The Gateway Gardener June 2013 by The Gateway Gardener

Gateway Gardener

JUNE 2013

THE

速

Your Guide to Enjoyable Gardening and Easy-Care Landscapes

Flowering Flavors

Edible Herbal Blooms

Penstemons Creating a Deer-Resistant Native Garden Vines for the Garden FREE Courtesy of:

Scan here for your free lawn and garden problem solving app

Tips from e d the Boni d... he potting s

Something bugging your lawn? Lasts for 3 months! Only one application controls insects both above and below the soil surface. Starts to work in 24 hours and will last up to 3 months. Controls insects like grubs, fleas, ticks, cranefly’s, billbugs, chinch bugs, weevils, mole crickets, ant’s (including fire ants) cutworms and many more. Insect & Crub control works in your lawn and around your home as a perimeter treatment. Available in 5,000 and 12,000 sq. ft. bags.

Ants

Chinch Bugs

Fleas

Ticks

Kills insects above and below ﬁnd a retailer at bonide.com

Gateway Gardener THE

Your Guide to Enjoyable Gardening and Easy-Care Landscapes

JUNE 2013

Volume 9, Number 5

Founded in 2005 by Joyce Bruno & Robert Weaver Publisher and Editor Robert Weaver Columnists

Barbara Perry Lawton Garden Book Author and Garden Writer Connie Alwood Master Gardener Ellen Barredo Certified Nursery Professional Diane Brueckman Rosarian Joyce Driemeyer Master Gardener Cindy Gilberg Landscape Design Mara Higdon Gateway Greening Glenn Kraemer Turf Horticulturist Steffie Littlefield Nursery Professional Printing: Breese Publishing, Breese, IL The Gateway Gardener® is published monthly by Double Dig Communications, Inc. to promote enjoyable, successful gardening and livable landscapes in the St. Louis greater metropolitan area. The magazine is distributed free to the public at designated garden centers, nurseries, garden gift shops, lawn equipment rental, repair and sales establishments, and other locations supporting sound gardening, lawn and landscaping practices. Please send letters-to-the-editor, questions, event announcements, editorial suggestions and contributions, photos, advertising inquiries and materials, and any other correspondence to: The Gateway Gardener Magazine® PO Box 220853 St. Louis, MO 63122 Phone: (314) 968-3740

info@gatewaygardener.com www.gatewaygardener.com

The Gateway Gardener® is printed on recycled newsprint using environmentally friendly soy-based ink, and is a member of the PurePower® renewable energy resources network.

From the Editor

t takes a lot to force perennials off the cover of the June issue. June is, after all, Perennial Gardening Month, as designated by the Perennial Plant Association, and as attested to by the many reminders from this month’s advertisers. So I apologize to them and to the whole of the perennial world, and to make amends, show a picture here of Variegated Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’), the 2013 Perennial Plant of the Year. This picture is one of several of my own garden’s representatives.

But, as we’ve done in past cases when plant societies bless St. Louis by converging here for a big meeting, I wanted to welcome the Herb Society of America as its members convene here for their annual conference June 20-22nd. I do so by highlighting on the cover our herb article for this month featuring edible herbal blossoms. Of course, many edible herb flowers are perennials, too, such as anisehyssop, bee balm, lavender, and others. For more tasty flower tips, see Joyce Driemeyer’s article on page 6.

article on page 10. Unfortunately, we aren’t the only creatures tempted to taste our plants. Deer are a curse to many home gardeners in our region’s suburbs and outlying areas. And native plants aren’t immune— what do you think they ate before the Europeans arrived? Nonetheless, Cindy Gilberg offers a number of deer-resistant native plants and other strategies for keeping the beasts at bay.

Edibles come in drinkable form, too. Jennifer Schamber gives us some libation ideas from the garden in her article on cocktails and “mocktail” ingredients from the garden on page 13, plus a tempting recipe for a fresh Berry Cocktail. Wellie bottoms up! Hyacinth bean vine provides a host of edible options, as the flowers, leaves, and immature seed pods are all edible, as are the beans when well cooked. But that’s not why the plant is featured in this issue. It’s just one of the beautiful flowering vine options available to gardeners and featured in Steffie Littlefield’s

On the Cover...

Why let the deer have all the good stuff in your garden? You can eat the flowers, too! For more on edible herbal blooms, see page 6. Then, wash them down with a visit to our Cornucopia Corner for taste-temping instructions on garden-harvest libations! (photo courtesy www. thetasterevelation.com)

Finally, while I’m usually pretty good at remembering to wish the mothers a happy day in May, I’ve often forgotten to follow up with a tip of the gardening cap to fathers. So, to all the dads and grandpas out there, Happy Father’s Day!

Good Gardening!

Correction: The date for the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Garden Tour was incorrectly listed in last month’s edition. The correct date is June 15. See Upcoming Events on pg. 22 for details.

IN THIS ISSUE 4 Penstemons 6 Flowering Flavors 8 Deer-Resistant Native Garden 10 Vines for the Garden 12 Cornucopia Corner 13 Garden-Inspired Cocktails 14 Try a Ti 15 Avian Garbage Men 16 Rose Revolution 18 June/July Lawn Care 20 Dig This 22 Upcoming Events

Penstemons by Barbara Perry Lawton

“Penstemons are among the best of perennials because of their durability and drought tolerance,” says Jennifer Schamber of Greenscape Gardens. “They are absolute favorites of ours and of the hummingbirds. Penstemons are the first plants the hummers visit in our greenhouses and in our gardens.”

ttract more hummingbirds by planting a few penstemons. The tubular flowers have short hairs on the lower lip, which accounts for the common name beard (or bearded) tongue. Penstemons have opposite leaves that are lanceshaped or oval and flowers that are partially tubular and two-lipped. Most are deciduous or semi-evergreen perennials. Some are shrubs and subshrubs. Depending upon the species, their height ranges from very short to as much as ten feet and their width is generally from eight to twenty inches. Penstemons are all native to North America. There are well over 250 species, a number of which offer gardeners hardy perennials that are not only beautiful but also tough. Penstemons are often more adaptable than their native habitat would suggest.

P. ‘Dark Towers’

The American Penstemon Society ($15 /year at aps.membership@ yahoo.com) recommends that you plant them in a sunny spot where you want to display them. In other words, penstemons do not transplant well. Consider your soil and sites—penstemons require good aeration and excellent drainage. They do not tolerate coddling, heavily organic soil or too much water. They are drought-tolerant once established. In general, it is best to start with penstemon plants that are widely available at your local nurseries.

BLOOMING SUMMER

Among her favorite cultivars is Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’. She also recommends P. digitalis ‘Dark Towers’ and ‘Pocahontas’. ‘Husker Red’, a University of Nebraska introduction was the Perennial Plant Association’s 1996 Perennial Plant of the Year. This is a husky two- to threefoot plant with white flowers in June and red foliage.

Oddly, although penstemons are comparatively recent in becoming top choices of many North Americans gardeners, they have been favorites of Europeans for years. In fact, European plantsmen have introduced a number of penstemon hybrids. Use these sturdy and attractive perennials in containers as well as beds and borders. Some species are excellent choices for ground covers and slopes. The flowers and attractive foliage make them good cut flowers. Deadhead the blooms unless you want to encourage them to reseed. Penstemons are very attractive, not P. ‘Husker Red’ only to honey bees (of European lineage) but also to many native bees and bumblebees. Hummingbirds, as previously mentioned, also are drawn to penstemons. They arrive early and are particularly fond of the species with brightly colored flowers in the red and lavender ranges. The flowers also attract butterflies. Penstemons bloom in late spring to late summer, depending on the species and variety. Grow a mix of penstemons in order

from our greenhouses to your yards

over 150 rose varieties including 20 large selection of annuals to mix & different David Austin English Roses match the perfect planters & beds

UNIVERSITY GARDENS www.university-gardens.com

Save BIG on Annuals, Perennials and Tropicals... New Low Prices! • Bring this ad for an additional 10% discount.

home & garden

landscaping

irrigation

maintenance

550 Hwy F l Defiance, MO l (636)798.2555 frisellanursery.com

(314) 863-1700 8130 Delmar Blvd. • St. Louis, MO 63130

UnivGardens_GardenPub_5-7.indd 1

The Gateway Gardener™

JUNE 20135/9/13

9:05 AM

to keep hummers and other garden visitors coming to your garden.

P. cobaea

Mervin Wallace of Missouri Wildflowers Nursery has been growing Missouri natives for nearly three decades. “Penstemon cobaea, purple beardtongue, is a beautiful plant with specific demands— sun and very dry, lousy soil. It is flourishing along roadsides in the Jefferson City area where there is hardly any soil above the solid limestone and dolomite rock,” he says. “This species works best in flower beds that are well drained like the tops of landscape walls and raised beds. Don’t add organic matter to the soil. It is not unusual to have two to twenty flower stems per plant in beds.”

P. digitalis

For Almost Anything You Need In The Garden (Including Hard To Find Tools)

We Also Carry a Full Line of Organic Solutions Plus... all you need for growing delicious, healthy Home-grown vegetables!

Mervin also recommends P. digitalis, foxglove beardtongue, which works great in flower beds with average to moist soil. “A few years ago I realized that this species functions as a nurse crop to help keep weeds out when it is included in seed mixes for sunny prairie and meadow plantings. As the other species get bigger, the penstemon declines.”

115 E. Argonne Kirkwood, MO (314)822 -0083 Hours: m-f 9:00-5:30 • Sat 8:30-5:00

‘Dark Towers’ and ‘Husker Red’ photos courtesy Walters Gardens, Inc. P. cobaea and P. digitalis photos by Robert Weaver.

We Accept:

- Personal Checks & Cash

Crape Myrtles Color from Summer to Fall!

Barbara Perry Lawton is a writer, author, speaker and photographer. She has served as manager of publications for Missouri Botanical Garden and as weekly garden columnist for the PostDispatch. The author of a number of gardening and natural history books, and contributor to many periodicals, she has earned regional and national honors for her writing and photography. Barbara is also a Master Gardener and volunteers at MBG. Free cint water h visit s just f or ing stor our e!!!

hya

636.527.2001

chalilypond.com JUNE 2013

14430 Manchester Rd. Manchester, MO 63011

owned by Joe & Tonya Summers

The Gateway Gardener™

Garden Heights Nursery

1605 S. Big Bend • Richmond Heights MO 314.645.7333 www.gardenheights.com 5

Flowering Flavors by Joyce Driemeyer

e know birds, bees and pollinating insects are attracted to herbal blooms, so we should partake of these colorful beauties, too. Blooms of ordinary herbs like thyme, oregano, fennel and sage, and annuals like dill and basils will all impart a slightly gentler seasoning than the foliage if used, and will help keep the plants compact, if clipped. As with all herbs, use only plants that have not been sprayed with pesticides. Collect in the morning, if possible and gently rinse with water and pat dry with paper towels for use.

flower before using. It is great in salads, and can be used to garnish For really flavorful and colorful desserts and drinks, including wine. The flowers can be crystallized blooms here is a list of suggestions: and saved in air-tight containers (see sidebar). Anise-hyssop (Agastache Dianthus (D. plumarius), or small cottage pinks, have a clove-like foeniculum) produces beautiful scent and taste, and can be used as garnish on cakes, in salads and lavender spikes, which impart a in soups. flavor of sweet anise and root beer, and can be used in salads, soups Chamomile (C. recutita), or German chamomile, produces a and desserts. prolific number of small white daisy-like flowers, which can be used to top a green salad for accent. They have a slight pineapple Bee balm (Monarda didyma) flavor and produce a relaxing tea. Try at bedtime! has red, pink, lavender or white blooms with a slight minty taste Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) produce lovely lavender/purple and can be used in teas, salads and globes of flowers, which can be used in many dishes for garnish as a garnish. Taste first—a few and flavor. Try infusing in a glass jar or 12-16 oz. bottle by pouring have an undesirable taste. white wine vinegar over them and storing in a pantry for about 2-4 weeks. Use some in salad dressing or to flavor vegetable dishes. Borage (annual) has a slight cucumber flavor in beautiful blue Garlic chives (Allium tuberosum), or Chinese chives, produce flowers. Remove the base of the white-globed blooms with a mild garlic flavor and can be used the

“Your Summer Lawn and Garden Headquarters!”

Feed and Protect Your Garden! For beautiful, insect-free azaleas and roses, we recommend ferti•lome® Azalea/Evergreen Food and Rose & Flower Food with Systemics.

Rolling Ridge Nursery

Lawn and Garden Center 60 NORTH GORE WEBSTER GROVES, MO 63119

www.rollingridgenursery.com

(314) 962-3311

“Over 50 Years of Quality & Friendly Service!” 6

Perennial Plants: One Qt. Container, Regular $5.99

Garden Club Price: $4.49

Come see our large perennial plant selection in quarts and larger! Not good with any other sale, coupon or discount or on previous purchases.

NURSERY & FLORIST

www.hillermann.com

2601 E. 5th Street • Washington, MO • 636-239-6729 Hours: Mon - Fri: 8:00 to 6:00, Sat: 8:00 to 5:00, Sun: 9:00 to 5:00

The Gateway Gardener™

JUNE 2013

same way. Nasturtium produces beautiful flowers of yellow, orange or red with a peppery watercress-like flavor. They are great in salads, sandwiches and in butter. Try using single blossoms stuffed with small dollops of whipped cream cheese containing finely minced shrimp and some chopped chervil, and serve as an appetizer on a plate of nasturtium leaves. Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis). Make fritters of creamcolored blossoms or used dried blossoms for tea. Avoid any elderberries that produce red berries as they are toxic. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). Both fresh and dried flowers can be used in drinks, jellies and ice cream, even as a garnish for main dishes. For a delicious lavender cookie recipe, check The St. Louis Herb Society cookbook Herbal Cookery. Scented geraniums (Pelargonium) offers a roster of plants from which to choose. They vary in flavor from peppermint, rose, citruslemon, nutmeg or fruit flavors. Colors can be white, red pink or lavender. Taste before using. Violet (Viola odorata) can be used as a garnish on salads or in tea sandwiches. The blossoms are also lovely for crystallizing to be used on deserts (see sidebar). Photo courtesy of Evelyn Alemanni, whose new book of daily fresh flower arrangements from her garden, Fleurs du Jour, will be out early next year.

How to Crystallize Flowers

Distributors near you Long Lasting 23-0-8 with 50% UMAXX® and NutriLife™ Exclusive zero-phosphorus fertilizer that delivers extended brilliant color from UMAXX® stabilized nitrogen and NutriLife™ microbial soil inoculants. Expect 12-16 weeks of consistent nitrogen feeding, resulting in fewer applications while still maintaining maximum turf color and vigor. 18 lb. bag covers approximately 5,000 sq. ft.

Kirkwood Material 800 South Fillmore Kirkwood, MO 63122 (314) 822-9644

Lawn Weed Killer 22-0-8 with Viper and NutriLife™ Post-emergence weed control with UMAXX® stabilized nitrogen fertilizer controls all major broadleaf weeds. Excellent turf response. 18 lb. bag covers approximately 5,000 sq. ft.

Kirkwood Material 2701 Barrett Station Rd. St.Louis, MO 63021 (314) 966-4840

Kirkwood Material 8601 New Hampshire Ave. Affton, MO 63123 (314) 631-8250

Kirkwood Material 14550 S. Outer Hwy 40 Chesterfield, MO 63017 (636) 532-4551

Mac Do It Best Hardware 40 E. Lockwood Ave. Webster Groves, MO 63119 (314) 961-4522

“Your Trees Deserve the BEST Care!”

• Pick flowers early in the day, cut off stems and rinse gently with cold water. • Drain and allow to dry on paper towels. • In small bowl place 1 egg white, add ½ tsp. of cold water and beat well. • Either dip flower into bowl or paint petals with a small watercolor-type brush. • Dip into another bowl of granulated sugar. • Place flowers on sheet of waxed paper and allow to dry. • If not using soon after drying, store in air-tight container until use.

After 30 years as a landscape designer, Joyce is now retired. She has been a MBG volunteer since 1969 and a Master Gardener since 1985. She is also a past board member of the Herb Society of America, and is a current board member of the St. Louis Herb Society.

JUNE 2013

The Gateway Gardener™

Pruning, Fertilization, Planting, Spraying, Trimming & Removal

Be Good to Your Trees. CALL Today! to schedule an appointment

314-725-6159 Insured

gammatree.com Tim Gamma • B.S. Horticulture Board Certified Master Arborist

Creating a Deer-Resistant Native Garden by Cindy Gilberg

just in case. Plants with strongly scented leaves, such as anise Packara (Senecio) hyssop (Agastache), beebalm obovatus (Monarda) and mountain mint (Pycnanthemum), are high on the list of plants deer avoid. Some plants are unappealing because of their foliar texture—coarse, rough, hairy or spiny. This group includes rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium) and prickly pear cactus (Opuntia). Still others are distasteful, for example, the same territory. It is not browsing deer. The native beautyberry (Callicarpa uncommon for landscaping plants are generally better able americana), Coreopsis, Iris to replace the original habitat to tolerate extremes such as last species, leadplant (Amorpha with one that is a smorgasbord year’s heat and drought. That canescens) and Viburnum. For of delectable, well-watered was a time of intense duress those with shade gardens, select and fertilized plants. The best for deer and they were tempted from the many native ferns and approach is to replace these to eat just about anything, try golden groundsel (Senecio with native plants that, once especially those plants that were obovatus), wild ginger (Asarum established, don’t require well watered and fertilized. canadense), and short sedges Deer are an adaptable species irrigation and fertilizer, and So how does a gardener go (Carex albicans, C. eburnea) as and we are destined to share choose those resistant to about deterring deer? First, ground cover. Deer steer clear under no circumstance should of some of the small flowering If you can read this deer be encouraged by putting trees such as red buckeye you’re OUR kind of customer! out supplemental food since (Aesculus pavia), spicebush feeding them only makes the (Lindera) and redbud (Cercis). problem worse. I recommend Some trees that are resistant planting a landscape that is to deer browsing are killed about 75-80% deer-resistant, as a result of bucks rubbing use a diversity of native plants their antlers on the bark— and keep a good repellant handy commercially available tree The excitement of spring wanes quickly as deer arrive to eat in our gardens. They have quickly learned which gardeners have planted and pampered luscious vegetable gardens, hostas, daylilies and other tasty plants. For the frustrated gardener, there are plants (both native and non-native) that deer tend to ignore because the plants are distasteful, have a coarse or rough texture or are actually poisonous. While it seems contrary to use native plants to enhance habitat for wildlife and at the same time to want to exclude deer, it is possible to accomplish both as there are many native plants that have habitat value and are deer resistant.

www.GreenesCountryStore.com

8621 Hwy. N, Lake St. Louis, MO 63367 • 636.561.6637 Mon.-Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5

Bring Us Your

Dirt!

Let us test your soil and recommend an organic lawn and garden program so you can spend less and grow better!

June is Perennial Month

So Let’s... Plant, Plant, Plant!

• • • • • • • •

Kelp liquid & dry Seed meals Organic compost Organic soils Organic fertilizers Organic chicken food Organic insect controls Organic vegetable seeds

• • • • • • •

Floating row covers Corn gluten Organic food-grade whole grains 15 types of cover crops Diatomaceous earth Most products in convenient 4-50lb. sizes 20% Vinegar

We carry St. Louis’ LARGEST selection of organic soil amendments, fertilizers and natural weed and pest controls, including:

Featured Plant: Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ 2012 Perennial Plant of the Year

11530 Gravois Road St. Louis, MO 63126

(314) 843-4700 or www.sappingtongardenshop.com OPEN 7 DAYS 8

The Gateway Gardener™

JUNE 2013

guards are an effective way to prevent this. Fences are yet another approach and need to be at least 8-9 feet tall or be electric to be effective. Unfortunately, I have seen elaborate fences erected only to have the deer just walk up the driveway to enter the property as if by invitation. It is important to understand their behavior and use additional methods for creating a deerresistant garden. Deer rely on their sense of smell to determine whether an area is safe and which plants are desirable to eat, therefore begin with a good list of plants that are resistant. Some deer repellants cloak the smell of otherwise edible plants and are quite effective when applied properly. Others are scents of predators such as

urine-based repellants (bobcat and coyote are common). Deer are particularly fond of young, succulent leaves and will even nibble on young, freshly planted transplants of otherwise deer-resistant plants. Protect young transplants during their first year with repellant or a wire cage. Remember that repellants need to be applied more frequently during periods of heavy rain and when plants are actively growing (spring). Late summer and early fall, particularly during drought, are times when deer are more actively browsing. Achieve a more peaceful coexistence with deer by planning a landscape with a high percentage of deerresistant plants and have some

Cindy Gilberg is a horticulturist and Missouri native who writes, teaches and does consulting and design work in the St. Louis area. Her work focuses on both native plant landscapes as well as other styles of landscape design. Contact cindy. gilberg@gmail.com www.cindygilberg. com This column is written in collaboration with Shaw Nature Reserve (Missouri Botanical Garden) in partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Visit the Whitmire Wildflower Garden (at Shaw Nature Reserve), a 5-acre display garden, for ideas on native plant landscaping. Native plant conservation and the promotion of native plants in our landscapes is vital to restoring the rich biodiversity of our region.

DRAI

repellant on hand. Crosscheck various deer-resistant plant lists. Shaw Nature Reserve (SNR) conducted a deer browse study and the plant list is included in Chapter 4: “Landscaping with Native Plants” of the Native Landscaping Manual (available

For More Information About Native Plants: Missouri Prairie Foundation Grow!Native program: www.grownative.org Missouri Botanical Garden Native Plant Garden, Classes and Plant Finder: www.mobot.org Shaw Nature Reserve Whitmire Wildflower Garden, Native Plant School and other special events: www.shawnature.org Wild Ones a non-profit organization with local chapters: www.for-wild.org

Passionate about Perennials? JUNE is Perennial Gardening Month! Explore our 5 Greenhouses FULL of beautiful and unusual perennials, including NATIVES!

Perennial Gardening Month Special

Buy any 3 Perennials & Get 1 FREE

(of equal or lesser value!)

Must present coupon at time of purchase. 1 coupon per customer, please. Expires June 30, 2013.

aniel’s Farm

& Greenhouses

www.danielsfarmandgreenhouse.com

NAGE

E SCAP LANDTING and LIGH RS PAVE

online at www.shawnature. org). The Plant Finder at www. missouribotanicalgarden.org also has deer resistance listed as an option in the plant search section.

352 Jungermann Rd. St. Peters, MO 63376 (636) 441-5048 Hours: M-F 9-7, Sat 9-5, Sun 10-5

& TAINSRDENS N U O F R GA WATE

2541 Link Rd • St. Louis, MO 63114 (314)426-4838 • FAX (314)426-1382 Toll Free (800) 369-7257 MPR Supply Company has been commited to supplying the highest quality landscape related materials since its founding in 1991. MPR Supply Company carries irrigation systems and components, low voltage lighting systems, water fountains, water features and related supplies .

IRRIG

ATION

SEE US FOR BELGARD® AND OTHER HARDSCAPE PAVERS AND WALL SYSTEM PRODUCTS!

www.mprsupply.com Email: info@mprsupply.com

Supplying the Irrigation and Landscape Industries with quality materials since 1991

JUNE 2013

The Gateway Gardener™

Vines for the Garden by Steffie Littlefield

Climbing Hydrangea

Mandevilla

pring in my garden is made doubly delicious by the gorgeous Clematis montana rubens that covers my fence. Its slightly pink blooms are honey scented making it impossible to forget the pleasure it brings in the spring. Next I wait with great anticipation for the climbing hydrangea that now covers a twocar garage to bloom. It is a green and white wedding cake of a plant, layered and lacey, robust and delicate. Vines reach above our

heads, twine through fences and fill the sky with blooms. Even a small city garden is enhanced by the flourish of flowers from a climbing rose or summer blooming clematis. Taking very little space in a garden, a climbing plant will fill the upward spaces with brightly colored flowers. Adding an important tiered structural aspect to the garden, vines—annual or perennial— are especially rewarding in their

JUNE IS PERENNIAL MONTH! Shop our huge selection of Sun and Shade Perennials! The BEST selection of healthy, gorgeous flowers, plants, tropicals, large patio palms, pottery and landscaping options to help bring beauty to your gardens. g in Brinad for this F

F $5y POurchaosree!

An 0 or m h of $5 throug valid /2013 6/30

Hyacinth Bean

performance with lots of colorful blooms. A sunny spot is perfect for annual morning glories that shine with their sky blue flowers, or moonflowers with fragrant white flowers that open at night. The St. Louis hot, humid summer is a challenge for the English sweet pea vine, but the lovely hyacinth bean vine is a good substitute with the 6-8 inch lavender flower spikes and the decorative bright purple pods. Attracting hummingbirds and butterflies is not hard when the garden is overflowing with annual vines like cardinal climber, cypress vine or the black-eyed Susan vine. A common plant from the tropics and one of the best hummingbird attractors for the summer garden, mandevilla has pink, red, yellow or white trumpet flowers that produce lots of nectar

Clematis ‘Nelly Moser’

for wildlife. Other tropical vines that can produce lots of flowers in the heat of the summer include bougainvillea, passionflower and claredendron. Bougainvilleas are hardy vines with lots of delicate paperlike flowers in hot tropical red, pink, purple, orange or yellow that tolerate summer’s extreme heat. Passionflower has a large, complex flower in shades of blue, purple or red. It is showy, fragrant and attracts hummingbirds. Claredendron, sometimes known as bleeding heart vine, can also be found in red and purple. The best vining plants for the shade garden are not known for their flowers as much as for their leaves. A somewhat invasive choice is the variegated porcelain berry vine. The attractive green and white leaves cover a fence or trellis quickly in the shade and

FREE Garden Consultations

Your beginning to a beautiful outdoor space With over 2,000 varieties of exceptional and rare perennials, shrubs, roses and annuals along with all of the best in gardening!

For a limited time, we are offering free 45-minute garden consultations at the nursery with our Design Professionals. Call 314-965-3070

5130 Mexico Road

St. Peters, Missouri 63376

(636) 244-5533 www.AnnsGandG.com

1011 N. Woodlawn • Kirkwood, MO 63122

www.SugarCreekGardens.com

Voted #1 BEST GARDEN CENTER in the Fox Channel 2 Hot List Competition! The Gateway Gardener™

JUNE 2013

have showy blue berries in the fall. The chocolate vine, akebia quinata, has perfect oval leaves in sets of five on each stem and can be evergreen in our climate. A bonus is that the small flowers are quite fragrant when they bloom in the spring, and this vine grows quickly even in the shade. Climbing hydrangea is a real aristocrat in the plant world with its profuse 6-8” lace-cap white flowers and thick woody stems covered in pealing bark. One plant can attach itself to a masonry wall, tree or wood fence and grow up to thirty feet. It is a truly spectacular site in bloom. The queen of the vine world is clematis. Some are spring, summer or fall blooming. The summer-

blooming varieties have enormous flowers in blue, red, pink, purple or white. Many have flowers up to 6” across, and some vines can climb as high as a two-story house. Even though this plant has a hardy shrublike structure, it is happiest when other plants shade its roots and its flowering branches can reach for the sun. Other hardy perennial vines include honeysuckle vines, trumpet creeper and cross vines. All are great flowering vines that offer lots of nectar for hummingbirds and lunar moths. These, like all the twining vines, just need a trellis for support and they will climb to the sky. There is room in every garden for vines.

Home-Grown

Pat’s Concrete

Flowering Shrubs

8038 Hwy 30 Dittmer, MO

Sun Perennials Small Trees Hostas and Ferns

•Bird Baths •Fountains •Benches •Statues

READY FOR YOU! 1021 W. Delmar Ave. Godfrey, IL 62035 (618) 466-8475

636-274-1516

www.patsconcrete.com

Steffie Littlefield is a horticulturist and garden designer at Garden Heights Nursery. She has degrees from St. Louis Community College at Meramec and Southeast Missouri State and is a member of Gateway Professional Horticultural Association and past president of the Horticulture Co-op of Metropolitan St. Louis.

Springfield, Illinois

Davidsan’s Japanese Maples

90 minutes north of St. Louis

Over 400 varieties of Japanese Maples

Palmatum • Dissectum • Dwarf • Japonicum • Shirasawanum AND hundreds of other rare trees Other Acers • Conifer • Ginkgo • Beech • Magnolia • Franklinia • Oak • Redwood... VISIT OUR SIX GREENHOUSES AND THREE ACRES OF BEAUTIFUL GARDENS and CHINESE GRANITE SCULPTURES by appt. 217-303-2641

Red, orange, green, pink, white, yellow, variegated, dwarf, weeping, contorted, columnar, miniature, cold-hardy, heat-tolerant, sun or shade. 1 gallon size up to 65 gallon potted. Monthly specials for pick-up orders! Professional landscapers’ discounts!

Visit by appointment

217-303-2641 or 217-341-5909 JUNE 2013

The Gateway Gardener™

www.davidsansjapanesemaples.com

The Cornucopia Corner June Harvest

Here are some fruits and veggies you might find in the garden or your local farmers’ market this month:

www.josephinesgardenshop.com

Vegetables

Hillermann’s Farmer’s Market 2601 E. 5th St. Washington, MO (636) 239-6729 www.Hillermann.com

Hours: Year-Round Thursdays & Fridays 10am-2pm Open air market in the summer, indoors in the winter. Fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables and food items, plus crafts and other items for local artisans and craftspeople. Support local growers and enjoy delicious food fresh from the fields to your table.

Overland Farmers’ Market

2500 Woodson Road Overland, MO 63114 www.OverlandFarmersMarket.com Hours: 8am-12:30pm Saturdays May-Oct. Visit us for locally grown seasonal produce, homemade bread and sweetrolls, entertainment and special events. Food available for purchase. Centrally located and accessible by public transportation. Have fun and eat well. We look forward to seeing you at the market!

Tasting from the Garden at Queeny Park June 13th 4-8pm

Jt’s

Ingredients

Gardening tips will be provided as well as demonstrations such as dressing up your table.

Preparation Instructions

To register (required in advance) call (314) 615-8482.

Fruits

Apples Apricots Blackberries Blueberries Canteloupe Cherries Gooseberries Nectarines Peaches Plums Raspberries Strawberries Watermelon

Fresh Ideas

Eat your garden! To learn more about growing, harvesting and preparing edibles, come to the Park! Enjoy an evening stroll through the beautiful Jarville Gardens while listening to expert gardeners as they discuss harvesting from your landscape and learning about herbs, one of the EASIEST edible plant categories to grow!

If you’re interested, meet at the parking lot off the Mason Road entrance to Queeny Park. Cost is $10 per person (children 10 and under are free).

Tomatoes Turnips

Asparagus Beets Broccoli Brussel Sprouts Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Cucumbers Eggplant Garlic Herbs Horseradish Kohlrabi Leeks Lettuce Okra Onions Peas Radishes Rhubarb Spinach Squash (summer) Sweet Corn

BaBa Ganouj

2 medium eggplants (1 pound each) ¼ cup lemon juice 1 ¼ teaspoons salt Ground sumac, for garnish (see Note)

4 cloves garlic, unpeeled 2 tablespoons tahini, (see Note) Extra-virgin olive oil, for garnish Yields: 12 ¼ cup servings

Preheat grill to high. Prick eggplants all over with a fork. Thread garlic cloves onto a skewer. Grill the eggplants, turning occasionally, until charred and tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Grill the garlic, turning once, until charred and tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the eggplants and garlic to a cutting board. When cool enough to handle, peel both. Transfer to a food processor. Add lemon juice, tahini and salt; process until almost smooth. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with sumac, if desired.

TIPS & NOTES

Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. | Equipment: Skewer Notes: Tahini is a thick paste of ground sesame seeds. Look for it in large supermarkets in the Middle Eastern section or near other nut butters.

This recipe courtesty http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/baba_ganouj.html

The Gateway Gardener™

JUNE 2013

Tips for Growing, Buying and Cooking Fresh, Locally Sourced Food for Your Table

Garden-Inspired Cocktails & “Mocktails” By Jennifer Schamber

Berry Cocktail

(Recipe from Cari Cluck, Herb Specialist at Greenscape Gardens) Celebrate Berry Season With This Tasty Blackberry Drink! • 2 cups of fresh blackberries • ¼ cup sugar • 2/3 cup water • 1 ½ tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary • 1 bottle chilled Prosecco (or other dry sparkling white wine) or ginger ale/sparkling white grape juice if a mocktail (non-alcoholic) is preferred .

nfusing fresh ingredients from the garden into various spirits can be one of life’s greatest simple pleasures. A wide range of herbs, fruits and vegetables can be easily grown for use in many different cocktails and mocktails (nonalcoholic beverages). Let’s take a look at some essential ingredients to consider in growing a “bartender’s garden”.

lemon verbena. These also work well with gin drinks, as do cucumbers, borage, basil and lemon thyme. For Southern-style beverages with whiskey, try growing mint, chamomile, thyme and French tarragon. Then head “South of the Border” and pair tequila with sage, watermelon, rosemary or mint.

Veggies can be highlighted in vodka drinks, so consider One of the basic ingredients in growing small tomatoes, celery, many cocktails is simple syrup peppers and cilantro. (see how to make a simple syrup in the Berry Cocktail recipe). For lots more inspiration and The simple syrup can not only information, check out www. sweeten the drink, it can also drunkenbotanist.com. This is the be the driving force behind the website of garden writer, blogger essence of the cocktail. Try & award-winning author Amy simmering various flavors of Stewart. Her newest book, The mint, lavender, rosemary, basil Drunken Botanist, takes readers or scented geraniums into the on a botanical journey around simple syrup for seasonally world and tells the stories of how humans learned to create inspired drinks. the drinks that have influenced Fruits pair quite well with the course of history, as well as rum, so consider growing offered cultural contributions strawberries, raspberries, to our daily lives. And enjoy blackberries and blueberries, as “Thirsty Thursdays” during well as complementary herbs June at Greenscape Gardens to such as mint, lemongrass and support Gateway Greening! JUNE 2013

The Gateway Gardener™

Garnishes: fresh rosemary sprigs and blackberries To prepare the simple syrup: Simmer blackberries, sugar, water and rosemary in an uncovered saucepan, stirring occasionally for 20 minutes, mash with a potato masher to release maximum juice halfway through. Pour through a sieve or strainer set over a glass and let stand for 5 minutes (makes approximately 1/3 cup). Discard solids. Chill syrup, covered until cold. Divide Prosecco amongst glasses then pour 1 ½ teaspoons syrup into each drink (an olive oil dispenser works great if you are serving it for a crowd!) Garnish & Enjoy! Jennifer Schamber is General Manager of the family o w n e d Greenscape Gardens and Gifts. You can visit GreenscapeGardens.com, “Like” them on Facebook, or call (314) 821-2440.

brought to you by:

Schlafly Farmers Market Schlafly Bottleworks

7260 Southwest Avenue Maplewood, MO 63143 (314) 241-2337 farmersmarket@schlafly.com www.schlaflyfarmersmarket.com Hours: April-Oct. Wednesdays 4-7pm. One Sat. per month Nov.-Mar. 9am-1pm 28 vendors each week selling local produce, flowers, meats, eggs, cheeses, baked goods and more. Live music on the Bottleworks patio starting at 5pm.

The Land of Goshen Community Market

South of the Courthouse Edwardsville, IL (618) 307-6045 www.GoshenMarket.org Hours: May 12-October 20th Saturday mornings 8am-noon An open-air farmers’ market that is a great source for locally grown, fresh, naturally ripened farm products, tasty baked goods with locally grown ingredients, and wonderful art and gift ideas. Live entertainment and free demonstrations add to the festive atmosphere. A safe, wholesome place for kids and the whole family.

Try a Ti! Text and Photo by Ellen Barredo long ago and was introduced throughout much of the Pacific by early traveling Polynesians, who used the starchy rhizomes for food and its leaves for wrapping food for cooking. Besides bringing good luck to its owner, Ti Plant leaves are used to make Hawaiian hula skirts! Hawaiians also used the wide leaves of the Ti Plant for roofing as the leaves are very durable. It is often noted that Ti Plants were placed at every corner of a home outdoors to ward off evil.

i Plant (Cordyline terminalis) or the Hawaiian good-luck-plant is a great addition to your plant collection as it has many useful purposes! This information is great to know as many younger garden center customers want a plant that does more than just look good!

The Ti Plant is most commonly associated with Hawaii and South Pacific Islands, but it is actually a native of East Asia and Papua New Guinea. The Ti Plant was very widely used

Some selections of Ti plant are also used extensively as cut florist greens. Ti plants are among the most colorful foliage plants with colors of glossy green, reddish purple, or marked with various striped combinations of purple, pinks, red, creamy yellow or white. So, you can see why they would be useful for floral arranging. Growing your own cut flowers seems to be an emerging trend with young people!

Finally create an indoor or outdoor tropical look with the colorful Ti Plant. They are great in containers solo or in combination with other beautiful blooming annuals.

Ti Plant does well in partial shade to nearly full sun. It needs more water if grown in full sun. Wet foliage daily when hot temperatures arrive. In summer, do not allow the soil to dry out between watering. Indoors Ti Plants like a bright location to keep good color and enjoy daily misting.Ti enjoys humid air to keep the leaf tips from drying out and turning brown. It is also helpful to let your water sit out overnight before watering. It does not require high amounts of fertilizer. Ti should not be subjected to temperatures below about 55° F so if growing outdoors they should transition indoors at the beginning of October.

Ellen Barredo is a Missouri Certified Nursery Professional with more than 30 years in professional horticulture. She works at Bowood Farms and can be reached at (314) 454-6868 or ebarredo77@gmail.com.

June is Perennial Plant Month!

Carex ‘Evergold’

Echinacea Pow WowTM

Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’

• It’s an excellent time to add beauty and color with summer perennials! • Learn more about the value and sustainability of locally grown perennials at RitterPerennials.com

For Personal Service and Quality Perennials, visit these fine garden centers

Hartke Nursery

1030 N. Warson Rd. St. Louis, MO 63132 (314) 997-6679

www.hartkenursery.com

1057 Hwy. 79 St. Peters, MO 63376 (636) 278-4445 www.omasbarn.com

Shadycreek Nursery & Garden Center 201 Carl St. Columbia, IL 62236 (618) 281-7722

www.shadycreeknurserygarden.com

Hillermann Nursery & Florist

Sappington Garden Shop

SummerWinds Nursery

www.hillermann.com

www. sappingtongardenshop.com

www.summerwindsmo.com

2601 E. 5th Street Washington, MO 63090 (636) 239-6729

Oma’s Barn Home & Garden

11530 Gravois Rd. St. Louis, MO 63126 (314) 843-4700

54 Clarkson Rd. Ellisville, MO 63011 (636) 227-0095

The Gateway Gardener™

JUNE 2013

Avian Garbage Men by Connie Alwood

Through an extraordinary sense of smell, these avian garbage men, or buzzards as some call them, are able to pinpoint the exact location of carrion. In his documentary special, The Life of Birds, David Attenborough buried meat on a hillside in Central America. Within minutes Turkey Vultures smelled it out and gorged themselves. Who has not driven down a country road only to see the dead possum, raccoon, squirrel, you name it, being consumed by nature’s cleanup guys. We owe them, for they provide us with an important service. Cornell University, one of the leading ornithological schools in the country, says that they remove tons of carcasses every year off our roadways. On the other hand, they owe us: if our vehicles did not kill so many animals, there probably would be fewer Turkey Vultures, for they are not predators. Most of the birds in the world

JUNE 2013

and in tall trees. A drive along the river road north of Alton, Illinois in Madison County and the Bluff Road in Monroe Country, Illinois usually always provides sightings of these large birds. I can’t remember a time when I haven’t seen Turkey Vultures soaring over the Mississippi River near Alton in the spring, summer and fall. Dan Terpstra

e used to not see them in winter. March was when they would return, soaring, tilting in the sky, with their black and silver wings tipping as if they were going to fall off a celestial table. Now Turkey Vultures can be seen every month of the year. I’ll bet dollars to donuts that they fly over your house sometime during the year. Well, maybe not in the urban areas so much, but they fly over mine in Ferguson. In fact on a couple of occasions they have even roosted in my woods for the night. I say “they” because one seldom sees one Turkey Vulture. Like wolves they travel in packs. With more eyes and noses they “hunt” better. What they hunt is not what you want to eat, unless, of course, you are one of the 200,000 people who have purchased Buck Peterson’s 1987 The Original Road Kill Cookbook. And he only wrote it as a joke.

are comely creatures. One could even assert that birds in general range from pretty to beautiful. But one would surely not call Turkey Vultures prepossessing. They are ugly. The old adage of having a face that only a mother could love applies. In great part, they are ugly because of having no feathers on their red heads. This lack of feathers allows them to place their heads right into the carcasses without fear of bacteria or other contaminants infecting their feathers. Besides being ugly, Turkey Vultures have the nasty habit of defecating on their legs. Ornithologists believe the ammonia in their feces also discourages bacteria. For a while in the early 20th century, Turkey Vultures were persecuted. Farmers and ranchers believed that they killed livestock, something that is not even true of their cousins, the more aggressive and more southerly Black Vultures. Both of these vulture species are primarily carrion consumers. They are now protected. Besides tall trees, one of their favorite roosting sites is a large electrical tower. One can see as many as a hundred Turkey Vultures scattered across a given tower and its lines. Unlike many flocking birds, vultures don’t make much noise. They lack a syrinx; therefore, hissing is their only vocal means. They will nest communally mainly on cliff ledges

The Gateway Gardener™

Counting the California Condor, we have three vultures in North America. The condor was on the brink of extinction, when an extraordinary effort was made to bring them back. It’s a western bird. The Black Vulture, once a species found in our southeastern states, has made its way into the St. Louis area over the recent decades. The Black Vulture is much more aggressive than the Turkey Vulture, often pushing its way into the Turkey Vulture’s

dinner plate; however, it lacks the olfactory ability of the Turkey Vulture, which allows the redhead a chance to find the carcasses first. Still the Turkey Vulture is the most common vulture in North America. Maybe only a mother could love them, but we should all give thanks to those who clean our roads and highways. MODOT and IDOT should put up signs on the back roads of Missouri and Illinois recognizing this species contribution to our roadways: “Cleanup by Volunteer Turkey Vultures.” Connie Alwood is a Master Gardener and co-author of Birds of the St. Louis Area: Where and When to Find Them.

Since 1942

Don’t miss Henry Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society’s big annual event, now featured during the opening of Missouri Botanical Garden’s new

See hundreds of award-winning plants, then choose from rare specimens and starter plants priced from $2! www.hscactus.org/SHOW

Rose Revolution By Diane Brueckman

bloom is a creamy yellow with pink edges. In cooler climates I would expect it to be more yellow with a deeper pink edge. In two years my bush is about 4’x4’. The almost thornless red/ brown canes are sturdy from the base, and branch out into twiggy branches at the top with blooms all summer. I do mulch the base of the bush for winter protection because it is classed a Zone 7 plant. However, there was no dieback this year. ‘Mrs. Dudley Siena Vigorosa Cross’ is at home in a mixed border with iris, daylilies, spring bulbs, foxglove and lupine to name a few companions.

The funny thing is some of these great roses were available for years. Most of the EarthKindtm roses are old varieties that have been overlooked by the average gardener. One is ‘Mrs. Dudley Cross’, a rose I grow with very little effort. It is a tea rose from 1908 and surprisingly winter hardy and repeats very well. The fragrant

Another rose that I grow is ‘Carefree Beauty’ or ‘Katy Road Pink’ a Griffith Buck rose. More of you will be familiar with this rose. Introduced in 1977, this beautiful shrub has large pink double blooms and is very disease resistant and winter hardy. ‘Carefree Beauty’ is the standard by which the EarthKindtm roses are judged.

Photo courtesy NewFlora

he introduction of the ‘Knock Out’ rose started a revolution in the rose world. Nobody or at least no sensible person ever thought of using roses in commercial landscapes. The casual gardener looked at roses as temperamental plants only a gardening guru would ever undertake on a large scale. Hybridizers were working on tougher, garden-friendly roses, but convincing the public was a different story. Seeing the continuous color of the ‘Knock Out’ rose in so many public areas made people hungry for the same beauty in their yards.

BALLWIN NURSERY

& LANDSCAPE CO.

Family-owned since 1958 Remember DAD on Father’s Day! At Missouri Mulch, we understand the importance of mulch that is free of pesticides and contaminants. Our products are made of pure oak derived from barrel making, allowing us to offer you premium mulch products that are both safe and sustainable.

Bulk Products Aromatic Cedar Mulch Cedar Oak Blend Mulch Color Enhanced Mulch & Chips Natural Oak Chips Playground Cover

Matt Michaelis | 913.209.4074 matt.michaelis@missourimulch.com Tracy Stewart | 573.645.2271 tracy.stewart@missourimulch.com Office: 573.252.2520 55 Stave Mill Rd. New Florence, MO 63363 www.missourimulch.com facebook.com/missourimulch

West County’s #1 Nursery!

One-Stop Shopping

& Over 3 acres of

Nursery Quality Shrubs, Trees & Evergreens Sod •Perennials Bedding Plants & Baskets Fertilizers • Mulch Jaguar Grass Seed NEED PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPING... CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE!

636-394-7776

BALLWIN NURSERY 112 OLD BALLWIN RD.

Mon-Fri 8-8 Sat 8-6 • Sun 9-5

located behind Elco Chevrolet wwwballwinnurserylandscape.com

The Gateway Gardener™

JUNE 2013

Other great Buck roses include ‘Country Dancer’, ‘Golden Unicorn’, ‘Winter Sunset’ and ‘Pearlie Mae’. I have grown all of them successfully. The one trait all of these beauties have in common is their casual cottage garden look. All of them would be at home with the aforementioned companion plants. One trait all of these roses have is they are own-root roses. One advantage to own-root is they tend to have fewer winter fatalities. If they die back to ground but the roots survive what comes up will be the original plant, not a rootstock. One disadvantage is they don’t enjoy the same protection against diseases such as rose wilt and verticillium wilt as may roses with a multiflora or Dr. Huey rootstock.

Come SEE our NATURAL SWIMMING POND on the

POND-O-RAMA

Water Garden Tour June 22nd & 23rd

Other more recent introductions that are very easy to grow and versatile landscape plants include the Vigorosa series from Kordes. I have one called ‘Siena Vigorosa’ that I planted in my perennial border last fall after it suffered neglect in a pot for 2 years until I got around to planting it. With no spray, no winter protection and little attention at all it is looking very happy this year. I know there is a Vigorosa at Missouri Botanical Garden (I forget which one) that died back to ground in winter but came back strong. In the same style, the Drift series of roses offers a variety of colors for the front of a border or a container. This year I am trialing some of the Easy Elegance roses from Bailey Nursery. ‘Pinktopia’ has been in my yard for 2 years and is a well behaved mound 3’ X 3’ of pink blooms all summer, a very healthy rose that came through winter unscathed. All together I will be trying 5 different Easy Elegance roses. Next year I’ll report on how they performed.

Diane Brueckman is a retired rosarian with Missouri Botanical Garden, and currently owns Rosey Acres in Baldwin, Illinois. You can reach her at (618) 785-3011.

www.WestWindsFalls.com

(636) 274-5133

GET DAD A TREE THIS YEAR INSTEAD OF A TIE!

25% OFF ALL RPM™ TREES IN STOCK (excludes Japanese Red Maple)

Our Remarkable Trees start with Remarkable Roots! Forrest Keeling Nursery developed the Root Production Method (or RPM) for trees that produces a mass root system for heartier, faster-growing trees.

Design/Installation Also Available

“The Best Time to Plant a Tree is 20 Years Ago, The Next Best Time is NOW!” - Chinese Proverb

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Mon-Sat: 8AM-5PM • Sun: 10AM-4PM 1 mile south of Elsberry on scenic Hwy. 79

314-741-3121

JUNE 2013

The Gateway Gardener™

618-585-3414

573-898-5571 or 1-800-356-2401

www.fknursery.com

June/July Lawn Care By Glennon Kraemer

his is the time of year where your lawn care practices are very different for cool-season lawns versus warm-season lawns. If you have both like I do, pick the one you like best and treat the lawn as a whole. You will never hurt zoysia treating it like blue grass (except when it comes to spraying weeds), but you can really hurt blue grass treating it like zoysia. I’ll explain.

Mowing

Cool-season lawns will benefit from mowing at 3 ½” to 4”. There is a direct correlation to mowing height and root depth in cool-season lawns. The deeper the roots, the more drought and disease resistant the lawn will be throughout the summer. Remember, it is a “coolseason” plant, so it needs all the help we can give it to survive in an environment in which it doesn’t do well (hot weather). Tall grass

blades help keep the soil cool and slow down evaporation. Warmseason grasses are the exact opposite. Zoysia will spread and choke out weeds better if it is mowed at 1”-2”. Watch tree roots and other items in the yard at that short mowing height! Keep a sharp blade and try to remove only 1/3 of the plant at a time (easy to do now, but impossible to do in the spring. Fertilizing Summer applications of organic fertilizers are always the best in my opinion. They have slow-release properties that prevent burning, and when combined with synthetics (know as “bridge products”) really offer some fantastic color without surge growth. Cool-season lawns are especially subject to diseases in the summer and surge growth is main culprit for causing diseases to prosper. Warm-season grasses are almost disease free in the summer and will benefit from quick-release nitrogen applications (like ammonium sulfate or urea). I like Milorganite ® or Survivor ®, a 16-2-0 with 80% slow- release nitrogen from 5 different nitrogen sources. It has some ammonium sulfate and urea for quick green up and 3 forms of slow release nitrogen (bio-solids, chicken solids and SCU) for an extended feed. One dose for cool-season lawns and 2-3 for warmseason lawns through August is all I would recommend.

Other Practices

Spray weeds as directed by the label. Warm-season grasses have to be fully greened up before spraying most herbicides. Sedgehammer® is the chemical of choice for nutsedge. Reapply 2-3 weeks after the first application to insure you get 70-80% in one season. It’s a tough one to control. Water cool-season lawns in the morning, but warm-season lawns can be watered anytime. They actually like to be watered in the hot time of the day. Cool-season lawns like their dew period extended, so water between 5am and 8am when possible. Deep, infrequent watering is best, but nothing is guaranteed. I water for two days in a row and then take 2-3 days 1.

Ritter Greenhouse and Ball DPF are proud to announce the arrival of… Grow great plants indoors & out with NATURE’S SOURCE® Plant Food, a renewable source of plant nutrition from oilseed extract. With a new hose-end attachment on the 32oz. bottle, it’s the perfect choice for the time-challenged home gardener looking for a more sustainable fertilizer. “Bring out the best in everything you grow” …ask for it at your local independent garden center!

The Gateway Gardener™

JUNE 2013

off from June through August. Grub controls should be applied in late June/early July (Merit)® or Dylox® in mid-August on either grass type. My lawn never looks perfect, but by the end of September…you never know what it looked like in July. Summer can be very bad on cool season lawns, but if you keep your expectations lower from July to mid-September, you won’t be disappointed. Remember folks, it’s just grass.

13th Annual Pond-O-Rama Pond and Garden Tour June 22 & 23 Pond-O-Rama is simply the most spectacular garden tour of the summer! See 48 beautiful SLWGS member water features.

Glenn Kraemer owns and operates GR Robinson Seed and Service, and can be reached by phone at 314-432-0300 or by email ag gmmseed@sbcglobal.net.

Tickets are $15. Garden club and group discounts are available.

Never Miss An Issue!

You can have The Gateway Gardener delivered right to your home. Just complete this form and mail it with $24 for postage and handling to the address below. You’ll receive 9 issues (a one-year subscription) beginning with the next issue. Name: Address:

For ticket locations, call (314)995-2988 or visit our website, www.slwgs.org

Watch This Space: Find Out What’s New & Exciting for 2013!

City, State & Zip: Phone:

Visit Your Local Distributor

For Soil

Mender and Dyna Green Products!

Email:

Please make your check payable to The Gateway Gardener and mail it with this form to: The Gateway Gardener PO Box 220853 St. Louis, MO 63122

Professional Grade Raised Bed Brackets

• 16 gauge powder coated steel • Redwood color • Weather-resistant screws included

• Unique bracket design allows for trellis and fencing options

Lumber not included

• Model 226 designed for 2 layers of 2” x 6” lumber • Model 326 designed for 3 layers of 2” x 6” lumber • Easy to assemble – instructions included Visit Your Local

Distributor

JUNE 2013

The Gateway Gardener™

Dig This!

Gateway Gardeners and Businesses in the News Market Street Planting Honors “The Man!”

Bill Ruppert

For years, Gateway Greening volunteers have lovingly maintained both the median on Market Street in downtown St. Louis, as well as plantings throughout Keiner plaza. Gateway Greening’s Civic Greening/Urban Roots program has enhanced the St. Louis urban landscape since 2003 and this year will be no exception. In honor of Cardinals baseball great Stan Musial, plantings this year will follow the theme of the great “Stan the Man” – celebrated with beautiful red and white plantings throughout the median and capped off with large ‘6s’ planted on the median ends. “Each year Gateway Greening maintains this centerpiece for downtown St. Louis through our devoted volunteers and through donations from appreciative donors. Stan the Man was a centerpiece for the St. Louis community and what better way to honor him than to beautify the center of our city with Cardinals colors and his beloved #6,” explained Mike Sorth, Executive Director of Gateway Greening. Volunteers and Master Gardeners met on May 18th to plant a long list of award-winning red and white annuals.

New Farmers’ Market at Hillermann’s

Hillermann Nursery & Florist in Washington is the site of a new farmers’ market, which opened May 23. The market will be open Thursdays and Fridays yearround from 10am to 2pm on the Hillermann parking lot.

for several months with Janet Hurst, an extension specialist from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, to get the market up and running. The hours have been set so they do not conflict with the Washington Farmers’ Market, operated by the Chamber of Commerce, in Downtown Washington, and the Hillermann market is not intended to compete with the downtown market. “We’re just wanting to give farmers and vendors another opportunity (to sell their items),” said Sandi. “This is community helping community.” Marketmasters for the season are Sandi and Dave Wehmeyer, a Hillermann Nursery employee. The market will offer mostly food products, with 75 percent fruits, vegetables and food items, and 25 percent crafts or other items. For more information on the market, including how to become a vendor, people may call Sandi at (636) 299-8452, or Dave at (636) 299-6510.

Phase 2 Rainscape Rebates Available

We reported in the May 2013 issue on the $90,000 awarded to contractors and homeowners in Round 1 of the Deer Creek Watershed Alliance Rainscape Rebate program. Now, Phase 2 is beginning, and once again, landowners in the Deer Creek Watershed area will be eligible for 75% of approved and documented costs up to a maximum of $2,000 for landscaping their yards to improve stormwater management. Round Two applications now available for download at deercreekalliance.org/ rainscaperebates.aspx. Hard copy applications are also available at participating city halls. The application deadline for Round Two is July 15, 2013. The RainScape Rebates program is funded by Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, Mabel Dorn Reeder Foundation, the Missouri Department of Conservation, participating municipalities, and US EPA Region 7 through the Department of Natural Resources (subgrant number G11-NPS-15), under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act.

Sandi Hillermann McDonald has been working 20

The Gateway Gardener™

JUNE 2013

Missouri Botanical Garden Volunteers Honored

A few of the evening’s honorees, including (clockwise from top left): a few representatives of The Horticulture Answer Service, with Dr. Peter Wyse Jackson (left) and HAS Supervisor Chip Tynan (right); Maryellen May (right) with Dr. Wyse Jackson and Kemper Center Supervisor June Hutson; Linda Coonrod (center) with Horticulturist Jennifer Kleeschulte and Dr. Wyse Jackson; and representatives from St. Louis Arc with Horticulturist Richard Harrison next to Dr. Wyse Jackson.

Missouri Botanical Garden recently recognized exceptional service of many of its volunteers at its annual Volunteer Appreciation Evening. In 2012, more than 1,800 volunteers contributed over 141,500 hours to various jobs and activities at Missouri Botanical Garden, Shaw Nature Reserve, The Butterfly House, EarthWays Center and other locations.

opportunity to join co-workers for photos in a photo booth, and free tram rides through the Garden on a beautiful spring evening. MBG President Dr. Peter Wyse Jackson expressed the Garden’s gratitude to the group, and Jackie Juras, Manager of the Volunteer Program at the Gardens, presided over the evening’s activities. Honorees were as follows: Commitment Award: Bill Sedlock, General Services Extra Service Hours: Pat Patterson, Shaw Nature Reserve Green Award: Margi Koors, Sustainability; St. Louis Arc, Horticulture Rookie Volunteer of the Year: Marlene Katz, Horticulture, Science and Conservation Special Achievement: Linda Coonrod, Horticulture Group Excellence: Horticulture Answer Service, Horticulture Lifetime Achievement: Maryellen May, Horticulture In addition, volunteers with significant service anniversaries were recognized, including those with 10, 20 and 30 years of service, and in the case of Mary Jane Kirtz, 40 years!

Volunteers were treated or appetizers and drinks, an

Bring Conservation Home

• Dreaming of your own wildlife sanctuary? • Fascinated by hummingbirds, butterflies or creepy/ crawlies? • Not sure how to get started or which native plants are best? Call (314) 599-7390 or check out our habitat assistance and certification program at:

StLouisAudubon.org/bch JUNE 2013

The Gateway Gardener™

Upcoming Events everyone welcome. The Children’s Garden Club is designed to educate and bring delight in gardening to children with projects they do themselves. Sherwood’s Forest Nursery & Garden Center, 2651 Barrett Station Rd. Also sponsored by Schnuck’s Markets.

Updates to this information are often posted on our online events calendar at www. GatewayGardener.com, so check there for the latest details. If you have a smartphone, scan this code to go directly to the Upcoming Events online calendar.

11am-2pm—Hillermann’s First Saturday Kids. Bring the kids to play in the garden and enjoy a FREE activity with Sheri! June: Plant Peanuts. Hillermann Nursery & Florist, (636) 239-6729, www. hillermann.com.

Plant Shows, Sales Tours

Give us the details of your upcoming gardening, lawn or landscaping event and we’ll add it to our website and include it in our next issue. Deadline for printing in September issue is August 1st. How to reach us: Mail: PO Box 220853, St. Louis, MO 63122 Email: (314) info@ gatewaygardener.com GARDEN CLUBS AND PLANT SOCIETY MEETINGS Interested in Joining a Garden Club or Plant Society? We have meeting dates, locations and contact information on more than 50 area garden clubs on our website at www.GatewayGardener.com. Don’t have access to the internet? Just call us at (314) 968-3740, or write us at PO Box 220853, St. Louis, MO 63122, and we’ll get the information to you. So share your joy for gardening and join a garden club or favorite plant society today!

Fun for Kids June 1st 9am—Children’s Garden Club. FREE, no reservations required,

and

June 1st 10am-3pm—2013 Garden & Kitchen Tour. Tour historic Mudd’s Grove kitchen and beautiful herb garden. Sponsored by The Friends of the Kirkwood Historic Society. Tickets available at OK Hatchery, The Kirkwood Public Library Gift Shop, and Mudd’s Grove (Thurs.Sun. 1-4pm). $15 in advance, $20 day of tour. 302 W. Argonne Ave., Kirkwood, MO. Noon-4pm—Annual Rose Show of the Belleville Area Rose Society. Featuring many varieties of roses and flower arrangements. Turkey Hill Grange Hall next to Eckert’s Orchards in Belleville. 9am—Sugar Creek Gardens Nursery Tour. Tour the Nursery, seeing what’s in bloom, along with the best plants of the year. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. Call (314) 9653070.

Garden Tour. Gardens in Waterloo, IL. Historic homes highlighted to celebrate 125th anniversary of founding of Waterloo. Call (618) 939-7708 for locations to purchase tickets. $10/person in advance, $12 day of event. 10am-3pm—Highland Garden Club Tour. Tickets maybe purchased in advance for $5 and the day of the tour for $7. Rural King Supply, Whitledge Flowers, Highland Chamber off Commerce office or any garden club member has tickets. For more information call Nancy at 618-654-6740. 10am-4pm—The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program. Explore six private gardens in St. Louis, open to the public for self-guided tours. No reservations required; rain or shine. $5 per garden; children 12 & under free. Highlights include a garden designed around Feng Shui principles, a moon gate leading to an extensive peony collection, boxwood defined garden rooms, and a large bonsai collection. Call toll-free weekdays (888) 842-2442 or see www.opendaysprogram.org for more information. June 15th 9am-3pm—Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Garden Tour. Eight gardens plus Master Gardener plant sale at Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House in Edwardsville. Raffle for container gardens at each home. $12 in advance, $15 day of tour. Children under 10 free. Contact (618) 344-4230.

June 8th 9am-3pm—Secret Garden Tour of Lebanon. Self-guided walking tour of six secret gardens. Rain or Shine. $7 advance/ $9 door. Proceeds for youth scholarship. Lebanon Visitors Center, 221 W. St. Louis St, Lebanon IL Info at 618-537-8420, www. gardencluboflebanon.org and on Facebook.

June 22nd 9am-5pm—Kimmswick Daylily Plant Sale. Located at Carrol Wrather’s State inspected Garden Certificate # A-1777), 6005 Fourth St, Kimmswick. 80 varieties and 1500 freshly dug and bagged plants, with 600 varieties on display. Come early for best selection. No sales before 9am. Proceeds benefit the Kimmswick Visitors Center. For information, call 636-4646464 or check the website at GoKimmswick.com.

County

9am-3pm—The 8th annual Salem

10am-4pm—Monroe

Garden Treasures Tour. Featuring five beautiful local gardens, rain or shine. Tickets $5 (16 years or older) may be purchased at Bryan Memorial Park located on North Rte. 37 and Boone Street from 8:30am-1:30pm day of tour. Other activities include vendors with garden items and art, food booths and musicians. An All-American Selection Display Garden also will be available for viewing. June 22nd and 23rd 9am-5 pm—Pond-O-Rama 13th Annual Pond and Garden Tour. Sponsored by The St. Louis Water Gardening Society, the self-guided tour includes 50 water features that range from choice small ponds to magnificent large ones located in both Missouri and Illinois. The tour is divided geographically by day with 25 gardens available for viewing each day. Tickets, good for both days, are $15 per person, and are available at garden centers across the area. Children 17 and under are admitted free. All persons age 18 and over must have a ticket. The ticket booklet includes maps to all tour locations. Each ticket booklet also includes a coupon for a free membership in the St. Louis Water Gardening Society for the remainder of the year. For more information about the St. Louis Water Gardening Society and its activities, including Pond-O-Rama, visit the SLWGS website at www. slwgs.org. June 23rd 11 a m - 4 p m — S u s t a i n a b l e Backyard Tour. Visit dozens of area home landscapes promoting sustainable practices such as rainwater harvesting, composting, keeping chickens, bees or goats, using renewable energy, repurposed materials, native gardens, and more. For a tour map or to register your garden, go to www. sustainablebackyardtour.com or search the same on Facebook. June 29th-30th Noon-5pm (Sat.), 9am-5pm (Sun.)—Henry Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society Show and Sale. Choose from a wide array of cacti and succulents shown and sold by

The Gateway Gardener™

JUNE 2013

the area’s top growers, including thousands of rare specimens and starter plants priced from $1.50. Cactus Society members will be on hand to answer questions and give plant care advice. Missouri Botanical Garden, Beaumont Room. Entry included with Garden admission. www.hscactus.org.

Classes, Lectures Events

and

Now through October 31st 9am-5pm daily—Plastic Pot Recycling. Recycle plastic garden pots, cell packs and trays. West parking lot of the Garden’s Monsanto Center, 4500 Shaw Blvd. at Vandeventer. (314) 577-9441. Look for Plastic Pot Recycling at several satellite collection centers throughout the metro area through Sept. 30; for a complete list of participants, visit www.mobot.org/ plasticpotrecycling. June 1st 8am-noon—Lettuce Showcase. Tour a lettuce garden with over 200 different varieties. See the many varieties you can grow at home and learn more about lettuce you may not see in the grocery stores. Hodiamont Community Garden, 5660 Hodiamont Ave. at Harney Ave. in Jennings, Missouri. Tropical Garden Party Jimmy Buffet Style. See the colorful tropical plants in our displays and bring some of these beauties home to brighten your indoor and outdoor spaces. Make-n-take a Beverage Garden (for infusing drinks). Tropical Plants and more. Hillermann Nursery & Florist, (636) 239-6729, www.hillermann. com. 3-6pm—Weed Dating Event at EarthDance Farms. FREE. Come out to our farm to be among other agricurious folk like you! You’ll be paired in a quick one-on-one weeding session with a potential romantic interest and move from one row to the next, meeting someone new every 5-10 minutes. At 3pm, there will be a tour of the farming operations. Weed Dating will begin after that. The last hour is a BYOB happy hour at the farm. Advance registration required. EarthDance Farms, 233 S. Dade

JUNE 2013

Ave, St. Louis, MO 63135. For more info and registration, visit http://www.earthdancefarms.org/ events/weed-dating. June 6 2-5pm—Native Plant Landscape Design. Creating and installing the native plant garden. 2013 native plant classes sponsored by Lincoln University Native Plants Program, 900 Chestnut St., Allen Hall, Rm. 100. Jefferson City, MO. Contact Amy Hempen at HempenA@ LincolnU.edu. th

June 8th 9:30-11:30am—The Rose-Queen of Flowers. Learn the basics of growing beautiful roses. St. Charles County Extension Center, 260 Brown Rd., St. Peters MO. Visit http://extension.missouri.edu/ stcharles/gardenclasses.aspx or call 636-970-3000 for information. Preregistration required. $20. 10am—Best Summer Gardening Tips. Learn great tips for summer gardening from Karen Collins, author of Karen’s Garden Calendar. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. Call (314) 965-3070. June 11th 7-9—Forest Ecology: 2013 Tap Root Speaker Series. Join Mike Walsh from Forest ReLeaf of Missouri as he speaks about forest ecosystems, how they work and what they do for us. For professionals. CEU credits available. Plus cool drinks and door prizes. Schlafly Bottleworks, 7260 Southwest Ave. Call (636) 9703000 to pre-register. $10. June 13th 4-8pm—Tasting from the Garden at Queeny Park. Enjoy an evening stroll through the beautiful Jarville Gardens while listening to expert gardeners as they discuss harvesting from your landscape and all about herbs. Gardening tips will be provided as well as demonstrations such as dressing up your table. Meet at the parking lot off the Mason Road entrance. Advanced registration required. Call (314) 615-8472. $10 per person (Children 10 and under free if accompanied by an adult.) 1-4 p.m.—Native Plant School:

The Gateway Gardener™

Garden Archeology and Ethnobotany. Bring your questions, comments, photos, drawings, and plant specimens for discussion. Session includes hands-on tours and demonstrations. Audience participation encouraged. $15 ($12 Garden members). Whitmire Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve. For reservations or more information, call (636) 451-3512 ext. 0 or visit www.shawnature.org. June 15th 10am—Easy Care Roses. Learn about the climbers, shrubs, groundcover and mini roses that thrive in St. Louis, along with techniques and tips for the showiest displays. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 965-3070. June 20th 7pm—A Native Scavenger Hunt at the Museum of Transportation. Join members of Wild Ones Natural Landscapers to learn more about native plants and natural landscaping. Follow clues to identify interesting plants. Prizes. $10 per person. Children under 10 free if accompanied by an adult. Advance registration is recommended. Call (314) 6158472. June 22nd 10:30am—Fairy Pinterest Party. Celebrate National Fairy Day Pinterest Style! Join the celebration and make your choice of several different fairy activities. There will be a small fee for materials used.

Hillermann Nursery & Florist, (636) 239-6729, www.hillermann. com. Noon-2pm—Vino Van Gogh Painting Event. Paint, Drink and be Merry. A new kind of event bringing a fabulous experience of art and wine together! Held at Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 636-239-6729, www.hillermann.com. Vino Van Gogh provides all art supplies: canvas, brush, paint & an apron to wear. The art instructor leads the class through a 2-3 hour session following a featured painting. Turn a blank canvas into your own workof-art. Cost: $38.00. Wine & light refreshments will be available. Seating may be limited. Sign up at http://www.vinogogh.com/ or call (866) 390-9917. June 29th through July 31st 9am-5pm—Desert Show: Plants and People of the Western US Deserts. This newly introduced show will feature plants rarely on display from North American deserts and will emphasize plants used by Native Americans. Visitors will learn about the economic and medicinal potential of cacti and other desert plants and see traditional Navajo artifacts including a replica hogan dwelling. Missouri Botanical Garden, Orthwein Floral Display Hall. Garden admission plus $5; free for Garden members. Sponsorship provided by the Henry Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society.

Hand Made in St. Louis

ur D at ispla y in R LI Kir VIN kw G, oo IN d C.

Choose the Gutter Garden That’s Right for YOU!

• Indoor Gutter Gardens (water-tight for growing container herbs/plants in kitchen windows or anywhere!) • Outdoor Gutter Gardens (with drainage holes to hang from a balcony or deck railing, trellis or fence.) • Gutter Gardens for Cats (complete cat grass kit for your feline friends) Made from recycled aluminum rain gutter material Local Delivery and Installation Available

www.guttergardens.com

1-855.USA.GROW (855.872.4769) 23

Compost can reduce water consumption and add nutrients to your soil!

Visit St. Louis Compostingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s five area locations for the largest selection of STA-certified Compost, Mulch Products and Soil Blends BELLEVILLE, IL

VALLEY PARK, MO 39 Old Elam Ave. 636.861.3344

ST. LOUIS, MO

5841 Mine Haul Rd. 618.233.2007

560 Terminal Row 314.868.1612

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO

FORT BELLEFONTAINE COMPOST FACILITY

(This is a drop off facility only) 11294 Schaefer Road 314.423.9035

13060 County Park Rd. Florissant, MO 314.355.0052

Visit us online at www.stlcompost.com

ENRICHING THE SOIL NATURALLY SINCE 1992