KCG May21 by The Kansas City Gardener

The Kansas City

GARDENER May 2021 | kcgmag.com

Landscaping with

Roses

GREETINGS FROM

LOUISBURG, KS Come with us on an exciting journey and discover the ultimate water garden destination. A place where you can experience first hand what "living in paradise" could be like. Located on 8 acres in Northern Miami County you'll find a quaint village, the water garden destination of your dreams. A place where we live and breathe the "water garden lifestyle" every single day. WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

Kevin and Diane Swan’s love for the unique style of water gardening began in 1994 after building their first water garden in their own backyard so they could enjoy the peace and tranquility that accompanies any water feature. After building that single feature they were hooked and “living the water garden lifestyle” became their passion. They took this new inspiration and turned it into a career. Swan’s Water Gardens came to life as they strived to share this lifestyle with the world. For 20 years Kevin and Diane built their business on Padbury Lane in Spring Hill, KS. Eventually the opportunity arose to move to the current location near Louisburg, KS after having rebuilt the previous homeowners water feature years earlier. Story goes the main store building was originally an old bank that was later brought to where it now sits. The history of the building is evident from the outside detail and continues inside with an intricate ceiling and charming accents. All the other buildings are original to the property but with each addition have created a small village making for a special destination visit. What started as a small design and installation firm 27 years ago specializing in the creation of naturalistic waterfalls, streams and ponds

October 2020 | kcgmag.com

quickly grew to be so much more. Now spanning several departments, Swan’s offers design and installation, pond service, hardscaping, landscape lighting and the retail village, the ultimate water garden destination. Located on 8 acres in Northern Miami County the quaint village sits. What started as one water feature and acres of surrounding grass has grown to be so much more in just 7 short years. Now surrounded by 11 water features, strolling gardens, and even a small lavender field it’s a place unlike any other.

TOUR THE GARDENS

Imagine the breathtaking sights and sounds of a true water garden paradise. Glistening waterfalls catch your eye; a cadence of ripples and waves wash your troubles downstream. A school of fish, painted across a crystal clear canvas, swim about a rainbow of lilies blooming proudly above the surface. The gentle breeze over calm water brings a reflection of sunshine to life. All the senses are at peace. Most people get to experience this scene in one water feature in their own backyard but at Swan’s you can enjoy this many times over as you tour the retail village and surrounding gardens. You’ll find ponds large and small, waterfalls, flowing streams, and bubbling rock fountains. Exploring Swan’s Water Gardens leads to discovering a vast selection of aquatic plants throughout the ponds from the tropical giant Queen Victoria Water Lily that showcases stunning beauty with a hidden defense to the Lotus’ showy blooms and leaves standing proud above the water. Hardy and tropical water lilies in an array of colors dress the water’s surface while countless marginal aquatic plants with intriguing names such as Lizards Tail, Bloody Dock, Society Garlic, Mosaic and Obedient Plant adorn streams and waterfalls.

Though Swan’s specializes in water gardens, they take pride in their landscaping as well. Diane’s love and knowledge of perennial and native plants has led to a large following of plant lovers from all around the Kansas City metro to visit and enjoy the many expanding landscape gardens. The “Secret Garden” is host to many shade plants. The “Kansas Native Garden” is home to a pondless waterfall and stream, a visitor favorite. The “Strolling Garden” path lined with a birch tree tunnel leads to the dainty “Pink and White Garden” that invites you to sit and enjoy the views of the lavender field and large natural pond complete with singing bull frogs. A stroll through Swan’s many gardens will surely leave you more at peace than when you arrived.

THE RETAIL VILLAGE In addition to the peaceful gardens, you'll find so much more at the retail village. Everything you need for your water garden can all be found in one place. Liner, underlayment and an under-gravel filtration system if you're looking to build your own feature. For those water gardeners who enjoy doing maintenance you'll find pumps, aerators and algae control products to ensure your feature always looks its best. Accent your feature with aquatic marginals, lilies, lotus, landscape annuals and perennials. Don't forget to take home a new koi or goldfish friend too!

AQUATIC PLANTS

Our retail village specializes in aquatic plants so you can add your personal touch and bring more life to your water feature. Available varieties fluctuate throughout the season but we always have a diverse selection of styles and sizes to accent your feature. This includes: hardy & tropical water lilies night blooming lilies miniature lilies hardy & tropical marginals floating hyacinth & water lettuce oxygenators lotus Let us help you bring life to your water feature!

A SWAN'S WATER GARDEN With a Swan's Water Garden you can rest easy knowing your feature has been built by experienced hands who have a true passion for water gardens and the joy they bring.

leak are revealed. You can relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility your water garden provides without worry. The experienced and passionate installation crew will make what were once dreams a reality. We are the only full-service water garden company in the Kansas City Metro area with a five year, leak-free guarantee, and we stand behind it 100 percent. We truly leave a piece of ourselves behind with every project! Contact us for a project quote.

YOUR ONE STOP SHOP

Once a Swan's feature is built the relationship doesn't end there. As a fullservice water garden company spanning several departments, Swan's has the resources and the man-power to assist you with all things water gardening. For those who want all the perks of a flourishing water feature, but just don't have the time, Swan's Water Gardens offers spring cleanouts as well as a twelve or eight month maintenance program for worry free water gardening. We also service ponds on an as needed basis for those who occasionally need extra assistance. Our dedicated maintenance crew works to ensure that your feature will always look its best.

Throughout the Kansas City area we have been building and maintaining water gardens for more than 26 years. Over those many years our pond building techniques have been honed to perfection through hard work and experience.

If you are more hands on we also cater to the DIY water gardener. Our pond supply store carries all the necessary materials to build and care for your water feature including pond liner, pumps, plants, product and more. The educated staff can also lend support and direction along the way.

Not only will you marvel at the precise excavation of your pond but you'll be amazed at how well your finished water garden actually blends into your existing landscape.

We don't stop there. We also offer light packages and paver patio add-ons. Let us help complete your outdoor living space so you can enjoy your water feature 365 days a year.

Once the excavation is complete the true artistry of the building process begins. It's also where our secrets to building ponds that don't

Visit our retail location to view several display features, paver patios and landscape lighting. Come see what living in paradise looks like!

EVENTS & CLASSES

The changing of the seasons brings a whole new experience to our gardens. Whether it's a ladies night, miniature garden workshop or a snowy Christmas village we love to share our little piece of paradise with you. Starting in the spring and continuing throughout the summer and fall we host many events and classes at our retail village. Some events to come this year include the annual Lotus and Lavender Days, Succulent Saturday's, Fairy Friday's, Ladies Nights, Fall Festival, Lily Blossom Festival, and the Old Time Christmas Village. Our events often include a fun workshop for all and occasionally complementary snacks. The lavender lemonade and lavender sugar cookies are a customer favorite during Lotus and Lavender Days!

Follow our Facebook page to stay updated on what events are coming up this year. You won't want to miss out!

WE'RE OPEN

Visit us anytime Tuesday-Friday 9am-5pm or Saturday 9am-4pm. To gardeners, water gardeners, and lovers of the outdoors we invite you to experience water garden paradise like we do every single day! We can't wait to share our passion with you and we hope to see you soon!

MAKE YOUR PLANS TO VISIT SWAN'S WATER GARDENS IN 2021 AND SHOP IN PARADISE WITH THE POND PROFESSIONALS!

4385 W 247th St. Louisburg, KS 66053 Tues-Fri 9am-5pm & Sat 9am-4pm

swanswatergardens@gmail.com swanswatergardens.com 913-837-3510

The Kansas City Gardener | October 2020

editor’s notes

The Kansas City

GARDENER Independently owned and operated since 1996 PUBLISHER Michael Cavanaugh EDITOR Elizabeth Cavanaugh CONTRIBUTORS Adam Baker Jim Earnest Nik and Theresa Hiremath Lenora Larson Jason Mispagel Nadia Navarrete-Tindall Dennis Patton Judy Penner Tamra Reall Denise Sullivan Scott Woodbury DISTRIBUTION Publishers Delivery Solutions, Inc. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DISTRIBUTE the magazine at your place of business, please contact Mike Cavanaugh mike@kcgmag.com 913-648-4728 NEED MORE MAGAZINES? mike@kcgmag.com 913-648-4728 CONTACT US P.O. Box 8725 Prairie Village, KS 66208 913-648-4728 ADVERTISING Mike Cavanaugh mike@kcgmag.com 913-648-4728 EDITORIAL and SUBSCRIPTIONS Elizabeth Cavanaugh elizabeth@kcgmag.com 913-648-4728 HOW TO SUBSCRIBE See details on page 39. WEBSITE kcgmag.com

Spring gardens

he garden is awash with spring color, a non-stop display of nature’s handiwork. From the floral display of crabapple, redbud, and magnolia trees to the viburnum, fothergilla, and lilac, all perform this orchestral drama of spring. Even the early bloomers like hellebore, phlox, columbine, and bleeding heart, each play an integral part in a most splendid way. As we know well, Midwest weather has a way of adding a different kind of drama to the season. Of course, this spring was no exception. The forecast for three inches of snow in late April, followed by freezing temperatures created much angst among gardeners. Newly seen hosta erupting up through the mulch seemed threatened. Tender annuals recently planted were in danger. And what about the peony and wisteria buds currently forming? Will the frigid air cause damage, or worse, halt growth altogether? To cover or not to cover, that too, a popular topic. All in all, it seems the landscape made it through unscathed. Depending on where you garden, your landscape assessment after such an event could be entirely different. Only time will tell. As the season marches forward, we’ll note this episode of spring

gardening in our journal to mark yet another challenge while gardening in the Midwest. We’ll wander by neighbors’ gardens, and parking lot island plantings, and note any scarring and wonder, “I’ll bet the late freeze did that.” The opposite will likely come up as well. “Wow, your garden is looking great. No damage from the last Jack Frost visit?” Speaking of wandering gardens, May and June bring back those muchcherished times with fellow gardeners—the annual garden tours. Supplied within the pages of this issue, are details of five tours, with special invitations to be inspired. How many times have you passed by a beautifully landscaped yard, or a perennial garden in full bloom and stop to admire. Only wishing the gardener was around to ask questions about plant identification, care and history of their garden. These tours are exactly that. Liberty Hyde Bailey (18581954) was an American horticulturist and botanist who was cofounder of the American Society for Horticultural Science. Bailey is credited

with being instrumental in starting agricultural extension services, and the 4-H movement (wikipedia.org). This quote he authored is quite appropriate for all of those gardeners preparing their gardens for review. “A garden requires patient labor and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfill good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort on them. ” And for those of us privileged to wander their gardens paths we are oh so grateful! I’ll see you in the garden!

In this issue

May 2021 | kcgmag.com 6 Ask the Experts 8 Pollinator Habitat Design 10 Indoor Gardening–Tomatoes 12 Kids Ask Dr. Bug 14 Douglas Co EMG Garden Tour 16 MGGKC Garden Tour 18 Avian Salmonella 18 Powell Gardens Events 20 Landscaping with Roses 22 Irresistible Phlox

24 Flowers for Butterflies 26 Johnson Co EMG Garden Tour 28 Native Plant Academy 30 Kentucky Coffeetree 32 Plants on Your Plate 34 UPCLOSE 36 Union Hill Garden Tour 36 Garden Events 38 Garden Calendar 39 Hotlines

About the cover: Belinda’s Dream is one of the roses Judy Penner recommends including in your landscape. Learn about other roses varieties for garden beginning on page 20. 4

May 2021 | kcgmag.com

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Ask the Experts BOXWOOD SHRUBS SHOWING DISTRESS Question: I have several threeyear-old rounded boxwood shrubs and two short vertical boxwood shrubs. All are stressed with some yellowing leaves, especially the verticals. I have been applying a water-soluble fertilizer for three weeks. I put down the spring application of an evergreen food as well. What else do you recommend I might do to save these shrubs? Answer: Fertilizing stressed plants is not recommended. Adding fertilizer pushes new growth when it just needs to focus on surviving. Think about when you are sick, do you want to eat? Many boxwoods are off-color naturally from the extreme cold temperatures in February. The clue for the health of the plant will be if it sprouts any new growth in late April or early May. At this point, no more fertilizer is needed for the rest of the year as this plant really does not need much feeding. A common complaint on boxwoods is they outgrow the space, so I would not recommend fertilizing. My take is that we over fertilizer shrubs in the landscape. If you need help figuring out the cause of the stress, let me know. If it is simply off-color, then this is winter damage, and the plant will recover. In the future, remember fertilizer is seldom recommended for truly struggling plants. SCALE INSECTS HARD TO CONTROL Question: My Saucer Magnolia is covered with what has been diagnosed as scale. How can I get a handle on this pest? Answer: Until the last few years, Magnolia scale was seldom seen in the Kansas City area. Now it seems to be everywhere. Scale insects are difficult to control as the insect has a protective shelllike covering. The covering often shields the pest from insecticides. Scale can be controlled with a one-two punch. Apply a soil drench

Learn strategies for gardening beneath Black Walnut trees.

Looking for inspiration? Shawnee Indian Mission is one of several EMG demonstration gardens available to the public.

systemic insecticide, Imidacloprid, around the base of the plant in late spring through early summer. Then apply dormant oils, an organic option, during the dormant period in late fall through early spring. Oils require thorough coverage to ensure all parts of the plant which can harbor the scales are covered. It may take a couple of years to completely suffocate and bring a heavy infestation under control.

such as tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and peppers. Depending on the size of your lot and tree location, vegetable gardens are possible. The walnut roots seek out the moist, fertile vegetable soil. A raised bed is a good option to help combat walnut wilt as it can help reduce root contact. Line the raised beds with a porous landscape fabric material before filling with amended soil to reduce or slow root development into the bed.

or keeping it small. The variety of Bonfire is prized for its bronze leaf color and was not developed to be a fruit producer. It is designed to be a niche tree for a spot of color. If your goal is to produce peaches, look for dwarf varieties that will tolerate our conditions. These trees will be a little bigger than the patio varieties. Plant in a sunny location and provide excellent care. Hopefully, you too, will harvest fresh juicy peaches.

GROWING PEACH TREES A CHALLENGE, DOABLE Question: I am noticing several varieties of dwarf peach trees on the market. One variety that caught my attention is Bonfire, and I have seen others. I really like fresh peaches. Is this an option worth trying? Answer: Dwarf or patio fruit trees are all the rage. I, too, love fresh peaches and have wonderful memories of picking tree-ripe peaches. I have toyed with the idea of planting a dwarf, patio-sized peach tree. These trees grow up to around 8 feet or so, making them perfect for small spaces. Peaches can be finicky to grow. They do not like our heavy clay soils and are prone to spring freezes that nip the buds resulting in no fruit set. Often, with a plant that is dwarfed, it decreases its vig-

VISIT EMG DEMONSTRATION GARDENS FOR INSPIRATION Question: You have referred to your demonstration gardens from time to time. Can you tell me more about these gardens? Answer: I love to share about our network of demonstration gardens in Johnson County, designed and planted by our Extension Master Gardeners (EMG). We have nine locations spread over the county, each with a theme or mission. These range from the popular Monet Garden at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens to a wonderful rain garden/pollinator garden in Fairway at the Shawnee Indian Mission. The gardens, for the most part, are located in public access locations. For a complete listing on themes and locations, visit bit.ly/ jocogardens.

GARDENING NEAR BLACK WALNUT TREE Question: We purchased a new home and are ready to plant our own vegetable garden. There is a black walnut tree in the backyard, and I have heard it creates problems for vegetables. Can I start a garden in my backyard with this tree? Answer: Gardening around black walnuts can be a challenge. A natural toxin called juglone is produced through the leaves, nuts, and roots to reduce competition for resources from other plants. This self-defense mechanism can be harmful to nearby plants causing walnut wilt. In general, the toxic zone around a mature walnut tree is within 50 to 60 feet of the trunk but can extend to 80 feet. The area affected enlarges as the tree grows. Particularly sensitive to juglone are some of our favorite vegetables,

DENNIS PATTON Horticulture Agent 6

May 2021 | kcgmag.com

Dennis Patton is the horticulture agent for Johnson County K-State Research and Extension. For free information fact sheets, visit www.johnson.ksu.edu, or call the Extension office at 913-715-7000.

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Pollinator habitat design botanical and biological elements to consider

ant to break away from the traditional American lawn and bring life, color, beauty, and ecological function to your landscape? Then consider installing a pollinator habitat! These habitats attract and nourish butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. The fruits from pollination services, and the caterpillars of moths and butterflies, provide food for songbirds and other animals. Adding botanical diversity will ignite the biodiversity and ecosystem services on your property. Pollinator habitats can be designed to work in tandem with the natural biology and needs of the pollinators you want to support. Butterflies Let’s use the monarch butterfly as an example here. Most butterflies need a specific host plant to complete their lifecycle and rear their young. For monarchs that plant is milkweed (Asclepias spp.). They also need nectar sources for migration and throughout the breeding season. Thus, two things are needed to attract monarchs to the garden; 1) the preferred host plant upon which eggs will be laid, and 2) nectar plants to provide nourishment and sustain their flight (MayOctober). Now that we know what to plant, how should the habitat be arranged? Monarchs use visual ques (leaf shape/plant architecture) to find their milkweed hosts and lay their eggs. This behavior suggests that the milkweed should be placed in the most visually apparent and accessible spot in the garden, making it as easy for monarchs to find as possible. This can be achieved by placing milkweeds in the perimeter of the garden. Isolate some of the milkweeds by several feet from other plants so they create a strong visual silhouette and are accessible to butterflies from head to toe.

Place habitat in areas that use the natural flow of your property. Butterflies and other flying animals use tree lines, paths, streams, and roads as flyways. Use natural flyways to your advantage and lead butterflies to your pollinator habitat. Bees Most species of bees are small solitary creatures, very different from the social honey and bumble bees we are so familiar with. Some bees are active early in the spring and others arise in the heat of summer and linger late into the fall. The thing all bees have in common though, is the need for nectar and pollen to feed themselves and their young. To attract and support bees to your property, choose a mixture of plants that provide season-long nectar and pollen resources. Use native plants when possible and sprinkle in non-native (non-invasive) plants to fill in bloom gaps. Have both mixtures and patches of single-species flowers in your habitat. Patches, or a flowering tree with hundreds of blooms, facilitate efficient bee foraging because they offer a large pollen and nectar re-

ADAM M. BAKER Ecology Expert 8

May 2021 | kcgmag.com

source. Bees learn what type of flowers in the landscape are high quality food sources and continue to revisit those flowers until the resource is depleted. Social bees have the added advantage of being able to communicate the type and location of flowers to their hive mates.

Habitat Establish habitat in an open area where it will get lots of sun. Plants can be established via seed or as plants/plugs. When creating habitat from seed, ideally you want to start preparation of the seed bed the fall before planting for the greatest success. After seeding you may add in slow germinating species as plants or plugs, such as milkweed, to give them a head start. Use a mixture of annuals, perennials, and woody species to provide season long nectar and pollen as well as visual interest to your pollinator habitat. Flowers will also support other pollinators such as flies, beetles, and moths. Such habitats will sustain populations of native predators and parasites that will help to maintain a healthy and productive ecosystem. Think about the biology and needs of the animals you are trying to attract and support when designing your own pollinator habitat and have fun!

American Lady and Bee on coneflower.

Dr. Adam M. Baker provides support for the Midwest offices, educational training, and conducts research as a Technical Advisor with the Davey Institute. His expertise is in pollinator ecology, conservation, plant/ insect interactions, and the responsible management of pests in the urban landscape. He received a BS in Agricultural Sciences with a minor in English and a PhD in Entomology from the University of Kentucky.

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The Kansas City Gardener | May 2021

Indoor Gardening Buckets of Tomatoes

omatoes of any variety have always been high on my list of go-to produce items, especially when they’re perfectly ripe and packed with flavor! While my daydreams of plucking fresh tomatoes bursting with color and deliciousness right off the vine are heartwarming, I often find the reality of growing them outdoors to be somewhat more stressful. In most cases, I’m picking them early to ripen off-vine, avoiding any unnecessary exposure to damage in the garden. One pesky squirrel nibbling on every single delicate little developing fruit can easily destroy an entire harvest. Seriously, why can’t they just take a whole tomato and call it good? Throw in larger animals like deer, racoons and rabbits, bugs like aphids, beetles, cutworms and hornworms, bacterial and fungal pathogens – suddenly it becomes quite overwhelming (for me, at least). All those threats to a bountiful harvest are certainly preventable with a bit of care and planning, but there is another option available that doesn’t require any sacrifice to the quality of the fruit. Grow your tomatoes from seed (or cutting) to harvest, fully indoors. Even if you’re still planning to grow outside, a small indoor garden can provide fresh tomatoes even in the winter months. Plus, it just makes for a fun project. Getting setup is fairly simple and only requires a few pieces of equipment. For this example, we’re going to use a basic hydroponic system called Deep Water Culture (DWC) that utilizes a bucket to hold the roots of our plant and requires no soil. Note that if you prefer to grow with soil, you can simply substi-

tute a pot with good drainage and a potting soil of your choice for the bucket. All the other principals remain the same. Start by finding a space in your home where you can keep the temperature consistently between 70°F and 80°F during the day and between 60°F and 75°F at night. Humidity should generally range from 60% to 80%. The size of your space will be dependent on the variety of tomato that you choose to grow. Determinate varieties that grow to a certain size before beginning to flower tend to be shorter and bushier, requiring less space. Indeterminate varieties that continue to grow and put on new fruit perpetually, if conditions are right, can often become very large and require additional support. Either type will work indoors. It’s all a matter of preference and available space. You’ll need bright light that replicates direct sun exposure for 12 to 18 hours per day. The less intense your light, the more hours you should run it. For one plant, a 260-watt LED light hung 2 feet above the canopy can be run for just 14 hours per day. If you instead had a 100-watt LED, you would likely want it running the full 18 hours. When choosing a light, you want something with a “full spectrum” that includes both cool blue color temperatures and warm reds. Start your seeds indoors just as if you were getting a head start before transplanting into your outdoor garden. Any type of starter peat pellet or cube will work. I prefer using rockwool cubes or their biodegradable foam counterparts because they are a little less messy. For the Deep Water Culture, you’ll need a regular 5-gallon

JASON MISPAGEL Indoor Gardener 10

May 2021 | kcgmag.com

Deep Water Culture hydroponic system uses a 5-gallon bucket with a built-in mesh pot to hold the starter tomato plant.

Growing and harvesting tomatoes before wildlife interrupts the process is possible! Try this basic hydroponic system.

bucket with a special lid that includes a built-in mesh/net pot to hold your plant. If you don’t have access to this type of lid, you can also take a standard bucket lid, cut a circular hole in the center and place a mesh/net pot in the hole. Fill the mesh pot with clay pebbles (also called LECA – light expanding clay aggregate) and place your seedling, still in its starter cube, between them. Fill the bucket with water high enough so that bottom of your seedling cube is barely making contact. Just like growing in soil, getting oxygen to the roots of your plant is vital. Without it, the roots will rot and die. In a hydroponic system, this can be achieved with a small air pump and air stone. Place an air pump outside the bucket. Run black poly tubing (usually comes with the pump) through the mesh pot lid and connect it to the air stone. Place the air stone in the water and plug in the pump. You should see bubbles rapidly emitting from the air stone. That means it’s working, and oxygen is making it into the water. You

can leave the pump running 24/7. Mix a liquid fertilizer of your choice into the water in accordance with the proportions stated on the label. I prefer to use the General Hydroponics FloraNova series because it includes not only nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, but all necessary micronutrients as well. Check the pH of your nutrientwater solution and adjust accordingly to keep it between 5.5 and 6.5. Over time, the water level will slowly drop as it’s used by the plant and as it evaporates. Top it off with more nutrient-water mix so that it remains in contact with at least some of the roots. Eventually, the roots reach all the way to the bottom of the bucket. When your plant starts to flower, make sure it pollinates itself by shaking it, tapping near the flowers, or resting a running electric toothbrush against the branches. Now is also the time to change your fertilizer mix to one specific for flowering/blooming. In no time, you’ll have buckets of tomatoes from your buckets of tomatoes!

Jason Mispagel is the co-owner and operator of Year-Round Garden, a grower’s supply center serving both home and commercial customers since 2016. To contact Jason, call 816-216-6917 or jason@year-roundgarden.com.

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Kids Ask Dr. Bug

Where do leaves come from? Dalton, 14 Every spring I eagerly wait for the leaves and flowers to burst out of what seems like dead wood. As it starts to warm up, the buds on the tree branches begin to swell. Soon leaves, and perhaps flowers, emerge depending on the tree species. This emergence process starts the previous year as the tree gathers and stores energy in the roots, and special cells form buds on branch twigs. These special cells grow in what is called the meristem. These cells can become the leaves and flowers in the spring. As temperatures rise and the days get longer, sugar starts moving upward from the roots, and the buds begin to swell. The special cells start to grow and divide and eventually burst out of their protective winter covering as leaves and/or flowers. As the leaves unfurl, they become food-making machines. The green color of leaves is from chlorophyll which harvests energy from sunlight to turn water and carbon dioxide into sugar and oxygen by a process called photosynthesis. This sugar is then used to help the plant grow. Some of the sugar is eventually stored back in the roots for next year’s leaves. Why are there so many flowers in the spring? Aubrey, 13 Plants produce seeds to grow new plants. Before seeds are created, though, flowers must have bloomed to attract the pollinators, pollinators must come and share pollen from other plants of the same species, and then seeds develop. To create seeds with a better chance of survival, some plant species go to the extra effort of creating a tasty treat that surrounds the seeds so that animals will eat the seeds and take them further away. Alternatively, sometimes the surrounding

Photo credit to Tamra Reall.

about the curious things found in the garden

Above: Magnolia flower; Below: Ladybug

fleshy part acts as a nutrient for the new seed to grow in the ground near the parent plant. All this effort takes time, and for some plants it takes months. So, the process starts in the spring when hungry insect pollinators are looking for food to feed themselves and to start collecting food for their offspring.

TAMRA REALL Horticulture Specialist 12

May 2021 | kcgmag.com

Do insects get scared? Oliver, 14 I don’t know if insects feel fear, but I know that many of them react when they sense they are in danger. I tried to take a picture of a ladybug this weekend. She didn’t know I was only observing her and so she engaged a protective strategy – staying still. While she is

brightly colored and I could obviously see her, staying very still, or playing dead, is actually a very effective strategy that many insects use to avoid being eaten. Some insects even go to great lengths to play dead – falling off the plant and freezing, sometimes for a few seconds, a few minutes, or even an hour. While staying still may seem counter-productive when a predator wants to eat you, staying still has a few advantages. Some predators only notice movement while everything else is just background. Some predators only hunt living prey. And, if the insect falls when it freezes, it puts more distance between itself and the predator. Ladybugs also have another defensive strategy: they can squirt a foul-smelling liquid from their “knees”. This can warn potential predators that they taste bad and are not worth eating. Here are some other defensive strategies in the insect world: some ants explode, bombardier beetles spray boiling hot chemicals toward the predator, stink bugs give off a foul odor like a skunk, walking sticks freeze or gently sway back and forth pretending to be a twig in a breeze, and some insects bite or sting. As for the ladybug I was observing, it initially seemed helpful that she stayed so still while I tried to get a close-up picture of her. However, I wanted to capture her hunting the nearby clover mites. She was more patient than me! I left without the picture I hoped to get. Do you have a question for Dr. Bug? Send them to ReallT@Missouri.edu. Please include KADB in the subject, and your name and age. To help me learn what you learn from this column, please consider filling out this survey: bit.ly/KidsAskDrBugSurvey. Thank you!

Dr. Tamra Reall (@MUExtBugN Garden) is the horticulture specialist for MU Extension in Jackson County. For free, research-based gardening tips, call 816-833-TREE (8733), email mggkc.hotline@gmail.com, or visit www.extension2.missouri.edu.

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• The Follow Kansas CityUs: Gardener | May 2021

Douglas County Extension Master Gardeners

2021 Garden Tour: New Beginnings “Life begins when you plant a garden.” – Chinese Proverb

Douglas County Extension Demonstration Gardens. Both novice and experienced gardeners will benefit from starting their tour at this garden. This educational site has over 10 themed garden beds designed to inspire and educate. Experienced volunteers will be on hand to answer questions on plants that support pollination, deciduous and evergreen shrubs, bird gardens, daylilies, native grasses and more. Visitors to the Demonstration Gardens may also participate in a raffle and purchase garden art. While the demonstration gardens are free and open to the public, tickets are required for visiting the remaining six gardens. Honoring the Past. Visitors to the home of caterer Evan Williams will experience the history of the home and garden likely built in 1861. In 1986 a fire destroyed a barn on the property, prompting Evan’s mom to salvage the limestone ruins and lay the 14

May 2021 | kcgmag.com

Photo courtesy of Diane Guthrie Photography.

his year, perhaps more than any other, many of us are seeking a connection to the natural world and the beauty and serenity it provides. Douglas County Extension Master Gardeners will provide beauty and inspiration with our New Beginnings Garden Tour of the following seven gardens on June 5-6. Tickets can be purchased for $10 online at dgemgks.com, or in person on tour days at the Douglas County Extension Demonstration Gardens at 2110 Harper Street in Lawrence. To add beauty to your garden, you can also preorder bloom boxes with three native plants of six different varieties (18 plants) for $60. You can see the varieties available, and pay online, at dgemgks.com. Orders will be available for pick up on June 5th. All plants are native to Kansas, locally grown and pesticide free. Any remaining plants will be sold at the Demo Garden the morning of June 5th.

restoration and recycling is a top priority. The garden features plants reclaimed from sites throughout the city; structures and yard art created from recycled materials and hardscaping created from unusual artifacts – such as a goldfish pond made from a recycled radar dish. The five acres abound with a diversity of plant life and building materials that create a breathtaking haven for the family. Balance and Color. Photographer Diane Guthrie brings her artistic eye to creating a woodland garden nestled in an older subdivision of west Lawrence. She and husband Jim share a collaborative process resulting in spaces that highlight balance and color. From forsythia hedges that protect emerging tulips to the stone pathways that lead past an outdoor pond, to the beehive tucked away in the vegetable garden no detail is spared. The garden is an evolution of years of experimentation resulting in an inspired landscape.

foundation for the gardens that exist today. The low maintenance garden highlights a vast array of perennials including roses, peonies, alliums, hydrangeas, hostas, and coreopsis spread throughout stone walls and pathways. Edible plants and herbs support the owner’s culinary passions. Outdoor Living. For those preferring a contemporary style, the gardens of Colette and Ron Gaches will not disappoint. The outdoor living space has been expanded with hardscaping, colorful potted plants, perennials, maple and redbud trees. Visitors will enjoy seeing the Mission Bells Deep Rose Beardtongue Penstemon and the tree hydrangeas as well as the azaleas gracing the entrance. Giant hostas surround the fire pit and garden sculptures grace both the front

and back gardens. Private Garden, Public Spaces. Master Gardener Laura Ross demonstrates how to reduce turf and invite neighbors into public spaces in front of her home. Each spring, neighbors are greeted with a vast array of daffodils, giant crocus, Siberian squill, winter wolf bane, bluebells, tulips and hyacinths. Stone pathways lead through specialty beds filled with prized daylilies with names like Miss Piggy, Ducks Dark Side and Red Kangaroo! There is also an “older than dirt” patch with cultivars that were started before Laura was born. Reclaim, Reuse, Restore. For retired physician Joan Brunfeldt and her husband David, protecting their environment from encroaching development through

Garden on the Hill. Last but certainly not least, is the garden on the hill, developed by Alicia and Cassidy Retter. Located southeast of Lawrence, the property was established in 1979 when rare peonies and iris were planted as a commercial enterprise. When the Retters purchased the home and gardens, much of original plants had been sold off. Saving the few small remaining rhizomes and peonies, the couple expanded their landscape design by introducing a vast array of cut flowers, fruits and vegetables. One of the most captivating additions is a magnificent Koi pond featuring a three-foot cascading waterfall with a view of the old Sibleyville Hills in the background. Hyacinth, water willow, hibiscus, iris, and water forget-me-nots engulf the pond. For more tour information go to: dgemgks.com.

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The Kansas City Gardener | May 2021

Photos credit to Scotty Moore.

Explore inspirational gardens to encourage new ideas Hosta Collectors’ Heaven This yard once was a very sunny yard with a few small trees—but now the trees have all grown up and this homeowner has discovered the joys of gardening in the shade. The property now boasts over three hundred different hosta varieties, including Blue Mammoth, Guardian Angel, Moonlight Sonata, Deep Blue Sea, Pole Cat, Snake Eyes, Unchained Melody, and the whimsically named Old Cardboard Boxes (a hosta notable for its extra-thick, blue wavy leaves). Hellebores, lycoris, variegated lily of the valley, martagon lilies, ferns, oakleaf hydrangeas, bear’s breeches, European ginger, and other interesting shade perennials bloom throughout the year. Miniature plant varieties provide accent points in containers. Strolling through this garden feels like exploring a forest of mysteries. While the sun clearly shines brightly above the tree canopy, below is a sanctuary of shade and shadows, as well as rich shades of bright greens and thoughtful garden ornamentation. Stone pavers suggest a pathway, but true explorers also feel invited enter grassy nooks off of the paved path, surrounded by borders filled with the color and movement of plants and shrubs. A well-kept tree with long, stretching limbs is given character with unique bird houses and feeders. Visitors get the feeling that there are secrets awaiting around every corner in this shady garden. Along with a drip irrigation system to keep thirsty plants watered during times of drought, the homeowners recommend using cotton burr compost not only as a soil amendment but for mulch, too. Beautiful Evergreens This garden has been well loved and cared for by multiple owners, who have planted a variety of unusual specimens and have thoughtfully included an outdoor fireplace, a gazebo, a pergola, and even a stone water fountain as part of the garden’s hardscaping. The garden is home to jumbo-sized hostas, spruces, pines, river birches, a weeping Blue Atlas cedar, dogwoods, and flowering shrubs, including a dwarf Korean lilac, hydrangeas, and several azaleas. The taller trees are underplanted with black-eyed Susans, impatiens, vinca, and all the blues and greens of shade-loving foliage. Find shelter in the pergola and take a closer look at the climbing clematis, hanging ferns, and palm plants. When asked the secret to these homeowners’ success, their answer is simple: “Plenty of watering.”

Visitors are invited to tour these gardens and more on June 11th and 12th from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Blue Springs, Missouri. Tickets are $15, and children under 12 can come for free. This year’s garden tour will also coincide with a Dig-and-Divide Plant Sale (Garden Tour tickets are not required for the Plant Sale). Watch for additional information about the gardens and ticket sales at the Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City website: http://www.mggkc.org/our-projects/garden-tour/. 16

May 2021 | kcgmag.com

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28th Annual Tour, Spanning 6 Saturdays throughout the Summer Plan your personal driving Water Garden Tour on six Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., highlighting locations around the entire metro including Lawrence, KS. A new feature for 2021 is the addition of unique builder-sponsored garden parties from 6 to 10 p.m. with lite refreshments and night lighting for a magical view of Water Gardens.

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The 2021 Season of Tours are on the following Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Rain or Shine Tour # 1 June 26, South KC, Cass County, MO and Southern Jackson County, MO Tour # 2 July 10, Central KC and Northern Jackson County, MO Tour # 3 July 24, Central Johnson County, KS Tour # 4 August 7, Southern Johnson County, KS Tour # 5 August 21, Lawrence, KS Tour # 6 September 11, Northern KCMO, Wyandotte County, KS and Leavenworth, KS Tickets are $20 for a season pass for all 6 Water Garden Tours and $5 for individual tours. Children under 14 attend free. Proceeds benefit the building and maintenance of restorative and educational water gardens for schools, nature centers and other non-profits. Treat yourself to a summer of beauty and fun! To purchase tickets NOW through Eventbrite, visit kcwatergardens.com/tour. Garden Centers and other retail outlets will have tour books/tickets available in June. The Kansas City Gardener | May 2021

Avian Salmonella What is it?

ou may have heard or read lately to stop feeding your backyard birds to save their lives from Avian Salmonella. This advice probably won’t apply to most of us and if it does, I’ll provide you some more specifics about what to do. Most importantly, don’t feel like you are doing something bad or are the primary cause of your backyard birds getting sick. Keep in mind that many of the birds susceptible to Salmonellosis are social birds and they flock together in the woods, barnyards, and fields and not just your feeders. Let’s start with some information about Avian Salmonella. It is caused by bacteria and is an uncommon cause of mortality in feeder birds. Occasionally, outbreaks of the disease cause significant mortality in certain species including the Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll and American Goldfinch. As of April 1, salmonella cases have been identified in eight states: Washington, Oregon, California, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Vermont. The highest number of cases have been reported on the West Coast, with six cases in Washington, five cases in Oregon and three cases in California. As you can see, it’s not in Kansas or Missouri and the number of cases is small. Salmonellosis is primarily transmitted by fecal contamination of food and water by sick birds, though it also can be transmitted by bird-to-bird contact during daily interactions and while roosting. Sick birds may appear thin or fluffed up and may have swollen eyelids. They are often lethargic and are very easy to approach. If you’re not seeing any birds with symptoms, continue to feed your birds, but with extra diligence in keeping your feeders and feeding area clean. This is a good practice even when there’s no specific disease reported for feeder birds.

If feeder birds are exhibiting symptoms, remove your feeders so the birds can disperse and utilize natural food sources. Keep them down for at least one week. Scrub all of your bird feeders, bird baths and hardware with soap and water, then sanitize with a 10% bleach (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) solution. Rinse thoroughly and allow to completely dry before refilling feeders in 10 to 14 days. If you see sick birds again, repeat the process. Rake up and discard seed and shell debris and bird droppings from the ground below and around feeders. This should be done on a regular basis regardless of disease and especially if you feed bird food with shells. After you’ve completed the above steps, initially offer food which DOES NOT attract finches, so feed suet, offer peanuts and/or safflower for example. Then one to two weeks later, reintroduce Finch feeders. Avoid open tray feeders and platform feeders that allow fecal material and food to come in contact with each other. Avoid handling sick birds and always wash your hands with soap and water after filling bird feeders. Other longer-term strategies to minimize your bird feeding stations becoming transmission areas include using no-mess seeds so you don’t have the shell mess which can become a breeding ground for salmonella. Use Eco-Clean feeders which have an anti-microbial coating to minimize the spread of mold, mildew, fungus and bacteria. Use feeders made with plastics or metal which are easier to clean and don’t provide porous surfaces like wood where microbes can grow. But it is always a good habit to keep your feeders and feeding stations clean on a regular basis to do your part to maintain the health of your beautiful backyard birds so you can continue to enjoy them for years to come.

NIK HIREMATH Birding Expert 18

May 2021 | kcgmag.com

Nik Hiremath owns Wild Birds Unlimited of Leawood. Contact him at 913-491-4887.

What’s Happening at Powell Gardens in May Gardening 101: Shade Garden Management Saturday, May 8 | 1-2 p.m. $15 | Members 10% less

Join Evan Mills, Woodland and Stream Gardener, for a short stroll through the Woodland and Stream Garden to learn about great plants and features to use in a woodland understory or shady garden bed. Evan will highlight the garden elements that activate the senses and share some tricks-of-the-trade for maintaining the Garden. Gardening 101 classes are great for all gardeners interested in establishing new gardens or improving existing ones. Powell Gardens’ staff share their expertise about topics such as what to consider when designing a garden, how to select and start seeds, how to successfully care for plants’ specific needs, what diseases and pests to look for, and/or how to properly fertilize. Participants are encouraged to ask questions about their own gardens and arrive prepared for a walking tour of the Garden in focus.

Work & Learn: Planting a Butterfly Garden Friday, May 14 | 9 a.m. – noon $35 | Members 10% less

Join Horticulturist Eric Perrette to plant the native butterfly habitat in preparation for the arrival of monarch butterflies. In addition to learning about great plants for pollinators, participants will learn how to propagate, plant, and prune lantana trees and may take home a lantana cutting. A portion of the workshop will be dedicated to questions and planning an at-home butterfly garden, so participants are encouraged to come prepared with dimensions of their garden bed(s). Work & Learn programs allow participants to roll up their sleeves for a handson lesson in the Gardens with Powell Gardens horticulture staff. Participants will go home with a new skill they can apply in their own gardens and occasionally with a cutting, cocktail, or other treat related to the day’s lesson.

Gardening 101: Kid-Friendly Gardening Saturday, May 15 | 11 a.m. – noon $15 | Members 10% less

Join Children’s Garden Gardener, Casey McNeel, to learn some fascinating plants for children and how to incorporate great species to activate children’s senses. During this short tour of the Children’s Garden, Casey will share many of the highlights in the Garden and funs ways to get kids engaged. This tour is great for parents, grandparents, and community gardens managers. The Gardening 101 classes are great for all gardeners interested in establishing new gardens or improving existing ones. Powell Gardens’ staff share their expertise about topics such as what to consider when designing a garden, how to select and start seeds, how to successfully care for plants’ specific needs, what diseases and pests to look for, and/or how to properly fertilize. Participants are encouraged to ask questions about their own gardens and arrive prepared for a walking tour of the Garden in focus.

Work & Learn: Aquatic Gardening Thursday, May 20 | 9 a.m. – noon $35 | Members 10% less

Join aquatic plants horticulturist, Matt Hockaday, to learn how to grow and care for water lilies. Participants will re-pot tropical water lilies and marginals, groom and fertilize hardy water lilies and marginals, and maneuver through the Marlese Lowe Gourley Island Garden’s pools to place the pots of water lilies. Participants should bring plenty of water and dress for the weather (sun-protection clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and closed toe shoes). Space is limited. Tools and waders will be provided.

Kansas City Cactus and Succulent Society at Powell Gardens Sunday, May 30 | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Included with admission | Admission is free for members

The Kansas City Cactus and Succulent Society will display cacti and succulents at Powell Gardens. Members will be onsite to answer questions and showcase plants.

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The Kansas City Gardener | May 2021

Landscaping with

Roses

riving into work I have noticed how most front yard landscapes have similar types of plantings. Boxwoods, yews or some other type of evergreen. Most of the color comes from flower pots on the front porch or a few annuals scattered here and there. The evergreens are a safe choice and keep the landscape green during the winter months. However, also notable are the number of evergreen shrubs that are overgrown and encroaching the house, completely taking away from the beauty of the home. It might be time for a landscape change. Roses may not be the first shrub you think of when you are planning a new landscape, but many rose varieties take minimal maintenance and can replace annual beds. Eliminating the need to replant every season. Here are a few of the rose varieties you should consider when you refresh or add to your landscape this year. Alba Meidiland, a white shrub that gets 2 feet to 5 feet tall with no fragrance. It has an explosion of small white blooms and gives continuous blooms throughout the season, making up for its absence of fragrance. The persistent bloom makes it a must in any garden. Belinda’s Dream, is a pink shrub rose, with a fruity raspberry fragrance giving you the best of both worlds. Fragrance as well as a multitude of blooms. In our garden, it grows 3 feet to 4 feet tall. The disease resistance is exceptional and it is very heat tolerant. So it would do well along driveways, sidewalks or stone walls.

Heritage Carefree Beauty, a pink shrub rose, grows 4 feet to 5 feet tall and has a strong sweet fragrance with continuous blooms throughout the season. This rose also has the added benefit of producing large rose hips, which if left on the rose in the fall, turn bright orange and are a beautiful addition to fall flower arrangements. Quietness, a pink shrub, has a strong rose fragrance and blooms in flushes throughout the season. Reaching heights of 4 feet to 6 feet. The soft pink color is delightful. Also noteworthy, this rose will also

JUDY PENNER Expert Rosarian 20

May 2021 | kcgmag.com

grow in some shade. Elina is a light yellow hybrid tea that blooms in magnificent flushes. Growing to a height of 4 feet and in our garden it is breathtaking. The light yellow bloom from a distance, can appear white in color. Morden Blush, is a light pink shrub with a mild fragrance and is 2.5 feet to 4 feet tall. Growing in flushes throughout the season. This rose is very hardy and even in our harshest winters, this rose stays green. Paloma Blanca, is a white shrub, with a mild fragrance and

dark green, leathery foliage. It blooms in clusters, reaching heights of 3 feet to 6 feet. This rose typically stays green during the winter in our area. Heritage, is a pink shrub rose and one of my favorites. It grows 4 feet to 4.5 feet and gives off a strong lemon fragrance. It has large clustered flowers that bloom in flushes throughout the season. It is almost thornless and can grow 4 feet wide. So this could be a stand alone rose in a perennial garden or massed together for a spectacular display. Heritage will also perform well in partial shade. Heritage rose remains green during the winter months. My Girl, a deep pink shrub rose, has a mild rose fragrance and blooms in flushes throughout the season. It can grow 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. This bright color will give your landscape a great pop of color. All the roses mentioned in this article are very hardy and disease resistant. All roses need at least six hours of sun and should be watered at least once a week during the growing season. The roses that can grow in partial shade, will need at least four hours of sun. All roses in our area need pruning in late March to keep them in shape and remove any dead wood. All of these roses will need the spent blooms removed throughout the season for optimal bloom. My hope is that you will consider roses for your front landscape this year! Remember to Stop and Smell the Roses.

Judy Penner is an ARS Consulting Rosarian and Director at Loose Park, Kansas City, Missouri. You may reach her at judyssecretgardens@gmail.com.

Carefree Beauty

Quietness

Belinda’s Dream Alba Meidiland

Elina Morden Blush

Paloma Blanca

My Girl The Kansas City Gardener | May 2021

Photo by Scott Woodbury.

Photo by Carol Davit.

Above: Wild Sweet William; Below: Sand Phlox Left: Garden Phlox with snow on the mountain

romas forge strong memories. Take my first encounter with a fragrant native plant—garden phlox. When I was in high school, an older friend showed me her garden. To this day I remember the details. Walking down the sidewalk, approaching masses of pink and white flowers growing along a picket fence, generating distinctive sweet summer smells. The fragrance was so intoxicating that I think of that fortyyear-old memory every summer when phlox is in bloom. Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) cultivars are prolific and common in garden centers. But the native straight species is not. Unfortunately, the world of horticulture has overlooked one of nature’s greatest gifts. As a straight species, this phlox is reasonably powdery mildew free, as opposed to the many cultivars that perform

Irresistible Phlox

so poorly in the humid lower Midwest. (Yogi Berra said it best, “It ain’t the heat, it’s the humility.”) Garden phlox grows in part shade to full sun, in poorly drained moist soils, or in well-drained dry areas in the garden. Its greatest strength is in its ability to colonize strongly on difficultto-mow shady slopes and compliment other strong-performing species like creek oats (Chasmanthium latifolia), smoothcone sedge (Carex laeviconica), rough goldenrod (Solidago rugosa), false sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), woodland knotweed (Persicaria virginiana), curlytop ironweed (Vernonia arkansana), yellow wingstem (Verbesina helianthoides), obedient plant (Phyostegia virginiana), and Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum). It has the

SCOTT WOODBURY Horticulturist 22

May 2021 | kcgmag.com

potential to spread from seed and underground rhizomes. Individual seedlings may be clump forming or suckering, so we look for clump formers (we have a large patch with hundreds of seedlings in the upper woods) and transplant them to the more formal section of the garden. Because birds don’t eat many (or any) of the seeds, we deadhead plants growing in the garden when they are finished blooming. Though each phlox species varies widely in vigor, soil, and sunlight requirements, they have one thing in common. They are all pleasant on the nose. Wild sweet William (Phlox divaricata) is a species with an allure like the sirens from Homer’s ancient Odyssey— so beautiful, yet so dangerous. The scent of the light blue flowers in April is irresistibly sweet. On a

scale of aggression (1 being nonaggressive, 10 being most aggressive) wild sweet William scores a 2, compared to the suckering form of garden phlox, which scores an 8 (clump-forming garden phlox is a 5). I’ve never seen too much wild sweet William in a garden, because they prefer well-drained soils in the shade, and many of our garden soils are heavy clay, with less-than-perfect drainage. My favorite companion plants include yellow honeysuckle (Lonicera flava), flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), roundleaved groundsel (Packera aurea), wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), sweet Cicely (Osmorhiza claytonia), and celandine poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum). Sand phlox (Phlox bifida) blooms in March and April, with light blue flowers (or lavender) and gold stamens. It doesn’t need sandy soil to grow well, but it does prefer

Horticulturist Scott Woodbury is the Curator of the Whitmire Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO, where he has worked with native plant propagation, design, and education for 30 years. He also is an advisor to the Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Grow Native! program. Find suppliers of native plants and seeds at www.grownative.org, Resource Guide.

full sun and good drainage. Ours perform nicely in well-drained, average garden soil. Sand phlox makes a great addition to the top of a retaining wall and between boulders and receives an aggressive rating of 1. It also works well in container gardens. Sand phlox blooms in early spring and combines well with rose verbena (Glandularia canadensis) and prairie pussytoes (Antennaria neglecta). Downy phlox (Phlox pilosa) requires well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. It works well in rock gardens and the edge of a sidewalk or driveway, because it grows wild in rocky areas. It blooms in mid-spring along with fire pink (Silene virginica), western wallflower (Erysimum capitatum), and fringed bluestar (Amsonia cilliata). Downy phlox is a short-lived perennial that comes up in new places from seed, scoring a three on the aggressive scale. It will not be weedy, and the extra seedlings are always welcome in our garden. Its close relative, Ozark phlox (Phlox pilosa var. ozarkana) tolerates a much wider

array of soil conditions and is a better choice for most garden soils that have more clay and part shade. A close relative to garden phlox is meadow phlox (Phlox maculata), which is similar in size and shape, but has purple speckles on the stem and grows in wetlands. It is a good choice for sunny, wet gardens because it is much less aggressive (a three). Another wet-tolerant species is smooth phlox (Phlox glaberrima), which is a shortened version of meadow phlox, but with bright pink flowers and an aggression factor of one or two. Both species are especially useful in rain gardens and wet gardens in full sun or part shade. Stems of smooth phlox may flop over, so plant it next to companions like swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), palm sedge (Carex muskingumensis), and hop sedge (Carex lupulina). For my whole life, I’ve been enchanted by the unique and irresistible aroma of phlox, and many other aromatic plants. I encourage you to try them as well. Happy gardening!

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1-800-DIG-RITE or 811 The Kansas City Gardener | May 2021

Flowers for Butterflies

Understanding Pollination: The Love Connection Plants need love too! They have boy parts and girl parts that must get together to form seeds. Since plants can’t go looking for love, they have enlisted pollinators to carry a male pollen grain, “plant sperm”, from one flower to a female ovum of another flower of the same species. Pollinators such as bees, butterflies and beetles don’t know that they are the love connection for plants, so the flower must first attract them with color, fragrance and/or shape. They then bribe the pollinators to return by repeatedly dispensing small doses of nectar. Which Flowers Attract Butterflies? Butterflies look for flat flowers that function as landing platforms to alight, balance themselves in the wind, and then “taste” with the chemical receptors on their feet. Asters, Coneflowers, Zinnias and Mexican Sunflowers form ideal landing strips. The quality and quantity of nectar is far more important than a particular color or whether the plant is a native. Pollinator research has demonstrated that some hybrids and varieties have superior nectar compared to their native species! However, choosing natives and heirloom flowers is the safest choice if you don’t have access to research on a specific plant.

Because butterflies cruise your yard from March to November, you need a variety of flowers, blooming to span the nine months. And, flowers are most beckoning when they are planted together in large masses for the near-sighted butterflies to see. Flowers to Avoid Butterflies attend so many different species of flowers that it is easier to note which flowers they avoid than to provide long lists of attractive flowers. First, be very cautious about hybrids, which are bred for humongous blossoms on dwarfed plants. Fertility is a frequent casualty, which means that flowers like Knock-out Roses and tetraploid “French” Marigolds have no nectar to attract pollinators. Some fertile flowers such as members of the Carrot Family, do not have nectar because their pollinator strategy focuses on pollen feeders or carrion feeders like beetles, flies and ants. These too are useless to butterflies. Some of our most beautiful and fragrant flowers are physically incompatible with butterflies’ relatively short tongues. The nectar of large tubular flowers like Lilies, Angel’s Trumpets (Datura) and Moon Flower (Ipomeas) is inaccessible unless you have a 10-inch tongue like the Hummingbird Moth. Beware of Poisoning Pollinators! Your plants have specifically invited insects to serve their need for pollination. If you use insecticides, you thwart your plants’ love lives! Even organic insecticides kill insects. The only difference between organic and synthetic insecticides is that the organics are derived from natural sources like chrysanthemums while synthetics are manufactured from pure chemicals. They are equally deadly to insects. The nectar and pollen of plants containing systemic insecticides (Neonicotinoids) will poison

LENORA LARSON Butterfly Maven 24

May 2021 | kcgmag.com

Photos by Lenora Larson.

ur flowers are even more beautiful when they attract butterflies, the flying flowers. Adult butterflies visit flowers in spring and summer to sip nectar, which provides hydration and some nourishment while butterflies pursue love and lay eggs on their children’s hostplants. And in the fall, migrating butterflies such as Monarchs, Painted Ladies and Cloudless Sulphurs need nectar as the fuel to get them to their winter destination. But flowers don’t produce nectar to feed butterflies or bees; nectar is a necessary bribe.

A Giant Swallowtail nectaring on our native Common Milkweed, which is also a Monarch hostplant.

A Great Spangled Fritillary nectaring on Profusion Zinnia, a high-nectar hybrid. your bees and butterflies. Unfortunately, plants sold at big box stores and large nurseries may have been treated with systemics, so you need to ask. In my experience, locally owned nurseries that don’t use any insecticides are the best source for flowering plants. Summary You will attract the largest number and variety of butterflies by following these simple guidelines: • Provide hostplants for the cat-

erpillars of the butterflies you wish to see. • NO insecticides! Do not invite patrons to your garden and then poison them!! • Sun-drenched garden: both butterflies and nectar-rich flowers are sun lovers. • Provide a variety of high nectar flowers from late-March through mid-November. • Arrange the flowers in large masses to be seen by passing butterflies.

A Marais des Cygnes Master Gardener, Lenora is a member of the Idalia Butterfly Society and Kansas Native Plant Society. She gardens in the clay soil and cruel winds of Paola, KS. She may be contacted at lenora.longlips@gmail.com.

TREES WORK

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Feeling tired? Spending just 20 minutes outside can give your brain an energy boost comparable to a cup of coffee.

Spending time in nature, conservation areas, woods, backyards, and urban parks may ease stress levels.

Getting away from busy schedules allows people to connect with nature and themselves in a way that brings calm and a sense of well-being.

Taking a nature walk may increase attention spans and creative problem-solving skills by as much as 50 percent.

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The Kansas City Gardener | May 2021

Private gardens opened for public viewing during popular Kansas City garden tour

ive private gardens are opened to the public during the Johnson County K-State Research and Extension Master Gardener Public Garden Tour, May 21 and 22. Kansas City’s premier garden tour is an opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the most beautiful private gardens in Kansas City. Each garden is owned and maintained by an Extension Master Gardener. The gardens are selected for their individual qualities and personalities with something for every taste. These five gardens are nestled in the heart of Johnson County and their proximity makes this a fun outing. Themes for the garden are: Faulkner Garden An Artful Gardener Come and see this professional artist’s playful and charming garden featuring one-of-a-kind art pieces blended lovingly with beautiful plantings. The use of space, color, texture and balance highlight her talents both as an artist and as a gardener. Bergmann Garden Woodland Possibilities Is shade your thing? Looking for new and creative ideas to landscape your shady garden spot? Step out of the sun and see how refreshing a shade garden can be! Padley Garden Serenity at the Water’s Edge Upon entering this exquisite landscape, the design talent of the garden owner will be evident. A waterfall, unique metal gazebo, thriving plants, and a lovely pond as a backdrop will be sure to impress! Reichel Garden Botanical Elegance Elegance greets you at this lovely gem inspired by the picturesque European gardens. With enchanting fountains and perfectly placed plantings, this gifted garden owner will have you in awe of her landscape design talent. Householder Garden Countryside Collection Enter this garden and experience what it’s like to leave the city behind and escape to the country. Raised beds with veggies and herbs and a cozy firepit are a few of the unique features you will enjoy. Don’t miss the garden boutique at the Householder Garden. Extension Master Gardener volunteers have created unique garden gifts, including fairy houses, hand-painted silk scarves, steppingstones and, a tour favorite, one-of-akind sand-casted leaves. 26

May 2021 | kcgmag.com

This tour is popular because the owners are passionate about gardening and have transformed suburban lots into their personal oasis. The garden owners and Extension Master Gardener volunteers will be on hand to answer questions. Visitors receive information about the garden’s development, along with educational tips to take home and incorporate into their own landscapes. Photography is encouraged. Tour tickets are $20. Purchase tickets at the Johnson County Extension website or at the office. Tickets are also available at any Johnson County Hen House Market, Family Tree Nursery, Suburban Lawn and Garden, and Kansas Grass Pad locations. Tickets will be available at the gardens during tour days. Maps and directions are provided with each ticket. Take a virtual tour or purchase tickets at www.johnson.k-state. edu or call (913) 715-7000.

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Meet us at one of these locations in the KC area. Give us your order by Tuesday before a sale, and we will bring it to the location. Plants purchased at events away from the nursery cost 10% more, which covers sales tax and shipping. Event sales cost less than having them shipped by UPS from the nursery. New Mark Middle School Parking Lot. 515 NE 106th St, KC MO 64155 Backyard Blowout Sale (includes our native plants). Pre-Orders & On site shopping. May 1, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Kansas City Community Gardens, 6917 Kensington Ave, KC MO 64132. Westport Garden Club native plant sale. Pre-Orders only. May 1, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Anita B. Gorman Cons. Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave. KC MO 64110. Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale. Pre-Orders & On site shopping. May 15, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Our retail “store” (outdoor sales area) is open for you to make selections. You can also send a pre-order and pick it up at the nursery, or we can ship your order.

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The Kansas City Gardener | May 2021

Native Plant Academy in Kansas City a hybrid online and on-site project by Lincoln University and partners

ersimmon, elderberry, wild plum, goldenglow (Rudbeckia laciniata), wild leeks (Allium tricoccum) and several other native edible plants, as well as many native wildflowers naturally found in Missouri were the focus of the former Native Plants Program at Lincoln University from 2008 and 2017. Starting December 2020, the new Specialty Crops Program was launched as part of Lincoln University in Cooperative Extension. This new program will follow up to keep promoting native plants for their importance for human consumption and wildlife and to grow them as crops with the potential of generating income. One of the first projects is the Native Plant Academy (NPA) that will take place from May 6 to June 19 this year. It consists of 4 online webinars every Thursday in May, in English and in Spanish and three bilingual on-site classes the first three Saturdays in June. See detailed information at the end of this article. The Native Plant Academy is supported with funds from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and is under the management of the Missouri Prairie Foundation and Lincoln University. Cooperators in Kansas City include Westside Housing, Deep Roots, Kansas City Public Library and local businesses Green Thumb and the GardeNerd. One of the goals is that thirty or more underserved individuals will get introductory training on several aspects of native plants. They will learn about native plants commercially available—from wildflowers to trees—recognize their importance for monarch butterflies and other pollinators, uses for human consumption, and value-added

potential in the floral industry and landscaping. Hands-on activities include site preparation and establishment of a garden with native plants at Nottingham Apartments front yard managed by Westside Housing. In addition, a garden tour at the Anita Gorman Discovery Center will be done to close the program. To register for webinars please use zoom links for English classes (http://bit.ly/3eykSw8) and for Spanish classes (https://bit. ly/2PSBPXK). You can also send us an email at: nativeplantsandmore@ gmail.com or Navarrete-tindalln@ lincolnu.edu or visit Facebook page: Native Plants and More. Classes are free and open to the public. Those attending all classes will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program. Paid internships with local businesses will be available for those interested in taking this training as a career

NADIA NAVARRETE-TINDALL Native Plant Specialist 28

May 2021 | kcgmag.com

path. To be eligible to apply for internships, participants should register and participate in all classes. Others are welcome to register at any time and participate in as many

workshops as they want. One of the hoped-for outcomes is to increase participation of Latinos, African American and other underserved and underrepresented

Zoom webinars Thursdays 2-3 pm May 6 – Introduction to native plants May 13 – Native plants for pollinators and other wildlife. May 20 – Native edible plants and value-added products May 27 – Principles of native plant garden design To register please use this Zoom link: http://bit.ly/3eykSw8 or send us an email: Navarrete-TindallN@LincolnU.edu On-site Workshops – Saturdays 9:30-11:30 am June 5 – Preparing garden site. June 12 – Native Plant Garden establishment Address: Nottingham Apartments at Washington St. and 18th W. St. June 19 – Discovery Center Garden Tour and Graduation. Certificates and internships announced. Address: 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110

Dr. Nadia Navarrete-Tindall is a Native Plant Specialist and Educator at Lincoln University. She offers educational workshops and other training about native edible plants and other topics on native plants. She can be reached by email at navarrete-tindalln@lincolnu.edu and on her Facebook page “Native Plants and More.”

individuals in conservation programs promoted by the MDC, especially those related to native plants, native pollinators and other wildlife. Individuals participating will get introductory training on several aspects of native plants. They will learn about native plants commercially available—from wildflowers to trees—recognize their importance for monarch butterflies and

other pollinators, uses for human consumption, and value-added potential in the floral industry and landscaping. Webinars are open for individuals across the state and beyond. Hands-on training will also be offered in Jefferson City in June. For additional information send us an email or message us in Facebook.

Clases virtuales en español vía Zoom/ jueves de 7-8 pm Mayo 6 – Introducción a las plantas nativas Mayo 13 – Las plantas nativas y sus polinizadores. May 20 – Plantas comestibles nativas Mayo 27 – Introducción a diseño de jardines con plantas nativas. Para registrarse use este link de Zoom: https://bit.ly/2PSBPXK o enviar email: Navarrete-tindalln@lincolnu.edu Talleres presenciales – sábados 9:30-11:30 am Junio 5 – Preparación del área del jardín. Junio 12 – Establecimiento de un jardín con plantas nativas. Punto de reunión: 1748 Washington St. and 18th W. St. (Nottingham Apts.) Junio 19 – Paseo en los jardines del Discovery Center. Graduación. Entrega de certificados y anuncio de pasantías. Punto de reunión: 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110

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Serving the Northland for 39 years The Kansas City Gardener | May 2021

Kentucky Coffeetree consider planting this under-utilized native Photos by Jim Earnest.

ore than 50 percent of the 300-acre Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is covered by naturally planted woodlands. Along with the elm, hackberry, walnut, ash, Osage Orange and many others is my favorite tree (one of them anyway), the Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioica). While it is not common in the Arboretum, or in any other forest, there are several Coffeetrees, along the mulched woodland paths there, one or two with tree markers. In mid-January Ken O’Dell and I strolled along the path in the Marder Woodland Garden and spotted four Coffeetrees, of varying sizes one of which had a tree marker. I would encourage you to explore the Arboretum woodlands and look for these special trees. They prefer to be near the edge of the woodlands, growing there with less competition. The Coffeetree tends to grow in small clusters as a result of root sprouting. My home golf course has a very nice grove of 30 or so Coffeetrees, no doubt due to root sprouting. I have never seen fruit on any of the trees so it is likely they are all males arising from the roots of other male trees. Very beautiful, mature and healthy Coffeetree groupings planted by humans can be seen at Black Bob Park and at Loose Park. At the Overland Park Arboretum, there is a stake marker at the foot of a young Coffeetree that was planted by humans in the Stous Promenade. The Kentucky Coffeetree is native in Kansas and Missouri, as well as every other state in eastern America except for Florida and Louisiana. It is not very common in any of them, however. There are only two other species in the Gymnocladus genus, and both are native to Asia. The scientific name Gymnocladus dioica comes from the Greek gumnos (naked) and kla-

Coffeetree, Overland Park Arboretum

Coffeetree leaf

dos (branch) referring to the large coarse branches with no twigs after the rachis and petiole of the bipinnately compound leaves have fallen. Dioica (or dioicus) meaning the tree is dioecious – that is, male and

of any North American tree, often attaining a length of three feet. They are among the last leaves to emerge in the spring allowing sunlight to reach the emerging vegetation below. The new leaves are an

Coffeetree flowers

Fruit and Red Rachis

female flowers are borne on separate trees. The Kentucky Coffeetree is a member of the pea or legume (Fabaceae) family. The alternate leaves of the Kentucky Coffeetree are bipinnatelycompound. The leaflets are arranged like a feather along a central rachis that is red in color. While the individual leaflets are less than two inches long, the entire leaf assembly of the Coffeetree is the largest

attractive pink-bronze color and by summer they become a dark bluishgreen. Fall color is yellow, and contrasts nicely with the red color of the central rachises that remain on the tree for a while after the leaves have fallen. Positive identification of trees in the winter is often difficult. Spotting these long rachises on the ground below, however, confirms you are standing under a Kentucky Coffeetree.

JIM EARNEST Local Plantsman 30

May 2021 | kcgmag.com

The Coffeetree grows about 10-14 feet in 10 years, ultimately becoming 60-80 feet tall with an open irregular oval crown. Its bark is rugged and rough with scaly ridges curling outward along the edges creating a very unique bark pattern. Flowers on the Kentucky Coffeetree occur in long terminal clusters, and the females are mildly fragrant. The panicles of the male flowers are about three inches in length, and the females 12 inches long. They are not particularly conspicuous, as they get lost amongst the new foliage. Female flowers give rise to the fruit. The large leathery seedpods are harder, shorter and straighter than the pods of the honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos) and create interest as they persist on the tree through winter. Inside the pods are very hard, dark brown, marble-sized seeds surrounded by a gooey pulp. Native Americans cooked these seeds to make a coffee-like drink. Although drinkable, early settlers quickly realized it was a poor substitute for the real thing. It is from this that the common name “coffee tree” was derived. The seeds of the Coffeetree are toxic when consumed without roasting. Wildlife must sense this, or they avoid the hard seed coat, as none seem to feast on them. Livestock have died from consuming the seeds. Native Americans put large quantities of the seeds in streams, lakes and ponds to stun or kill fish. Unfortunately, the Kentucky Coffeetree is under-utilized in the landscape industry. It has no serious disease or insect problems. With its bold form, contorted branching, large handsome leaves, interesting bark and fruit, it has ornamental value in all seasons. If you have plenty of room, you should consider planting my favorite tree in your yard.

Jim Earnest, is on the Education Committee at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens and a long-time member of Kansas Native Plant Society.

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Plants on Your Plate Cabbage absorption of iron and in protecting and healing of skin injuries. The antioxidant power of Vitamin C can also reduce your risk of heart disease, along with potassium that helps to regulate blood pressure. The plant sterols in cabbage also reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol by blocking absorption of cholesterol in the digestive tract. Cabbage also provides fiber and probiotics, which is beneficial for digestion and gut health. Phytonutrients such as sulforaphane aid in reducing inflammation in the body. The deep colors of purple cabbage contain more than eight times the antioxidants of green cabbage. When selecting red or purple cabbage, keep

his month’s feature vegetable is another member of the Cruciferae family that was even made famous having a doll named after it. I’m referring to cabbage, which is a ‘cousin’ to other cruciferous vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and kale. This family of vegetables gets its name from the Latin word meaning ‘cross’ because the flowers are cross shaped. Cabbage is one of the oldest vegetables known, dating back over 4000 years where it grew wild as a leafy green on the shores of southern Europe, England, and Denmark. The more familiar headed cabbage appeared in England in the 14th century. Worldwide, China is the top producer of cabbage, accounting for 47% of the total production. In the United States, about 75% of the cabbage grown comes from five states: California, Wisconsin, New York, Florida, and Texas. Russia consumes the most cabbage in the world, where they consume more than seven times the vegetable that the average North American. Cabbage can vary in color from green to white to red or purple. The most common form of green and

red cabbages are those with tight heads and smooth leaves. Even red or purple cabbages will get lighter in color towards the center of the head, as the inner leaves are protected from the sunlight. These firm-headed varieties are mostly used for cabbage slaw. The sturdy leaves are also the perfect selection for stuffed cabbage rolls. Savoy cabbage has a looser head and tender, curly leaves, often thought to be a ‘fancier’ style that blends well with lettuce in a salad. Savoy has a milder flavor than standard green or purple cabbage. Napa cabbage, also called Chinese cabbage is more oblong shaped with thick stems and frilly leaves and has a slightly sweeter flavor than standard cabbage. Napa is also a good choice for mixing with lettuce or used in filling for dumplings. Bok Choy cabbage has crisp white stems with a tender green leaf that is often used in stir-fry or lightly steamed vegetable combinations. When selecting cabbages, look heads that feel heavy for their size, with leaves that are crisp and stem ends that are dry. Cabbage is a rich source of Vitamin C, which aids in the body’s

DENISE SULLIVAN Nutrition Ninja 32

May 2021 | kcgmag.com

in mind the color changes that can occur during preparation, particularly with acidic solutions, such as the vinegar in salad dressing, which may turn your salad pink over time. Cabbage can be eaten cooked as a main or side dish, eaten raw in salads or fermented as sauerkraut or kim chi. As with many vegetables, a change of preparation method may also change the preferences of like or dislike. Personally, I like each of those methods, so selecting a favorite recipe was a challenge this time. Cabbage rolls are a favorite at our house but can be tedious to prepare. This ‘unstuffed’ version is a simpler, yet equally tasty version!

Unstuffed Cabbage Casserole MAKES 8 SERVINGS INGREDIENTS 1 pound ground turkey ½ pound ground Italian sausage 1 medium onion, chopped 1 teaspoon minced garlic ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper 1 small head cabbage, chopped 1 16 ounce can petite diced tomatoes 2 cups low sodium tomato-vegetable juice 1 cup water 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon brown sugar ½ cup instant brown rice Brown meat in skillet, drain off any fat. Transfer meat to large stock pot. Add onion and garlic to skillet and sauté until softened. Add to meat in pot. Add remaining ingredients to pot EXCEPT rice. Bring to boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Add rice and cook for 10 minutes or until rice is done. NUTRITION INFORMATION Calories: 251, Total Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 2.5g, Sodium: 432mg, Carbohydrates: 23g, Fiber: 4g, Protein: 18.5g Recipe personal files, analyzed by verywellfit.com.

Denise Sullivan is a Nutrition and Health Education Specialist for MU Extension in the Urban West Region, programming in Jackson and Platte Counties. For research-based nutrition and food safety information and programs, visit https://extension.missouri.edu/counties/jackson.

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Up Close

with Michael Jones

KC LANDSCAPES & POOLS owner and operator

THERE ARE GREEN INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS DEDICATED TO THEIR CRAFT, MADE OBVIOUS BY THEIR CAREER CHOICE. WE ARE CURIOUS ABOUT THE INFLUENCES TOWARD THEIR CAREER, AS WELL AS OTHER INTERESTING ASPECTS OF THEIR LIFE. Established 1989 Products/Services offered: A full residential landscape offering including pools, water features, outdoor kitchens, hardscape, plantings, outdoor sculptures and any other conceivable exterior feature. Uniquely KC Landscapes: KC Landscapes is a sister company to True North Outdoor, a full commercial landscape maintenance, landscape construction and snow removal company that features clients such as The Plaza, Nelson Atkins Museum, Oak Park Mall and many others. We handle landscape construction projects in the millions. We decided to start KC Landscapes & Pools with this vision of doing incredible outdoor projects for residential clients that mirrors the type of high-end clients we have in our commercial business. Developing relationships: We work closely with clients to make their vision a reality. We realize that this process does not end with the initial install. Outdoor living spaces evolve with changing needs or as the client’s vision for this space demands. This includes circling back every few years to assess their outdoor landscape as they get a chance to “live in it”, knowing that needs, usage and goals change for how a space is used. Finally, we will go the extra mile to work with clients by connecting them to interior designers who can assist with furnishings, exterior art and even custom sculptures that personalize their space to their family and home. Whenever they have outdoor events, such as a patio party, our team is ready to help refresh the landscape and assist in whatever way they need to help make that event a success. The Team: We employ a full-time staff, but focus on assembling the right team that often involves other partners who focus on the unique aspects of the landscape design, so that each customer has a customized team to make their project spring to life. Inspiration: I have been in the green industry since the late ’80s. My mentor is Paul Constant, founder of a local landscaping company. From his original company has sprung a dozen different companies in Kansas City, including mine. 34

May 2021 | kcgmag.com

He approached everything with out-of-the-box thinking and would work extremely hard to please each and every customer. That approach is where I “cut my teeth.” He and I are close friends to this day.

year or two down the road that they need a shade structure, or to develop another seating area. You can do all you can to have a master plan, but you can relax, get the initial install done and then develop the landscape over time and usage.

A Showpiece: We have installed one of the larger perennial gardens in Kansas City at the GM Fairfax plant. It’s a symphony of flowers, as various beds pop into bloom over the course of the growing season. Incorporating perennials and annuals into a hybrid design giving a season-long display of color. Where possible, perennials native to our zone are utilized for a more sustainable arrangement. This same strategy is used in residential designs as well.

Little-known secret: A personalized sculpture or outdoor art changes EVERYTHING in an outdoor landscape, as it does in an interior design. Put your own or your family’s own stamp on your project that captures the theme or some personal aspect of your family. We focus on hanging unique paintings, pictures and other personal items on the interior. Take this approach on the exterior and you will be set apart. These elements are more affordable than you think, using local artisans that often collaborate using wood, metals and other materials to create unique pieces.

Working in my yard: I love planting my own impatiens every year. I am especially pleased to see them mound mid-summer and have guests to my home to enjoy the vibrant colors of summer. A lot of my inspiration for KC Landscapes & Pools came as I completed my own patio and realized how necessary the model needed to change in the residential landscape industry. What every gardener/homeowner should know: Every homeowner should view their outdoor space as a work in progress. Don’t feel pressured to get everything done at once. This is not a oneand-done process. Landscapes evolve as clients occupy and use their space. Maybe they realize a

When the work is done: Biking in the park, especially Shawnee Mission Park, is a favorite local outdoor activity for me. As I’m pedaling, it feels like I am in another world. I love to read and travel, as well. There is not a single time that I leave the ocean that does not make my heart sink! That said, business is my life’s love and hobby. Contact information: Offices located at 2405 Merriam Lane (Lamar and I-35); see our website www.KCLandscapes.com, highlighting our work; phone 913-681-LAND (5263).

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The Kansas City Gardener | May 2021

26th Annual Union Hill Garden Tour scheduled for May 23, 2021

Garden Events

Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City Speakers Bureau is ready for 2021! Master Gardener volunteers bring science to gardeners in the metropolitan Kansas City area through fun, engaging talks based on research-based gardening information. The Speakers Bureau offers a wide variety of topics to garden clubs, plant societies, adult education programs and community groups. Check out available topics and contact information at website: www.mggkc.org/.

On-line Food Preservation Course The University of Missouri Extension is committed to using the latest researchbased guidelines to give consumers the tools they need to safely succeed when preserving food at home. We provide hands-on workshops, fact sheets and answers to questions on canning, freezing, dehydrating and storing food products for long term storage. Find resources, including a self-paced online food preservation course on the MU Extension website: https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/ food-preservation.

he Union Hill neighborhood will hold their 26th Annual Garden Tour on Sunday, May 23, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Located downtown between 31st Street and Union Cemetery, and bordered by Main Street and Gillham, Union Hill is a walkable, charming historic Victorian neighborhood filled with avid gardeners. Gardens along the walking tour feature everything from spectacular floral displays to container gardens to an urban farm and even chickens! The tour starts at 31st and Grand then follows a walking path through the neighborhood. Attendees will receive a map and guide to the gardens on the tour. There will also be live music on porches throughout the neighborhood as well as an activity map for kids. Tickets for the tour can be purchased on the day of the tour for $15, with funds going to help with restoration of Union Hill Cemetery and to beautify the

May 2021 | kcgmag.com

public spaces in the neighborhood. Advance purchase tickets are just $10 through the Union Hill Garden Tour Facebook page: @UnionHillGardenTour or by visiting unionhillkc.com. Small group guided Tree Tours of Union Cemetery are also available on May 23rd for an additional $10. The Tree Tours are limited to 30 people and will operate two times: once at 10:30 a.m. and again at 1:00 p.m. Founded in 1857, the cemetery is the oldest public cemetery in Kansas City, MO. It’s the final resting place for over 55,000 souls and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You will be guided through the cemetery to see the many beautiful trees that live there, some of which are champions! Combo tickets include both the Garden Tour and Union Cemetery Tree Tour. Tickets are available on the Union Hill Garden Tour Facebook page. Combo tickets will not be sold on the day of the tour.

Fabulous Foliage May 4, 6:30pm; Virtual session via Zoom. Johnson County Extension class presented by Merle Sharpe, Johnson County Extension Master Gardener. Flowers are usually thought of as the stars of the show in our gardens. But flowers come and go. It is the foliage that is the workhorse throughout the season. Plants with distinct foliage deserve more attention in our landscape. This class will open your eyes to the wonderful world of fabulous foliage to complete the look in your garden. Register at www.johnson.ksu.edu/classes-events or 913-715-7000. Registration required to receive the link. Cost is $5.00 per person. Paola Plant Sale May 6-8, 9am-5pm; NEW LOCATION: 913 N Pearl, Paola, KS 66071. The sale will be held in the parking lot of the new Extension Offices. Native Plants/Trees. Butterfly Host Plants. Pollinator Plants. Annuals. Perennials. Tropicals. Succulents. Veggies. Hanging Baskets. Combination Planters. Sponsored by K-State Master Gardeners Marais des Cygnes District. COVID protocols observed. Johnson County EMG Garden Tour May 21-22. Five private gardens are opened to the public during the Johnson County K-State Research and Extension Master Gardener Public Garden Tour. Kansas City’s premier garden tour is an opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the most beautiful private gardens in Kansas City. Each garden is owned and maintained by an Extension Master Gardener. The gardens are selected for their individual qualities and personalities with something for every taste. The gardens are nestled in the heart of Johnson County and their proximity makes this a fun outing. Tour tickets are $20. Purchase tickets at the Johnson County Extension website or at the office. Tickets are also available at any Johnson County Hen House Market, Family Tree Nursery, Suburban Lawn and Garden, and Kansas Grass Pad

locations. Tickets will be available at the gardens during tour days. Maps and directions are provided with each ticket. Take a virtual tour or purchase tickets at www. johnson.k-state.edu or call 913-715-7000. Union Hill Garden Tour Sun, May 23, 10am-3pm; located between 31st St and Union Cemetary, bordered by Main St and Gillham, this is a walking tour. Starts at 31st and Grand. Advance purchase tickets are $10 through Union Hill Garden Tour Facebook page, or by visiting unionhillkc.com. Heartland Hosta & Shade Plant Society Annual Spring Plant Sale Sat, Jun 5, 9am-1pm; at Connection Point Church, 501 NE Missouri Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO. The sale features over 60 unique cultivars of hosta and shade/part-shade perennials suitable for gardens of all sizes. Many of the cultivars are new for 2021 and can only be found locally at this sale! Quantities of each cultivar are limited, please come early for best selection. The sale is open to the public. Members of the local hosta society will be on hand to answer questions and assist shoppers. Pictures and descriptions of sale plants will be available on the Society website prior to the sale. For more information please visit www.HeartlandHosta.club or www. Facebook.com/HeartlandHostaAndShadePlantSociety/. Kansas City Rose Society Rose Show and Rose Day Jun 5-6. Activities will be based on the current status of COVID regulations. For updated information, check website www. kansascityrosesociety.org.

Douglas County EMG Garden Tour Jun 5-6. Douglas County Extension Master Gardeners will provide beauty and inspiration with our New Beginnings Garden Tour of seven gardens. Tickets can be purchased for $10 online at dgemgks.com, or in person on tour days at the Douglas County Extension Demonstration Gardens at 2110 Harper St in Lawrence. To add beauty to your garden, you can also preorder bloom boxes with three native plants of six different varieties (18 plants) for $60. You can see the varieties available, and pay online, at dgemgks.com. Orders will be available for pick up on June 5th. All plants are native to Kansas, locally grown and pesticide free. Any remaining plants will be sold at the Demo Garden the morning of June 5th. MGGKC Garden Tour Jun 11-12, 9am-4:30pm; Blue Springs, MO. Seven-plus gardens to tour. Tickets $15. For more details, visit mggkc.org/ garden-tour.

Promote plant sales, club meetings, classes, and other gardening events for FREE! Send details to: elizabeth@kcgmag.com. Deadline for publishing in the June issue is May 5.

Greater Kansas City Water Garden Society’s 28th Annual Tour

lan to attend the 28th annual Greater KC Water Garden Society’s “Puddle Jumping Water Garden Tour” spanning 6 Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., June to September. Each tour will safely deliver an inoculation of blooming happiness, with plenty of oohs and aahs. Six individual tours will feature stunning water gardens in proximity. The Puddle Jumping Water Garden Tour spotlights different locations around the metropolitan area including Lawrence, Kansas. A new feature for 2021 is the addition of builder-sponsored garden parties from 6 to 10 p.m. with night-lighting, refreshments, and those exotic night-blooming tropical water lilies. Emerge from hibernation to glimpse the beauty of rippling streams and the music of cascading waterfalls as you stroll through the private gardens. Listen as the fairies whisper their secrets and savor nature’s art in bloom. A Water Garden

can take on different personalities based on its setting, from a small rustic pond with a garden train tucked into a back yard, a formal classic pond in a historic neighborhood to a palatial estate with multiple ponds and majestic waterfalls. Six Saturdays over the summer will let you experience many different designs and styles, including a swim pond. A season pass for all 6 Saturdays is $20 and is available at Eventbrite now and in garden centers June 1st. Individual tours are $5 and are available at Eventbrite or at the tour. Children under 14 attend free. The 6 tour dates are June 26th, July 10th and 24th, August 7th and 21st and September 11th. This is the Greater KC Water Garden Society’s only fundraising event. Proceeds continue to support building and maintenance of educational ponds for schools and other non-profits. 60 educational ponds have been built to date. Follow us on Facebook or visit us at kcwatergardens.com to learn more.

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Johnson County Extension Master Gardeners

Garden Tour May 21 & 22

5 Private Gardens & Garden Boutique Be inspired with beautiful ideas johnson.k-state.edu 913-715-7000 The Kansas City Gardener | May 2021

GARDEN CALENDAR May list of what to do in the garden.

Lawn

• Apply a slow-release fertilizer to bluegrass and tall fescue if watering during the summer. • Mow bluegrass and tall fescue at 3 inches. • Withhold early summer watering until needed to promote more drought-tolerant lawns. • Let clippings fall to return needed nutrients to the turf. • Core aerate zoysia to reduce thatch layer. • Sod or sprig zoysia lawns. • Fertilize zoysia with high nitrogen fertilizer to promote green up and summer growth. • Mow zoysia at 1 to 2 inches tall. • Keep the mower blade sharp for a clean cut. • Spot treat summer broadleaf weeds such as spurge or clover to help with control. • Sweep walks and drives after fertilizer and pesticide applications to keep our streams clean.

Vegetables and Fruits

• Plant tomato, pepper, and eggplant transplants in early May. • Seed sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, beans and other warm-season vegetables. • Cultivate soil lightly with a hoe to control weed growth. • Mound soil around potato plants to encourage tuber formation. • Harvest fresh asparagus until the spear size decreases.

• Remove rhubarb seed stalks to encourage leaf growth. • Plant kitchen herbs for summer use in dishes. • Treat fruit trees with needed pesticides to control insects and disease. • Thin heavy fruit set on apples to increase fruit size and next year’s crop. • Harvest salad crops and enjoy. • Keep broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage well fertilized for big yields. • Add a pollinator bee box to the garden to help improve crop fertilization.

Trees and Shrubs

• Plant new trees and shrubs. • Prune spring flowering shrubs after bloom to shape the plant and encourage flowers next year. • Mulch around young trees and shrubs to conserve moisture and control weed growth. • Water young ornamentals as needed. • Remove tree wraps for summer growth. • Remove tree stakes that have been in place for more than one growing season. • Fertilize trees to help increase growth rates. • Use caution with line trimmers around trees and shrubs so as not to damage tender bark.

Flowers

• Plant annual flowers for summer color. • Pinch center stem when planting annuals to

encourage branching and more blooms. • Continue to plant and divide perennials. • Mulch perennial and annual gardens for weed control and moisture retention. • Begin pinching chrysanthemums and other perennials for a more compact plant. • Allow foliage from spring bulbs to stay until it dies down naturally. This develops stronger blooms for next year. • Plant container gardens and hanging baskets using a good quality potting mix. • Keep a garden journal for permanent reference. • Watch for weed growth and control while small for ease of removal.

Houseplants

• Move plants outdoors for summer by gradually increasing the exposure to sunlight. • Fertilize plants to promote summer development. • Rotate plants to develop a well-rounded plant. • Wash dusty leaves in the shower under room temperature water. • Start new plants with 4 to 6-inch cuttings. • Repot plants into a 1-inch larger pot. • Check for insects.

Make plans to attend our Johnson County Extension Master Gardeners Garden Tour, May 21 and 22. Visit johnson.ksu.edu for a virtual tour and to purchase tickets.

Johnson County K-State Research and Extension recommends environmentally-friendly gardening practices. This starts by identifying and monitoring problems. Cultural practices and controls are the best approach for a healthy garden. If needed, use physical, biological or chemical controls. Always consider the least toxic approach first. Dennis Patton is the horticulture agent for Johnson County K-State Research and Extension. For free information fact sheets, visit www.johnson.ksu.edu, or call the Extension office at 913-715-7000. 38

May 2021 | kcgmag.com

Heartland Hosta & Shade Plant Society

Now Hiring

Annual Spring Plant Sale

for Spring

Saturday, June 5, 9am–1pm

Connection Point Church 501 NE Missouri Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO Over 60 cultivars of hosta and companion perennials, many only available locally at this sale! The sale is open to the public, and Society members will be on hand to assist shoppers. Pictures and descriptions of sale plants will be posted on the Society website prior to the sale. For more information please visit www.HeartlandHosta.club or www.Facebook.com/HeartlandHostaAndShadePlantSociety/. Or call Charlene at 816-517-5287.

We are looking for friendly, enthusiastic people to fill positions at our Growing Farm, Lenexa, Overland Park and Martin City locations. Send your resume to

cynthiam@suburbanlg.ddns.net Cashiers or call (816)550-7022 Phone Operators Hardgoods Sales Full and part time positions are available. Bilingual a plus but not a Plant Sales requirement. Truck Drivers, (CDL & non-CDL) Equipment Operators Landscape Maintenance Trimming, Mowing, Planting Customer Service Representative

Hotlines for Gardeners Extension Master Gardeners are ready to answer your gardening questions.

CASS COUNTY

816-380-8494; Wed, 9am-noon

DOUGLAS COUNTY

785-843-7058; dgcogardenhotline@gmail.com; Mon, Wed, Fri, 1-4pm

GREATER KANSAS CITY MISSOURI AREA

816-833-8733 (TREE); Mon-Fri, 9am-noon; mggkc.hotline@gmail.com

JOHNSON COUNTY, KS

913-715-7050; Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm; garden.help@jocogov.org

JOHNSON COUNTY, MO

660-747-3193; Wed, 9am-noon

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY

913-364-5700; Leave a message. A Master Gardener will contact you.

MIAMI COUNTY & LINN COUNTY 913-294-4306; Thurs, 8am-noon

WYANDOTTE COUNTY

913-299-9300; Mon, Wed, Fri, 9am-4pm

QUESTIONS ABOUT ROSES?

Ask a Rosarian; kcrosehelp@gmail.com; www.kansascityrosesociety.org

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The Kansas City Gardener | May 2021

Annuals & Perennials

Fresh blooming annuals and perennials, many grown on our own local farms and trucked in daily for you!

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KCG May21

Articles inside

Native Plant Academy

UPCLOSE

Kentucky Coffeetree

Johnson Co EMG Garden Tour

Flowers for Butterflies

MGGKC Garden Tour

Irresistible Phlox

Landscaping with Roses

Douglas Co EMG Garden Tour

Kids Ask Dr. Bug

Indoor Gardening–Tomatoes

Ask the Experts

Pollinator Habitat Design