buffalo - ithaca - rochester - syracuse
SUNY ESF's Green Roof Fabulous Native Ferns Mosiac Stepping Stones FREE
Volume Twenty-two, Issue Three May-June 2016
upstate gardeners’ journal - 1140 Ridge Crest Drive - Victor, new york 14564
SARA’S GARDEN
Change is________? Depending on the day, you can love change, or just need it; you can desire it or absolutely dread it. This spring we are choosing to embrace it! So to prep you for your annual visit to Sara’s, we are letting you know that something has changed. What will you find? The whole yard has a new layout. We spent a good share of the off-season making what was a hard decision. The nursery and perennial yard is the hub of the garden center and knowing the location of each plant is pretty darn important. Our goal was to make finding the plants you want a lot easier. The new design was created to help you find plants based on your needs! What could be simpler? Do you need vines? Are you looking for low maintenance native plants? Do you want to nurture the pollinators? Are deer resistant plants on the top of you list? How about alpines and herbs? Do you love to garden by your favorite brand such as White Flower Farm, Proven Winners, Roy Evison, First Editions, and David Austin? You’ll find what you’re looking for all grouped accordingly. We’ve made lots of tweaks to make finding the plants you want easier, more inspiring and more importantly, thoughtful. Of course, what won’t change is the goal of bringing you a diverse and unique collection of wellgrown perennials, annuals, garden worthy trees and shrubs, vegetable plants, pond plants and more.
35+ year Mission! It is our greatest desire to provide our customers with top quality, well-grown plant material at a fair and honest price. We will strive to provide an unmatched selection of old favorites and underused, hard-to-find items, along with the newest varieties on the market. We will eagerly share our horticultural knowledge gained from years of education and experience. Lastly, we offer all this in a spirit of fun and lightheartedness.
Sara’s Garden Center | 389 East Ave. | Brockport 14420 | 585-637-4745 Find us online: sarasgardencenter.com | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter
your one-stop garden center Stroll inside our new greenhouses & nursery yard
Offering Western New York’s largest selection of: • Annuals & Perennials • Hanging baskets • Trees, shrubs, & evergreens • Garden art & gifts • and much more
Ask about our DIY program
5799 genesee street (3 mi. East of Transit Rd. - RT 33)
lancaster, ny 14086 (716) 683-4885 Ffriend us on facebook We still believe in old fashioned customer service.
Gardening Fun Presented By...
6820 Cedar Street, Akron, NY 14001 (716) 542-6110
Specializing in Hanging Baskets A huge array of Vegetable Plants, 4 1/2” crops, Flats, Patio Tomatoes, Seeds, Potted Planters, Pottery, & much more…
For a sneak peek and gardening tips, visit bedfordsgreenhouse.com
Nothing tastes better than veggies picked from your OWN garden!
Friend us on Facebook
Exclusive grower of the “Plant for Hope” hanging basket!
Bedford’s presents Plant for Hope Fundraiser, May 14th, 10-4. All proceeds to benefit patients at Roswell Park.
TH E RO SE T TE
Craftting Leather Work Gloves Since 1994
Gardening • Farming • Ranching • Driving TH E FO RE ST ER
Purchase a pair at fieldsandlane.com and many gardening retailers.
Fields & Lane 1-800-537-4422 • reachout@fieldsandlane.com • Carlton, Oregon
RDE E X GA THE FL
NER
Made of 100% Goatskin • USA Materials
East/Central NYS…
call Katie 585.356.0972
West/Southern Tier… call Chuck 585.261.6370
Family owned and operated, Heimiller Greenhouses was established in 1981 and is a growing tradition among Western New York gardeners. Annuals, Perennials, Vegetables, Herbs, Baskets & Planters, Unique Gardening Gifts Opening for the season April 30th. Visit our web site to create your wish list!
with Col n Fill e or Your G ard
Open Monday - Saturday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm Sunday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
3038 Ewings Rd, Newfane, NY 14108
(716) 778-0026
www.HeimillerGreenhouses.com 10% OFF your purchase of $50 or more with this coupon. Exp. June 30, 2016
585-424-447624 -
First Lawn Visit FREE
Lawn care. Landscape. Tree and Shrub Care. Garden Center. www.broccolotreeandlawn.com New customers only
Visit our Garden Center-$10
off a $25
purchase with this postcard
Contents
Publisher/Editor: Jane F. Milliman ASSOCIATE Publisher: Megan Frank Managing EDITOR: Debbie Eckerson Graphic design: Cathy Monrad Technical Editor: Brian Eshenaur Proofreader: Sarah Koopus Western New York Sales Representative:
Kirstin Lincoln: 716/907-5739
Contributing Writers: Michelle Sutton | HOLLY WISE | Lyn Chimera Cathy Monrad | Liz Magnanti
Ear to the Ground.......................................................7 SUNY ESF Gateway Center Green Roof...........10-13 Upstate Pairing......................................................... 17 Calendar...............................................................20-25 Near or Far................................................................ 27
1140 Ridge Crest Drive, Victor, NY 14564 585/301-7181 e-mail: info@upstategardenersjournal.com upstategardenersjournal.com The Upstate Gardeners’ Journal is published six times a year. To subscribe, please send $20.00 to the above address. Magazines will be delivered via U.S. mail and or email (in PDF format). We welcome letters, calls and e-mail from our readers. Please tell us what you think! We appreciate your patronage of our advertisers, who enable us to bring you this publication. All contents copyright 2016, Upstate Gardeners’ Journal.
Classifieds.................................................................. 30 Native Ferns.........................................................32-33 Almanac..................................................................... 35 Cathy the Crafty Gardener...................................... 37 Bird Houses............................................................... 38
SUBSCRIBE!
Never miss another issue! Get the UGJ delivered to your door six times a year for just $20.00. It’s our area’s guide to everything gardeners want to know about. To give a gift, simply enclose a note with the gift recipient’s info. We’ll send a notice and start the subscription. WE HAVE BACK ISSUES! Copies are $2.00 each, which includes 1st class postage.
Name ______________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________________ City___________________________________State______Zip _______________ Subscriptions_______________x $20.00= ________________________________ Back issues ________x$2.00= __________________________________________ Check enclosed for ___________________________________________________ M-J ’16
Thank you 1140 Ridge Crest Drive Victor, NY 14564 585/301-7181
Ear to the Ground With this issue, it’s hard not to get nostalgic as our loyal, faithful, wonderful western New York sales representative Maria Walczak begins her journey— quite possibly the best one yet—to retirement. Maria grew the UGJ’s presence in the western New York region from the bottom up. We can’t find the words to adequately thank her for the hard work and dedication she has given to the magazine. But don’t worry—if you join us on our annual Odyssey to Ithaca tour, you’ll at least get to see her once a year! Maria will continue to be a staple there, and at PLANT WNY’s Plantasia show each spring in Hamburg. We will miss her dearly, but know she will check in regularly—and keep in touch with the friends she has made along the way, too. On a related note, we would like to welcome Kirstin Lincoln, our new western New York sales representative. Kirstin comes to us with more than 20 years of sales experience. She is a lifelong resident of western New York, devoted wife, and mother of two daughters (plus a golden retriever, Mason). Please welcome Kirstin to the UGJ family!
TOP LEFT: Maria Walczak TOP RIGHT: Kirstin Lincoln BOTTOM LEFT: Jane Milliman BOTTOM RIGHT: Megan Frank
Top Quality Plants
Grown in Our Greenhouses!
.
Award Winning, Custom Planted Containers Giant Selection of Hanging Baskets NEW and Hard-to-Find Annuals & Perennials www.mischlersflorist.com
Full-service Florist Delivery Available
716.632.1290 Toll-free 877.363.1879 118 South Forest Road (between Main and Wehrle) Williamsville, NY 14221
Friendly, Knowledgable Staff
CELEBRATE!
National Fairy Day
Build your very own Miniature Garden by attending
Mischler’s Fairy Garden Workshops Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25 Visit our website for details
ONE OF THE BEST! Thank you Monroe County, Rochester, NY for helping to make Acorn Ponds and Waterfalls among the top 100 contractors in North America. Custom Built Water Features & Landscapes Pond Maintenance & Supplies “Art With Water”
585-442-6373 Acorn Ponds and Waterfalls www.acornponds.com
FOLLOW US ON
Seasonal Stakeout
The SUNY ESF Gateway Center Green Roof By Michelle Sutton
ABOVE: Gateway Center green roof, courtesy Andropogon Associates
L
ast summer I had the pleasure of touring the successful experiment that is the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry's Gateway Center green roof, a beautiful and instructional rooftop garden inspired by native New York dune and barrens plant communities. This green roof is open to the public during regular business hours and is not to be missed if you find yourself in the vicinity of Syracuse.
A Roof with a Mission
Their campuses are adjacent, but their landscaping approaches are strikingly different. While Syracuse 10 | May-June 2016
University uses a more conventional palette of plant hybrids and non-natives (for example, widespread use of orange petunias to celebrate the school color), SUNY ESF strives to follow a native-plant-community approach to their landscaping (using, for example, native goldenrods, oaks, sumacs, and sedges). Thus it made sense that in 2010, when it came time to design a new 9,400-square-foot green roof, SUNY ESF wanted to use the opportunity to use plant species found in natural New York plant communities. From the common to the very rare, plants within those communities provide a richer research and teaching environment than could be afforded by the seas of sedums
and other succulents that usually dominate green roofs. This green roof is a versatile outdoor classroom and gathering place atop SUNY ESF’s award-winning new LEED Platinum Certified Gateway Center Building (completed in 2013). The green roof was designed to contribute to the Gateway Center’s highly efficient storm water management system and to aid in regulating building temperature. Rugged for the Rooftop
The lead landscape architect for the project was Darren Damone of the Philadelphia-based firm Andropogon Associates. In order to determine the best plant species for the roof, Damone and his associates worked closely with faculty at SUNY-ESF, including Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental and Forest Biology Don Leopold (author of Native Plants of the Northeast: A Guide for Gardening and Conservation and Trees of New York: Native and Naturalized) and Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture Timothy Toland, who specializes in sustainability and holistic systems design. In thinking about the conditions that are typical for a rooftop garden, and in their case a west-facing one, the Andropogon/SUNY ESF team recognized that they needed plants that would endure extremes of temperature, wind, and moisture. To minimize future maintenance, they sought plants that can tolerate low soil fertility/low organic matter and shallow soils. Drought tolerance was also key, as the intent was to have the plants function as they would in their native environment—without any supplemental irrigation. The team chose two natural New York plant communities adapted to these very conditions. The first was the Eastern Ontario Dune community, a windy and dry habitat extending 17 miles along Lake Ontario. As you can imagine, the dune soil is low in fertility, drains excessively well, and is exposed to potential erosion by wind and water. The second inspiration was the Alvar Pavement Barren community, found in limited pockets to the northwest of Watertown, NY. Alvars are harder to describe than dunes. They consist of some combination of rocky outcroppings, flat stretches of exposed limestone bedrock, deep crevices, and moss growing amidst rubble. These can be mingled with parcels of woodlands, grasslands, and shrubby meadows that are supported by only a thin layer of soil. Alvars are home to many rare plants. Alvar community plants grow in low-fertility soil with a high pH and despite the shallow soils they inhabit (or lack of soil altogether), they tolerate the drought of summer—but interestingly, they also tolerate spring flooding. With the Eastern Ontario Dune and Alvar Pavement Barren communities, the team found an ideal match for the rooftop conditions. Their savvy matching of plants— in this case, whole communities of plants—to site is something that could be instructive to home gardeners
who have extreme conditions on parts of their properties. It would be no small feat to source these plants— some of which grow natively only in the Eastern Ontario Dune and Alvar Pavement Barren ecosystems— responsibly. Motherplants Ltd., a green roof plants specialty grower now based out of Princeton, Ontario (formerly based out of Ithaca) was contracted to propagate and procure the plants. But first, the design team and SUNY ESF faculty developed a set of rigorous plant trial protocols and constructed a series of test frames on an adjacent building roof to mimic growing conditions. In 2010, Leopold and colleagues obtained cuttings,
TOP: Gateway Center green roof in mid-summer. Photo by Michelle Sutton BOTTOM: Gateway Center green roof in fall, courtesy SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
U P S T A T E G A R D ENE R S ’ J O U R NA L | 1 1
TOP LEFT: Don Leopold took this photo of the native American harebell (Campanula rotundifolia), which grows in many parts of New York State in rocky areas, be they dry or wet, calcareous or acidic. “This plant grows on alvar pavement barrens and is among many state-protected plant species on the Gateway green roof,” he says. BOTTOM LEFT: Don Leopold says that if you visit the Gateway green roof in mid-April, you may be treated to a sight unusual in New York: blooming prairie-smoke (Geum triflorum). It is a very rare plant in NYS, limited to Jefferson and Dutchess Counties. “Despite its rarity, it is thriving on the Gateway Center green roof and is the first of dozens of plant species on the roof to bloom each spring,” Leopold says. “Prairiesmoke can be easily cultivated in the home garden if given a welldrained, gravelly-sandy and infertile substrate in full sun.” Behind it you can see wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) and to the left is shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa). Photo by Don Leopold 12 | May-June 2016
TOP RIGHT: Don Leopold says, “Found on the Gateway green roof, the common juniper (Juniperus communis) is well-named as one of the most geographically widespread and highly adaptable woody plant species in the world. It is abundant on the Great Lakes alvar, where its form is typically a low, spreading shrub. Elsewhere, this species can be an upright, pyramidal small tree.” Photo by Don Leopold BOTTOM RIGHT: According to Don Leopold, “Of the three varieties of sand cherry (Prunus pumila) that occur in New York, var. pumila is the rarest, being restricted to the narrow band of natural dunes along the shoreline of eastern Lake Ontario. It is an ‘S1 Heritage element,’ a state ranking applied to species that generally have between 1 to 5 occurrences in the state. You will find it within the ‘dunes’ perimeter planting of the Gateway green roof.” Photo by Don Leopold
LEFT: According to Don Leopold, “The sand dune willow (Salix cordata) is a rare upland shrubby willow restricted in New York State to the narrow band of natural dunes along less than 20 miles of the shoreline of eastern Lake Ontario. It is an ‘S2 Heritage element,’ a state ranking applied to species that generally have 6 to 20 occurrences in the state. Because it thrives on the coarse, dry sands of these dunes, it was chosen as one of the main plants to represent the dunes on the Gateway green roof, planted on the perimeter bed. Given how well it has done there, and in our other plantings on even more challenging substrates, this species likely could have much broader use in the landscape where few other species readily grow.” Photo by Don Leopold
seeds, and plugs and involved students in research involving planting each species at varying soil depth, media, and spacing. They collected three seasons of data, which gave evidence that plants from these specific plant communities did well in this specific unirrigated, rooftop environment. The Andropogon Associates planting plan called for the Eastern Ontario Dune plant community to be sited on three sides of the green roof perimeter. Dune plants that are thriving there include American beach grass (Ammophila breviligulata), Canada wild rye (Elymus canadensis), and the heartleaf willow (Salix cordata). The internal, slightly more protected beds are populated primarily with Alvar community plants, which include American harebell (Campanula rotundifolia), hairy beardtongue (Penstemon hirsutus), northern prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis), smooth rose (Rosa blanda), and various sedges (Carex spp.). Project Fruition
Motherplants brought in 3000 plugs in November of 2012, the earliest the roof could be readied for planting. Mark Winterer, co-owner of Recover Green Roofs, who collaborated on the planting, said, “We had to wait for the ground to thaw every morning before we could plant.” However, planting the plugs in a dormant state turned out to have an advantage—their moisture requirements were low, and with supplemental water provided for just the first few weeks after planting, the vast majority of the plants came through the winter and established well. A highly porous, lightweight growing medium was conveyed to the site by a blower truck; it was intended to have less than 10% by mass organic matter (OM), because overly fertile soil would favor the growth of certain species over others, which would have upset the plant-community
balance the designers sought. (Based on observing overly vigorous growth of some plants, Leopold later commented that 5% or less OM would have worked better.) The earth was sculpted with sections of expanded polystyrene geofoam to provide some undulations for aesthetic and microclimate purposes. Jute erosion control mat, while difficult to install on a windy roof top in November, turned out to be extremely important in stabilizing the friable growing medium against erosion. Irregular flagstone slabs mimicked the exposed limestone bedrock found in an alvar environment and provide entry points for teachers, students, and visitors to gain a closer look at the plants. Nearly four years after installation, the green roof plant communities are thriving and the beautiful outdoor gathering, teaching, and research space is fulfilling its mission. Leopold said recently, “Given that we are not aware of any similar planting on any other green roof in the U.S., I have been very pleased that the plant species that we selected have generally thrived under these very challenging growing conditions.” SUNY ESF and Andropogon Associates received the 2014 Merit Award from the New York Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects for the Gateway Center green roof.
Michelle Sutton (michellejudysutton.com) is a horticulturist, writer, and editor.
U P S T A T E G A R D ENE R S ’ J O U R NA L | 1 3
s
s
PALMITER’S GARDEN NURSERY
NO ONE DOES
Exceptional LIKE
The New
Highest Quality Plants Landscape Design & Installation Gardening Supplies
Growing great gardens in the Genesee Valley for over 40 years!
Unique Gifts & Decor
Grossmans Garden & Home 1801 Fairport Nine Mile Pt Rd Penfield • (585) 377-1982
Peonies —Tree, Herbaceous and Intersectional
grossmans.com
s
Hosta, Helleborus, Perennials
s
JEFF KOOPUS
Cacti and Succulents Specimen Jade Trees
Cabinet & Chair Maker
s
Decorative Garden Pottery including Burley, Made in USA
s
Tufa Rock, Dwarf Conifers, Unusual Trees
s
Huge variety of Heirloom Tomatoes, and Sweet and Hot Peppers SPRING HOURS: Mon.-Sat. 9:00am-6:00pm Sunday 12:00pm-6:00pm
Phone: (585) 226-3073 s 2675 Geneseo Road, Rt. 39 Avon, New York 14414
Cross Point Studio 132 Cross Point Road, Edgecomb ME 04556
palmitersgardennursery.com
s
s
jskoopus.com • 207/687-2108
Professional Tree Services • Pruning • Cabling • Rodding • Removal • Stump Grinding Call: 585-381-9000 Visit: TedCollinsT-L.com
Hosted by:
Sally Cunningham Garden Expert/CNLP Featured Garden Tours: Highlights include spectacular garden visits, expert advice from professionals as well as visits to local sights and cultural attractions.
2016 MOTORCOACH TOURS
• July 15 - Stars of Amherst, Williamsville and Snyder/Cleve Hill See the carefully selected jewels of the North Towns including exclusive visits to outstanding gardens by both sophisticated amateurs and stylish landscapers – including many gardens not open to the public. Plus enjoy lunch at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens.
• July 15 - The New Greener Buffalo: What’s New on the Buffalo River, Canalside, the Outer Harbor and Larkinville So much is happening to make Buffalo more tourist-friendly, and to protect and restore the river and nearby eco-systems. Join us to see the changes, walk in the gardens and meadows and enjoy lunch with a river view. Come visit our new and greener Buffalo – you’ll want to return for more.
• July 22 - Nightlights in the Gardens and Bistro Dinner Enjoy garden talk and fine dining at Webster’s French Bistro before heading to see the best of Ken-Ton’s night-lighted gardens. View many garden styles – from whimsical to manicured to those with water features and unusual plant collections. It’s a great way to meet great gardeners and friendly neighbors.
• August 29-September 2 - Gardens of Hudson Valley Discover the estates of Rockefellers, Roosevelts, and Vanderbilts; also visit Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, Kykuit, Innisfree, Stonecrop, Vassar College Shakespeare Garden and the Storm King Art Center.
For more details Visit: www.greatgardentravel.com Call: 800.242.4244 ®
Promo Code: 2016GGT-J 486-16
Retail Greenhouses 11 Varieties of Benary Giant Zinnias, including lime green. Sun & Shade Perennials ❀ Hanging Baskets ❀ Annuals Bring any container—we will fill it on site.
U-Pick Cutting Garden Come pick a beautiful bouquet of flowers at your convenience. Dawn to Dusk ❀ 7 Days a Week ❀ July 15th thru Frost .60 per Stem
7884 Sisson Hwy. ❀ Eden, NY 14057 Only 3 miles from the Village of Hamburg
H E N RYS GAR D E N S.C O M
Upstate Pairing
H
eron Hill Winery is nestled into a hillside overlooking scenic Keuka Lake in New York's Finger Lakes region. For more than 35 years, Heron Hill has won many awards for its distinctive, elegant wines and continues to be at the forefront of cool climate winemaking. Establishing its heritage among some of the first vinifera wineries in the Finger Lakes, John and Josephine Ingle founded Heron Hill in 1977. Through perseverance and long-term dedication to excellence in winemaking, Heron Hill Winery has become a world-class destination. Heron Hill remains family-owned. For the Ingles, practicing sustainability is a way of life and means giving respect. Respect for the land in how they farm their estate
vineyards, and respect for the consumer by offering wines with an authentic sense of place. Also, by providing visitors with a friendly and informative experience. Today, Heron Hill offers over 20 wine varieties: crisp and light Rieslings, aromatic dry Chardonnays, the winery's legendary Eclipse series, complex Pinot Noirs and Cabernet Francs, and specially crafted dessert wines. Visit the vineyard on Keuka Lake, or one of their two tasting rooms located in Bristol and Seneca Lake. You can also read more about the operation at heronhill.com. For this issue, we asked our friends at Heron Hill for a recipe for a tasty early summer treat, and they delivered.
Poached Shrimp Crostini with Garlic Chive Pesto Courtesy Heron Hill Winery Serves 4 3 Yellow bell and sliced in half
peppers,
stemmed,
seeded,
1 Tbsp. mild yellow Curry powder 1 cup olive oil 6 oz. Chives (a hefty handful), some reserved for garnish 2 oz. fresh mint (a few sprigs), leaves separated 2 cups washed spinach leaves, watercress, or other hearty baby greens ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 16 slices of French bread 1 lb. shrimp, peeled, deveined, with tail removed 1 cup Heron Hill Eclipse White wine 1 Tbsp. Old Bay seasoning
1. Preheat oven to 375. Arrange pepper halves on a baking sheet cut side down and drizzle with olive oil. Roast in oven and flip after 15 minutes, cook for an additional
10 minutes. After allowing to cool, peel skins from peppers. In a food processor, puree peppers with curry powder and ¼ cup olive oil. Chill. 2. In a food processor, combine chives, mint, spinach, ¼ cup olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. Puree until smooth adding more oil if needed. Set aside. 3. Brush slices of bread with olive oil and toast in oven for about 3 minutes. 4. Heat large sauté pan on medium heat, add ¼ cup olive oil, wine, and Old Bay. When it has come to a gentle boil, add shrimp. Make sure that you keep them moving to cook the batch evenly and thoroughly, about 3 minutes. Remove shrimp and set aside. 5. Brush a toast point with chive pesto, arrange a shrimp on top, and drizzle with pepper sauce. Garnish with a fresh chive. We recommend pairing this recipe with Heron Hill Eclipse White, but it would also go well with our Semi-Dry Riesling. Chives are the key spring herb to use, and mint adds subtle fresh notes, but you can experiment with your own favorite herbs.
U P S T A T E G A R D ENE R S ’ J O U R NA L | 1 7
leT’S geT gRoWiNg!!! Stop in TodaY for the best selection of annuals, perennials, Trees & Shrubs. NEW THIS YEAR Corinthian Bells Wind Chimes
* complete landscape design & installation * 6 acres of Quality Nursery Stock * our Knowledgeable Staff eagerly awaits all Your gardening Questions!
Many More MEMORIAL ITEMS for Loved Ones
SHop “WHeRe THe gRaSS iS gReeNeR!”
200 Varieties of HYDRANGEAS coming into BLOOM!
call Us Today!
s ’ y r e a NURSERY F
Any 3 or more Hydrangeas and/or Roses – 25% OFF Ask about our landscape design and consulting services!
3170 Ridge Rd. Rt. 104 Ransomville, N.Y. 14131
Hours: Mon.-Fri.: 8:30-8 Weekends: 8:30-6
FaeRYSlaNdScapiNg.coM like us on Facebook
Mon.-Fri. 8-8; Sat. 8-5; Sun. 10-5
(716) 791-4680
Flower CiTy Days at the Market Open Five Sundays, 8 am-2 pm Rochester Public Market, 280 N. Union St.
May 8, 15, 22, 29 & June 5 Memorial Day Weekend
Fri., May 27; Sun., May 29 & Mon., May 30 Vendor welcome, call: 585-428-6907
www.cityofrochester.gov/flowercitydays
124 Pittsford-Palmyra Road, Macedon, NY 14502 (585) 223-1222 www.waysidegardencenter.com Photo courtesy of Trish Gannon
Like us
Follow us
Lockwood’s Garden Center 4484 Clark Street Hamburg, NY 14075 716-649-4684 WeKnowPlants.com
Growing Plants of Distinction in Hamburg, NY since 1914 Unique Specialty Annuals • Perennials, Shrubs, Trees, Native Plants • Houseplants • Herbs • Garden Gifts & Decor • Organic & Earth Friendly Products • Educational Classes & Hands-on Workshops
Tomatoes so delicious your forks want to hug them. Tell us what you want to do with your tomatoes and we’ll tell you what varieties to plant for the best result. Looking for other veggies for your fresh salad? Come in and take a look at our selection!
Beautiful Hanging Bas kets and Container Combina tions
Farm Market
and garden center
10820 Transit Road East Amherst (716) 636-7824 baddingbrosfarm.com
23 Pannell Circle Fairport, NY 14450 (585) 223-8951 • Fax (585) 486-1551 Hours: Mon-Sat 8-7 • Sun 9-4 www.lucasgh.com
Master Gardener Plant Sale during
Lilac Festival
Friday May 6 - Sunday May 15 10:00 am - 8:00 pm Daily Highland Avenue near South Avenue
“In our usual spot in Highland Park South” • • • •
Locally grown plants at reasonable prices Common and unusual annuals and perennials Selected organic vegetable and herb plants Shrubs, trees and selected lilacs Master Gardeners will be there to answer your questions and help with your plant selections.
UNIQUE ANNUALS & PERENNIALS • SUCCULENTS • AIR PLANTS • FAIRY GARDENS • POTTERY • FOUNTAINS Ask us about Custom Potting!
All proceeds help support the work of the Master Gardener Program. Cornell Cooperative Extension-Monroe County provides equal program and employment opportunities.
Website: http://monroe.cce.cornell.edu/horticulture 2449 St. Paul Blvd. Rochester, NY14620-3036 t.585-753-2550
Calendar BUFFALO REGULAR CLUB MEETINGS African Violet & Gesneriad Society of WNY meets the third Tuesday of the month, March – January, at 7 pm, Lancaster Volunteer Ambulance Corp, 40 Embry Place, Lancaster. May 21-22: Annual Judged Show and Sale (see calendar, below). Contact: Judy O’Neil, judyoneil1945@gmail.com. Alden Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month (except July & August) at 7 pm, Alden Community Center, West Main Street, Alden. New members and guests welcome. Plant sale each May. 716/937-7924. Amana Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month (except January) at 11 am, Burchfield Nature & Art Center, 2001 Union Road, West Seneca. 716/668-1100. Amherst Garden Club meets the fourth Wednesday of the month (except December, March, July & August) at 10:00 am, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Main Street, Williamsville. New members and guests welcome. 716/836-5397. Buffalo Area Daylily Society. East Aurora Senior Center, 101 King Street, East Aurora. 716/ 698-3454; info@ buffaloareadaylilysociety.com. Federated Garden Clubs NYS – District 8. Marcia Becker, District Director. 716/681-3530; marshmelo601@yahoo.com; gardenclubsofwny.com. Friends of Kenan Herb Club meets Monday evenings, Kenan Center for the Arts, 433 Locust Street, Lockport. Meeting dates, times and campus locations: kenancenter.org/affiliates.asp; 716/433-2617. Garden Club of the Tonawandas meets the third Thursday of the month at 7 pm, Tonawanda City Hall, Community Room. Garden Friends of Clarence meets the second Wednesday of the month at 7 pm, September – June, Town Park Clubhouse, 10405 Main Street, Clarence. gardenfriendsofclarence@hotmail.com. Hamburg Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of every month at noon, summer garden tours, Hamburg Community Center, 107 Prospect Avenue, Hamburg. 716/648-0275; droman13@verizon.net. Ken-Sheriton Garden Club meets the second Tuesday of the month (except January, July & December) at 7:30 pm, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 576 Delaware Road, Kenmore. Monthly programs, artistic design, horticulture displays and business meeting. New members and guests welcome. May 21: Plant Sale, 9 am – 2 pm, see calendar (below). 716/833-8799; dstierheim@gmail.com. Lancaster Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month, St. John’s Lutheran Hall, 55 Pleasant Avenue, Lancaster. No meetings January, July & August. May 21: Plant Sale, see calendar (below). June 8: Monarch Butterflies, David O’Donnell. 716/685-4881. Niagara Frontier Orchid Society (NFOS) meets the first Tuesday following the first Sunday (dates sometimes vary due to holidays, etc.), September – June, Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo. niagarafrontierorchids.org. Orchard Park Garden Club meets the first Thursday of the month at 12 pm, Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, 4369 South Buffalo Street, Orchard Park. May 14: Spring Plant Sale, Orchard Park Railroad Depot, 4570 South Buffalo Road. President: Ruth Ann Nowak, 716/662-1017. Silver Creek-Hanover Garden Club meets the second Saturday of the month at 2 pm, First Baptist Church, 32 Main Street, Silver Creek. Sue Duecker, 716/9347608; duke.sue@roadrunner.com. South Town Gardeners meets the second Friday of the month (except January) at 10:30 am, Charles E. Burchfield Nature & Art Center, 2001 Union Road, West Seneca. New members welcome. 20 | May-June 2016
Western New York Carnivorous Plant Club meets the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm, Menne Nursery, 3100 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst. wnycpclub@aol.com; facebook.com/wnycpclub. Western New York Herb Study Group meets the second Wednesday of the month at 7 pm, Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo. Western New York Honey Producers, Inc. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County, 21 South Grove Street, East Aurora. wnyhpa.org. Western New York (WNY) Hosta Society. East Aurora Senior Center, 101 King Street, East Aurora. A group of hosta lovers who have come together to promote the genus hosta. 716/941-6167; h8staman@aol.com; wnyhosta.com. Western New York Hosta Society Breakfast Meetings, a friendly get-together, first Saturday of the month at 10 am, Gardenview Restaurant, Union Road, West Seneca. Western New York Iris Society usually meets at members’ homes and gardens. Information about growing all types of irises and complementary perennials. Show and public sale. Guests welcome. June 4: Show – Land of the Free, Menne Nursery, 3100 Niagara Falls Blvd. Carolyn Schaffner, 716/8372285; drsnooks@twc.com. Western New York Rose Society meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7 pm, St. StephensBethlehem United Church of Christ, 750 Wehrle Drive, Williamsville. May 18: Silent Auction. June 8: Grooming Your Roses for Show, Steve Styn. June 11: Rose Show, Galleria Mall. wnyrosesociety.net. Wilson Garden Club generally meets the second Thursday of each month at 7 pm, Community Room, Wilson Free Library, 265 Young Street, Wilson. Meetings open to all, community floral planting, spring plant sale, local garden tours. 716/751-6334; wilsongardenclub@aol.com. Youngstown Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of every month at 7 pm, First Presbyterian Church, 100 Church Street, Youngstown.
Frequent hosts BECBG: Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14218. 716/827-1584; buffalogardens.com. BMAC: Beaver Meadow Audubon Center, 1610 Welch Road, North Java, NY 14113. 585/457-3228; 800/377-1520; buffaloaudubon.org. LOCK: Lockwood’s Greenhouses, 4484 Clark Street, Hamburg, NY 14075, 716/649-4684; weknowplants. com. MAST: Masterson’s Garden Center, 725 Olean Road, East Aurora, NY 14052. 716/655-0133; mastersons. net. MENNE: Menne Nursery, 3100 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst, NY 14228. 716/693-4444; mennenursery. com. REIN: Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve, 93 Honorine Drive, Depew, NY 14043. 716/683-5959; dec. ny.gov/education/1837.html.
CLASSES / EVENTS • Indicates activities especially appropriate for children and families. S- Indicates plant sales. T- Indicates garden tours. • Ongoing: Family Walk at Beaver Meadow, Sundays, 2 pm. Naturalist-led walk through the preserve. A different topic will be explored and discussed each week. Donations. BMAC
S- May 14: Orchard Park Garden Club Spring Plant Sale, 8 am – 2 pm. Annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, accent plants and hanging baskets. Orchard Park Railroad Depot, 4570 South Buffalo Road, Orchard Park. May 14: Flowering Containers, 10 am. Marge Vogel and Sally Cunningham will discuss planting and designing with annuals and tropicals for window boxes, hanging baskets and patio pots. $10. Registration required. LOCK May 14: Fun with Herbs, 10 – 11 am. Master Gardener Lee Schreiner will discuss kitchen herbs and how to use them, herb gardens and containers. Free. Registration required. Zittel’s Country Market, 4415 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg. 716/649-3010; zittels. com. May 14: Poisonous Plants in Your Backyard, 2 pm. Learn about common backyard plants and their chemical defenses, as well as some poisonous ones. Adults and children 12 and older. Free. Registration required. REIN May 17: Container Workshop, 6:30 pm. Marge Vogel will help participants select plants and design their own hanging basket or patio pot. $38. Registration required. LOCK May 18: Make & Take Container Garden, 6:30 pm. Brief discussion of the elements of a good container garden and combinations of plants that work well together followed by hands-on assembly. Bring your own 12” or 16” container, all other materials included. $35, 12” container; $45, 16” container. Registration required. MENNE S- May 20 – 21: The Great Plant Sale, Friday, 10 am – 8 pm; Saturday, 9 am – 4 pm. Container and garden plants. Demonstrations, May 20: Container Basics, 1212:30 pm & 5-5:30 pm; Plant Combinations, 12:30-1 pm & 5:30-6 pm. BECBG S- May 21: Lancaster Garden Club Plant Sale, 9 am – 12 pm. Member-grown plants, gently used garden items, quilt raffle. Save-A-Lot parking lot, 10 Aurora Street, Lancaster. S- May 21: Ken-Sheriton Garden Club Plant Sale, 9 am – 2 pm. Perennials, basket raffle, baked goods and garden items. Club members will be on hand to answer questions. Zion United Church of Christ, 15 Koenig Circle, Tonawanda. dwolfe265@verizon.net. May 21: Make & Take Container Garden, 11 am or 2 pm. See description under May 18. $35, 12” container; $45, 16” container. Registration required. MENNE May 21: Vegetable Gardening 101, 2 pm. Instructor: David Clark. Free. Registration required. Urban Roots, 428 Rhode Island Street, Buffalo. 716/362-8982; info@ urbanroots.org; urbanroots.org. May 21 – 22: African Violet Show & Sale, 12 – 4 pm. Violets thru the Year. Judged event presented by the African Violet & Gesneriad Society of WNY. Plants available for sale. Galleria Mall, 1 Walden Galleria, Buffalo. 716/662-9434. May 22: Native Plants, 11 am. Lyn Chimera will share her knowledge of gardening with native plants. REIN May 24: Container Workshop, 6:30 pm. See description under May 17. $38. Registration required. LOCK May 26: Make & Take Container Garden, 6:30 pm. See description under May 18. $35, 12” container; $45, 16” container. Registration required. MENNE S- May 27 – 28: Erie County Master Gardener Plant Sale, Friday, 8:30 am – 3 pm; Saturday, 8:30 am – 2 pm. Selection of sun and shade perennials, natives, herbs, annuals, shrubs and vegetables from the gardens of Master Gardeners as well as donations from area horticultural businesses. Master Gardeners will be on-hand to provide advice on selection and growing tips. Soil pH testing, $2 per sample. First Presbyterian Church of Buffalo, One Symphony Circle, Buffalo. 716/652-5400 x177; erie.cce.cornell.edu. May 28: Make & Take Container Garden, 12 pm. See description under May 18. $35, 12” container; $45, 16” container. Registration required. MENNE
May 28: Make & Take Fairy Garden, 2 pm. Peter Martin will show participants how to create an indoor garden that will last throughout the year. Materials included. $35. Registration required. MENNE June 4: Odyssey to Ithaca. Join UGJ staff us as we travel by motor coach to tour the Ithaca region. Highlights will include Cornell Plantations, lunch and shopping at Baker’s Acres, shopping at Michaleen’s & Cayuga Landscape and wine tasting. $75. Registration required. Upstate Gardeners’ Journal, 1140 Ridge Crest Drive, Victor, NY 14564. 716/432-8688; upstategardenersjournal.com. June 4: The World of Japanese Maples, 11 am. Paul Ferretti will introduce many varieties with varying color, growth habit and size and will discuss growing conditions and care tips. Free. Registration required. MENNE
June 4: Herbs & Medicinal Plants, 11 am – 1 pm. Learn how to select the right plants for your space and needs. A component of Horticulture IV certificate program. Instructor: David Clark. $22 members; $27 non-members. Registration required. BECBG June 4 – 5: Bonsai Show, 10 am – 5 pm. Demos, raffle, vendors. Presented by the Buffalo Bonsai Society. Included with admission. BECBG June 4 – July 10: Garden Railway Exhibit. Presented by the Western New York Garden Railway Society. Included with admission. BECBG
June 8: Beekeeping – Keeping Your Bees Healthy, 7 – 8 pm. Topics covered will include the importance of hive inspections, proper inspection procedures, some of the common problems beekeepers in the area can face plus feeding and treatment options available. $12. Registration required. MAST
June 11: Rose Show. Presented by Western New York Rose Society. Galleria Mall, 1 Walden Galleria, Buffalo. wnyrosesociety.net. June 11: Heavenly Hydrangeas, 11 am. Learn the proper pruning times and techniques along with care tips to ensure a long season of blooms. Free. Registration required. MENNE
June 11: Backyard Ecology, 11 am – 1 pm. Gain an understanding of the natural rhythms and processes that occur in the garden on a daily basis. A component of Horticulture IV certificate program. Instructor: David Clark. $22 members; $27 nonmembers. Registration required. BECBG
June 11: Make & Take Tropical Patio Pots, 2 pm. General maintenance instructions and requirements provided while participants plant up their own containers to take home. Includes one 6” tropical plant, two 4.5” annual plants, soil and colorful 14.5” pot. $50. Registration required. MENNE
June 12: Hosta Show, 10 am – 4 pm. Hosta lovers show single, well-groomed leaves in specimen vases. Hundreds of leaves that differ in size, shape, form and color will be judged and displayed in large groups. Troughs, trays and pots, artfully planted with small hostas and companion plants, will also be displayed. Included with admission. BECBG June 18: Building a Backyard Pond, 1 – 2 pm. A local pond builder will share how to create a structurally and ecologically sound aquatic landscape in your backyard. $10. Registration required. MAST
June 18: Bonsai Workshop, 2 pm. Peter Martin will introduce the basics of creating and caring for Bonsai as he demonstrates potting, pruning and wiring techniques. Participants will create their own bonsai, purchase required. Registration required. MENNE June 18 – July 24: Celebration of Coleus & Color, 10 am – 5 pm. Included with admission. BECBG June 19: Floral Design Series – Vase Arrangement, 1 pm. David Clark will share tips on how to make long-lasting arrangements. Materials included. Fee. Registration required. LOCK
June 22: Starry Night in the Garden, 6 – 9 pm. Fundraiser to benefit the Gardens includes music, local restaurants, wineries and breweries. $55 general admission; $105 VIP. Tickets: mystar1025.com. BECBG
June 22: Beekeeping – Swarms, Splits & Queens, 7 – 8 pm. Topics covered will include swarms, why they happen, how to prevent and capture them, when and how to split a strong hive and proper re-queening techniques. $12. Registration required. MAST June 25: Using Native Plants to Attract Pollinators, 10 am. Learn which plants might be appropriate for your yard and where to find them. Registration required. REIN
T- August 6: Black Rock & Riverside Tour of Gardens, 10 am – 4 pm. Self-guided, features more than 60 gardens. Free. 716/851-5116; brrtourofgardens.com. T- August 6: Starry Night Garden Tour, 8 – 10 pm. Self-guided, features 20 gardens. Part of Black Rock & Riverside Tour of Gardens (above). Free. 716/8515116; brrtourofgardens.com. September 10: Water Gardens – A Strong Finish, 1 – 2 pm. Learn proper techniques for closing your pond for the season to help ensure its health for next year. $10. Registration required. MAST
ITHACA
• June 25: Pollinators, 10 – 11:30 am. Learn what we can do, no matter how small the gesture, to benefit these essential helpers. Donations. Registration required. BMAC
REGULAR CLUB MEETINGS
S- June 25 – 26: Garden Art Sale & Plant Society Avenue. Sculpture, metal work, paintings, wood work, architectural remnants, found art, ceramics, planters and more. Societies and experts will exhibit favorite plants and answer questions regarding care and maintenance. Talks will cover topics from making a hypertufa and pruning roses to attracting birds and repelling deer. Free. BECBG
Finger Lakes Native Plant Society meets the third Wednesday of the month at 7 pm, Unitarian Church annex, corner of Buffalo & Aurora, Ithaca. Enter side door on Buffalo Street & up the stairs. May 18: Hemlock Woolly Adelgid - Film & Local Intervention Efforts. 607/257-4853.
June 26: Seneca Traditional Uses of Medicinal and Edible Plants, 1:30 – 3:30 pm. Marvin “Marty” Jacobs will give a brief indoor introduction into the Seneca world of respect and understanding for the plants that grow around us. He will then take the group out on the grounds to explore nature. $5. Registration required. BMAC
Frequent hosts
June 25: Orchids, 2 pm. Demonstration will show how to pot orchids along with discussion of requirements for growing media, light and maintenance. Free. Registration required. MENNE
June 26: Floral Design Series – Fresh Flower Centerpiece, 1 pm. See description under June 19. Materials included. Fee. Registration required. LOCK
July 6: Beekeeping – Harvesting Honey & Other Hive Products, 7 – 8 pm. Learn methods of honey harvesting, wax rendering and collection of propolis & pollen. $12. Registration required. MAST T- July 9 – 10: Lockport in Bloom, 10 am – 4 pm. lockportinbloom.com.
T- July 9 – 10: Hamburg Garden Walk, 10 am – 4 pm. Self-guided. Maps: Memorial Park Bandstand, corner Lake & Union Streets. Vendors. Rain or shine. Free. 716/648-7544; hamburggardenwalk.com. T- July 10: Snyder-CleveHill Garden View, 10 am – 4 pm. Self-guided tour includes approximately 25 private gardens and public spaces set against a backdrop of 1910’s to 1950’s architecture. Many garden styles and plant types are represented, as are water features and garden structures. Maps, day of: Trillium’s Courtyard Florist, 2195 Kensington Avenue, Amherst. $2 donation appreciated. snyderclevehillgardenview@gmail.com; facebook. com/SCHGardenView. July 10: Floral Design Series – Hand-Tied Flower Bouquet, 1 pm. See description under June 19. Materials included. Fee. Registration required. LOCK T- July 10: Lockport in Bloom – Twilight Tour, 6:30 – 9 pm. lockportinbloom.com.
Save the Date… July 16: Water Gardens: Algae Control 101, 1 – 2 pm. Learn to recognize the indications of an unbalanced ecosystem and how to get things back on the right track. $10. Registration required. MAST
T- July 30 – 31: Gardenwalk Buffalo, 10 am – 4 pm. Self-guided tour of over 300 urban gardens and historic neighborhoods. Maps: Richmond-Summer Senior Center, corner Richmond Avenue & Summer Street; Buffalo Seminary School, 205 Bidwell Parkway; Evergreen Health Services, 206 South Elmwood Avenue. Free. gardenwalkbuffalo.com.
Adirondack Chapter, North American Rock Garden Society (ACNARGS) meets the third Saturday of the month (except in summer). Summer events include garden tours, workshops and members-only plant sale. Meetings are open to all. 607/269-7070; acnargs.org.
Windsor NY Garden Group meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 10 am, members’ homes or Windsor Community House, 107 Main Street, Windsor. windsorgardengroup.suerambo.com.
CCE/TOM: Cornell Cooperative Extension, Tompkins County, 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850. 607/272-2292; tompkins@cornell.edu; ccetompkins. org. CP: Cornell Plantations, 1 Plantations Road, Ithaca, NY 14850. Inquire ahead for meeting locations. 607/255-2400; cornellplantations.org.
CLASSES / EVENTS • Indicates activities especially appropriate for children and families. S- Indicates plant sales.
T- Indicates garden tours. Ongoing June – October: Compost with Confidence, last Saturday of each month, 12:30 – 1:30 pm. Master Composters provide information and demonstrations covering a different topic each month. Free. Ithaca Community Gardens, Compost Demo Site, Ithaca. CCE/TOM S- May 14: Garden Fair Plant Sale, 9 am – 2 pm. CCE/ TOM May 17: Landscape Design – Part 1, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Learn site assessment techniques as well as design concepts like garden rooms, themed gardens, hardscaping as garden ‘bones,’ wild life friendly gardens and how to add fall and winter interest. $5$10, sliding scale. Registration required. CCE/TOM
May 17 – June 21: Painting Spring Flora, 6 Tuesdays, 6 – 9 pm. From plant observation and drawing to composition and color mixing, instructor Camille Doucet will help participants explore black and white, color pencil, pen and ink and go into greater depth with watercolor. All levels welcome. $180 members; $200 non-members. CP May 18: Fischer Old-Growth Forest Preserve Dedication & Hike, 3 – 6 pm. Brief dedication ceremony followed by a tour to explore the natural and cultural history of the Bandler Tract and Fischer preserve. Hike is approximately 1.5 miles and will be moderately strenuous. Meet: Route 13, south of Ithaca, just before Stella’s Barn restaurant, left (east) side of road. Free. CP
U P S T A T E G A R D ENE R S ’ J O U R NA L | 2 1
Calendar ITHACA cont. May 31: Landscape Design – Part 2, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Class will look at design details like color, texture and form and use of bubble diagrams to note existing and desired uses of a property. Participants will have an opportunity to work on their own landscape designs. $5-$10, sliding scale. Registration required. CCE/TOM June 1: Square Foot Gardening, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Learn about this intensive method and how to do it. See a demonstration garden, weather permitting. $5-$10, sliding scale. Registration required. pc21@cornell.edu. CCE/TOM June 7: Trees and Shrubs for Difficult Sites, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Pat Curran, Horticulture Program Manager, will discuss durable trees and shrubs for challenging sites including roadside salt, drought, shade, alkaline and clay soils. $5-$10, sliding scale. Registration required. pc21@cornell.edu. CCE/TOM June 9: Seed Saving 101, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Learn the difference between open pollinated and hybrid varieties, which types of seeds are easiest to save and how to incorporate seed saving into your current veggie or flower garden. $5-$10, sliding scale. Registration required. CCE/TOM S- June 11: Cornell Plantations Plant Sale, 9 am – 12 pm. Offering favorites as well as new selections from the horticultural trade including peonies, baptisia, hellebores, geum and nepeta. Vendors include Cayuga Landscape, GreenTree, Der Rosenmeister, The Magic Garden and others. Plantations Plant Production Facility, 397 Forest Home Drive, Ithaca. CP June 15: The Partial Shade Garden, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Perennial flowers, wildflowers, ferns, sedges and small shrubs, including some natives, can all be enjoyed in the dappled shade of trees and larger shrubs as well as bright light or morning sun found at the north or
Cayuga Landscape Ithaca, NY
east side of a building. Examples of a deer-resistant shade garden will be presented. $5-$10, sliding scale. Registration required. pc21@cornell.edu. CCE/TOM June 18 – September 25: Garden Explorations, Saturdays & Sundays, 2 pm. Tour content will vary from week to week depending on what is in bloom and the interests of the group. Rain or shine. Members free; $5 non-members. CP T- June 19: Southern Cayuga Garden Club Tour, 1 – 4 pm. See gardens in and around the Aurora area. socayugagardenclub.org. June 23: Small Fruits for the Home Gardener, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Class will discuss lesser-known fruits such as currants, gooseberries and jostaberries as well as the more common raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and blueberries. Learn about cold hardiness, pollination, soil preparation, propagation, varieties to try and more. $5-$10, sliding scale. Registration required. CCE/TOM June 25: Compost with Confidence, 12:30 – 1:30 pm. Compost Basics. Master Composters will cover the basics focusing on how to select a bin and get started. Free. Ithaca Community Gardens, Compost Demo Site, Ithaca. CCE/TOM T- July 10: Fall Creek Garden Tour, 11 am – 3 pm. Thompson Park, Ithaca. Facebook.
Save the Date… T- July 16: Dryden Garden & Art Tour, 9 am – 2 pm. drydenbeautification.weebly.com. T- August 6: Garden Conservancy Open Gardens Day, 10 am – 4 pm. Several private gardens will be open to the public. $7 per garden. gardenconservancy.org September 10: Tomato Festival, 10 am – 2 pm. Sample many different varieties of heirloom tomatoes and take home seeds to grow your own next year. $5 suggested donation. CCE/TOM
Design Office Hours:
Mon.-Fri., 8 am - 5 pm Garden Center Opens Mar. 14th 2712 N. Triphammer Rd. p. 607-257-3000 www.cayugalandscape.com
ROCHESTER REGULAR CLUB MEETINGS 7th District Federated Garden Clubs New York State, Inc. meets the first Wednesday of the month. 7thdistrictfgcnys.org. African Violet and Gesneriad Society of Rochester meets the first Wednesday of each month, September – May, at 7 pm, St. John’s Home, 150 Highland Avenue, Rochester. All are welcome. Bob or Linda Springer: 585/413-0606; blossoms002@yahoo. com. Big Springs Garden Club of Caledonia-Mumford meets the second Monday evening of the following months: September – November, January – May. New members and guests welcome. 585/314-6292; mdolan3@rochester.rr.com. Bloomfield Garden Club meets the third Thursday of the month (except May, July & August) at 11:45 am, Veterans Park, 6910 Routes 5 & 20, Bloomfield. New members and guests welcome. 585/657-4489; kjmonrad@frontiernet.net. Bonsai Society of Upstate New York meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Brighton Town Park Lodge, Buckland Park, 1341 Westfall Road, Rochester. 585/334-2595; bonsaisocietyofupstateny.org. Creative Gardeners of Penfield meet the second Monday of the month at 9:15 am (except July & August), Penfield United Methodist Church, 1795 Baird Road, Penfield. Visitors welcome. Call 585-3852065 if interested in attending a meeting. Fairport Garden Club meets the third Thursday evening of each month (except August and January). Accepting new members. fairportgc@gmail.com; fairportgardenclub.org.
Come out to the heart of Gardenville!
Find out why “our business is growing” ...We’re in bloom this spring! Peaceful garden nook enclosed with Winter Gem Boxwood hedge and Coralburst Crabapple Left: Celestial Dogwood
SPECIALIST NURSERY IN BOXWOOD
www.bengertgreenhouses.com
230 French Road West Seneca, NY 14224 716/823-6114
Garden Club of Brockport meets the second Wednesday of every month at 7 pm, Clarkson Schoolhouse, Ridge Road, east of Route 19. Speakers, hands-on sessions. Kathy Dixon: 585/4310509; kadixon@excite.com. Garden Path of Penfield meets the third Wednesday of the month from September through May at 7 pm, Penfield Community Center, 1985 Baird Road, Penfield. Members enjoy all aspects of gardening; new members welcome. gardenpathofpenfield@ gmail.com. Genesee Region Orchid Society (GROS) meets every month from September through May at the Brighton Town Hall, Door 9, 2300 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, on the first Monday following the first Sunday of each month (dates sometimes vary due to holidays, etc.). GROS is an affiliate of the American Orchid Society (AOS) and Orchid Digest Corporation. geneseeorchid.org. Genesee Valley Hosta Society meets the second Thursday of the month, April – October, at Eli Fagan American Legion Post, 260 Middle Road, Henrietta. 585/538-2280; sebuckner@frontiernet.net; geneseevalleyhosta.com. Genesee Valley Pond & Koi Club meets the first Friday of the month at 6:30 pm, Adams Street Recreation Center, 85 Adams Street, Rochester, except in summer when it tours local ponds. president.gvpkc@ gmail.com; gvpkc.shutterfly.com. Gesneriad Society meets the first Wednesday of each month, September – May, at 6:30 pm, St. John’s Home, 150 Highland Avenue, Rochester. All are welcome. Bob or Linda Springer: 585/413-0606; blossoms002@yahoo.com. Greater Rochester Iris Society (GRIS) meets Sundays at 2 pm, dates vary, St. John’s Episcopal Church Hall, 11
Episcopal Avenue, Honeoye Falls. Public welcome. June 5: Iris Show, AIS accredited, see calendar (below). 585/266-0302; thehutchings@mac.com. Greater Rochester Perennial Society (GRPS) meets the first Thursday of each month at 7 pm, Twelve Corners Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 1200 South Winton Road, Rochester, except in summer when it tours members’ gardens. 585/467-1678; smag@ rochester.rr.com; rochesterperennial.com. Greater Rochester Rose Society meets the first Tuesday of the month, April through November, at First Unitarian Church, 220 Winton Road South, Room 110, Rochester. July meeting is a garden tour. 585/6948430; 585/621-1115; rochrosesociety@gmail.com; Facebook. Henrietta Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month (except May-Aug & December) at 6:30 pm, Main Meeting Room, Henrietta Town Hall, 475 Calkins Road, Henrietta. Guests welcome. May 14: Plant Sale, see calendar (below). 585/889-1547; henriettagardenclub@gmail.com; henriettagardenclub.org. Holley Garden Club meets the second Thursday of the month at 7 pm, Holley Presbyterian Church. 585/6386973. Ikebana International Rochester Chapter 53 meets the third Thursday of each month (except December and February) at 10 am, First Baptist Church, Hubbell Hall, 175 Allens Creek Road, Rochester. 585/301-6727; 585/402-1772. ikebanarochester.org.
Pittsford Garden Club meets the third Tuesday of the month at 11 am, Pittsford Public Library, Fisher Meeting Room, 24 State Street, Pittsford, except in July & August when it visits members’ gardens. 585/425-0766; BKRU888@aol.com; pittsfordgardenclub.wordpress.com. Rochester Dahlia Society meets the second Saturday of the month at 12:30 pm, Trinity Reformed Church, 909 Landing Road North, Rochester, except July – September. Visitors welcome. 585/865-2291; djohan@ frontiernet.net; Facebook; rochesterdahlias.org. Rochester Herb Society meets the first Tuesday of each month (excluding January & February) at 12 pm, Rochester Civic Garden Center, 5 Castle Park, Rochester. June-August garden tours. New members welcome. Rochester Permaculture Center, meets monthly to discuss topics such as edible landscapes, gardening, farming, renewable energy, green building, rainwater harvesting, composting, local food, forest gardening, herbalism, green living, etc. Meeting location and details: meetup.com/rochesterpermaculture. Seabreeze Bloomers Garden Club meets the fourth Wednesday of each month, except January, in East Irondequoit. Some meetings feature speakers and some are visits to local gardens or special events. All are welcome. President, Pat Plunkett: 585/342-5477; grandmapat294@yahoo.com.
Kendall Garden Club meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7 pm, Kendall Town Hall. 585/ 370-8964.
Stafford Garden Club meets the third Wednesday of the month at 7 pm, Stafford Town Hall, 8903 Morganville Road (Route 237), Stafford, except December and January. Plant auction in May. All are welcome. 585/343-4494.
Newark Garden Club meets the first Friday of the month at 1 pm, Park Presbyterian Church, Newark. Guests are welcome.
Valentown Garden Club meets the third Tuesday of each month; time alternates between noon and 7 pm. Victor. Kathleen Houser, president: 585/301-6107.
evaluate • diagnose • care
THE TREE
DOCTOR BUFFALO 716-759-1138
ROCHESTER 585-298-4444
• Emerald Ash Borer Injections •Full Service Tree Care Company Board-Certified Master Arborist
www.treedoctorconsulting.com
Calendar ROCHESTER cont. Frequent hosts CCE/GC: Cornell Cooperative Extension, Genesee County, 420 East Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020. 585/343-3040; genesee.cce.cornell.edu. GLT: Genesee Land Trust, 46 Prince Street, Suite LL005, Rochester, NY 14607. 585/256-2130; info@ geneseelandtrust.org; geneseelandtrust.org. LIN: Linwood Gardens, 1912 York Road, Linwood, NY 14486. 585/584-3913; Face Book; linwoodgardens. org. RBC: Rochester Butterfly Club. Field trips last about 2 hours, some continue into the afternoon, especially those that are further away. Long pants and appropriate footgear strongly recommended. Free and open to the public. rochesterbutterflyclub.org. RCGC: Rochester Civic Garden Center, 5 Castle Park, Rochester, NY 14620. 585/473-5130; rcgc.org. RPM: Rochester Public Market, 280 North Union Street, Rochester, NY. cityofrochester.gov; pmarket@ cityofrochester.gov. SG: Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park, 151 Charlotte Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424. 585/394-4922; sonnenberg.org.
CLASSES / EVENTS • Indicates activities especially appropriate for children and families. S- Indicates plant sales. T- Indicates garden tours. May 14: Wildflowers & Warblers at Alasa Farms, 9 am – 2 pm. Join naturalist Bob Cooper to explore the trails in search of spring migrants, wildflowers and other signs of the spring season. Parking: 6450 Shaker Road, Alton. Free. Registration required. kfarrell@ geneseelandtrust.org. GLT S- May 14: Henrietta Garden Club Plant Sale, 9 am – 4 pm. Member-grown perennials, annuals and vegetables. Rain date: May 15. Gro-Moore Farm Market, 2811 East Henrietta Road, Henrietta. 585/889-1547; henriettagardenclub@gmail.com. S- May 14: Spring Garden Gala, 10 am – 1 pm. Plant sale featuring indoor and outdoor plants, geraniums, chance auction, free soil pH testing. CCE/GC May 14 – 15: Visit Ellwanger Garden, 10 am – 4 pm. Historic landscape originally planted in 1867 by nurseryman George Ellwanger. Donation. Ellwanger Garden, 625 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester. 585/5467029; landmarksociety.org. S- May 15: Flower City Days at the Market, 8 am – 2 pm. Shop local nurseries & growers: annuals, perennials, vegetable plants, shrubs and garden ornamentation. RPM May 17: Designing and Installing a Dry Creek Bed, 6 – 8 pm. Jan Hess will describe the process of creating a dry creek bed including sources for appropriate rocks and how to place the rocks and plants for a natural look. Class will tour Jan’s gardens and hear about how she addressed other issues such as deer, dry shade, black walnuts and ground covers for yearround interest. $18 members; $25 non-members. Registration required. RCGC May 18: Spring Blooms Stroll, 6 – 7:30 pm. Michael Hannen grows over 800 varieties of plants at his urban home-based nursery. This tour will highlight some unusual spring-bloomers beyond tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. Arrive early to shop or preview the gardens. $10 members; $15 non-members. Registration required. RCGC S- May 19 – 21: Creative Gardeners of Penfield Plant Sale, 9 am – 4 pm. Shop plants and garden-related items. 19 Huntington Meadow, Rochester. 24 | May-June 2016
S- May 20 – 21: Bloomfield Garden Club Plant Sale, Friday, 9 am – 5 pm; Saturday, 9 am – 2 pm. Featuring annuals, herbs, vegetables, hanging baskets, raffle items & home-grown perennials. Bloomfield Historical Academy Building, 8 South Avenue, Bloomfield. 585/657-4489. S- May 21: Native Plant Sale, 8:30 am – 2 pm. Native plants, shrubs and trees from local nurseries. Brighton Town Hall, 2300 Elmwood Avenue, Brighton. GLT May 21 – 22: Tree Peony Festival, 9 am – 4 pm. Enjoy Japanese and American tree peonies in a garden landscape designed in the early 1900’s with an Arts and Crafts style summerhouse and walled gardens with pools, fountains and ornamental trees overlooking the Genesee Valley. Guided tours and light fare available. $10; $15 guided historical tour. LIN
May 21 – 22: Garden Photography Workshop, 10 am – 4 pm. Join NY Botanical Garden’s Wayne Cahilly for a weekend-long workshop on garden photography. Participants will need to bring their own digital camera. $65 members; $75 non-members. Prepaid registration required. SG May 21 – 22: Upstate New York Bonsai Exhibition & Sale, 10 am – 5 pm. Over 100 Bonsai on display, raffle, sales area, videos and demonstrations. Demo: Saturday, 2 pm. Monroe Community Hospital, 435 East Henrietta Road, Rochester. $5; $3 seniors; children under 12 free. 585/334-2595; wnv@ internationalbonsai.com.
May 21 – 22: Ikebana Exhibit, 10 am – 5 pm. Presented by Ikebana International Rochester Chapter 53 in collaboration with Upstate New York Bonsai Exhibition & Sale (above). Demo: Sunday, 2 pm. Monroe Community Hospital, 435 East Henrietta Road, Rochester. $5; $3 seniors; children under 12 free. ikebanarochester.org. S- May 22: Flower City Days at the Market, 8 am – 2 pm. See description under May 15. RPM
May 24 & 26: Advanced Floral Design Certificate – Sympathy Arrangements, 6:30 – 9 pm. Instructor Alana Miller will focus on free-standing easel sprays, large one-sided arrangements for visitation and altar, religious and theme wreaths. Students will take home all arrangements created during class. Prerequisite: Intermediate Professional Floral Design Program or floral shop experience. $150 members; $225 nonmembers. Registration required. RCGC
May 25: Linwood Gardens Tour, 10 am – 12 pm. Enjoy a private tour of the gardens, buildings and landscape of Linwood Gardens, a historic estate 35 miles southwest of Rochester known today for its distinguished collection of tree peonies started by William Gratwick in 1940. The landscape was designed in the early 1900’s and includes an Italian walled garden, an Arts and Crafts style summerhouse, a labyrinth and more all with views over the Genesee Valley. $20. Registration required. RCGC S- May 27 – 28: Big Springs Garden Club Perennial Sale, Friday, 9 am – 6 pm; Saturday, 9 am – 3 pm. Wide variety of homegrown perennials plus newto-you garden books and items. Memorial Park, Caledonia. mdolan3@rochester.rr.com.
S- May 27 – 30: Flower City Days at the Market, 8 am – 2 pm. See description under May 15. RPM S- May 28: Rochester Civic Garden Center Proud Market Plant Sale, 8 am. Shop unusual trees and shrubs, annuals, perennials, dahlias, herbs and more. RCGC May 28 – 29: Tree Peony Festival, 9 am – 4 pm. See description under May 21-22. $10; $15 guided historical tour. LIN
June 1: Rethinking Small – Tour an Artful Transformation in Pittsford, 6 – 7:30 pm. Kurt Munnich has created a cool, peaceful backyard space on a relatively small property located on a busy street. Using mostly scavenged or repurposed plant materials and hardscaping he has integrated the inside of the home with the outside. $18 members; $25 non-members. Registration required. RCGC
June 3 – July 15: Botanical Drawing, 6 Fridays, 9 am – 12 pm. Deb VerHulst-Norris will teach participants to draw plants and flowers in accurate detail. Drawing skills will be developed by closely observing the structure and textures of plants and flowers. Class will explore the use of graphite pencils with colored pencil added to give depth and definition to drawings. No previous experience needed. $99 members; $120 non-members. Registration required. RCGC June 4: Odyssey to Ithaca, 7:45 am – 6:30 pm. Tour Cornell Plantations to see the container collection, herb, flower, heritage vegetable and winter gardens, groundcover collection and rhododendron knoll. Visit family-owned garden centers including Cayuga Landscape, Baker’s Acres, The Plantsmen Nursery and Bedlam Gardens. Travel by luxury coach with ample room to transport purchases. Lunch included. Bus departs and returns to Marketplace Mall, Henrietta. $60. Preregistration required. RCGC
June 4: For the Love of Gardens – The Artistry of Mary Clark Thompson, 10 am – 12 pm. Through letters and correspondence, hear Mary Clark Thompson’s own words about her love of flowers and inspirations for the gardens at Sonnenberg. $15 members; $20 nonmembers. Registration required. SG June 4 – 5: Tree Peony Festival, 9 am – 4 pm. See description under May 21-22. $10; $15 guided historical tour. LIN
T- June 4 – 5: Landmark Society’s House & Garden Tour, 10 am – 4 pm. East Avenue, East Boulevard & Douglas Road. Advance ticket purchase recommended, available mid-May. 585/546-7029 x11; landmarksociety.org. S- June 5: Flower City Days at the Market, 8 am – 2 pm. See description under May 15. RPM June 5: Iris Show, 1 – 5:30 pm. AIS accredited. Marketplace Mall, 1 Miracle Mile Drive, Rochester. 585/266-0302; thehutchings@me.com.
June 7: Lunchtime Garden Talk – Introduction to Beneficial Insects, 12:15 – 12:45 pm. Learn about beneficial insects that may be in your garden. Bring your lunch. Free. CCE/GC
June 7: Summer Container Workshop, 6:30 – 8 pm. Join Deb VerHulst-Norris at her scenic lakefront property in Hilton where she will discuss the principles of a balanced and interesting design. Deb will provide care and maintenance tips as she guides participants in planting a container garden to take home. Bring a pot, 16” diameter or less, to class. Includes soil and a variety of plants to choose from. $30 members; $35 non-members. Registration required by May 31. RCGC
June 7: Living Wreath Workshop, 6:30 – 8 pm. Sue Lang and Sheryl Roets will guide participants in creating a wreath of living plants using an assortment of succulents, flowering and foliage plants. Materials included. $55. Registration required. Class takes place at Gallea’s, 2832 Clover Street, Pittsford. RCGC
June 9: Healing Herb Garden, 6:30 – 8 pm. Join board certified Chinese medical practitioner Tennille Richards as she explains and explores common botanical western ‘cousins’ to well-known Chinese herbs and their very specific medical uses. Learn about the optimal care and growing conditions of these herbs and plants as well as how to prepare herbal decoctions. $40. Registration required. Class takes place at Gallea’s, 2832 Clover Street, Pittsford. RCGC June 11 – 12: Peony Weekend, 10 am – 4 pm. Peonies, roses, irises and more. Ellwanger Garden, 625 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester. Landmark Society, landmarksociety.org.
June 13: Roses & Rosés, 6 – 9 pm. Food and wine pairing event featuring dozens of the area’s wineries, chefs and restaurants. Sip wine and dine while strolling through the Rose Garden. Silent auction. $25 members; $30 non-members. Prepaid reservation required. SG June 15: Early Summer Blooms Stroll, 6 – 7:30 pm. Michael Hannen will highlight the perennials in bloom, many of them rare and unusual, at his home-based
nursery in Rochester’s Upper Monroe neighborhood. Arrive early to shop or preview the gardens. $10 members; $15 non-members. Registration required. RCGC June 16: Purposeful Perennials – Using Perennials in Containers, 6 – 8 pm. Christine Froehlich will demonstrate how to create container plantings that perform all summer and into fall as she discusses the many varieties of perennials that hold up well in containers, how to select combinations for sun and shade and what to look for in a potting mix. $22 members; $32 non-members. Registration required. Class takes place at Broccolo Garden Center, 2755 Penfield Road, Fairport. RCGC June 18: Summer Pruning, 9 am – 12 pm. Michael Tanzini will demonstrate how to properly prune flowering trees and shrubs as well as broadleaf evergreens and conifers. Prerequisite: Pruning Basics or another pruning class. $36 members; $46 nonmembers. Registration required. RCGC June 18: Butterflies and the Plants They Need, 10 am. Powder Mills Park. Meet: Fish Hatchery parking lot, 115 Park Road, Pittsford. 585/383-8168. RBC T- June 18: Greece Performing Arts Notable Garden Tour, 10 am – 4 pm. A Rainbow of Gardens. Featuring 8 gardens in Greece, live music, light refreshments and visual artists in each garden. Rain or shine. $17; $22 day of. 585/234-5636; greeceperformingarts.org. June 23: Soirée – A Peaceful Retreat in Honeoye Falls, 6 – 8:30 pm. Stroll through this wooded, steeply sloping property in Honeoye Falls taking in the many levels of gardens combined with Asian art, architectural details, ponds, waterfall and meandering stream. $12. Registration required. RCGC T- June 25: Backyard Habitat Tour, 9 am – 4 pm. Tour gardens located in Henrietta, Rush, Mendon and Pittsford. $12 members; $15 non-members. Non-member tickets also available at Wegmans. GLT June 26: Daylily Garden Open House, 1 – 5 pm. Cobbs Hill Daylily Garden (a National Display Garden), Charlie and Judy Zettek, 1 Hillside Avenue, Rochester. 585/461-3317. June 28: Butterflies and the Plants They Need, 10 am. Gosnell Big Woods Preserve. Meet: parking lot, north side of road, where Vosburg Road turns into Drumm Road, Webster. 585/425-2380. RBC June 30: Creating Pots with Pizzazz – Using Dwarf Shrubs in Containers, 6 – 9 pm. Christine Froehlich will demonstrate different ideas for using dwarf shrubs in containers, how to plant for optimum performance, which varieties to choose and how to pair them up. $22 members; $32 non-members. Registration required. Class takes place at Broccolo Garden Center, 2755 Penfield Road, Fairport. RCGC • July 1 – August 5: Moonlight Stroll Concert Series, Fridays, 8 – 10 pm. Enjoy live music in the moonlit gardens of Sonnenberg. $8 members; $10 nonmembers; $5 ages 6-14; free ages 5 & under. SG July 6: Butterflies and the Plants They Need, 10 am. Ganargua Creek Meadow Preserve. Meet: creek-side entrance near intersection Wilkinson and Victor Road, Macedon. 585/383-8168. RBC S- July 9: Daylily Sale, 8 am – 12 pm. Over 40 varieties to choose from, advice on selection and care available. Rain or shine. Webster Arboretum, 1700 Schlegel Road, Webster. websterarboretum.org. T- July 9: RCGC Annual Summer Garden Tour Gardens of Scottsville and Beyond, 10 am – 4 pm. Merging Skill and Style. Tour gardens in Chili, Scottsville and near Oatka Creek. See the gardens of two prominent sculptors, a large woodland landscape, small Williamsburg-style garden and an abundance of special perennials and hostas. $15 members; $20 nonmembers; day of tour all tickets $20. RCGC
T- July 10: ABC Streets Garden Walk, 12 – 4 pm. Stroll or bike the ABC Streets neighborhood to see a variety of creative approaches for city front, side and back yard spaces including perennials & annuals, inviting porches, patios & decks, shade gardens, grass-less yards, tree-lawns, found objects, water features and more. The ABC Streets Neighborhood is bounded by Culver Road, Park Avenue and Harvard Street. Maps: Morrison Park, Culver Road & Harvard Street; East Avenue Dentistry, 1641 East Avenue. Free. Rain or shine. abcstreets.org. July 12: Butterflies and the Plants They Need, 10 am. Oatka Creek Park. Meet: parking lot 9797 Union Street, junction Quaker Road & Union Street, Scottsville. 585/385-4725. RBC July 12: Lunchtime Garden Talk – Propagating from Cuttings, 12:15 – 12:45 pm. Bring your lunch. Free. CCE/GC July 12: Daylily Garden Open House, 5 – 7 pm. Cobbs Hill Daylily Garden (a National Display Garden), Charlie and Judy Zettek, 1 Hillside Avenue, Rochester. 585/461-3317.
Save the date… July 16 – 17: Daylily Garden Open House, 1 – 5 pm. Cobbs Hill Daylily Garden (a National Display Garden), Charlie and Judy Zettek, 1 Hillside Avenue, Rochester. 585/461-3317. July 30: Daylily Garden Open House, 1 – 5 pm. Cobbs Hill Daylily Garden (a National Display Garden), Charlie and Judy Zettek, 1 Hillside Avenue, Rochester. 585/461-3317. August 5: Daylily Garden Open House, 5 – 7 pm. Cobbs Hill Daylily Garden (a National Display Garden), Charlie and Judy Zettek, 1 Hillside Avenue, Rochester. 585/461-3317. September 10 – 11: US National Bonsai Exhibition, 9 am – 5 pm. $20. See museum-quality bonsai in both traditional and formal alcove displays, over 100 different species and cultivars. Demonstrations, sales area. Total Sports Experience, 435 West Commercial Street, East Rochester. 585/334-2595; wnv@ internationalbonsai.com; usnationalbonsai.com. October 10: Fall Gardening Symposium, 10 am – 5 pm. Keynote Speaker Dr. Allan Armitage. $75 members; $85 non-members. Registration required. SG
SYRACUSE REGULAR CLUB MEETINGS African Violet Society of Syracuse meets the second Thursday of the month, September – May, Pitcher Hill Community Church, 605 Bailey Road, North Syracuse. 315/492-2562; kgarb@twcny.rr.com; avsofsyracuse. org. Central New York Orchid Society meets the first Sunday of the month, September – May, St. Augustine’s Church, 7333 O’Brien Road, Baldwinsville. Dates may vary due to holidays. 315/633-2437; cnyos.org. Gardening Friends Club meets the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm, March – December, Wesleyan Church, 4591 US Route 11, Pulaski. Facebook: Gardening Friends of Pulaski, NY; 315/298-1276; VicLaDeeDa@frontiernet.net. Gardeners of Syracuse meets the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 pm, Reformed Church of Syracuse, 1228 Teall Avenue, Syracuse. Enter from Melrose Avenue. 315/464-0051.
Habitat Gardening Club of CNY (HGCNY) meets the last Sunday of most months at 2 pm, Liverpool Public Library. HGCNY is a chapter of Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes; for-wild.org. Meetings are free and open to the public. 315/487-5742; hgcny.org. Koi and Water Garden Society of Central New York usually meets the third Monday of each month at 7 pm. See web site for meeting locations. 315/4583199; cnykoi.com. Syracuse Rose Society meets the second Thursday of every month (except December) at 7 pm. Public welcome. Reformed Church of Syracuse, 1228 Teall Avenue, Syracuse. Enter from Melrose Avenue. Club members maintain the E. M. Mills Memorial Rose Garden, Thornden Park, Syracuse. June 18: Rose Show, Destiny USA Mall. syracuserosesociety.org. Williamson Garden Club. On-going community projects; free monthly lectures to educate the community about gardening. Open to all. 315/524-4204; grow14589@gmail.com; growthewilliamsongardenclub.blogspot.com.
Classes / Events • Indicates activities especially appropriate for children and families. S- Indicates plant sales. T- Indicates garden tours. S- June 18: Herb & Flower Festival, 9 am – 3:30 pm. Fifty vendors, herbal bake sale, gardening classes. $3 donation. Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida County, Parker F. Scripture Botanical Gardens, 121 Second Street, Oriskany. 315/736-3394; cceoneida. com. T- June 18: Summer Solstice Garden Tour. See nearly 40 acres of landscaped gardens, pond, hedge maze, plant sale, nature-themed craft sale, live music. Food available for purchase or bring your own picnic. Proceeds benefit Central New York Land Trust. Sycamore Hill Gardens, 2130 Old Seneca Turnpike, Marcellus. cnylandtrust.org. June 18: Rose Show. Hosted by Syracuse Rose Society. Destiny USA Mall, Syracuse. mrprianti@aol.com; syracuserosesociety.org.
& BEYOND Classes / Events S- Indicates plant sales. T- Indicates garden tours. S- May 14: Trade Secrets Rare Plant & Garden Antique Sale, 10 am – 3 pm. Featuring nearly 60 of the finest plant and antique vendors in the northeast region. $40; $125 early buying, 8 – 10 am, includes breakfast. LionRock Farm, Route 41 & Hosier Road Sharon, CT. 860/364-1080; tradessecretsct.com. T- May 15: Trade Secrets Garden Tour, 10 am – 4 pm. Four gardens: Carolyne Roehm, Michael Trapp, Old Farm Nursery and Trade Secrets founder Bunny Williams. $60; $70 day of. Maps, day of: LionRock Farm, Route 41 & Hosier Road Sharon, CT. 860/3641080; tradessecretsct.com.
Deadline for Calendar Listings for the next issue (JulyAugust 2016) is Friday, June 10, 2016. Please send your submissions to deb@upstategardenersjournal.com.
Gardeners in Thyme (a women’s herb club) meets the second Thursday of the month at 7 pm, Beaver Lake Nature Center, Baldwinsville. 315/635-6481; hbaker@ twcny.rr.com. U P S T A T E G A R D ENE R S ’ J O U R NA L | 2 5
Mail: 1104 Auburn Rd., Groton, NY 13073 (Rte. 34 in N. Lansing between Ithaca & Auburn)
607-533-4653
MAXSEA Solu b le Seaweed P lan t Food s
GOOD FOR YOUR PLANTS AND KIND TO THE EARTH
info@bakersacres.net www.bakersacres.net
Special Hours in May & June Monday–Friday: 8am–6pm Saturday & Sunday: 9am–5pm Nursery Open: Monday–Friday 8am–5pm Saturday & Sunday 9am–5pm
MAXSEA
MAXSEA
16-16-16
3-20-20
MAXSEA 14-18-14
ALL PURPOSE
BLOOM
ACID
PLANT FOOD
PLANT FOOD
PLANT FOOD
MAXSEA combines the best of nature and technology. We blend the finest natural seaweed with important secondaries, micronutrients and the purest plant foods available.
MAXSEA's natural brown granules turn dark seaweed green and have the fresh, clean aroma of the sea... a pleasure to use and completely safe for the environment.
The resulting complexes are remarkably effective, easy-to-use concentrates that dissolve instantly and completely in water... for fast acting, immediate results. In solution,
Professional growers and home gardeners alike tell us our MAXSEA plant foods are the finest available anywhere. We're very proud of that.
Find a retail dealer location near you by visiting: www.maxsea-plant-food.com Interested in becoming a dealer? Contact your Sales Rep: Tom Suffoletto / Toms Greenworks 716-225-6891 / tom@tomsgreenworks.com
Just 2 1/2 Miles East of Rte 400
11753 East Main St. East Aurora, NY (716) 652-8969
Your yard is your sanctuary: Feed the choir.
Find us on
Come see our pottery zoo! We’re the place to go for unusual and hard-to-find items. Best selection of landscape art
Native plants & specimen trees
Aspen Song® Just Desserts® Wild Bird Food
No Shells! No Fillers!! No Mess!!!
Dwarf conifers
Exotic rockery
Fruits and edibles Landscape design and build services...
Let us help you plan your dream.
LOVED BY BIRDS
AND
BIRD LOVERS
Higbie Farm Supplies, Inc. www.higbiefarmsupplies.com 3440 South Union Street North Chili, NY 585-594-8300 Open year-round Closed Sundays & Mondays
Near or Far
Location: University of Wisconsin-Madison Name: Corpse Plant Genus/species: Amorphophallus titanium Common name: Titan Arum Specs: Over 8 ft tall; over 5 ft blooms Age: 15 years old; average lifespan 40 years Submitted by: Anonymous Anonymous says: The name definitely lives up to the smell. It’s hard not to turn up your nose, or even plug it. There were many people around me that did just that. After you get over the stench, it truly is a unique specimen. I would say it looks like a hand or foot emerging from the center too. A once in a lifetime opportunity!
U P S T A T E G A R D ENE R S ’ J O U R NA L | 2 7
H.A.Treichler & Sons
Your Outdoor Living Space Specialists Hydroseeding • Sod • Water Features Paver Patios & Retaining Walls Outdoor Kitchen & Fireplaces
“We Grow Our Own”
A Family Tradition Since 1854
10” Hanging Baskets—Thousands to choose from Annuals & Perennials—Gallons and 4½” Pots Geraniums Over 25 Varieties of Proven Winners Vegetable Plants for Home Gardeners Seeds
Gift Certificates Available Don’t forget our Senior Discount every Wednesday! Open through October 31, 2016 Monday - Saturday 8 am - 8 pm Sunday 9 am - 5 pm
2687 Saunders Settlement Rd. (Rte. 31), Sanborn
716/731-9390
Lilies and Lotus
Like us on
at Bergen Water Gardens
Fresh
From Our Greenhouses Annuals, Perennials Hanging Baskets 70 Varieties of Herbs 60 Varieties of Vegetables & Spring Bedding Plants Lilyfest 2016 June 4th
www.bergenwatergardens.com
Ponds and Pond Supplies Koi and Goldfish Tropical and Hardy Lilies Lotus and Lotus Tubers 4 Greenhouses for 2016! More Carnivorous Plants Dwarf Conifers
Bergen
Water Gardens and Nursery
7443 Buffalo Rd, Churchville, NY 14428 (585) 293-2860
2722 Clinton Street West Seneca, NY 14224 (716) 822-9298
Growing the Highest Quality Plants Since 1922.
For Your Garden
TURNBULL GARDEN CENTER
10036 Versailles Plank Rd. North Collins, NY 14111 (716) 337-2248 www.turnbullgardencenter.com Celebrating 25 years of serving WNY gardeners!
Above & Beyond ™ Rose Finally... A hardy climbing rose for New York gardeners!
Rinox pavers and walls at
R.T. Masters Stone Co.
975 Empire Blvd., Rochester NY 14609
585.482.6560
* Extreme cane hardiness, zone 3. * Reliable, fragrant spring flowers. * Very resistant to fungal diseases. Trees, Shrubs, Evergreens, Fruits, Perennials, Grasses & Vines
* Landscape Design & Installation * Pick Up or Delivery Mulch
* Bulldozing & Excavation * Delivery Topsoil
The Botanical Gardens
20th Annual Tree Peony Festival of Flowers at Linwood Gardens 1912 York Rd, Pavilion, NY
National Public Gardens Day - May 13 Great Plant Sale - May 19-21 Bonsai Show - June 4-5 Garden Railway - June 4 - July 10 Coleus & Color - June 18 - July 24 Starry Night in the Garden - June 22 Camp for Kids - July & August
May 21 & 22 / 28 & 29 June 3 & 4 9am–4pm each day LINWOODGARDENS.ORG
2655 South Park Avenue - Buffalo, NY 14218 buffalogardens.com - 716.847.1584
Flowering Shrubs Unique Trees Wholesale and Retail Hours by appointment www.coldwaterpond.com 315-331-8068 • info@coldwaterpond.com 600 S. Marbletown Rd, Phelps, NY 14532
Garden Center • Shrubs • Trees • Perennials
Landscape Design • Planting • Walks/Patios • Maintenance
Country Corners Nursery 6611 Rtes. 5 & 20 Bloomfield (585) 657-7165
Borglum’s Iris Gardens 2202 Austin Road, Geneva, NY 14456 585-526-6729
Iris - Peonies - Hosta Potted Peonies 100+ varieties Dig-Your-Own Iris & Daylilies Opening by May 15, Sunday - Friday Closed Saturdays sylborg@aol.com • www.Borglumsiris.com
ClASSiFiEdS dAYliliES. Daylilies are outstanding, carefree perennials. We grow and sell over 225 top-rated award-winning varieties in many colors and sizes in our Rochester garden. We are also an official national daylily society display garden. We welcome visitors to see the flowers in bloom from June to September. Call 585/461-3317. PURE, NAtURAl, loCAl hoNEY. Award-winning small scale apiary by Lake Ontario. SeawayTrailHoney.com 585-820-6619
Eagle Bay Gardens
See: 8 acres of gardens
~ Over 2000 hosta varieties ~ Rare trees & shrubs ~ Unusual perennials Restroom & picnic tables *Hundreds of hosta and other plants for sale Rt. 20, Sheridan, NY PLEASE, call for an appointment 716 792-7581 or 969-1688 E-Mail: rblydell@gmail.com Web: eaglebaygardens.net
Imagine walking through fields of daylilies in bloom. Come visit us at
Cottage gardens
and see all the color and forms of our daylilies—over 3400 cultivars --4540 east shelby road Medina, new York 14103 retaIL & aHs dIsPLaY garden open July 1st – august 7th tuesday – sunday, 10 am – 5 pm or by appointment email: cglilies@rochester.rr.com Phone 585-798-5441 Web: http://www.daylily.net/gardens/cottagegardens We welcome garden tours • Gift Certificates available
ROSS 2016
Dwarf Conifers
Visit
TWILA JEAN ROSS
Coldwater Pond Nursery
LookiNg foR hEiRLooms?
Visit harrington’s greenhouse.
specializing in a large selection of vegetable plants, including many hot and sweet pepper varieties. Also many varieties of annuals, perennials in packs, shrubs and hanging baskets.
harrington’s
Greenhouse
4653 North Byron Rd. Elba, NY 14058 585/757-2450
find us on
Pudgie’s Lawn & Garden Center Keep the Local, Family-Owned Businesses Alive & Growing!
Shop at Pudgie’s
3646 West Main St., Batavia, NY 14020 Store: 585/343-8352 Office: 585/948-8100 www.pudgieslawnandgarden.com
Sonnenberg Gardens Events
• For the Love of Flowers: The Artistry of Mary Clark Thompson, June 4 • Roses & Rosés: Food, Wine & Flowers Event, June 13 • Moonlight Strolls Concert Series, Every Friday Jul. 1 - Aug. 5 • Fall Gardening Symposium w/ Dr. Allan Armitage, October 8 See website for details & complete calendar of events
151 Charlotte Street, Canandaigua, NY 585-394-4922 • www.sonnenberg.org
Greenhouse
Perennials, annuals, beautiful hanging baskets, geraniums, container gardens, mulch, soil “Find perfect Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, or any occasion spring or garden plants”
Visit our family-owned greenhouse, where growing is our business!
9784 South Main St., Angola, NY
716-549-0458
Lasting Dreams Daylilies
Display Garden & Nursery Northern Hardy Field Grown Plants
Amanda’s Garden
Now at new location
8030 Story Rd. Dansville, N.Y. 14437 Over 1800 AHS Cultivars Set On 5 Acres 6425 South Abbott Road, Orchard Park, 14127 (716) 648-4920 / LastingDreams@verizon.net
www.LastingDreamsDaylilies.com
Easy Walking & Access - Ample Parking - Shaded Seating - Restroom Gift Shoppe - Clubs & Groups Welcome By Appointment
Come tour our new display beds We will help you select the right plants for you Open everyday, 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
585-750-6288 amandasnativeplants.com
Specializing in native pollinator plants
Natural Selections
Fabulous Native Ferns By Lyn Chimera
O ABOVE: Maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum)
32 | May-June 2016
ne of the joys of spring is watching ferns unfurl. The fronds start with small fuzzy arcs in the early spring, just poking their little heads above the crown of the plant and slowly growing upward and unfurling like the unwinding of a spring. When I see these fiddleheads, I know spring is really here. Unfortunately ferns get very little attention as a garden perennial. In most books about perennials, they aren’t even mentioned. This is probably because they don’t have flowers or seeds and somehow people don’t think of them as perennials. They are in fact perennials, reliably returning each year to add beauty, texture and even color to our gardens. Many people have the misconception that ferns are difficult to grow. This stems from the fact that they seem exotic, tropical, and not appropriate for our cooler climate. That couldn’t be further from the truth. The north east has numerous varieties of native ferns in its woods and meadows. If they grow successfully on their own, how hard can it be to grow a few in our gardens? Like with any plant, you need to match the conditions in your garden to the requirements of the fern. They are perfect for a moist shady location, but that is not the only suitable habitat. Some can tolerate quite a bit of sun and others will handle dryer soil. All the ferns love leaf mold mulch, which is logical considering in nature they grow in the woods. The important thing is doing your homework before you purchase a fern and find out just what conditions they prefer. One of the advantages of growing ferns is their almost year round interest. From the spring unfurling, through the summer’s lush textured foliage, to the beautiful caramel and amber colors of the fall, ferns add a depth to the
garden that cannot be achieved with the more traditional blossoming perennials whose flowers come and go so quickly. The green provides a resting spot for the eyes as well as making the colors of the blooms around them stand out. Ferns have been growing for more than 300 million years! In most depictions of dinosaurs there are ferns in the background. In fact, in prehistoric times, they were a dominant part of the vegetation. Today there are about 12,000 species of fern worldwide and more than 50 species native to the Northeast. The following are some native ferns that will grow well in our area. Adding native ferns is a good way to contribute to the sustainability of your landscape. The ferns mentioned below are generally available at nurseries and will grow well in our area. One of the most important features of ferns is deer don’t like them! That alone is reason to try a few. Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides): If you
want to try just one fern, the Christmas fern has the most adaptable requirements. It prefers rich, moist soil but will also tolerate dry soil. Christmas fern likes shade but will take partial sun if the soil is moist enough. One of the things setting this fern apart is the fronds are evergreen so you have the deep green color all winter. Christmas fern is not invasive. The clump slowly gets larger, staying 12 to 24 in. tall. Ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris): This is a large
fern, 24 to 72 inches tall and brings a stunning verticality to the landscape. Ostrich fern loves moist shade or part sun and will even tolerate occasional standing water. It’s ideal
along a stream or near a pond. The fronds emerge from a central crown that looks like a dark brown, dead clump on the ground in the winter. This is the fern that has the tastiest fiddleheads and are as prized as asparagus in the spring. Ostrich fern can become invasive sending out new underground shoots so don’t put it somewhere it doesn’t have a little room to spread. If they do spread too much they are easy to dig up and share with a friend. Lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina): Lady fern is one of the
most common ferns in wooded areas of western New York and also one of the easiest to grow. It prefers moist, loamy soil and shade to partial sun. Lady fern stays 16-36 inches tall and it has an attractive, lacy appearance. It forms a lovely amorphous clump that won’t take over your garden and adds a feathery texture. Cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea): This is a
spectacular, rounded clump forming fern that gets 30 to 60 inches tall. Its fiddleheads are hairy and very decorative in spring. The spore fronds turn cinnamon colored when mature, hence its name. Unfortunately they don’t persist through the season but die back after releasing their spores, but they’re a show-stopper while they last. Cinnamon fern prefers moist to wet soil..
standing water. One of my favorite features of maidenhair fern is the deep burgundy color they turn in fall. Stunning! Sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis): This is one of the
ferns that will do well in full sun if the conditions are moist. It will also do very well in shade with normal garden soil. Sensitive fern has a pale green color and a single stemmed triangular frond with segments more coarsely divided. The spore fronds persist and look like little round balls on a stick. For this reason they are often used in fall arrangements. Sensitive fern grows to a height of 12 – 36 inches tall, and spreads readily given the right conditions. Interrupted fern (Osmunda claytoniana): The growth
habit of this fern is striking. It forms an upright clump similar to an ostrich fern but the spores appear as dark sacks mid-way up the stem, hence the name. People always ask what it is when they see it in my garden. Interrupted fern grows 24 to 48 inches tall and can tolerate relatively dry shade to partial shady conditions.
RGHT: Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) CENTER: Cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) LEFT: Lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina)
If you have the appropriate spot, give one of our native ferns a try. They will reward you with beauty throughout the growing season and for years to come.
Maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum): The maidenhair
fern is one of our most beautiful native ferns, always lovely in a landscape. Its fronds unfold on wiry, delicate black stems. The green fronds form a double-sided swirl of leaves from the top of the stem. Maidenhair ferns grow 12 to 20 inches tall and prefer partial to full shade. They thrive in moist well-drained soil. This is not a fern that will grow in
Lyn Chimera is a master gardener with Erie County Cornell Cooperative Extension.
U P S T A T E G A R D ENE R S ’ J O U R NA L | 3 3
KEEP YOUR YARD
MOSQUITO & TICK FREE
Seneca
Greenhouse Bring on Spring with our beautiful selection of annuals, perennials, hanging baskets and garden decor.
2250 Transit Rd., near Seneca St. West Seneca, NY 14224 716/677-0681
Come Visit Us!
We are a perennial nursery that takes pride in growing healthy, beautiful plants. There is nothing better than taking a little piece of our garden home to your garden!
Much More Than Just Herbs! 1147 Main St., Mumford • zantopiaherbgardens.com One mile north of the Caledonia monument • 585/538-4650
MOSQUITO CONTROL & TICK MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
Chicken Coop Originals Garden and Art Workshops
Welcome garden clubs, groups for “summer garden visits” Info at chickencooporiginals.com or call us •••••
Discover our herb gardens & rustic shops
TRADITIONAL AND ORGANIC OPTIONS AVAILABLE
Call: 585-381-9000 Visit: www.TedCollinsT-L.com
bird baths • garden décor • hand-painted primitives oldtiques & collectibles • perennials • pine trees
Hours (Apr.- Dec.): Thurs.-Sat. 10- 5; Other days by chance or app’t 13245 Clinton St.(Rte. 354), Alden, NY 14004 • (716) 937-7837
July 23, 2016: 10am–4pm
Explore six beautiful gardens in the Rochester area. Tickets are $18 in advance and $22 on tour date at the RMSC Cunningham House. Visit www.rmsc.org for details.
Rochester Museum & Science Center | Women’s Council
Almanac
What to do in the garden in May & June May is here; air and soil temperatures are warming back up after bouts of winter-like freezing weather in April. Gardeners will enjoy spending time tending to their landscapes. Below I have highlighted some gardening / landscape tasks for May and June. As gardeners, we should be aware that the tick population is on the rise. We should take steps to reduce tick bites and the spread of Lyme disease. Cornell Cooperative Extension has created brochures and fact sheets to help you, your children, and pets to minimizing interactions with these pests while outdoors. Find the brochure titled Ticks, Create a Tick Safe Zone at cceonondaga.org/environment/invasive-nuisancespecies/terrestrial-animals/ticks. One can reduce tick populations in the landscape by creating buffers, fencing off ornamental and vegetable beds, detaining rodents, and mulching. Take action now to help safeguard your gardening and outdoor experiences this season. Lawn Care Cornell University Department of Horticulture Turfgrass has booklets and video that can be downloaded to help guide lawn care. The site address is hort.cornell. edu/turf. Now is a good time to repair the bare lawn spots from winter’s wear and tear. Select grass seed from the kind you already have growing. Consider the location; sun and shade grass varieties are available. Make sure to water what you have seeded. Irrigate in the morning hours. Does your lawn need fertilizing? Did you test your soil to see how much phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizer your lawn needs? Lawns should have a pH in the range of 6.0 to 7.0, which is slightly acidic Check with your local Cornell Cooperative Extension Office to see if these tests are offered. If your lawn falls below or above these soil pH ranges, add either lime or sulfur to bring the pH to the proper range. Follow the instructions given from the pH test. The ideal time to fertilize grass is when it is actively growing, usually the end of May to beginning of June or around Labor Day in September. Make sure your mower blades are sharpened. Set the mower deck to 3 to 3 ½ inches high. This will help increase your lawn grass density while shading out the weeds. Also let grass clippings fall back into the lawn, they will break down and add nutrients back to the soil.
Spring flowering deciduous shrubs produce blooms on last season’s growth. These shrubs should be pruned after the flower blooms are spent. Pruning by pinching off or cutting will help boast next year’s flower production and adds to the shaping of the shrub. Lilacs, spireas, rhododendrons and azaleas are a few of these shrubs that benefit from pruning in the spring. Needled evergreens such as yews, hemlocks, pines and arborvitaes can be trimmed and shaped in May. Just snip off the tips of soft new growth which will help promote compact bushy growth. Flowers and Vegetables Leave the foliage of spring flowering bulbs growing until it turns yellow; nutrients are going back into the bulbs. In early June, dig up tulip bulbs. Clean off the soil and make sure the bulbs are dry before placing them in storage (cool, dry and a dark location) until fall planting. Other spring flowering bulbs such as daffodils, hyacinths, and crocus can be moved to a new location after they have bloomed and the foliage has past. Cool season annuals and vegetables seeds can be sown directly in the ground or transplanted in the soil or in containers. Make sure to harden off transplants before transplanting. It is better to transplant on a cloudy day. Many folks plant their dahlias, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants over Memorial Day Weekend or early June. These are considered tender annual flowers and vegetables. Usually by those dates we are safe from a frost here in Central and Western NY. Be cautious. They may need to be covered if a frost is predicted later than those planting dates. May and June is a good time to plant perennial plants. Be sure to follow the plant labels for placement in your garden. A good guide for growing vegetables in the home garden can be found at Cornell Garden Based website at blogs. cornell.edu/horticulture/vegetables/. You can also rate the vegetables that they grow by participating in Cornell’s Citizen Science Vegetable Varieties program. For more information on rating the vegetables that you grow check out the website at vegvariety.cce.cornell.edu.
Mowing your lawn, make sure mower blades are sharpened. Set the mower deck to 3 to 3 ½ inches high. This will help increase your lawn grass density while shading out the weeds. Also let grass clippings fall back into the lawn, they will break down and add nutrients back to the soil.
— Holly Wise, Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida County Consumer Horticulture Resource Educator
Tree & Shrubs U P S T A T E G A R D ENE R S ’ J O U R NA L | 3 5
Weeks’
Nursery & GreeNhouses We’ve Got it all for your GardeN!
annuals perennials vegetables herbs haNGiNG baskets patio plaNters
GeraNiums GeraNium trees proveN WiNNers tropical plaNts baGGed mulch pottiNG soil
opeN: 8 am - 8 pm Mon-Sat • 8 am - 6 pm Sunday 5955 Shimerville Rd., Clarence Center, NY 14032 716-741-2616 www.weeksgreenhouse.com
Wholesale retail
Roberts
QB Daylily Gardens DAYLILIES and companion plants AHS DAYLILY DISPLAY GARDEN Open for regular hours
June 25 - August 7 Wed thru Sunday, 10am to 5pm
or any other time by appointment Group tours are welcome Gift certificates available on site or by phone 557 Sand Hill Rd Caledonia • 585.538.4525 QBDAYLILYGARDENS.COM SALE—Buy one, get one free on select varieties
Farm Market
Annuals • Perennials • Herbs Vegetable Plants • Mulch • Stones
11170 Maple Ridge Rd., Medina NY 14103
585-798-4247 • RobertsFarmMarket.com Open Mon - Sat 9 - 6, Sun 10 - 4
GardenWalk_UGJ_7.375x4.875 Clip this add _GW_UGJAd_7.377x4.877 for a $5 discount. 4/21/16 2:45 PM Page 1
Don’t miss a summer full of garden walks and tours, travel, garden art, and educational events, including Garden Walk Buffalo, America’s largest garden tour! Visit GardensBuffaloNiagara.com.
400+ Gardens FREE! July 30 & 31
18 tours all over Buffalo Niagara
Thursdays and Fridays in July
June 26, Buffalo Botanical Gardens
Sustainability tour, Aug 6
Tour of urban projects, Aug 13
Garden Travel
Workshops, talks, Inspirational and more trips near and far
Cathy's Crafty Corner
1
2
3
4
5
6
Mosaic Stepping Stones by Cathy Monrad Materials
Stepping stone mold or old cake pan Glass tiles, sea glass, marbles Piece of paper a bit larger than mold 1 Tbsp vegetable oil Paint brush Stepping stone mix, found at craft stores, or fast-drying concrete Water Old bucket Trowel or paint stir stick Rubber gloves (optional) Tile and grout sealer
1. Place mold on paper and trace shape. Lay out mosaic materials in a pattern within traced shape. 2. Using paintbrush, coat sides and bottom of mold with vegetable oil. 3. Per instructions on packaging, prepare stepping stone mix or fast-drying concrete with water, using trowel or paint stick to stir. Pour or scoop mixture into mold, gently tap on flat surface to release air bubbles. Smooth top with trowel, or with hands while wearing rubber gloves. 4. Carefully press glass objects into mixture until they sit flush with top of mixture. 5. Let stepping stone cure for 24 to 48 hours before popping out of mold. After a few days, use paintbrush to coat with tile and grout sealer.
WHY GLASS TILE IS BEST Glass tile doesn’t have pores, so water can’t penetrate. Ceramic materials have lots of pores—even the glazing has tiny cracks—which make them more susceptible to freeze damage.
Cathy Monrad is the graphic designer and self-proclaimed garden crafter for the Upstate Gardeners’ Journal.
6. Place stepping stone in your garden. U P S T A T E G A R D ENE R S ’ J O U R NA L | 3 7
Backyard Habitat
Home Tweet Home by Liz Magnanti
T
INSET: Sparrow in bird house. Photo courtesy Flickr: the1pony
38 | May-June 2016
he days are growing longer and warmer weather is on its way. This means one thing: love is in the air! For birds at least. Spring means it’s nesting time for the majority of birds in our area. Birds are actively seeking out nesting sites to build nests, lay eggs and raise their young. Some of the most common songbirds nest in bird houses. Bluebirds, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, tree swallows, house sparrows, house finches and wrens all look for the safety of an enclosed house to raise their young. Woodpeckers, screech owls and wood ducks will also nest in houses, if the houses are big enough! When selecting a bird house, it is important to look for specific features. First, and most importantly, make sure the bird house has a way to be cleaned out. Most of the time there is a small door in the back of the house that can be opened. This feature is made to clean out the old nest once the young have fledged, or “flown the coop”,. Some birds will have more than one brood a year and if they do, they will build a new nest. Cleaning out the bird house is important because it reduces the amount of mold and parasites that can otherwise accumulate in and under the nest. Also be sure to check your bird house for ventilation. Usually, there are small spaces in the upper or lower corners of the house that are cut out for air to flow. Having ventilation in the house also lowers the risk of mold building up in the house. The size of the entrance hole of a house will dictate who can nest in it. The smaller the size of the hole, the more limited you are in what type of birds can fit in it. Wrens, for example, only need a house with an entrance hole of 1” in diameter. Chickadees only need a hole 1 1/8” in diameter. This size is also small enough to keep house sparrows out. Anything larger than 1 1/8” is big enough for them to fit through. If bluebirds are what you are after, get a nest box with a 1 ½” opening. To keep sparrows at bay, find a house that is sparrow-resistant. These often have innovative entry options or “sun-roofs” that discourage sparrows from nesting in them. If your interest extends to even larger nesting birds, you might want to consider screech owls. Screech owls are a year-round resident of this area and when full grown are
less than 10” tall. Many people have luck with attracting screech owls to their yards with a screech owl nesting box. These houses have a 2” diameter and should be placed at least 10 feet high. When mounting a bird house, remember that most birds like their house to be secure. If it is moving around in the wind, many birds will not nest in it. Wrens, house sparrows, and chickadees will nest in houses that are hanging, but many other species will not. Bird houses should be mounted at least 5 feet off the ground in order to keep them protected from predators like cats who can catch birds mid-air. Baffles can be mounted on a bird house pole to keep squirrels and raccoons from climbing up the pole to raid the box of the eggs or young inside it. Bird house “guardians”, tubular extensions to bird house entrances, are another item that will keep squirrels and raccoons from reaching inside the nest box. Keep in mind that not all birds will nest in a house. Robins, cardinals, mourning doves and barn swallows will nest on nesting perches, a semienclosed platform that shields them from the elements and provides protection. Hummingbirds, orioles and goldfinches build their nests in trees and can be enticed to nest in your yard by offering a nesting ball full of natural cotton and string. Scraps of yarn, pet hair, and feathers can be left outside for birds to use as nesting material, but do not use dryer lint, as the chemicals in it that are used to launder clothes can be harmful to birds. Finally, it is worth remembering that caring for our feathered friends is often as much an art as it is a science, and that results will vary. Have faith, have fun, and use the advice in this article to give yourself a great start. And most importantly, don’t forget that love really is in the air, so now is the perfect time to be a match-maker by putting out your bird houses, cleaning out your old ones, and maintain a steady watch for all the little (and not so little) ones that will call them home! Liz Magnanti is the manager of the Bird House on Monroe Avenue in Pittsford. She has a degree in wildlife conservation and has worked as a naturalist at various nature centers.
Your favorite gardening magazine is online. Check us out at UpstateGardenersJournal.com.
Join the Upstate Gardeners’ Journal on our annual Buffalo
Odyssey to Ithaca Day Trip A wonderful spring tradition—inspiring gardens—shopping at great nurseries unusual plants—gorgeous scenery—a delicious Herbal Lunch
Saturday, June 4, 2016 Highlights of our itinerary on this day-long luxury motorcoach tour include: Cornell Plantations, truly one of the most inspiring gardens in New York State Delicious Herbal Lunch and shopping at Bakers’ Acres—they have an incredible, vast array of perennials Michaleen’s, a boutique nursery and florist featuring unique statuary and interior décor Cayuga Landscape, a large garden center with a wide selection of plants and garden art Wine tasting ... and more fun and surprises! Depart Buffalo, Eastern Hills Mall, rear of Sears store, 7:30 am/return approx. 7:30 pm Depart Batavia, location to be determined, 8:00 am/return approx. 7:00 pm
ONLY $75/person. Sign up today! To register, go to UpstateGardenersJournal.com or complete and return the form below. Call 716/432-8688 for more information or to pay by credit card.
Name: _____________________________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________________________ Phone: __________________________________ Email: _____________________________________ # of tickets________X $75 = __________ (Please enclose check or money order) Please mail to: Upstate Gardeners’ Journal, 1140 Ridge Crest Drive, Victor, NY 14564
ore! M & s o ti a P s, y a w k l a Walls,W Annuals,Perennials,Trees &Shrubs! for all of your garden and hardscape projects. From patios and terraces to walkways and walls. Your ideas can become a reality when you call Bristol’s Garden Center. Free estimates make it even easier for you to trust Bristol’s Garden Center with ALL of your gardening, landscape, or hardscape needs.
Fresh New Stock Arriving Weekly! Need some color for your garden, deck or patio? Bristol’s Garden Center has a wide selection to choose from. We have summer flowering shrubs, containers of annuals, mature perennials and so much more! 7454 VICTOR-PITTSFORD ROAD - VICTOR, NY 14564 OPEN MON-FRI 9 am - 8 pm, SAT & SUN 8 am - 7 pm www.BristolsGardenCenter.com