Michigan Gardener - June 2019 by Michigan Gardener

June 2019

MichiganGardener.com

Your guide to Great Lakes gardening

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Baptisia Thyme for Herbs Anise hyssop

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Quiet country gardens

Vegetable Patch Berries

New Plants

New perennials for 2019

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Michigan Gardener | June 2019 | MichiganGardener.com

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

Garden Wisdom Weeds are like icebergs: the biggest threat lies beneath the surface. —Bev Moss

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 has added 20+ new varieties to our collection of own-root, disease-resistant, hardy roses, including the Easy Elegance Collection. We invite you to stop in and see these beautiful new roses!

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‘Lunar Eclipse’ Perennial Perspectives: Baptisia ��34

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To-Do List........................................................6 Ask MG............................................................8 Vegetable Patch..........................................10 Books for the Michigan Gardener.......12 New Perennials for 2019.........................16 Thyme for Herbs.......................................26 Classified Ads.............................................29 Calendar.........................................................31 Advertiser Index........................................39 Weather Wrap...........................................43 Subscription Form.....................................43

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

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

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Contributors Brian Allnutt Neil/Ruth Atzinger Karen Bovio Cheryl English Emaline Fronckowiak Mary Gerstenberger Julia Hofley Rosann Kovalcik Beverly Moss George Papadelis Sandie Parrott Traven Pelletier Jean/Roxanne Riggs Deborah Silver Jim Slezinski Lisa Steinkopf Steve Turner Emily Wilson

Through the Lens..................................... 44 Where to pick up Michigan Gardener.....................................45 Places to Grow...........................................46 Garden Profile: Quiet country gardens..........Back Cover On the cover: Baptisia ‘Pink Lemonade’ displays unique bicolor flower spikes on a bushy, vase-shaped plant. Learn more on page 34. Photo: www.PerennialResource.com

30747 Greenfield Rd., Suite 1 Southfield, MI 48076 Phone: 248-594-5563 Fax: 248-594-5564 E-mail: publisher@MichiganGardener.com Website: www.MichiganGardener.com Publishing schedule 5 issues per year: April, May, June, July/Aug, Sept/Oct. Published the first week of the month. Subscriptions (Please make check payable to Michigan Gardener) 1 yr, 5 iss/$13 2 yr, 10 iss/$24 3 yr, 15 iss/$33 Back issues All past issues are available. Please send your request along with a check for $3.00 per issue payable to Michigan Gardener. Canadian subscriptions 1 yr, 5 iss/$22 US 2 yr, 10 iss/$42 US Copyright © 2019 Michigan Gardener. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or used in any form without the expressed, written permission of the publisher. Neither the advertiser nor the publisher will be responsible for misinformation, typographical errors, omissions, etc. contained herein. Michigan Gardener is published by Motor City Publishing, Inc.

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Michigan Gardener | June 2019 | MichiganGardener.com

Feature Task: Vegetable gardening in containers Annuals • Plant annuals throughout the month to fill in bare spots. Mulch around annuals to help retain moisture and cut down the weeds. It also gives your garden a finished look. Fertilize your flowers once a week with a water-soluble fertilizer to keep them blooming. It is best to water in the morning. • Have you tried one of the new varieties of exotic tropical flowering plants? They’re great for a different look in your garden. Hibiscus and citrus fruits are the best known varieties, but there are many others that add great leaf color, flower color or exotic scents to your patio. • Did you experiment with any new plant types or flower colors this year? Be sure to keep at least one plant label from each variety. That way it’s easier to make notes and remember next year whether you liked this plant, its color, and how it performed. Taking a few photos is also valuable.

perform well next year if the leaves are removed before they completely turn yellow and can be easily pulled from the plant.

General • Start a compost pile, if you don’t already have one. Adding compost to your garden soil, around trees and shrubs, or even on your lawn can help produce healthier plants. Organic materials—grass clippings, sticks, fallen leaves, etc.—can go into the compost pile. Add kitchen waste, such as fruit and salad peelings, used coffee grounds, eggshells, tea bags and spoiled fruit or vegetables. This debris will decompose over time. If you want to speed up the process, turn the pile and add a compost-accelerating product.

Herbs • Most herbs require sunny locations—at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day. Watering requirements will vary by variety.

Bulbs: Spring-Flowering

Houseplants

• Make sure all the foliage has died completely before removing it from spent tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. Bulbs won’t

• This is a good time of year to re-pot and prune any plants that have outgrown their containers. This will encourage healthy, strong growth. Use a pot that is just the next size up, or the plant will spend its energy growing roots to fill the pot, rather than putting on top growth. • Keep your houseplants fertilized, both indoors and outdoors. This is the time of year they really grow and need fertilizer.

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Lawns • Watch for insect activity and lawn diseases, as both increase with the temperature. • Don’t let too much time lapse between mowings. If you cut off more than 1/3 of the blade at a time, the lawn may actually end up with sunburn.

Perennials • Perennials are great for containers, especially for shade. Keep them in containers

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Are you running out of room in your garden, or just don’t have the space and you are craving fresh vegetables? Try planting a vegetable garden in a container. Virtually anything can be grown in a container. They are perfect for small spaces, and they can be planted outside the kitchen for easy access throughout the summer. Use at least a 12-inch plastic or clay pot and fill it with a lightweight container soil. Don’t use garden soil or topsoil, which is too heavy for containers. Consider adding water-retaining crystals to reduce how often you have to water. Fill the container with soil up to three inches from the top; this allows

for the season, but be sure to plant them into garden beds before frost. They’ll remain a beautiful addition to your garden. • To keep perennials blooming their best, continue deadheading throughout the season. The whole purpose of a flower is to produce seed to make sure the plant species continues. If the plant has gone to seed, it has no reason to continue blooming, so keep the pruners handy. • A ring of diatomaceous earth will deter slugs from hostas. Be sure to re-apply after it rains. Also, keep mulch about 4 or 5 inches away from the hostas. Mulch provides a moist, dark hiding place for the slugs to hide during the heat of the day.

Plant Maintenance • Watch for signs of deer and rabbit damage, and treat with a repellent as necessary. Follow label instructions for best results. Switch up the repellents if animals become accustomed to one particular product. Fences can also keep animals away from your prized plants.

Roses • Roses thrive in June. Keep them healthy with a regular fertilizer, fungicide, and insecticide program. Be sure to read the label and follow the directions with every product. • Watch the watering; roses need about 1 to 1-1/2 inches of water a week. Keep the area weed free. • Fertilize plants once a month to help prevent black spot and powdery mildew. • Keep your eyes open for the Japanese beetles that will be emerging now. They can do severe damage to roses. Set up Japanese beetle traps at the perimeter of the yard to draw them away from the plants.

Shrubs & Trees • If flowering shrubs bloomed before Memorial Day, prune them by the Fourth of July. This gives plants a chance to grow (a reaction to pruning) and harden off before

you to water without washing out the soil. Plant a cherry tomato plant in the middle of the pot. Place a tomato cage over the plant to support it as it matures. Surround the tomato with lettuce plants, basil or parsley, or a combination of herbs. Three weeks after planting the container, fertilize about once a week. Place the container in a sunny area. Most vegetables need at least 6 to 8 hours of sun each day. Check the watering frequently. After harvesting the lettuce, plant more around the tomato plant. Fresh salad in a container! Bon appétit!

winter, as well as form the flower buds to bloom next spring. Apply a good organic fertilizer for the boost they’ll need to make next year’s flowers. • Look for crossing branches, dead branches, branches growing back towards the center of the plant, and branches with a tight crotch angle. These are the ones that should be pruned out. Remove these potential problem causers for a more open, airy, healthy plant.

Vegetables • Keeping the soil cultivated and removing weeds when they’re young will produce better vegetables. There will also be much less competition for fertilizer and water. Mulch is also a good way to keep weeds down, and it helps stop soil compaction as you walk the rows. It also helps reduce moisture loss, keeps the soil cool and inhibits the spread of disease. Till mulch into the soil from year to year to help aerate it and add organic matter. • Vegetable plants need one inch of water each week, either from rain or supplemental methods. Use a rain gauge to monitor water levels. Tomatoes in particular are prone to problems with uneven watering. Be sure to fertilize plants regularly. Organic fertilizers are great for vegetable gardens. Follow the application rates and times listed on the package—too much of a good thing, even in organic fertilizers, can be a bad thing.

Water Garden • Establish a regular feeding schedule for water lilies and lotus plants. As the water warms up, they’ll really start to grow. Use an aquatic tablet fertilizer every two weeks to promote lots of flowering in the summer. This is also a great time to add tropical water lilies with vibrant, exotic colors to your garden. Provided by the professionals at English Gardens.

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Pruning oakleaf hydrangea How and when do I prune my oakleaf hydrangea? Oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) bloom on the previous season’s growth— i.e., “old wood.” The current season’s growth is “new wood.” In the fall or early winter, you can prune away the old dry flowers that are above the newly formed flower buds, or you can wait until spring to do the exact same thing, whichever you prefer. Take about one-third of the total growth or less to avoid cutting off next year’s blossoms—you are cutting above the new flower buds. Oakleaf hydrangeas can get gangly if they are one of the larger varieties and not one of the new dwarf cultivars. If your oakleaf hydrangeas have gotten too large and need reshaping, do more substantial pruning for

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health and spacing soon after their blooms begin to fade. If you prune them in the fall to a smaller size, you will sacrifice a little bit of the fall color and next year’s flower show, but the plant will be in better condition for the future season’s performance. In this situation, another option to consider is to dig up a plant that is too large for its space and move it to a more suitable location. Then you are able to plant one of the dwarf varieties that is a more appropriate size.

Seedlings are spindly I started seeds in my basement in early spring. Even though I had the fluorescent grow lights on for 16 hours a day, they grew tall and spindly. What should I do differently next year? It appears the light was not close enough to the seedling surface and they still were reaching. Some brands of lights are sold as “grow lights,” designed to provide light in certain ranges needed by plants. Standard fixtures with two “cool white” fluorescent tubes per fixture give plants adequate light and are inexpensive. Hang lights from chains that you can easily raise as the seedlings grow. Keep lights no more than four inches above the tops of the seedlings. Two inches is ideal, and you raise the light as they grow. Lack of light is the major cause of elongated, skinny stems. You had the right amount of hours needed: 12 to 16 hours. Don’t leave the lights on continuously. To develop properly, plants need a period of dark, which simulates night. A simple timer can be part of next year’s setup. You can also provide bottom heat underneath the seedling tray. Seeds started indoors with the addition

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of a low voltage heat mat germinate sooner and produce healthier roots since the potting mix is kept warm. It mimics the soil warming up from the heat of the sun. It can also help with damping off of seedlings. Just remember not to put the heat mat on the timer. You only want to control the light.

Weeding in wet soil Is there a good reason why we should not weed after it rains? A., Royal Oak After it rains, the soil is saturated. It needs time to drain. Stepping on the soil can compress the structure, removing air spaces and compacting the molecular composition so plants cannot take up water and nutrients. You can create a hardpan layer, below the immediate surface. A compacted soil has a reduced rate of both water infiltration and drainage, making it difficult for plants to grow. This holds true particularly in spring and summer. During periods of drought, if regular rain is not supplemented with irrigation, the soil can become like a pile of bricks, where plants have to spend more energy sending out roots to find water and nutrients. This translates to poor plant growth and potential failure. So let the soil drain thoroughly in spring and summer before cultivating or pulling weeds manually. The soil can appear to be only slightly moist, but not show water pooling below the surface.

Joe Pye weed spring growth I transplanted a Joe Pye weed last fall. When should it have come up this year? J.S., Gibraltar Established Joe Pye weed (formerly known as Eupatorium, now called Eutrochium) needs warm soil and warm air temperatures to send up new growth. Spring 2019 in Michigan has been distinctively colder and slower to warm up, delaying the gradual warming of the soil for plant growth. Normally, Joe Pye weed should emerge in late May. The weather conditions this year will delay that by 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the plant’s location in your property. Although transplanting perennials, including Joe Pye weed, in the fall is an excellent time to do so, you can expect a slight delay in emergence under normal weather conditions just because of the transplanting process. The plant has to re-establish its root network in a new location. With the slow, cold spring this season, you can expect additional delay. You can actually buy a soil thermometer and test the area

where your Joe Pye was transplanted. The soil has to be at least in the mid-60s F for the plant to absorb enough nutrients, convert energy to cell growth and generate a new shoot.

Spreading Siberian squill Blue Siberian squill has taken over my back garden and is invading my woodland. How do I stop and control it? S.C., Clinton Township Siberian squill (Scilla siberica) is a case of a plant gone awry. Originally brought to this country as an ornamental from its native Russia and Turkey, it has escaped into the wild and has become invasive. It is very hardy and cold tolerant, spreading easily from seed pods and even from broken pieces of roots. Perhaps the least toxic method is to remove the flowers immediately and any subsequent seed pods. Remove as much of the foliage as possible to eliminate feeding the underground bulb, essentially starving it. You can also dig up as many of the bulbs as possible, but there is always the chance of tiny bulbs remaining. It is not vulnerable to herbicides. Manual extraction is a tedious process, and one that will take time and diligence to eradicate this hardy invader.

Bergenia won’t flower Why doesn’t my bergenia bloom? The plant and leaves are healthy. Begenia cordifolia is commonly called pigsqueak. Gently curl a leaf and rub it together—you will hear the pig squeak! Native to Russia, it is not bothered by our Michigan cold and freezing winters. However, it does want a full sun location in late winter-early spring with shade in summer. Lack of sunlight can be the greatest contributor to lack of bloom, especially if the plant is healthy overall. Bergenia would do best under deciduous trees that expose it to winter sun but shade it during the heat of Michigan summers. It is not fussy about soil but would prefer a less rich mix that is modestly dry and not waterlogged. Since it grows by creeping rhizomes, it needs space to spread gradually. Remove spent flower stalks as they die off and withered leaves at its crown. Water during drought conditions. It is highly resistant to most diseases and insects because of the waxy nature of its leaves. Answers provided by Beverly Moss, owner of Garden Rhythms.

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Michigan Gardener | June 2019 | MichiganGardener.com

Berries

dish, Honeoye and Jewel. Late season include Kent and Lateglow. For more information on selecting strawberries: tinyurl.com/y3383syr. Blueberries: There are highbush and lowLooking for a sweet addition to the vegbush blueberries. Highbush are best grown etable garden? Try berries. We have all kinds in the lower half of Michigan, while lowbush of berries that can be grown in Michigan. So, can be grown throughout the state. There are here’s a quick overview of the many popular, early-, mid- and late-season varieties. Early as well as lesser-known, berries that you can include Patriot and Spartan. Midseason inincorporate into your garden. clude Bluecrop and Northland. Late season Raspberries: They come in red, black, include Elliot and Jersey. All blueberries purple and gold colors. There are summerrequire acidic soil with a pH below 5.5. For bearing, fall-bearing and everbearing varimore information on blueberry varieties in eties. Summer-bearing red raspberries recMichigan, go to: tinyurl.com/y2ysn8cv. ommended for the backyard garden include Currants and Gooseberries: Currants Canby, Latham, and Titan. Summer-bearing come in black, red and white varieties. A good black raspberries include Jewel, Logan and early season, red currant is Cascade. For midLowdon. Summer-bearing purple raspberseason, try Wilder and for late season, Red Lake. ries include Brandywine and Royalty. FallGooseberries are available in American and bearing (as well as everbearing) raspberries European varieties. European gooseberries include Autumn Bliss, Fall Gold, Heritage, are larger and more flavorful than American Redwing and Ruby. For a comprehensive list varieties, but are more likely to suffer from of raspberries for Michigan, go to: tinyurl. winter injury and disease. American varieties com/y5mlzufq. of gooseberry are often more proBlackberries: The difference ductive and healthier. A good Eurobetween a black raspberry and a pean variety is Fredonia. A couple blackberry is in the cap (the white choices from the American varietflower center). On a black raspberry, ies are Downing and Poorman. the cap remains on the plant, leaving NOTE: Due to their connection the fruit hollow like a red raspberry. to White Pine Blister Rust (WPBR), On a blackberry, the entire fruit stays a permit is required to plant black attached to the cap, which comes off currants anywhere in Michigan. with the berry. There are two types For red currant, white currant, and Mary Gerstenberger of blackberries—erect and trailing gooseberries, a permit is required if (the trailing are often referred to they will be planted in the WPBR as dewberries). Trailing varieties are less cold control zone. The Michigan Department of hardy and may not be suitable for most MichiAgriculture provides a list of WPBR-resistant gan winters. Two recommended varieties of varieties at: tinyurl.com/yyu6s8am. erect blackberries are Darrow and Illini Hardy. Lesser-known berries to consider: BoysenStrawberries: There are June-bearing berries, chokeberries (aka aronia berries), eland everbearing strawberry plants. The derberries, honeyberries, lingonberries, mulJune-bearing may be early, midseason or late berries, Saskatoon berries, and serviceberries. varieties. Everbearing varieties include Ozark There are a variety of these berries available at Beauty, Tribute and Tristar. Early season ineither garden centers or through catalogs. clude Annapolis and Earliglow. Midseason When purchasing any berry plant, considhave a large variety including Allstar, Cavener if it is suitable to your zone and what type of soil and pH it prefers. Also, whether or not it is good for eating fresh, if it is appropriate for canning or freezing, or if it will be better for jams, jellies, and pies.

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Editor’s note: Stay tuned for Part 2 (“How to grow berries”) in the July/August 2019 issue of Michigan Gardener. Mary Gerstenberger was the Consumer Horticulture Coordinator at the Michigan State University Extension in Macomb County, MI. For vegetable and gardening information from MSU, visit www.migarden.msu.edu. Call the toll-free Michigan State University Lawn and Garden Hotline at 888-678-3464 for answers to your gardening questions.

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Stop tossing your carrot stumps, lettuce and cabbage stalks, loose cilantro sprigs, and apple cores in the trash. No-Waste Kitchen Gardening (Cool Springs Press, 128 pages, $18.99) gives you instruction and tricks to grow and repropagate produce from food waste. You’ll be astonished at how much food you can re-grow. Readers will find helpful general information about growing indoors and maintaining re-grown plants. Twopart photo instructions show first what the root, chunk, seed, or leaf should look like when re-planting, and second, when to harvest or re-plant it in soil to continue growing. You’ll find edibles big and small, quick to grow, and those that take a bit longer; you can pick and choose which projects to try. A few of the many plants profiled include green onions, tomatoes, melons, avocadoes, potatoes, and carrots.

Gardening with Emma: Grow and Have Fun: A Kid-to-Kid Guide by Emma Biggs, with Steven Biggs Thirteen-year-old Emma Biggs is passionate about gardening and eager to share her passion with other kids. Gardening with Emma (Storey Publishing, 144 pages, $18.95) is a kid-to-kid guide to growing healthy food and raising the coolest, most awesome plants while making sure there is plenty of fun. With plants that tickle and make noise, tips for how to grow a flower stand garden, and suggestions for veggies from tiny to colossal, Emma offers a range of original, practical, and entertaining advice and inspiration. Kids will learn useful skills about soil, sowing, and caring for a garden throughout the seasons, along with ways to make play spaces among the plants. Lively photography and Emma’s own writing (with a little help from her gardening dad, Steven Biggs) capture the authentic creativity of a kid who loves to be outdoors, digging in the dirt.

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Abbott’s Landscape Nursery 2781 Scio Church Rd., Ann Arbor MI 48103 734-665-8733 www.abbottsnursery.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-6, Sun 10-5. Abbott’s turn-of-the-century farm is a perfect setting for our unique nursery. Mike Abbott likes what gardeners like, both classic and new, and handpicks all our plants. Over 55 Japanese maples and 25 reliably-blooming hydrangea varieties. Also garden ornaments, fixtures, containers and more. Come see us—we stock plants you demand and probably some you never knew existed.

Alexander Farm Market & Greenhouses 6925 Whitmore Lake Rd., Whitmore Lake, MI 48189 734-741-1064 Find us on Facebook 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, succulents, and roses, including easy-care shrubs, and luxuriously scented David Austins.

Dexter Mill 3515 Central St., Dexter, MI 48130 734-426-4621 www.dextermill.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat 8-5. Proud to sell quality gardening supplies, seasonal plants (including natives!), all natural non-GMO feeds, pet supplies, rugged clothing, and our own wild bird seed. Our products are made locally or in America whenever possible. We stand behind the products we sell and the services provided by our knowledgeable staff.

Downtown Home & Garden 210 S. Ashley St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104 734-662-8122 www.downtownhomeandgarden.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 7:30-7, Sun 10-5. A century-old retailer focused on indoor and outdoor gardening supplies, outdoor veggie plant starts, annuals, perennials, and greenhouse plants. Outdoor furniture, kitchenware, sundries and hardware, K9 gear and treats, and hardy clothing for hardworking people. Drive-thru barn and on-site parking for patrons in the heart of Downtown Ann Arbor.

English Gardens Plymouth Nursery 9900 Ann Arbor Rd. W., Plymouth, MI 48170 734-453-5500 www.EnglishGardens.com Hours – Thru Sun, June 9: Mon-Sat 8-9, Sun 8-6; Starting Mon, June 10: Mon-Sat 9-8, Sun 9-6. English Gardens acquired Plymouth Nursery in 2018. The store features a full-service nursery and garden center with a fullservice landscaping company. English Gardens is family-owned and locally operates six stores in Metro Detroit featuring the best value and finest quality products and services. For more information: 800-335-GROW.

MANCHESTER

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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!

The Garden Mill 110 S. Main St., Chelsea, MI 48118 734-475-3539 www.thegardenmill.com May/June hours: Sun-Mon 12-6, Tue-Thu 10-7, Fri-Sat 10-8. An ever-changing variety of beautiful and functional products. Unique and hand-crafted artifacts for garden and home. Wrought iron and rustic garden features, eclectic wind chimes, fountains, classic garden sculptures, colorful plant containers, magical fairy garden supplies, birdhouses, feeders, and baths, seasonal seeds, hanging baskets, and bedding plants.

Hidden Lake Gardens 6214 Monroe Rd. (M-50), Tipton, MI 49287 517-431-2060 www.hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu April-October hours: Open daily 9-7. 755 acres. Don’t miss one of the finest collections of Dwarf and Rare Conifers—over 500 specimens. Hosta Hillside has over 800 varieties. Enjoy a leisurely drive through the Arboretum. See lush tropicals in the Conservatory. Serene outdoor displays in the Bonsai Courtyard. The Demonstration Garden shows attractive mixed plantings. Great hiking trails and dog-friendly, too!

HillTop Greenhouse & Farms 8996 West Liberty, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 734-302-4233 www.hilltopgreenhousea2.com May hours: Mon-Sat 9-7, Sun 9-6. June hours: Please call. Just 10 minutes from Ann Arbor or Chelsea, our greenhouse is a relaxing drive from all corners. Choose from over 8,000 baskets and 10,000 flats, plus veggie starters, specialty annuals, and lush combination planters. Each plant is grown on site, with hands-on care from start to finish. Smiles, hugs and a friendly staff, free of charge!

Lodi Farms 2880 S. Wagner Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103 734-665-5651 www.lodifarms.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-4, Sun in May 1-4. Come visit our wonderful nursery! We have a fantastic selection of Michigan-grown shade and ornamental trees, evergreens, shrubs of all types, and perennials. Bring your pictures and plans and we’ll help you choose the best plants! Check our sales calendar for specials and browse our catalog on the website. Take a roadtrip here—soon!

Margolis Nursery 9600 Cherry Hill Rd., Ypsilanti, MI 48198 734-482-0771 www.margoliscompanies.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat 8-3. Family owned and operated since 1926. From trees and shrubs to perennials and groundcovers to mulch and Unilock pavers. Our experienced staff will help with your plant selections. Our full-service landscaping company provides complete landscape design and installation, and has a reputation for quality and competitive prices.

Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum Matthaei: 1800 North Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48105 Arboretum: 1610 Washington Hts., Ann Arbor, MI 48109 734-647-7600 www.mbgna.umich.edu May 1-23: Daily 10-4:30; Wed 10-8 • May 24-Labor Day: Daily 10-8. Trails open sunrise to sunset. The University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum offer trails and natural areas, children’s garden, native plant gardens, bonsai garden, large collection of heirloom peonies, year-round conservatory, wedding venues, special events and sales, youth and adult educational programs, gift shop, and more.

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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.

Sell Farms & Greenhouses 7200 Willis Rd., Ypsilanti, MI 48197 734-484-3819 www.sellfarmsandgreenhouses.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-7. Family-owned. Great selection of high quality Annuals, Perennials & non-GMO Vegetable plants at reasonable prices. Thousands of Hanging Baskets, Combination Planters, Geraniums & Proven Winners plants. One of the best selections of Perennials, Hydrangeas & Roses in the area.

Turner’s Landscape & Garden Center

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4431 South Wagner Rd., Ann Arbor MI 48103 734-663-7600 www.turnersannarbor.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 9-7, Sat 9-6, Sun 10-4. Ann Arbor’s premier garden center and nursery. We grow an unbelievable selection of annuals and perennials in our greenhouses. Plus a fully-stocked nursery with mature trees and shrubs. Landscape design, construction and installation also available. Our quality plants and knowledgeable, friendly, helpful staff will make your garden a success.

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Willow Greenhouse 7839 Curtis Rd., Northville, MI 48168 248-437-7219 www.willowgreenhouse.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-6, Sun 10-5. Full of beauty, free of pesticides—all our plants are grown pesticide-free! Buy direct from the grower. Thousands of Annuals, Perennials, Proven Winners, Wave Petunias, Fairy Garden Plants & Supplies, Vegetables, Heirloom Tomatoes, Herbs, Trees, Shrubs, and much more. New: flowering shrubs, specializing in hydrangeas. Like us on Facebook!

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

734-578-8073 • www.civiltechllc.com SERVING SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN SINCE 1998 • LICENSED MICHIGAN BUILDER

Livingston County Gardens!

Weekend LACASA’s

Saturday & Sunday July 13 & 14 9 am - 4 pm The area’s most comprehensive calendar of garden event listings Submit your garden event listings • Sign up for our FREE E-Newsletter Read both current and back issues online • And much more! The print edition of Michigan Gardener is still your exclusive source for new gardener profiles, how-to articles, plant features, and much more.

Tickets: $20 in advance $25 at gardens Check out our Bus Tour!

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Michigan Gardener | June 2019 | MichiganGardener.com

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.

Hardy Hibiscus Summer Spice Collection A breeding program from Texas A&M has produced a new, multi-award-winning series of hardy hibiscus called Summer Spice. This breeding breakthrough features distinctly different bloom colors, including blue, and a compact plant habit. Kelly Norris, director of the Des Moines Botanical Gardens and a popular speaker here in Michigan, points out that many topperforming hardy hibiscus varieties are simply too large for many gardens. This new series, with its colors and smaller size, will prove tantalizing for consumers who adore hibiscus, but have hesitated to grow it in their gardens. He has grown them successfully in his zone 5 Iowa climate for over two years. Summer Spice has a naturally tidy, compact habit with deeply incised, dark green foliage and an abundance of blooms from early July through first frost. This easy-tomaintain hardy hibiscus is heat tolerant and

will return year after year when you provide it with acidic, well-drained soil. Start the season with a slow-release fertilizer, keep it watered well to provide large flowers and lush foliage, and mulch around the plant base before winter kicks in. There are 11 colors in the Summer Spice series: Amaretto, Ambrosia, Bleu Brulee, Brandy Bleu, Cordon Bleu, Crème de la Cocoa, Crème de la Crème, Crepe Suzette, Grape Sorbet, Plum Flambé, and Pink Champagne. A hummingbird favorite, hardy hibiscus breaks dormancy late and thrives in warmer weather, so it’s one of the last perennials to emerge in the spring in northern states like ours. So don’t freak out when you’re heading into June before the first signs of life return on your hardy hibiscus! Height: 3 feet. Width: 3 feet. Light: Full sun. Zone: 5.

Texas A&M AgriLife Research

Cordon Bleu

Texas A&M AgriLife Research Texas A&M AgriLife Research

Amaretto

Texas A&M AgriLife Research

Grape Sorbet

Crème de la Crème

NEW PERENNIALS continued on page 18

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Michigan Gardener | June 2019 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from page 16

From the Land of the Little… Coreopsis Li’l Bang ‘Darling Clementine’

Skagit Horticulture

The L’il Bang series of tickseed (Coreopsis) is known for being compact, neat, easy to grow, long blooming, drought resistant, sterile, and resistant to powdery mildew disease. ‘Darling Clementine’ has all that, plus abundant 3-inch, velvety orange flower petals that fade to yellow at the tips. It would make a sweet little plant along the garden path or at the front of a butterfly garden—but make sure not to crowd it. Blooming late spring into fall, it performs best in moist, well-drained soil high in organic matter. Deadhead this pollinator-friendly plant after each flush of bloom to encourage more flowers, and mulch lightly over the winter. Height: 8-10 inches. Width: 12 inches. Light: Full sun. Zone: 5.

Sedum Bundle of Joy

Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener

Phlox ‘May Breeze’ www.PerennialResource.com

This little bundle of joy is a sport of sedum ‘Pure Joy.’ With a low, perfectly mounded shape, it tops out at one foot tall by summer. Light green leaves become covered in a dome of pure white flowers, followed by pretty seed heads. Plant this little darling in the rock garden or as a small groundcover in a bed with lean, well-drained soil, full sun, and no fertilizer. Busy bees will abound and will happily take in the bounty of ‘Bundle of Joy.’ Height: 10-12 inches. Width: 16-20 inches. Light: Full sun. Zone: 3.

A stunning, compact selection of our native woodland phlox developed by esteemed garden designer Piet Oudolf. ‘May Breeze’ (Phlox divaricata ‘May Breeze’) brings an icy white glow to a high dappled shady woodland garden, along with a sweet fragrance carried on a spring breeze starting in May and continuing into early summer. Loose bunches of starry, narrow-petaled open blooms have the palest blue reverse and rise above the deep green foliage to weave in and around spring bulbs, hellebores, columbines, azaleas and other spring plants. ‘May Breeze’ was selected for its compact growth, intense fragrance and uniquely colored flowers that last nearly a month. It grows best in moist, yet well drained soil. This graceful phlox slowly spreads to form a small patch with a disease resistance that handles hot, humid summers. I grew ‘May Breeze’ last spring and when it was finally done blooming, I cut it back and it blended in with my ferns, astilbes, hostas and other shade plants that carried on the summer show. Hungry hummingbirds, swallowtail butterflies, and day-flying sphinx moths will flock to this beautiful native wildflower for early sustenance, while flower arrangers will find added value by using it in arrangements that bring starry white flowers and fragrance indoors to an elegant table setting. Height: 12-15 inches. Width: 12-23 inches. Light: Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade. Zone: 4. NEW PERENNIALS continued on page 20

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Michigan Gardener | June 2019 | MichiganGardener.com

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Terra Nova Nurseries

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Aqastache Poquito Collection Capturing my attention last summer were the bushy and brightly colored plumes of Poquito Butter Yellow, Dark Blue, Lavender, and Orange agastache, also known as anise hyssop or hummingbird mint. I imagined dotting these low, dwarf, compact, and long-blooming plants along the front of our perennial border at the beginning of the season. Fast-growing agastache are wonderful weavers and all-season bloomers. They will serve as bright spots when perennials go in and out of bloom throughout the summer, much to the delight of both the gardener and hungry pollinators like hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. Agastache are low maintenance and drought tolerant once established. Height: 10-15 inches. Width: 14-15 inches. Light: Full sun. Zone: 5.

www.PerennialResource.com

Hardy geranium ‘Boom Chocolatta’ I love the chance to add a dark-leafed plant into an established bed or border—it adds contrast and definition to other green-leafed plants around it while drawing you in to see what it is. Make it a long-blooming hardy geranium with serrated leaves and purple-blue flowers that stand above the mounding darkness and you can count me in! ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’) is easy to grow, only preferring a full sun location to achieve the handsome, dark chocolaty-bronze foliage. It

has a more vigorous, yet refined, habit than some of the older varieties, giving continual flowers to the gardener and hungry pollinators nearly all summer long. Consider the dimensions and full sun preference when you choose its garden location. Give ‘Boom Chocolatta’ room to weave around the base of shrubs and other upright, tall perennials. Height: 24-26 inches. Width: 28-30 inches. Light: Full sun. Zone: 4.

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NEW PERENNIALS continued on page 22

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Michigan Gardener | June 2019 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from page 20

www.PerennialResource.com

Achillea ‘Peter Cottontail’ Different from the classic types of yarrow (A. millefolium and hybrids) that we are used to growing in our gardens, ‘Peter Cottontail’ (Achillea ptarmica ‘Peter Cottontail’) appeared at a trade show last year. I admired its polished look—it was reminiscent of a bigger, beefier baby’s breath, with large, ivory white flowers that are produced over a low, mounding habit of green foliage, unlike yarrow’s usual feathery foliage. Compared to the classic yarrow, the flower clusters on this perennial are more singular, well-spaced, and

bloom from early summer through early fall. ‘Peter Cottontail’ may be named for the famous rabbit, but garden rabbits seem disinterested in it as a food source—yet butterflies and bees will visit often. It thrives in leaner soil and has low water needs once established. If there’s too much irrigation and rich soil, the plant may flop over. To promote reblooming, cut the plant back by half after the initial flowering. Height: 18-24 inches. Width: 18-24 inches. Light: Full sun. Zone: 3.

Hosta ‘Etched Glass’ This new release is setting off bells and whistles in the hosta world, with style and refinement for your hosta garden. ‘Etched Glass’ is a sport of ‘Stained Glass,’ both brought to us by Michigan’s own perennial breeder, Hans Hansen. The cutting-edge coolness of this hosta is that it has wider margins and thicker leaves than the parent. Very wide, dark green margins contrast with a bright, brilliant yellow center. Between the margin and the center is a light green pattern. Plus, margins will have a puckering when the plant is mature. All of this results in a unique, three-dimensional texture. Butterflies and hummingbirds will flock to the two-foot tall scapes, presenting large, near-white flowers that fill the late summer shade garden with a heady fragrance. ‘Etched Glass’ is part of the Shadowland Collection, a

Epimedium ‘Sandy Claws’

group of hostas that includes ‘Autumn Frost,’ ‘Wheee!,’ ‘Empress Wu,’ and other favorites.

Exotic plants for shade that are more readily available locally are welcome additions to the Michigan garden—such is the case with ‘Sandy Claws’ epimedium (Epimedium wushanense ‘Sandy Claws’). The exceptionally long, spiny-edged new foliage emerges a rich chocolate-maroon color in spring. Sitting just above this brilliantly colored foliage is the striking contrast provided by short, thickly packed panicles of large, creamy yellow flowers. As the summer progresses, the lanceshaped leaves gradually mellow to dark green. An easy-care plant for the woodland garden, ‘Sandy Claws’ is an unusually large and vigorous new type of epimedium that will become a must-have for gardeners building cutting-edge shade gardens. Added value: rabbits and deer tend to avoid eating epimediums!

Height: 18 inches. Width: 36 inches. Light: Part shade to shade. Zone: 3.

Height: 12-16 inches. Width: 4 feet at maturity. Light: Part shade to full shade. Zone: 5.

www.PerennialResource.com

www.PerennialResource.com (2)

NEW PERENNIALS continued on page 24

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.

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.

Brohl’s Greenhouse 19780 25 Mile Rd., Macomb, MI 48042 586-781-6842 Find us on Facebook May/June hours: Mon-Sat 8:30-7, Sun 9-6. Family owned and operated since 1966. Very reasonable prices for top quality plants. The Brohl family offers annuals, baskets, combo pots, tropicals, perennials, and vegetable plants. Convenient shopping under covered greenhouses. Plus, fall mums and Christmas poinsettias, wreaths, roping, and holiday decor. Only at Brohl’s Greenhouse—Come check us out!

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.

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: Annuals, Geraniums, Hanging Baskets, Flower Pouches, Patio Containers, Vegetables, Perennials, 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. Visit our Monarch Waystation and 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 Township, MI 48038  586-286-6100 www.EnglishGardens.com Hours – Thru Sun, June 9: Mon-Sat 8-9, Sun 8-6; Starting Mon, June 10: Mon-Sat 9-9, Sun 9-6. Founded in 1954, English Gardens is family- and locally-owned, operating six full-service stores and a full-service landscaping company in Metro Detroit. Each full-service store has a nursery, garden center, patio shop, and seasonal Christmas center featuring the best value and finest quality products and services. For more information: 800-335-GROW.

Van Thomme’s Greenhouses

English Gardens 22501 Kelly Rd., Eastpointe, MI 48021 586-771-4200 www.EnglishGardens.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-7; Sun 9-6. Founded in 1954, English Gardens is family- and locally-owned, operating six full-service stores and a full-service landscaping company in Metro Detroit. Each full-service store has a nursery, garden center, patio shop, and seasonal Christmas center featuring the best value and finest quality products and services. For more information: 800-335-GROW.

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. Familyowned. 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!

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

Michigan Gardener | June 2019 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from page 22

Daylily ‘Handwriting on the Wall’ Daylilies are tough plants that survive harsh winters, poor soils, polluted city environments, slippery slopes, roadsides and sidewalks exposed to salt, and areas under black walnut trees. Most daylilies are diploids, giving the plant two sets of chromosomes. ‘Handwriting on the Wall’ is a tetraploid with four sets. These types are generally considered to have a number of advantages over diploids: larger blooms, sturdier flower stalks (scapes), more intense colors, flowers and foliage have heavier substance, and more vigorous growth. Modern hybridizing has brought unique features like these to this enduring plant, whose blooms resemble pieces of art. Renowned daylily breeder Karol Emmerich created ‘Handwriting on the Wall,’ which has all the characteristics listed above, plus artistic qualities such as six-inch, triangular-shaped flowers that are peach-colored with a wine-purple eye. The purple color blends to lavender toward the yellow throat for a stunning display. A thin, purple picotee outline frames the edge of the blooms. On top of all that, ‘Handwriting on the Wall’ is fragrant.

www.PerennialResource.com

Claude Monet cherished daylilies in his garden at Giverny. When he traveled to paint in different locations, he sought out nurseries for new plants to bring home. He also compared plant lists with other Impressionists and did some plant source scouting; they would often trade with each other. I think this new daylily would definitely have made an impression on him.

Height: 24 inches. Width: 18-24 inches. Light: Full sun to part sun. Zone: 3.

Brunnera ‘Sterling Silver’ Large-leafed brunnera were very popular with visiting garden guests in our garden last spring, summer and fall. They were able to see why we collect and grow brunneras for all their garden-worthy traits. I seek out all new varieties and enjoy noting their differences throughout the entire garden. This year, I’m looking forward to the super-sized leaves of ‘Sterling Silver,’ which is an improvement from the older ‘Looking Glass.’ It has the same sterling color and heartshaped foliage, but with larger leaves that are up to 8 inches wide. Its larger habit, better leaf quality and increased heat tolerance contributes to it lasting longer into the summer and fall without melting along its edges. In spring, multitudes of tiny blue forget-me-not flowers appear above the foliage. Cutting back flower stems to the ground after blooming promotes larger leaves that show the plant to its best advantage. This shimmery brunnera stands out in a texturally rich shade garden of ferns, primulas, sedges, hellebores, and astilbes. Plus, it is an effective hosta replacement in deer country.

Emerald Coast Growers

Threadleaf bluestar ‘Butterscotch’

Threadleaf bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii) has always brought life to multi-seasonal landscapes with fine-textured, needle-shaped, feathery foliage. In late spring to early summer, the relaxed upright stems are topped with steel blue flowers that serve as butterfly attractors. The new cultivar ‘Butterscotch’ is an improved form of this rugged, central midwestern native. Its added features include reddish stems and resistance to tip dieback that many other amsonia experience. Plus, the ferny foliage turns a stunningly rich butterscotch yellow color, creating a dramatic fall finale to any perennial border with fast-draining soil. Height: 3-4 feet. Width: 2-3 feet. Light: Full sun. Zone: 5.

Height: 10-14 inches. Width: 20-24 inches. Light: Part shade to full shade. Zone: 3. www.PerennialResource.com

Julia Hofley is a plant collector, freelance garden writer, speaker, and independent sales rep (E-mail: julia@juliasbiglife.com).

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Michigan Gardener | June 2019 | MichiganGardener.com

Jean & Roxanne Riggs

Herb of the Year: Anise Hyssop

Anise hyssop flowers attract numerous pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Anise hyssop is a fast-growing perennial herb that yields lots of blossoms the first year it is planted.

nise hyssop is a delightful plant for any herb or perennial garden. Its soft licorice fragrance and pretty purple or white flowers are lovely in the garden, flavorful in the kitchen where its anise flavor adds a little spice to your tea, and fragrant in your favorite potpourri. Besides all of this, it is full of nectar for the bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It is deserving of the honor of being named the 2019 Herb of the Year. Interestingly, it has a misleading name, since it is neither anise nor a hyssop. It is actually an agastache (Agastache foeniculum) in the mint family, with an anise-like fragrance and flavor. It is listed as a perennial, hardy to zone 4. We have grown it for years and find it

P H OTO G R A P H S BY J E A N A N D R OX A N N E R I G G S

to be rather short-lived here in Michigan, often not surviving our winters. It self-sows in our gardens if the goldfinches don’t eat all the seeds and is a welcome surprise wherever it comes up in the spring. It blooms the first year from seed. As a young plant, it transplants readily, if necessary, to a more appropriate place in the garden. It flowers in mid to late summer, sometimes right up to the first frost. It can grow 2-1/2 to 3 feet tall, as if advertising itself to the bees and butterflies to come to the nectar feast. It likes a sunny, well-drained location, but it tolerates part shade too. The white-flowered variety listed in catalogs under various common names such as ‘Alabaster’ or ‘Snow Spike’ is less hardy. Anise hyssop has been used medicinally for coughs and congestion by Native Americans, who also used it as a sweetener. Harvest the leaves before flowering for use in teas.

The flowers can be used fresh or dried in salads. Dry the flower stalks by hanging them upside down to ensure a straight stem for use in dried flower decorations.

Relaxing recipes The whole plant can be used for fragrance—it is especially nice in potpourri. It is considered to be a mood lifter and a soothing herb when added as a tisane (tea) to bath water to ease nervousness. Stuff a muslin bag with the anise hyssop and place it in the bath. It is also a good addition to sleep pillows, added in equal amounts with hops flowers, lavender, rosemary, thyme, elder flowers, anise seed, rose, yarrow and chamomile (or a combination of any of those herbs) to ensure a good night’s sleep. Do not add oils or fixatives such as orris root to this mix. Stuff a small cloth pillow or use a muslin bag, place in your

pillow, or hang on the bedpost. These pillows can be used to simply help relax too.

Cookie recipe The chocolate cookies we make with anise hyssop are delicious. The recipe: • 1/3 cup anise hyssop fresh flowers and/or leaves • 1 cup sugar • 12 ounces (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened • 1 large egg • 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted • 2 cups white flour • 1/2 teaspoon salt Combine anise hyssop with sugar until well blended. Cream butter into sugar mixture. Beat in the egg and chocolate. Gradually mix in flour and salt. The dough will be soft. continued on page 28

Don’t miss the excitement, wonder & fun of

GARDEN DAY 2019

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Featuring Matthew Ross Keynote Presenter

Matthew Ross is the Director of Continuing Education at Longwood Gardens, where he oversees the development and delivery of over 170 programs annually in ornamental horticulture, landscape design, visual arts, and floral design. His passion for horticulture is contagious and he is a proud graduate of Michigan State University, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Horticulture Science with an emphasis on Landscape Design and Urban Forestry.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR GARDEN DAY EXPERIENCE BY SELECTING FROM THE FOLLOWING WORKSHOPS: Perennial Garden Tour • Adding Flowering Herbs to Your Garden • The Garden in Your Beer Trees for Your Backyard • Horticulture at Higher Heights • Let’s Talk About Shrubs Designing Small Spaces • Gardening in a Pickle • Fresh from the Garden Floral Arrangement

For more information and to register, visit: hrt.msu.edu/garden-day

The day includes two keynote presentations, two workshops of your choice, parking, lunch and dessert from Grand Traverse Pie Company, materials, and access to the Green Garden Marketplace. $69 for 2019 MSU Garden members, $79 for non-members.

For more information and to register, visit: hrt.msu.edu/garden-day L E T U S M A K E YO U R O U T D O O R S B E AU T I F U L !

Make us your Destination. Van Atta’s has one of the largest selections of garden accents, trees, garden toys, annuals, shrubs and perennials in Southeastern Michigan. We grow an enormous variety of perennial species and cultivars. There’s a good chance we have that one plant you’ve been searching for or the garden ornament that will set your yard apart. Come on out and stroll our grounds. You’ll be amazed any one item at what you’ll find, as well as the friendly Offer valid through June 30, 2019 Not to be combined w/other offers service and expert advice you will receive.

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Michigan Gardener | June 2019 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from page 26 Divide the dough in two parts and wrap each part in plastic wrap. Shape the dough into two cylinders about 1-1/2 inches in diameter. Chill for an hour. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Remove plastic wrap and cut the dough into quarter-inch rounds. Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes until brown. Makes 5 dozen.

Potpourri recipe This is one of our favorite wintertime potpourri recipes. We find that the addition of anise hyssop gives it a sweeter fragrance that we really like: • 1 quart fragrant evergreen needles (Fraser fir works well) • 1 cup orange peel pieces • 1 cup rosemary leaves • 10 bay leaves, broken up • 1/4 cup whole cloves, bruised • 6 three-inch cinnamon sticks, broken • 1 cup tiny pine cones • 1/2 cup orris root chunks • 1/2 cup anise hyssop leaves and flowers Add oils to orris root. Stir and mix with the other ingredients in a glass jar or plastic bag. Allow to mellow for 3 or 4 weeks in a dark place, stirring or shaking regularly. Add more oils if desired, and as needed to maintain the fragrance. This is such a useful herb, both in the garden and in the kitchen. It combines ease of growth in the garden with fun and tasty things indoors. Anise hyssop can even help you relax. Plus, it attracts helpful insects such as butterflies to the garden. What more could you ask for?

A sleep pillow recipe: Anise hyssop (middle), anise seed, chamomile, thyme, yarrow, lavender and rose. Mix together and fill a cloth bag for a peaceful rest.

These dried anise hyssop leaves and flowers are ready for tea, potpourri, or cookies.

Chocolate anise hyssop cookies—really tasty!

Jean and Roxanne Riggs operated Sunshine Farm and Garden in Oakland County, MI and now enjoy retirement up north.

MichiganGardener.com | June 2019 | Michigan Gardener

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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.

NEED TO REPLACE SOME GRASS? We provide top quality sod grass to metro Detroit homeowners like you. Hillcrest Sod Farms has been growing quality sod for over 50 years. We provide sod to Do-It-Yourselfers or we can do the entire installation for you. A half century of experience has taught us to treat our customers like family—personalized care and attention is what you can expect from Hillcrest. For a free estimate, call 734-941-9595 and ask for Mike or Caryl. Or visit www.sodfarm.com to learn more.

GARDEN SPEAKER AVAILABLE for your club or group. 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 Classified Advertising is a cost-effective way to promote your business. Let our readers know! Go to MichiganGardener. com and click on “Classified Advertising.”

Come see our HUGE SELECTION of perennials! Annuals • Vegetables Herbs • Unique Foliage Plants Combination Planters • Hanging Gardens 248-887-5101 1525 Bogie Lake Rd. • White Lake, MI 1-1/2 Miles S. of M-59, Across from Lakeland H.S.

Open 7 days • www.bogielakegreenhouses.com

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

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Pinter Flowerland 6830 Rawsonville Rd., Belleville, MI 48111 734-482-2776 www.pinterflowerland.com May/June hours: Open 7 days a week; please call for hours. Buy direct from the grower—that means great quality and low prices. Family owned and operated since 1926. Annuals, hanging baskets, containers, perennials, garden supplies, soils, mulches, and much more. 13 acres of covered shopping— stay dry when it’s raining! Come see us at our Redford location also (313-538-7580).

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.

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20200 Goddard, Taylor, MI 48180 313-291-3880 www.panettasupply.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat 8-4, Sun 10-3. Wide variety of decorative rock and mulches. Bagged pine bark and cocoa mulch. Unilock, Oaks, Oberfields brick pavers and wall blocks. Variety of natural stone. 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 selection of perennials, roses, shrubs, trees.

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24765 Bell Rd., New Boston, MI 48164 734-753-9200 www.grassrootspondandgarden.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.

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6981 Rawsonville Rd., Belleville, MI 48111 734-482-2764 www.banotaigreenhouse.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 8-7, Sun 8-6. Quality plants at competitive prices since 1960. Visit our 6 acres of the finest-quality plants: annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, specialty pots, tropicals, succulents, and more. New: trees and shrubs too! Certified Proven Winners distributor. We are committed to delivering superior customer service and building customer loyalty with every customer experience.

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Westcroft Gardens 21803 West River Rd., Grosse Ile, 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 and operated by the same family, established 1776. Specializing in our own azalea and rhododendron hybrids that grow well in Michigan. Also trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, herbs & vegetables. Our Greenleaf Compound acidifies & improves your soil. Stroll our botanical gardens or rent them for your next special event.

Zywicki Greenhouse 50705 Willow Rd., Belleville, MI 48111 734-461-6197 www.zywickigreenhouse.com May/June hours: Open 7 days a week, 9-7. Zywicki’s has served lower Michigan for over 50 years with quality annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, planters, window boxes, vegetable plants and roses. 200 varieties of vegetable and herb plants. Over 400 varieties of annuals, perennials, and hanging baskets. When it’s quality you need, it’s Zywicki’s indeed!

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

More of a great thing (and still free!) Sign up today for our FREE e-newsletter! Visit MichiganGardener.com and enter your e-mail address at the top of the page next to the Michigan Gardener logo. Don’t miss the contest in each issue for your chance to win FREE garden prizes!

MichiganGardener.com | June 2019 | Michigan Gardener

calendar

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

June / July / August / September

June Clarkston Perennial Plant Exchange Sat, Jun 1, 8:30am, Clarkston. By Clarkston Farm & Garden Club at Corner of Main St. & Washington St. Rain/shine. Pot & identify your plants. www.clarkstongardenclub.org, 248-625-2644. Tollgate Big Spring Plant Sale Sat, Jun 1, 9am-2pm, Novi. At Tollgate Farm. Perennial plants, organized sale with volunteers to provide advice, proceeds support gardens. 248-347-3860 ext. 251, prentic1@msu.edu. Perennial Exchange Sat, Jun 1, 9-10:30am, Romeo. At Romeo Village Park. Bring your labeled plants to share & acquire new ones. Exchanges only. Free raffle giveaways. No registration necessary. www.rwbparksrec.org. H Peonies Galore Sale Sat, Jun 1, 10am, Ann Arbor. At Nichols Arboretum. Several varieties of locally grown heirloom peonies for sale. 734-647-7600, mbgna.umich.edu. Harrison Township Trunk Plant Exchange Sat, Jun 1, Noon-2pm, Harrison Twp. By Harrison Township Beautification Commission at Tucker Senior Ctr. Exchange for garden plant treasures with others. 586-242-3868. 11th Annual Spring Garden Tour Sat, Jun 1, Detroit. At Black Cat Pottery. www.blackcatpottery.com. Iris Show Sat, Jun 1, & Sun, Jun 2, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. Enjoy a variety of tall bearded & Siberian iris blossoms on display, all locally grown for this judged show. www.meijergardens.org. Native Plant Sale Sat, Jun 1, 10am-4pm, Clarkston. By North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy at Neiman’s Family Market parking lot. www.nohlc.org. H Backyard Nature Photography Sat, Jun 1, 10am, Pontiac. At Goldner Walsh. $35/person. Tricks & techniques from expert photographer David Porath on how to get the best shot every time. www.goldnerwalsh.com. H Peony Blossoms & Pure Melodies Sun, Jun 2, 2pm, Ann Arbor. At Nichols Arboretum. FREE. Chinese flower songs set amid the Nichols Arboretum peony garden. Hardy Plant Society: Plant Sale & Auction Mon, Jun 3, 7pm, Bloomfield Hills. By Hardy Plant Society at Congregational Church of Birmingham (1000 Cranbrook Rd). Annual plant sale & auction. Free admission; open to all. For more info: julia@juliasbiglife.com or visit us on Facebook. Rose Care Thu, Jun 6, 6-8pm, Grosse Pointe Shores. At Ford House. $35. How to select, grow, prune & care for your roses with Rosarian Kelley Maricle. Tickets: 313-884-4222.

Yardeners Native Plant Sale Sat, Jun 8, 9-11:30am, St Clair Shores. By The Yardeners at The Selinsky-Green Farmhouse grounds. Deadline to preorder is May 24. Plant list: scsyardeners@gmail.com. H 29th Annual Ann Arbor Garden Walk Sat, Jun 8, 10am-4pm, Ann Arbor. By Ann Arbor Farm & Garden at 6 area gardens. $15/advance at local retailers through Jun 7. $20/day of, at garden locations. K-12 ages, $3 available day of. Marketplace in 3 of the gardens. Info, maps: www.annarborfarmandgarden.org, aafgnews@ gmail.com. H Bugs: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Sat, Jun 8, 10am, All locations. At English Gardens. FREE. We will help you decipher which bugs can be your garden helpers & which ones are just plain pests. www.englishgardens.com. H Organic Food Production Sat, Jun 8, 10am, Westland. At Barsons. Lecture by Randy Ritchie from Malibu Compost. www.barsons.com, 734421-5959. Mio Irisarian 75th Iris Show Sat, Jun 8, 1:30-4:30pm & Sun, Jun 9, 10-3pm, Mio. By Mio Irisarians at Oscoda Cty Community Ctr. Enter irises 7 to 10am on Sat. Sanctioned show with ribbons awarded. 517-896-1918, stemenl@yahoo.com.

NICHOLS ARBORETUM

always in season!

2019 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 1, 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 2, 2 pm Chinese flower songs set amid the Nichols Arboretum Peony Garden. Free. Note: Rain date Sun., June 9, 2 pm.

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

Organic & Sustainable Gardening Class Tue, Jun 11, & Jun 25, Jul 9, Aug 23, Detroit. By Voices for Earth Justice at 15894 Greydale Street. $5/class. https://www.eventbrite.com/o/ voices-for-earth-justice-15744281866. Grounds & Gardens Tour at Ford House Tue, Jun 11, Every other Tue, Grosse Pointe. At Ford House. $10. Get captivated by the gorgeous naturalist-style landscapes on this guided tour. 313-884-4222. Franklin 34th Annual Garden Walk Wed, Jun 12, 10am-4pm & 6-9pm, Franklin. By Franklin Garden Club. $15. Artisan Market on the Green from 9am5pm. Tickets: franklingardenclub.org H Hypertufa Planter Wed, Jun 12, 6-7:30pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $56.99. Register: 810-629-9208. www.HeavenlyScentHerbFarm.com. The Rose: Unequaled by Any Other Plant Form Wed, Jun 12, 6:30, Mt. Clemens. By MCMGA at Mt. Clemens Library. $5. Duane DeDene, ARS, shares what to look for when purchasing a rose, planting/care tips & more. macombcountymga@yahoo.com. Genesee County Herb Society meeting Thu, Jun 13, 6pm, Genesee County. By Genesee County Herb Society. Please call for location: 810-964-2208. H Attracting Birds & Butterflies Sat, Jun 15, 10am, All Locations. At English Gardens. Free seminar. All about the birds & butterflies, and the flowers/ trees they love to call home. www.EnglishGardens.com. continued on page 32

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Michigan Gardener | June 2019 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from page 31 Rose Show Sat, Jun 15, & Sun, Jun 16, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. Enjoy a variety of rose blossoms on display, all locally grown & carefully prepped. www.meijergardens.org. Father’s Day Fungi Hike Sun, Jun 16, 4-5:30pm, Ann Arbor. At Leslie Science & Nature Ctr. $5/person. Fathers FREE. www.lesliesnc.org. Meadow Brook Garden Club Open House Tue, Jun 18, 8:30am-Noon, Rochester. By Meadow Brook Garden Club at Meadow Brook Hall. Experience the joy of gardening at Meadow Brook. Meet in the white tent on the south side. 248-364-6210. 20th Annual Rochester Garden Walk Thu, Jun 20, 10am-5pm, Rochester. By Rochester Garden Club at local private & public gardens. $12/advance. $16/ day of. Marketplace, porch pots program, & more. www.RochesterGardenClub.org.

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Dearborn Garden Club Annual Luncheon Thu, Jun 20, 11:30am, Dearborn. At Dearborn Country Club. $25. Luncheon & installation of officers. gardenclubdearborn.org. H Make It & Take It: Terrarium Trio Thu, Jun 20, 7-8pm, all locations. At English Gardens. $34.99. Some creative fun, while enjoying a signature cocktail. Register: www.englishgardens.com. 28th Annual Grosse Pointe Garden Tour Fri, Jun 21, 10am-4pm, Grosse Pointe. By Grosse Pointe Garden Center at 7 private gardens & the Trial Gardens & Veterans Garden at the War Memorial. $20. 313-499-0743, gpgardenctr@outlook.com. 24th Annual Milford Garden Walk & Marketplace Fri, Jun 21, 5:30-8:30pm & Sat, Jun 22, 10am-4pm, Milford. By Milford Garden Club. $12/advance. $15/day of. Rain or shine. Tickets: www.TheMilfordGardenClub.org. Loren Andrus Octagon House Plant Sale Sat, Jun 22, 9am-5pm, Washington. At Octagon House Gardens, 57500 Van Dyke. Wide selection of perennials & garden decor. www.facebook.com/OctagonHouse1860. Macomb County Master Gardener Association Garden Tour Sat, Jun 22, 9am-5pm, Macomb County. By MCMGA at 7 Master Gardener Projects. $5/person. Advance tickets at Mt. Clemens Public Library. macombcountymga.com, macombcountymga@yahoo.com. H The Low Maintenance Garden Sat, Jun 22, 10am, all locations. Free seminar. At English Gardens. www.EnglishGardens.com.

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H Pond & Waterfall Design Sat, Jun 22, 10am-Noon, Milford. At The Pond Place. Workshop addresses key issues associated with designing/building your own pond, stream & waterfall. Register: 248-889-8400. Lakeside Garden Walk Sat, Jun 22, 11am-5pm, Lakeside. The Lakeside Association at 8 unique gardens that represent Harbor Country. $35. A range of settings from lake front to urban. www.thelakesideassociation.com, 773-343-1680. H Pond Construction - Hands-On Workshop Sat, Jun 22, 1-3pm, Milford. At The Pond Place. Handson experience building an 11’ x 16’ pond with a stream, waterfall & bog, as well as a pondless waterfall. Register: 248-889-8400. Trenton Garden Walk Sat, Jun 22, Trenton. At 7 home gardens & the Trenton Cultural Center Gardens. $8/advance & $10/day of. Glenda Albright, 734-281-6504. 30th Annual Livonia Garden Tour Sat, Jun 22, Livonia. By Friends of Greenmead at 5 private Livonia homes & Hill House at Greenmead Historical Park. 248-477-7375. Genesee County Master Gardener Tour Sun, Jun 23, 10am-5pm, Otisville. By Master Gardener Assoc of Genesee County at 8 Davison-Otisville area gardens. Self-guided tour. MSU Extension Master Gardeners on hand to answer questions. 989-723-6074, leemar4321@frontier.com, GCgardentour.weebly.com. H Appreciation Sunday Sun, Jun 23, 11am-4pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. Free. Music, activities, tour the garden. www.HeavenlyScentHerbFarm.com. Children’s Story Hour Thu, Jun 27, 10-11am, Novi. At MSU Tollgate. $5/person. Designed for ages 2-5. Held rain or shine. www.canr.msu. edu/events.

Evening of Roses at Ford House Thu, Jun 27, 5:30-8:30pm, Grosse Pointe Shores. At Ford House. Step into Eleanor’s personal rose garden for an open-air soiree. Enjoy rose treats & more. Tickets: 313-884-4222. Crocker House Garden Walk & Breakfast Talk Sat, Jun 29, 9am-4pm, Mount Clemens. By Macomb County Historical Society at Crocker House Museum. Garden Walk: $17. Breakfast: $15. Plant exchange at the Michigan Transit Museum. 586-465-2488, www.crockerhousemuseum.org. H Landscape Design 101 Sat, Jun 29, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. Free seminar. Our landscape designers will share their expertise on the fundamentals of landscape design, & provide information on installation. www.EnglishGardens.com. H Pond & Waterfall Design Sat, Jun 29, 10am-Noon, Milford. At The Pond Place. Workshop on designing/building your own pond, stream & waterfall. Register: 248-889-8400.

July H Nature Hike Sat, Jul 6, 10:30am, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $10/ person. Nature enthusiast, Howard Pennington, will lead you through the natural beauty of Hidden Lake Gardens. www.hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu. Farmington Hills Garden Club Front Porch Picnic Mon, Jul 8, Farmington Hills. Farmington Hills GC at Warner Mansion. Share food, friendship & more food. Bring a dish to pass & a place setting. vitaminsea55@gmail.com, 248-722-4503. Grounds & Gardens Tour at Ford House Tue, Jul 9, Every other Tue, Grosse Pointe. At Ford House. $10. Get captivated by the gorgeous naturalist-style landscapes on this guided tour. 313-884-4222. Northville Garden Walk Wed, Jul 10, 9am-4pm, Northville. By Country Garden Club of Northville. $12/advance. $15/day of at Gardenviews & Northville Town Square (new location), 150 E. Main, across from clock. Garden artisans, live music & more. cgcnv.org, 734-788-9935. 45th Annual Troy Garden Walk Wed, Jul 10, 9:30am-3pm & 5-8:30pm, Troy. By Troy Garden Club at 7 private gardens. $10/advance ticket. Activities at Troy Historic Village, free admission 9am-6pm. www.TroyGardenClubMI.com, 248-540-6158. Children’s Story Hour Thu, Jul 11, 10-11am, Novi. At MSU Tollgate. $5/person. Designed for ages 2-5. Held rain or shine. www.canr.msu.edu/events. Annual Flower Show: Lakeshore Beauty Thu, Jul 11, to Sat, Jul 13, Spring Lake. By Tri-Cities Garden Club at Spring Lake District Library. H Hydrangeas 101 Sat, Jul 13, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. FREE seminar. The basics of all things hydrangea, including the different varieties & care. www.EnglishGardens.com. An Extraordinary Walk through Farms, Fields and Flowers Sat, Jul 13, 10am-4pm, Port Sanilac. By Port Sanilac Garden Club at 8 local farms & gardens. $10/advance, $12/ day of. Find us on Facebook, 810-376-6705. The Gardens of Warren Sat, Jul 13, 10am-4pm, Warren. By Warren Garden Club at 7 local gardens. Self-guided. $8/advance; $12/day of. Linda: 586-582-9708. Garden-Nature-Fest Sat, Jul 13, 11am-4pm, South Lyon. At The Salem-South Lyon District Library. FREE. Speakers, nature vendors, face painting, gardening styles, music, Q&A. 248-437-8539. H LACASA’s Garden Tour Weekend Sat, Jul 13, & Sun, Jul 14, 9am-4pm, Livingston Co. By LACASA. $20 advance tickets. $25 at gardens. Check out our Bus Tour. All proceeds benefit abused children & victims of interpersonal violence. www.lacasacenter.org, 517-548-1350. 14th Annual Clarkston Garden Walk Wed, Jul 17, 11am-7pm, Clarkston. By Clarkston Garden Club at 6 private gardens. $15/advance, $18/day of. Artisan market. Starts at Clarkston Independence Library. 248-514-1729, www.clarkstongardenclub.org. Friendly Garden Club Garden Walk Thu, Jul 18, Noon-7pm, Traverse City. By The Friendly Garden Club of Traverse City at 5 gardens in The Holiday Hills area. $12. Rain/shine. Tickets: www.mynorth.com. www.thefriendlygardenclub.org.

MichiganGardener.com | June 2019 | Michigan Gardener

Gladwin Cty Master Gardeners 12th Annual Garden Tour Thu, Jul 18, 1-7 pm, Gladwin area. By Gladwin County Master Gardeners. $10/advance, $13/day of. Gladwin Area vendors at Riverwalk Place. 989-429-9639, Laurie.wagner58@gmail.com. Butterfly Gardening Thu, Jul 18, 6:30pm, Mt. Clemens. By Macomb Cty Master Gardener Assoc at Mt. Clemens Library. $5. John Blair shares his 20+ years of experience in designing habitats for attracting butterflies. macombcountymga@yahoo.com. Harrison Township Inspirations Garden Tour Sat, Jul 20, 9am-4pm, Harrison Twp. Harrison Township Beautification Comm. at 8 residential gardens. Self guided: $10/presale. $15/day of. $20/VIP bus tickets pre-sale. Start at Tucker Senior Ctr. 586-242-3868. H Hydrangea Blooming Tips Sat, Jul 20, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. Free seminar. An English Gardens expert will share our secrets for successful hydrangeas. www.EnglishGardens.com. H Pond & Waterfall Design Sat, Jul 20, 10am-Noon, Milford. At The Pond Place. Workshop addresses the key issues associated with designing/building your own pond, stream & waterfall. Register: 248-889-8400. 25th Annual Garden City Garden Walk Sat, Jul 20, 10am-3pm, Garden City. By the Garden City Garden Club. $8. Help us raise money for our scholarship program at Garden City HS. gcgc.weebly.com, 734-564-3868. Annual Lily Show Sat, Jul 20, Noon, Southfield. By Michigan Regional Lily Society at 28775 Streamwood Lane. FREE. Gardeners may bring lily stems to enter from 9:30-11am. 313-492-5665, www.mrls.org. H Pond Construction - Hands-On Workshop Sat, Jul 20, 1-3pm, Milford. At The Pond Place. Hands-on experience building an 11’ x 16’ pond with a stream, waterfall & bog, as well as a pondless waterfall. Register: 248-889-8400. Tollgate Sunset Garden Celebration: Open House Sat, Jul 20, 4-7pm, Novi. At Tollgate Farms. FREE. Tour 16 gardens, plus enjoy music, education, walking tours, refreshments & garden market. www.canr.msu.edu, 248-347-3860 ext. 251, prentic1@msu.edu. Daylily Show Sat, Jul 20, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. Daylily flowers last for just one day & so does this show. See an amazing variety of daylily flowers. H The Garden Cruise Sun, Jul 21, 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. MSU Tollgate Children’s Story Hour Thu, Jul 25, 10-11am, Novi. At MSU Tollgate. $5/person. Designed for ages 2-5. Held rain or shine. www.canr.msu.edu/tollgate. H Savor the Summer at Applewood Estate Thu, Jul 25, 4-8pm, Flint. At Applewood Estate. FREE. We’ll be celebrating the season with live music, outdoor games, hands-on activities & more with our partners from the community. www.Applewood.org. Food Garden Tour Wed, Jul 31, 5-8pm, Flint. Explore Flint’s Community & Market Gardens by bike or bus. $10/person donation. Registration begins July 1st. www.EdibleFlint.org.

August H Garden Day 2019 Sat, Aug 3, 8am-4pm, East Lansing. At MSU Horticulture Gardens. $79. Two keynote presentations, 2 workshops of your choice, lunch, parking & access to green garden marketplace. hrt.msu.edu/garden-day. Yardeners Annual Garden Tour Sat, Aug 3, 9am-3pm, St. Clair Shores. By The Yardeners at the Selinsky-Green Farmhouse Museum. $5. Kids 12 & under free. Master Gardeners on hand to answer questions. No advance sales. scsyardeners@gmail.com. H Nature Hike Sat, Aug 3, 10:30am, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $10/person. Nature enthusiast, Howard Pennington, will lead you through the natural beauty of Hidden Lake Gardens. www.hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu. Pollinator Palooza at Ford House Sat, Aug 3, Noon-4pm, Grosse Pointe Shores. At Ford House. $10-$15. An outdoor event where families can visit the gardens & butterfly house. Kids are encouraged to bring their wings. Tickets: 313-884-4222.

Grounds & Gardens Tour at Ford House Tue, Aug 6, Every other Tue, Grosse Pointe. At Ford House. $10. Get captivated by the gorgeous naturaliststyle landscapes on this guided tour. 313-884-4222. MSU Tollgate Children’s Story Hour Thu, Aug 8, 10-11am, Novi. At MSU Tollgate. $5/person. Designed for ages 2-5. Held rain or shine. www.canr.msu.edu/tollgate. Janet Macunovich Presentations Tue, Aug 13, 6pm, Mt. Clemens. At Mt. Clemens Public Library. $10. ”Plant it Well, Even When the Roots are Wrong” & “Weeds: To Know Them is to Beat Them”. macombcountymga@yahoo.com. Organic & Sustainable Gardening Classes Tue, Aug 13, Aug 27, Sep 10, Sep 24, Oct 8, Oct 22, Detroit. By Voices for Earth Justice at 15894 Greydale St. www.eventbrite.com/o/ voices-for-earth-justice-15744281866. Native & Invasive Plants in Your Garden Thu, Aug 15, 6-8pm, Grosse Pointe Shores. At Ford House. $35. Discover what it means to go native with the house’s certified arborist Joe Cieslinski & woodland specialist Kevin Drotos. Tickets: 313-884-4222. 9th Annual Summer Garden Tour Sat, Aug 17, Detroit. At Black Cat Pottery. www.blackcatpottery.com. H Hosta Hillside Workshop Tue, Aug 20, 7-8pm, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. FREE. Enjoy a tour of the Hosta Hillside collection. Learn the history of how Hosta Hillside was started. Register: 517-423-2238. 71st Annual Dahlia Show Sat, Aug 24, Noon-5pm & Sun, 10am-2pm, Ann Arbor. By Michigan Dahlia Association at Washtenaw Community College. www.midwestdahliaconference.org/MDA. National Dahlia Show Sat, Aug 31, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. Hundreds of dahlias will be on display. Flower sizes will vary from the size of a golf ball to a dinner plate.

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September Grounds & Gardens Tour at Ford House Tue, Sep 3, Every other Tue, Grosse Pointe. At Ford House. $10. Get captivated by the naturalist-style landscapes on this guided tour. 313-884-4222. Kent Garden Club Presents: A Standard Flower Show Sat, Sep 7, & Sun, Sep 8, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. $14. Beautiful arrangements by members of Kent Garden Club, West Michigan Flower Arranger’s Guild, & Michigan Garden Club District IV. Biennial Shelby Gardeners’ Flower Show Thu, Sep 12, Fri, Sep 13, & Sat, Sep 14, 9am-5pm, Shelby Twp. By Shelby Garden Club at Shelby Library. “Flowers from the Heart”. 586-873-3782. Dahlias: 67th Annual Dahlia Show & Competition Sat, Sep 14, Noon-9:30p & Sun, Sep 21, 9am-3pm, West Bloomfield. By SE Michigan Dahlia Society at Orchard Mall. 500+ dahlias on display. Members on hand to answer questions. www.semds.org, 248-689-5947. Chrysanthemums & More Fri, Sep 20, through Oct 27, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. Celebrate the autumn season with an extensive display of hundreds of flowering plants. Color tours, tram rides & seasonal children’s activities. Yardeners Fall Plant Exchange Sat, Sep 21, 9-11am, St Clair Shores. By The Yardeners at St. Clair Shores Public Library. Bag, tag & drag your offerings to trade or give away to other gardeners. No cash involved. scsyardeners@gmail.com. Tollgate Fall Plant Sale Sat, Sep 21, 9am-Noon, Novi. At Tollgate Farms. Perennial plants for sale, with volunteers to provide advice. Proceeds support Tollgate. www.canr.msu.edu, 248-347-3860 ext. 251, prentic1@msu.edu. H Pond Winterization Sat, Sep 21, 10-11am, Milford. At The Pond Place of Michigan. How to perform a fall pond cleaning and how to winterize your pond, plants & fish. www.pondplace.com. Meadow Brook Garden Club Book Club Fri, Sep 27, 9:15am, Rochester. By The Meadow Brook Garden Club. Program at 10am. $5/non-member. Ron Rademacher: “Nature’s Getaways”. meadowbrookhall.org. H Pond Winterization Sat, Sep 28, 10-11am, Milford. At The Pond Place of Michigan. How to perform a fall pond cleaning and how to winterize your pond, plants & fish. www.pondplace.com.

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Baptisia B

aptisia, also known as false indigo or wild indigo, is a relative newcomer to horticulture. The genus consists of approximately 15 species, all of which are native to the eastern half of the U.S. Although these plants had been grown and used by Native Americans and the early European settlers as dye plants (“bapto” from the Greek, meaning “to dip”) and as garden plants, it was not until the 1990s and early 2000s that the genus started to receive serious interest by gardenKaren ers and horticulturists. Bovio Unlike many ornamentals used in gardens for generations, the genus Baptisia had not yet been tapped by plant breeders seeking to improve upon nature.

History of cultivar development Several baptisia species, notably blueflowered Baptisia australis, yellow-flowered B. sphaerocarpa and B. bracteata, and white B. albescens (formerly B. alba) were occasionally grown in gardens, but it was not until the mid-1990s that naturally occurring hybrids between these and other species were discovered and introduced to the nursery trade. Botanical gardens were the first places that hybrids appeared. Because public gardens display collections of many plant species for educational purposes, they are prime locations for unintentional cross-pollination to occur. continued on page 36

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Baptisia’s glaucous foliage is attractive in its own right.

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continued from page 34 The first hybrid baptisia to be introduced to horticulture was the groundbreaking ‘Purple Smoke,’ discovered in the baptisia collection at the North Carolina Botanical Garden and introduced in 1996. To this day, ‘Purple Smoke’ remains a top-tier garden cultivar, with its lavender-mauve flowers and smoky gray stems. Another NCBG hybrid, ‘Carolina Moonlight,’ with creamy yellow spikes, was introduced in 2002. It was also a naturally occurring hybrid discovered in the gardens and not the result of controlled crosses. It turns out that most baptisia species will interbreed; that discovery opened the floodgates in creating new hybrids. Around the same time as the NCBG introductions, hybridizer Dr. Jim Ault at the Chicago Botanic Garden began working with baptisia species to further explore their genetic potential in creating even better-performing garden plants. In the mid 2000s, the CBG introduced the Prairieblues collection of baptisia, including dusky purple ‘Twilite,’ light blue ‘Starlite,’ dark blue ‘Midnight,’ and yellow ‘Solar Flare.’ The CBG is still introducing baptisia hybrids, many of which improve upon and supersede their older introductions. In the 2000s and 2010s, Tony Avent of Plant Delights Nursery (Raleigh, North Carolina) and Hans Hansen of Walters Gardens (Zeeland, Michigan) have developed many new outstanding cultivars. The Decadence series from Walters Gardens includes all colors of baptisia, from blue and purple, to yellow and cream, to brown, red and pink. www.PerennialResource.com

continued on page 38

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Michigan Gardener | June 2019 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from page 36 The various flower colors, heights, widths and plant habits of hybrid baptisias are the result of complex crosses, involving the genetic recombination of traits from many species. Perhaps the best known species is B. australis, which was awarded the coveted Perennial Plant of the Year title in 2010. Although it is a worthy garden plant, baptisias have evolved significantly in less than a decade. B. australis is usually offered as a seed-grown plant, meaning that not all individuals are identical. Some may have better blue flower color, others may be taller, wider, or have better foliage or fruiting habits (many baptisias have decorative seed pods). It is also possible that seed-grown specimens could have poorerthan-average ornamental qualities, such as a tendency to floppiness, sparse flowering, or excessive foliage. The new hybrid baptisias have eliminated these inconsistencies since they are vegetatively propagated, usually by stem cuttings, tissue culture, or rarely, by division.

How to grow baptisias Nearly all literature on baptisias mentions the difficulty in dividing mature specimens. Because baptisias are prairie plants, they follow a typical growth pattern of many plants that endure harsh conditions—they are slowgrowing, particularly in their first few years, which are spent developing a deep, extensive root system. Their thick, fleshy roots help them survive droughts, but are unforgiving of the division process. Baptisias are large plants, typically from 3 to 6 feet tall, so it is wise to carefully consider the garden site; digging and dividing are challenging and sometimes even fatal. If it becomes necessary to move a plant, do so during early spring, while the asparagus-like shoots are just emerging. www.PerennialResource.com

continued on page 40

‘Cherries Jubilee’

Mt. Cuba Center

‘Lunar Eclipse’

Chicagoland Grows

‘Sunny Morning’

Beauchamp Landscape Supply 948 North Old US-23, Brighton, MI 48114 248-684-0332 www.BeauchampLandscapeSupply.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.

Christians Greenhouse & Garden Center 3750 E. Grand River Rd., Williamston, MI 48895 517-521-4650 www.christiansgreenhouses.com May/June hours: Please call. Amazing selection, amazing prices. Over 700 different varieties of annuals, grasses, perennials, roses, vegetables and herbs. The newest cultivars and traditional favorites. Plus rock garden perennials, bird and butterfly plants, and more. Our pottery assortment will wow you, with multiple sizes and colors.

Meier Flowerland 8087 W. Grand River, Brighton, MI 48114 810-229-9430 www.meierflowerland.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 8-8, Sun 8-6 Where you’re only limited by your imagination! We grow over 10,000 sun/shade hanging baskets. Plus annuals, geraniums, patio and deck pots for instant color, shrubs, roses, yard décor, gazing globes, stepping stones, more. Vegetables and herbs, including heirloom varieties. Wednesdays are Senior Day: 15% off live plants. Since 1954.

Milarch Nursery 28500 Haas Rd., New Hudson, MI 48165 248-437-2094 www.milarchnursery.com Hours – Thru Sat, June 15: Mon-Fri 8-5:30, Sat 8-3; Starting Mon, June 17: 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 9-3, Sun 10-3. Established in 2001, The Pond Place is one of the largest retailers and wholesalers of pond supplies in Michigan. Our knowledgeable staff will help with your pond supply, koi, goldfish and water plant needs. We build ponds and seawalls too. Visit www.pondplace. com for online shopping and browse our free pond workshops!

Specialty Growers 4330 Golf Club Rd., Howell MI 48843 517-546-7742 www.specialtygrowers.net May/June hours: Mon-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

Advertiser Index Abbott’s Landscape Nursery................... 6 Abele Greenhouse & Gard Ctr...............27 Aguafina Gardens International...........29 Alexander’s Farm Mkt/Greenhses.....33 Assoc. of Professional Gardeners........45 Auburn Oaks Gard Ctr................................41 Barson’s Greenhouse.................................43 Beauchamp’s/The Pond Place.................5 Blossoms..........................................................45 Bogie Lake Greenhouses..........................29

Campbell’s Greenhouses.........................35 Civiltech.............................................................15 Contender’s Tree/Lawn Specialists.......7 Country Oaks Landscape Supp.............37 Dale’s Landscaping Supp..........................21 Davey Tree........................................................13 Destinations: Ann Arbor...........................14 Destinations: Downriver.......................... 30 Destinations: I-96........................................39 Destinations: Macomb..............................23 Detroit Garden Works................................. 9 Eckert’s Greenhouse..................................35 EcoChic Landscape Design..................... 10

English Gardens...................................Page 3 Espoma..............................................................17 Fraleigh’s Landscape Nursery................37 The Garden Mill.............................................. 8 Garden Rhythms............................................ 8 A Garden Space............................................45 Goldner Walsh Garden & Home...........12 Gordon’s Lawn Core Aeration................19 Grass Magic....................................................32 Grinstein Jewelry & Design......................31 Haley Stone.....................................................43 Heavenly Scent Herb Farm......................32 Hidden Lake Gardens.................................25

LACASA Center............................................15 Lake Orion Lawn Ornaments..................21 Margolis Nursery..........................................21 Matthaei Botanical Gardens....................31 Meier Flowerland.........................................25 Merritt Home Design.................................33 Michigan Green Industry Assoc............19 Milarch Nursery............................................ 10 Mosquito One................................................37 MSU Horticulture Gardens.....................27 Mulligan’s Garden Ctr.................................17 Organimax......................................................35 The Original Budget Tree Service.........45

Orion Stone Depot.......................................25 Osmocote.......................Inside Front Cover Piechnik’s Gard Ctr.......................................17 Piechnik’s Greenhse................................... 10 Plantskydd........................................................41 Poison Ivy Control of Michigan..............27 Proven Winners Color Choice.................11 Rock Shoppe..................................................... 6 Schuman Landscape Lighting................25 Sell Farms & Greenhouses........................17 SOCRRA...........................................................45 Specialty Growers........................................35 State Crushing...............................................29

Steinkopf Nursery.........................................13 Stone Cottage Gardens.............................45 Suburban Landscape Supply...................19 Telly’s Greenhouse........................................ 4 Turner’s Landscp & Gard Ctr...................12 Uncle Luke’s Feed Store.............................21 Van Atta’s Greenhouse.............................27 Warmbier Farms...........................................41 The Weed Lady..............................................19 Westcroft Gardens.....................................37 Zoner’s Greenhouse....................................41

Michigan Gardener | June 2019 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from page 38 Like other prairie plants, baptisias require full sun to flourish—six hours or more per day is ideal. Partial shade nearly always results in floppiness and reduction of flowering. Baptisias are a great choice for gardeners seeking low maintenance plants. They don’t need much fertilizer—being a member of the legume family, they are capable of producing their own nitrogen, with the help of nitrogenfixing bacteria that live in nodules on their roots. They are virtually pest free; the few caterpillars that may visit are usually the larvae of a few small butterflies that use this genus as a host plant and rarely cause much damage. Diseases are rare except in periods of high rainfall and humidity, when occasional leaf spots may occur. In addition to drought and heat tolerance, baptisias adapt well to many soil types, including sandy, clay or loamy soils. Most baptisia species, including those that hail from the southeastern U.S., are very hardy: zone 4 to zone 5. Another bonus: alkaloids produced in the stems and leaves make them unpalatable to deer. Baptisias are very long-lived perennials. When sited properly, they can rival peonies in longevity. In fact, baptisias make wonderful companions to peonies. Their long, spikeshaped flowers in shades of blue, violet, yellow or white make a nice contrast to the lush, rounded blooms of the peony, which blooms at the same time—usually early June in central and southern Michigan. Baptisias create effective focal points in the garden, and large gardens benefit by repeated use of these stunning specimens at intervals in the perennial border. When bloom time is finished, the plants create a shrub-like presence in the garden. Many of the new cultivars have a distinctive vase shape, and look especially handsome with low-growing groundcovers at their feet. Good choices include dwarf varieties of veronica and sedum, spring-blooming phlox, spurge, soapwort, ajuga, dianthus, lady’s mantle, and lamb’s ears. Beautiful color combinations can be created by planting baptisias with red or yellow columbine, blue or white peachleaf bellflow-

www.PerennialResource.com

‘Vanilla Cream’

continued on page 42

Baptisia trial results You may wish to visit www.mtcubacenter.org/trials/baptisia for detailed results of the Mt. Cuba Center baptisia trial (2012 to 2015). Trials like these provide objective evaluations of each plant’s performance. Please note that many excellent cultivars have been released since the trial concluded.

Chicagoland Grows

‘Lavender Rose’

Mt. Cuba Center

‘Carolina Moonlight’

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Come on in and check out where the plants are grown! 3820 W. Auburn Rd. (2 blks E. of Adams Rd.) • Rochester Hills • 248-852-2310 Mon-Fri 8-8 Sat 8-6 Sun 10-5 • www.auburnoaksnursery.com

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Michigan Gardener | June 2019 | MichiganGardener.com

Baptisias A list of some baptisias, grouped by their introducers. Plant height and width are shown in parentheses.

North Carolina Botanical Garden introductions: • ‘Purple Smoke’ – Lavender flowers, gray stems (3’ tall x 4’ wide) • ‘Carolina Moonlight’ – Pale yellow (3.5’ x 4’)

Plant Delights Nursery introductions: • ‘Blue Towers’ – Tall blue spikes (5’ tall x 4.5’ wide) • ‘Ivory Towers’ – Pure white; charcoal black stems (5’ x 4.5’) • ‘Blonde Bombshell’ – Butter-yellow (3.5’ x 4’)

Chicagoland Grows introductions: Prairieblues series, original varieties: • ‘Twilite,’ ‘Starlite,’ ‘Midnight,’ ‘Solar Flare’ – All except ‘Starlite’ are 4’ tall or more and equal or greater in width) Prairieblues series, new varieties: • ‘Blue Mound’ – Violet blue, mounded plants (3’ tall x 4’ wide) • ‘Lavender Rose’ – Rose-violet flowers (3.5’ x 5’) • ‘Lunar Eclipse’ – Bicolored white and blue flowers (3’ x 3.5’) • ‘Mojito’ – Lemon-lime flowers (3.5’ x 5’) • ‘Spilled Buttermilk’ – Pale yellow to creamy white (2’ x 3’) • ‘Sunny Morning’ – Bright yellow; hybrid of B. sphaerocarpa and B. albescens (3’ x 5’)

Walters Gardens introductions: Decadence series: Bred for more compact habit, a wide range of flower colors, and long flower stems. • ‘Blueberry Sundae’ – True blue (2.5’ tall x 3’ wide) • ‘Cherries Jubilee’ – Maroon buds open muted rust and yellow (3’ x 4’) • ‘Dutch Chocolate’ – Purplish brown (3’ x 4.5’) • ‘Lemon Meringue’ – Medium yellow (3’ x 4’) • ‘Pink Truffles’ – Light rose pink (4’ x 4.5’) • ‘Pink Lemonade’ – Bicolor of soft yellow aging to raspberry pink (3.5’ x 4.5’) • ‘Sparkling Sapphires’ – Dark violet-blue (3’ x 3’) • ‘Vanilla Cream’ – Pale yellow buds open to vanilla cream (2.5’ x 3.5’)

www.PerennialResource.com

‘Pink Lemonade’

Species and selections of species: • B. albescens – Formerly B. alba; white flowers, gray-black stems (4’ tall x 4’ wide) • B. bracteata – Early flowering, creamy white horizontal to pendant flowers (2’ x 3’) • B. minor – Blue, sometimes considered a subspecies of B. australis (18” x 24”) • B. tinctoria – Airy, fine-textured foliage, small yellow flowers (2-3’ x 2-3’) • B. sphaerocarpa ‘Screaming Yellow’ – Brilliant yellow, compact form of the species (2’ x 4’)

continued from page 40 er, iris, geranium, catmint, and other early June-blooming perennials. When used in native plantings, baptisias’ shrub-like habit and fine-textured foliage makes an excellent foil or background to the many later-blooming natives like rudbeckia, gayfeather, milkweed, bee balm, turtlehead, and goldenrod. Gardeners seeking to attract pollinators will discover that bees, particularly the large bumblebees, are frequent visitors.

Recommended varieties Although there are many excellent cultivars on the market, gardeners are often limited by what is available at local garden centers.

Due to their slow growth rate, most garden center specimens won’t look especially attractive, and may appear downright spindly for the price. Patience and a leap of faith is required when planting baptisias; you will be rewarded when the plants reach maturity in 3 to 5 years. When choosing cultivars, pay close attention to the height and width of the mature plant. The largest varieties, which can grow 5 to 6 feet tall, can be overwhelming in small gardens, so look to newer hybrids that have been bred for shorter mature height (3 to 4 feet) and more compact width. Karen Bovio is the owner of Specialty Growers in Howell, MI.

www.PerennialResource.com

‘Sparkling Sapphires’

MichiganGardener.com | June 2019 | Michigan Gardener

Precipitation April 2019

Detroit Flint Lansing

NORMAL Monthly 2.90 2.89 3.03

ACTUAL Monthly 5.82 3.80 3.50

April 2018 DEVIATION from Normal +2.92 +0.91 +0.47

2019 Year to Date: Jan 1 - Apr 30

Detroit Flint Lansing

EXPANDED WATER PLANT SELECTION!

• New! Native Plant section • Large Selection of plants to attract hummingbirds, butterflies & all other pollinators

NORMAL Yr. to Date 9.16 7.91 8.21

ACTUAL Yr. to Date 12.36 10.44 9.90

DEVIATION from Normal +3.20 +2.53 +1.69

NORMAL Monthly 2.90 2.89 3.03

ACTUAL Monthly 3.79 3.11 3.07

DEVIATION from Normal +0.89 +0.22 +0.04

2018 Year TOTAL: Jan 1 - Apr 30

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

• Huge selection of organic amendments & fertilizers • Hanging Baskets • Vegetables & Herbs • Great selection of 4" Annuals • Huge line of perennials–Lots of NEW varieties! For great-looking plants all summer, use what we use— Jack’s Classic from J.R. Peters, Inc.

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Stop Blossom End Rot with Jack’s Classic Tomato FeED

BRENDA’S BUTTERFLY HABITAT - NOW OPEN!

Brenda’s Butterfly Habitat is filled with butterflies, and host and nectar plants that are native to the area. You will see the complete life cycle of these winged beauties in all stages of their metamorphosis!

Temperature April 2019

Lotus • Hardy Lilies • Carnivorous Plants Cannas • Iris • Elephant Ears Papyrus • Lobelia • Lysimachia Water Lilies • Water Hyacinth

April 2018

Detroit Flint Lansing

NORMAL Avg. High 59.1 57.3 57.8

ACTUAL Avg. High 57.8 55.5 56.7

DEVIATION from Normal -1.3 -1.8 -1.1

ORMAL N 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

Detroit Flint Lansing

NORMAL Avg. Low 39.4 35.5 37.0

ACTUAL Avg. Low 40.1 36.8 37.6

DEVIATION from Normal +0.7 +1.3 +0.6

ORMAL N Avg. Low 39.4 35.5 37

ACTUAL Avg. Low 33.6 28.9 30.5

DEVIATION from Normal -5.8 -6.6 -6.5

EXPANDED SELECTION

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Michigan Gardener | June 2019 | MichiganGardener.com

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

Photographs from Michigan gardeners

Diane Skowronek’s garden walkway is surrounded by New Guinea impatiens, begonias and hostas.

Lynn DeSantis photographed this Stokes aster, obedient plant (Physostegia) and butterfly bush (Buddleia) on her patio.

Leah Sands captured this bee gathering nectar from purple leaf sand cherry.

Jan Clear created a succulent garden from this cracked bird bath—perfect for its hot location.

MichiganGardener.com | June 2019 | Michigan Gardener

Stone Cottage Gardens Huge selection of perennials & daylilies

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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 210 S Ashley St, MI 48104 734-662-8122 www.downtownhomeandgarden.com H HillTop Greenhse/Farms H Lodi Farms H The Produce Station H Turner’s Greenhse & Garden Ctr 4431 South Wagner Rd, MI 48103 734-663-7600 www.turnersannarbor.com Wild Birds Unltd

auburn H Warmbier Farms 5300 Garfield Rd, MI 48611 989-662-7002 www.warmbierfarms.com

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

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H Banotai Greenhse Gardeners Choice H Pinter Flowerland H Zywicki Greenhse

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brighton H Beauchamp Landscp Supp Bordine’s Brighton Stone Leppek Nurs H Meier Flowerland 8087 W. Grand River, MI 48114 810-229-9430 www.meierflowerland.com

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

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H Hallson Gardens 14280 US-127, MI 49233 517-592-9450 www.perennialnursery.com

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H Walker Farms & Greenhouse 5253 E. Atherton Rd, MI 48519 810-743-0260 www.walkersfarm.com

canton Canton Floral Gardens Schmidt’s Roadside Wild Birds Unltd

H Van Thomme’s Greenhses

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

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

MichiganGardener.com | June 2019 | Michigan Gardener

columbus Haack’s Farm Greenhses

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

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

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

grosse ile H Westcroft Gardens 21803 West River Rd, MI 48138 734-676-2444 www.westcroftgardens.com

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

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

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

fenton Gerych’s Flowers/Gift H Heavenly Scent Herb Farm 13730 White Lake Rd, MI 48430 810-629-9208 www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com

howell H Specialty Growers 4330 Golf Club Rd, MI 48843 517-546-7742 www.specialtygrowers.net H Superior Landscape Supplies 4805 Musson Rd, MI 48855 517-548-2068 Find us on Facebook

H Earthly Arts Greenhse Schutz’s Tree Farm Super & Sons Nurs

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lapeer H The Iron Barn

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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

H Christians Greenhse

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monroe The Flower Market

new baltimore H Meldrum Bros Nurs

new boston H Grass Roots Pond & Gard Mums the Word

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

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

northville Begonia Brothers Gardenviews at Home H Willow Greenhouse 7839 Curtis Rd, MI 48168 248-437-7219 www.willowgreenhouse.com

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H Stone Cottage Gardens 3740 West Willford Rd, MI 48624 989-426-2919 www.stonecottagegardens.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 Flushing Lawn & Garden Ctr 114 Terrace St, MI 48433 810-659-6241 www.unclelukes.com

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

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

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

ottawa lake H Beauchamp Landscp Supp

owosso H Everlastings in Wildwood Crooked Tree Nurs Sunburst Gardens

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plymouth H English Gardens Plymouth Nurs 9900 Ann Arbor Rd W, MI 48170 734-453-5500 www.englishgardens.com Graye’s Greenhse Lucas Nurs Plymouth Rock & Supp H Rock Shoppe Sparr’s Greenhse

rochester hills H Auburn Oaks Garden Ctr 3820 West Auburn Rd, MI 48309 248-852-2310 www.auburnoaksnursery.com Bordine’s H Haley Stone 3975 S. Rochester Rd, MI 48307 248-852-5511 www.haleystone.net

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

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

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

saline H Clink Landscaping & Nursery 9403 W. Michigan Ave, MI 48176 734-495-3779 www.clinklandscaping.com KBK Gard Ctr Saline Flowerland

shelby twp Diegel Greenhses H Hessell’s Greenhouse Maeder Plant Farm H Telly’s Greenhouse 4343 24 Mile, MI 48316 248-659-8555 www.tellys.com

south lyon Mike’s Garden Stone Depot Landscp Supp

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

utica Stonescape Supp

walled lake H Suburban Landscp Supp

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

dearborn Arjay Miller Arboretum @ Ford World HQ Henry Ford Estate

waterford Breen’s Landscp Supp Hoffman Nurs H Merritt Home Design 5940 Cooley Lake Rd., MI 48327 248-681-7955 www.merritthomedesigns.com

west bloomfield H English Gardens 6370 Orchard Lake Rd, MI 48322 248-851-7506 www.englishgardens.com

westland H Barson’s Greenhse 6414 North Merriman Rd, MI 48185 734-421-5959 www.barsons.com

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Greenhouse Growers H Hall’s Nurs Soulliere Gard Ctr

H Bogie Lake Greenhouses 1525 Bogie Lake Rd, MI 48383 248-887-5101 www.bogielakegreenhouses.com H Mulligan’s Landscp & Gard Ctr 8215 Elizabeth Lake Rd, MI 48386 248-698-4741 www.mulliganlandscaping.com

H Goldner Walsh Gard/Home

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H Alexander Farm Mkt & Greenhouses 6925 Whitmore Lake Rd, MI 48189 734-741-1064 Find us on Facebook

H Pinter Flowerland Seven Mi Gard Ctr

H Sell Farms & Greenhouses 7200 Willis Rd, MI 48197 866-296-3090 www.sellfarmsandgreenhouses.com

washington

H Eckert’s Greenhouse 34051 Ryan Rd, MI 48310 586-264-5678 www.eckertsgreenhouse.com

pontiac

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Decor Statuette

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sterling heights

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

Beste’s Lawn/Patio Supp Kutchey Family Mkt

Bushel Stop Joe Randazzo’s Nurs Merlino’s Bushel Ctr Panetta’s Landscp

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warren

Landscp Direct Rocks ‘n’ Roots

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detroit Anna S Whitcomb Conservtry, Belle Isle

dryden Seven Ponds Nature Ctr

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

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

flint H Applewood Estate

grand rapids Frederik Meijer Gardens

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lansing Cooley Gardens

midland Dahlia Hill Dow Gardens

novi Tollgate Education Ctr

rochester Meadow Brook Hall & Gardens

taylor Taylor Conservatory & Botanical Gard

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

Michigan Gardener | June 2019 | MichiganGardener.com

P H OTO G R A P H S BY L I S A S T E I N KO P F

text continued from back cover The garden is nestled in softly undulating terrain that has been used to create beautiful vistas. The babbling brook that begins at the top of a hill in the woods looks as if it has been a natural part of the landscape since time began. It empties into a 25-foot pond at the bottom, which is surrounded with plants and ferns, making it appear as if it has always been there. Donna wanted the stream to look natural, and the placement of the rocks and the plantings surrounding the stream have helped accomplish that goal. Larry is an engineer, so he dug the stream and the pond, placing it strategically to appear as if it is bubbling up from the earth and spilling down the hill. Both the pond and stream have a carpet liner under the pond liner, and rocks were then placed on top of those. The stream is turned off in the winter, the lines drained, and a bubbler is placed in the pond to keep the fish alive in the cold months. He is also in charge of all other large projects in the garden, including moving text continued on page 50

A view back toward the house across the pond. The pergola ties the woodland to the lawn gardens, leading visitors from the shade into the sun.

The countless boulders on the property were used to help hold back the land when the walk-out basement area was created.

MichiganGardener.com | June 2019 | Michigan Gardener

A bridge over the small stream makes it easy for the grandkids to cross over. Chairs by the pond are a perfect place to sit and enjoy the water.

Donna McDonald in front of a beautiful ‘Limelight’ hydrangea.

This planter in the woods is full of begonias and coleus, while a large dracaena houseplant serves as the “thriller” in the middle.

A man-made stream meanders down through the trees, ferns, and other shade plants.

Michigan Gardener | June 2019 | MichiganGardener.com

From the looks of this meticulously maintained garden, it is unlikely the gardener-in-residence ever takes an opportunity to relax in this hammock!

The parterre garden next to the barn is the only formal area in the garden and is interspersed with roses, including a climbing rose over the entrance trellis. text continued from page 48 rocks and boulders, caring for the pond and stream, and building anything Donna deems necessary. All the rocks used in the landscape, walls, and stream are from the property. Indeed, in the 1940s, the property owner wanted to farm the land, but found it was too rocky. Donna and Larry have certainly put those boulders and rocks to good use! Donna is not only a great gardener, but a

plant collector as well. She has over 80 peonies, including tree peonies. She also collects hellebores (Lenten roses), ferns, and primroses, including the candlestick variety. Also extensive is her hosta collection. Because she has so much shade in the wooded area, she has incorporated many wildflowers including Jack-in-the-pulpit, variegated Solomonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seal, and red trilliums. Since the ground is laden

A fairy garden in the woods is one of a few miniature communities scattered throughout the property. The grandchildren love them! with gravel, she adds topsoil, compost, and wood chips regularly to improve the soil. She does find this is easier to deal with than the clay soil she had to work with in her previous garden. As you can see, the plants are loving it. The rodgersia around the pond is so pro-

lific, she divides it and gives pieces away. We started our tour in the only â&#x20AC;&#x153;formalâ&#x20AC;? garden that Donna has created. She loves symmetry, so next to the barn she designed a parterre garden with clipped boxwood and barberry, surrounded by a white picket fence.

MichiganGardener.com | June 2019 | Michigan Gardener

This multi-level fairy garden has multiple homes and campers for the resident fairies and trolls. The sign is hand painted by Larry and Donna’s son.

A stone stairway winds its way through perennials that are grown for both foliage and flowers.

Donna has an extensive hosta collection, some of which are shown here.

These chickens provide the eggs that Donna uses for her homemade scones and lemon curd.

Fragrant roses have been planted in the middle of the clipped hedges and a climbing rose covers the trellis that welcomes you to the parterre. Though the rest of the gardens aren’t formal, don’t think for a minute that they aren’t planned out and carefully executed. Near the barn door is a wonderful fairy garden community, with many houses staged on old stumps. There are fairies camping, swimming, and having an all-around good time. (There might even be a troll or two joining in the fun.) It is complete with a sign on the barn wall that was painted by her son, who is a portrait painter. There are more fairy gardens throughout the grounds. With the stream and woods as a backdrop, these little surprises make a lively environment for their grandchildren to run through and explore. The barn is not only a place to store their tractor, lawn equipment, and gardening utensils, but also houses their flock of chickens. They had over 25 at one time, but are currently down to eight. Rest assured, when you visit the garden, your delicious lemon curd spread and homemade scones are all created with their fresh eggs. This garden was so peaceful and lovely. You too can enjoy this bit of heaven by booking a tour from June to September. Time slots are limited and reservations are a must, which can be made by contacting Donna on her Celadon Gardens Facebook page. Gather a few friends, your garden club, book club, or church group, and visit these gardens to see the fabulous plant collection and of course, visit the chickens and enjoy homemade refreshments. 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).

| June 2019 | MichiganGardener.com

Quiet country gardens

The view of Larry and Donna McDonaldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s property from the top of the hill shows the gardens, pond, and barn spread out below.

In their park-like setting, Larry and Donna McDonald have built stunning gardens on the rolling terrain

arry and Donna McDonald moved to their home in Davisburg, Michigan, wanting to be closer to Larryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s job. As you drive up to their home, it is hard to imagine that when they moved here 17 years ago, there were no gardens. The rolling terrain and woods were the only natural features of the property when they arrived. In 2004 they started building the gardens and the results are astounding. Donna and Larry have used the natural characteristics of their

property to create garden beds, water features, and stairways, and have chosen plants that will thrive in the different light levels on the property. Three years after creating the gardens, Donna, new to the community, wanted to meet people and most of all, share her gardens with others. How could she do that? Invite people to visit her garden. What will she serve her guests? She

Lisa Steinkopf

likes tea and scones. So, Donna decided to open a tea room and spread the word her garden was open for visitors. Now the garden needed a name. Green is her favorite color; after some research, she found that celadon is a type of green-colored pottery that was used in tea ceremonies in China. Perfect! It was christened Celadon Gardens. Countless garden clubs, book

clubs, and tourist groups visited. Imagine strolling through a beautiful garden while enjoying tea and light refreshments. There are patios to sit on, a hilltop pergola to enjoy the shade under, and numerous tables and chairs scattered about in the woods to sit and enjoy your refreshments. I recently visited Celadon Gardens and talked with Donna about her passion for gardening and hostessing. continued on page 48