Message Board

Pink Diamond Hydrangea Tree

Carol — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:12:47 GMT

I have a beautiful Pink Diamond Hydrangea tree but it seems it attracts literally hundreds of flies all day long/all summer long.

Does anyone know why this occurs and what can be done to discourage the flies???

Many thanks.

Forum: Trees and Shrubs

Pink Diamond Hydrangea Attracts Flies

Carol — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 11:15:48 GMT

Forum: Annuals, Perennials and Flowers

How do I figure out what I have?

Bon — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:42:44 GMT

We just purchased 40 acres in Norther WI. I have lots and lots of plants. How do I go about figuring out what they are. I know we have black walnut trees, 11 apples trees, a crabapple, blackberries, blueberries, rasperries, strawberries, but beyond that I do not know. I have bushes that are 7 feet tall and beautiful but I do not know what they are. I was told that there are sugar maple but I do not know how to tell them from the other maples. I have silver maple. Weeping willows, oak trees, aspen, white birch several pines, I think with a book I will be able to figure out the pines. There is one that looks like a pine, short needles, but very, very soft. What is it? I have tried looking at some books but I guess that I have to be there in the spring. We do not live there yet, only there occasionally. Not often enough but whenever we can. Any suggestion would be helpful. Is there a really good book? My sister suggested taking the apples and leaves to a nursery, great idea, but for the rest of the stuff that is a lot of leaves and nursery trips. I have a lot of time to learn. Any suggetions?

Forum: Trees and Shrubs

Hot Topic - To Coddle Or Not To Coddle Tender Plants

Moderator — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 18:32:00 GMT

November's Hot Topic:

To Coddle Or Not To Coddle Tender Plants -

What's Your Degree Of TLC?

Every region in the North has a long list of tender or "out-of-zone" plants that aren't supposed to grow there and yet are offered by the local garden centers, and every region also has an abundance of gardeners who insist on growing these plants in their gardens. Tender plants are called tender plants for a reason - they aren't likely to survive in cold climates, at least not without significant human intervention. But wouldn't they just look fantastic in that little corner of your garden?

Now savvy gardeners know that they can coax many tender shrubs, vines, perennials, bulbs, and even trees through a northern winter by heaping on the protection. Tender evergreens can be sheltered from the sun and wind with burlap screens. Out-of-zone perennials and low-growing shrubs can be mulched with straw or fallen leaves. Tea roses can be protected with rose cones or other trickeries, and even small trees can be protected with some rather elaborate structures.

But it takes a lot of work to put the "garden babies" to sleep in winter, and then to recover them in spring so they can resume their growth once again. And despite best efforts and intentions, no amount of coddling is a guarantee that they will make it through the winter alive. So is it worth the effort in the end? Some gardeners can't be bothered with babying fickle plants, while others are content "throwing them to the wolves" and seeing what happens. On the other hand, many gardeners pride themselves on their abilities to pull the most unlikely candidates through winters that by all rights should have terminated their time on this earth.

Where you do sit in this debate? This month, we've invited a great friend and fellow Northscaper Akeimou from Calgary to go head-to-head with Jim on this topic. See what they have to say, and then add your thoughts to the discussion!

Jim Says...

I have a "tough love" policy with any so-called "tender" plants. For the most part, they live or they die by their own frailties in my garden. I take this position for a couple of reasons. For one, I am not so passionate about gardening that I obsess over the survival of each and every plant in my yard - that just sets one up for certain failure. For another, I won't discover any "diamonds in the rough" by coddling them - I want to know if you're hardy here or not! Some live, some die, but at least I know the truth. Seriously, I can handle the truth!

Now I have to admit, the above diatribe isn't always the case. I go to great measures to make sure I give the azaleas, grapes and wintercreepers as sheltered a location as I have available at planting time, along with their optimal soil and sunlight conditions. I know my microclimates, and I take full advantage of them. The young trees get plastic spiral wrap each winter, and I threaten the rabbits with promises of hasenpfeffer (although usually to no avail). I've even been known to throw a few shovels of snow over the Red Prince weigela, and the barberries always benefit from being in the path of the snowblower.

But I consider myself to be on the right side of the fine line between coddling and simply being a smart gardener. Besides, it makes almost no difference to my trees, and yet the ginkgo, honeylocust and Amur maackia persist. Heck, that's how I discovered that I'm growing a perfectly hardy strain of Chinese catalpa! Does that make me a "mad scientist"? Meh, who cares...

Akeimou Says...

How come coddling doesn't sound as fun as cuddling? That's because it's not! Cuddling is a give-and-take process whereby each party contributes equally into the activity, while in coddling you'd be the one out there doing the work in the (brrrrrr) cold wind-chilled day, planting burlap screens and teepees, extricating vines from their supports and laying and covering them on the ground, digging up bulbs and rhizomes for safekeeping indoors over winter, and all other such measures one takes to protect tender plants. Meanwhile these pampered plants just stand there with arms akimbo, slowly but surely turning into brats, whining and winterburning at the slightest discomfort. Or they throw a tantrum and stubbornly hold their breath so that they fail to come back up in spring. Yes, that's what tender plants do; they usually live up to their reputation if they don't get coddled!

But I am as stubborn as they are, if not more. I refuse to partake in such a one-sided affair of coddling tender plants, to be taken advantage of every year, and during the harsh winter weather at that. Therefore, I practice the art of "coddle avoidance". Here are some pointers I'd like to share with one and all;

- If possible, plant in areas of the yard that are already protected by existing trees and shrubs; take advantage of more permanent, naturally occurring shelters.

- When you see tea roses in beautiful bloom at the garden centers, stop, then slowly walk backwards away from them, turn around, and run for your life! What I'm saying is that some tender plants should just be avoided altogether.

- Buy tender plants at the end of the garden season when prices are 75% off. If they don't survive, then it's not such a big loss.

- Let them try and adapt to their surroundings on their own. Some plants have the potential to be tough and are only as tender as we make them!

- Let leaves fall where they may, and stay where they fall. How's that for automatic mulching?

- Try container gardening with tender plants. The pot and all can be moved to overwinter in a cold garage or greenhouse.

- If you can, wait a year or two before acquiring a tender plant. Chances are that you will have lost interest in it, found a viable alternative, or the plant people will have created a hardier variety by then!

Well, I say give it some thought, then take the coddling out and put the cuddling in this winter!

What Do YOU Say?

Post your replies to this thread and BE HEARD!

Forum: Gardener's Edge

hydrangea cuttings

Heather — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:56:19 GMT

I am thinking of trying to propagate some hydrangeas over the winter by taking a few cuttings and using an ott natural daylight type of light. I am wondering if anyone has any experience with this and if the timing will work given it is Oct. 31st. I have been reading up on it and it would seem spring is best to do the cuttings...but would still like to try it anyways. Any thoughts on the matter would be appreciated. I am in Ontario Canada...18C today!

Forum: Annuals, Perennials and Flowers

Gardening on a boat

Dishy — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:39:34 GMT

I have a very large boat on which I live. In the winter, it is in Mexico (some times for years) At other times I sail up to enjoy the northern summer.

As it is moored for most of the summer, I am interested, as weird it may sound, in doing some "boatscaping", if you will.

I am thinking of smaller blooming shrubs, perhaps perennials and of course geraniums. I also have lots of empty bottles. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I could use these in a "boatscape"?

Forum: Annuals, Perennials and Flowers

Is itoo late to plant daffodils?

Zareeda — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:15:43 GMT

I'm in zone 3 Wpg. I have a nice little microclimate going in my south facing yard. I'd like to take advantage of the 50% sales on pink daffodils (Chromacolour, Replete). Is it too late to plant daffodils? Haven't had a hard frost yet...still have some annuals blooming @ Oct 24.

Also, if we get unexpected snow before planting, how do I overwinter these bulbs properly indoors?

Forum: Annuals, Perennials and Flowers

Trees and plants photo sharing.

Ryan H — Thur, 23 Oct 2008 13:50:35 GMT

I wasn't sure which thread to put this under so I just started a new one.

I thought I would follow the lead of some of the other folks and share some interesting photos of trees and plants I've taken. Most of the photos are taken in Minnesota, both zone 3 and 4. I've tried to indicate where the photo was taken and leave a little commentary under description. Some of the photos are much better when viewed at full size. I have some more great photos I took recently I took at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, but I'm at my limit for uploading this month, so I'll share more in November.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31111202@N06/

Forum: Trees and Shrubs

Overgrown cedar

Daryl — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 20:05:16 GMT

We're going to be removing an overgrown 8-9 foot tall globe cedar (Thjua spp.) next spring. It's right up against the house on the north side, so it seems pretty strong and healthy. Any idea how deep/shallow and widespread the roots might be? I'm just wondering how much of a struggle it's going to be to take it out.

Forum: Trees and Shrubs

Cantilever Window/Flower Bed problem

Lisa — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:49:01 GMT

I have a problem. Aside from having a small sloping front yard, I have a flower bed in front of a cantilever window. For the first summer in our house I was continually trying to weed under the cantilever while trying not to destroy my flowers (and bump my head). The next summer I put some rocks down under the window so I wouldn't have to worry (as much) about the weeds. But the real problem now is that due to the slope in our yard, the soil washes off one side of the bed and the water accumulates there. So we have decided next summer to use some paving stones to level out and build up the bed. BUT what do we do under the window? We can't leave it the way it is since we will be building the bed up. Anyone have a similar problem and an ingenious solution?

Forum: Outdoor Living, Style And Design

Non Blooming Honeysuckle Shrub

Bud — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 18:55:08 GMT

I have a very healthy 4 year old Honeysuckle Shrub that has never bloomed, but has leaves each year. I must admit that I have never fertilized or trimmed back in that time. Any suggestions as to what I have been doing wrong, and what I should be doing in the future to be getting blooms in the future. Thank-you. Bud1 Georgetown Ontario

Forum: Trees and Shrubs

Are bunnies going to eat my trembling aspen?

kim — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:14:23 GMT

We planted five along our back fence. Do I have to cover them with that plastic wrap stuff, or will the bunnies leave them alone? We also planted a bunch of shrubs - double flowering plums, nanking cherries, ninebark, elderberry, roses, and some cedars. Will they be safe over the winter from those pesky varmins who already ate all my perenials?

Forum: Insect Pests and Diseases

New northern pin oak planted

Nate — Thur, 16 Oct 2008 23:58:58 GMT

Hey everyone:

This is specifically for Jim, but if anyone else has good comments than they would be greatly appreciated. I just bought a new northern pin oak to plant in my folks front yard. Its in the ground and has already shed its fall leaves. Is it necessary to take any hardiness measures to protect it, or do you think the northern pin oak should fair alright? I know you've had one for awhile Jim. I was thinking of just mulching the base to cover where to roots are. Anything else I should need to do? Thanks for any help!

Forum: Trees and Shrubs

Oak tree flowers yet no acorns

Cyn — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:38:34 GMT

Hello, I was lucky enough to just stumble upon this website, and have been enjoying the information here! I am looking for a possible solution to a problem my oak tree seems to have! It is at least 40 years old, and for the last 10, has been blossoming every spring, just covered! But alas, never an acorn appears! I am wondering if this tree is sterile? I did not think oak trees needed two to pollinate? Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated!
I am in Nova Scotia, and Zone 4. Tree is very healthy and vibrant.

Forum: Trees and Shrubs

Bigtooth Maple/Rocky Mountain Glow Maple

Ryan H — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 05:57:12 GMT

Some of the discussions on here really gets my mind going. Since every one likes maples and brilliant fall colors, especially right now (me too!), and there are some adventurous people always wanting to push the limits, and since pH in the prairie provinces seems like a big issue. How about Acer grandidentatum? Has anyone tried growing this? It is closely related to sugar maple, some even call it a subspecies. It is native to the inland northwest of the U.S. As far north as southeast Idaho and Southwest Montana. Some sources call it zone 5 (to be safe based on its native range), but it probably z4 hardy (possibly more), and of course provenance may play into hardiness. The kicker, its very tolerant of alkaline soil conditions and will grow in really tough sites (unlike sugar maple), and has excellent fall color. I think its worth a shot. If anyone has experience with this let me know!

Forum: Trees and Shrubs