No, this is not an article on the trials, exhilarations and tribulations of The Grateful Dead. It’s about dead flowers. Dead flowers should be removed from annuals, perennials, bulbs and shrubs as soon as possible to prevent seeds from forming. As far as the plant is concerned aka if the plant had a mind with…
Category: Landscaping
Surface Roots Under Trees
Trees are great – they produce shade, create framing for a house or building, provide shelter for songbirds, slow down the wind and snow and so many other benefits…but they can create a few problems, one of which is surface roots. Surface roots are not to be taken lightly – they create a tripping…
Three Perennials to Try
With more people working remotely this year we have received an abundance of calls this summer. Callers are looking to spruce up their flowerbeds. Some just wanted something new. Others were wanting to expanding gardens. Here are a few plants that are well known but often not used. Astrantia (as-TRAN-shi-a) or Mastewort is a perennial…
Shade, Semi-Shade and Sun
If you look out at your landscape, you’ll probably see all degrees of sun and shade. There are lots of names of these levels of light, but shade, semi-shade and sun are good descriptors for most plants. One of the most pertinent reasons for focusing on shade levels is that it really helps locate…
Get Rid of the Grass in Your Landscape
Really? Get rid of it? But, I’m a big fan. I love the relaxing feeling I get when I mow the grass. Yes, there are many benefits of turfgrass, were outlined last week, but really, in the true spirit of the horticultural truism of “Right Plant, Right Place”, turf simply doesn’t belong in all parts…
Benefits of Turfgrass
In many gardening circles, lawns and turfgrass in general get a bad reputation. For the most part, this is greatly undeserved. Yes, if turf is misplaced or not cared for properly, it can be a liability rather than an asset in the landscape. But before you write it off completely, consider the following: *Oxygen…
Rose Diseases
Unfortunately, roses are not care-free plants, at least not in the Midwest. They are susceptible hosts to several diseases, namely powdery mildew, rust, black spot and rose rosette. Powdery mildew: The name is apt for this disease, as the foliage of affected stems turns to a whitish cast as if dusted with flour. Powdery…
Spring, Summer, Fall Blooming Perennials
Perennial flowers offer great appeal in the spring, ringing the bell of activity of the gardening season. The great news is that perennials do not bloom only in spring – they offer ever-changing garden views in all seasons. If you plan your garden well, it will offer texture, color and movement appeal whenever you look…
Spring Flowering Shrubs – Now and Then
One of the true joys of the well-balanced, diversified landscape are the spring flowering and summer flowering shrubs. Now is the time when we can enjoy the spring flowering shrubs such as dogwood, viburnum, lilac, cotoneaster and forsythia. The good part is that there are many cultivars or varieties of these spring blooming species to…