Michigan Gardener - September / October 2015 by Michigan Gardener

September/October 2015

Perennials Bush clover

Feature

MichiganGardener.com

Local plant societies & garden clubs

Vegetables Extending the season

Please thank our advertisers in this issue

Your guide to Great Lakes gardening

How-To

Indoor worm composting

Thyme for Herbs Attracting birds to your garden

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Liven up your fall garden

with our Pansies, Mums, Ornamental Kale, Asters, Pumpkins, Proven Winners Specialty Annuals, and more!

Our Specialty: NEW & CHOICE varieties Fresh shipments arrive throughout the Fall. Stop in to see the latest gems!

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Beautiful springblooming bulbs now available! LANDSCAPE DESIGN & INSTALLATION

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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. Proudly serving Metropolitan Detroit since 1931

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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

TREES & SHRUBS (Trees and Shrubs at Shelby location only)

RADIANCE

O OF C

Ornamental Grasses Troy: Sat, September 26, 10am Pontiac: Sat, September 26, 1pm

Indoor Miniature Gardening Workshop Troy: Sat, October 3, 10am Pontiac: Sat, October 3, 10am ($5 class fee plus cost of materials used) Overwintering Bulbs & Tender Perennials with Judy Cornelier Troy: Sat, October 10, 10am

FLASHLIGHT SALE…

Pumpkin/Gourd Art Workshop Troy: Sat, October 17, 10am Pontiac: Sat, October 17, 10am ($5 class fee plus cost of materials used)

Troy: September 10, 11 & 12 Pontiac: September 10 & 11 7:30-9:30pm

Succulent Container Garden Wkshp Troy: Sat, October 24, 10am Pontiac: Sat, October 24, 10am ($5 class fee plus cost of materials used)

Come visit Telly’s in Troy or Pontiac for this once a year sale. Bring a flashlight and take advantage of our biggest sales event of the season. Sale prices apply only during these hours.

ON SALE NOW…

30-50% OFF Ceramic Pottery (sale excludes bonsai pots)

Select Roses 50% OFF Giant Telly’s-grown Mums - 5 for $30 30-50% OFF all Trees & Shrubs*

To-Do List...................................................... 6 Ask MG..........................................................8 Vegetable Patch.............................................10 Local Plant Societies and Garden Clubs ....................................12

Fall Events Fall Blooming Perennials Troy: Sat, September 19, 10am Pontiac: Sat, September 19, 1pm

—Vita Sackville-West

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.

Fall Container Gardening Workshop Troy & Pontiac: Sat, September 12, 10am Shelby: Sat, September 12, 12pm ($5 class fee plus cost of materials used)

The most noteworthy thing about gardeners is that they are always optimistic, always enterprising, and never satisfied. They always look forward to doing something better than they have ever done before.

AUTUMN AUTUM N IS

It’s a long way from freezin’… Come celebrate second season!

Garden Wisdom

How-To: Worm Compost..................... 14 Weather Wrap...........................................16 Subscription Form.....................................16 Advertiser Index........................................16 Calendar........................................................17 Where to pick up Michigan Gardener..........................................18 Through the Lens.................................... 20 Books for the Michigan Gardener........21 Places to Grow..........................................22

Pre-registration required. Classes $5 unless otherwise indicated. VISIT TELLYS.COM FOR MORE INFO.

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Perennial gardening means color and interest nearly year-round. Many plants just starting to give their best show: Japanese anemone, ornamental grasses, sedums and many more!

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Perennial Perspectives: Lespedeza ��Back cover

On the cover: The fall colors of deciduous trees are strikingly displayed against their evergreen counterparts and a steely blue sky. Photo: Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener

All perennials now 20-50% OFF!

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COLD TOLERANT PLANTS… We offer an extensive selection of cold tolerant, fall flowering plants including pansies, calibrachoa, trailing verbena, petunias, creeping Jenny, ornamental cabbage and kale, marguerite daisies, and much more.

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

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

Editorial Assistant Anna Doman

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

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

find us on

www.tellys.com

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

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

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

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Fall is for Planting!

Time to Landscape!

Fall container gardening • Fall bulb planting for spring blooms!

Fall is a great time to landscape or refresh your existing grounds.

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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

to-do list Annuals

Houseplants

• Continue to water and fertilize annuals, and they’ll continue to bloom until frost. However, if your beds look more brown than green, it is time to replant them with some fall color. Garden mums and pansies are the most popular varieties, but there is a wide range that will tolerate the cool weather. Lysimachia, marguerite daisy (Argyranthemum), asters, and diascia are a few that will provide color until snow falls. • Also add new color with fresh annuals in containers. These are great near the front door where you and visitors can enjoy them past the first hard frost. Plant beautiful fall combo planters just as you do summer ones.

• Bring houseplants back inside soon; usually before the furnace is turned on for the winter, or you start shutting the windows at night. During September, when the temperatures inside and outside the house are very similar, the transition is easier. • Before the plants come inside, check for uninvited guests. If plants have received systemic granules all summer, there shouldn’t be problems, but check anyway. One favorite spot for pests is the undersides of leaves near the top of the plant. • If necessary, spray with an insecticide, wait a few days, and check again. Bring the plant inside once pests are gone. Be sure to check the soil for ants, centipedes and other insects.

Bulbs • The biggest selection of spring-flowering bulbs is available right now, so it’s a great time to shop for your spring garden. In addition to favorites like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and crocus, there are many new bulb varieties. • Summer-flowering bulbs like dahlias should still be going strong until frost. To overwinter the bulbs: cut off the plant at ground level, dig up the bulbs, dry for three days, and then store covered in peat moss or vermiculite in a cool (not cold) place. Or just consider them annuals and clean up with other plants once they’ve been hit by frost.

Evergreens • This is a great time of year to plant evergreens. Soil preparation is one of the most important steps in planting. Amend the soil with plenty of organic matter like soil conditioner (finely shredded pine bark) or compost. Use a plant starter fertilizer. Even though plants will be going dormant, the roots will continue to grow until the ground freezes.

General

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• To rake or not to rake: Instead of bagging leaves and sitting them by the curb, put them to use to enrich your soil. Rake leaves into garden beds, then use your lawn mower to mulch the leaves into pieces. This will break them down faster so next spring they’ll turn into a nice layer of leafy compost.

Herbs • To prolong the taste of summer, bring a few pots of herbs inside. Use a container with a drainage hole and plant in a specially-formulated potting mix. Place near a sunny window, and you’ll have fresh herbs to add spice to your winter meals.

Lawn • It’s time to repair the damage from the summer, and it’s the best time to reseed or sod the lawn. The warm soil temperatures mean fast germination and cooler air temperatures mean watering as frequently won’t be necessary to get your new lawn established. • Apply a fall application of fertilizer to help the lawn go into winter as healthy as possible. • If you had a problem with annual bluegrass this year, use a crabicide treatment this fall to prevent it next year. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions for application rates.

Perennials • September is a busy time for perennial gardeners: dividing, deadheading, and watering will help keep plants healthy. Divide any plants that have become too crowded or have begun to die in the middle. Deadheading keeps plants healthy and keeps the garden looking neat. • Water when the soil is dry about 1 to 2 inches down. • Fall is also great to add plants to beds. Some excellent fall bloomers include black-eyed Susan, fall anemone, a wide variety of ornamental grasses, coneflower, aster, and more. • If you like a neat, clean look over the winter, do your fall cleanup after the first hard frost. Consider keeping plants with interesting seed heads intact for the birds to enjoy. • Apply a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch to prevent frost heave this winter. Try to do this as late as you can. The goal is not to keep plants warm, but to keep them evenly cool.

Roses • It’s time to start letting your roses go dormant. Stop fertilizing and deadheading, but continue to water and follow your spray

MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2015 | Michigan Gardener

Perennials 30% OFF Fall Pansies & Mums • Ornamental Kale The first signs of spring in Michigan: tiny purple crocus peeking from the snow and bright, colorful daffodils dotting the landscape. To enjoy these colorful blooms next year, you have to plan and plant them this fall. Bulbs should be planted in well-drained soil. They can be planted from late August until the ground freezes, usually late December. Plant bulbs as early as possible, once the temperatures drop below 60 degrees consistently. Choose a sunny area. Consider that when most bulbs bloom, trees haven’t yet leafed out, which greatly increases your options. Bulbs fit nicely between other plants. You only need a few inches, and many spring-

flowering bulbs come up before other plants emerge from the ground. You can also plant bulbs by mailboxes, your front entrance, around trees, and along walkways. Be sure to select a few areas that can be seen from your windows. An effective way to make an impressive show without having to plant large areas is to plant in random clusters of 8 to 10 inches in diameter. Nice bouquets of spring flowers will bloom throughout the landscape. Bulbs can also be enjoyed in containers. Plant bulbs in layers: large ones at the bottom and smaller ones at the top. Store containers in a cold garage (not a warm sunroom) in the winter, and bring them out in early spring. Water and enjoy the show.

Coming in Late September: Pumpkins, Gourds, Straw, Corn & Corn Stalks

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program. Heavy pruning should be done in the spring. Wait a little bit longer to apply winter protection. • Plan a winter protection program so you can purchase the necessary supplies now. Don’t use them until it gets cold and stays cold, generally sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Shrubs & Trees • When planting a root ball that’s covered in burlap, place the root ball in the hole and then remove all the burlap, twine and wire you can. While some say you can leave the burlap on, it takes a long time to rot and will wick water away from the roots while it exists. The extra effort to remove the burlap is worth it. • Remember to score the roots on any plant grown in a plastic pot. Use a knife to cut the roots vertically (like cutting a twolayer birthday cake) about every 3 to 5 inches around the plant. Pruning the roots promotes new root growth and gets them growing out of the shape of the pot. • Use mulch to keep the roots cool and help maintain moisture. Keep 4 to 6 inches of space between mulch and the trunk of the plant. • Most trees and shrubs don’t need fertilizer this time of year, except broadleaf evergreens. Azaleas, rhododendrons, hollies and others could benefit from an application of acidifying fertilizer to help them go into the winter strong and healthy. • Be sure to water deeply, but infrequently.

Vegetables • Continue to harvest fruits, vegetables and herbs. • Keep beds weeded and watered. Continue to check for pests and diseases and take care of any problems immediately.

Vines • Around Halloween, prune back vines to their support. Trumpet vine, honeysuckle, and wisteria will all benefit from a healthy trim. Fall is a good time to prune summerand fall-blooming clematis, but not springblooming clematis; you’ll snip off next year’s flower buds.

Water Garden • Cover the pond with specially-made pond netting to keep most leaves from getting into the water. Remove floating plants like water hyacinths and water lettuce. These are annuals and will turn to mush if they are left in the water during a frost. • When it gets colder, cut the foliage off all hardy pond plants to get them ready for winter, and to prevent the foliage from decaying during the winter. • Have a pond heater and/or aerator ready to keep a patch of open water to allow pond gasses to escape; especially essential for koi. • Refresh the beneficial bacteria with a fall/ winter formulation. Provided by the professionals at English Gardens.

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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

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Eradicating daylilies How do I get rid of a lot of daylilies in a garden bed without harming other plants? P.B., Bloomfield Hills Regardless of the bed size, lift the desirable plants you wish to save and set them aside on a tarp. Cover the plants with another tarp to protect their root balls and leaves. If the bed is large and the process will take a few days, then prepare a temporary bed where you can dig in the plants you wish to keep. Saving them in soil is preferable. In the soil they are easily watered and will hold until the daylily removal is complete. Spring is a good time to do this when plants are first sprouting and have fewer leaves and stems to damage by the process. Be sure to keep as much soil around the root base as possible. When done in spring, the root ball holds more tightly together and there is less soil loss. Daylilies are tough and readily hold on to soil. You will need a shovel and spading fork to methodically work your way through the bed to eliminate them. This way you can save any daylily stock you want to keep. By lifting the desirable plants, you can remove unwanted daylily tubers from their roots. You cannot do this easily if the plant you want to save stays in the ground and you dig around it. You will always miss some of the daylily tubers. Once the daylilies are removed, you can transplant your desirables back into the bed. At this point, you have the opportunity to redesign the area as well as divide rootstock for more plants.

Improving the soil for strawberries

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I planted strawberries in some dirt that was not very good, but they did multiply like crazy. I would like to add some good compost and organic matter so I get a good crop in the spring. Since the plants are so thick, it is almost impossible to put the dirt around them. Can I cover the whole plant with soil? D., Harrison Township It is not recommended to cover the whole plant. Better to sort through and find the mother plants and healthy side plants, lifting and planting either in a hill system or spaced matted row system for best fruit production. By removing the best plants and disposing of the lesser ones, you can properly prepare the soil without the plants getting in the way. Use peat and compost to improve water retention if the soil is sandy. If the soil is clay, amend with a mixture of peat and coarsely

textured organic material like chopped leaves or straw. Make sure the site is located in full sun or fruit will be sporadic. Strawberries perform best in slightly acidic soils. Get a soil test from your county MSU Extension office to determine if the pH is optimum (between 5.3 and 6.5) and what amendments you need for your location. Ask for specific leaflet brochures for growing fruit such as strawberries. Whether June-bearing, or everbearing and day neutral plants, remove all the first flowers as they appear until roughly mid-June to July 1. This will allow plants to put resources into root systems and healthy runners. Fruit development occurs at cool soil temperatures. Therefore a mulch such as pine needles or clean shredded bark keeps the soil temperature down, retains moisture, and suppresses weeds. Black plastic sheeting only elevates the soil temperature and the plants won’t produce. For watering, one good soaking a week early in the day is recommended if there isn’t one inch of rainfall. With everbearing types, the runners are removed as soon as they appear. With June-bearing, the side runners and plants are pinned into a secondary row, properly spaced. Overall, for maximum productivity the plantings should be replaced every 3 to 5 years. Strawberries also require adequate nutrient levels. At planting, base any fertilizing on your soil test. Afterwards, apply a 10-10-10 granular fertilizer lightly early in the season. Also fertilize shortly after harvest.

Morning glories have become invasive I planted purple morning glories along a fence. But the flowers came up everywhere the next year, strangling everything. I’ve tried to pull them as they come up but I am fighting a losing battle. How do I eradicate them without hurting the other plants? T.J., Highland Park You can never really “get rid of” morning glories permanently. But you can control and manage them. In spring, learn to recognize the sprouting basal leaves. Either pull them or dab them with a 10 percent solution of glyphosate (Roundup). Because they are appearing “everywhere,” you may be seeing the invasive field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), thinking it is a reseeding of your purple morning glories. Bindweed got its common name because it twines around everything in its relentless path, strangling entire lawns, shrubs and ornamental perennials and annuals. The main

MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2015 | Michigan Gardener

FALL DEALS BECKON Excellent Selection of Premium rooted plant sends out many runners to gather as much sunlight as it can. It truly is a “sun junkie.” If left to go to seed, the problem proliferates exponentially. Due diligence early in the growing season with pulling may save you a blighted area later and desirable plants that are hopelessly entwined.

Planting clematis late in the season How late can I plant a clematis that I purchased this year? K.S., Northville Although it is better to plant as soon as you purchase, sometimes planting must be delayed. The latest to plant would be September 1. If you plant later, the plant does not have enough time to establish contact with the soil and settle in for the winter to come. Make sure the location gets about 6 hours of sun and that it receives consistent water, especially after planting. Mulch the base of the vine well so that the “feet” stay cool and moisture is retained. September brings cooler temperatures and more frequent rain. Time your watering with rainfall so you do not overwater and potentially rot the root zone. Put a tablespoon of slow-release granular fertilizer in the backfill to lessen the planting shock when you install the clematis. Tie the vertical shoots to a 5- to 6-foot trellis as this vine has stems that twine. Do not plan to cut it back in fall, but wait until the following season to prune it at the appropriate time for the particular variety. Pruning at planting can further stress a plant going into the winter season.

Hosta leaves with strange holes My hostas have unusual “bites” on them; different than slugs. I applied Sluggo earlier this year and yet am still seeing these strange hole shapes, either at the end of the leaf or in the middle. They are a long oval shape and not the small holes that slugs usually make. Any idea what is eating them and what to do about it? K.T., Rochester Hills, MI Besides having slug and snail issues, you may be seeing some species of blister beetle helping themselves to your hostas. Although the mollusk pests will take sections out of leaf edges as well as the middle, you may also have an infestation of these beetles. Continue to apply the Sluggo on a regular basis, but also add a non-toxic insecticide spray such as neem oil. Neem oil is produced from the neem tree and is considered safe for pollinators since the insecticide is only effective against those that ingest it on the contact surface, which the pollinators do not. Using the spray will deter the beetles sig-

nificantly. Check under the leaves and around the base of the hostas to make sure you don’t have lurking snails or beetles hiding in the soil surface. In fall, be particularly careful to remove leaf litter and debris from the base of the hostas to prevent overwintering adult slugs and beetle larvae. In spring, cultivate the soil lightly around the base of the hostas and remove any debris left over. Begin applying slug deterrent early to dispose of adult slugs that wintered over. Remove the worst-looking leaves and provide a slow-release fertilizer for herbaceous plants to help the plant systemically combat the invasion of pests.

Basil plants are dying My basil plants have been dying for the past two years. I had them in the ground last year and this year in a container. The tops are turning black and dying. I sprayed them with insecticidal soap, but that is all. Help! K.K., Davisburg The symptoms you describe are consistent with fusarium wilt. Basil fusarium wilt is caused by a soil-borne fungus, which attacks the water-conducting tissue (xylem) within the stem. Infected plants grow normally until about 6 to 12 inches tall, and then become suddenly stunted and the terminal growth turns necrotic. Once water uptake is blocked, the basil plants completely wilt and die. This is why the insecticidal soap was ineffective against a fungus. There also is no cure for the plant once it is infected. The fusarium wilt pathogen can survive for many years in the soil. It is important to remove the soil from the garden area where the basil is planted or relocate the basil within your plantings. Do not use garden soil in the container; use potting soil for any container planting. This will eliminate transferring the pathogen to the pot. Also seek resistant basil varieties. Genovese-type cultivars of basil have been found to be resistant to fusarium wilt. The first cultivar released was ‘Nufar,’ which grows to 24 inches tall and has medium-sized leaves with mild flavor. This cultivar is readily available from mail-order seed companies. If you buy live plant stock, check for discoloration on the stems or twisted stems as this could spell future trouble. Ask the retailer if the variety is resistant to fusarium wilt. Research has also shown that the sweeter varieties of basil are more susceptible to the fungus than the stronger flavored ones. Answers provided by Beverly Moss, owner of Garden Rhythms.

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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

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Autumn is here and the growing season is variety of options: cold frames, row covnearly over—or is it? There are a variety of ways ers, milk jugs, water wraps, newspaper, and that a smart gardener can extend the growing upside down plant pots, just to name a few. season and harvest fresh vegetables right into Many garden catalogs offer a variety of cloth the winter months. Consider the possibility of and plastic row cover materials, but check for fresh carrots for Christmas dinner or maybe a the type of protection they offer—some row little fresh spinach to add to a salad bowl on a covers are for shade, some for insect proteccold afternoon. Extending the garden season tion, and some for cold protection. Also rejust requires understanding which vegetables member that some plastics are better for heat can tolerate the cold and how to protect them retention than others and also that ventilation from freezing temperatures. may be necessary to prevent too much huIncluded in this group are many midity or heat building up under the of the cole crops such as broccoli, enclosure. If you have the space and Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kohlrabi want to make a bigger investment in and turnip. Leaf lettuce, spinach extending the growing season, you and parsley are also considered very can look into a backyard greenhouse hardy, along with peas and onions. or hoop house. They can offer opBeets, carrots, cauliflower and radportunity for year-round gardening. ishes can all tolerate a light frost. DeThere are a couple of methods pending on the maturity date of the that can help maintain higher soil particular vegetables, transplants Mary temperatures. Just as black plastic and even seeds could still go into the Gerstenberger can help raise the soil temperature garden in September and October. in spring, it can help maintain temA few things to bear in mind: If planting by peratures in the fall. It also reflects heat and seed, soil temperature needs to be 45 degrees is often used to cover ground around melon F or higher for germination, depending on the plants to give added warmth. If you are planplant. Frost protection will be needed at some ning to harvest root crops such as carrots into point and eventually protection from freezthe early (and even late) winter months, then ing temperatures. As cold increases, daylight it is important to keep the ground from freezhours decrease and a very minimum of 6 ing. A thick layer of mulch should cover the hours of direct sunlight is needed for most row. Straw is a good choice since it provides vegetables. If the ground freezes around root a light weight as well as warmth. The mulch vegetables it will be too late to harvest them. is pulled back to harvest and then replaced The same techniques used in the spring to to keep the ground from freezing around the protect vegetables from frost can also be used vegetables. in the fall. Warm season crops like tomatoes Growth is affected by sunlight. It may be can continue to produce during warm fall necessary on the shortest days to provide days if protected from cold temperatures on supplemental light to winter-growing vegetachilly fall nights. bles. It is possible to string lights below a row Methods of frost protection include a wide cover, but use care that they are not giving off too much heat—you don’t want to cook your vegetables before you harvest them! Extending the growing season in Michigan is an easy thing to do with a little planning and some knowledge about the growing conditions your vegetables favor. A little effort and some imagination can provide a CREATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR bountiful harvest into winter’s cold days.

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Mary Gerstenberger is the Consumer Horticulture Coordinator at the Michigan State University Extension in Macomb County, MI. For vegetable and gardening information from MSU, visit www.migarden.msu.edu. Call the toll-free Michigan State University Lawn and Garden Hotline at 888-678-3464 for answers to your gardening questions.

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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

Local Plant Societies and Garden Clubs They are a great way to meet like-minded people and learn more about both gardening and the plants you love As the outdoor gardening year winds down, we gardeners may feel a little out of sorts. We start looking at our garden and thinking about what we are going to move and divide, while dreaming about how next year’s garden will look. As you are evaluating, you determine you need a few more perennials, trees, or shrubs. Maybe you would like to know a little more about them. Or, your garden may be filled with a lot of one family of plants because you really love them. Your windowsills might be brimming with orchids or cacti. If any of that sounds familiar, why not join a society that teaches you more about the plants you are interested in or one that you can share your knowledge with.

meets in Farmington Hills. Information about both can be found at www.michbotclub.org. If you only have a small space and some rocks, you can have a beautiful rock garden. There are many diminutive plants that are spectacular and can be grown in a pocket of soil. You can learn about these at the Great Lakes Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society (www.glcnargs.com and Facebook). Flickr / F. D. Richards

Vistors enjoy the bonsai display at the Hidden Lake Gardens bonsai show. with the Michigan Master Gardener Association programs. Learn more about them at www.michiganmastergardener.org.

Outdoor plants

Ce 35 leb Ye rat ar ing s!

If the art of bonsai intrigues you, there are two clubs that meet in this area. The Ann Arbor Bonsai Society (www.annarborbonsaisociety. org) meets at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens. The Four Seasons Bonsai Club of Michigan (www.fourseasonsbonsai. Garden clubs com and www.facebook.com/ I investigated the societies and fourseasonsbonsai) meets in Troy. clubs right here in Southeastern If your interest is only in plants Michigan and discovered there that are hardy here in our area, check are many. If you would like to out the Hardy Plant Society. They meet like-minded people who are discuss trees, perennials, and shrubs also interested in many facets of that are able to survive our winters gardening and would like to hear Lisa here in Michigan (which we’ve quality programs, a garden club Steinkopf found to be very important during is what you are looking for. The the last couple years!). They meet in Michigan Garden Clubs and the Woman’s Bloomfield Hills at the Congregational Church National Farm and Garden Association may of Birmingham (www.hardyplantsocietyinterest you. There are many clubs to choose greatlakes.org). from under these entities and you can find that Do you have a sunny garden and remember information at www.michigangardenclubs.org the beautiful iris grandma used to have in and www.wnfga.org. Many people are familiar her garden? How about the Iris Club of

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Southeast Michigan? Find them at www. facebook.com/irisclub. Roses look beautiful with iris, and we are blessed with three rose societies in Southeastern Michigan: Detroit Rose Society, Grosse Pointe Rose Society, and Metropolitan Rose Society. Learn more at www.rose.org/resources/societies/. If, on the other hand, you only have shade, hostas may be where your interest lies. Learn more about these great shade plants at the Michigan Hosta Society (www. hostahappenings.com and www.facebook. com/MichiganHostaSociety). They care for Hosta Hillside at Hidden Lake Gardens in Tipton, MI. Also, there is the Metro Detroit Hosta Society, which meets at the First United Methodist Church of Birmingham. You can also find their information at www. hostahappenings.com. The lilies were sensational this year—I know that because I visited a friend’s garden that has more than 150 varieties. You can find the Michigan Regional Lily Society at www.mrls.org. Although not a true lily, daylilies are a beautiful flower and you can join the Southern Michigan Daylily Society (www. midaylilysociety.com and Facebook). Do you love the sound of water and the mesmerizing swimming of koi fish? Then a couple clubs might float your boat: the Michigan Koi and Pond Club (www. mkpc-se.com and Facebook) or the Metro Detroit Pond and Garden Club (www. metrodetroitpondandgardenclub.org and Facebook). My mom grew some pretty dahlias every year, but the ones you’ll see at the Southeastern Michigan Dahlia Society do not look like the common ones mom grew. Check them out at www.semds.org and Facebook. With water shortages in the United States and the ongoing concern for our bees and other pollinators, native plants have come to the forefront of the gardening community. Learn more about the importance of these plants at the Michigan Botanical Club. There are two chapters in the area. The Huron Valley Chapter meets at Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor and the Southeastern Chapter

Indoor plants Are you in an apartment and have no room for outdoor gardening or are just passionate about indoor plants, as I am? There are many groups that fit the bill. There are two orchid societies in the area: The Ann Arbor Orchid Society meets at Matthaei Botanical Gardens (www. aaosonline.org), while the Michigan Orchid Society meets at the First Baptist Church of Birmingham (www.miorchids.com). Tillandsias are the rage in indoor plants and are in the colorful bromeliad family. Learn more about this family of plants at the Southeast Michigan Bromeliad Society (www.bromeliad.society.gardenwebs.net). Succulents are the other “hot” plant for both indoors and outdoors, and the Michigan Cactus and Succulent Society loves them! For more information, visit www. michigancactussociety.weebly.com and Facebook. And finally, the three clubs for one of my favorite plants, the African violet. The Michigan State African Violet Society meets at Matthaei Botanical Gardens twice a year, after their twice yearly show and sale. The Town and Country African Violet Club meets in a private home in the Bloomfield area and the Wayne Washtenaw African Violet Club meets at the Romulus Public Library. Information about all 3 of these groups can be found at www.avsa.org. As you can see, there are plenty of ways to keep your gardening passion alive throughout the year, even when the snow is piling up here in Michigan. There are many people out there with the same plant passion as you or maybe you can find a new gardening interest to try. Check out a few of these organizations this winter when you really need some garden therapy.

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 734-748-1241). Follow her on Facebook (Facebook.com/HouseplantGuru), Twitter (@houseplantguru), and Instagram (houseplantguru).

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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

how-to Get started with indoor worm composting Let’s just get this out of the way: worm composting does not smell bad. Actually it doesn’t smell like anything at all. Although it might take people a minute to accept the idea of inviting worms into their house, after a few weeks most people wonder why they ever thought it was strange in the first place. The practice of worm composting, also known as vermiculture or vermicomposting, is quite simple. Start with a pound or so of red wigglers (Eisenia fetida), which are available at some local garden stores, online, or from a fellow worm composter. Then, a Rubbermaid bin that has holes drilled for aeration, a small quantity of suitable composting material, and old newspaper. Place the worms in the bin with a small amount of wet newspaper, some food in the form of vegetable and fruit scraps or coffee grounds, and then cover with a layer of dry newspaper. From these humble beginnings, the worms begin to produce valuable worm castings that you can use in the garden or Brian with houseplants. Allnutt The species of worms known as red wigglers are especially adept at breaking down kitchen scraps quickly, much more so than common nightcrawlers. What they actually do is feed off the bacteria that break down the food added to the bin. For this reason it’s always good to add some worm castings from another bin when starting your own to get the bacteria party started. As the worms cycle through the mixture of food and bacteria, they will sometimes eat and digest the castings several times, breaking them down, stabilizing nutrients, and making ever-finer castings that can be added to the garden or used to topdress houseplants. However, it’s important to realize that a small worm bin can only process so much food waste. Otherwise the bin will become too moist, start to smell, and attract fruit flies. For most worm caretakers this means adding no more than a cup of food per week. Generally speaking, this should be fresh fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, and tea bags. Certain foods that have volatile oils like onions, hot peppers, and citrus fruits should be avoided because they can kill your worms. Also avoid putting cooked food, processed food, meat, and dairy in the bin. Manage moisture by adding thin strips of dry newspaper to the top of the pile. This keeps fruit flies from accessing the fresh food as well as wicking and regulating moisture. If the newspaper in the bin is wet,

Photos by Brian Allnutt

Making a worm bin is easy to do.

Add thin strips of newspaper to the top of the pile to manage moisture inside the worm bin.

add more; if the newspaper in the bin is dry, don’t add more.

It’s easy to build your worm bin What about the worm bin? Is it hard to construct? Do the worms need separate quarters and living accommodations? No. These are quite forgiving creatures and with a little thought they can be housed quite easily. Certain pre-fabricated worm bins are available and although these can be quite nice, a basic structure made from a storage bin works well. To build one, take a medium or large Rubbermaid bin (7 gallons or larger), drill a matrix of 1/4-inch holes in the top of the bin and on the sides (the top quarter or so of the two longest sides), then cover up these holes with pieces of window screen that can be ducttaped to the bin. The combination of the holes and the newspaper in the bin will keep the worms’ home nicely aerated and prevent any mold or unpleasant smells from developing.

Benefits and harvesting You may be thinking, why go to even this small amount of trouble to cultivate worms if they can’t process all of my kitchen waste and they produce something very much like what I get out of my outdoor compost pile? For starters, worm composting can be done all winter, providing at least a small amount of nutrients for houseplants during the coldest months. Also, worm compost and worm castings are distinct from other composts because they generally are very mild and

Worm composting can be done all winter, providing nutrients for houseplants during cold months. have a high quantity of living organisms and micronutrients that make them perfect food for houseplants. Some believe that the nutrients in this compost are also more available to plants immediately, possibly because they have been broken down so thoroughly. Many people use the worm castings to make a compost tea that they use to water houseplants. When it comes time to harvest worm castings, scoop your piles of worms and castings onto a dry surface, like a flattened cardboard box, and place it under a light or window. Making small mounds, the worms will move to the bottom of each pile away from the light

and the castings can be harvested from the top. This is also the way to harvest worms if you want to give some to a friend. This is slimy work, but most people come to enjoy it and it can be especially fun and educational for children. For these reasons, worm composting has become popular in classrooms because it’s easy to do in a small indoor space. But many adult worm composters find they enjoy a good science experiment as much as any child. Brian Allnutt is the store manager at Detroit Farm and Garden in Detroit, MI.

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Two-day sale featuring a selection of native plants grown onsite. Native plants attract pollinators and beneficial insects—making them great garden choices for our region.

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Fairy Garden “Make & Take” Workshop Sat, Sept 19, 11am-12pm: Come in and build a beautiful garden any fairy would be thrilled to call home. Workshop fee: $25. Class size is limited, please call for reservations.

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Join us for a pumpkin decorating party Sat, Oct 17, 11am-2pm. We’ll supply pumpkins & decorating supplies—you supply imagination and enthusiasm. The result: a charming, spooky, or hilarious jack-o-lantern to take home. Pumpkins & decorations are free. Limit 1 per person. Open to adults and supervised children ages 3+.

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Visit our website & Facebook page for details on these & other workshops.

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Precipitation July 2015

NORMAL Monthly 3.37 3.32 2.84

NORMAL Yr. to Date 19.43 17.38 17.86

Detroit Flint Lansing

Hosted by the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce 517-546-3920

Fraleigh’s Landscape Nursery.......10 The Garden Mill...................................16 Garden Rhythms.................................10 A Garden Space...................................15 Haley Stone Supply............................13 Hidden Lake Gardens........................19 Howell Farmer’s Market..................16 Iron Barn Iron Work............................17 Matthaei Botanical Gardens..........15 Mich. Nursery/Landscp Assoc....21 Milarch Nursery.....................................6 Mulligan’s Garden Ctr.......................15 Natural Community Services........16 Oakland Cty Market..........................15 Orion Stone Depot..............................10 Piechnik’s Greenhouse.......................7

Plymouth Nursery.................................9 Schuman Landscape Lighting.......13 Shades of Green Nursery................13 Specialty Growers.................................5 State Crushing........................................9 Steinkopf Nursry..... Inside Front Cvr Stone Cottage Gardens....................17 Telly’s Greenhouse...............................4 Tropical Treasures................................8 Turner’s Landscp & Gard Ctr..........11 Tuthill Farms & Composting..........16 Uncle Luke’s Feed Store....................19 Van Atta’s Greenhouse......................5 The Weed Lady......................................5 Westcroft Gardens..............................11 Wojo’s.......................................................21

ACTUAL Monthly 1.76 2.94 2.39

July 2014 DEVIATION from Normal -1.61 -0.38 -0.45

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

Advertiser Index Abbott’s Landscape Nursery........17 Aguafina Gardens International....11 Assoc. of Prof. Gardeners...............17 Auburn Oaks Gard Ctr.......................11 Barson’s Greenhouse........................12 Beauchamp Lawn & Landscape........Inside Front Cover Bloom! Garden Ctr................................5 Blossoms.................................................13 Bogie Lake Greenhouses...................7 Bonide......................Inside Back Cover Detroit Garden Works........................8 Downtown Home & Garden..........15 Eckert’s Greenhouse............................6 English Gardens..........................Page 3 The Flower Market.............................15

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ACTUAL Yr. to Date 18.82 16.52 19.51

NORMAL

Monthly 3.37 3.32 2.84

ACTUAL Monthly 2.43 5.76 4.86

DEVIATION from Normal -0.94 2.44 2.02

2014 Year to Date: Jan 1 - July 31

DEVIATION from Normal -0.61 -0.86 1.65

NORMAL

Yr. to Date 19.43 17.38 17.86

ACTUAL Yr. to Date 21.10 23.17 22.47

DEVIATION from Normal -0.5 1.4 -1.1 DEVIATION from Normal -0.7 0.7 1.0

ORMAL N Avg. High 83.4 82.0 82.1 NORMAL Avg. Low 63.6 59.1 58.4

ACTUAL Avg. High 79.9 79.1 77.3 ACTUAL Avg. Low 59.9 57.5 57.0

DEVIATION from Normal 1.67 5.79 4.61

Temperature July 2015 Detroit Flint Lansing Detroit Flint Lansing

NORMAL Avg. High 83.4 82.0 82.1 NORMAL Avg. Low 63.6 59.1 58.4

ACTUAL Avg. High 82.9 83.4 81.0 ACTUAL Avg. Low 62.9 59.8 59.4

Data courtesy National Weather Service

July 2014 DEVIATION from Normal -3.5 -2.9 -4.8 DEVIATION from Normal -3.7 -1.6 -1.4

MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2015 | Michigan Gardener

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September / October / November

6823 N. Lapeer Rd. (M-24) 12 mi. N. of Lapeer Open Sat & Sun 9-4 • Appointments welcome

810-358-0010 • theironbarn.com September Livonia Garden Club Welcome Back Meeting Tue, Sep 1, 6pm, Livonia. By Livonia Garden Club at Livonia Senior Ctr. Guests welcome. Potluck & 2 member presentations including “Chair Yoga for Gardeners”. lgcpresident@yahoo.com. H Cranbrook House & Gardens Tours Thursdays to Sundays through Oct, Bloomfield Hills. At Cranbrook House & Gardens. Gardens FREE. House tours available for addt’l charge. 248-645-3149. HouseGardens.Cranbrook.edu. Build Soil Quality Seminar Thu, Sep 3, 4-7pm, St Clair. By MSU Extension at Schweihofer Farms. Learn about using commercially available yard waste compost in crop production. Register: 810-667-0341. Fall Rose Show Sat, Sep 5, & Sun, Sep 6, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. Displays, experts on hand to answer questions & judged show. 616-957-1580, www.meijergardens.org. H Fall Lawn Care Sat, Sep 5, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. Tips on keeping your lawn healthy through the winter. FREE. 313-278-4433. www.EnglishGardens.com. Annual Dahlia Show Sun, Sep 6, Ann Arbor. By Michigan Dahlia Association at Washtenaw Community College. Annual Dahlia show in conjunction with Midwest show. 734-429-5796. Ikebana: Japanese Floral Art Workshops Wed, Sep 9, 10am-2pm, Southfield. By Ikebana International Chapter 85 at Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church. Explore Ikebana & other Japanese cultural arts. 248-684-2460. Tools & Sanitation Workshop Thu, Sep 10, 5:30-7pm, Flint. At Edible Flint Demonstration Garden. $5. Discuss the necessity of cleaning your garden tools often & disposing of diseased plants. Register: 810-244-8527. H Insect & Disease Activity in Metro Detroit Thu, Sep 10, 4-7pm, Troy. By the Association of Professional Gardeners at Troy Community Ctr. Includes a tour of the Troy community center gardens & presentation on plant health care. www.associationofprofessionalgardeners.org. Ferndale Garden Club Meeting Thu, Sep 10, 7pm, Ferndale. By Ferndale Garden Club at Kulick Community Ctr. Presentation on “Outstanding Perennials” by Heather Glenday from Bordines. 248-5416427. H Pond Construction Sat, Sep 12, 1-3pm, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Optional hands-on experience building an 11’ x 16’ pond with stream, waterfall & bog. Register: www.PondPlace.com.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT PUBLIC GARDENS, please visit MichiganGardener.com. Click on "Resources" then "Public Gardens." H Family Nature Hike Sat, Sep 12, 10:30am, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $5. Enjoy a family-friendly hike on Hidden Lake Garden’s many rolling & wooded trails. Register: hiddenlakegardens.msu. edu. H Design a Fall Faerie House Sat, Sep 12, 10am-12:30pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. Celebrate the magic of nature with a delightful nature-inspired home for your faeries! www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com. Exotic Plant Sale Sat, Sep 12, & Sun, Sep 13. Ann Arbor. At Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Cactus, succulents & bromeliads from seedlings to mature plants. Growing supplies, books, art prints & lectures. 248-380-7359.

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! Our services include: Pick-up, delivery, installation, design & consultation

Stone Cottage Gardens Huge selection of daylilies, hostas, ferns, perennials, grasses, vines, herbs, groundcovers & gardening tools ~ Garden art & accessories ~ Going “Up North” for the weekend? Check the Michigan Gardener calendar or our website for special events Open May 3 - Oct. 11 Mon-Fri 10-6 Sat 9-4 or by chance or appointment

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

Nursery & Garden Center 2781 Scio Church • Ann Arbor

734-665-TREE (8733) IMPROVE YOUR WORLD WITH HELP FROM OUR KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF

H Pond & Waterfall Design Sat, Sep 12, 10am-Noon, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Workshop will address the key issues associated with designing & building your own pond. Register: www. PondPlace.com. H Fall Container Gardening Sat, Sep 12, 10am, Troy & Pontiac, 12noon, Shelby. At Telly’s. $5 + materials. www.tellys.com, 248-689-8735. Daylily Event Sat, Sep 12, Midland. By Central Michigan Daylily Society at Midland Farmer’s Market. Locally grown named daylilies for sale (not ditch lilies) in all forms. http://www. daylilies.me. H Second Saturday Sunrise Series Sat, Sep 12, 15 Minutes before sunrise, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $10. Share 755 acres before the day begins. Limited space. Register: 517-431-2060. H Sunflower Garden Pole Sat, Sep 12, 10am-12:30pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. All of the supplies you need to create your very own garden pole. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com. Cranbrook & Friends Garden Walk Sat, Sep 12, 10am-4pm, Bloomfield Hills. At Cranbrook House & Gardens & 4 private gardens. Learn how to store cannas & dahlias. 248-645-3149, houseandgardens@ cranbrook.edu. continued on next page

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

Insect & Disease Activity in Metro Detroit

Presented by Gary Eichen,Plant Health Care/Bio-Turf Lawn Mgr at Mike’s Tree Surgeons

Thurs, Sept 10, 4-7pm Troy Community Center (3179 Livernois, Troy, 48083) In the first half of the meeting, Gary will conduct a tour of the Troy Community Center gardens, identifying a variety of insect and disease problems. Following the outdoor tour, Gary will offer a presentation on the plant health care issues we are facing this season. Please note: This meeting is for APG members only. Please visit our website for membership information!

THE YEAR IN REVIEW: Thursday, November 5, 2015, 6:30-9pm

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

Deadline

November/December 2015 October 15, 2015 April 2016 March 15, 2016

Join us for this open forum where we share what we learned over the past growing season. This informative meeting takes place at the Spicer House in Farm. Hills. Please note: This meeting is for APG members only. Please visit our web site for information on joining the APG!

Check our website for an exciting announcement about our March 2016 conference! Please contact us for more information about our substantive lectures and programs, as well as membership. Web: www.associationofprofessionalgardeners.org Email: suegrubba@sbcglobal.net Phone: Sue Grubba at 248-375-9233

Michigan Gardener | September/October 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

Look for Allen Park • Ace Hardware

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

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

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

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

continued from previous page Harvest Home & Garden Luncheon Sat, Sep 12, Hanover. By Hanover Horton Area Historical Society at Heritage Event Center. $30. Silent auction, bake sale, craft booths, raffles, & more! dmwhite@frontiernet. net. Extending & Closing Down your Garden Sat, Sep 12, 10am-Noon, Ann Arbor. By Project Grow at Leslie Science & Nature Ctr. Learn methods for extending your growing season. http://bit.ly/1KbRrpG. H Fairy Gardening Presentation & Workshop Sat, Sep 12, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. FREE. 11:30am Workshop, $29.99. Learn what’s involved to create a garden designed to attract magical fairies. 313278-4433. www.EnglishGardens.com. Royal Oak Garden Club Meeting Mon, Sep 14, 7pm, Royal Oak. By RO Garden Club at RO Public Library. FREE. Bob Muller speaks on “Red Run, Ghost River of Royal Oak”. 248-398-4996. “Living Walls” Class Mon, Sep 14, 6:30-8pm, Novi. By Gardeners of Northville & Novi at Novi High School. $5. Learn to create spectacular upright “Living Walls” with James Rizzo of Bright Green, USA. Helping Birds Through Winter Thu, Sep 17, 6:30-8:30pm, Macomb. By Macomb Co. Master Gardeners at MSU Extension Assembly Room. $5. Learn how to make life a little easier for feathered friends. 586-954-9998. H Wine & Design: Fall Door Hanging Thu, Sep 17, 6:30-7:30pm, Haslett. At Van Atta’s. $30. Bring your own beer or wine & we’ll provide everything you’ll need to create a beautiful take-home project. Register: 517-339-1142. Chrysanthemums & More! Fri, Sep 18, Through Nov 1, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. 100’s of flowering plants. Color tours, tram rides & children’s activities are available. 616-957-1580, www.meijergardens.org. H Fairy Garden Make & Take Workshop Sat, Sep 19, 11am-Noon, Chelsea. At the Garden Mill. $25. Build a beautiful garden any fairy would be thrilled to call home. Register: 734-475-3539. H Hydrangea Wreath Sat, Sep 19, 10am-11:30am, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. Fashion a simple, elegant or elegantly simple 18” hydrangea wreath. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com. H Landscape Design Workshop Sat, Sep 19, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. FREE. We provide the supplies & suggestions you need to plot an area & create a successful design. 313-278-4433. www. EnglishGardens.com. H Algae & Weed Control for Large Earthen Bottom Ponds Sat, Sep 19, Noon-1pm, Milford. At The Pond Place. FREE. Workshop will focus on the methods of controlling algae in small lakes & large ponds. Register: www.PondPlace.com. H Fall Blooming Perennials Sat, Sep 19, 10am, Troy, & 12noon, Pontiac. At Telly’s. $5. Register: www.tellys.com. Herb & Gourd Show Sat, Sep 19, Sat-Sun, Grand Rapids. By Midwest Herb Association at Frederik Meijer Gardens. Discover a variety of ways to use herbs & gourds. 616-957-1580, www. meijergardens.org. Dahlia Hill Society Autumn Equinox Sun, Sep 20, 2pm-4pm, Midland. By Dahlia Hill Society of Midland at 2809 Orchard Dr. FREE. View thousands of dahlias, enjoy free cider & donuts, music & studio tours. 989-631-0100.

Tea: The Last Rose of Summer Sun, Sep 20, 1-3pm, Taylor. At Taylor Conservatory & Botanical Garden. $35/adult, $25/children 12 & under. Join us in your finest attire as we say goodbye to summer. 888-383-4108. H The Art of Bonsai Sun, Sep 20, 10am-4pm, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. Bonsai show & art inspired by bonsai. Displays, art exhibits, bonsai supplies and lecture. 517-431-2060. H Compost Sun, Sep 20, 1-3pm, Detroit. At Detroit Farm & Garden. FREE. We will cover different composting methods, materials for composting & ways to manage your pile. 313-655-2344. H Intro to Foraging Wed, Sep 23, 6:30pm, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. FREE. Consider the practicality of learning to forage & discuss nutrition as it relates to a foraged diet. Register: 517-431-2060. Understanding & Amending Soil Workshop Thu, Sep 24, 5:30-7pm, Flint. At Edible Flint Demonstration Garden. $5. Learn about the science of soil & how to test for contaminants. Register: 810-244-8527. H Halloween Hayrides Fri, Sep 25, Through Oct 25, plus Oct 28, 29, & 30, Grosse Ile. At Westcroft Gardens. $10/person. Family friendly hayride through 13 acres. 734-676-2444. Yardeners Fall Plant Exchange Sat, Sep 26, 9-11am, St. Clair Shores. By The Yardeners at St. Clair Shores Public Library. FREE. Bag, tag & drag your garden extras & have fun with other gardeners. H Witch Gourd Sat, Sep 26, 10am-12noon, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. Create a whimsical witch head made from a gourd. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com. H Ornamental Grass Sat, Sep 26, 10am, Troy & 12noon, Pontiac. At Telly’s. $5. Register: www.tellys.com. H Kid’s Workshop: Plant a Spring Bulb Garden Sat, Sep 26, 11:30am, all locations. At English Gardens. $5. Plant a bulb garden, then take it home & watch it bloom. 313-278-4433. www.EnglishGardens.com. H Gardens Gone Wild! Native Perennials for your Garden Sat, Sep 26, 1pm, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $20/ person. Learn about native perennials & how to incorporate them into your landscape. Register: 517-431-2060. H Planting Spring Flowering Bulbs Sat, Sep 26, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. FREE. An overview of different bulbs & tips on proper planting techniques & care. 313-278-4433. www.EnglishGardens. com. H Seasonal Interest in the Garden Sat, Sep 26, 10:30am, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. $20/person. Learn to increase seasonal interest in your garden. Register: 517-431-2060. Hosta/Virus X Presentation Mon, Sep 28, 7pm, Birmingham. By Metro Detroit Hosta Society at First United Methodist Church. Presented by Chris Wilson from Hallson Gardens. Hgold2843@ comcast.net. H Farm to Table Autumn Supper Series: 1 Wed, Sep 30, 6-7:30pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. Celebrate the beautiful bounty of autumn with an exciting Italian garden harvest supper. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com. Master Composter Program Begins Wed, Sep 30, 7 week course, Wed, 6-8:30pm, Ann Arbor. By Project Grow at Pioneer High School (most meetings). $49. 734-994-2300.

MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2015 | Michigan Gardener

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

THE ART OF BONSAI BONSAI SHOW & ART INSPIRED BY BONSAI

Sunday, September 20, 10am-4pm Displays • Art Exhibits Bonsai supplies • Lecture

October African Violets & Other Gesneriads Sat, Oct 3, 11:30am, Ann Arbor. By Michigan State African Violet Society at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. FREE. Display, seminar & hands-on workshop. lynnallen0413@ comcast.net. H Miniature Gardening Workshop Sat, Oct 3, 10am, Pontiac & Troy. At Telly’s. $5, plus cost of materials. www.tellys.com. H Native Plant Sale Sat, Oct 3, & Sun, Oct 4, 10am-4:30pm, Ann Arbor. At Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Native plants attract pollinators & beneficial insects. FREE admission. mbgna.umich.edu. H Fall Decorating Tips Sat, Oct 3, 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. FREE. We’ll provide some great ideas to add seasonal flair to your home & garden. www.EnglishGardens.com. H Pond Winterization Sat, Oct 3, 10-11am, Milford. At The Pond Place. Learn to perform a fall pond clean-out, & winterize your pond, plants & fish. www.PondPlace.com. H Fall Foliage Festival Sat, Oct 3, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens. Glorious fall color throughout 755 acres. 517-431-2060. Fall into Spring Educational Conference Sat, Oct 3, 8am-4pm, Flint. By MGAGCM at Mott Community College Events Center. Garden talks all day. http:// fallintospring.weebly.com. Fall Bonsai Show Sat, Oct 3, & Sun, Oct 4, Grand Rapids. By West Michigan Bonsai Club at Frederik Meijer Gardens. Demos & displays. Shop for tools, pots, wire & trees. 616-957-1580, www.meijergardens.org. H Van Atta’s Customer Appreciation Day Sun, Oct 4, Haslett. At Van Atta’s. Food & fun included. 517-339-1142. Ferndale Garden Club Meeting Thu, Oct 8, 7pm, Ferndale. By Ferndale Garden Club at Kulick Community Ctr. “Fall Migration Facts & Preparing Your Yard for Over-Wintering Birds” by LuAnn Linker. 248-541-6427. H How to Build a Terrarium Sat, Oct 10, 10am. At all English Gardens locations. We’ll give you a step-by-step demonstration on making a terrarium & provide tips on care. www.EnglishGardens.com. H Make It & Take It Workshop: Terrarium Sat, Oct 10, 11:30am. At all English Gardens locations. $24.99. We provide everything to make a terrarium garden to take home. www.EnglishGardens.com. H Overwintering Bulbs & Tender Perennials Sat, Oct 10, 10am, Troy. At Telly’s Greenhouse. $5. www. tellys.com. Register: 248-689-8735. H Pond Winterization Sat, Oct 10, 10-11am, Milford. At The Pond Place. Learn to perform a fall pond clean-out, & winterize your pond, plants & fish. www.PondPlace.com. Royal Oak Garden Club Meeting Mon, Oct 12, 7pm, Royal Oak. By RO Garden Club at RO Public Library. FREE. Julia Hofley will give her talk “Fall Finalé in the Garden”. 248-398-4996. Pruning: Learn It Before You Get Snippy Wed, Oct 14, 6:30-8:30pm, Macomb. By Macomb Co. Master Gardeners at MSU Extension Assembly Room. $5. Discover the best time & methods for pruning. 586954-9998. Ikebana: Japanese Floral Art Workshops Wed, Oct 14, 10am-2pm, Southfield. By Ikebana International Chapter 85 at Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church. Explore Ikebana & other Japanese cultural arts. 248-684-2460.

H Wine & Design: Welcoming Wall Cone with Gourds Thu, Oct 15, 6:30-7:30pm, Haslett. At Van Atta’s. $30. Bring your own beer or wine & we’ll provide everything you’ll need to create a beautiful take-home project. Register: 517-339-1142. Exploring Season Extension Workshop Thu, Oct 15, 5:30-7pm, Flint. At Edible Flint Demonstration Garden. $5. Get the most out of your space by extending the growing season. Register: 810-244-8527. H Pond Winterization Sat, Oct 17, 10-11am, Milford. At The Pond Place. Learn to perform a fall pond clean-out, & winterize your pond, plants & fish. www.PondPlace.com. H Pumpkin Day at The Garden Mill Sat, Oct 17, 11am-2pm, Chelsea. At the Garden Mill. Join us for pumpkin decorating. We’ll supply pumpkins & decorations. Adults & supervised children 3+. 734-475-3539. H Pumpkin & Gourd Art Workshop Sat, Oct 17, 10am, Troy & Pontiac. At Telly’s. $5, plus cost of materials. Register: www.tellys.com. H Tips on Dividing & Transplanting Sat, Oct 17, 10am. At all English Gardens locations. FREE. Fall is a great time to rejuvenate the garden by dividing perennials & pruning plants. www.EnglishGardens.com. H Fall Clean Up Sun, Oct 18, 1-3pm, Detroit. At Detroit Farm & Garden. FREE. Come learn from the pros how to put your garden to rest for winter. 313-655-2344. Mum Day Sun, Oct 18, 1-4pm, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. Walking tours lead by the horticulture staff & demos. 616-957-1580, www.meijergardens.org. Bees & Pollinators Mon, Oct 19, 7-8:30pm, St. Clair Shores. By The Yardeners at St. Clair Shores Public Library. FREE. Learn about the evolutionary link between flowers & their pollinators & more. H Little Pot of Horrors Sat, Oct 24, 11:30am, all locations. At English Gardens. $20. Create a one-of-a-kind Halloween decoration filled with insect-eating plants. 313-278-4433. www.EnglishGardens.com. H Putting Your Gardens to Bed Sat, Oct 24, 10am. At all English Gardens locations. FREE. We’ll tell you what needs to be done this fall so you’ll be off to a blooming start in the spring. www.EnglishGardens.com. H Succulent Container Garden Workshop Sun, Oct 25, 10am, Troy & Pontiac. At Telly’s. $5. Register: www.tellys.com.

November

FALL FOLIAGE FESTIVAL

Saturday, October 3, 11am-3pm

October is fall foliage month at Hidden Lake Gardens. Come see our stunning display of fall colors!

755 Acres of Gardens and Natural Areas Flower Gardens • Plant Conservatory • Hosta Hillside • Dwarf Conifers Picnic Area • Lake • Hiking Trails • Weddings and Tours by appointment 6214 Monroe Rd. (M-50) in Tipton • 8 Miles W. of Tecumseh

517-431-2060 • hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu • OPEN DAILY

. k o o Don’t L

s. stomer u c l ia t ten ,000 po 0 7 l il w so ed. And k o lo u o Oops, y

Advertise in

248-594-5563 / publisher@MichiganGardener.com

Uncle Luke’s We have fresh, local produce though October! Beautiful fall-blooming mums t Seasoned firewood bundles t LARGE selection of BIRD FEED & feeding equipment t Deer feed AND deer repellents t Complete pet & animal food lines: Taste of the Wild • NutriSource Canidae • Solid Gold • Iams • Wysong • Lotus • California Natural Wellness • Eukanuba • Chicken Soup • Natural Balance • Fromm t t

H The Year in Review Thu, Nov 5, 6:30-9pm, Farmington Hills. By the Association of Professional Gardeners at Spicer House. Open forum where we share what we learned over the growing season. www.associationofprofessionalgardeners.org. H Wine & Design: Thanksgiving Décor Design Thu, Nov 12, 6:30-7:30pm, Haslett. At Van Atta’s. $30. Bring your own beer or wine & we’ll provide everything you’ll need to create a beautiful take-home project. Register: 517-339-1142. Ferndale Garden Club Meeting Thu, Nov 12, 7pm, Ferndale. By Ferndale Garden Club at Kulick Community Ctr. Silent Auction with Lea Olson as Auctioneer. 248-541-6427. H Wine & Design: Thanksgiving Décor Design Sat, Nov 14, 6:30-7:30pm, Haslett. At Van Atta’s. $30. Bring your own beer or wine & we’ll provide what you’ll need for a beautiful take-home project. Register: 517-339-1142.

BEST SELECTION of ORGANIC fertilizers and soil amendments in Southeastern Michigan

H Holiday Open House Sat, Nov 21, Sat-Sun, Haslett. At Van Atta’s. Music, food & sales to kick off the holiday season. 517-339-1142.

Visit our 2nd location in Flushing: Flushing Lawn & Garden • 810-659-6241

Featuring organic fertilizers & soil amendments FALL is an EXCELLENT time to fertilize your lawn, perennials, trees & shrubs

Halloween & Fall Decorations Pumpkins • Indian corn • Gourds • Straw • Corn stalks • Mums

UNCLE LUKE’S FEED STORE

6691 Livernois, Troy • (1/4 Mile S. of South Blvd.) • 248-879-9147 www.unclelukes.com • Mon-Fri 9-6:30 • Sat 8-6 • Sun 9-5

through the lens Photographs from Michigan gardeners at home and traveling

Heidi Reuss-Lamky captured this great combination of foliage featuring a Prairie Fire dogwood.

Dill captured from above by Sue Madonia.

A Call For Photos! 1. E-mail us 1 or 2 of your best garden photos. Be sure to send us the full-resolution file. 2. Tell us where the photo was taken. 3. Include a one-sentence caption describing the scene and the plants. We are looking for photos of your own garden, public gardens, and plant close-ups. E-mail them to: photos@MichiganGardener.com. If your photo is published, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll award you with a free one-year subscription to Michigan Gardener.

A white iris right after a light rain photographed by Bonnie Nowakowski.

Dahlia shot in J Czerwinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s garden.

MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2015 | Michigan Gardener

WOJO-GROWN MUMS ARE THE BEST! The Nonstop Color Garden: Design Flowering Landscapes & Gardens for Year-Round Enjoyment by Nellie Neal

Ask any gardener and they will tell you color is the most important part of garden design. The Nonstop Color Garden (Cool Springs Press, 192 pages, $24.99) shows how to use color as an exciting element in your garden during all four seasons. Year-round color is possible by including trees, shrubs, and groundcovers that produce colorful berries and bark, as well as flowers during spring and summer. Even the shapes of plants can enhance your garden by providing all-season architectural interest. The book is great for the more experienced gardener, but even an engaged novice will find much to learn about the best plants for nonstop color, garden structure, and design. The author presents several strategies for crafting a cohesive yet un-stylized landscape. By using the juxtaposition of opposites in texture, size, shape and color, readers will be able to create impressive pairings.

Daffodils in American Gardens, 1733-1940 by Sara L. Van Beck

Since their earliest identification in the mid-1500s, more than 28,000 hybrid daffodils have been named and registered! Daffodils began as wildflowers in the Mediterranean basin, then spread and flourished in Europe’s alpine and coastal environments. In Daffodils in American Gardens, 1733-1940 (University of South Carolina Press, 360 pages, $44.95), the author, a historian and horticulturist, traces the history of the garden daffodil, including its early days in Europe, especially the Netherlands; the importation of flowering bulbs to colonial America; and plant breeding and the dissemination of plants throughout the United States until World War II. Illustrated with nearly 200 images, the book examines gardening by era. The author combines archaeology and plant science to discover and re-create important gardens in the United States. Combining research from rare nursery catalogs and seed lists, she integrates old and new botany. This thorough work is geared toward general gardeners interested in heirloom plants and historic gardens.

Digging Deep: Unearthing Your Creative Roots Through Gardening by Fran Sorin

If you’re yearning to get out and cultivate more meaning and connection in life, Digging Deep (Braided Worlds Publishing, 209 pages, $14.95) offers the encouragement and tools to make it happen. Author and garden expert Fran Sorin shares tips, exercises, and resources in her instructive and inspirational book. Now in its 10th Anniversary edition, this guide is still relevant in today’s technology-obsessed and increasingly nature-deprived culture. From Sorin, you’ll learn how to bloom right along with your garden and use gardening as a conduit for experiencing creativity as a rich and dynamic lifetime journey. The 7 Stages of Creative Awakening will take you through the steps of removing self-doubt and replacing it with strategies that will help you trust your instincts as you envision and design the garden of your dreams. Reclaim your playfulness and live the life you’re meant to—one filled with creativity, joy, and well-being.

We also have Pansies, Asters, Cabbage & Kale!

ORTONVILLE 2570 Oakwood Rd. Ortonville, MI 48462 248-627-6498 3 Mi E. of M-15 at Hadley Rd.

DAVISON 7360 E. Court St. Davison, MI 48423 810-658-9221 Exit #143 off I-69 at Irish Rd.

LAKE ORION 559 S. Lapeer Rd. Lake Orion, MI 48362 248-690-7435 3/4 Mile N. of Clarkston Rd.

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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

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

Columbiaville, Davison

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

North Branch

Lapeer

Emmett

Flushing Lennon

Port Huron

Hadley Dryden

Grand Blanc

Flint

Bancroft, Owosso

Lakeport

Imlay City

Metamora

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

Almont

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

Fenton

Oxford

Ortonville

fenton

Addison Twp.

Gerych’s Flowers/Gift

Orion

Hartland

Holly White Lake Waterford

White Lake Highland

Rochester

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

Commerce

Milford

New Hudson South Lyon

Whitmore Lake

Novi Northville

Bloomfield Hills Birmingham

West Bloomfield

Farmington Hills Farmington

Ann Arbor

Dearborn Dearborn Wayne Heights Taylor

Belleville Saline New Boston Tipton

Tecumseh

Brownstown Twp.

Eastpointe

Grosse Pointes

Southgate Trenton Grosse Ile

La Salle, Monroe

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

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

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

H Denotes MG Advertiser almont American Tree

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

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

bancroft Grand Oak Herb Farm

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

belleville Banotai Greenhse Gardeners Choice H Pinter Flowerland H Zywicki Greenhse

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

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

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

cement city Hallson Gardens

chelsea

bloomfield hills

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

Backyard Birds

The Potting Shed

birmingham

chesterfield

berkley Garden Central

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

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

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

burton

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

flushing

Sterling Hts.

Detroit

Romulus

Masserant’s Feed Store

Clinton Twp.

Southfield Oak Park Ferndale

Ypsilanti

flat rock

Troy

Westland Canton

Casual Modes Home/Gard

New Baltimore

Utica

Livonia Redford

Dexter

Manchester

ferndale

Macomb

St. Clair Berkley Roseville Shores Madison Royal Oak Heights Warren

Plymouth

Cement City, Chelsea, Grass Lake, Jackson, Stockbridge

Shelby Twp.

Auburn Hills

Walled Lake Wixom Brighton

Rochester Hills

Pontiac Sylvan Lake

Howell

Washington

Oakland

Clarkston

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

Ray

columbiaville Hilltop Barn

commerce twp Zoner’s Greenhse

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

dearborn Fairlane Gardens

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

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

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

clarkston

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

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

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

Van Thomme’s Greenhses

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

fowlerville H Arrowhead Alpines

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

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

imlay city H Earthly Arts Greenhse

jackson The Hobbit Place

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

lapeer H The Iron Barn

lasalle Fowler’s Gift Shop

lennon Krupps Novelty Shop

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

grand blanc

macomb

Bordine’s

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

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

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

manchester McLennan Nurs

grosse ile

mason

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

Wildtype Nurs

grosse pointe

Milford Gardens H The Pond Place

Allemon’s Landscp Ctr Meldrum & Smith Nurs

grosse pointe woods H Wild Birds Unltd

hadley

metamora Gilling’s Nurs

milford monroe H The Flower Market

new baltimore H Meldrum Bros Nurs

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

new boston

hartland

new hudson

Deneweth’s Garden Ctr

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

Christian’s Greenhse H Van Atta’s Greenhse

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

highland

north branch

haslett

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

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

MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2015 | Michigan Gardener

northville

rochester

shelby twp

tecumseh

Begonia Brothers Gardenviews H Willow Greenhouses

Fogler’s Greenhse Sherwood Forest Gard Ctr

Diegel Greenhses H Hessell’s Greenhse Maeder Plant Farm Potteryland

Mitchell’s Lawn/Landscp

novi Glenda’s Gard Ctr H Wild Birds Unltd

oak park Four Seasons Gard Ctr

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

ortonville

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

Country Oaks Landscp II

romulus

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

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

owosso H Everlastings in Wildwood

oxford Candy Cane Xmas Trees Oxford Farm/Gard

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

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

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

roseville Dale’s Landscp Supp World Gardenland

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

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

saline

ray Van’s Valley Greenhse

redford H Pinter Flowerland Seven Mi Gard Ctr

H Nature’s Garden Ctr H Saline Flowerland

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

south lyon

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

trenton Carefree Lawn Ctr

west bloomfield

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

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

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

southfield

utica

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

southgate H Ray Hunter Gard Ctr

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

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

Dale’s Landscp Supp Stonescape Supp

walled lake H Suburban Landscp Supp

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

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

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

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

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

whitmore lake

waterford

H Alexander’s Greenhses

Breen’s Landscp Supp Hoffman Nurs H Merrittscape

williamston

stockbridge Gee Farms

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

Christian’s Greenhse

wixom

Brainer’s Greenhse Milford Tree Farm

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

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

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

Gardens to Visit

flint

ann arbor

grand rapids

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

Applewood Frederik Meijer Gardens

grosse pointe shores Edsel & Eleanor Ford Hse

lansing

bloomfield hills

Cooley Gardens

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

midland Dahlia Hill Dow Gardens

clinton township

Tollgate Education Ctr

novi

Tomlinson Arboretum

royal oak

dearborn

Detroit Zoo

Arjay Miller Arboretum at Ford World HQ Henry Ford Estate

detroit Anna S Whitcomb Conservtry

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

dryden Seven Ponds Nature Ctr

Angelo’s Landscp Supp

Classified Ads

H Detroit Garden Works

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

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NEED A HAND? Call “The little gardener that could.” 15 yrs experience at Botanical Gardens. FREE Estimates. Pat: 586-214-9852, agardenspace.com. POISON IVY – We get rid of it! That’s all we do. Call us—we are experts at identifying and removing poison ivy from your property, from single homes to large parks. Licensed and Insured. Poison Ivy Control of Michigan. Call Toll-Free 844-IVY-GONE (489-4663). www. poisonivycontrolofmichigan.com. FRUSTRATED BY ALL THE TECHNOLOGY in your life? Barrett Computer Strategies helps folks just like you. Since 1986. Computer, smartphone, TV, tablet, WiFi network. I can analyze your needs, set-up, train & support you. Put an end to your technology hassles—Email or call Dave Barrett: coachbarrett4@gmail.com or 248-770-4541. DON’T LOOK. Oops, you looked. And so will 70,000 potential customers. Advertise in Michigan Gardener. Call 248-594-5563 or e-mail publisher@MichiganGardener.com.

MICHIGAN GARDENER E-NEWSLETTER Sign up for our free e-newsletter! We send out a few each year, and there are contests to win prizes as well. Go to www.MichiganGardener. com and simply enter your e-mail address. GARDEN SPEAKER AVAILABLE for your club or group. Well-traveled garden writer does garden presentations & travelogues. Experienced to present at Garden Ctr open houses & conferences. For presentation list, biography, fee & references, contact Julia Hofley at Julia@juliasbiglife.com. 248-4972674. Find me on Facebook. DO YOU ENJOY SCRAPBOOKING? Then pick up a copy of Michigan Scrapbooker magazine. It’s free! Visit MichiganScrapbooker.com for more info and to sign up for the free Michigan Scrapbooker e-newsletter. ADVERTISING SALES REP – Michigan Gardener has a part-time opportunity available. Advertising sales experience is preferred. Please forward your resume to: publisher@ MichiganGardener.com.

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Michigan Gardener | September/October 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

Attracting wild birds to your garden Use plants and easy, homemade treats Attracting and feeding wild birds is enCrabapple (Malus). These small trees have joyed by at least half of the U.S. population. wonderful small fruits that stay on the trees There are plenty of trees, shrubs and perenall winter long. nials that Michigan gardeners can plant to Conifers. These cone-producing trees are ensure the birds have a habitat in which to great for cover and nesting sites. A couple exthrive. Going organic and using no chemical amples include Eastern red cedar (Juniperus) sprays ensures that the birds living in your with berry-like cones on the female trees, and yard habitat will not have to fear getting poispruces with their rich tan cones. soned. Many birds are natural insect eaters Vines and will consume hundreds of bugs, grubs, Wild grape (Vitis) and Virginia creeper mosquitoes, flies and worms from your gar(Parthenocissus quinquefolia). Both have exdens, if they are supplied with a welcome cellent fruit that is eaten by over 50 species of home. birds. You need a fence line or structure for Young people with an introduction to wild these to grow on. birds will gain a lifelong appreciation, and all of us will understand wild creatures and Shrubs nature so much better by Northern bayberry observing and practicing (Myrica pensylvanica). Fragood gardening and feeding grant, waxy berries that stay schedules. on the plant year-round. Planting trees and shrubs Staghorn sumac (Rhus is an excellent way of attyphina). Brilliant red foliage tracting many bird species and hairy red fruits. to your yard. Having trees, Michigan holly (Ilex shrubs and perennials of verticillata). Scarlet red fall differing heights produces Jean & Roxanne fruit that is loved by many a good habitat. Try for naRiggs birds throughout the winter tive trees and shrubs versus and especially in the spring exotic varieties. The followwhen food is in short supply. ing are a few types that we and the birds have Wild roses. We regularly see bluebirds grown and loved. eating both rose hips and holly berries during Trees nasty weather in the springtime when they Mulberry (Morus). A deciduous tree that return and have little to eat. has lots of summer fruit. A medium-sized Annuals and perennials tree 30 to 60 feet tall, it is messy because of The birds will love you to grow annual the dark red berries it produces in abundance. sunflowers. We planted handfuls of black So it should not be planted near buildings, oiler and striped sunflowersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;right from the fish ponds, driveways, or sidewalks. Our tree food bag for our feedersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;in rows or groups has attracted robins, waxwings, cardinals, inaround the garden area. In the fall, acrobatic digo buntings, bluebirds, scarlet tanagers, and goldfinches play all day in them. many other songbirds. Coneflowers have plenty of dark seed Serviceberry (Amelanchier). This deciduheads in the fall and wintertime for birds to ous tree grows 15 to 25 feet tall and produces snack on. They also love annual millet, oats, masses of white or pink flowers in the spring and perennial ornamental grasses. Hummingthat change to red berries in the summer. It birds are attracted to flowering annuals and attracts robins, waxwings, cardinals, vireos, perennials such as salvia, trumpet vine, carditanagers, grosbeaks and many others. nal climber, morning glory, monarda, fuchsia, Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). A nasturtium, columbine, hosta, and petunia. deciduous tree that grows up to 40 feet tall, it has attractive flowers in the spring and scarlet berries in the fall. A good fruit for robins, P H OTO G R A P H S BY bluebirds, thrushes, catbirds, tanagers, grosJ E A N A N D R OX A N N E R I G G S beaks and others. A good nesting tree also.

Make bird cakes and pine cone filling by melting together suet, cornmeal, peanut butter and wild bird seed on the stove (top). Fill muffin cups (middle). When the mixture hardens in a few hours, insert a loop of raffia and hang (bottom).

MichiganGardener.com | September/October 2015 | Michigan Gardener

Edible swags can be hung on trees (left) and garlands can be strung on branches (above).

Besides the bird cake on the right, this branch has a fruit cup made from an empty orange half filled with stale bread and doughnuts. Chickadees found this tree in just one day and are loving all the good things to eat. We will be watching for all the other birds to follow them!

Water Birds must have a water source. You can provide this needed element in your yard by placing a small pond, short tub or a birdbath (most places carry heated birdbaths for winter use). A fountain is lots of fun for both birds and bird watchers.

Winter bird feeding recipes To decorate a winter tree with tastetempting treats for the birds, we suggest you try our favorite recipes and ideas. Garlands. Use fishing line or heavy thread and a needle to string together popcorn, cranberries, raisins, currents, dates, or other fruits. Left: This pine cone is hanging on a small apple tree and is filled with suet, seed, and peanut butter mix.

Bird cakes. Combine one part peanut butter, two parts mixed birdseed, and one part melted suet. Suet is beef fat that can be purchased at supermarkets or butcher shops in chunks. It is pretty inexpensive and a favorite food for woodpeckers, chickadees and many others. Spoon the mix into paper-lined muffin tins. When partially hardened, insert 6-inch loops of cord or raffia in the middle by poking a hole through the cake. Remove cakes when hardened and hang or store in the freezer. Pine cones. Stuff with a mixture of peanut butter, birdseed, cornmeal and melted suet as above. Spoon it between the scales of the pine cone and hang from a cord. Fruit and nut cups. Cut oranges or grapefruits in half (insides eaten by you), string with a cord to hang, and fill with stale doughnuts or bread cubes, peanuts, apple wedges,

raisins, dates and suet chunks. Suet bags. Fill mesh onion bags with suet chunks. Bouquets. Tie small bunches of wheat and millet together with raffia or string. Swags. Take three pine boughs and wire together on top (balsam fir makes a nice backing since it is flat). Wire a bunch of three Indian corn in the middle. Wire in millet branches on one side, a dried bunch of black-eyed Susans on the other, and heads of sumac berries on top. Try to stick with a raffia or natural paper bow. You can also use sunflower heads, wheat, stuffed pine cones, amaranths, cattails, and grasses. Hang edible swags on garden gates, fence posts and tree trunks. Jean and Roxanne Riggs operated Sunshine Farm and Garden in Oakland County, MI and now enjoy retirement up north.

Michigan Gardener | September/October 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

Growing bush clovers • Consider the plant’s mature size before choosing a site • Select a full sun location, or one with minimal shade • Grow in well-drained soil • All types are tolerant of soil infertility and drought • Cut plants to near ground level in late winter or early spring

Susan Safford

The most popular bush clover is ‘Gibraltar,’ which displays bright rosy-purple flowers.

Spring Meadow Nursery

The flowers of ‘Samindare’ are the closest to purple.

Flickr / F. D. Richards

‘Yakushima’ is a dwarf bush clover, making it an ideal candidate for smaller gardens. continued from back cover be displayed by siting it next to a large rock or other stonework, or backed by statuary or wrought iron. It is also quite elegant draped over a rock wall or ledge. The most popular cultivar is undoubtedly ‘Gibraltar,’ which is not named after the rock (as I had hoped) but for the Gibraltar Estate

in Delaware where plantsman Bill Frederick discovered it. ‘Gibraltar’ has bright rosy-purple flowers and is a magnificent plant. ‘Pink Cascade’ has been touted as a more compact selection, but at 4 to 5 feet tall with equal spread, it’s still a big plant. Other large cultivars, growing 5 to 6 feet in height and width include ‘Pink Fountain,’ which is the closest to true pink, and ‘Samindare,’ probably the

closest to purple. The lovely ‘Edo-shibori’ would likely have to be mail-ordered, but the delicate two-toned rose-pink and white flowers would no doubt justify the effort. ‘White Fountain,’ with pure white flowers, is a picture of understated refinement.

Dwarf version of bush clover At the opposite extreme of size is the dwarf, ultra-cute L. bicolor ‘Yakushima.’ This is a tight, mounded plant that grows only 1 to 1-1/2 feet tall, making it an ideal candidate for small gardens. With its tiny leaves and spar-

kly little fuchsia blooms, it is perfect used in a fairy garden or as a permanent container specimen. Unlike the fall-blooming L. thunbergii, L. bicolor ‘Yakushima’ starts to flower as early as July. It is not a profuse bloomer, but a light sprinkling of flowers seems to be ever-present, right up until fall. Hardy to zone 4, it grows well in difficult, infertile or sandy soils. Give it full sun so that it can develop the dense habit and symmetrical shape for which it is known. Surprisingly, the species L. bicolor is not naturally dwarf, and very little can be found on the exact origins of the cultivar ‘Yakushima,’ other than its being discovered in Japan. The original species L. bicolor was brought to this country from its native Korea, northern China, and Japan during the 1880s for use in erosion control. During the early 1900s, it was also recommended for use in habitat improvement for the northern bobwhite bird, and plants and seeds were distributed to farmers and other landowners. The USDA produced millions of seedlings from the 1930s to the 1950s for distribution throughout the southeast and south central states for stabilizing banks and gullies and for mine reclamation projects. It has now become an invasive species in much of the Southeast. Although L. bicolor can be found as far north as Michigan and as far west as Nebraska, the short growing season of northern regions prevents the plants from ripening their seeds and becoming a pest. The straight species can grow even taller than L. thunbergii, reaching 5 to 10 feet, and forming thickets in southern woodlands and savannas. Unlike the species, which is grown from seed and not sold as an ornamental, the cultivar ‘Yakushima’ is grown from cuttings and does not produce fertile seed. It can also be increased in the garden by layering the lower branches—cover a portion of the stem with soil to encourage rooting. Like its larger cousins, ‘Yakushima’ can be considered a subshrub, dying to ground level over the winter. Cut it to about 1 inch from the ground in early spring to stimulate new growth. Despite its somewhat disreputable heritage, ‘Yakushima’ is a first-rate plant: well-behaved in the garden and unique in appearance. Karen Bovio is the owner of Specialty Growers in Howell, MI.

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| September/October 2015 | MichiganGardener.com

perennial perspectives

Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener

Bush clover (Lespedeza) blooms in early fall and is a wonderful addition to the perennial garden. ‘Pink Cascade’ shows the plant’s characteristic arching, fountain-like habit.

t would be hard to find a more spectacular late season bloomer than bush clover (Lespedeza) and yet this genus is not widely known or grown. This is a shame, because the bush clovers are low maintenance plants that are undemanding and easy to grow. They do well in full sun to partial shade (full sun will produce the best plant habit) and as a member of the nitrogen-fixing legume family they require little in the way of extra fertilizer. They have no serious diseases or insect pests, are drought tolerant, and will grow in any type of soil as long as it is well-drained. The showiest species, and the one most

likely to be found in garden centers, is Lespedeza thunbergii. An Asian native, it was named for Swedish botanist Carl Peter Thunberg, who collected specimens in Japan during 1775 and 1776. L. thunbergii is hardy to zone 6 (zone 5 with snow cover) and although typically considered a shrub, it dies back to the Karen ground in cold climates in much Bovio the same way as butterfly bush. Like butterfly bush, it requires warm soil temperatures to break dormancy in the spring and can be late to emerge in cool

seasons. The feathery new growth is covered in fine hairs, which gives the foliage a pale silver-green cast. As temperatures rise in summer, the stems grow quickly and the entire plant develops a fountain-like habit with long, arching branches that can reach the ground. Plants attain their full height of 5 to 6 feet by midsummer, and in Michigan they’ll start to bloom in September. The pea-type flowers emerge at the tips of the stems, opening successively along their length and eventually forming long,

pendulous racemes reminiscent of wisteria but in shades of rose, pink or white. A plant in full bloom is a sight that will not soon be forgotten; the yellow fall foliage is simply icing on the cake! Because L. thunbergii can grow 6 feet tall with equal width, it is a plant for large spaces. Its sprawling habit can be a challenge to manage, but staking isn’t always a successful tactic—the plant looks constrained and lacks grace when staked—so consider the site carefully before planting. Its best qualities can continued on page 26