September/October 2021
MichiganGardener.com
Your guide to Great Lakes gardening
Celebrating 25 Years Please thank our advertisers in this issue
PERENNIALS
Switchgrass
Garden to Table
How-To
Vegetable Patch
Mexican street corn salad recipe
Protect your landscape plants for the winter
How to choose grow lights
Health Care: For your Trees & Shrubs Our team of ISA Certified Arborists uses organic and the best products, and applies them in a careful manner so bees & butterflies are not harmed, while still providing effective results beyond what our competition is doing for you now. We use advanced science to responsibly enrich your landscape. Some of our services: • Deep-root feeding using Organic Seaweed Kelp & Mycorrhizae • Tree injections • Tree & shrub disease and insect control • Disease and insect sprays applied carefully and cleanly • Fruit reduction & growth regulators: reduce maintenance and pruning
Organic Deer Repellents We use effective, professional deer repellents that do not stain or produce obnoxious odors. They are long-lasting and safe for the environment.
Some of our specialties: • Improving the color on yellowing (chlorotic) pachysandra foliage • Curing disease problems on Pear Trees, Crabapples and Spruces • Site-specific challenges that most tree companies don’t solve— call us with your toughest problems!
100 OFF
$ Our seasonal strategy ensures the most effective control of deer on Full Season Service your property. We make a Late $ Winter application (Februaryfor every neighbor you refer March), a time when deer populaOffer cannot be combined with any other discount, except when prepaying for an additional discount. tions are starving, causing them to aggressively seek out food sources, even from plants they typically avoid.
40 credit
Next, throughout the growing season, we will discourage the browsing that occurs on a regular basis. In Pre-Winter (November-December), we apply again to prevent both buck rubbing and feeding.
Discount!
Mention this Michigan Gardener ad for a 10% PREPAY DISCOUNT!
248-698-4470
office@contenderstree.com www.contenders-mi.com
Call or E-Mail Us Today for a Free Estimate! We Service Oakland, Wayne & Washtenaw Counties
Our clients have enjoyed our exceptional service since 2008. Call us—You will too!
Largest Selection of Spring-flowering Bulbs
in the area
Snow Mix Crocus
Pamplona Tulip
Siberian Tiger Muscari
Merlot Tulip
The First Tulip
Mascara Lily
Snow Crystal Tulip
Bellville Tulip
Frosty Snow Narcissus
Kansas Proud Tulip
Background Photo: Funfetti Blend Tulip
Our collection includes: • • • •
86 Tulips 47 Daffodils 35 Beautiful Blends collections 25 Super Saver collections with a large bulb count per package • 25 Specialty selections • 24 Value package collections
Connect with us:
• 16 Crocus, including Colchicum (Fall Crocus) • 16 Hyacinths • 13 Bearded Iris • 10 Alliums • 5 Dutch & Dwarf Iris • 4 Vegetables: Onion & Garlic
Landscape Services: 248-874-1400
Forcing bulbs to enjoy indoors: • Bulk Amaryllis bulbs: 17 varieties • Bulk Paperwhite bulbs • Boxed Amaryllis & Paperwhite bulb kits Selection varies by store.
A Family-owned Michigan Business Since 1954
It’s far from freezin’... Celebrate the SECOND SEASON! At Telly’s, September marks the start of the second season. While the selection of plants at many garden centers is dwindling, we are stocked with plants to keep your garden looking great until winter.
ON SALE NOW…
25% OFF ALL Roses 50% OFF Fruit Trees (sale excludes tropical fruit) 20-50% OFF Select Perennials 25-50% OFF Select Trees & Shrubs* *Shelby location only
FLASHLIGHT SALE
Sat, Sept 18, 10am-6pm
Bromeliad vendors will be offering a wide selection of plants ranging from seedlings to offsets and flowering plants. Other vendor items include epiphytes, air plants, growing supplies, books, art prints and more. Bromeliad Society members will be on hand to share their knowledge.
FALL CONTAINER GARDENING
SPRING-BLOOMING BULBS
Telly's features a wide range of gorgeous, grab-and-go, fall patio pots. We also offer an extensive selection of fall container gardening components including pansies, calibrachoa, petunias, osteospermum, cabbage, asters, celosia, ornamental peppers, mums, grasses, and so much more. Ask one of our associates to help you create a stunning fall container of your own.
Spring-blooming bulbs have arrived! Now is the time to create a spectacular spring display in your garden with our diverse collection of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, and more.
FALL DECOR Telly's has corn stalks, straw bales, scarecrows, and a wide selection of pumpkins and gourds for decking out your space this fall.
Michigan Gardener | September/October 2021 | MichiganGardener.com
Garden Wisdom To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring. —George Santayana
Ask MG............................................................6
Classified Ads.............................................24
To-Do List........................................................8 Vegetable Patch..........................................10
Where to pick up Michigan Gardener.....................................24
Books for the Michigan Gardener.......12
Profile: The garden at the corner........26
Feature: How to protect landscape plants for the winter ................................14
Places to Grow...........................................30
Weather Wrap............................................19
Through the Lens......................................22
On the cover: ‘Totem Pole’ is one of many excellent switchgrass cultivars. Turn to the back cover for an in-depth look at switchgrass.
Calendar........................................................23
Photo: Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener
Garden to Table..........................................20 Advertiser Index.........................................21
To Our Readers... Please look for the next issue of Michigan Gardener in April, 2022. It turns out that 2021 is a year of milestones for Michigan Gardener. The May 2021 issue marked our 25-year anniversary. And today, with this September/October 2021 issue, we have now published over 5,000,000 magazines! We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our advertisers for making these milestones possible. And many thanks to you, our loyal readers, for your interest in the magazine from the beginning. Keep in mind that we will be updating our website event calendar throughout the winter, so visit MichiganGardener.com for current gardening event information. All the best wishes and see you in the spring!
LATE SEASON PERENNIALS & ORNAMENTAL GRASSES There are dozens of beautiful perennials for sun or shade that are just starting to bloom. Ornamental grasses are also taking center stage as they provide diverse colors and textures for the fall garden.
Publisher/Editor Eric Hofley Design & Production Jonathon Hofley Advertising Eric Hofley Circulation Jonathon Hofley
TROY • 248-689-8735 3301 John R • 1/4 mile north of 16 Mile Rd.
SHELBY TOWNSHIP • 248-659-8555 4343 24 Mile • Btwn Dequindre & Shelby Rd.
www.tellys.com
Perennials: Switchgrass.........Back cover
Sept 9 & 10, 7:30-9:30pm
Visit Telly’s for this once-a-year sale! Bring a flashlight (optional) and take advantage of our BIGGEST SALE of the season. Sale prices apply only during these hours. Held at the Troy store only.
BROMELIAD SHOW
4
Editorial Assistant Anna Doman
find us on
Contributors Brian Allnutt Neil/Ruth Atzinger Karen Bovio Cheryl English Emaline Fronckowiak Mary Gerstenberger Julia Hofley Rosann Kovalcik Beverly Moss George Papadelis Roxanne Riggs David L. Roberts Jim Slezinski Lisa Steinkopf Stephanie Surowiec Steve Turner Emily Wilson
30747 Greenfield Rd., Suite 1 Southfield, MI 48076 Phone: 248-594-5563 Fax: 248-594-5564 E-mail: publisher@MichiganGardener.com Website: www.MichiganGardener.com Publishing schedule 5 issues per year: April, May, June, July/Aug, Sept/Oct. Published the first week of the month. Back issues Back issues are available to read for free on our website. Go to www.MichiganGardener.com and click on “Digital Edition.” Copyright © 2021 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.
Liven up your fall garden
Our Specialty:NEW & CHOICE varieties
with our Pansies, Mums, Asters, Pumpkins, Ornamental Kale, Specialty Annuals, and more!
Fresh shipments arrive throughout the Fall. Stop in to see the latest gems!
Maples
Fall is the best time for planting. And it is a great time to pick out a tree while it is displaying its brilliant fall color! Come stroll through our huge inventory of top quality plants and make your selection.
Fothergillas
Diervilla ‘Kodiak Orange’
Proudly serving Metropolitan Detroit since 1931
20815 Farmington Rd. (1 blk N of 8 Mile) Farmington Hills / 248-474-2925
Fall hours: Mon-Fri 8-7 Sat 8-6 Sun 10-4
Auburn Oaks GARDEN CENTER
High quality plants & service for your garden success since 1964.
Auburn Oaks Farm 26th Annual Fall Plant Sale Open to the Public Friday-Saturday, Sept 24-25, 9am-4pm 8048 Allen Rd, Fenton, MI • 810-629-7848 Come on in and check out where the plants are grown!
It’s Fall Think SPRING! Hardy Mums • Spring Bulbs (arriving mid-Sept) Pumpkins and Corns Stalks (arriving end of Sept) Clearance of Select Plants and Garden Art 3820 West Auburn Rd (2 blocks E of Adams) • Rochester Hills • 248-852-2310 www.auburnoaksnursery.com Mon-Sat 8-6 Sun 9-5
WE DO
LANDSCAPE DESIGN & INSTALLATION
CALL US!
since 1982
It’s time to say goodbye... Specialty Growers will be closing its business at the end of the 2021 growing season. Our last day is Sunday, October 10. THANK YOU...to all of the gardeners who have supported us throughout the years. From a humble start in 1982 growing perennials to sell at local farmer’s markets, Specialty Growers has grown to become a destination nursery for perennials. It has been an exciting and rewarding journey! We will miss our loyal customers, but hope you will visit us before we close our doors for good on Sunday, October 10, at 4pm.
We are holding a FINAL SALE to sell our remaining stock: Sept 1-12.................20% off Sept 13-19 ..............30% off
Sept 20-26 ..............40% off Sept 27-Oct 10 .......50% off
All sales are final. Sorry, we can’t put plants on hold. Thanks for your understanding. Please note: We expect this sale to deplete our inventory fairly quickly—visit us early for the best possible selection.
ALLIUM BULBS will arrive shortly after Labor Day! 10 wonderful varieties, ranging from short to tall, from small to jumbo flowers. Please call for availability on Allium bulbs—the bulbs are shipped from the Netherlands and we don’t have a firm arrival date.
Note: Allium bulbs are not included in the “Final Sale”.
4330 Golf Club Rd. Howell • 517-546-7742 Mon-Sat 9a-5p • Sun 10a-4p www.specialtygrowers.net
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2021 | MichiganGardener.com
Have a question? Send it in! Go to MichiganGardener.com and click on “Submit a question”
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Dealing with mole damage
pottery
shrubs
statuary
Trees & Shrubs • Large Perennial Selection Full Landscape Design Services Livingston County’s Largest Pottery Collection Greenhouse & Gift Shop • Organic Fertilizers Bulk Mulch, Soil, Rock & Sand Delivery Soil Amendments, & Other Garden Products
END OF SEASON SALE
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Moles tore up my lawn and garden this summer. What can I do this fall and next spring to keep them from returning? R.N., Troy Moles damage lawns while looking for insect larvae and earthworms for food. They love prepared gardens since the soil is soft and pliable. Cutting a trench between lawn and garden can help prevent moles traveling between areas as they prefer to stay covered. If you fertilize frequently, mow frequently, and water lightly and often so the soil surface is often wet, you are setting up the perfect accommodations for lawn disease and pests. Therefore, once you repair the damage done by the moles, examine your lawn maintenance procedures and adjust those three conditions. You can apply a lawn product at the correct time in late spring to address grubs, the larval form of many beetles. Eliminating the food source after your repair work is beneficial. To repair the damage, all the tunnels and mounds must be flattened out, pressed back into the soil, and excess soil scattered. If necessary, set mole traps to eliminate the main culprits. Fill in sunken low areas with a mixture of 50/50 topsoil and compost. Lightly rake the soil areas to scuff up the surface. In smaller areas you can spread turf seed appropriate to your light conditions. In larger areas you may need to lay down pieces of sod on that prepared bed of 50/50, pressing the pieces in to make thorough soil contact. Protect seed with a top dressing of straw and water well. Keep the soil moist but not saturated to get proper germination in the seed areas. Keep the sod areas moist as well so that the roots adhere to the soil surface. Fall is a good time to do the repair, and spring is a good time to apply the grub pesticide to prevent future generations.
Growing hydrangeas from seed I received hydrangea seeds in late August. When and how do I germinate and grow them on so they are mature enough to plant outside? If germination occurs in the fall, how do I get them through the winter months? D., Kalamazoo Growing from seed is exciting because seed-grown hydrangeas are unique. They are not clones of their parent plants. Each of the seed hydrangeas could be considered a
new cultivar. If you were hoping for a clone of the hydrangea whose seeds were gifted to you, they will not be identical replicas. Only asexual propagation (such as cuttings or tissue culture) from the desired plant can give you that duplication. The seeds themselves are tiny and almost look like dust. Place the seeds in potting soil-filled starter seed trays, much like you would any other seed-grown plant. The seeds should simply be set on top of the soil. Do not bury them under the soil or mix them in with it. Make sure that the soil is well-drained but that it is moist the entire time. The best way to do so is with a mister. Put the containers in a sunny area where they will be exposed to direct sunlight. An appropriate grow light could be helpful during winter. Watch for germination and as they grow, thin and weed out the less robust ones so that each seed pod has one good seedling. Once they transform from young seedlings to small plants, follow the same steps you would if you grew your hydrangea from a cutting. Transfer the propagated plant directly to your garden or a container. If germinating in fall, you will have to keep them over the winter in containers in a sunny location in your house away from drafts and heat vents, or use grow lights. Since they grow rather slowly, starting the germination process in the fall may have them a decent size for transplanting outdoors the following year. Or, you can keep them in their containers during their first year outdoors to give them added protection before transplanting them in another year to ground soil. Since they take about 14 months to get to an outdoor size, timing is everything in this seed-growing adventure.
Dividing lilies May I separate my hybrid lilies after they are done blooming for the season? P., Montague Late summer to early fall is a good time to lift and divide hybrid lilies. You can dig up the clumps, divide the bulbs, checking for borers or rot, and immediately plant them back in the ground with greater spacing. It is a good housekeeping chore to do on a regular basis to maintain the health and vigor of the lilies. Transplant the larger bulbs 4 to 6 inches deep, and the smaller bulbs 2 to 4 inches deep. Make
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2021 | Michigan Gardener
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Creating beautiful outdoor spaces for over 50 years
Garden Center Nursery Landscaping
Happy Fall Y’all Mums, Pansies, Fresh Annuals, Perennials: Everything you need for fall gardening! Order online for curbside pickup or delivery sure they are getting 6 to 8 hours of sunlight for the best bloom. The smaller ones may not bloom next season, but the larger ones will.
disease problems, watering the roots regularly, and amending the soil.
Healthy sunflower growth
I planted banana plants this spring. Since they were rather expensive, how do I save the plants for next year? Ideas on how to store them? L.L., St. Clair Shores Bananas are some of the easiest tropicals to overwinter. Overwintered bananas can become extremely large and even more exotic the following season. If the banana is container grown, cut the plant down to about 4 to 6 inches just before you bring it indoors. Store the container in a cool (45 to 50 degrees), dark area. Generally, in Michigan this is a basement. Sometimes it can be a cooler greenhouse. The key is cool temperature to drive it into dormancy but not kill the roots. Keep the soil dry. In the spring, increase watering and a new shoot will push up from the center of the stem. You can place it outdoors after frost when temperatures start to warm. If the banana was grown in the ground, dig it up before frost. Leave the soil around the roots and wrap the root ball in a plastic bag. Do not cut the plant back unless you are trying to accommodate the bag. Store the plant in a cool, dark location away from drafts and potential moisture. The stem will dry down naturally. In the spring, cut the old stem off and replant after danger of frost is past.
Overwintering banana plants
We planted a couple rows of sunflowers and they first grew in looking very strong. Now the petals look wilted and some of the flowers stalks are falling over. Why is this and is there a way to fix it? Most people think sunflowers are low maintenance and easy care. Plant them and forget them. Unfortunately, what folks do not realize is that because of their rapid growth and generous height for many of the varieties, sunflowers need deep watering on a regular basis. They are growing to reach mature height, make flowers and produce seed as quickly as possible. Not enough water to support stem growth can easily lead to the symptoms you describe. Make sure there are no root pests such as carrot beetles or stem weevils that may be contributing to the wilting. Also check for fungus issues, such as verticillium wilt. Remove the infected plants if you find any. You can also amend the soil with compost mixed with sanitized cow manure. Any annual such as the sunflower that must grow tall, fast, and produce seed in such a short time needs extra nutrition. They are using up available nutrients rapidly due to their accelerated growth. Hence the need for deep, regular watering to make those nutrients available in the soil. The immediate fix is checking for insect or
Answers provided by Beverly Moss, owner of Garden Rhythms.
Houseplant Specials for Teachers & Students Closed September 5 & 6
4431 South Wagner Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
734-663-7600 • turnersannarbor.com
Over 50 acres of growing fields on our 62-acre farm! Established in 1980, our family-owned nursery has satisfied customers throughout SE Michigan and northern Ohio. Walk our fields and tag your own trees, or we can pick out the best and call you when they are ready. Our trees are always fresh-dug at the proper time.
12 varieties of arborvitae up to 8’ tall / Several varieties of spruce, pine and fir up to 12’ tall / Deciduous trees up to 5” caliper / Pick up or we can deliver & plant for you! (within 30 miles of our nursery)
Decorate this fall with our locally grown mums, asters, pansies, pumpkins, and more! Plant bulbs this fall for a beautiful spring! Check out our great selection of tulips, daffodils, crocus, hyacinths & more.
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2666 TOZER RD • NORTH BRANCH, MI 48461 810-688-2363 • OldaniLandscapeNurseries.com Mon-Sat: 9-5 • Sun: 12-4 (closed Sundays during July/Aug)
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2021 | MichiganGardener.com
Annuals • Take cuttings of coleus and begonias to root for overwintering. Coleus will root in a glass of water, while begonias can be rooted in damp sand.
Bulbs: Spring-Flowering • Plant a mixture of bulbs with different bloom times so you’ll have a beautiful display of color from snow melt until June. Generally, the smaller bulbs are the first to flower. Larger bulbs produce larger flowers. Planting in random clumps of 3, 5 or 7 will provide a more impressive display than planting in a row. • Mulching is useful to maintain moisture and keep the ground from alternate freezing and thawing in the winter. Evergreen branches, hay, straw, pine needles, bark mulches, or tree leaves make good winter mulch. Make sure that none of these mat too heavily and end up shedding moisture rather than conserving it. Apply mulch only a couple inches deep.
Fall is a great time to landscape or refresh your existing grounds.
BOO! Great gifts and
decorating ideas for Fall enterta ining & Hallo ween
Holiday Décor and Gifts Fresh Greens, Florals, Garlands, Wreaths, Interiors, Candles, Holiday Ornaments, Bath & Body, Pottery, Houseplants
Gift, Home & Landscape Shop Garden Center • Greenhouse • Florist Design / Build / Maintenance Landscape Company 9225 FENTON RD • GRAND BLANC 25 MINS FROM GREAT LAKES CROSSING
THEWEEDLADY.COM • 810-655-2723
Roses • Cease pruning, deadheading and fertilizing in early September to avoid encouraging fall growth that is cold tender.
Vegetables
• Take soil samples to test for next year’s fertilizer needs. Take at least 10 samples from a bed and mix well. Consult your County Extension service for details. Find links at www.MichiganGardener.com, and click on “Garden Resources.”
• If frost threatens, cover tender crops. • Through cool weather, harvest Brussels sprouts, collards, kale, mustard, endive, parsnip, turnip, rutabaga, and Jerusalem artichoke. • Begin the harvest of winter squash, pumpkin, and gourds as they ripen. Leave a few inches of stem attached to the fruit to increase storage life. • For a tasty treat, pick green tomatoes, slice, dip in flour, and fry. • Prepare Belgian endive for winter forcing. Lift and clean roots, removing foliage down to the crown bud. Trim roots and store in sand in a cool place. Every 2 to 3 weeks, bury a few dormant roots in several inches of moist sand in a dark place. Keep moist and harvest shoots as needed. • Dig sweet potatoes just before the first frost. Allow to air dry for 2 to 3 hours, then cure at 85 degrees for 10 days. Store at 50 to 55 degrees. • Plant crowns of asparagus and rhubarb in September. • Make final sowings of radish, corn salad, and spinach.
Fruits
Water Garden
• Harvest fall-fruiting brambles.
• Begin fall cleanup. Trim back dying growth, leaving a little bit of material for frost protection. Oxygenators should be trimmed and repotted. • If frost threatens, remove tropical pond plants indoors to their winter homes. • Thoroughly clean the pool. If you opt to not do so, make a 20 percent water change to freshen it up. Remove waste from the bottom and stretch a one-centimeter mesh net over the pond to keep out falling leaves. • Reduce fish feeding and move tropical fish indoors when water temperature goes below 60 degrees.
Bulbs: Summer-Flowering
Fall is for Planting & Landscaping!
• Divide and replant overgrown plants, like daylilies. Cut back to a few inches, dig up, and shake dirt off roots. Divide and replant the healthiest pieces at their original depth. • Dig and divide peonies if desired. Lift the plants, being careful not to damage the buds on the crown. Divide with a sharp knife, making sure each division has a healthy portion of root and at least 2-3 eyes. Replant with eyes near the surface.
• Dahlias and other summer-flowering bulbs should bloom until frost. If you want to overwinter them instead of treating them like an annual, dig up the plants and cut off the top at ground level. Let the plants dry for three days then put them in a cardboard box or paper bag. Cover them with vermiculite or peat moss and try to keep them from touching. Keep them somewhere cool but not cold; an unheated basement is good. Pull them out next March and pot them up for a head start on next year.
General
Houseplants • Bring in houseplants from the outdoors before the first frost. Inspect carefully and treat for any signs of pests or diseases.
Lawn • September is an excellent time to establish a new lawn. Loosen the soil, add organic matter, grade it, and firm it down slightly. Broadcast fertilizer, then sow grass seed. Cover lightly if desired. Water daily until sprouted and growing well.
Perennials • Maintain soil moisture for good root growth and cold hardiness.
Provided by the professionals at English Gardens.
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2021 | Michigan Gardener
Feature Task: Add plants that provide winter interest There are many plants that make the winter garden attractive, often in the form of evergreens. But there are also plenty of deciduous plants offering winter interest.
Trees Japanese maple: Many varieties; some with colorful stems and great structure. Contorted black locust: The variety Twisty Baby has twisting and contorted stems.
Evergreens Hemlock: Fine-needled evergreen with graceful, somewhat drooping branches; does great in sun or shade. Upright juniper: Green, blue and yellow varieties, from very narrow to 8 feet wide. Spruce: Tall and impressive; excellent foundation and accent trees; available in green, yellow and blue. One variety even has red spring growth. Pine: Most varieties are green but a few have yellow banding in the needles, resembling a dragon’s eye. Arborvitae: Full and lush green; great for year-round privacy since they stay full to the ground and are very dense.
Evergreen Shrubs Spreading juniper: Good for groundcovers because many stay low and spread. Green, blue and yellow varieties. Dwarf spruce: Many available, from those that look like miniature versions of their bigger relatives to globe, weeping and cascading forms. Dwarf pine: Usually mounding and globeshaped evergreens that are perfect for rock gardens and accents. Dwarf arborvitae: From small to large globes. False cypress: A diverse and interesting growth habit. Green, blue or yellow varieties. Yucca: Seemingly better suited to a desert landscape; green or variegated yellow, sword-like leaves that stay low.
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Deciduous Shrubs Contorted filbert: Often called Harry Lauder’s walking stick; twisted and contorted branches are on full display in the winter when all the leaves fall off. Witch hazel: Blooms in late winter to very early spring with yellow, orange or red strap-like flowers that are showy on bare stems. Great fall leaf color. Redtwig dogwood: Small- to mediumsize bush; stems turn bright red when it gets cold in the winter. Prune the older stems out to keep the color show going year after year.
Broadleaf Evergreens Euonymus: Creeping, rambling broadleaf evergreen with colorful foliage that tends to take on a burgundy color in the winter. Rhododendron: Medium to large, showy evergreen leaves. Spring flower buds are present all winter long. Leaves tend to curl when it gets really cold out, then relax when it gets a little warmer. Azalea: Some fall color. They drop their interior foliage in the winter, but do hold onto the tip leaves. Boxwood: Versatile plant that can stand alone as globes, formal hedges, or topiary shapes. Holly: Pair the female plant with a male version nearby and it will develop bright red berries.
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248-698-4741 MulliganLandscaping.com 8215 Elizabeth Lake Rd. • White Lake
DESIGN LANDSCAPE GARDEN CONTAINERS INTERIORS DECOR FLORAL EVENTS
Perennials Ornamental grasses: Foliage dies to the ground in the fall, but it persists and stands upright. It is graceful swaying in the winter breeze. Myrtle & pachysandra: Excellent evergreen groundcovers that will define your beds if there is not much snow. Ivy: Creeping and climbing broadleaf evergreen vine; showy in the winter if you grow it on a wall, or if there is no snow.
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2021 | MichiganGardener.com
Landscaping Supply CURBSIDE PICKUP OR DELIVERY • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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248-738-0500 aguafina.com Mon-Sat 9am-5pm Closed Sunday
Creators of Exceptional Gardens & Tranquil Escapes
How to choose grow lights
A
s the garden season comes to an end, off lots of heat. Getting them close enough to it is a good time to start considering your plants to provide the intensity you want plans for next year. While the new means you will probably cook your seedlings. seed catalogs haven’t come out yet, if you are Third, they are the least energy-efficient light planning to start your seeds in the spring, bulbs to use. this is the moment to consider what you will Fluorescent light bulbs tend to come in need to grow the healthiest transplants posthe blue wavelength spectrum, but there are sible. Healthy plants grown indoors have the some available in a wider spectrum that insame requirements as healthy plants grown cludes red wavelengths. Read the package outdoors. for the specifications. These are a reasonable Usually, we start with purchasing seed choice since they are cooler bulbs; you can trays and a seed starting mix, which might get them closer to your plants and they are require some fertilizer or transplanting to also more energy efficient than incandescent a potting soil mix that contains fertilizer— bulbs. very basic. We know that plants need water, The best choice to go with are LED (lightwhich is readily available in our homes. To emitting diode) lights. They are cool in temhelp develop strong stems, some growers run perature, have a wide spectrum in light, and a gentle fan to simulate outdoor breeze conare the most energy efficient. They may be a ditions—helpful but not required. What is little pricier up front, but will be worth it in required, and probably the most important the long run. Look for LEDs that are labeled of all, is proper lighting. Plants starting from as “grow lights” for your best option. More inseed do not do well on windowsills! To proformation can be found in the article “Lightvide proper lighting in the home, we need ing for Indoor Plants and Starting Seeds” additional light sources. So, let’s from the University of Minnesota consider what type of light plants Extension: tinyurl.com/pn5hneed and what sources can meet 6d4a. that need. Now is a good time to plan ahead To begin with, plants use light for seed starting in the spring. wavelengths in the red and blue Check garden centers and this spectrum. Red wavelengths help year’s catalogs to see what they with flower and fruit formation, might still have available. Rememwhile blue wavelengths are used ber that whatever type of light you for leaf or vegetative growth. The use, you will need to keep it about Mary wavelengths available determine 4 to 6 inches above the top of the Gerstenberger the quality of the light. Equally implants. That means it has to be adportant is the intensity of the light. justable so you can raise it up as The closer to the light source, the greater the the plants grow. If you want even growth in light intensity. your plants, you must also be sure that they For help in choosing a good growing light, get even light coverage from the bulbs. Othyou can check the specifications to see if it erwise, the ones further from the source may has a CCT (Correlated Color Temperature) find themselves stretching to meet the light. and a CRI (Color Rendering Index) rating Long, skinny stems are not what you want! If listed. The CCT, measured in degrees Kelvin you plan now for the lights, equipment and (K), should be near 6500K, which is the ratspace you need, you will find it much easier to ing for natural light. The CRI should be over successfully start your seeds next spring. 85—the closer to 100, which is the rating for Mary Gerstenberger was the Consumer Hornatural sunlight, the better. More informaticulture Coordinator at the Michigan State tion on this can be found at the University of University Extension in Macomb County, MI. Vermont Extension website: www.uvm.edu/ For vegetable and gardening information from news/extension/tips-choosing-grow-lights. MSU, visit www.migarden.msu.edu. So, what type of light bulbs can we use to grow our seeds? While many homes still have Call the toll-free Michigan State University incandescent bulbs available, they are not the Lawn and Garden Hotline at 888-678-3464 best for growing. First, their wavelength is for answers to your gardening questions. only in the red spectrum. Second, they give
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Chrysanthemum by Twigs Way When richly hued mums start appearing, it is a sure sign that summer is winding down and the crisp autumn season is just around the corner. For many gardeners, mums are the last show of big color as summer annuals begin to die back. The flower signifies both life and death, as parts of Europe associate it with mourning, while others celebrate its golden rays that light the autumnal gloom. Chrysanthemum (Reaktion Books, 214 pages, $27) details the fortunes of the flower through philosophy, art, and literature, recounting the stories of the men and women who became captivated by it. With a range of vibrant illustrations, including works by Hiroshige, Monet, and Mondrian, it will appeal to lovers of art, flowers, history, and culture. Drawing its allure from the gold of the sun and the rule of emperors, the chrysanthemum winds its way through ancient Chinese culture into the gardens of French Impressionist painters and onto the pages of American novels. You will never look at a simple porch pot of mums the same way again.
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2021 | MichiganGardener.com
Protect landscape plants for the winter
For larger plants, attach burlap to posts set at 2 to 3 feet from the plant. This provides both wind and deer protection.
W
inters in Michigan are a time for gardeners to rest from the busyness of the growing season and dream of the coming year. Sitting back while gray skies linger, one longingly contemplates new projects, starts seeds indoors, and fusses over houseplants. But before gardeners can finally put their feet up, they must come to grips with how much to protect new and existing plant material from the ravages of hungry deer, blowing wind, and damaging ice.
Deer How big is the deer population in your area? Michigan gardens that never experience deer during the growing season may see arborvitaes, yews, and rhododendrons ravaged by deer during the winter. Content with nibbling in the woods and hedgerows in the
warmer months, deer become hungry from lack of tender fodder and brazenly move into populated areas in the cold weather. If deer are rampant year-round, it is best to help prevent losses and plant species known to be deer resistant. The Michigan State University Extension has compiled a list of deer-resistant plants that is worth reviewing when making your selections. Many beautiful plants are available on this list, and with some ingenuity, a gardener can have a captivating continued on page 16 Right: To protect them from deer damage, these rhododendrons are carefully wrapped with twine, protecting next spring’s buds from breaking off. Then they are neatly wrapped with burlap and another length of twine.
Theresa Ziolkowski
Neil Atzinger
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2021 | MichiganGardener.com
PHOTOG R APH S BY TH E R E SA ZIO LKOWS K I AN D N E I L ATZI N G E R
continued from page 14
T-posts are quick to set and are stout when fishing line is set tight. These barriers are invisible to deer. Deer are spooked when they touch the line.
Deer netting can be purchased locally and attached to posts for added protection. In this instance, a hedge of mature arborvitae welcomes visitors to a home. Visually obscuring the hedge is not an option. Netting leaves the hedge visible yet creates a solid deer barrier.
Deer-resistant alternatives Traditional landscape plant
Deer-resistant alternative
Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)
‘Green Giant’ arborvitae (Thuja x ‘Green Giant’) or Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
Yew (Taxus)
Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)
Panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)
Doublefile viburnum (Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum ‘Mariesii’)
Burning bush
Bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parviflora)
Rhododendron
Japanese pieris (Pieris japonica)
Rose
Weigela
Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii)
Ninebark (Physocarpus)
Sweetshrub (Calycanthus)
garden that deer avoid. Remember that no plant is deer-proof; even plants listed as deerresistant will be nibbled on by deer looking to sample newly planted curiosities. Note that for newly planted deer-resistant gardens, installing barriers may still be a good idea and necessary for the first winter. See the accompanying chart “Deer-resistant alternatives” for some planting ideas. For gardens that deer only invade during winter, temporary deterrents and barriers can protect tasty plants. One popular method for smaller plants is to use a covering burlap. This doubles as a wind screen for sensitive or exposed evergreens. Care must be taken not to dislodge flower buds that are set for next spring when wrapping and unwrapping. For larger plantings, burlap attached to posts set at 2 to 3 feet from the plant provides both wind and deer protection. A long arborvitae or hemlock hedge would benefit from such a screen. In some cases, larger (or individual) plants can be wrapped, especially when plants are spaced far enough that a burlap screen would overly dominate a landscape. Another surprisingly effective deer barrier is to use rows of fishing line. Install large T-posts 10 feet apart and tightly string 10- to 15-pound fishing line across the posts. Attach one line 18 inches from the ground, another about chest high, and a third across the top. Deer do not see the line and are startled when they bump into it, turning away. Deer manage to navigate visible barriers but are not able to figure out this invisible line. This is the least obstructive visual barrier of the available choices. Use this method for plants grown to be seen during the winter. If this technique is used across larger areas, ensure that fishing line is visible for humans by attaching a plastic ribbon every 10 feet. Over young shrubs, specialized deer netting can be used in lieu of fishing line. Simply drape the netting over the plant. Be aware that this netting can be challenging to remove in the spring and is not easily re-used the following season. The netting, while almost invisible, tangles easily and sticks to buds and branches. If not removed before bud break, it can damage young foliage during the removal process. Another option is to employ the fishing-line method: posts can be used to set the netting at a distance from the plant. continued on page 18
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This large rhododendron is prepared for winter winds by spraying it with a coating of anti-desiccant. During a harsh winter, anti-desiccants are essential for broadleaved evergreens. continued from page 16
Windburn and drought Windburn and drought must also be considered before the gardener can hibernate. Windburn affects broadleaved evergreens (rhododendrons, boxwoods, etc.) as well as flatneedled evergreens (cedars, arborvitae, etc.). Anti-desiccants applied late in the fall can help plants retain moisture through a long winter. Before applying, gardeners should make sure evergreens have been thoroughly watered late into the fall if rainfall has been scant. Request that sprinkler services leave systems running until a freeze is in the forecast. After ensuring that the plant is properly watered, spray antidesiccant thoroughly over the entire plant until runoff, including the undersides of leaves. It is satisfying to see this natural resin harden as it dries, protecting the plant. Winter ice storms and heavy snow can be the proverbial straw that figuratively and literally breaks a plant’s back. Homes with arborvitae or juniper hedges are familiar with treks into the snow to gently shake the weight from branches with long-handled brooms.
Before the snow flies this winter, give the neighbors less to laugh about and try tying the branches together. Use tree tie webbing to make a loose hoop around all the main vertical branches to keep them from splaying out. If the whole tree tends to flop over, install three stakes surrounding the tree to keep it upright. Again, be sure to use tree tie webbing for such a task. This webbing is a soft, flexible and woven material that does much less damage to plants than plastic or sisal twine. With these late fall tasks complete, both you and your garden are more likely to have a happier spring.
Theresa Ziolkowski is a horticulture graduate from Virginia Tech and is a Head Gardener at Atzinger Gardens. Atzinger Gardens creates and tends gardens around the Ann Arbor and Plymouth areas. Visit AtzingerGardens. com or call 734-272-7321 for monthly maintenance or to design and complete a new garden.
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Precipitation July 2021
Detroit Flint Lansing
NORMAL Monthly 3.51 2.43 2.94
ACTUAL Monthly 4.95 2.24 1.73
July 2020 DEVIATION from Normal +1.44 -0.19 -1.21
2021 Year to Date: Jan 1 - July 31
Detroit Flint Lansing
NORMAL Yr. to Date 20.49 18.98 19.52
ACTUAL Yr. to Date 18.76 18.61 17.19
NORMAL Monthly 3.37 3.32 2.84
ACTUAL Monthly 5.02 3.74 2.92
DEVIATION from Normal +1.65 +0.42 +0.08
2020 Year to Date: Jan 1 - July 31
DEVIATION from Normal -1.73 -0.37 -2.33
NORMAL Yr. to Date 19.43 17.38 17.86
ACTUAL Yr. to Date 22.39 19.83 21.70
DEVIATION from Normal +2.96 +2.45 +3.84
Temperature July 2021
July 2020
Detroit Flint Lansing
NORMAL Avg. High 83.7 82.1 82.8
ACTUAL Avg. High 82.8 83.7 82.4
DEVIATION from Normal -0.9 +1.6 -0.4
ORMAL N Avg. High 83.4 82.0 82.1
ACTUAL Avg. High 87.1 86.4 87.0
DEVIATION from Normal +3.7 +4.4 +4.9
Detroit Flint Lansing
NORMAL Avg. Low 64.4 59.7 60.9
ACTUAL Avg. Low 65.2 61.5 62.6
DEVIATION from Normal +0.8 +1.8 +1.7
ORMAL N Avg. Low 63.6 59.1 58.4
ACTUAL Avg. Low 67.8 62.9 64.6
DEVIATION from Normal +4.2 +3.8 +6.2
Data courtesy National Weather Service
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2021 | MichiganGardener.com
Mexican Street Corn Salad T
Stephanie Surowiec
here is nothing more I look forward to in late summer than a visit to my local farmers market to get some fresh Michigan corn. It’s so sweet and delicious. It barely requires any cooking. I love a summer barbecue with simple corn on the cob served alongside. Mexican street corn or “elote” is an excellent way to create more flavor, but it can be messy to eat. Elote is made by boiling or grilling corn on the cob and then basting with a seasoned mayo mixture and dunking in Cotija cheese and spices. But, for a corn dish that’s easier to eat and just as flavorful, try esquites which is elote in a bowl! Begin by grilling the corn over high heat to give it some char, then cut it off the cob. Then mix the kernels with roasted poblano peppers, and dress with lime juice, cilantro, mayo, cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Parmesan serves as an easy stand-in for the Cotija. In no time, you’re on your way to a delicious summer side dish; it can even serve as a salsa with tortilla chips. This dish works hot or cold, and I enjoy serving it with extra cilantro and lime wedges. Don’t forget the quick-pickled red onion!
Ingredients Serves 6-8 as a side dish/salad or salsa. Prep time 30 minutes • 8 ears fresh Michigan corn • 1 poblano pepper • Juice from 2-3 limes (about 2 Tbsp) • 2 Tbsp mayonnaise • 2 Tbsp parmesan cheese
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro • 1 tsp chili powder • 1 tsp cumin • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika • 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions 1. Remove husks and silks from corn. Spray lightly with cooking spray and cook over a hot grill until nicely charred all over. When cool enough to handle, cut kernels off cob and place into a large bowl. 2. Place whole poblano pepper on grill with corn, turning until skin has turned completely black. Place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap to steam about 15 minutes. Then, using a paper towel, gently rub off all the charred skin. Dice up the pepper, removing the seeds inside if you prefer less spice, and place in bowl with corn. 3. Combine all the rest of the ingredients in a small bowl and whisk together to make the dressing. Then toss with corn and peppers. Season to taste with additional salt and lime, if desired. 4. Place in a serving bowl or platter and top with extra cilantro, lime wedges, and pickled onions alongside. See accompanying recipe.
Pickled Onions Quick-pickled red onions belong in your fridge and on your table all summer long. From tacos to salads and pulled pork to burgers, these onions will put a fresh spin on all your summer meals. Slice one medium red onion very thinly, and stuff it into a mason jar or other container with a tight-fitting lid. In a separate
bowl, dissolve 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp sugar in 1/2 cup hot water. Whisk until fully dissolved, then add 1/2 cup red wine vinegar. Pour the pickling liquid into the jar with the onions. They will taste great after about an hour but should last in your fridge for about 1-2 weeks.
Stephanie Surowiec is the recipe developer, food stylist, and photographer behind Dinner Club Diaries, a local food blog that focuses on delicious, approachable family meals and easy entertaining. You can find Stephanie’s recipes at www.dinnerclubdiaries.com, on Instagram @dinnerclubdiaries, or on Facebook at Dinner Club Diaries.
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Host your wedding, shower, or special event at our historic farm. Visit our website for details and see how our natural setting can help you create a truly memorable day!
Where moments blossom and memories grow (734) 676-2444 westcroftgardens.com 21803 West River Rd, Grosse Ile, MI 48138
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2021 | MichiganGardener.com
through the lens Photographs from Michigan gardeners
Send Us Your Photos! 1. E-mail 2 or 3 of your best garden photos to: photos@MichiganGardener.com. We are looking for photos of your garden, both wide-angle and plant close-ups. Be sure to e-mail a high-resolution file. 2. Please include your full name and a caption describing the scene and the plants.
“When you want a garden but have a herd of deer in your yard, grow on a sunny second story deck!” —Pat Hambleton
“Wisteria planted by the previous owner of our home has been growing on my fence line for two years, and this year it finally bloomed!” —Chelsea Pegram
“Every day is a new day to enjoy the beauty in the little things.” —Caitlin Jewell
Thomas McClanahan captured this giant swallowtail feeding in a bed of purple coneflowers.
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2021 | Michigan Gardener
calendar
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NOW OPEN!
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT PUBLIC GARDENS, please visit MichiganGardener.com. Click on "Resources" then "Public Gardens."
September / October / November / December
Tuesdays – Sundays, 9am-5pm Walk • Hike • Drive • Bike
NOW RE-OPEN!
Conservatory • Tropical Dome • Bonsai
Come see THE HARPER COLLECTION:
A world-class collection of more than 500 dwarf & rare conifers
September Garden of Glass - The Art of Craig Mitchell Smith Wed, Sep 1, 10am-7pm, Midland. At Dow Gardens. Experience the stunning glass gardens of Craig Mitchell Smith. www.dowgardens.org. H Cranbrook Gardens Tour Sat, Sep 4, 11am-Noon, West Bloomfield. At Cranbrook. Discover the Greek Theatre, Sunken Garden, & more. Many other dates available: housegardens.cranbrook.edu. Field Trip to Dr. John Bierbaum’s Farm Tue, Sep 7, By Capital Area Master Gardeners. More info to follow: mgacac.wordpress.com.
NOTICE: Contact event organizers to verify events are still scheduled. EdibleWow Wed, Sep 8, 1pm, online. By Troy Garden Club. Robb Harper, founder & former publisher of edibleWow magazine will present. Register: infoandideas@aol.com. Michigan Conservation Stewards Program Wed, Sep 8, 6-8pm, through Nov 10. Various locations. By MSU Extension. Join a local cohort to learn about the foundations of Michigan conservation. www.canr.msu.edu/csp Wonderful Woodlanders Thu, Sep 9, 12pm, Port Sanilac. By Port Sanilac Garden Club at Bark Shanty. Free. Presenter: Glen Pace is the President of the Eastern Michigan Hosta Society. Facebook: @PortSanilacGardenClub Between a Rock and a Hard Place: A Floral Trip Down Under Thu, Sep 9, Noon, location TBD. By Kent Garden Club. Presented by Ian Warnock. www.kentgardenclub.org, kentgardenclub1913@gmail.com. Suds on the River Thu, Sep 9, 6-9pm, on the Huron River. Dine al-fresco with friends on the riverside. www.hrwc.org. Biophilia: Love of Life Opening Reception Fri, Sep 10, 5-7pm, Grosse Pointe Shores. At Ford House. Exhibition runs through Nov 14. www.fordhouse.org. Guided Bird Walk Sat, Sep 11, 7:30-9am, Grosse Pointe Shores. At Ford House. Join Rosann Kovalcik & Bill Rapai as they explore the Ford House grounds. www.fordhouse.org. Veggie Harvest and Storage Sat, Sep 11, 10am, online. By MSU Extension. MSU Tollgate Farm HomeGrown Gardening Series. $10/session or $75/ series. A monthly virtual series designed to encourage & support home vegetable gardeners.
Native Plant Sale Sat, Sep 11, 10am-2pm, Clarkston. By North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy at 7121 Dixie Highway (parking lot of Neiman’s market). Plugs & trees for sale. www.nohlc.org. Cactus & Succulent Annual Show & Sale Sat, Sep 11, 10am-4pm, Monroe. By Michigan Cactus & Succulent Society at The Flower Market. Free admission. www.michigancactus.org. MCMGA Native Plant Sale Sat, Sep 11, 10am-3pm, Washington. By Macomb Co. Master Gardener Association at the Octagon House. Pre-order only. Facebook: @MacombCountyMGA Greater Lansing Orchid Society Meeting Sat, Sep 11, 7pm, Lansing. By Greater Lansing Orchid Society at Obedience Training Club. www.greaterlansingorchidsociety.com. International Master Gardener Conference Sun, Sep 12, Virtual. $150/person. Sessions available for live & later viewing. Register: www.internationalmastergardener.com. Fernwood Second Sunday Concert Sun, Sep 12, 4pm, Niles. At Fernwood Botanical Garden. Enjoy a concert on the green. www.fernwoodbotanical.org. H Moving and Transplanting Plants Tue, Sep 14, 6:30pm, online. By Master Gardener Society of Oakland County. Presenter: Janet Macunovich. www.mgsoc.info/calendar-of-events. Pruning Native Trees & Shrubs Wed, Sep 15, 7-8pm, online. By Plant It Wild on Zoom. Dr. Robert Schutzki, MSU, will offer pruning tips and techniques to refresh and maintain your trees and shrubs. Register: plantitwild2day@gmail.com Grand River Development Wed, Sep 15, By Kent Garden Club at a Veteran’s Home. Presented by David Marquardt. www.KentGardenClub.org.
NOTICE: Contact event organizers to verify events are still scheduled. Landscape Alternatives Webinar Thu, Sep 16, 2-3pm, online. By Midwest Invasive Plant Network. Free. Come learn about the Midwest Invasive Plant Network’s new and improved Landscape Alternatives app & see it in action. H Private Garden Tour Thu, Sep 16, 4pm, location TBD. By Association of Professional Gardeners. Membership info: www.associationofprofessionalgardeners.org continued on page 25
Botanical Garden & Arboretum • Hosta Hillside • Plant Conservatory Flower Gardens • Picnic Area • Bonsai • Hiking Trails • Weddings & Tours by appointment 6214 Monroe Rd. (M-50) • Tipton, MI
517-431-2060 • canr.msu.edu/hiddenlakegardens
Uncle Luke’s Fresh, local produce though October! t Beautiful fall-blooming mums t
LARGE selection of BIRD FEED & feeding equipment t Deer repellents t Complete pet & animal food lines: Taste of the Wild NutriSource • Canidae • Solid Gold • Iams • Wysong Lotus • Holistic Select • Victor • Eukanuba Chicken Soup • Natural Balance • Fromm t
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Promote your events! Send us your information! Website: Go to MichiganGardener.com and click on “Garden Event Calendar” E-Mail: calendar@MichiganGardener.com Upcoming Issues & Deadlines: Issue
April 2022 May 2022
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248-879-9147 www.unclelukes.com Mon-Fri 9-6:30 • Sat 8-6 • Sun 9-5
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On your way Up North, stop by to visit our beautiful display gardens around our stone cottage & farm. HOME OF THE LITTLE BLACK RAKE Open Early May - Mid Oct • M-F 10-6 Sat 9-4
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Check out our gardens on our website: www.stonecottagegardens.com
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Classified Ads BELLEFLEUR GARDEN SERVICE - Private professional gardeners. Maintenance, planting, garden renewal & more. 30 years in business. Call Karen 248-882-7579 or Heather 810-734-2648. 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 734-9419595 and ask for Mike or Caryl. Or visit www.sodfarm.com to learn more. NEED A HAND? Call “The little gardener that could.” 15 yrs experience at Botanical Gardens. FREE Estimates. Pat: 586-2149852, agardenspace.com.
MICHIGAN GARDENER E-NEWSLETTER - Sign up for our free e-newsletter! We send out a few each year, and there are contests to win prizes as well. (No spam, and we do not share your e-mail.) Go to www. MichiganGardener.com and simply enter your e-mail address. ZOOM GARDEN SPEAKER AVAILABLE for your club or group. Well-traveled garden writer does virtual garden presentations & travelogues. This active collector gardener can speak on many subjects. 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 yourself and your business. Need help? Have help to give? Have a big event coming up? Have items to sell? Let our readers know! Go to MichiganGardener.com >> “Advertising” >> “Classified Advertising.”
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2021 | MichiganGardener.com
Look for Allen Park • Ace Hardware Almont • American Tree • Blake’s Almont Garden Ctr • Brohl’s Flower Garden Ann Arbor H Abbott’s Landscp Nurs • Ace Barnes Hardware (Washtenaw Ave) • Ace Barnes Hardware (West Stadium) • Dixboro General Store H Downtown Home & Gard H HillTop Greenhse & Farms • Lodi Farms • Matthaei Botanical Gard H Produce Station H Turner’s Greenhse/ Gard Ctr • Weingartz • Wild Birds Unltd Armada • Pond Guy Auburn H Warmbier Farms Auburn Hills • Ace Hardware H Haley Stone H State Crushing Bay City H Begick Nurs & Gard Ctr Belleville H Banotai Greenhse • Gardeners Choice H Pinter Flowerland H Zywicki Greenhse Berkley • Durst Lumber & Ace Hardware • Garden Central Beverly Hills • Ace Hardware Birmingham H Blossoms Bloomfield Hills H Fleurdetroit Brighton • Ace Hardware • Brighton Stone & Fireplace H Grasshopper Gardens • Great Deal Landscp Prod • Leppek Nurs H Meier Flowerland Brownstown Twp • Raupp Bros Landscp Supp H Ruhlig Farms & Gard Bruce Twp H Van’s Valley Greenhse Burton H Country Oaks Landscp Supp Canton • Canton Floral Gardens • Schmidt’s Roadside • Wild Birds Unltd Chelsea • Ace Hardware H Garden Mill • Potting Shed Chesterfield H Van Thomme’s Greenhses
at these fine locations: Clarkston • Ace Hardware (Dixie Hwy) • Ace Hardware (Sashabaw) H Country Oaks Landscp Supp • Gateway • Lowrie’s Landscp • Weingartz Clawson • Ace Hardware H Billings Lawn Equip Clinton Twp H English Gardens • Michigan Koi • MSU ExtensionMacomb Cty • Tropical Treasures Clio H Piechnik’s Greenhse Commerce Twp H Zoner’s Greenhse Davison H Wojo’s Garden Splendors Dearborn • Ace Hardware • Fairlane Gard Dearborn Hts H English Gardens Detroit • Ace Hardware • Detroit Gard Ctr Dexter H Dexter Mill • Earth Art H Fraleigh’s Nurs Eastpointe • DeRonne True Value Hardware • Drew’s Garden H English Gardens Farmington • Alexander True Value Hardware Ferndale • Olive’s Bloombox Farmington Hills • Ace Hardware H Steinkopf Nurs • Weingartz Fenton H Gerych’s Greenhse H Heavenly Scent Herb Farm Ferndale • Living Modes Flushing H Flushing Lawn & Gard Ctr Fostoria H The Iron Barn Fowlerville • Green-Up Gard Ctr Gladwin H Stone Cottage Gardens Grand Blanc H Weed Lady Grand Rapids • Meijer Gardens Grass Lake H Designs by Judy Grosse Ile • Grosse Ile Pet & Gard Ctr H Westcroft Gard & Farm Grosse Pointe • Allemon’s Landscp Ctr • Otherworld GP Grosse Pointe Shores • Edsel & Eleanor Ford House Grosse Pointe Woods • Wild Birds Unltd Hadley H Le Fleur Décor
Haslett H Van Atta’s Greenhse Highland • Ace Hardware • Colasanti’s Produce & Plants • Five Star Ace Hardware • Fragments • Rock Bottom Stone Supp • Thornton Nurs Howell • Penrose Nurs H Specialty Growers H Superior Landscp Supp • Wilczewski Greenhses Imlay City • Earthly Arts Keego Harbor • Creative Brick Paving Lake Orion • Ace Hardware • Fogler’s Greenhse H Lake Orion Lawn Ornaments H Orion Stone Depot Livonia • Ace Hardware (5 Mi/Middlebelt) • Ace Hardware (6 Mi/Newburgh) • Bushel Mart • George’s Livonia Gard • GrowGeneration • Weingartz Macomb • Altermatt Farms H Brohl’s Greenhouse H Elya’s Village Gard • Joe Randazzo’s Nurs • Landscape Source • Olejnik Farms • Wild Birds Unltd Midland • Dow Gardens Milan • KC Runciman Milford • Ace Hardware • Peter’s True Value Hardware H Pond Place Monroe • Flower Market New Baltimore H Meldrum Bros Nurs New Boston H Bush & Son Landscp Supp H Grass Roots Pond & Gard • Mums the Word New Hudson • Fletcher & Rickard Landscp Supp North Branch H Campbell’s Greenhses H Oldani Landscp Nurs Northville • Begonia Bros • Gardenviews at Home Novi • Ace Hardware • Glenda’s Gard Ctr • Tollgate Education Ctr - MSU • Wild Birds Unltd Oak Park • Ace Hardware • Four Seasons Gard Ctr Oakland H Piechnik’s Gard Ctr
Ortonville • Bedrock Express H Wojo’s Greenhse Owosso H Everlastings in the Wildwood Oxford • Ace Hardware • Dafoe’s Feed & Seed Pinckney • Bock’s General Plymouth H English Gardens Plymouth Nurs • Graye’s Greenhse • Plymouth Rock & Supp H Rock Shoppe • Sideways • Sparr’s Greenhse Pontiac • Goldner Walsh Gard/Home • MSU ExtensionOakland Cty Ray • Heritage Oaks Redford H Pinter Flowerland Rochester • Allstate Home Leisure • Fogler’s Greenhse • Sherwood Forest Gard Ctr Rochester Hills • Ace Hardware H Auburn Oaks Gard Ctr H Haley Stone • Wild Birds Unltd Romeo • Cold Frame Farm Romulus • Kurtzhal’s Farms • Rush Gard Ctr • Schwartz’s Greenhse Roseville H Dale’s Landscp Supp • Flower Barn Nurs Sea World Royal Oak • Ace Hardware H English Gardens • Frentz & Sons Hardware • Wild Birds Unltd Saginaw H Abele Greenhse & Gard Ctr Salem Twp H Willow Greenhse Saline H Clink Landscp & Nurs • Junga’s Ace Hardware • KBK Gard Ctr • Saline Flowerland Shelby Twp • Ace Hardware • Diegel’s Greenhse H Hessell’s Greenhses • Maeder Plant Farm • Mandel Greenhouses Florist • PJ Hebert H Telly’s Greenhse South Lyon • Ace Hardware • Bader & Sons • Mike’s Garden • Stone Depot Landscp Supp Southfield H Eagle Landscp & Supp • Lavin’s Flower Land H Main’s Landscp Supp
St Clair Shores • Ace Hardware (Harper/13 Mi) • DeRonne True Value Hardware • Greenhouse Growers • Hall’s Nurs • Soulliere Gard Ctr Sterling Hts • Decor Statuette H Eckert’s Greenhse • Prime Landscp Supp Stockbridge • Gee Farms Superior Twp • Lucas Nurs Sylvan Lake H AguaFina Gardens Interntl • Detroit Garden Works Taylor • Ace Hardware • D&L Garden Ctr • Massab Acres Greenhse H Panetta’s Landscp Supp Trenton • Ace Hardware • Carefree Lawn Ctr Troy • Home & Gard Shop H Telly’s Greenhse H Uncle Luke’s Feed Store Utica • Stonescape Supp • Weingartz Warren • Ace Hardware • Beste’s Lawn & Patio • Greco’s Nurs • Kutchey Family Mkt Washington • Landscape Direct • Rocks ‘n’ Roots Waterford • Ace Hardware • Breen’s Landscp Supp • Jacobsen’s Flowers H Merritt Home Design West Bloomfield • ACE Hardware H English Gardens Westland • Ace Hardware H Barsons Greenhses • Bushel Stop • Joe Randazzo’s Nurs • Merlino’s Bushel Ctr • Panetta’s Landscp Supp White Lake H Bogie Lake Greenhse H Mulligan’s Gard Ctr • Sunshine Plants Whitmore Lake H Alexander’s Greenhses Williamston • Christians Greenhse Wixom • Angelo’s Landscp Supp H Milarch Nurs Ypsilanti • Coleman’s Farm Mkt H Margolis Nurs • Materials Unlimited • Schmidt’s Antiques H Sell Farms & Greenhse • Superior Farm & Gard
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2021 | Michigan Gardener
continued from page 23 Butterfly Meeting Thu, Sep 16, 7pm, on Zoom. By SE Michigan Butterfly Assoc. Presentation topic TBD. www.sembabutterfly. org. Perennial Plant Exchange Sat, Sep 18, 9-11am, Royal Oak. By Royal Oak Garden Club at Mahany/Meininger Senior Community Center (Marais Ave). Free. For more info, 248-585-4271. Bromeliad Sale Sat, Sep 18, 10am-6pm, Troy. By Southeast Michigan Bromeliad Society at Telly’s. Wide range of bromeliads for sale including many beautiful & rarely seen varieties. 248-798-4139. Yardeners Plant Exchange Sat, Sep 18, 9-11am, St. Clair Shores. By The Yardeners at St. Clair Shores Library Parking Lot. Free. Bag, tag & drag your offerings to trade or give away to other gardeners. scsyardeners@gmail.com.
NOTICE: Contact event organizers to verify events are still scheduled. H Hydrangea Wreath Sat, Sep 18, 10am-Noon, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $69.99. Fashion an elegantly simple hydrangea wreath. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com. 68th Annual Dahlia Show & Competition Sat, Sep 18, 12noon-9pm, & Sun, Sep19, 9am-3pm, West Bloomfield Twp. By Southeastern Michigan Dahlia Society at Orchard Mall. Hundreds of dahlias on display of varying size, color & form. www.semds.org, 248-689-5947. Ann Arbor Farm & Garden Fall Mini Garden Walk Sun, Sep 19, Noon-5pm, Ann Arbor. By Ann Arbor Farm & Garden. $10 at the gate. Explore 3 local gardens including Campus Farm at Matthaei. www.annarborfarmandgarden.org. Language of Trees Wed, Sep 22, 7-8pm, online. By Ellen Holste, Program Coordinator, Pierce Cedar Creek Institute. www.michiganmastergardener.org. Concert Series at the Great Estate Thu, Sep 23, 7-9:30pm, Rochester. At Meadow Brook Hall. $30. Take in a night of live music & vibrant atmosphere. www.meadowbrookhall.org Using Native Plants in Urban Settings & Small Lots Fri, Sep 24, 10am, online. By Meadow Brook Garden Club on Zoom. $5. Carolyn Miller presents. Request link: MBGCmembers@gmail.com. 248-364-6210, www.meadowbrookhall.org.
October MSU Tollgate Pumpkinfest Sat, Oct 2, & Sun, Oct 3, Novi. At MSU Tollgate Farm. Fun for all ages. www.canr.msu.edu. Judith Tankard Book Talk Tue, Oct 5, Time TBA. Judith Tankard presents her books “The Gardens of Ellen Biddle Shipman” and “Gardens of the Arts and Crafts Movement.” www.gpgardencenter.org Pruning: Learn It Before You Get Snippy Mon, Oct 11, St. Clair Shores. By The Yardeners at St. Clair Shores Library (tentatively). Discover the best time & proper methods to prune your landscape plants. Presented by Sue Grubba. scsyardeners@gmail.com H Well and Lesser Known Insects of the Midwest Tue, Oct 12, 6:30pm, online. By Master Gardener Society of Oakland County. Presenter: David Lowenstein. www.mgsoc.info/calendar-of-events. Use of Conifers in the Landscape Wed, Oct 13, Noon, Byron. By Kent Garden Club at Everett’s Gardens. Presented by Leslie Hammond. www.kentgardenclub.org.
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A Brief History of the Modern Dahlia Wed, Oct 13, 1pm, online. By Troy Garden Club online. Presented by Keith Berven, President of Southeastern Michigan Dahlia Society. Register: infoandideas@aol. com. Soil—The Hidden Secrets Beneath Your Feet Mon, Oct 18, 6:30-7:30, TBD. Presented by Dr. Gerald Miller, Certified Professional Soil Scientist. www.facebook.com/rivercitywildones SEMBA Meeting Thu, Oct 21, 7pm, on Zoom. By SE Michigan Butterfly Assoc. Presentation topic TBD. www.sembabutterfly. org. Scent of the Holiday Spirit Fri, Oct 22, 10am, online. By Meadow Brook Garden Club. $5. Colleen K. Dodt presents. Request link: MBGCmembers@gmail.com. 248-364-6210, www.meadowbrookhall.org. Pumpkin Science Sat, Oct 23, 1:30-3pm, Troy. At Stage Nature Center. $13. Ages 8-11. www.troynaturesociety.org. Reflections on the Past, Present and Future Use of Native Plants in the Landscape Wed, Oct 27, 7pm, online. Presenter: Bill Schneider, Wildtype Native Plant Nursery. www.michiganmastergardener.org Concert Series at the Great Estate Fri, Oct 29, 7-9:30pm, Rochester. At Meadow Brook Hall. $30. Take in a night of live music & vibrant atmosphere. www.meadowbrookhall.org.
LET A PRO TEND YOUR GARDEN! New Designs • Renovations • Consulting Planting • Weeding • Pruning • Much more to locate an APG professional gardener near you, visit:
FALL IS FOR PLANTING!
It’s an excellent time to plant perennials, trees, shrubs & evergreens We continue to restock our outstanding selection with healthy & fresh plants! We are open 7 days a week and invite you to shop our fantastic selection of Fall Color plants.
In Birmingham
Nursery & Garden Center
NOTICE: Contact event organizers to verify events are still scheduled.
33866 Woodward Ave. 48009
Greater Lansing Orchid Society Meeting Sat, Nov 13, 2pm, Lansing. By Greater Lansing Orchid Society at Obedience Training Club. www.greaterlansingorchidsociety.com. H Arts & Greens 2021 Sat, Nov 20, 9-5pm & Sun, Nov 21, 11am-3pm, White Lake. At Bogie Lake Greenhouses. www.bogielakegreenhouses.com
blossomsbirmingham.com
December Christmas Luncheon Wed, Dec 1, By Country Garden Club of Northville. www.cgcnv.org. H Fresh Holiday Wreath Sat, Dec 4, 10am-12:30pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $51.99. Create a wreath using fresh boxwood, seeded eucalyptus, fresh juniper & pine. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com.
Check our website for how to join!
www.associationofprofessionalgardeners.org
November H Healthy Soils Tue, Nov 9, 6:30pm, online. By Master Gardener Society of Oakland County. Presenter: Sue Grubba. www.mgsoc.info/calendar-of-events. Festive Features Wed, Nov 10, 12:30, Grand Rapids. By Kent Garden Club at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. www.KentGardenClub.org. The Art of Flowers Wed, Nov 10, 1pm, online. By Troy Garden Club. Presented by Wendy Evans, Art Historian. Register: infoandideas@aol.com. H The Year in Review Sat, Nov 13, 10am-1pm, Waterford. By Association of Professional Gardeners at Oakland Schools Conference Center. Members only. Join Today: www.associationofprofessionalgardeners.org
Garden Professionals:
(248) 644-4411
2781 Scio Church • Ann Arbor
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2021 | MichiganGardener.com
At this stop sign, cars pause longer than necessary to take in the beauty!
The garden at the corner Jeremy Locke and James Queen have converted property challenges into functional and beautiful garden solutions
J
eremy Locke and James Queen moved also considered where their dogs liked to run into their corner-lot, ranch home four and planned the garden around them as well. years ago. At that time, there were a few (Sonya the cat didn’t have an opinion.) trees and shrubs including a ‘Crimson King’ Jeremy and James were Ferndale resimaple, which provides shade for the front dents previously and something they brought of the house, a redbud, an arborvitae, some with them from that garden, other than a boxwood, and a weeping mulberry. few plants, was the pond. (Well, Four years later, with the addition of it didn’t literally come with hundreds of plants and a lot of hard them—just the fish.) From their work, their garden is a showplace. experience at that garden, they When I first saw the garden, I was knew they wanted the pond to be amazed at how much they had done larger than the 1,000-gallon origiin just the past year alone. Jeremy, a nal. They found that the 20 fish landscape designer by trade, says the they started with turned into 100 landscape tells him what to do—or quickly, so in this new garden, the James does. They work well tofish are happily accommodated in Lisa gether as Jeremy is the designer and a 7,000-gallon, roomy underwater Steinkopf James is the builder. Jeremy said he habitat. To enable the fish to stay
Jeremy Locke (right) and James Queen are the designers and caretakers of this wonderful garden.
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2021 | Michigan Gardener
The garden path leads to the pond and garden shed with Pepper the dog leading the way.
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in the pond through the winter months, they installed a bubbler, which runs all year. The pond, along with the surrounding plantings, is a pleasant focal point and the sound of the waterfall is a lovely backdrop while relaxing on the patio. Though they had no problems with predators bothering their fish for the first two years, a great blue heron eventually discovered their underwater smorgasbord. Consequently, Jeremy and James had to install a water scarecrow and lines around the pond to deter the unwanted fisherman. They also have had to deal with another predator, but this is a plant predator: deer. Jeremy says he tries to use only deer-resistant plants when possible and uses Milorganite in the yard to help deter them. The soil in this garden is sandy, so compost is incorporated into all the planting beds and organic granular fertilizer is used on everything in the garden. A thick layer of mulch is added to the planting beds to keep the soil moisture in, but they feel mulch isn’t enough. “You must condition the soil and add compost for best results,” says Jeremy. They clearly know what they are talking about, as their lush garden attests. Automatic irrigation hasn’t been added yet but is on the list of things to be done after all the planting beds are finished. One of the newer additions is a vegetable garden. They have incorporated raised beds and are growing pumpkins, tomatoes, and multiple kinds of veggies and herbs. Other edibles in their garden include fruit trees such as ‘Honeycrisp’ and ‘Yellow Delicious’ apples, ‘Rainier’ cherries, and blueberry bushes. In an area near the house next to the veggie garden is another new project currently being installed: a secret garden, with a small seating area plus a fairy garden. continued on next page
The front entrance garden includes a Japanese maple, grasses, and plenty of pollinator plants.
Pollinator-friendly plants abound, like these echinaceas.
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2021 | MichiganGardener.com
continued from previous page Sometimes unfortunate things happen that seem horrible at the time, but have great outcomes. One of those nightmares was water in the house basement, which caused Jeremy to look at the landscape in a new light. The house and garden are at the bottom of a small hill and all the street water runs into their yard. Whenever it was a particularly rainy time, water became an issue. So how did they rectify the problem? Jeremy built a swale garden. A swale is a ditch built to slow and direct the flow of rainwater so that it has a chance to sink into the soil. So, in the corner of their property at its highest point, Jeremy designed a swale to intercept some of the water flow before it reached the house. He dug a ditch approximately 2-1/2 feet deep and lined it with a rubber pond liner. He then added a mix of compost and existing soil on top of the liner. Moisture-loving plants were added along the edges, including variegated cattails and cardinal flowers. In the middle and deepest part of the ditch, gravel was added, and the water runs downhill along the gravel stream when it is raining. During dry times, it looks like a rock-strewn, dry riverbed. Problem solved—with an aesthetically appealing solution. In yet another problematic area of the property, there is an ugly cement culvert near the corner. The couple decided mowing
The front walk is lined with flowing grasses repurposed from a client’s landscape.
This corner planting includes a weeping burgundy ‘Ruby Falls’ redbud, hydrangeas, hostas, and a few carex brought from the couple’s previous garden.
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2021 | Michigan Gardener
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P H OTO G R A P H S BY L I S A S T E I N KO P F
around the culvert would become unnecessary if they created gardens around it, removing the high maintenance grass. In its place they planted a pollinator garden that not only stops cars, but also butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and moths. It is filled with butterfly bush, echinacea, lobelia, Russian sage, sedum, and more. The textures and colors of the plants are well matched and one would never know a large cement eyesore is hiding amongst the flowers. Now, as one rolls up to the stop sign, that corner garden makes drivers want to sit and stare longer than necessary in this quiet neighborhood. Jeremy and James have created a wonderful landscape surrounding their home. A mix of trees, shrubs, and perennials invite pollinators to stop which adds another dimension to the already gorgeous gardens.
The sun highlights plantings around the pond.
The front yard is largely shaded by a mature ‘Crimson King’ maple, which shades the house and allows for a unique blend of textural plants.
Lisa Steinkopf is The Houseplant Guru. Check out her newly updated website and blog at www.thehouseplantguru.com. Contact Lisa to speak at your next club meeting or event (houseplantgurulisa@gmail.com or 734-7481241). Follow her on Facebook (Facebook.com/ HouseplantGuru), Twitter (@houseplantguru), and Instagram (houseplantguru).
The hammock and bench allow some relief from the sun and are the perfect place to enjoy the scenery.
A collection of stores and gardens to shop and visit. Please call ahead for hours, as they may vary from season to season.
Mt. Pleasant
Gladwin
Bay City
Midland
Auburn
Saginaw North Branch Clio
Lapeer
Davison
Imlay City
Flushing
Owosso
Lennon
Burton
Port Huron
Dryden
Grand Blanc
Flint
Emmett
Hadley Almont
Bancroft
Grand Rapids
Bruce Twp. Fenton
Oxford
Ortonville
Lansing
East Lansing
Oakland
Clarkston Hartland
Williamston
White Lake
Howell
Mason
Stockbridge
Rochester
White Lake Waterford
Pontiac
Plymouth Dexter
Chelsea
Jackson
Ann Arbor
Grass Lake
Superior Twp
Detroit Westland
Canton
Taylor Belleville
Saline New Boston
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H American Tree 3903 Van Dyke Rd, MI 48003 810-798-2525 www.americantreeinc.com Brohl’s Flower Gard 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 2880 S Wagner Rd, MI 48103 734-665-5651 www.lodifarms.com 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 armada Pond Guy auburn H Warmbier Farms 5300 Garfield Rd, MI 48611 989-662-7002 www.warmbierfarms.com
auburn hills H Haley Stone H State Crushing bancroft Grand Oak Herb Farm bay city H Begick Nursery & Garden Ctr 5993 Westside Saginaw Rd, MI 48706 989-684-4210 www.begicknursery.com belleville H Banotai Greenhse Gardeners Choice H Pinter Flowerland H Zywicki Greenhse berkley Garden Central birmingham H Blossoms
H Ruhlig Farms & Gard 24508 Telegraph Rd, MI 48134 734-782-9811 www.ruhligfarmsandgardens.com bruce twp H Van’s Valley Greenhouse 74865 Van Dyke Rd, MI 48065 586-752-6002 www.vansvalley.com burton H Country Oaks Landscp Supp
La Salle
almont
Ray
Macomb Rochester Hills Shelby Twp. New Utica Baltimore Auburn Hills Sylvan Lake Clinton Twp. Chesterfield Commerce Milford Troy West Sterling Hts. Bloomfield Bloom. Hills Birmingham Walled Lake St. Clair Berkley Wixom Roseville Shores Brighton Warren Royal Oak New Hudson Eastpointe South Lyon Novi Farmington Southfield Hills Oak Park Whitmore Northville Grosse Lake Pointes Livonia Redford Highland
Fowlerville
Kalamazoo
Richmond
Lake Orion
Haslett
blissfield H Ogden Station Daylilies bloomfield hills H Fleurdetroit 1507 Old S. Telegraph Rd, MI 48302 248-953-3840 www.fleurdetroit.com
H Walker Farms & Greenhouse 5253 E. Atherton Rd, MI 48519 810-743-0260 www.walkersfarm.com canton Canton Floral Gardens Schmidt’s Roadside Wild Birds Unltd
brighton Bordine’s Brighton Stone H Grasshopper Gardens Leppek Nurs
chelsea H Garden Mill 110 S. Main St, MI 48118 734-475-3539 www.thegardenmill.com
H Meier Flowerland 8087 W. Grand River, MI 48114 810-229-9430 www.meierflowerland.com
The Potting Shed
brownstown twp Bruce’s Pond Shop Raupp Brothers Gard Ctr
chesterfield H Van Thomme’s Greenhses clarkston Bordine’s H Country Oaks Landscp Supp Lowrie’s Landscp
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2021 | Michigan Gardener
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 columbus Haack’s Farm Greenhses commerce twp H Zoner’s Greenhouse 2355 E. Commerce Rd, MI 48382 248-363-6742 www.zonersgreenhouse.com davison H Wojo’s Gard Splendors 7360 E. Court St, MI 48423 810-658-9221 www.wojos.com dearborn Fairlane Gardens dearborn heights H English Gardens 22650 Ford Rd, MI 48127 313-278-4433 www.englishgardens.com detroit Eastern Market dexter H Dexter Mill Earth Art H Fraleighs Landscape Nursery 8600 Jackson Rd, MI 48130 734-426-5067 www.fraleighs.com eastpointe Drew’s Garden H English Gardens 22501 Kelly Rd, MI 48021 586-771-4200 www.englishgardens.com farmington hills Angelo’s Landscp Supp Farmer John’s Greenhse H Steinkopf Nursery 20815 Farmington Rd., MI 48336 248-474-2925 www.steinkopfnursery.com fenton H Gerych’s Greenhouse & Flowers 713 W Silver Lake Rd., MI 48430 810-629-5995 www.gerychsdesign.com H Heavenly Scent Herb Farm 13730 White Lake Rd, MI 48430 810-629-9208 www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com ferndale Olive’s Bloombox flat rock Masserant’s Feed/Grain flushing H Flushing Lawn & Garden Ctr 114 Terrace St, MI 48433 810-659-6241 www.unclelukes.com gladwin H Stone Cottage Gardens 3740 West Willford Rd, MI 48624 989-426-2919 www.stonecottagegardens.com
grand blanc Bordine’s Sunrise Greenhouse H The Weed Lady 9225 Fenton Rd, MI 48439 810-655-2723 www.theweedlady.com grass lake H Designs by Judy Florist & Greenhse 3250 Wolf Lake Rd, MI 49240 517-522-5050 www.designsbyjudyflowers.com grosse ile H Westcroft Gardens & Farm 21803 West River Rd, MI 48138 734-676-2444 www.westcroftgardens.com
Stone Case Inc. livonia Bushel Mart George’s Livonia Gardens macomb Altermatt Farms Boyka’s Greenhse H Brohl’s Greenhse Deneweth’s Garden Ctr H Elya’s Village Gardens Landscape Source Joe Randazzo’s Nurs Olejnik Farms Wiegand’s Nursery Wild Birds Unltd manchester McLennan Nurs mason H Wildtype Nurs
grosse pointe Allemon’s Landscp Ctr Otherworld GP
milford Milford Gardens H The Pond Place
grosse pointe woods Wild Birds Unltd
monroe The Flower Market
hadley
new baltimore H Meldrum Bros Nurs
H Le Fleur Décor 3442 Hadley Rd, MI 48440 586-495-4076 Find us on Facebook hartland Deneweth’s Garden Ctr haslett Christian’s Greenhse H Van Atta’s Greenhse 9008 Old M-78, MI 48840 517-339-1142 www.vanattas.com highland Colasanti’s Produce/Plant Fragments Highland Garden Ctr Rock Bottom Landscp Supp Thornton Nurs howell Penrose Nurs H Specialty Growers 4330 Golf Club Rd, MI 48843 517-546-7742 www.specialtygrowers.net H Superior Landscape Supplies 4805 Musson Rd, MI 48855 517-548-2068 Find us on Facebook Wilczewski Greenhses imlay city Earthly Arts Greenhse Schutz’s Tree Farm Super & Sons Nurs jackson Hobbit Greenhouses kalamazoo H Wedel’s Nursery, Florist & Gdn Ctr 5020 Texas Dr, MI 49009 269-345-1195 www.wedels.com lake orion Fogler’s Greenhse H Lake Orion Lawn Orn H Orion Stone Depot 4888 Joslyn Rd, MI 48359 248-391-2490 www.orionstone.com lansing Lansing Gardens lapeer H The Iron Barn lasalle Fowler’s Gift Shop lennon
new boston H Bush & Son Landscape Supplies
Plymouth Rock & Supp H Rock Shoppe Sparr’s Greenhse pontiac Goldner Walsh Gard/Home
stockbridge Gee Farms
redford H Pinter Flowerland
superior twp Lucas Nurs
richmond Jusko’s Greenhse rochester Fogler’s Greenhse Sherwood Forest Gard Ctr
sylvan lake H AguaFina Gardens International 2629 Orchard Lake Rd, MI 48320 248-738-0500 www.aguafina.com
rochester hills
Detroit Garden Works
H Auburn Oaks Garden Ctr 3820 West Auburn Rd, MI 48309 248-852-2310 www.auburnoaksnursery.com Bordine’s H Haley Stone Wild Birds Unltd romulus Block’s Stand/Greenhse Kurtzhals’ Farms Rush Gard Ctr Schwartz’s Greenhouse roseville H Dale’s Landscaping Supply 16720 E 13 Mile Rd, MI 48066 586-778-1919 www.daleslandscaping.com
new hudson Fletcher & Rickard Landscp Supp
Flower Barn Nurs Sea World
H Campbell’s Greenhouses 4077 Burnside Rd, MI 48461 810-688-3587 wwwp4.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 novi Glenda’s Gard Ctr Wild Birds Unltd oak park Four Seasons Gard Ctr oakland twp H Piechnik’s Garden Ctr 1095 N. Rochester Rd, MI 48363 586-336-7200 www.cliogreenhouse.com ortonville Bedrock Express H Wojo’s Greenhse 2570 Oakwood Rd, MI 48462 248-627-6498 www.wojos.com owosso H Everlastings in Wildwood Crooked Tree Nurs Sunburst Gardens oxford Dafoe’s Feed & Seed plymouth H English Gardens Plymouth Nurs 9900 Ann Arbor Rd W, MI 48170 734-453-5500 www.englishgardens.com Graye’s Greenhse
Prime Landscp Supp
ray Heritage Oaks
H Grass Roots Pond & Garden 24765 Bell Rd, MI 48164 734-753-9200 www.grassrootspondandgarden.com
north branch
H Eckert’s Greenhouse 34051 Ryan Rd, MI 48310 586-264-5678 www.eckertsgreenhouse.com
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’s Greenhse H Hessell’s Greenhouse Maeder Plant Farm H Telly’s Greenhouse 4343 24 Mile, MI 48316 248-659-8555 www.tellys.com south lyon Mike’s Garden Stone Depot Landscp Supp southfield H Eagle Landscp/Supp 20779 Lahser Rd., MI 48034 248-356-4342 https://eaglelandscapesupply.com Lavin’s Flower Land H Main’s Landscp Supp st clair shores Greenhouse Growers Hall’s Nurs Soulliere Gard Ctr sterling heights Decor Statuette
taylor D&L Garden Ctr Massab Acres Greenhse H Panetta’s Landscp Supp tecumseh Mitchell’s Lawn/Landscp trenton Carefree Lawn Ctr troy H Telly’s Greenhouse 3301 John R Rd, MI 48083 248-689-8735 www.tellys.com 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 warren Beste’s Lawn/Patio Supp Kutchey Family Mkt washington Landscp Direct Rocks ‘n’ Roots waterford Breen’s Landscp Supp 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 Bushel Stop Joe Randazzo’s Nurs Merlino’s Bushel Ctr Panetta’s Landscp white lake H Bogie Lake Greenhouses 1525 Bogie Lake Rd, MI 48383 248-887-5101 www.bogielakegreenhouses.com H Mulligan’s Landscp & Gard Ctr 8215 Elizabeth Lake Rd, MI 48386 248-698-4741 www.mulliganlandscaping.com Sunshine Plants whitmore lake H Alexander Farm Mkt & Greenhouses 6925 Whitmore Lake Rd, MI 48189 734-741-1064 Find us on Facebook
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williamston Christians Greenhse wixom Angelo’s Landscp Supp H Milarch Nurs 28500 Haas Rd, MI 48393 248-437-2094 www.milarchnursery.com Milford Tree Farm ypsilanti Coleman’s Farm Mkt H Margolis Nurs Materials Unlimited Mich Greenscape Supp H Sell Farms & Greenhouses 7200 Willis Rd, MI 48197 734-484-3819 www.sellfarmsandgreenhouses.com
Gardens to Visit ann arbor Matthaei Botanical Gardens/Nichols Arboretum battle creek Leila Arboretum blissfield H Ogden Station Daylilies AHS Display Garden bloomfield hills H Cranbrook Gardens clinton twp Tomlinson Arboretum dearborn Arjay Miller Arboretum @ Ford World HQ Henry Ford Estate detroit Anna S Whitcomb Conservtry, Belle Isle Lafayette Greens 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 Applewood Estate grand rapids Frederik Meijer Gardens grosse pointe shores Edsel & Eleanor Ford Hse lansing Cooley Gardens midland Dahlia Hill Dow Gardens novi Tollgate Education Ctr rochester Meadow Brook Hall & Gardens taylor Taylor Conservatory & Botanical Gard tipton H Hidden Lake Gardens 6214 Monroe Rd (M-50), MI 49287 517-431-2060 www.hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2021 | MichiganGardener.com
www.PerennialResource.com
‘Totem Pole’ continued from back cover from 2-1/2 to 8 feet, inflorescence colors from greenish-tan to purplish-rose, and habits from strictly upright to broadly vase-shaped. Selection of horticultural switchgrass varieties has been going on since the 1950s, but hybridization efforts really sped up in the 2000s and 2010s. Focus is aimed at selecting for red and blue foliage colors, more erect habit, and smaller sizes suitable for even downsized urban gardens. So garden-worthy and popular have the switchgrasses become that the Perennial Plant Association chose the variety ‘Northwind’ as the Perennial Plant of the Year in 2014. Native-plant enthusiasts have embraced panicum as an ecological alternative to nonnative ornamental grasses such as maiden grass (Miscanthus), fountain grass (Pennisetum), and certain introduced cultivars of feather reed grass (Calamagrostis). Purists wishing to avoid these Asian or European species can certainly find excellent substitutes within the genus Panicum. The larger panicum cultivars substitute well for maiden grass in appearance and growth rate, and shorter switchgrasses could substitute for fountain grass. One of the major complaints about the Asian and European grasses is their potential for problematic self-sowing. It must be noted that most panicum varieties produce plenty of fertile seed. This may not be an issue in large native plantings where self-sown grasses can be accommodated, but if self-sowing is not acceptable, the gardener should be aware that switchgrass seedlings can and do appear. Young seedlings are easily pulled out, but if allowed to grow in the crowns of other grasses or perennials, they can be hard to remove.
Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener
‘Dallas Blues’
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2021 | Michigan Gardener
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Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener
‘Northwind’
How to grow switchgrass
Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener
The tan foliage of ‘Northwind’ warms this snowy January scene.
Even in early April, ‘Northwind’ stands tall and bright as bulbs and perennials begin to emerge.
Part of the appeal of ornamental grasses, and panicum in particular, is their ease of culture. Their primary and most basic requirements consist of full sun (at least 5 hours per day) and reasonably well-drained soil. Because they are so deep-rooted (established plants may have roots as deep as the plant is tall), they are extremely drought resistant, and almost never require supplemental watering beyond the first year in the ground. But switchgrasses are so adaptable that they can even tolerate periods of flooding, as long as the water subsides relatively quickly. Switchgrasses do not require fertilizer, even in lean soils. Extra fertilizer can result in topheavy plants prone to flopping. Lack of sufficient sunlight will also cause weak, floppy growth. Remember, panicum is native to wide open spaces with full sun exposure. Another plus is that switchgrasses are not troubled by diseases or insect pests when sited properly. Switchgrasses are warm-season grasses, meaning that they do not emerge from dormancy until temperatures have warmed up significantly, often not coming into growth until late May in Michigan. Do not be concerned, especially after a harsh winter or a cold spring, if your switchgrasses grow very slowly in the spring. They make up for it with rapid growth once the temperatures soar into the 80s. This is a grass that thrives in hot soil; continued on next page
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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2021 | MichiganGardener.com
www.PerennialResource.com
‘Gunsmoke’
www.PerennialResource.com
‘Cheyenne Sky’
continued from previous page its roots actually prefer temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees! Gardeners can make use of this characteristic by planting spring bulbs around clumps of panicum to add interest while the grass is still dormant. Because bulbs prefer dry soil after their leaves dry and disappear, they make a perfect companion for switchgrass. Daffodils are an especially good choice because they are longlived, maintenance-free and deer resistant. Switchgrasses are less likely to develop the “doughnut hole effect” to which the maiden grasses are prone. This means that with switchgrass, the arduous task of digging and dividing can usually be avoided. However, they respond well to division if necessary and will recover even though some of the deepest roots will no doubt be severed in the process. Division is best done in mid to late spring or early summer, after the plants have started into active growth. Unlike cool-season grasses and most other perennials, switchgrasses (and other warm-season grasses) respond better to division when it is done after the plants are already growing, and not during the dormant phase.
Using panicum in the garden It stands to reason that switchgrasses combine beautifully with native plants that would have shared their habitat in the wild. Candidates include butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), coreopsis, blazing star (Liatris), and the more drought-tolerant native varieties of aster, coneflower (Echinacea), rudbeckia, and goldenrod (Solidago). Non-native ornamentals that complement switchgrass and thrive in the same conditions include yarrow (Achillea), agastache, allium, butterfly bush (Buddleia), crocosmia, salvia and sedum.
Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener
‘Cloud Nine’
MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2021 | Michigan Gardener
Many switchgrass cultivars begin the season with green or blue-green foliage, with red highlights developing in midsummer and becoming redder as autumn approaches. This color-changing aspect can be used to good advantage, adding much needed color in the garden in mid to late summer and fall. Switchgrasses can perform many roles in the garden. A single clump of one of the tall, vase-shaped or arching cultivars makes a fine focal point or vertical accent. Tall, upright-growing types can be used as a seasonal hedge or screen, while lower-growing varieties can be mixed with other perennials
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and shrubs to add contrast of form and texture. The newer red foliage switchgrasses are especially effective when used as colorful punctuation marks through the garden, or even as the upright member of a container combination. In that case, be aware that the large root mass of switchgrass will be confined by the container, consuming most of the moisture and requiring additional watering despite its normally drought-resistant nature. Karen Bovio is the owner of Specialty Growers in Howell, MI.
Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener
‘Heavy Metal’
Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener
‘Thundercloud’
www.PerennialResource.com
‘Prairie Fire’
www.PerennialResource.com
‘Apache Rose’
| September/October 2021 | MichiganGardener.com
Switchgrass Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener
‘Shenandoah’
S
witchgrass (Panicum) is one of several native prairie grasses that have been tapped by horticulturists for use as garden plants. In nature, switchgrasses of various species occur from far north in Canada southwards though most of the United States and into Mexico, encompassing hardiness zones 2 through 9.
Background and history The species Panicum virgatum is one of the four major grasses that dominated the tallgrass prairies of North America and can still be found in prairie remnants, in pastures, and along roadsides. It is a highly adaptable grass
that grows in many soil types from sand to clay. Its deep root system is both fibrous and rhizomatous, making it an ideal candidate for erosion control projects. Its dense, bunching habit provides wildlife cover and nesting habitat, along with furnishing nutritious seeds for birds and small mammals. Its vertical effect and close-knit growth habit make it a useful screening plant. Switchgrass has also been utilized as a biomass energy resource, Karen and many universities are evaluatBovio ing improved hybrid cultivars that
can serve as a renewable fuel source. Interestingly, it is this same tough functional species that serves as the parent of the ornamental switchgrasses that gardeners and landscape designers have come to love and appreciate. Although not native to Europe, the first horticultural switchgrass selections were made by nurserymen in Germany. Older cultivars, with names like ‘Haense Hermes,’ ‘Rehbraun,’ and ‘Rotstrahlbusch’ allude to their German origins. Even the popular cultivar ‘Shenandoah’ came from Germany; it arose as a
seedling of the variety ‘Haense Hermes’ in the nursery of Dr. Hans Simon, who named this compact, red-tinted selection for the Shenandoah Valley as a tribute to its area of origin. Because P. virgatum is native to such a huge swath of North America, it stands to reason that several ecotypes are present, displaying slightly different characteristics. This genetic variability has facilitated the development of a diverse group of ornamental switchgrasses, with foliage colors ranging from olive-green to blue-green to steely blue to red, heights continued on page 32
