KCG 11Nov18 by The Kansas City Gardener

The Kansas City

GARDENER A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening

November 2018

Early Spring-Blooming Bulbs Beat Winter Blues

Ask a Scientist Thoughtful Bird Feeding Great American Elm Tree Native Plants that Survive the Test of Time

The Kansas City

editor’s notes

GARDENER A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening

Garden journal entry

Independently owned and operated since 1996 Publisher Michael Cavanaugh Editor Elizabeth Cavanaugh Contributors Jim Earnest Nik and Theresa Hiremath Marion Morris Diana Par-Due Dennis Patton Judy Penner Dr. Tamra Reall Ed Reese Scott Woodbury Distribution Publishers Delivery Solutions, Inc.

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eaded out to stroll the garden, looking for any effects of the first frost. The sun is bright today, but it’s chilly, so a sweater will make the time outside comfortable. The birdbath is full of water and leaves from the birch tree. Hefty winds from the north created a large debris field of sticks and branches, also from the birch. The forecast calls for warmer weather later in the week, that’s when I’ll schedule my garden cleanup. Mostly the tender annuals like dragonwing begonia and various coleus have that familiar singed look. On the other hand, it seems the hosta have been spared–this time. The neighborhood is loaded with mature trees, so the garden is largely protected from frost. Once the temperature drops below freezing, the hosta foliage will succumb, melting down to the ground. That will be another cleanup day. Until then, I appreciate how the foliage shows transitioning colors of fall. Speaking of debris fields, the perennial garden, bordered by the driveway and street, looks more like a compost pile. A couple of months ago, anticipating the renovation of that garden, Mr. Gardener removed the anchor–the globe blue

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spruce that served as the all-season focal point. Sadly, the spruce has been on the decline, especially since waterline construction a couple of years back. The workers were careful and tried not to disturb root systems, but alas, not careful enough. She lost her shape and it was downhill from there. (Yikes, that sounds like the physician summary from my last doctor visit, haha.) Anyway, there is an empty spot in the middle of the garden, I’m sure causing the neighbors to ask, “What are they up to now?!” The plan is to completely overhaul that bed and create an all-season perennial garden. I’m probably overstating the project, because we don’t have that kind of space. However, the strategy in my mind is to have a garden that blooms sequentially from the first sign of spring until first frost. That’s not such a tall order, and is totally doable. I’ll keep you posted on the progress. All in all, the gardens look as expected, and my meandering has reminded me of the chores that still need attention.

There was another discovery in the garden, and a surprise, at that. While walking the pathway towards the sun, my cat Louie is walking with me, weaving in and out of my legs. As I step closer to look at peony leaves, I’m surprised by another kitty, tucked underneath that tree peony, soaking in the sun. Well, hello stranger, where did you come from? No collar. A bit skittish, but making eye contact. I’ve seen glimpses of him/her around in recent weeks, and it seems like we may have a new friend. Louie and new kitty exchanged a few vocals–hissing and growling included. A little calming sweet talk to both prevented a skirmish. And even when we went inside Louie kept his eye on new kitty from the living room window. We will see how it goes. All are welcome in my garden, even if only for a meal and a little rest. I’ll see you in the garden!

In this issue November 2018• Vol. 23 No. 11 Flowering Fall Herbs .................. 4 Ask the Experts ......................... 6 Luminary Walk ......................... 8 Thoughtful Bird Feeding ............. 9 Rose Report .............................. 1 0 Great American Elm Tree ........... 1 1 Early Spring-Blooming Bulbs ....... 1 2 Powell Gardens Events .............. 14

about the cover ...

Early spring bloomers like crocus relieve the winter blues. See more early blooming bulbs starting on page 12.

November 2018 | kcgmag.com

Bird Facts ................................ 15 Ask a Scientist ........................ 17 Natives Survive Test of Time ..... 18 Upcoming Events ..................... 19 Plant Profile ............................ 20 Garden Calendar .................... 22 Subscription form .................... 23 Meet an EMG ......................... 23

FAT BIRDS are warm birds KEEP ‘EM HAPPY ALL WINTER LONG WITH HELP FROM WESTLAKE ACE HARDWARE! Some flew south, while others took perch. For the ones that hunkered down, give ‘em the nutrients they need to brave cold temps. Swing by Westlake Ace Hardware for a variety of seeds & feeders so you can be generous. After all, they chose your yard over Disney World.

FILL THEIR Feeders BIRDS BRAVE WINTER WITH FOOD, SO KEEP FEEDERS CHOCK-FULL OF DELICIOUS SEED. plants provide nesting sites Tip: native & natural food & shelter for inclement

weather, so place feeders about 10-ft. away

GIVE ‘EM Shelter

LET THERE Be Water

LODGING IS ESSENTIAL IN THE COLD WINTER MONTHS, SO GIVE BACKYARD LOYALISTS A PLACE TO TURN IN ON LONG, CHILLY NIGHTS. CHOOSE FROM A VARIETY OF BIRDHOUSES TO PROTECT ‘EM AGAINST THE COLD PRECIPITATION.

ALWAYS PROVIDE A FRESH SOURCE FOR DRINKING & BATHING. AND WHEN TEMPS DROP, USE A BIRDBATH DE-ICER TO PREVENT WATER FROM TURNING INTO A SKATING RINK.

Tip:

insulate birdhouses with wood chips & dry grass so birds can plug cracks & holes to retain body heat on the coldest of nights

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Flowering Fall Herbs DIANA PAR-DUE, local herb maven, reviews her list of herbs that flower in fall, extending the season a bit longer.

Mint: I don’t recommend growing this herb in your actual garden, though a pot can be lovely and the blooms range from purple to white. Several varieties have stunning flower stalks that rise above the vines. This is a hard to get rid of perennial so plant with caution.

his time of year, as the garden winds down, can be perfect for planning. What did well? What was a flop? Most importantly, what are we going to plant next year!? Some herbs bloom before the spring season even kicks off, like chives, that make our hearts sing with new life. However, fall blooming herbs are a true gem and because fall is winding down we can note all those herbs or plan to plant them next year so that our herb gardens looks beautiful from spring through fall. I’ve compiled a list of my favorite fall blooming herbs for reference and a reminder that even as we prepare for winter, the joy of color can be present.

Holy Basil before and the vast range of varieties available for different uses. Holy Basil has origins in India and is still a part of the Hindu culture there. The leaves can be dried for tea but are not used in food the same way sweet basils are. It has an incredible and unique scent but also produces fragrant purple flowers in the fall, making a stunning display. Holy Basil is an annual that reseeds.

Holy Basil: I’ve written about basil

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Pineapple Sage Pineapple Sage: This salvia family herb boasts extraordinarily scented leaves but also produces stunning red blooms in the chillier months. The leaves are wonderful for tea and the plant itself more resembles bee balm than common sage. In our zone this is an annual. Comfrey: My favorite multifunctional herb has another key feature, gorgeous bell like purple or white blooms that attract those bees and pollinators, all while looking stunning. This is a perennial that can be invasive. Lavender: Lavender has deep purple blooms that beautifully contrasts the silver tinted foliage. There are perennial and annual varieties.

Rue: This unique herb has some controversial medicinal properties but no one can deny the beauty of its blue green cute leaves and vibrant yellow blooms. Stalks rise up two feet creating an appealing hedge look. Wonderful back edges or borders. This is a perennial herb. These are just a few of the wonderful herbs that can take your herb garden into the fall with flair. I know you will be glad you included them come next September. Plan accordingly! Diana Par-Due is an avid gardener who, when not raising children, raises plants. She dreams of beekeeping and chickens one day when her town makes it legal. Until then, she spends her time writing, reading, and studying as a mature student at a local college and making garden plans she never actually keeps.

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Fall in love with your garden, all over again. It’s time to revisit the garden with fall plantings. Don’t forget to nourish

with Osmocote® Smart-Release® Plant Food. It will feed your plants essential nutrients consistently and continuously throughout the autumn season. When perfection matters, why trust anything else? The Kansas City Gardener | November 2018

Ask the Experts Gardeners have plenty of questions about landscape issues, DENNIS PATTON answers a few of them here. FILLED TO THE BRIM COMPOST BINS Question: My chopped leaves from last fall did not decompose, so my compost bins are still full. Anything I can do now to get them to decompose? Answer: The composting process usually slows for a couple of reasons. Lack of moisture or low levels of nitrogen from green plants. Composting works best if the pile is damp like a moist sponge or when additional nitrogen is added. Water the pile as it dries and if the process slows, add a nitrogen source such as garden fertilizer or organic blood meal. At this point, I am guessing the year-old leaves are fairly rotted. You might want to stir them up to reduce the mass. Then rebuild your pile using a mix of old and new

leaves. The secret is to wet the dry leaves as they are added to the pile and to throw in a nitrogen source. One last thought, last fall leaves might make great leaf mold of partially decomposed leaves and an excellent mulch for beds. Happy composting, but remember you need plenty of water and nitrogen to make it happen. RABBIT PERSISTENCE Question: Is paper tree wrap enough to protect my young tree from rabbit damage over winter? I use it to reduce sun scald on my sugar maple. Answer: Paper tree wrap is usually made of a dark inner layer to reduce decay. The result is several heavy layers creating enough of a barrier to deter rabbit feedings. But

AND

PRESENT

If compost process was less than ideal, and your compost bin is still full, consider how much water and nitrogen might be needed. how well it holds up depends on the rabbit’s persistence. It should be okay, but I cannot guarantee a pesky rabbit will not chew through it. It might be worth your peace of mind to loosely wrap a chicken wire cage around the tree just to be safe. ADDING ORGANIC MATTER TO VEGETABLE GARDEN Question: How much total organic matter can I till into

my vegetable garden and have it decompose over winter? Answer: Research has shown that under proper conditions up to six inches of leaves can be tilled into the garden soil in the fall and break down by spring. However, there are several factors at play. As I stated in the earlier question, how fast the process happens depends on the amount of moisture and nitrogen available to drive the process. Leaves worked into the

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soil will not decay if the soil is dry. Usually, nitrogen is available in enough amounts to help with the breakdown. Basically, I am saying a dry winter results in minimal soil breakdown. With proper winter moisture, the leaves should be almost decayed by spring. Since fall precipitation is often unpredictable, I recommend thoroughly watering the soil once the leaves have been incorporated. This will help start the process. WONDERING ABOUT CHIPMUNKS IN WINTER Question: Are chipmunks active in the winter? Answer: Chipmunks are well established in most neighborhoods. They feed on a variety of plant and protein-rich food such as bird eggs and earthworms. Late in the season, they start storing their winter food supply in underground tunnels. While they do not truly hibernate, they do spend the winter underground. Chipmunks will occasionally wake up from their winter slumber and feed on the stored food, but rarely will they emerge during winter. As the soil warms and spring conditions arrive, they start to emerge from their burrow and become active again. Love will be in the air as spring is one of two mating times for these troublesome rodents. Of course, reproducing leads to more chipmunks that burrow under structures and potentially cause damage – just what we don’t need. PUMPKINS AND SQUASH, EDIBLE DECOR Question: Are the pumpkins and squash I purchased to decorate for the holidays edible? Or have they been treated with pesticide and not consumable? Answer: Well, this one gets my ‘it depends’ answer. The quick answer is yes, unless the pumpkins and squash are tagged with some caution or warning statement. It is doubtful they are pesticide free as squash have a few insect and disease issues requiring treatment. Like any food product, thoroughly wash the surface before preparing. Here is a fun fact! Do you know the difference between a squash and a pumpkin? All pumpkins are squash, but not all squash are pumpkins. Squash that are round and usually orange or shades of orange are called pumpkins. If they

have a different shape or color, they are usually called squash. Of course, that definition is blurry with the development of white pumpkins and many other novelty types. For the most part, canned pumpkin is really canned squash. Whether it is pumpkin or squash, it sure is tasty with the right mix of fall seasoning. GO AHEAD, FERTILIZE Question: If I did not fertilize my lawn earlier this fall, should I put it down in November? Answer: The most important time to fertilize a bluegrass or tall fescue lawn is in September. The second most important time to fertilize is in November. So I would say yes, go ahead and put down the fertilizer. The November application will feed the roots and crowns creating stored food and energy for next spring’s growth. Feeding in November is superior to early spring, as the spring fertilizer is converted directly into top growth which means you mow, mow, mow. The fall application is all about promoting growth below ground that in turn gives you great top growth but not in excess. MULCHED CHOPPED LEAVES VS DARK MULCH Question: My wife prefers dark mulch on our garden beds. I want to use chopped leaves – it’s free and adds organic matter back into the gardens. I’m thinking of getting a paint sprayer and some outdoor paint to paint the chopped leaves brown. That way we both get what we want. The Mrs. wants me to run it past you first to make sure it’s safe for the plants. Answer: Short answer, latexbased paint will not harm the mulch or the plants, but I really cannot recommend this solution. The paint will only cover the surface. With the least bit of movement of the decomposing leaves, the painted layer is gone. My advice would be to embrace the natural color of the leaves. Another option to consider would be to purchase some dark wood mulch and place a light layer over the leaves to give it that finished look. 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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The Kansas City Gardener | November 2018

The Overland Park Arboretum& Botanical Gardens by Candlelight At the 19th Annual Holiday Luminary Walk

he holiday season kicks off at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Garden with the 19th Annual Holiday Luminary Walk presented by First National Bank and Westlake ACE Hardware stores, beginning November 23rd. The twinkling light of more than 2,800 candles lining the walkways, and tens of thousands of holiday lights adorning the trees will illuminate the path to live music, lighted displays, horse-drawn wagon rides and hot apple cider. Over 38,000 people enjoyed the Holiday Luminary Walk last year and the organizers are gearing up for another great show. To avoid over-crowding and ensure that everyone is able to enjoy the experience fully, the decision was made this year to limit the number

of tickets available and to sell for specific nights. Children and those young at heart return year after year to this local family tradition. The scent of hot apple cider by the campfire, the

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November 2018 | kcgmag.com

faint echo of Santa’s “Ho Ho Ho,” the clacking of miniature holiday trains on their tracks, the clopping of the horses’ hooves, and live music all add to the wonderment that awaits. The annual celebration starts Thanksgiving weekend, and will run for three weekends – open only on Friday and Saturday nights Nov. 23, 24 & 30, and Dec. 1, 7 & 8. The Arboretum will be transformed into a wonderland of candles and lights from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., with last entry allowed at 8:00 p.m. Admission for the Luminary Walk is $10, children five and under are free. Tickets are datespecific, and must be purchased online in advance at https://artsandrec-op.org/arboretum/luminarywalk/. Parking is complimentary. The annual fundraiser is produced

by Friends of the Arboretum, a part of The Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park, and all proceeds benefit the Arboretum. Included with admission are a variety of activities for families, including candlelit paths through the gardens and woods, lighted trains in the expanded Train Garden, horse-drawn wagon rides, and Santa Claus visiting with children each night from 5:30 to 8:30 in his Woodland Depot. Children will particularly enjoy the winter Gnome and Fairy homes as well as the child-size gingerbread house in the Children’s Garden. Boy Scout Troop 222 will again be serving complimentary warm cider around the campfire, courtesy of Louisburg Cider Mill. Decompress from the holiday stress or hold that special someone tight during the Quiet Woods Walk through the serene, candlelit path. This unique experience will feature the music of Native American flute player Larry Daylight as the soft flames dance along in their luminaries. The Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is one of the area’s largest botanical garden with more than 300 acres and 800 plant species. Located at 8909 West 179th Street, just ten minutes south of I-435 and Metcalf, west of 69 Highway, it is an easy drive from anywhere in the KC metro area.

Thoughtful Bird Feeding Local birding expert, THERESA HIREMATH talks about elements to consider when establishing a feeding station.

Feeder variety Providing various feeder styles and sizes helps attract more birds. A foundational feeder should hold a seed blend that is attractive to many birds, feeds a lot of birds at a time, and has a large enough capacity to last several days before needing a refill. A tray feeder allows different types and varieties of food to serve, and gives you an unobstructed view to watch visitors. Birds appear comfortable on tray feeders as they can see in all directions at all times while flying to and from the tray and grabbing their food. Fat feeders dish up the important cold weather ingredient, “fat,” including suet-blend cakes, plugs, and cylinders. Most feeding stations should serve a constant supply of at least one of the many choices of “fat.” The most consistent patrons of suet and fat are woodpeckers, but many other insect-eaters, such

as chickadees, nuthatches, wrens, and titmice are attracted to fats too. A finch feeder, as per the name, attracts finches that are in your area, and is designed for nyjer seed or nyjer blends. Goldfinches like to travel and dine together, spending their days moving from field to field. If you give them their own finch feeder, you get a better show! Nectar, jelly, and fruit feeders – In hummingbird and oriole season, these feeders can be used to attract them to your yard. Snack, specialty, and convenience feeders – Snack and specialty feeders and foods are your main tools for being seasonally savvy. These feeders allow you to add variety to your food offerings at different seasons, and should be convenient for you to fill. Examples of foods for these types of feeders include peanuts (shelled or in the shell), mealworms (live or dried), corn (whole or cracked), wildlife food blends, seed and nut blend cylinders, suet cylinders, nuggets, plugs, and balls, and fat cylinders. This category also includes convenience feeders, which hold bird food cylinders and cakes and can be easily refilled. These convenient foods are also small, making them easy to buy and store. Water It is important to provide a yearround source of water for your birds, as an essential part of your backyard habitat. In cold weather, birds rely on clean feathers to provide insulation from the cold. During winter, when natural sources can freeze over, provide this much-needed resource by using a heated birdbath that keeps the water thawed. Landing Spots In our quest to observe our feathered friends, we sometimes forget to provide them a close and comfortable landing spot where they feel safe and protected. Nearby branches can greatly increase the number of birds visible at one time. Individual birds and flocks need

branches for perching or gathering as they prepare to visit and leave feeders. Keep in mind that birds like woodpeckers and nuthatches prefer vertical landing surfaces. Feeder locations When deciding feeder station placement, remember to arrange for a safe and easy access to the feeders, and place the station where you can watch them comfortably. Also significant is how easy it is for you to retrieve feeders for cleaning and refilling. Then consider the proper distance from windows, trees and shrubs to ensure their protection. Increase the number of feeding stations and offer assorted feeders and food, and perching area heights. Reliably full feeders and a constant water source ensures consistent bird activity.

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Giving back to nature by creating inviting habitats in your yard and providing nutritious food and water does make a positive difference for your birds. Even though wild birds can take care of themselves, there are critical times (especially winter) when bird feeding helps them survive, reproduce and care for their young. Simply watching the birds is incredibly relaxing, and can give you just the break you may need from your busy life. To learn more, our Certified Birdfeeding Experts are happy to answer any questions. Nik and Theresa Hiremath own and operate Wild Birds Unlimited of Leawood at 11711 Roe Avenue, Leawood, Kansas. Contact them at 913-491-4887.

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o you feed the birds in your yard? What is your favorite bird, and what are the most common birds that visit your feeders right now? Whether you are just starting your journey in the birdfeeding hobby, or have been feeding for years, there are elements of a birdfeeding station to think about. These elements will help you become a thoughtfully strategic bird feeder, considering which food and feeder combinations are best to bring in daily, seasonal, and rare birds. You will assess the best location to place your feeders, and how to create an inviting and safe environment for the birds. These essentials as outlined in The Joy of Bird Feeding – The Essential Guide to Attracting and Feeding Our Backyard Birds, written by Jim Carpenter, founder of Wild Birds Unlimited, are worthwhile for all birders to know, novice and experienced alike. I have selected several to mention here that will certainly enhance your birding experience.

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Rose Report If you’re planning to add roses next year, JUDY PENNER reveals the rose varieties that perform well in Loose Park. Photos by Judy Penner.

his is the month you should be winding up winter chores, namely cutting back and mulching roses. Once the physical work is complete, the winter can be spent dreaming of what roses to plant next year. Then you can start ordering the roses online, or wait until spring and buy from your local nursery. Looking for a place to start? Here are a few of the roses that do well in our garden here at Loose Park. Memorial Day™ is a pretty pink Hybrid Tea with a strong, damask, old rose fragrance. The blooms are very large (41+ petals) with an old-fashioned bloom form. Golden Fairy Tale™ is a Hybrid Tea that is medium yellow in color and partly edged in red. It has a mild to strong fragrance with up to 40 petals.

Memorial Day

Golden Fairy

Dee-Lish

Belinda’s Dream is an EarthKind® shrub rose. Pink in color with a slightly fruity fragrance. The blooms are medium-large and very full, averaging 41+ petals. Dee-Lish® is a Hybrid Tea with fuchsia-red, deep pink blooms. It has a strong, citrus, rose fragrance. The blooms are large and full averaging 26-40 petals.

Strike It Rich® is a Goldenyellow color with pink edges and pink shading. It has a strong, fruity, spice fragrance. The blooms are large with 26-40 petals. All of these roses are disease resistant and bloom all season long! This is my short list of roses that do well in the garden so be sure to visit the garden frequently

to see for yourself how all the roses perform in the Laura Conyers Smith Rose Garden. Remember to Stop and smell the roses!

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November 2018 | kcgmag.com

Judy Penner is Expert Rosarian at Loose Park, Kansas City, Mo. You may reach her at judy.penner@ kcmo.org.

Great American Elm Tree Photos by Jim Earnest.

Enthusiastic about all trees, JIM EARNEST discusses Dutch elm disease and characteristics of the American elm.

American elm tree Loose Park

hile playing golf two summers ago, I said to my playing partner, “there is a beautiful American elm tree behind number 7 green.” He replied, “That can’t be, they were all killed years ago by ‘that disease.’” Indeed, there was a time when our great American elm tree (Ulmus americana) reigned supreme in the United States. It lined our streets, was planted in our yards, parks and golf courses – the perfect street and shade tree. Then the Dutch elm disease (DED) entered the U.S. from Europe in the 1930s in Ohio. It reached Kansas City in the 1950s. The disease has killed millions of our native elms. However, not all elms have been affected, and my golfing partner was happy to see the healthy beauty behind the number 7 green. It was a bit of a surprise to me when I read the USDA publication titled Assessing Urban Forest Effects and Values: the Greater Kansas City Region. The assessment found that we are home to 249,450,000 trees and the most common tree species is the American elm, accounting for 28% of our tree population! An American elm tree grows in western Missouri that measures 85 feet tall, with a trunk circumference of 236 inches and a crown spread of 126 feet. It is the state champion according to the Missouri Department of Conservation. Some elms appear to be resistant to DED, while other survivors have avoided the disease only temporarily, as a few more of them die each year.

American elm tree in spring

Flowers

Leaves

The American elm grows naturally in every eastern state and westward to the foot of the Rocky Mountains. The growth habit is broad, upright and vase-shaped with an arching limb structure. It is an exception to the rule that narrow crotch angles signify weak branches. Elm tree limbs and wood are extremely tough and hard. The leaves of this tree are elliptical with an offset base, prominent veins and doubly serrated margins. They are an attractive dark green and smooth to the touch. This smooth feel helps differentiate the American elm from the red elm (Ulmus rubra), also common in our area. Leaves of the red elm are rough on their surface like sand paper. Fall color of the American elm is yellow, although the intensity of the color is variable. Flowers of the American elm emerge in drooping clusters, and are among the earliest to announce that spring is coming very soon to Kansas City. I saw them adorn the elms in my neighborhood in early to mid-March this year. They created a nice reddish hue to the crowns of these trees. The flowers are “perfect” or “complete”, meaning both male and female parts are present in the same flower. The females give way to abundant circular wafer-like seeds. Look closely at one of them and you will likely be able to see fine hairs along its margins. The seeds are scattered by the thousands on the wings of spring winds. While there continues to be a decline in population of the

American elm due to DED, newer cultivars have been developed that show good promise in resisting the disease that kills. Such selections as Ulmus americana ‘Princeton’, ‘New Harmony’, and ‘Valley Forge’ are among the most promising of them. While none are likely to totally replace our majes-

tic American elm, they give us worthy substitutes, and perhaps in the future a cure will be found for “that disease.” Jim Earnest, Education Committee, Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens and Member, Kansas Native Plant Society.

Festival of Lights Nov. 23-Jan. 6 Thurs-Sun | 4-10 p.m.

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powellgardens.org/lights | 816.697.2600 The Kansas City Gardener | November 2018

Grape Hyacinth

Early Spring-Blooming Bulbs Beat Winter Blues T

he blooms of early spring bulbs can be the best cure for the winter blues that sometimes linger too long. Many tough varieties are frost-proof and no doubt will lift your garden spirits. Outlined here are those smaller spring-blooming bulbs that are easily found in area nurseries and garden centers. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth mentioning that there are early-spring blooming varieties of tulips and daffodils, as well. For more information about these, check with a garden center professional to point those out. Ask the knowledgeable folks at your favorite nursery for help finding what you are looking for, and to teach you which bulb to 12

choose. They also can give details about site selection and preparation, planting, and care. All of the bulbs profiled here are hardy in zones 4-8, and tend to have a naturalizing habit. As with most spring-blooming bulbs, they prefer being planted in well-draining soil that does not get soggy. For the best performance, be sure to plant in full sun or partial shade. It is not too late to plant bulbs. As long as the ground is still workable, there is plenty of time to get busy planting. Typically, the rule is to plant spring-flowering bulbs from early to late fall. Of course, containers are another good option. Plant up a pot (or two or six) of bulbs for a spring

November 2018 | kcgmag.com

explosion of color. What an eyecatcher that will be! Crocus One of the first flowers in spring leading the bloom parade, cheery crocus colors of purple, yellow, lavender, cream and white are a welcome sight. Known to appear even when there is snow on the ground, the crocus bloom is just 2 to 4 inches tall. Crocus are fragrant enough to lure hungry bees to sample its golden pollen. Grape hyacinth (Muscari) The flowers of this genus typically cluster like grapes on the stalk, hence the common name. It features conical racemes of slightly

fragrant, tightly packed, deep violet blue, urn-shaped flowers atop scapes rising to 8â&#x20AC;? tall. Each flower has a thin white line around the rim. Glory-of-the-Snow (Chionodoxa) Glory-of-the-Snow typically produces flat, star-shaped flowers that are pale blue with white centers. They are short in stature, but their star-shaped blue flowers seem to glow, whether there is snow on the ground or not. One fun way to use Chionodoxa is to plant the bulbs a few inches apart in an area of turfgrass. This works best in places that get low to no foot traffic.

Squills (Scilla) In early spring provides intense blue color to the rock garden or border front. Effective when massed in front of or around shrubs or trees, or planted in large groupings with other early spring bulbs. Mass in sweeping drifts in woodland, wild or naturalized areas or along shady banks. Also may be naturalized in the lawn in the same manner as crocus. Snowdrops (Galanthus spp.) This charming little wildflower has been an early spring favorite

for centuries. Buds dangling from a slightly arching stem, snowdrops are another variety that will sprout up through a layer of snow. They are fine additions to woodland gardens, planted with crocuses and tucked around the bases of deciduous trees and shrubs. Spring snowflakes (Leucojum) With grass-like foliage and dainty, fragrant, white, bell-shaped pendant flowers, spring snowflakes look almost exactly like snowdrops (Galanthus spp.), which blooms a couple of weeks before spring

snowflakes. You can tell the difference between the two flowers by the fact that snowflakes have a green dot at the tip of each of its six petals, while snowdrops have dots on only three of its petals. Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) Spring is on its way when these deep golden-yellow, buttercuplike flowers on 2-3” stems appear. Green bracts surround the base of each flower similar to a “jester’s collar.” As noticeable as bright forsythia, winter aconite is perfect

for use in borders and in dormant perennial beds. Iris reticulata Commonly called reticulated iris, at only about six inches tall these bluish-purple flowers use white and yellow stripes to catch attention in the garden. Even after the flowers have faded, their grasslike, green foliage can add much needed texture to the late spring garden. Consider planting in areas beside a front walk or stone patio. Spectacular when planted in groups of 20 bulbs or more.

Above left: Glory-of-the-Snow; Above right: Iris reticulata

Below left: Squill; Below right: Spring Snowflakes

Above: Winter Aconite; Below: Crocus Below: Snowdrops with yellow crocus

The Kansas City Gardener | November 2018

Powell Gardens in November and December SAGES: Forest Bathing Thursday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost: $35 (includes a box lunch) Learn about the general principles and health and wellness benefits behind Shinrin-Yoku, or the Japanese practice of experiencing the forest and its health benefits. Commonly known as “forest bathing,” this health practice has been growing since the 1980s in Japan and more recently in the U.S. This talk is presented by Michael Beezhold, Forest Therapy Guide in Training, as certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. Mr. Beezhold has an MS in Forestry, has worked previously at the Missouri Department of Conservation Discovery Center in Kansas City, and was the Manager of the Lenexa, KS Rain to Recreation program preserving and restoring the City’s natural resources. Following the talk, stay for short walk and a healthy box

lunch and to explore the beauty of Powell Gardens to feed your body and soul. Visit powellgardens.org for details. Composting Workshop Saturday, Nov. 3, 9 a.m.-noon Cost: $80 Join Stan Slaughter, one of the top compost educators in the Nation, for a workshop exploring best practices for composting at home, the science behind decomposition, and what matter provides the best organic results for your garden. A portion of the workshop delves into vermi-composting in spaces inside and outside your home. This workshop includes an Earth Machine composter ($150 retail value) and instruction for installation. Advance education credit is available for Master Gardeners (certificate provided upon completion). Stan was invited by HRH Prince Charles to lecture

Make holiday memories with Colonial Gardens! Colonial Gardens has everything you’ll need to create holiday magic. Christmas trees, poinsettias, fresh cut greens, wreaths and swags. Let us help you bring the magic of the season to your home. Santa and his reindeer are coming to Colonial Gardens! Experience Winter Wonderland at Colonial Gardens December 1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th from 12:00-4:00pm! Kids will go on a journey that includes story time with Mrs. Clause, creating a craft, seeing Santa’s reindeer and spending time with Santa himself! Each child will receive a photo with Santa and complimentary snacks. This is a ticketed event to ensure each child has time to enjoy the festivities. Purchase tickets at www.colonialgardenskc.com Visit us online to see our complete winter schedule w w w. c o l o n i a l g a rd e n s kc . c o m 8 1 6 -2 2 9 -1 2 7 7 2 7 6 1 0 E . Wya t t Rd . Blue Springs, MO 64014

November 2018 | kcgmag.com

on Composting in England in 2016. Visit powellgardens.org for details. Family Bulb Plant-a-thon Saturday, Nov. 10 10:00-11:00; 12:00-1:00; 1:00-2:00 Free with garden admission, but reservations are required Help Powell Gardens plant thousands of daffodils this fall and teach your kids about the life cycle of flowering bulbs and the correct time of year and depth to plant them–while helping to shape and beautify the garden. Spend an hour (or time as you see fit) placing bulbs into pre-drilled holes made by our horticulture staff. Family groups will be partnered with a horticulturist. Visit powellgardens. org for details. Artists Reception: Michael Cherepak and Diane Evans Saturday, Nov. 10, 2-4 p.m. Free with garden admission Join in the Visitor Center for a public opening reception featuring Floral Abstractions, works by artists Michael Cherepak and Diane Evans. Light refreshments provided. Visit powellgardens.org for details. Boy Scout Workshop: Environmental Science Saturday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m Cost: $15 per scout (chaperones are free, additional adults must pay garden admission) This workshop weaves exploration, investigation, and experimen-

tation within diverse landscapes to improve your understanding of complex interactions in nature. Participants will learn ecological terminology, assess the pH of Powell Gardens’ bodies of water, model erosion control methods, and learn about Powell Gardens’ efforts to restore native habitat and minimize the impact on natural areas. This experience, designed for scouts ages 11 to 17 (all children of appropriate age are welcome to register), provides an opportunity to fulfill requirements for the BSA environmental science merit badge. Materials for the program are included. Please dress for the weather and light physical activity. Space is limited to 20 scouts. One adult leader (per scout group) is required as a chaperone. To earn the merit badge, scouts must complete and provide evidence of completion for parts 1, 3f, 4, and 5 of the specific badge requirements when they arrive for the workshop. Visit powellgardens. org for all details. Festival of Lights November 23, 2018-January 6, 2019 Cost: Festival Admission and parking applies Enjoy a beautiful botanicallythemed lighting display installed along a one-mile pathway through the Gardens. Free hands-on activities for children each day of the festival from 4-8 p.m. Visit our tree ornament making station to make something to take home.

SPEAKERS’ BUREAU

Need a speaker for your church, civic group or garden club? The Johnson County Extension Speakers’ Bureau have the speakers you are looking for on just about any topic like environmentally safe lawn care, or perennial flower gardening. To schedule a speaker for your group, please contact the office. For more information on this service, call 913-715-7000.

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Photos with Santa will be available 5-9 p.m. December 1, 8, 15. Visit powellgardens.org for details.

Visit Powell Gardens during the holiday festivities. Holiday Decor Workshop Saturday, Dec. 1, 9 a.m.-noon Cost: $45 Decorate your home for the holidays with natural adornments created during this festive workshop. Gather ideas to spruce up your pots and add winter interest to your seasonal displays using fresh greenery, other natural materials, ribbons, and more. Each participant will create a fiber pot bough container that can be displayed indoors or out (and could easily slip inside a beautiful ceramic pot of your own at home). This project also makes a fresh and lovely seasonal gift for a friend, family member, or hostess. Visit powellgardens.org for details.

Family Frolic: Gifts of Nature Saturday, Dec. 1, 1-4 p.m. Cost: Free with festival admission This drop-in afternoon offers plenty of hands-on activities for children of all ages. Create excellent gifts for grandparents using natural materials, get a photo taken with Santa (available from 5-9 p.m.) for a small fee, listen to storytelling by the fire, and enjoy festive live music. Cookies are available for purchase for the kids and Boozy Botanical drinks are available for purchase for moms and dads. Stay until dusk and walk the magical trail of the Festival of Lights. Visit powellgardens.org for details. Gingerbread House and Landscaping Workshop Sunday, Dec. 16, 1-4 p.m. Cost: $60 a family (includes festival admission, the gingerbread house and all edible decorations) Spend an afternoon designing your gingerbread dream house and landscape with chef Melissa Fahlstrom of Sugar Whipped Bakery. Receive instruction on assembling a pre-baked gingerbread house (dimensions estimated 10 x 10 x 10 inches) and some fabulous tricks of the trade, including how to make windows look like stained glass and cookies look like snowy shingles. Finish off your masterpiece with a variety of frostings and ready-made candies. Participants will receive recipes for gingerbread dough and frosting, and how-to demos to take home. Best for children ages six and older. Visit powellgardens.org for details.

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Bird Facts

ED REESE talks pumpkin – good for you and your birds.

umpkins are a traditional sign of autumn. People enjoy pumpkin breads, candies, cookies, pies, soups, and even pumpkin flavored beers! The pumpkin is a hallmark for fall holidays, Halloween and Thanksgiving. Pumpkins adorn doorsteps, landscapes, sidewalks, and tables, as folks use them to decorate for this bountiful season. The best part about pumpkins used as decor is that it can feed the birds and other amusing critters that frequent your backyard. Pumpkin seed is a top notch natural food for most visiting birds. The seed hits all the pluses birds need too. They are high in calories, and have a high content of carbohydrates and healthy fats. They’re also packed with minerals essential to good bird health.

It’s easy to prepare the seed too. The simplest, is to extract the seed out of the rind, rinse with water, spread out evenly on cookie trays and bake at 200 degrees for 20 minutes. The seed may also be dried on a sunny afternoon in direct sunlight with some occasional stirring to dry. The dried seed may be mixed with other seed, or presented by itself. The pumpkin rinds may be cut into small chunks and makes a real treat for squirrels, and other backyard critters too. Ed and Karen Reese own and operate Wild Bird House, Overland Park, provisioning outdoor backyard bird lovers for 26 years. Contact them at 913-341-0700.

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Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden in Loose Park Receives International Garden Award Kansas City Rose Society (left to right) President Cyndy Price, World Federation of Rose Societies’ North American Vice President Jolene Adams, and Vice President and Wine & Roses Chair Rob Gray were on hand to announce a WFRS Award of Garden Excellence.

he Kansas City Rose Society is pleased to announce that on July 4, 2018 at the World Federation of Rose Societies (WFRS) Triennial Conference in Copenhagen Denmark, the Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden in Loose Park at 5200 Pennsylvania Ave. in Kansas City, Missouri was one of just six gardens in the world to receive the WFRS Award of Garden Excellence. This much-esteemed WFRS honor was presented to the Kansas City Rose Society at the Wine & Roses event in Loose Park September 20, 2018. Since being established in 1995, this international award recognizes rose gardens around the world that exude excellence in not only visual beauty, but that demonstrate significance from historical, educational and horticultural perspectives. The Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden is honored to join the ranks of other acclaimed gardens around the world (such as Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC!) to receive this recognition. Gardening enthusiasts and visitors will love

viewing both the local garden and other winners on the WFRS website. It will make you want to pack a bag and immediately start visiting rose gardens around the world! A video was created as part of our application for the award that showcases the many roles the garden plays in the Kansas City community. Our rose garden serves as an iconic public space open to all. It is a gathering place where people come to celebrate and enjoy nature and the arts, as well as a place for learning, enriching the eyes and minds of those who visit. To see the video and learn about our many programs, visit the Kansas City Rose Society website, kansascityrosesociety.org. Become a member of Kansas City Rose Society. Be a steward of this garden of 3,000 plants of about 150 varieties, meet some great new friends and join us for our annual meeting and luncheon November 7. For information, contact Membership Co-Chair Mary Barickman at Barickman@ ReeceandNichols.com.

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November 2018 | kcgmag.com

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Ask a Scientist Question: Are insects dangerous? Emily, 9 Answer: Some are, but most are helpful or neutral, meaning they neither help nor hurt. Many beetles, bees, flies, true bugs, and butterflies pollinate our plants giving us a variety of food to eat and plants to enjoy. Remember insects are wild animals—yes, insects are animals. It’s usually best to enjoy them from a distance and not to touch them to avoid bites or stings. Some insects are indeed dangerous, such as mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can carry diseases like malaria and West Nile Virus. Ticks (which are arthropods, not insects) can give you Lyme disease. Make sure you empty containers of water around your house after it rains to keep mosquitoes from laying eggs and wear protective sprays or gear when you play in grassy or wooded areas. Question: Are bees and wasps the same? Isela, 9 Answer: Bees are kind of like the little sister of the wasp family and so are very similar to wasps. However, they eat different types of food. Wasps, such as yellowjackets and hornets are predatory, meaning they seek out prey for food. Wasps get a bad reputation for being aggressive, but they eat many insects and spiders, so they are still helpful as well as beautiful. Bees are pollinators, collecting nectar and pollen for food. One species, honey bees, even make

Photo by Tamra Reall.

Home to more than plants, kids ask DR. TAMRA REALL about critters found in the garden.

Monarch butterfly food for us–honey! You may know about bumble bees too, but did you know there are around 20,000 species of bees? Some live in colonies, but most do not. Some bees don’t even have stingers. Question: Do ladybugs really eat the “bad bugs”? Anna, 13 Answer: Ladybugs eat aphids, small insects that suck plant juices and can spread diseases to other plants. Baby ladybugs, called larvae, look like tiny black and red alligators and eat aphids, too. Ladybugs also eat other soft-bodied critters such as mites, whiteflies, and scale insects. Question: Are centipedes insects? Emmanuel, 10 Answer: Adult insects have an exoskeleton, 6 legs, 3 body segments, 2 compound eyes, a pair of antennae, and most have 4 wings.

Centipedes have many body segments and 1 pair of legs per segment, ranging from 30-50 legs, except for one group with about 350 legs. Interestingly, centipedes never have 100 legs. Centipedes are not insects, they are chilopods.

Millipedes, another chilopod, have 2 pairs of legs per segment. Question: Can butterflies bite me? Gavian, 10 Answer: No, they can’t bite you. Butterflies and moths have a long tube, called a proboscis, to suck nectar out of flowers. The proboscis is soft and won’t hurt you. When not eating, the proboscis is curled up under their head. Some moths don’t even have mouthparts as adults. Dr. Tamra Reall (@MUExtBugN Garden) is the new 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 Kansas City Gardener | November 2018

Natives that Survive the Test of Time

White wild indigo

’m grateful for and fascinated by the things that stick around a long while. Like a bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) that spans generations yet keeps getting better with age. Or a patch of daffodils that outlives the usefulness of an old farm house. These are beacons of familiarity and beauty that may go unnoticed in a rapidly shifting world. But now that I’ve gained some perspective, I think about them more often. They subtly light up the world around me—like the decades-old aromatic aster (Aster oblongifolius) clump surrounded by lawn by an old house up the road. My active mind imagines a sibling or parishioner who passed along a beautiful plant found growing at the rocky edge of town a century ago, or a worker who was building the railroad tunnel through Gray Summit who dug a clump of the lavender-blue flowers for his wife on the occasion of their tenth wedding anniversary. Then there is the stately grove of shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) that envelopes another neighbor’s house like an Ozark timber stand. Was it planted by an ex-logger who moved closer to St. Louis for a job opportunity in the 50’s? Did the seedlings come from the Missouri Department of Conservation George White Nursery back in the 18

Photo by Scott Woodbury.

Native plant guru, SCOTT WOODBURY remembers favored native plants standing the test of time.

Aromatic aster growing in lawn

Bill Schuler collecting big bluestem

Shortleaf pine

early days when seedlings were grown to reforest timber harvests? Or were they dug and transplanted in coke bottles, one-by-one during family camping trips to the Ozarks. Either way, it’s a mystery that faintly calls to me for an answer; an answer that keeps me wondering and knocking on doors. I’ve found other native plants to be particularly interesting and longlived, like wild indigo, giant cane, and big bluestem and if given the chance, I’d plant them in the oldfashioned style; a single clump surrounded by lawn. White wild indigo (Baptisia alba) is a curious plant, one that can play a disappearing act. Now you see it, now you don’t—because it has the ability to go dormant for a few years and reappear as if to say “surprise”! I’ve observed this in two small remnant prairie patches and in the Whitmire Wildflower garden. Native giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea), not to be confused with Oriental yellow-groove bamboo, is a plant with staying power. I know of two patches near old farm houses in Dutzow and Union, MO. They are easy to see in winter because they are evergreen. They survive the test of time because they tolerate shade, flooding, drought, and cattle grazing. At one time they were made into fishing rods, pipe stems, garden stakes

and fire crackers. Throw a fresh green stem segment in a campfire and you will discover why they are called “bam”boo. Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) grass can live for hundreds of years in the wild. Obviously I don’t know this first-hand, but am told by my elder colleagues that large clumps in remnant prairies can be very old. The oldest ones grow in the shape of a doughnut or crescent with other species growing in the middle. A former volunteer at Shaw Nature Reserve, Bill Schuler, grew big bluestem surrounded by lawn at his home near Union and had great fun showing it to friends and collecting seeds to share. He was amused by the colorful “striped” eight-foot tall stems and flower clusters that resemble a turkey foot. He truly had fun with big bluestem perhaps because he endured the ups and downs of life through laughter and song. I can

hear him now singing “A peanut sitting on the railroad track, its heart was all aflutter. Choo-choo came round the bend; toot-toot, peanut butter.” Life is short. There is so much fun to be had when you garden with native plants, so what are you waiting for? The spring plant sale season is right around the bend; toot-toot peanut butter!

November 2018 | kcgmag.com

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 27 years. He also is an advisor to the Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Grow Native! program. Find suppliers of native plants and other native plant resources at www.grownative.org, Resource Guide, and create wonderful native plant memories of your own.

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Upcoming Garden Events places to go, things to do, people to see

Club Meetings

low us on Facebook or visit our website www. kcwatergardens.com

African Violet Club of Greater Kansas City Tues, Nov 13, 6-8pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st St and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. Visitors welcome. Email lcanning@sbcglobal.net for more information.

Heart of America Gesneriad Sat, Nov 17, 10am-12:30pm; at at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. Membership. 816-513-8590

Greater Kansas City Herb Study Group Wed, Nov 14, noon; at Rose Room, Loose Park Garden Center, 52nd and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. Program: Holiday Craft Hour. Come join us in the fun we have as we use herbs to make some crafts you can use for gifts or for yourself during the holidays. We always have a great time working together and sharing at these programs. We will be making Herbal Soup Bags, Herbal Hot Pads, and some other crafts. Plan ahead for our Dec 12 Annual Holiday Luncheon which will be potluck this year. Our party includes sharing stories of holidays past and a Christmas herbal gift exchange. It’s always a lot of fun. Lunch: Bring your own lunch and drink. We invite anyone interested in Herbs to join our group. We meet the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Dues are $15, we have an Herb garden at Loose Park we maintain, and have wonderful classes and luncheons to learn all aspects of herbs and how to use them in our lives. We sometimes take field trips so be sure to check with us for each meeting. We hope you will join us. We have membership in Gardeners Connect and are looking forward to Spring and the many connections to classes available to sign up for beyond our own group. Facebook: check us out at Greater Kansas City Herb Study Group. Friends & visitors are always welcome. Questions: call Nancy at 816-478-1640. Greater KC Water Garden Society Tues, Nov 20, 5:30pm for snacks and socializing; at Our Lady of Sorrows meeting space, 2552 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108. Parking is free just outside the west doors. At 6:30pm our first guest speaker comes to us from Heartland Nursery in Lee’s Summit. After the last few years of unusual weather, even by Midwest standards, drought resistant AND cold hardy plants will be the topic of discussion. Heartland Nursery has done their own research on bullet proofing your landscaping. At 7:30pm Roye Dillon, from True North Outdoors, will be sharing a myriad of ways to update or plan an addition to your existing pond. He will also take us step by step on how to design and build your own pond for different landscaping challenges. He will have a lengthy question and answer session following for specific requests. Visitors are always welcome. For more information fol-

KC Cactus and Succulent Society Sun, Nov 17, 1:30-4pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st St and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. Visitors are welcome. For information on the Kansas City Cactus and Succulent Society, visit our website: kccactus.com or call 816444-9321. Kansas City Garden Club Mon, Nov 5, 10am; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, MO 64112. The program is “Walt Disney World’s Glorious Garden” presented by Janet Simonson. Janet is a member of the Kansas City Garden Club and a Johnson County Extension Master Gardener. She adores Disney World, and has been there 15 times since her first trip in 1996. Her presentation will be about the wonderful gardens located at the Walt Disney World Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival and she will tell us what is involved in creating and maintaining them. She will also discuss the special gardens, playgrounds and topiaries displayed during the annual Epcot flower and Garden Festival. 11:15am Business meeting, followed by refreshments in the Fern Room. Public welcome. Kaw Valley Herbs Study Group We meet bi-monthly near Lawrence to learn about herbs. We explore all aspects of an herb: growing and harvesting, historical lore, culinary virtues, medicinal merits, and aromatherapy, household, and cosmetic applications. Our gatherings are fun and educational, and jam-packed with useful information, including relevant demonstrations. We meet every 2nd Tues evening in Jan-Mar-May-Jul-Sept-Nov. Everyone with an interest in herbs is welcome. More info/newsletter: email herbstudygroup@ gmail.com. Leawood Garden Club Tues, Nov 13, 10:30am; at Cure of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS. At about noon, Ben Sharda, with the Kansas City Community Gardens, will present “The Best Plants of the Beanstalk Children’s Garden 2018.” The meeting and our membership are open to everyone and guests are most welcome. Please bring a sack lunch; beverages and desserts are provided. For more information, please visit our website www. leawood.org/committees/lgc or send an email to leawoodgardenclub@gmail.com. Lee’s Summit Garden Club Tues, Nov 13, 7-9pm; at Winterset Park Community Center, 2505 S W Wintercreek Dr, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081. November is our last meeting for 2018. Please join us for an End of the Year Celebration. Refreshments will be provided. Donations for Lee’s Summit Social Service will be accepted. Left over division of plants, bulbs, tubers and seeds are a shared blessing. Visitors are always welcome. Visit our website www.leessummitgardenclub.org or call 816-914-3970.

(continued on page 20)

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Garden Club of Shawnee Thurs, Nov 1, 7pm; at the Town Hall at Shawnee Town 1929, 11600 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS. We will discuss the book Lab Girl by Hope Jahren. Lab Girl is “an illuminating memoir of a woman in science and a stunningly fresh look at plants that will forever change how you see the natural world.” (BookBrowse). It’s available at the Johnson County Library and in paperback online. We will also be having a soup supper, with food provided by garden club members. Guests are welcome, and you don’t have to read the book to sit in on the discussion. Please visit our website gardenclubofshawnee.org and our Facebook page for information about our club.

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places to go, things to do, people to see (continued from page 19) Mid America Begonia Society Sat, Nov 17, 12:30-3pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 52nd and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. Membership. 816-513-8590 Raytown Garden Club Tues, Nov 6, 10am; at Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church, 6429 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO. Our program is entitled “Planting Seeds in 2018: What Worked? What Didn’t Work?” a round table discussion presented by four members of our club. Refreshments will be served. Visitors are most welcome. Check out our Facebook page at Raytown Garden Club or visit our website at www.sites.google.com/ site/fgcmwestcentraldistrict/raytown Sho Me African Violets Fri, Nov 9, 11am-1pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. Visitors welcome. 816-513-8590

Events, Lectures & Classes November and December

7700 E. 40 Hwy Kansas City, MO 64129

Upcoming Garden Events

10-Month Home Herbalism Course Good Earth Herb School’s Home Herbalism Course is a comprehensive, hands-on exploration of everything you need to know to be an effective home herbalist. Within 10 monthly classes, you will learn seasonally the best times and methods of planting, harvesting, preserving, storing and using many herbs. This class will provide you with experience working with herbs in practical, useful ways. You will make tinctures, oils, salves, infusions, decoctions, and a variety of other herbal preparations. Aromatherapy and wild food foraging will also be covered. Whether you are a beginner or a home herbalist wanting guidance in putting all the pieces together, this course will give you a practical foundation so you feel comfortable and confident growing and using herbs for yourself and your family every day. Information/Registration: GoodEarthHerbSchool.com Birding Hike Thurs, Nov 1, 8-9:30am; at Amity Woods Nature Sanctuary. If you are planning on attending, please fill out the form on our website http://backyardbirdcenter.com/amity-woods-nature-sanctuary-5. Sponsored by Backyard Bird Center, 6212 NW Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64154, 816-746-1113. Join us for one of our Thursday morning bird hikes! Hydrangeas, Clematis and Hellebores, Oh My! Thurs, Nov 1, 11:30am-1pm; at Sunflower Room, 1208 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. Sponsored by the Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardeners. Come and learn from an expert the ‘how’s and ‘whys’ of properly selecting and caring for these lovely additions to the home garden. Ken Wood from Family Tree Nursery will present this class. Registration is not required. Fee: $5 payable at door (waived for certified Extension MGs). For more information, call 913-299-9300. Bird in the Hand Sat, Nov 3, 10am-1pm; at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 NW Park

Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015. Walk-in (all ages) Missouri River Bird Observatory staff and Burr Oak Woods partner in an on-going project to identify and track the birds that come to our feeders each winter. From the resident chickadees and cardinals to the migrating juncos and sparrows, we capture, apply colored bands and release these fascinating creatures. Once banded and recorded, you will be able to track individual birds through this and future seasons. This program is weather permitting. For more information email burr. oak@mdc.mo.gov; 816-228-3766. African Violet Annual Show and Sale Sat, Nov 3, 9am-3pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, W 51st and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64112. African Violet Club of Greater Kansas City 67th Annual Show & Sale “Violets by the Sea”. No admission fee. If further information is needed, call Lynn Canning, 913-649-7334. Growing Natives from Seed Sat, Nov 3, 1:30–3pm; at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015. Registration required (all ages) Do you want to plant native plants at the lowest cost possible? With a little time, planning, and patience you can grow your own garden with pocket change. We will share some species-specific techniques for successful seed germination and tips on taking care of your seedlings until they’re ready to plant. Each family will take home a tray of freshly-sown native plant seed pots. For more information email burr.oak@mdc. mo.gov; 816-228-3766; www.mdc.mo.gov/ burroakwoods How to Make Wreaths for any Holiday Tues, Nov 6, 4pm; Lansing Community Library, 730 1st Terr, Ste 1; Lansing, KS 66043. Mikey Stafford, a Leavenworth County Master Gardener, will demonstrate how to make a rag wreath, a poly/burlap wire frame wreath and a Christmas wreath. She will also demonstrate how to make a bow. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact Paula Darling at 913-240-4094. Lake Quivira Holiday Bazaar Fri, Nov 9, 1-8pm; Sat, Nov 10, 9am-4pm. 50 local vendors featuring boutique home décor, jewelry, clothing/accessories, toys, gifts, pet items & more! Monster community bake sale and raffle. Live entertainment Friday evening. Cash Bar during shopping hours; dining available. All in our festively decorated 1930 stone clubhouse overlooking Lake Quivira. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Lake Quivira Garden Club. Lake Quivira is located 1 mile East of I-435 on Holliday Dr (Exit 8A). The Clubhouse is located at 100 Crescent Blvd. Cash, check and credit cards are accepted. facebook.com/lakequirviraholidaybazaar Wild Edibles: Amazing Missouri Trees Tues, Nov 13, 1-3pm; at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015. Registration required on-line (adults) Missouri forests provide crucial habitat to many species of wildlife, but they are important to people too! Trees provide us with oxygen, shade, shelter and even food. Did you also know that many have amazing medicinal qualities too? For more information email burr.oak@mdc.

mo.gov; 816-228-3766; www.mdc.mo.gov/ burroakwoods How to Make Wreaths for any Holiday Wed, Nov 14, 7pm; at Basehor Community Library, 1400 158th St, Basehor, KS 66007. Mikey Stafford, a Leavenworth County Master Gardener, will demonstrate how to make a rag wreath, a poly/burlap wire frame wreath and a Christmas wreath. She will also demonstrate how to make a bow. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact Paula Darling at 913-240-4094. How to Make Wreaths for any Holiday Thurs, Nov 15, 7pm; at Leavenworth Public Library, 417 Spruce St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Mikey Stafford, a Leavenworth County Master Gardener, will demonstrate how to make a rag wreath, a poly/burlap wire frame wreath and a Christmas wreath. She will also demonstrate how to make a bow. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact Paula Darling at 913-240-4094. Regal Raptors Sat, Nov 17, 10am-2:30pm; at Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110. Walk-in (all ages) Kestrels, falcons and red-tailed hawks are some of the most fascinating raptors we will ever have the opportunity to experience in Missouri! Discover the mysteries of these regal birds as you observe live animal exhibits and participate in hands-on activities. Special live animal guests will be joining us from Lakeside Nature Center throughout the day. For more information email discoverycenter@ mdc.mo.gov; 816-759-7300 Natural Wreaths Sat, Dec 1, 10-11:30am or 1-2:30pm; at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015. Registration required on-line beginning November 1 (adults) Celebrate the season by crafting a natural wreath! Evergreens, pine cones and many other natural trimmings will be provided. Please bring a small wire or grape vine wreath as a base for your creation and any additional special decorations you wish to include. For more information email burr. oak@mdc.mo.gov; 816-228-3766; www.mdc. mo.gov/burroakwoods Natural Wreath Making Party Mon, Dec 3, 6pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Greater Kansas City Gardeners of America will be hosting our annual wreath making party. Celebrate the season by crafting a natural wreath. Evergreens, pine, and many other natural trimmings will be provided. Please bring creative decorative centerpiece or wire wreath base for your creation. There will be wreath bases for sale at the party. Please bring gloves and hand clippers for easier construction. Refreshments will be served. Making Boxwood Wreaths Thurs, Dec 6, 11:30am-1pm; in the Sunflower Room, 1208 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. Join us for a presentation on how to make boxwood wreaths by Mikey Stafford, a Leavenworth

Plant Profile

County Extension Master Gardener. Sponsored by the Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardeners. Registration is not required. Fee: $5 payable at door (waived for certified Extension MGs). For more information, call 913-299-9300.

MARION MORRIS grows Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass.

2019 Sneak Peak Beekeeping I This is an introductory course into beekeeping. We will review the importance of honey bees in our everyday life. Participants will learn about the life cycle of the honey bee, their history, and become familiar with today’s beekeeping techniques. Instructor: Robert Hughes. Class held at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Fee: $59. To enroll go to https://ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323. Wed, Mar 13 & 20, 2019, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Beekeeping II This course offers an in depth review of current beekeeping practices. You will study beekeeping in the classroom and explore a beehive in the field. The course will give you hands on experience working a beehive. Instructor: Robert Hughes. Class held at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Fee: $59. To enroll go to https://ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323. Wed, Mar 27 & Apr 3, 2019, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Keeping Backyard Chickens An animal’s lover’s guide to sustainable agriculture on a small scale. Chickens provide natural bug control, as well as breakfast. Learn the how and why and what in order to avoid the perils of raising chickens on a domestic scale. Instructor: Emily Winchester. Class held at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Fee: $39. To enroll go to https://ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323. Tues, Apr 9, 2019, 6-9 p.m. Beekeeping III This class will be a fun and active way to learn how to be a successful backyard beekeeper. We will provide the basic knowledge needed to keep and manage a healthy beehive, and produce honey and beeswax. This class will cover bee behavior, hive management, diseases, pests, swarming and how to harvest honey right from your own backyard. Instructor: Robert Hughes. Class held at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Fee: $59. To enroll go to https://ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323. Wed, Apr 10 & 17, 2019, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Advanced Beekeeping – Spring Management Review the steps to help your bees prepare for the Honey Flow. Review different processes and techniques to add honey supers, equalizing your hives and most important, learning how to keep ahead of the honey that your bees bring to the hive. Instructor: Robert Hughes. Class held at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Fee: $29. To enroll go to https://ce.jccc. edu or call 913-469-2323. Wed, Apr 24, 2019, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

More must-see events are posted on our website, KCGMAG.COM, and click on “Events.” Promote club meetings, classes, plant sales and other gardening events for FREE! Send details to: elizabeth@kcgmag.com Deadline for publishing in the December issue is November 5.

his grass was popularized in the 1950s by a German nurseryman by the name of Karl Foerster who discovered it beside a railway track. Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass was named the Perennial of the Year in 2001, for its adaptability, low maintenance and freedom from pests and disease. Karl Foerster grass is a lovely, upright, midsize grass that lends a balmy tropical feel to the garden. If grown alone in a whiskey barrel or similar, it is also an easy statement piece to accent a rustic country home. The seeds are sterile so it is always well-behaved, and never invasive. The base of the plant spreads out two to three feet tall and wide with the remaining height

provided by the elegant upright reeds. It is an easy low maintenance addition to the garden, only requiring trimming in March and occasional watering. Before spring really gets going, cut down the top with hedge trimmers or grass shears, to about eight inches from the ground, leaving a nice healthy mound. Then, apply fertilizer for the best looking ornamental grass in the neighborhood. Come summer, it will plume before all others. Remember the name, your neighbors will be asking! Marion Morris is a longtime gardener and staff member at Farrand Farms, Kansas City, MO.

Swan’s Water Gardens “Creating Paradise ... in Your Backyard”

Your Full Service Water Garden Center Located In Northern Miami County

We back our Water Garden installations with a 5 year leak free guarantee!

Come and experience true paradise! Tour 9 water features of various size and styles then browse the retail store ﬁlled with all your pond accessory and maintenance needs. Choose from our vast selection of aquatic and land plants plus take home a beautiful Koi or Goldﬁsh as a perfect addition to any pond. For over 24 years we’ve helped transform boring backyards into magical places by designing and building water features while providing the tools necessary to maintain your little piece of paradise. Make your vision a reality today, visit Swan’s Water Gardens!

913-837-3510 4385 W 247th St, Louisburg, KS Hours: Tues-Fri 9am-5pm • Sat 9am-4pm

www.swanswatergardens.com

Living and Loving The Water Garden Lifestyle! The Kansas City Gardener | November 2018

November

garden calendar

n LAWN

• Mow frequently to incorporate of up to 6 inches of chopped leaves into the lawn. • Remove fallen leaves that cannot be chopped by the mower and cover the grass to prevent winter shading and dieback of the turf. • Apply high nitrogen fertilizer to promote root development and early spring greening of the lawn. • Provide good soil moisture for a healthy winter lawn. • Continue to mow bluegrass and tall fescue at 2 to 3 inches. Do not lower the blades for winter. • Control dandelions, henbit and chickweed with a broadleaf herbicide. • Store mower for winter by draining gasoline or by using a fuel additive.

n TREES AND SHRUBS

• Water newly established trees and shrubs when they become dry. • Watch for rabbits feeding on tender bark and twigs. Use a tree wrap to protect them if necessary. • Plant new trees and shrubs for autumn growth. It is not too late. • Rake leaves for compost. • Replenish mulch layer to 3 inches keeping it away from trunk base. • Prune hazardous or dead branches for the health of the tree. • Avoid pruning spring flowering shrubs and removing the blooms.

n VEGETABLES AND FRUITS

• Check apples for spoilage and store in the refrigerator for longer life. • Pick up fallen fruit from around trees to reduce insects and disease next year. • Prune limbs damaged by heavy fruit loads. • Record successes and failures in the garden as a guide for next year. • Remove garden debris and discard or compost. • Till vegetable gardens and incorporate organic matter to improve soil tilth. • Submit a soil test to determine fertility needs every five years. • Start the planning process for next year.

n FLOWERS

• Remove diseased canes from rose gardens. • Cut rose canes back to 24 inches to reduce wind damage. • Mulch grafted roses for winter with a mound of garden soil 6 inches deep. • No special care required for easy-to-care shrub roses going into to winter. Do not prune in the fall. • Pull frost-killed annuals from the garden. • Dig and store tender bulbs for the winter in a cool, dry location. • Plant spring flowering bulbs. • Clean up the perennial garden in the fall or spring by cutting debris to the ground. • Mulch perennials with 3 inches of loose material, such as straw, after several hard freezes. • Till soil where possible incorporating organic matter to improve soil.

n HOUSEPLANTS

• Locate plants away from drafts, heat vents and cold windows to prevent damage. • Watch plants for signs of insect damage. • Stop fertilizing during the winter months. Start again in spring. • Dust leaves with a moist, soft cloth or by rinsing with room temperature water. • Bring amaryllis bulbs out of dormancy by watering for Christmas blooms. • Continue short day dark treatment of poinsettias for holiday bloom. • Water as needed. Avoid letting plants sit in water.

n MISCELLANEOUS

• Clean and oil garden tools, sprayers and other equipment for storage. • Drain hoses and sprinklers. Store indoors for longer life. • Maintain compost pile or start a new one with fall debris. • Start your Christmas list for gardening supplies.

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.

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Meet Extension Master Gardener, Bob Lane

What first drew you to the hobby of gardening: Like many people my age, I have memories of Grandpa and Grandma and aunts and uncles who gardened. Many attribute that to their interest. I do not, because to me it seemed like hot, backbreaking work. I was a bookish, sit by the fan in the window type of kid. However, in my late 40s, to cover a bare spot under a tree, I had a shade garden

installed. The next year, when the first sprouts came up like magic, I was hooked. Years later, I have mostly gardens in my yard. How long have you been an Extension Master Gardener: I have been an EMG for 6 years, about 20 years after beginning gardening. Most valuable bit of information: The most valuable was the class I dreaded because I thought it would be so boring. Soil! Soil is a living thing. Focusing on what I learned about soil has made the biggest difference to my gardening and each year my plants become more grateful as I refurbish another bed. Favorite tool: I have two favorites. One is a fairly difficult-to-find garden shovel. The scoop is about the size of a large trowel, perfect for planting flowers. The handle is normal height for a shovel. Most garden shovels have shorter handles. The other favorite is my roll of green Velcro garden tape. It is so perfect for tying up vines, bundling floppy plants, and tying a plant to a stake. It is easy to tear off and quick to apply, sturdy, practically invisible in greenery, and usable year after year. Favorite perennial: For quick and easy, lowcare beauty and fascinating leaf color, I am going to have to pick Heuchera (Coral Bells). While their flower is simple, in a mass they can be stunning in bloom and their leaves can

stop a person cold with their unique color as you walk by. My specialty: Pulling weeds. I don’t mean that to be funny. I look forward to times spent weeding because that is when my world focuses completely down. As I am kneeling there on my garden kneeler, I feel at peace. I hear the train whistle in the distance, children playing, neighbors calling to one another, bees buzzing, leaves rustling. I think about my kids, my grandkids, happy memories. Suddenly, I’m done, it looks good, and I’m rejuvenated. My passion: The K-State Extension Master Gardener Hotline (913-715-7050). I volunteer every Friday and love it. People from all over the county (sometimes the state and country) call, email or drop by with questions and it is absolutely fascinating. We are not allowed to guess, or state our personal methods. Every answer must be from an education or extension source that is the result of research, and must be correct. It is a challenge, but I love doing research and I love challenges. My advice: Your garden is YOUR garden. Do what pleases you and the devil take the hindmost. My garden is messy because I am a plant collector, not a designer. Many would not care for it. That’s ok. It’s not theirs.

The Kansas City Gardener | November 2018

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