardener

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

continued from page 48

‘Blue Mouse Ears’

to burn if they receive too much sun—a maximum of 3 hours of morning sun is a good rule of thumb for most miniature hostas. The small hostas tend to be more forgiving than the minis, due to their larger root mass and ability to access deeper levels of moisture in the soil. Growing mini hostas in containers allows the gardener to move them around to find just the perfect combination of sun and shade. In general, green or yellow hostas tolerate the most sun, followed by green with narrow white margins, followed by the other variegation types. Blue hostas prefer the most shade. However, small and mini hostas do not thrive in dense shade. They cannot manufacture enough chlorophyll and carbohydrates to fulfill the needs of their very small root systems, and will eventually fade away (or rot out) in deep shade settings. Perfect drainage is an absolute requirement for the true miniature hostas. Poor drainage is perhaps the number one cause of failure of the true miniatures; their tiny root systems are subject to fungal attack in wet soil. For this reason, some mini hosta aficionados prefer to plant in artificial soil mixes, or create their own mix. A good combination: 50 percent quality garden soil, 25 percent organic matter, and 25 percent particulate (solid, inert material). Frost heaving over the winter is another consideration, so make sure your mini hostas are well established by fall. Applying a light, airy mulch over the dormant crowns also helps to prevent frost-heave and subsequent desiccation and death.

The big world of small and mini hostas The world of small and miniature hostas has expanded greatly over the past 20 years. In fact, the American Hosta Society has created a special Mini Hosta Forum for collectors to share information. The 1996 introduction of ‘Pandora’s Box,’ a highly variegated sport of the blue-green ‘Baby Bunting,’ caused a big upsurge in the popularity of the mini varieties. In the year 2008 alone, nearly 17 percent of the new hostas registered and introduced were small or miniature types. Clearly this is a growing trend, and hosta breeders and collectors are satisfying this interest. Tissue culture propagation has led to the development of series or “dynasties” of hostas that are related and similar, but different enough to warrant introduction. I mentioned the popular ‘Golden Tiara’ series in my last hosta article. It and its kin stand at the junction of medium and small hostas. Among smalls and minis, the ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ dynasty is possibly the most collector-worthy. It includes dozens of varieties with the characteristic heavy round leaves, all differing in variegation or color patterns. Look for ‘Frosted Mouse Ears,’ ‘Mighty Mouse,’ ‘Church Mouse,’ ‘School Mouse,’ ‘Snow Mouse,’ and ‘Sun Mouse’ to get your collection started. Some of these fall into the very small category, while others are classified as true minis. The ‘Pandora’s Box’ dynasty is another collector’s favorite, including such favorites as ‘Cameo,’ ‘Cherish,’ and ‘Hope.’ One of the best reference books on this subject is The Book of Little Hostas, by Kathy Guest Shadrack and Michael Shadrack. Editor’s note: Part 1 (“Hostas: A brief history, breeding insights, and growing tips”) and Part 2 (“Exceptional large and mediumsized hostas”) of this series appeared in the April 2018 and May 2018 issues of Michigan Gardener. ‘Fire Island’

Karen Bovio is the owner of Specialty Growers in Howell, MI.

| June 2018 | MichiganGardener.com

Hostas

Part 3 of 3: Small and Miniature Hostas

This article is the finale of my 3-part series on hostas. In Part 2, published in the May 2018 issue, I discussed large and medium-sized hostas, providing an outline of the species that form the genetic background of many popular varieties. In this article, I’ll explore small and miniature hostas, and how to use them in your garden and landscape.

he genus Hosta contains over 43 different species, which range in size from giants over 4 feet tall to miniatures with a clump height of only 4 inches. There are many small-growing hosta species—native to Korea, Japan and China—that figure prominently in the development of today’s wide selection of smaller hostas. Among them, Hosta venusta, H. gracillima, H. pulchella, H. laevigata, H. longipes and others have been used to impart such characteristics as glossy or matte foliage, round or elongated leaf shape, tall or short flower scapes, clumping or rhizomatous growth habit, and Karen other characteristics. These species hosBovio tas are primarily of interest to collectors, although some make excellent garden subjects. Being true species, they are all green, but gardeners want color and interesting variegation. Over the years, keen observers have brought natural mutations and tissue culture sports into commerce, and active hybridization has resulted in even more ornamental qualities in the small and miniature categories.

Hosta size definitions For garden use, nurseries categorize hostas by the plant height, minus flower scapes: Giant: greater than 28 inches Large: 19-28 inches Medium: 11-18 inches Small: 7-10 inches Mini: 4-6 inches These categories are useful when choosing hostas, because as anyone who has shopped for them knows, the appearance of a hosta in a nursery pot gives little indication of its mature height and width. ‘Autumn Frost’

continued on page 48