Seven Sons Shrub

One of our favorite plants in September is Seven Sons Shrub (Heptacodium miconioides). It’s a plant with great qualities that is underused in the landscape. It was first collected in China in 1907, but didn’t make it’s way into horticulture until 1980 when it was rediscovered. With only a few specimens remaining in the wild at that time, the species would probably be extinct if it weren’t for it’s introduction into the nursery trade.

The small multi-stemmed tree grows 20′ x 8-10′. It’s unique characteristics include the attractive peeling bark and it’s late bloom. It produces a white flower in late August/early September, followed by dark pink-red catkins that are showy and unusual. The fall color is yellow, retaining it’s leaves into early winter.

Selective pruning in it’s early years helps the plant keep an attractive shape.

Published September 14, 2011.
Tags: , , , , , ,
Categories: From the Garden Shop, You Might Find Interesting

Native Plants to Attract Butterflies

Did you know that the caterpillars of certain butterflies only eat specific plants?

The Monarch Butterflies, one of the most familiar in the Midwest, only eat leaves and lay their eggs on Asclepias plants, such as Butterfly Weed & Milkweed. As RoundUp-ready corn and beans have become more prevalent, the populations of these plants have decreased because of all the spraying of herbicides, in turn causing a decline in the amount of Monarch Butterflies in our area.

Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is an excellent garden plant that loves a sunny area and is easy to grow. It has showy bright orange blooms in June & July. Garden-friendly varieties of Swamp Milkweed include Asclepias incarnata ‘Cinderella’ (pink) or ‘Ice Ballet’ (white). They do not spread, as you might expect, and combine well with perennials like Coreopsis, Aster, and ornamental grasses.

If you’re interested in learning more about Monarchs, The University of Kansas has been doing fascinating research on the life cycle of Monarch Butterflies, and recommends other ways to get involved with conservation at www.monarchwatch.org

Published September 1, 2011.
Tags: , , , , , ,
Categories: From the Garden Shop, You Might Find Interesting

Planting Garlic in Fall

GarlicIf you haven’t started fall planting in your veggie garden yet, there is still time. Many crops can be repeat grown in Illinois’ climate, such as beets & broccoli. We’ve planted a few new crops in the last month, but my favorite is yet to come- Garlic! Mid to late September is the best time in Northern Illinois to plant garlic bulbs for the following spring.

Garlic is purchased as a bulb, and separated into cloves for planting. Plant the cloves about 1-2 inches below the soil, and approx. 4-6 inches apart. Each clove will grow into a bulb to be harvested the following year in late spring-early summer. As the bulbs are rooting and growing they’ll sprout green blades above the surface of the soil that rise about a foot. The blades can be left, or harvested for cooking. I have a friend that makes a tasty garlic pesto out of them each year.

When you harvest the bulbs, shake off the soil, but don’t wash them. They need to be left in a cool dark spot to cure for a couple of weeks. After that time, I put them in a paper bag in the pantry, and pull them out when I need them. This year, they were perfect when I was ready to make pickles with the abundance of cucumbers from my garden. I threw some freshly harvested jalepenos in the jars, too….. I’ll let you know how they turn out.

For more  info on planting garlic, refer to the U of I Extension Office http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state/newsdetail.cfm?NewsID=7833

Happy Gardening!

Published August 25, 2011.

Categories: You Might Find Interesting

Japanese Beetles

My kids have the habit of bug hunting while we’re taking walks. I find myself frequently stopping as the kids follow a trail of ants, or point out a spider. I don’t mind, and I always remind them to be gentle with the critters they discover.

About a month ago, my daughter suddenly exclaimed, “Mom, look at this most beautiful bug I found!” I strolled over to see her pointing at a Japanese beetle with her stick. It’s iridescent back was full of colors, and it’s emerald green hood sparkled in the sun.  I could feel the blood start to rush to my head as I instantly remembered all the jars I have filled with those insects as I plucked them out of my beloved garden and into soapy water.

“Yes”, was my reply, “but this is one bug that you can kill.”

Japanese Beetles have been in my yard for the last 4 years, and they are most likely in yours. They feed on the leaves, flowers, and fruit of over 276 kinds of plants, and to make matters worse, they deposit their eggs in the soil below. So, if you have them one year, you’ll have them the next.

We have a couple products to control these chewing insects. One is Milky Spore, a powder applied a couple of times a year that builds in the soil and kills the grubs that turn into adult beetles. The other product is Bayer Tree and Shrub Protector. This one is also applied to the soil, but it is a systemic, meaning the plant soaks it up into it’s system, and when the insects eat the leaves, they die from it. It also contains a fertilizer to help restore any damage the Japanese Beetles have caused. This one, of course, wouldn’t be recommended for fruit or vegetable plants.

I already started applying the Milky Spore this spring, and I’ll be taking home the Bayer product today to make sure I save my plants!

As with all plant disease or insect problems, your local University Extension Office is a good resource http://urbanext.illinois.edu/bugreview/japanesebeetle.cfm

 

Published August 2, 2011.
Tags: , , ,
Categories: You Might Find Interesting

Design Day

Do you have a problem spot in your garden or landscape? Or an area where you just can’t decide what to plant?  On Saturday, August 13th we’re having Design Day! Sign up for a 30 min. session with a designer; time slots begin at 11am and fill up fast, so call to register at 815.895.3737, FREE

Stay for lunch at the grill and events the rest of the afternoon!

Lunch at the Grill $2

1pm- Walk and Talk with Joel- Stroll through the gardens with Joel and learn about what’s going on and blooming at this time of year. Bring your gardening questions! FREE

3pm- Crafts & Cocktails, Cement Leaf Painting. We’ve created cement leaf impressions by hand that need to be painted and given a home (or garden). Reserve one, 815.895.3737, $34

Hand Made

Published July 28, 2011.
Tags: , , , ,
Categories: Blumen Events