Michigan Gardener - June 2021 by Michigan Gardener

June 2021

MichiganGardener.com

Your guide to Great Lakes gardening

Celebrating 25 Years

NEW PLANTS

New Perennials for 2021 Feature Task Growing tomatoes

How-To Build a rain garden, Part 2

Perennials Salvia

Garden to Table Quick pickling

Please thank our advertisers in this issue

Health Care: For your Trees & Shrubs Our team of ISA Certified Arborists uses organic and the best products, and applies them in a careful manner so bees & butterflies are not harmed, while still providing effective results beyond what our competition is doing for you now. We use advanced science to responsibly enrich your landscape. Some of our services: • Deep-root feeding using Organic Seaweed Kelp & Mycorrhizae • Tree injections • Tree & shrub disease and insect control • Disease and insect sprays applied carefully and cleanly • Fruit reduction & growth regulators: reduce maintenance and pruning

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Plants for Pollinators English Gardens has everything you need to create a garden paradise.

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Michigan Gardener | June 2021 | MichiganGardener.com

From roses to perennials to annuals and beyond, we truly are a summer gardener’s paradise. Come in for a visit and let us make your season really bloom.

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Garden Wisdom I am obsessed with the anatomy of gardens. I want to know what is going on. What is making it work or not? —Michael McCoy

To-Do List........................................................6 Ask MG............................................................8 Vegetable Patch..........................................10 Books for the Michigan Gardener.......12 New Perennials for 2021.........................16 Profile: A lovely mixed garden..................26 Weather Wrap...........................................37

June is National Rose Month. Telly’s has cultivated a reputation for offering the finest collection of high quality roses available anywhere. We offer a selection of roses that everyone, even the most casual gardener, can grow and enjoy. Telly’s has added 20+ new varieties to our collection of own-root, disease-resistant, hardy roses, including the Easy Elegance Collection. We invite you to stop in and see these beautiful new roses!

Playful Happy Trails (Groundcover) Red flowers with yellow centers. Blooms in clusters with good repeat throughout season. Vigorous low grower.

Where to pick up Michigan Gardener.....................................45 Garden to Table..........................................46 Places to Grow.......................................... 48 How to build a rain garden.....Back cover

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Photo: Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener

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Contributors Brian Allnutt Neil/Ruth Atzinger Karen Bovio Cheryl English Emaline Fronckowiak Mary Gerstenberger Julia Hofley Rosann Kovalcik Beverly Moss George Papadelis Roxanne Riggs David L. Roberts Jim Slezinski Lisa Steinkopf Steve Turner Emily Wilson

30747 Greenfield Rd., Suite 1 Southfield, MI 48076 Phone: 248-594-5563 Fax: 248-594-5564 E-mail: publisher@MichiganGardener.com Website: www.MichiganGardener.com Publishing schedule 5 issues per year: April, May, June, July/Aug, Sept/Oct. Published the first week of the month. Back issues Back issues are available to read for free on our website. Go to www.MichiganGardener.com and click on “Digital Edition.” Copyright © 2021 Michigan Gardener. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or used in any form without the expressed, written permission of the publisher. Neither the advertiser nor the publisher will be responsible for misinformation, typographical errors, omissions, etc. contained herein. Michigan Gardener is published by Motor City Publishing, Inc.

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Annuals • Mulch newly planted annuals in the ground to preserve soil moisture and prevent weed growth. • If your annuals are leggy, lightly pinch off the growing tips to encourage bushiness. • Check the soil in hanging baskets daily for dryness.

Bulbs: Summer-Flowering • Plant a few extra bulbs in the garden so you have enough to enjoy indoors later in the year. Dahlias, lilies and gladioli are great cut flowers.

Evergreens • Once the flush of evergreens’ new growth has hardened off, prune hedges, like boxwood, yews and arborvitae. It is also a good time to prune and shape topiaries, like poodles, pompoms and spiral forms.

Fruits • Want to grow apples, but don’t have room for two trees? Try a couple columnar apples that only grow 2 to 3 feet wide and produce plenty of apples to eat. You need at least two different varieties that will pollinate each other. • Use a fruit tree spray to prevent disease and fungus. Sprays generally contain an insecticide and fungicide to take care of any problems that may arise. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for when to apply, based on your specific plant type.

Roses • Pull weeds around bushes and apply a layer of mulch. • As flowers fade, deadhead by cutting the

Feature Task: Grow a great crop of tomatoes Nothing tastes better than a fresh tomato, especially one that you’ve grown. They are very easy to grow—depending on the variety, tomatoes do great in hanging baskets, containers, or in the ground. Get creative depending on the space you have. Tomatoes grow best outside, in full sun. They need at least 6 to 8 hours of sun each day. Choose a location with rich, loamy soil. Add amendments as necessary. For sandy soil, add organic matter, such as compost or peat moss, to give it more texture and waterholding properties. To break up clay soil, add soil conditioner (pine bark fines). Plant in mid to late May when the temperatures are consistently above 55 degrees. The ground temperature should be at least 60 degrees. Tomatoes are warm-season vegetables. If the ground isn’t warm enough, the tomato plant just won’t perform. If you are planting in a container, use one stem back to a sturdy cane. • As once-blooming varieties finish their bloom, give them their annual pruning.

Houseplants • This is a good time of year to re-pot and prune any plants that have outgrown their containers. This will encourage healthy, strong growth. Use a pot that is just the next size up; otherwise the plant will spend its energy growing roots to fill the pot, rather than putting on top growth. • The danger of frost has passed. Move your

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at least 18 inches in diameter to give your plant room to grow. Use a potting mix specifically formulated for containers. Topsoil or garden soil is too heavy. When planting in the ground, use a garden soil or compost to add beneficial nutrients. Tomatoes can grow quite large, so be sure to plant them about three feet apart. Use one cup of starter fertilizer when planting to give the roots a healthy boost. Then apply fertilizer every two weeks until September. Tomatoes need to be planted deep. Roots will grow along the stem. The better the root system, the healthier the plant. And a healthy root system allows the tomato plant to obtain more water and nutrients from the soil. Plus, it provides stability. Tomatoes will need support while growing. A tomato cage keeps fruit off the ground, saves space, and makes harvesting easier. houseplants outside for the summer. Place them in a protected area, and out of direct sunlight. Monitor watering; it’s going to be different than when they are inside. Continue a monthly fertilizing schedule while the plants are actively growing.

Perennials

Install the cage while the plant is small, otherwise you risk breaking branches later. Monitor your plants’ water levels closely. The larger the plant, the more water it needs. Tomatoes in the ground need water 1 or 2 times per week. Plants grown in containers may need water daily. Water requirements will vary based on temperature and rainfall. Remove any weeds that crop up in the garden. These will compete with plants and can quickly overtake your beds if you’re not careful. Watch for pests or disease and treat problems as they arise. Talk to the experts at your local garden center for advice. There are so many varieties of tomatoes available to grow in your garden, from small cherry and grape tomatoes, to large beefsteak tomatoes perfect for sandwiches. Growing your own food is a great way to save money and get the entire family involved in gardening. a fragrant white flower in summer, has just as good fall color, holds its leaves until temperatures dip to around 10 degrees, has reddish stems in winter and tolerates shade. It’s a great choice.

Vegetables

• As bearded iris finish blooming, remove dead flower stalks. Divide and replant 3- to 4-year-old clumps. If any rhizomes have rotted, cut out and discard the affected portions. Then expose the freshly cut roots to direct sun for 3 to 4 days before replanting. • Cut back columbine, bachelor’s button, and spiderwort. • Start monitoring for Japanese beetle emergence in late June. They have a copperygreen sheen. A trap set far away from desirable plants is an option.

• Set out plants of pumpkin, squash, melon, celery, okra and pepper early in June. • Beets, chard and lettuce can still be sown up to the middle of June. Snap beans and carrots can be sown up to the end of June. Sow Belgian endive to produce roots for winter forcing. • Some vegetables need to be blanched for higher quality. Endive can be blanched by securing the outer leaves over the top of the plant. Leeks should be blanched by mounding soil up to six inches around the stems. • Fertilize crops which have high fertilizer demands, like corn, celery and kohlrabi.

Shrubs & Trees

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• Pruning can be done on azaleas and rhododendrons as soon as they finish blooming and up to a few weeks after. Cut just below the base of the flower. • Try new varieties: long-blooming hydrangeas and shrub roses; ninebarks with fantastic leaf color; and weigelas with blooms and beautiful leaves. When selecting shrubs, be choosy and make sure the shrub does more than just give you two weeks of color. For example, the old standard burning bush is green and colors up for a little while in the fall. But a less common shrub, Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) blooms

• Divide floaters and marginal plants that are overgrown. • Since the danger of frost has passed, reintroduce tender floaters to your pond. • As water temperatures increase, slowly increase fish food to normal levels. Do not allow food to remain on the surface for more than 3 to 5 minutes. • Begin feeding deep-water plants at 3-week intervals with slow-release tablets. Provided by the professionals at English Gardens.

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Have a question? Send it in! Go to MichiganGardener.com and click on “Submit a question”

Hydrangeas no longer bloom My 20-year-old hydrangeas used to get beautiful flowers. For the last couple years however, the five shrubs have not bloomed—just healthy green leaves. I have applied Miracid to fertilize them, but that did not help. The plants get morning sunshine and are watered every other day for ten minutes. Any advice? M.M., West Bloomfield Assuming these are ‘Annabelle’ hydrangeas (H. arborescens), two things may be happening here. First, these hydrangeas bloom on new wood. They set flower buds on this season’s growth during spring warm-up and summer. They need to be pruned in the fall or very early spring (March) when they are dormant. Cutting the shrubs back by half their height and removing 1/3 of the oldest canes keeps support in place for the new cane growth, which will be thin its first year. It reduces the need for staking. Cutting to the ground creates a lot of new growth that will need artificial support. Second, hydrangeas need potassium for good flowering, as do most blooming plants.

Miracid’s N-P-K ratio is 30 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphorus, and 10 percent potassium. The plants are likely getting too much nitrogen (leaves) and far less phosphorus (roots) and potassium (flowers). Check your pruning practices and your timing, and if those are in order, use sanitized manure blended into compost and work into the root zones of these venerable shrubs. At 20 years, they likely need amendment to the soil base, having depleted the natural nutrients. Choose a different granular fertilizer made for hydrangeas and acid-loving plants. Look for a balanced NPK ratio that is not so heavy on nitrogen. The amount of light and your watering frequency appear to be appropriate as they are growing, just not blooming.

Fountain grass late to emerge Last fall, I transplanted a few dozen clumps of fountain grass into my garden. Some were still tall and others had been cut down. This March, I cut down the grasses that were still tall. In mid-May, not one of the clumps had new blades. I dug a couple of them up and the roots seem healthy, and

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some of the bases of last year’s blades are green. Is there still hope that any of them might produce new growth this year? J.M., Ann Arbor Fountain grasses (Pennisetum) are lovely accents in our landscape. They come in several sizes, and provide that wonderfully relaxed prairie look to the yard. They are, however, “warm season” grasses, even though they are hardy to our Michigan zone 5. That means they need the soil considerably warmer than it is in mid-spring. They should start showing new growth around mid to late May. Your transplants may be slightly slower because they were moved. But pennisetums are naturally “late to get out of bed.” Often garden designers will use both pennisetums in conjunction with feather reed grasses (Calamagrostis). The feather reed grasses are “cool season” plants and will start showing new growth in early April. They are not bothered by chilly soil or nights under 40 degrees. Your pennisetums will likely start to grow more noticeably once the soil warms up above 50 degrees.

Using diatomaceous earth I avoid using pesticides to control insects and usually try companion planting in my vegetable garden. I have troubles with worms in my broccoli, carrots, kale and cabbage. I have some diatomaceous earth. Please explain how to safely use it. V.C., Hebron Twp. Diatomaceous earth causes insects to dry out and die by absorbing the oils and fats from the cuticle of the insect’s exoskeleton. Its sharp edges are abrasive, speeding up the process. Pests that crawl, like slugs and caterpillars, experience cuts to their torsos allowing the diatomaceous earth to enter and do its work. It remains effective as long as it is kept dry and undisturbed. Technically it is a “pesticide” since it does remove and deter pests like the ones eating your vegetables. It just happens to be naturally occurring. Diatomaceous earth is made from the fossilized remains of tiny, aquatic organisms called diatoms. Their skeletons are made of a natural substance called silica. Over a long period of time, diatoms accumulated in the sediment of rivers, streams, lakes, and oceans. Today, silica deposits are mined from these areas. Silica is very common in nature and makes up 26 percent of the Earth’s crust by weight. For specific instructions, always read the container label and follow the directions closely. The label is the law. Wear gloves and a mask to prevent inhaling any dust particles. You may need to reapply after a hard rain. Water your plants at the root zone and if possible, do soaker or drip line irrigation, to maximize the duration of the product.

Redtwig dogwoods are gray Why are my dogwood shrub stems all dingy gray? I thought they were supposed to be “red twig.” Your dogwoods are probably maturing and creating an outer bark layer, which looks gray and dingy. Only the newer growth (1 to 2 years old), provides the vibrant red twig we desire. The best thing to do is cut the dogwood shrub to the ground, or about 2 to 3 inches tall at the base. This can be done every spring while the plant is still dormant. Then it has a good growth season to make new branches that will be the bright red you desire. Sometimes in spring you can remove only those stems that are just starting to get that gray pebbly texture, if your dogwood has previously been cut to the ground to rejuvenate. Then you have some 1- and 2-year stems remaining to leaf out and feed the plant as it grows new stems.

Diagnosing boxwood blight I think my boxwoods have blight. Should I pull and destroy all of them? C.W., Clinton Twp. Boxwood blight is a fungal disease. The fungus is easily transported in the nursery industry and can be moved on infected plants that do not show any symptoms at the time of shipment as well as on shoots of infected boxwood greenery tucked into evergreen Christmas wreaths. The fungus that causes boxwood blight can infect all aboveground portions of the shrub. Symptoms begin as dark leaf spots that grow together, forming brown blotches. The undersides of infected leaves will show white spores, while long, dark cankers form on stems. The fungus follows periods of high humidity. Boxwood blight causes rapid defoliation, which usually starts on the lower branches and moves upward in the canopy. The pathogen does not attack roots, but the defoliation process makes larger plants unattractive and devalued. Before pulling out all your boxwoods, you should confirm that they are indeed inflicted with boxwood blight. Contact the MSU Extension and submit samples of the leaves and stems to show the conditions. Before submitting physical samples, MSU is requesting that digital pictures of the items be sent to: pestid@msu.edu before physically mailing samples to: MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics, 578 Wilson Road, CIPS 107, East Lansing, MI 48824. They charge a very nominal fee for diagnosis and can let you know the cost when you email pictures of the plant. Answers provided by Beverly Moss, owner of Garden Rhythms.

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et’s talk about cucumbers! Basically, also allow for straighter and cleaner fruits. there are two types to choose from: Cucumbers should be harvested regularly slicing and pickling. (which can be every day) and before they reach A slicing cucumber generally has a darker, full maturity. If the fruit is allowed to mature, somewhat thicker green skin, the flesh tends or turn yellow, the plant will have fulfilled its to be less firm than the pickling types, and purpose, causing it to wither and die. they average 7 to 8 inches or slightly more Be aware that, botanically speaking, there in length. “Marketmore 76” is listed in many are three types of cucumber vines. Some are catalogs and is considered one of the stanmonoecious (male and female flowers on the dards for slicing cucumbers. same vine), gynoecious (only female flowPickling cucumbers tend to have a lighter, ers on the vine, but still needing pollination thinner green skin, are blockier and shorter, from a male flower—seed packets will usually usually 3 to 5 inches in length, and have a include a few seeds from a variety providing firmer flesh than the slicing types. The MSU male flowers), and lastly, parthenocarpic Extension bulletin “Cucumber Pickles” sug(will not require pollination to produce fruit gests “Carolina” and “Bush Pickle” as a couand will be seedless if isolated from pollen). ple of varieties for pickling. Find the article Male flowers usually are produced before here: tinyurl.com/2c99n9yr. the female flowers come out, so don’t panic It is possible to use young slicing cucumif those first few flowers don’t develop anybers for pickling, and to eat pickling cucumthing. You can recognize a female flower by bers fresh, but you will notice a difference in the “mini” fruit directly behind the flower. flavor and texture. “Burpless” cucumbers are Bees are the main pollinators for cucumbers, slicing cucumbers bred to have little or no cuso be careful if you use anything in the garcurbitacin, the compound that can den for insect control. Poor pollinacause bitterness and the burping tion as well as poor soil conditions reaction in some people. Burpless can lead to poorly developed and types are generally longer, about 10 misshapen fruits. By the way, alinches or more, and have thinner though in the same general family skins than standard slicing cucumas melons and squash, cucumbers bers. will not cross-pollinate and even Many garden catalogs also list if they did, it would affect the seed Asian or specialty varieties. The not the fruit of this year’s plant. Asian varieties are long and tend A variety of insects may attack Mary to curl slightly, “Armenian” being cucumbers, so be sure to monitor Gerstenberger a good example. They have thin your plants for cucumber beetles, skins and tend to be sweet. Often which can damage or even kill small included in specialty listings are some of the plants, as well as spread bacterial wilt. Aphids heirloom varieties, such as “Lemon” cucumare another insect for which to be on the ber, which is yellow, round and about 3 inches lookout. There are also a number of diseases in size, with a somewhat citrusy flavor—well to which cucumbers are susceptible, such as worth trying in a salad. cucumber mosaic virus, downy mildew and powdery mildew. When selecting a cucumber How to grow cucumbers variety to grow, check the description to see All cucumbers are warm weather vegetawhat resistances they may have. For advice bles, having originated in India. They prefer on controlling insects in the garden or how a well-drained and fertile soil with a pH beto deal with plant diseases, you can call the tween 6 and 7. They require full sun, which is MSU Extension hotline at 888-678-3464 or 6 or more hours of direct sunlight. For good go to MSU Extension Ask-an-Expert at www. seed germination, soil temperature should be canr.msu.edu/outreach/ask-an-expert. at least 60 degrees F (preferably 70). Note that cucumbers are frost sensitive. Water requireMary Gerstenberger was the Consumer Horments are 1 to 1-1/2 inches per week, so be ticulture Coordinator at the Michigan State sure to provide adequate moisture during dry University Extension in Macomb County, MI. weather. For vegetable and gardening information from “Bush” type varieties of cucumber are availMSU, visit www.migarden.msu.edu. able and are great for container gardening, but most varieties are vining plants that may reach Call the toll-free Michigan State University 6 to 8 feet or more in length. To save space in Lawn and Garden Hotline at 888-678-3464 the garden, they can be trellised, which can for answers to your gardening questions.

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Gardening for Geeks: All the Science You Need for Successful Organic Gardening by Christy Wilhelmi In Gardening for Geeks (Companion House Books, 248 pages, $19.99) you will learn about creating your garden ecosystem, seeds, irrigation, pest control, and much more. A gateway into all things gardening—even small-space and urban gardens—this updated edition of the book is a great resource for anyone with a curiosity for the world of soil biology, botany, and horticulture. Besides the how-to basics on design and build, the book also goes in-depth into how plants work, how soil lives, how bugs help, and more. With plenty of geeky details, it is a comprehensive beginner’s guide to understanding the science behind your favorite hobby. The author explains the ecology of gardening in an easy style that will make you appreciate gardening even more than you did before. This new edition includes additional plant profiles, the latest research and terminology, and more photographs and illustrations.

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WHITMORE LAKE Abbott’s Landscape Nursery 2781 Scio Church Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103 734-665-8733 www.abbottsnursery.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-5:30, Sun 10-4. Turn-of-the-century farm—perfect setting for our unique nursery. Mike Abbott likes what gardeners like, both classic and new. Native, pollinator, rain garden, shade, ornamental plants. Specializing in Japanese maples and reliably-blooming hydrangeas. Also garden ornaments, fixtures, containers and more. Come see us—we stock plants you may be looking for and many that will surprise you.

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Dexter Mill 3515 Central St., Dexter, MI 48130 734-426-4621 www.dextermill.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat 8-5. Proud to sell quality gardening supplies, seasonal plants (including natives!), all natural non-GMO feeds, pet supplies, rugged clothing, and our own wild bird seed. Our products are made locally or in America whenever possible. We stand behind the products we sell and the services provided by our knowledgeable staff.

Downtown Home & Garden 210 S. Ashley St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104 734-662-8122 www.downtownhomeandgarden.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun 10-5. A century-old retailer focused on indoor and outdoor gardening supplies, outdoor veggie plant starts, annuals, perennials, and greenhouse plants. Outdoor furniture, kitchenware, sundries and hardware, K9 gear and treats, and hardy clothing for hardworking people. Drive-thru barn and on-site parking for patrons in the heart of Downtown Ann Arbor.

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Fraleighs Landscape Nursery 8600 Jackson Rd., Dexter, MI 48130 734-426-5067 www.fraleighs.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 10-5. Wide variety of perennials, shrubs, ornamental grasses, flowering ornamentals, native plants, shade trees, and evergreens. Expert staff to assist with your landscaping and horticultural questions. We source plants from Michigan growers whenever possible. We stock unusual items, but we really love selling plants that are reliable and functional, but never boring!

The Garden Mill 110 S. Main St., Chelsea, MI 48118 734-475-3539 www.thegardenmill.com May/June hours: Sun-Mon 12-5, Tue-Thu 10-5, Fri-Sat 10-6. An ever-changing variety of beautiful and functional products. Unique and hand-crafted artifacts for garden and home. Wrought iron and rustic garden features, eclectic wind chimes, fountains, classic garden sculptures, colorful plant containers, magical fairy garden supplies, birdhouses, feeders, and baths, seasonal seeds, hanging baskets, and bedding plants. facebook. com/TheGardenMillChelsea.

Hidden Lake Gardens 6214 Monroe Rd. (M-50), Tipton, MI 49287 517-431-2060 www.canr.msu.edu/hiddenlakegardens April-October hours: Tues-Sun 9-5 (confirm hours; may change due to pandemic) 755 acres. Don’t miss one of the finest collections of Dwarf and Rare Conifers—over 500 specimens. Hosta Hillside has over 800 varieties. Enjoy a leisurely drive through the Arboretum. See lush tropicals in the Conservatory. Serene outdoor displays in the Bonsai Courtyard. The Demonstration Garden shows attractive mixed plantings. Great hiking trails and dog-friendly, too!

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6275 Gotfredson Rd., Plymouth, MI 48170 734-455-5560 www.rock-shoppe.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat 9-1:45, Sun Closed. 12 acres showcasing hundreds of tons of rock, unique statuary, mulches, soils, and landscape materials. Vast selection of rock from quarries around the world, plus several unique rock types from North America. We provide free education on the correct installation of landscaping products we sell, ensuring your project will be successful.

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9600 Cherry Hill Rd., Ypsilanti, MI 48198 734-482-0771 www.margoliscompanies.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat 8-3, Sun Please call. Family owned and operated since 1926. From trees and shrubs to perennials and groundcovers to mulch and Unilock pavers. Our experienced staff will help with your plant selections. Our full-service landscaping company provides complete landscape design and installation, and has a reputation for quality and competitive prices.

7200 Willis Rd., Ypsilanti, MI 48197 734-484-3819 www.sellfarmsandgreenhouses.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-6. Online ordering and curbside pickup available, visit our website for details. Family-owned. Great selection of high quality Annuals, Perennials & non-GMO Vegetable plants at reasonable prices. Thousands of Hanging Baskets, Combination Planters, Geraniums & Proven Winners plants. One of the best selections of Perennials, Hydrangeas & Roses in the area.

7839 Curtis Rd., Northville, MI 48168 248-437-7219 www.willowgreenhouse.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-6, Sun 10-5. Full of beauty, free of pesticides—all our plants are grown pesticide-free! Buy direct from the grower. Thousands of Annuals, Perennials, Trees, Shrubs, Vegetables, Herbs, Houseplants, Hydrangeas, Proven Winners, Wave Petunias, Heirloom Tomatoes, and much more. New: now offering full landscaping services. Like us on Facebook! To advertise in Destinations, email Publisher@MichiganGardener.com or call Eric at 248-594-5563

Stone Cottage Gardens Huge selection of perennials & daylilies High quality tools / Cocoa shell mulch Organic garden amendments & animal repellents Help for your gardening questions & concerns

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Michigan Gardener | June 2021 | MichiganGardener.com

Julia Hofley

Many Michigan gardeners visit garden centers in spring and summer looking for new plants to add to their perennial collections, beds and borders. This article is just a sampling of what is new this year from hundreds of introductions. Like you, we look forward to growing and learning more about these exciting, new perennials.

Ajuga: Feathered Friends From Michigan’s own Chris Hansen of Garden Solutions, creator of SunSparkler sedums and Chick Charms hens and chicks, comes his new Feathered Friends ajuga series, available in revolutionary new colors. Chris is spot on with the worldwide trend for plants that create a living mulch, and all three of his series fit the bill in different sunlight levels, situations and styles. Lucky for us, all are hardy to the mitten state, so we Michiganders can have some well-deserved fun playing with these new groundcovers. Feathered Friends ajugas are versatile, with colorful leaves and cobalt blue flowers that are pollinator-friendly for bees and hummingbirds. They are very durable and low-maintenance, have good erosion control, and are serious weed suppressors. Consider your property’s trees and shrubs, foundation plantings, specimen trees, or hedges; ajugas will make a handsome carpet beneath them. Plus, these ajugas planted around tree trunks will help keep lawn mowers and weed whackers away from vulnerable root flares. This new series has all the attributes that make a great groundcover. They are available in both small-leaf and broadleaf foliage in a plethora of colors to suit the situation and your taste. Think of a garden makeover that gives you a fresh look with new “flooring” that compliments or contrasts plants you already have. Ajugas are movers and shakers, so consider placement carefully, as some can overtake other perennials. Give them room to roam in borders, rock gardens, and the landscape. The biggest news is that Feathered Friends introduces some first-of-their-kind breakthrough colors that are all the buzz by esteemed horticulturists, plant producers, and landscape designers. There are seven plants in the series, including the world’s first gold/chartreuse-colored ajugas. They will truly brighten a landscape from below, helping to show plants above Fancy Finch

Photos: Garden Solutions

Tropical Toucan

Cordial Canary

them to their best advantage.

Broad leaves Tropical Toucan: First gold/chartreuse large-leaved ajuga; textured foliage with red stems. Fierce Falcon: Nearly black, textured leaves. Parrot Paradise: Gorgeous textured tricolors of yellow, orange and russet-red hues (my personal fave!).

Small leaves Cordial Canary: First gold/chartreuse foliage version of ajuga ‘Chocolate Chip.’ Noble Nightingale: Glossy, dark purple leaves. Fancy Finch: First-of-its-kind color combination. Dramatic, tri-colored ajuga with bronzy tones of bright yellow, orange and red when planted in a little shade. When planted in more sun, it will lean toward orange shades. Petite Parakeet: Buff/golden leaves with orange central veins. Height: 4 inches. Width: 18 inches or more. Light: Shade to morning sun is best. Zone: 4. NEW PERENNIALS continued on page 18

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continued from page 16

Carex:

Bunny Blue We found this sedge last year at a garden center and it was love at first sight. We’d heard of Bunny Blue, an attractive blue-foliage selection, but this was the first time we’d seen it in person. This species (Carex laxiculmis) is a handsome American native sedge that can be found in moist woods from Canada south to Florida. Sedges make wonderful groundcovers in the woodland garden and even can be considered a living mulch. Bunny Blue can be used like a hakone grass, but instead of being wispy and graceful, it’s a stately true blue-colored clump that makes a slowly spreading evergreen grass. Planted in drifts, it looks both sophisticated and natural, blending with woodsy companions like astilbe, ferns and hellebores. Also like hakone grass, Bunny Blue is attractive as a low-growing edger along a path or around a pond. Contemporary homes in a shady setting would benefit from this blue sedge as a strikingly modern, mass groundcover planting. It is said to be deer resistant; so far in our garden it has been, but time will tell. Height: 6-14 inches. Width: 12-36 inches. Light: Part shade to deep shade. Zone: 4.

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Vernonia: ’Summer’s Swan Song’

Chicagoland Grows

From the trial gardens of the Chicago Botanic Garden and the breeding work and evaluation by Dr. Jim Ault comes a new selection of ironweed (Vernonia). ’Summer’s Swan Song’ is similar to the vernonia ‘Iron Butterfly’ in adaptability and bushiness, with fine-textured, olive-green foliage up to five inches long—kind of like Arkansas blue star (Amsonia hubrichtii). While ‘Summer’s Swan Song’ grows somewhat larger than ‘Iron Butterfly,’ it avoids lodging (the tendency to flatten downward toward the ground) due to the elongated and interlocking branches that hold the stems together. These stems turn red when placed in full sun. This vigorous native hybrid has purple

flowers that attract all types of pollinators including bees, moths and monarch butterflies. The profuse early fall display of large, nectar-rich flowers lasts for 5 to 6 weeks in September and into October. It is adaptable to both moist, well-drained sites as well as dry soils, and has excellent resistance to rust and powdery mildew. ‘Summer’s Swan Song’ will end the season beautifully in borders, pollinator or rain gardens, and even lakesides (with good drainage). Height: 36 inches. Width: 40 inches. Light: Full sun to part sun. Zone: 5. NEW PERENNIALS continued on page 20

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Michigan Gardener | June 2021 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from page 18 Bergenia is one of my all-time favorite plants for our high dappled-shade hillside garden. When a new one comes down the plant pike, my radar goes up to add to the collection of the many I’ve found through the years. Dr. Allan Armitage brought to gardeners’ attention that if you rub the leaves between your fingers, bergenia sounds like a pig squeaking. Hence the old nickname “pigsqueak” for this super cool perennial. If you are looking for elevated drama in your shade garden, ‘Miss Piggy’ has all the bells and whistles. In early to mid spring, a stunning display of bright pink flowers tops the thick, dark green, glossy leaves. Additional attributes include more consistent pink flower color, a large canopy of foliage, and broader, more substantial leaves than other bergenias. The leaves are so handsome, ‘Miss Piggy’ will make a terrific foliage plant after the blooms are finished, bringing something more to the garden than just gorgeous flowers. With medium height, this upright plant is very easy to grow. We apply shredded leaves to the soil where our bergenias grow. Plant them in rich, moisture-retentive soil with good drainage. Bergenias grow best in part shade, but will grow in any sun exposure. Use ‘Miss Piggy’ in a border, as edging, or as a groundcover. Bees and butterflies will also appreciate it as a delightful new addition to your shade garden.

www.PerennialResource.com

Height: 16-18 inches. Width: 28-32 inches. Light: Part shade to shade. Zone: 4.

Phlox: Luminary ‘Opalescence’ I’m reminded why we collect garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) when friends stop by during the summer to see the long border. They go crazy over the broad range of cultivars represented by this genus and the romantic scent that sweeps over them and all their senses. Plus, the high “buzz” factor represented by pollinator activity led one person to exclaim, “I’m walking through a butterfly ballet!” Luminary ‘Opalescence’ has light blush pink flowers with dark pink eyes on large panicles that give it a bicolor look atop dark green leaves. Over several years of evaluation, this plant was specifically selected because it was one of the very best cultivars that demonstrated consistently better resistance to powdery mildew. Garden phlox have early, mid and late varieties to keep the show going and the pollinators happy most of the summer. Luminary ‘Opalescence’ starts blooming in midsum-

mer and finishes in late summer with regular deadheading. I especially love garden phlox for cutting and making bouquets to bring their beauty and scent indoors. The large, fragrant flowers of ‘Opalescence’ deliver the goods. Native to North America, garden phlox grow best in full sun and soil that is consistently moist, well-drained, and fertilized regularly. Good air circulation helps (avoid planting against a fence or wall), as does mulch around the base that helps to keep their soil from drying out. This tall perennial is also available in Luminary ‘Ultraviolet,’ which is truly luminescent in the deep magenta color of an old favorite phlox named ’Nicky,’ but with better resistance to powdery mildew. Height: 30-32 inches. Width: 24-28 inches. Light: Full sun to part sun. Zone: 3. NEW PERENNIALS continued on page 22

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continued from page 20

Alpine Wood Fern: Jurassic Gold This alpine wood fern (Dryopteris wallichiana) hails to us from the U.K., where it was found by a nurseryman near England’s Jurassic Coast. In 2001 this coastline was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for the outstanding value of its rocks, fossils and landforms. It remains England’s only natural World Heritage Site. In spring, this fern’s brilliant new growth starts out in a unique, golden orange tone. It then turns a bright golden yellow, transitioning to green for the rest of the summer. It sounds similar to the autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora), but when the two are compared, the new shoots of Jurassic Gold are bigger, bolder and richer in color. Jurassic Gold won a People’s Choice award at the 2020 Farwest Trade Show in Oregon. For years, I’ve been collecting ferns for our hillside garden situated in high dappled light under the mighty oaks. I cannot wait to try this recently found treasure. New ferns don’t come along that often, so this is exciting news for shade gardeners. The eye-catching fronds of Jurassic Gold mixed into shady woodland gardens will make a handsome companion plant to hostas, bergenias, hellebores, and other shade plants, bringing more texture, dimension and brightness to existing collections. Dryopteris are low maintenance evergreen ferns that prefer humus-rich, moist soil. Deer and rabbits tend to avoid ferns. Wait to cut them back until early spring, before new fronds emerge. Height: 24 inches. Width: 18 inches. Light: Shade to part shade. Zone: 5/6.

Concept Plants

Aster: ‘Pink Crush’

www.PerennialResource.com

Fall wouldn’t be fall without asters in our garden, as they put the bang in the fall finale. They quietly live their green life all summer long as a supporting player to the color show happening around them in beds and borders, patiently waiting their turn to steal the show. Personally, I feel you cannot have too many asters—I cherish our autumn garden for its uniqueness from the other seasons. Plus, I know what’s coming down the pike in terms of weather. I’m not alone in my aster love— bees and butterflies flock to them for a late season food source. The New England aster ‘Pink Crush’ (Aster novae-angliae) would be considered “early,” since it blooms in September and brings refinement to fall-blooming asters by standing

up without “lodging” (bending over nearly to the ground), which can be an annoying trait of some fall asters. It produces a large, very round mound with densely packed, rose pink flowers above dark green foliage. In this plant series, ‘Grape Crush’ is also available, which is taller. Asters are native to North America, easy to grow, and versatile wherever you plant them. They look great in a prairie garden, rain garden, border, cut flower garden, or a fall combination planter on a patio. Height: 20-24 inches. Width: 34-38 inches. Light: Full sun. Zone: 3. NEW PERENNIALS continued on page 24

Brohl’s Greenhouse 19780 25 Mile Rd., Macomb, MI 48042 586-781-6842 Find us on Facebook May/June hours: Mon-Sat 8:30-7, Sun 9-6. Family owned and operated since 1966. Very reasonable prices for top quality plants. The Brohl family offers annuals, baskets, combo pots, tropicals, perennials, and vegetable plants. Convenient shopping under covered greenhouses. Plus, fall mums and Christmas poinsettias, wreaths, roping, and holiday decor. Only at Brohl’s Greenhouse—Come check us out!

Meldrum Brothers Nursery & Supply 29500 23 Mile Rd., New Baltimore, MI 48047 586-949-9220 www.meldrumbros.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 8-7, Sun 10-5. Huge selection of plants, bulk and bagged materials, decorative stone, Fendt and Oaks paver bricks and wall stones, garden decor, fairy gardening supplies, Traeger grills, fountains, and statuary. Organic and traditional lawn and plant care products including fertilizers, soils, mulches. We pride ourselves on offering the best service and advice. Visit meldrumbros.com for coupons and promotions.

Dale’s Landscaping Supply 16720 East 13 Mile Rd., Roseville, MI 48066 586-778-1919 www.daleslandscaping.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat 8-4 Finest selection of landscaping materials: mulch, soils and more. Michigan-made pavers and retaining walls from Fendt, High-Format, Oaks, and Unilock. Now carrying Techo-Bloc. Natural stone and boulder options: Michigan sandstone, exotic veneer stone, fieldstone boulders and flagstone. Full line of cement and masonry materials. Whether your project is big or small, come see us.

Telly’s Greenhouse 4343 24 Mile Rd., Shelby Twp, MI 48316 248-659-8555 www.tellys.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-8, Sun 10-5. We find and grow new, rare, and choice plants from the United States and around the world. You will see unique annuals, tropicals, and perennials that you are unlikely to find elsewhere. Our Shelby Township store is the newest addition to our original Troy location.

Eckert’s Greenhouse & Perennials 34051 Ryan Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310 586-264-5678 www.eckertsgreenhouse.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 8:30-8, Sun 8:30-6. From rare and unusual to preferred and popular: Annuals, Geraniums, Hanging Baskets, Flower Pouches, Patio Containers, Vegetables, Perennials, Hostas, Roses (David Austin English, hybrid tea, floribunda, shrub, climbing, grandiflora, tree, groundcover, miniature, rugosa), Clematis, Vines, Alpine Plants, Groundcovers, Butterfly Plants, Native Plants, Tropicals, Succulents. Visit our Monarch Waystation and hosta display gardens too!

Van Thomme’s Greenhouses 32385 23 Mile Rd., Chesterfield Twp., MI 48047 586-725-3708 www.vanthommesgreenhouses.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 8-8, Sun 9-5. Established in 1963. Huge variety of annuals, perennials, vegetables, and gorgeous hanging baskets. We carry Proven Winners. Big selection of organic vegetables, with over 65 varieties of tomatoes, many heirlooms. Lots of herbs too. Fall decor and hardy mums. Wrought iron plant stands, fertilizers, and complete gardening supplies.

Elya’s Village Gardens & Greenhouses 24200 26 Mile Rd., Macomb, MI 48042 586-749-9212 or 586-405-7592 May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-7, Sun 10-3. We do more than just sell you plants—our award-winning landscape designers will help you select the right plants for your home and garden. Annuals, perennials, many hosta varieties, trees and shrubs from top-quality Michigan growers. Family-owned garden center since 1966. Also full-service landscape installation.

English Gardens 44850 Garfield Rd., Clinton Township, MI 48038  586-286-6100 www.EnglishGardens.com May/June hours: Please visit our website. Founded in 1954, English Gardens is family- and locally-owned, operating six full-service stores and a full-service landscaping company in Metro Detroit. Each full-service store has a nursery, garden center, patio shop, and seasonal Christmas center featuring the best value and finest quality products and services. For more information: 800-335-GROW.

Van’s Valley Greenhouse

English Gardens 22501 Kelly Rd., Eastpointe, MI 48021 586-771-4200 www.EnglishGardens.com May/June hours: Please visit our website. Founded in 1954, English Gardens is family- and locally-owned, operating six full-service stores and a full-service landscaping company in Metro Detroit. Each full-service store has a nursery, garden center, patio shop, and seasonal Christmas center featuring the best value and finest quality products and services. For more information: 800-335-GROW.

74865 Van Dyke, Bruce Twp, MI 48065 586-752-6002 www.vansvalley.com May/June hours: 7 days a week, 8–7 Shop in an open air market! Just south of 35 Mile. Wide variety of annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetable plants, succulents, garden art, wreaths, fairy gardens and much more! One-of-a-kind hanging baskets and porch pots. Your pot or our pot: we will customize it and fill with our beautiful flowers. Can’t wait to see you!

To advertise in Destinations, email Publisher@MichiganGardener.com or call Eric at 248-594-5563

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Michigan Gardener | June 2021 | MichiganGardener.com

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Pulmonaria: ‘Lisa Marie’ When they discovered a new lungwort (Pulmonaria) in their northern Illinois garden, Brad and Lisa Grover thought they found something special and named it ‘Lisa Marie.’ Here in Michigan, we’ve grown it in dappled shade for two years and have observed it alongside other pulmonarias in our garden. It’s one of the earlier bloomers, with remarkably pretty flowers that begin a lighter pink, turning to a long-lasting raspberry shade. The large florets stand on long, sturdy flower stalks above the dark green leaves that grow 10 to 12 inches long with striking, consistent leaf markings from spring to fall. The cold freeze we had in April did not affect the blooms or leaves. Deer seem to avoid this plant, but bees searching for an early food source flock to it. If you’re looking for a shapely plant loaded with pink flowers in early to mid spring, while providing a stunning spotted groundcover as well, put ‘Lisa Marie’ on your list. Note: To learn more about pulmonarias, how to grow them, all the different varieties available, their history, and suitable companion plants, read Karen Bovio’s amazing “Perennials” article in the April 2021 issue of Michigan Gardener.

Height: 15-18 inches. Width: 18-24 inches. Light: Part shade to part sun. Zone: 4. Julia Hofley is a plant collector, freelance garden writer, speaker, and independent sales rep (E-mail: julia@juliasbiglife.com).

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Michigan Gardener | June 2021 | MichiganGardener.com

The Jarvey perennial garden is circular and radiates out from a bold purple jardiniere in the center.

A lovely mixed garden Sally and Jim Jarvey have carefully selected a wide range of plants, stone, containers, and decor in their well-balanced, beautifully mature garden

hen Sally and Jim Jarvey moved When the Jarveys started planning the to their property in 1975, it was a garden, they scoured the adjoining woods blank canvas. Since that time, they and found some small saplings to plant in have used plants as the medium to their bare garden. The white pine paint a beautiful garden on their onetrees that line the driveway were acre parcel in Wayne County. some of those small trees planted In its former life in the 1950s, the so many years ago. They also love property was an apple orchard and weeping trees, many of which are was farmed by the Detroit Departscattered throughout the property. ment of Corrections. Large numbers There are large weeping beech, of deer roam the garden now; maybe white pine, and larch, to name a they remember when their predefew. cessors could browse around for a As they planted trees, they soon Lisa Steinkopf good apple dinner. Now their palate discovered that by connecting the is satisfied with hostas, hydrangeas, trees together with landscape beds, and all types of perennials. The land can also their mowing chores became easier. Boulclaim that it was once used by the Ford Motor ders play a large part in making those beds. Company to trial their tractors. Doesn’t the text continued on page 28 history of a place add so much interest?

The front entrance to the Jarvey home is inviting with its picket fence and flowering hydrangeas.

MichiganGardener.com | June 2021 | Michigan Gardener

A clever and simple deterrent: large umbrellas are used to discourage deer from eating plants.

Stone is a prominent player throughout the garden, as shown by these boulders in the back garden.

‘Snowflake’ oakleaf hydrangea has striking double flowers.

Michigan Gardener | June 2021 | MichiganGardener.com

The Jarveys are weeping tree collectors. Here on the back garden hill are a white pine and a larch. text continued from page 26 Jim has brought them in and placed each one himself. Many shrubs and perennials fill the spaces in between and soften the edges of the rock-circled beds. This love of stone has been passed down to their son, who also collects them to use in his own one-acre garden. The soil is sandy, so their method of amending it is to add a few inches of fresh wood chips every year and allow them to slowly decompose, improving the soil while holding the moisture in for the plants. Fertilizer is added in the spring to all the planting beds. One of their prominent garden trees is the Japanese maple. They have many varieties, but over half of them are seedlings from existing Japanese maples that have been transplanted to different areas around the garden. They were willing to wait and watch them grow into good-sized trees. When you are in a garden for almost 50 years and you started

V Website Extra Go to MichiganGardener.com and click on “Website Extras” for more photos of the Jarvey garden.

When visitors pull into the driveway, they are treated to this lovely view of the Jarvey perennial garden and house.

MichiganGardener.com | June 2021 | Michigan Gardener

This carved stone greets visitors as they enter the back garden.

The welcoming front walk leads guests to the front door.

Over 150 hostas are sprinkled throughout the garden.

The shady side yard leads out to the sunny front garden, where the pink glow of a tricolor beech is the star of the show.

planting when you first moved in, there is no greater joy than watching the garden mature before your eyes. One thing you don’t see a lot of in the Jarvey garden is weeds. Their practice is to walk through the garden often and weed as they go. “Don’t let it get out of control. Pull the weeds when they are young, before they have a chance to mingle their roots with other plants. That makes it harder to get them out,” says Sally. That is a great philosophy that we all can follow. Throughout the garden, the Jarveys have placed large containers to add color and fill in bare spots. Sally uses the pots as cache pots, not actually planting directly into the containers. The plants are growing in plastic pots that fit perfectly in the containers. This

P H OTO G R A P H S BY L I S A S T E I N KO P F

makes for easy cleanup in the fall. They sit on cement bases and because there is no soil in them, they are left out all winter to add color to the winter landscape. Sally doesn’t have a theme color for the container plantings, but says pinks and blues are her favorites and usually just chooses what captures her attention at the garden center. That said, she stepped out of her comfort zone one year and used orange, which really made the containers sparkle. When gardening you must be flexible, and you never know what combo will speak to you at a given time. text continued on page 30

Michigan Gardener | June 2021 | MichiganGardener.com

text continued from page 29 They do have quite a problem with deer. Growing over 150 hostas, hydrangeas, and other plants attractive to deer, the struggle is real. They have tried many different repellents and have found that hot sauce mixed with the repellent helps. They also use large umbrellas scattered around the garden to protect some of the plants. They put them out in the evening and bring them in the next morning. They implement whatever technique is necessary to protect their plants. Along those lines, when they added on to their home, they hired a company to bring a tree spade and move some large trees. In exchange for moving a pin oak and a maple, they gave the company a lovely blue spruce. It made the budget stretch further for the addition.

Family gardening history Sally has been exposed to gardening since she was a little girl. She remembers going to her grandma’s home and wandering through her square garden plot with rows of vegetables as well as rows of flowers. They didn’t really “garden” around their homes then, instead keeping flowers and veggies together in one area. She also recalls her grandparents digging trenches between the garden rows and adding their kitchen scraps and garden waste to decompose and add nutrients to the garden. Then the next year they would plant their rows where the trenches were the year before. Great idea! Her mother gardened on a small city lot in Plymouth and was known for her beautiful yard. Neighbors walking by always stopped to inquire about her amazing flowers. Now Jim and Sally have passed that love down to their son and daughter, who both cultivate green thumbs in their own yards, often calling and asking to have some divisions from their parents’ plants. When their children were young, the Jarveys and their neighbors had a large veggie garden on the empty lot (now occupied) across the street. Because of the sandy soil, they grew many root crops including potatoes, carrots, and onions, as well as tomatoes, cucumbers, and more. They wanted their children to learn how to garden. Today, their six grandchildren enjoy the garden when they come to visit. The Jarveys consider themselves to be “outdoor” people, loving exercise and running, so working in the garden together is a joy. It was definitely a lifesaver during the coronavirus quarantine. Starting new gardens and learning to love plants became an escape for many people during that time. The Jarveys have known that for over 50 years. Lisa Steinkopf is The Houseplant Guru. Check out her newly updated website and blog at www.thehouseplantguru.com. Contact Lisa to speak at your next club meeting or event (houseplantgurulisa@gmail.com or 734-7481241). Follow her on Facebook (Facebook.com/ HouseplantGuru), Twitter (@houseplantguru), and Instagram (houseplantguru).

The Jarveys planted these magnificent white pines 45 years ago.

This small bed next to the patio is filled with lilies (one of Sally’s favorites) and edged with yellow-leaved hostas.

Grasshopper Gardens

Milarch Nursery

9020 Maltby Rd., Brighton, MI 48116 810-220-4406 www.grasshoppergardensmi.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 9-7, Sat 9-6, Sun 9-5. Full-service garden center. Wonderful plant selection: trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, fruits, vegetables. Gardening tools, supplies; pottery, statuary, sculpture, ornaments, outdoor decor. Whether you want a relaxing backyard oasis or vibrant place to gather with friends and family, we can help make your vision a reality.

Meier Flowerland 8087 W. Grand River, Brighton, MI 48114 810-229-9430 www.meierflowerland.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-7, Sun 9-6. Where you’re only limited by your imagination! We grow over 10,000 sun/shade hanging baskets. Plus annuals, geraniums, patio and deck pots for instant color, shrubs, roses, yard décor, gazing globes, stepping stones, more. Vegetables and herbs, including heirloom varieties. Wednesdays are Senior Day: 15% off live plants. Since 1954.

28500 Haas Rd., Wixom, MI 48393 248-437-2094 www.milarchnursery.com May hours: Mon-Fri 8-5:30, Sat 8-1. June hours: Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat 8-1. The finest nursery stock and perennials since 1972. We grow and maintain quality plants, along with special care in handling. 27 acres of shade and flowering trees, evergreens, flowering shrubs, perennials and groundcovers. Landscape-grade sizes are available. We offer each customer a knowledgeable salesperson to assist with plant selection.

Specialty Growers 4330 Golf Club Rd., Howell MI 48843 517-546-7742 www.specialtygrowers.net May/June hours: Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun 10-4. Excellent selection of perennials, grasses, hostas, native plants, herb and vegetable plants, all grown here at our nursery. Heirloom tomatoes and interesting pepper varieties. Perennials from starter 3.5” pots up to 2-gallon size. Outdoor-grown perennials, acclimated to local weather conditions, selected for Michigan gardens. Complete catalog on our website. Knowledgeable, experienced staff.

Van Atta’s Greenhouse 9008 Old M-78, Haslett, MI 48840 517-339-1142 www.vanattas.com May hours: Mon-Sat 9-7, Sun 10-6. June hours: Please call to confirm. One of the largest selections of plants and garden accents in Southeastern Michigan. We grow an enormous variety of perennials. There’s a good chance we have that one plant you’ve been searching for, or the garden ornament that sets your yard apart. Come stroll our grounds—you’ll be amazed at what you find.

Wildtype Native Plants 900 North Every Rd., Mason, MI 48854 517-244-1140 www.wildtypeplants.com Hours: By appointment only. Due to COVID, please schedule visits at our website. Since 1996, specializing in growing native perennials, grasses, shrubs, and trees. You will not find a better selection of natives in Michigan. Knowledgeable staff ready to help you make sound plant selections. Primarily a wholesale producer, but we open to the public a limited number of days each year; dates and times on website.

To advertise in Destinations, email Publisher@MichiganGardener.com or call Eric at 248-594-5563

More of a great thing (and still free!) Sign up today for our FREE e-newsletter! Visit MichiganGardener.com and enter your e-mail address at the top of the page next to the Michigan Gardener logo. Don’t miss the contest in each issue for your chance to win FREE garden prizes!

Michigan Gardener | June 2021 | MichiganGardener.com

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Salvia

Hardy ornamental sages for your garden

asy care, low maintenance, pest and disease free, drought tolerant, critter resistant—these are just a few reasons to grow salvias in your garden. Add a tidy growth habit and attractive flower spikes in a range of colors, and that only begins to round out the list of attributes. A workhorse of a genus, salvias are among the most reliable of perennials, often living for decades in the garden with little attention. The genus Salvia is an enormous one. It includes annual and perennial types historically used in gardens and for seasoning and scent. Botanists have identified at least 950 species, spanning the hardiness zones from bonechilling zone 3 to balmy zone 10. Gardeners in cold climates use the non-hardy ones, such as red-flowered S. splendens and blue S. farinacea,

as bedding annuals. We also plant S. guaranitica Karen ‘Black and Blue’ and vaBovio rieties of autumn sage (S. greggii) in pots and containers to attract hummingbirds. Although it would be great fun to discuss the many kinds of salvias that are used ornamentally, this article will focus on the hardy perennial types that will overwinter outdoors in zones 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Woodland sage (Salvia nemorosa): From tried and true, to trendsetting and new Although hardy salvias have been grown in the U.S. for decades, the first varieties to achieve worldwide acclaim originated in Germany. All photos by www.PerennialResource.com (unless otherwise noted)

continued on page 34

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Michigan Gardener | June 2021 | MichiganGardener.com

‘Back to the Fuchsia’

‘Crystal Blue’ continued from page 32 Cultivars like ‘East Friesland’ (‘Ostfriesland’), ‘Blue Hill’ (‘Blauhugel’), and ‘May Night’ (‘Mainacht,’ the 1997 Perennial Plant of the Year) are now industry standards, but with so many new varieties arriving on the scene, it could be argued that these old standbys have been surpassed. These older cultivars are varieties of woodland sage (S. nemorosa), which is now considered horticulturally synonymous with S. superba and S. x sylvestris, two other salvia names that are often found on plant tags. Salvia nemorosa varieties are characterized by many thin, densely packed spikes of small flowers, usually violet blue (hence one of its common names: violet sage), but they may also be light blue, white or various shades of pink. The cultivar ‘Caradonna’ is a time-honored plant that best exemplifies the classic violet sage look. It differs from and improves upon

‘East Friesland’ and other older S. nemorosa cultivars in several distinctive ways: its small violet flowers have even darker calyxes and are borne on showy dark purple stems, and its habit is upright, nearly vertical, and relatively tall at 24 to 30 inches. The opposite end of the height spectrum is represented by the new dwarf Bumble series. These short salvias are heavier flowering than older cultivars like ‘Blue Hill’ and ‘Snow Hill,’ and the 12- to 14-inch plants are cleaner, neater and more compact. The Bumble varieties, with color-descriptive names, include ‘Bumbleberry,’ ‘Bumbleblue,’ ‘Bumblesky,’ and ‘Bumblesnow.’ The Profusion series is another new group of S. nemerosa varieties to try. They are a bit taller at 16 to 20 inches high, and boast densely packed inflorescences with excellent rebloom after cutting back. They also come in four different colors. Although most of these vegetatively propagated cultivars are sterile or nearly so, S.

‘Violet Riot’ nemorosa can also be grown from seed, and many seed companies have developed excellent, lower-priced strains to compete with the more expensive cultivars. The older seedgrown ‘Blue Queen’ and ‘Rose Queen’ varieties have been superseded by strains with better growth habit and a longer season of bloom. Most of the new seed strains are avail-

able in blue- or violet-flowered forms, as well as pink or rose and sometimes white. Among the best are the ‘Merleau,’ ‘New Dimension,’ ‘Salvatore,’ and ‘Sensation’ series. Garden centers often sell these varieties as a less expensive option in a quart or 6-inch pot. continued on page 36

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Michigan Gardener | June 2021 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from page 34

A new wave: Meadow sage (Salvia pratensis) and its hybrids

‘Ballerina Pink’

For years, S. nemorosa hybrids dominated the salvia market, but recent trends in salvia breeding focus heavily on using meadow sage (S. pratensis) as a parent because of its significantly larger flowers. Now, many of the best new varieties on garden center shelves are hybrids with varying amounts of S. nemorosa and S. pratensis lineage. Although most gardeners care little about the genetic composition of their garden plants, it is worthwhile to note that the inclusion of S. pratensis in salvia breeding programs has resulted in plants with greater vigor in the garden, along with showier flowers. Not only are the individual flowers larger, but they are more intricately shaped, and may include contrasting calyx colors. The beautiful varieties in the new Fashionista collection of salvias are a prime example, including ‘Vanity Flair,’ ‘Moulin Rouge,’ and ‘Ballerina Pink.’ Similarly, another excellent series is the Color Spires collection, including the varieties ‘Back to the Fuchsia,’ ‘Violet Riot,’ and ‘Crystal Blue’).

How and why to grow salvias This article began with a list of salvia virtues, but the list doesn’t end there. Salvias—all

‘Vanity Flair’

‘Bumbleberry’

species and hybrids—are favored plants of pollinators, including many species of bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects. Additionally, the S. nemorosa varieties are well-known for their ability to rebloom, by deadheading individual flower spikes, or more easily by cutting the entire plant back to its basal foliage once the first flowering has faded. This hard cutback will regenerate a second wave of growth and subsequent reflowering. Salvias are easy on your budget too—they don’t require special soil amendments or fertilizers. They are perfectly content, growing in average, well-drained soil in a mostly sunny site. Of course, like nearly all garden plants, they will thrive with just a little bit of TLC—apply some slow-release fertilizer around them in spring and water them during periods of drought. Salvias rarely need dividing, and can happily grow in the same location for many years. However, if you notice that your salvia plants are starting to split open in the middle just as flowering peaks, it’s a good indication that they would benefit from division. Dig up and split the plant in early fall (late August to midSeptember is my preferred time frame) or in April just as new growth begins to show. The roots may be surprisingly long and tangled; continued on page 38

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Precipitation April 2021

Detroit Flint Lansing

NORMAL Monthly 2.90 2.89 3.03

ACTUAL Monthly 1.79 1.55 1.67

Detroit Flint Lansing

NORMAL Yr. to Date 9.16 7.91 8.21

ACTUAL Yr. to Date 6.42 6.15 6.14

DEVIATION from Normal -1.11 -1.34 -1.36

DEVIATION from Normal -2.74 -1.76 -2.07

NORMAL Monthly 2.90 2.89 3.03

ACTUAL Monthly 2.21 1.70 2.52

DEVIATION from Normal -0.69 -1.19 -0.51

2020 Year to Date: Jan 1 - April 30

NORMAL Yr. to Date 9.16 7.91 8.21

ACTUAL Yr. to Date 11.35 8.40 10.73

DEVIATION from Normal +2.19 +0.49 +2.52

Temperature April 2021

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April 2020

Detroit Flint Lansing

NORMAL Avg. High 59.1 57.3 57.8

ACTUAL Avg. High 61.1 60.6 59.9

DEVIATION from Normal +2.0 +3.3 +2.1

ORMAL N Avg. High 59.1 57.3 57.8

ACTUAL Avg. High 55.5 56.4 53.8

DEVIATION from Normal -3.6 -0.9 -4.0

Detroit Flint Lansing

NORMAL Avg. Low 39.4 35.5 37.0

ACTUAL Avg. Low 40.1 37.8 37.9

DEVIATION from Normal +0.7 +2.3 +0.9

NORMAL Avg. Low 39.4 35.5 37.0

ACTUAL Avg. Low 36.6 34.8 34.0

DEVIATION from Normal -2.8 -0.7 -3.0

Data courtesy National Weather Service

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2021 Year to Date: Jan 1 - April 30

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Michigan Gardener | June 2021 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from page 36 the goal is to make sure you create divisions that include some of the thick, anchoring roots, along with a nice section of crown tissue. Water the newly set plants and fertilize lightly, particularly if you have lean, sandy soil. The process of division increases plant vigor, resulting in stronger (but fewer) stems to support. The result will be a restoration of your old plant to its former, younger self! Salvias are practically pest-free, but oddly enough, slugs may relish them, particularly during wet weather. Use a slug bait to control them, just as you would for hostas and other slug-prone plants. Insect pests are rare, although spider mites and whiteflies can occur, particularly during hot, dry summers. Disease issues are also rare, with powdery mildew being the only one of any consequence, and then usually only late in the growing season. Affected plants can simply be cut back, and new clean foliage will develop shortly. Of course, planting salvia in poorly drained soil could result in root and crown rot, which would happen with any perennial that requires good drainage. On the plus side, because salvia foliage is strongly “scented” (some might say malodorous!), deer, rabbits and even woodchucks avoid them.

Salvia companions Salvias are unparalleled serving as supporting actors for the showier, more flamboyant perennials in the garden. Their spike-shaped flowers look great when contrasted with round, flat-topped, or unusually shaped flowers. June is the peak bloom season for all the salvia species and hybrids mentioned in this article, with some overlap on either side of that month, particularly if deadheaded to extend blooming into July. A hard cutback of S. nemorosa types results in rebloom in August. continued on page 40

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Ruhlig Farms & Gardens 24508 Telegraph Rd., Brownstown Twp, MI 48134 734-782-9811 www.ruhligfarmsandgardens.com Spring hours: Mon-Sat 9-8, Sun 10-6. Another 25,000 square-foot expansion! Explore nearly 100,000 sq ft of amazing indoor greenhouses. Enhance your garden’s beauty and uniqueness at our premier garden center and nursery. Enormous selection of annuals, perennials, patio containers, hanging baskets and potted plants. Friendly staff always available to assist. Make us your destination for Spring, Summer, Fall & Christmas.

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6830 Rawsonville Rd., Belleville, MI 48111 734-482-2776 www.pinterflowerland.com May/June hours: Open 7 days a week; please call for hours. Buy direct from the grower—that means great quality and low prices. Family owned and operated since 1926. Annuals, hanging baskets, containers, perennials, garden supplies, soils, mulches, and much more. 13 acres of covered shopping— stay dry when it’s raining! Come see us at our Redford location also (313-538-7580).

Panetta’s Landscape Supplies 20200 Goddard, Taylor, MI 48180 313-291-3880 www.panettasupply.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat 8-4, Sun 10-3. Wide variety of decorative rock, mulches, natural flagstone, boulders, outcroppings. Bagged cocoa mulch. Unilock, Oaks, High Format brick pavers and wall blocks. Try our RJ’s Garden Mix, a custom blend perfect for your garden. Both locations carry a vast selection of perennials, roses, shrubs, trees. Now featuring Online Ordering for deliveries and curbside pickup!

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Grass Roots Pond & Garden 24765 Bell Rd., New Boston, MI 48164 734-753-9200 www.grassrootspondandgarden.com Grass Roots Pond and Garden: Michigan’s place for quality pond supplies and service. See our website for hours and specials. Thank you, The Bates family.

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6981 Rawsonville Rd., Belleville, MI 48111 734-482-2764 www.banotaigreenhouse.com May/June hours: Mon-Sat 8-7, Sun 8-6. Quality plants at competitive prices since 1960. Visit our 6 acres of the finest-quality plants: annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, specialty pots, tropicals, succulents, and more. New: shrubs and bushes too! Certified Proven Winners distributor. We are committed to delivering superior customer service and building customer loyalty with every customer experience.

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Westcroft Gardens & Farm 21803 West River Rd., Grosse Ile, MI 48138 734-676-2444 www.westcroftgardens.com May/June hours: Mon-Fri 8-7, Sat 9-6, Sun 10-5. Michigan’s oldest farm still owned & operated by the same family, established 1776. Specializing in our own azalea & rhododendron hybrids that grow well in Michigan. Also trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, herbs & vegetables. Our Greenleaf Compound acidifies & improves your soil. Stroll our Heritage Gardens or rent them for your next special event.

Zywicki Greenhouse 50705 Willow Rd., Belleville, MI 48111 734-461-6197 www.zywickigreenhouse.com May/June hours: Open 7 days a week, 9-7. Zywicki’s has served lower Michigan for over 50 years with quality annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, planters, window boxes, vegetable plants and roses. 200 varieties of vegetable and herb plants. Over 400 varieties of annuals, perennials, and hanging baskets. When it’s quality you need, it’s Zywicki’s indeed!

To advertise in Destinations, email Publisher@MichiganGardener.com or call Eric at 248-594-5563

Advertiser Index Abbott’s Landscape Nursery......45 Abele Greenhouse & Gard Ctr....25 Aguafina Gardens International........................................17 Alexander Farm Mkt/ Greenhses........................................... 21 Assoc. of Professional Gardeners................ 15 Assure Transplant Success.......... 11 Auburn Oaks Gard Ctr..................41

Barson’s Greenhouse.....................13 Begick Nursery & Gard Ctr.........45 Blossoms............................................45 Bogie Lake Greenhouses..............13 Campbell’s Greenhouses.............. 7 Contender’s Tree/ Lawn Specialists.....Inside Frt Cover Country Oaks Landscape Supp.....7 Dale’s Landscaping Supp.............33 Davey Tree........................................... 11 Destinations: Ann Arbor..............14 Destinations: Downriver............. 39 Destinations: I-96........................... 31

Destinations: Macomb.................23 Eagle Landscaping & Supp...........13 Eckert’s Greenhouse..................... 25 English Gardens......................Page 3 Everlastings in the Wildwood.....35 Fleurdetroit..........................................17 Fraleigh’s Landscape Nursery.....42 The Garden Mill.............................. 43 Garden Rhythms............................. 43 A Garden Space..............................45 Gordon’s Lawn Core Aeration.....19 Grass Magic...................................... 25 Grasshopper Gardens..................... 5

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The Original Budget Tree Service........................................ 15 Orion Stone Depot.......................... 21 Piechnik’s Gard Ctr.........................10 Piechnik’s Greenhouse.................35 Plantskydd........................................... 11 Poison Ivy Control of Mich......... 24 Proven Winners Color Choice.....9 Rock Shoppe.....................................43 Schuman Landscape Lighting.....35 Sell Farms & Greenhouses..........35 Specialty Growers...........................33 State Crushing.................................. 25

Steinkopf Nursery............................. 7 Stone Cottage Gardens................ 15 Suburban Landscape Supply.......17 Telly’s Greenhouse...........................4 Turner’s Landscp & Gard Ctr........6 Uncle Luke’s Feed Store................37 Van Atta’s Greenhouse................33 Warmbier Farms............................43 The Weed Lady................................ 19 Westcroft Gardens.........................41 Willow Greenhouse......................45 Zoner’s Greenhouse...................... 21

Michigan Gardener | June 2021 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from page 38

‘Bumblesnow’

There are a great number of June-blooming perennials to pair with salvias; just make sure they prefer the same growing conditions of full sun and well-drained soil. Some excellent candidates include the bulbous alliums, baptisia (a yellow or creamy-white one looks great with blue salvia), columbine (yes, they do well in full sun), tickseed (Coreopsis), dianthus, blanket flower (Gaillardia), iris, lilies (choose an early Asiatic variety), catmint (Nepeta, nice with a rosy-pink salvia), peony, Oriental poppy, Shasta daisy, and yarrow. Another way to partner up with salvia is to plant later-blooming perennials nearby, to take over when the salvia has finished blooming or is “in recovery” after a cutback, awaiting rebloom. Good choices include laterblooming alliums (like ‘Millenium’ or ‘Medusa’), asters, coneflowers, daylilies, blazing star (Liatris), Russian sage, sedum, speedwell (Veronica), dwarf varieties of bee balm (Monarda), and the smaller types of ornamental grasses.

Lesser-known salvia species worth exploring Although not well-known or commonly grown, there are other hardy salvias that are noteworthy, each for a different reason. Just a few:

‘Caradonna’

‘May Night’

Silver sage (S. argentea) – A biennial grown for its beautiful, furry, silver-white leaves. White claw-shaped flowers on a tall spike appear the second year. Easily grown from seed; two-year life span. Azure blue sage, pitcher sage (S. azurea) – This sky-blue salvia is native to the Midwestern states, including Michigan. Prefers lean, well-drained soil. Combines well with other native plants and grasses to help support its tall, 4- to 5-foot stature. Its late summer flowers provide nectar for beneficial insects. Japanese yellow sage (S. koyamae) – Unique not only for the flower color but for its preference for shady sites and moist, rich soil. Large leaves and spreading groundcover habit. Blooms in late summer to fall. Whorled sage (S. verticillata ‘Purple Rain’) – Unusual salvia with broad, fuzzy olive-green triangular leaves on a largegrowing, somewhat sprawling plant. Velvety, smoky purple flowers arranged in tiers. Long bloom season when deadheaded, from July until frost. With so many species and varieties to choose from, a wide selection of companion plants, and the ease of growing offered by hardy salvias, it stands to reason that every garden should include at least one or two! Karen Bovio is the owner of Specialty Growers in Howell, MI.

MichiganGardener.com | June 2021 | Michigan Gardener

calendar

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT PUBLIC GARDENS, please visit MichiganGardener.com. Click on "Resources" then "Public Gardens."

June / July / August / September

June Flora of Michigan Tue, Jun 1, Through July 11, Monroe. By The River Rasin National Battlefield Park Foundation at 333 N Dixie Highway National Battlefield Park Education Center. 129 original pieces of art. 734-243-7136. Kaleidoscope Garden Opening Tue, Jun 1, Daily, dawn-dusk, Battle Creek. At Leila Arboretum Society. www.lasgarden.org. Barking up the wrong tree: How I messed with Mother Nature Tue, Jun 1, By CAMG on Zoom. Member meeting. Speaker Charlaine Ezell, Advanced Extension Master Gardener. To join: https://mgacac.wordpress.com. MSU Tollgate 4-H Virtual Series Thu, Jun 3, 4-5pm, online. By MSU Tollgate. Explore the world of plants in the gardens, fields, greenhouses & barns as you investigate important connections between plants, their partners & you. koehle43@msu.edu, 248-701-9956. Healthy Gardens Thu, Jun 3, 6-8pm, on Zoom. By MSU Extension. $15. Choosing plants, plant problems to scout for, & how garden selfies can make you a better gardener. https://events.anr.msu.edu. Children’s Storytime Mornings, May-Aug, Midland. At Dow Gardens. Award-winning children’s books read aloud in the Children’s Garden. All ages welcome. Register: 989-631-2677. Clarkston Perennial Plant Exchange Sat, Jun 5, 8:30am, Clarkston. By Clarkston Farm & Garden Club. Rain/shine. Pot & identify your plants. Labels for identification available on website. www.clarkstongardenclub.org, 248-514-1729. Washtenaw County Native Plant Sale & Expo Sat, Jun 5, 9am-1pm, Ann Arbor. By Washtenaw Co. Conservation District. Pre-order: store.washtenawcd.org. Spring Wildflower Identification Hike Sat, Jun 5, 10am-Noon, New Baltimore. At Anchor Bay Woods Preserve. Free. Ian Ableson, in-house naturalist, will lead the hike & show how to identify several wildflowers. Limited space. 248-601-2816. 12th Annual Spring Garden Tour Sat, Jun 5, 10:30am, Detroit. By Black Cat Pottery at 3903 Grayton St. www.blackcatpottery.com Trunk Plant Exchange Sat, Jun 5, Noon-2pm. Harrison Twp. By Harrison Twp Beautification Commission at Tucker Senior Ctr. Exchange your bare-root plants with other enthusiasts. Rain/shine. 586-242-3868, keehns@wowway.com H Bonsai Forest Workshop Sat, Jun 5, 1pm, Troy. At Telly’s. $99. Instruction will include Penjing techniques, root combing, root pruning, potting, basic styling techniques, and aftercare. www.tellys.com. Seed Saving with Bevin Cohen Tue, Jun 8, 6:30pm, online. By Master Gardener Society of Oakland County. mgsoc.info/calendar-of-events.

Dexter Garden Club Meeting Tue, Jun 8, 7pm, location TBD. By Dexter Garden Club. www.dextergardenclub.org. Growin’ Gardeners Tue, Jun 8, beginning in June, Midland. At Dow Gardens. Design, tend, & harvest your own pint-size garden plot in The Children’s Garden. dowgardens.org. H 35th Annual Franklin Garden Walk Wed, Jun 9, 10am-4pm & 6-9pm, Franklin. By the Franklin Garden Club & the Franklin Branch of the WNFGA at unique area gardens. $12 advance tickets at Franklin Village Boutique or 2021franklingardenwalk.eventbrite.com. Tickets $15 day of. Artisan Market, 9am-5pm. Check in at Gazebo on Franklin Village Green, 32325 Franklin Rd. franklingardenclub.org. Maintaining a Rooftop Garden Wed, Jun 9, 12:30pm, Grand Rapids. By Kent Garden Club at Frederik Meijer Gardens. Presented by Tony England. kentgardenclub1913@gmail.com Spring Luncheon Wed, Jun 9, Time TBA, Northville. By Northville Garden Club. BQSturtz@comcast.net, www.cgcnv.org. Hydrangeas Thu, Jun 10, 6pm, Pontiac. At Goldner Walsh. $5. The basics of hydrangeas, from planting to fertilizing & pruning. Register: www.goldnerwalsh.com. Pine Concert Series Fri, Jun 11, 7-8:30pm, Midland. At Dow Gardens. Summer concert series showcasing regional musicians surrounded by the beauty of Dow Gardens. https://dowgardens.org. Yardeners Native Plant Sale Sat, Jun 12, 9am, St. Clair Shores. By The Yardeners of St. Clair Shores at Selinsky-Green Farmhouse Museum. scsyardeners@gmail.com. Taking Growing to New Heights Sat, Jun 12, 10am, online. By MSU Extension. MSU Tollgate Farm HomeGrown Gardening Series. $10/session or $75/ series. A monthly virtual series designed to encourage & support home vegetable gardeners. Spring Native Plant Sale Sat, Jun 12, 10am-2pm, Clarkston. North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy at 7121 Dixie Highway. Plants, shrubs & trees available. Proceeds help NOHLC protect land/water. office@nohlc.org, NOHLC.org. Walk with a Naturalist Sat, Jun 12, 2:30-3:30pm, Troy. At Stage Nature Center. Free, donations appreciated. Explore our 100-acre preserve with a naturalist & discover things that you may not have noticed before. Auction Premiere & Special Program Sat, Jun 12, Time TBD, on Zoom. By Ann Arbor Farm & Garden. www.annarborfarmandgarden.org. MSU Tollgate Spring Plant Sale Sat, Jun 12, & Sun, Jun 13, 9am-2pm, Novi. At MSU Tollgate. Perennials for sun & shade, natives. Must register for time slot: www.canr.msu.edu/tollgate/ Program-Event-Calendar/ continued on page 42

Promote your events! Send us your information! Website: Go to MichiganGardener.com and click on “Garden Event Calendar” E-Mail: calendar@MichiganGardener.com Upcoming Issues & Deadlines: Issue

July/August 2021 September/October 2021

Deadline June 15, 2021 August 15, 2021

See what’s NEW and OLD at the oldest family farm in Michigan! Now available: Annuals, Perennials, Veggies, Herbs, Shrubs & Trees NEW PLANTS this year: Native, Heirloom, Historical & Houseplant Don’t forget to get Westcroft’s Greenleaf Compound Acid Soil Conditioner Wedding, Event, & Photography rentals available in our Heritage Gardens

Shop safely in our outdoor garden center or visit our website for curbside pickup options

Where moments blossom and memories grow (734) 676-2444 westcroftgardens.com 21803 West River Rd, Grosse Ile, MI 48138

Auburn Oaks GARDEN CENTER

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Friday & Saturday, June 18 & 19, 9am-4pm

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3820 W. Auburn Rd. (2 blks E. of Adams Rd.) • Rochester Hills • 248-852-2310 Mon-Fri 8-7 Sat 8-6 Sun 9-5 • www.auburnoaksnursery.com

MERfu-FgaLOWERI M U Cimici • Dict NG S am nu OF tisia •

continued from page 41

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Michigan Gardener | June 2021 | MichiganGardener.com

9 95 1 e Sinc

860 7 0 Jac 506 6 2 k s 4 on Rd. Dexter, MI • 734Mond ay-Satu .com rday 10-5 – www.fraleighs

Over 50 acres of growing fields on our 62-acre farm! Established in 1980, our family-owned nursery has satisfied customers throughout SE Michigan and northern Ohio. Walk our fields and tag your own trees, or we can pick out the best and call you when they are ready. Our trees are always fresh-dug at the proper time.

12 varieties of arborvitae up to 8’ tall / Several varieties of spruce, pine and fir up to 12’ tall / Deciduous trees up to 5” caliper / Pick up or we can deliver & plant for you!

Tri-Cities Garden Club Meeting Mon, Jun 14, 11am, Spring Lake. By Spring Lake Garden Club at Rycenga Park. Grow Together: Virtual Garden Party Wed, Jun 16, to Sat, Jun 19, Virtual. At Fernwood Botanical Garden. Silent auction, take-home cocktail kits, virtual toast on Sat. www.fernwoodbotanical.org. 21st Annual Rochester Garden Walk Thu, Jun 17, 10am-5pm, Rochester. By Rochester Garden Club at private & public area gardens. $12/advance, $16/ day of. Native plant sale at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm. Advance tickets: www.RochesterGardenClub.org. Native Bees of Michigan Thu, Jun 17, 7pm, on Zoom. By Michigan Pollinator Initiative. Free. How to identify & support our native pollinators. canr.msu.edu. Butterfly Meeting Thu, Jun 17, 7pm, on Zoom. By SE Michigan Butterfly Assoc. Presentation topic TBD. www.sembabutterfly.org. The Bee Short Course Fri, Jun 18, 10-11am, online. By MMGA. Free. Presenter: Jamie Strange. Melittology 101: An Intro to Bee Science. www.michiganmastergardener.org. Grosse Pointe Garden Center 29th Annual Garden Tour Fri, Jun 18, & Sat, Jun 19, 10am-4pm, Grosse Pointe. By Grosse Pointe Garden Center throughout the Pointes. 2nd Annual Family Enrichment Series. CDC protocol followed. 313-499-0743, www.gpgardencenter.org. **CANCELLED** 25th Annual Milford Garden Walk Fri, Jun 18, **CANCELLED** (Coronavirus safety measure) By Milford Garden Club. www.themilfordgardenclub.org. H Bonsai Workshop Sat, Jun 19, 1pm, Troy. At Telly’s. $45. Make-and-take workshop, attendees will plant & create their own bonsai tree. Limited space. www.tellys.com. Orchid Society Meeting Sat, Jun 19, By Greater Lansing Orchid Society. www.greaterlansingorchidsociety.com. Pollinator Week Mon, Jun 21, Mon to Sun, all locations. At English Gardens. www.EnglishGardens.com. Viburnums Tue, Jun 22, 7-9pm, Location TBD. By Macomb Cty Master Gardener Association. Explore this charismatic group of plants & become acquainted with native species in the process. Concert Series at the Great Estate Wed, Jun 23, 7-9:30pm, Rochester. At Meadow Brook Hall. $30. Take in a night of live music & vibrant atmosphere. www.meadowbrookhall.org Crocker House Garden Walk Sat, Jun 26, 9am-4pm, Mt. Clemens. By Macomb County Historical Society & Crocker House Museum. $15. 586-465-2488; info@crockerhousemuseum.org; www.crockerhousemuseum.org. Cranbrook & Friends Garden Walk Sat, Jun 26, 10am-4pm, Bloomfield Hills. By Cranbrook House & Gardens. Stop & smell the roses on a self-guided stroll through 3 private gardens, Cranbrook & one nearby nonprofit org. https://housegardens.cranbrook.edu. Tri-Cities Garden Club Garden Walk Sat, Jun 26, 10am-4pm, Spring Lake & Nunica. By Tri-Cities Garden Club at area gardens. $12. Tickets available at all gardens. Pre-sale the Tri-Cities Museum. Rain or shine. Plant sales at some gardens. www.tricitiesgardenclub.org. Gayle: 616-846-1561 or larry_d_r@hotmail.com H Bonsai Workshop Sat, Jun 26, 1pm, Troy. At Telly’s. $45. Make-and-take workshop, attendees will plant & create their own bonsai tree. Limited space. www.tellys.com. Get the Dirt on Compost Wed, Jun 30, 6-7:30pm, Midland. At Dow Gardens. With minimal effort, you can turn household waste into gardening gold. www.dowgardens.org.

July

2666 TOZER RD • NORTH BRANCH, MI 48461 810-688-2363 • OldaniLandscapeNurseries.com Mon-Sat: 9-5 • Sun: 12-4 (closed Sundays during July/Aug)

Growing & Using Kitchen Herbs Wed, Jul 7, 10am, Rochester Hills. By Rochester Garden Club at Van Hoosen Farm. Bring a chair. rochestergardenclub.org. Season Extension for the Home Garden Sat, Jul 10, 10am, online. By MSU Extension. MSU Tollgate Farm HomeGrown Gardening Series. $10/session or $75/ series. A monthly virtual series designed to encourage & support home vegetable gardeners.

H LACASA’s 22nd Annual Garden Tour Weekend Sat, Jul 10, & Sun, Jul 11, Livingston Cty. By LACASA. 12 garden stops, blooming raffle, scavenger hunt, enjoy a lunch & learn. All proceeds benefit victims of child abuse & interpersonal violence. $20 advance tickets. $25 at gardens. 517-548-1350. Reserve tickets: www.lacasacenter.org. 30th Annual Welcome to My Garden Tour Sat, Jul 10, & Sun, Jul 11, 10am-4pm, Marshall. By Marshall Area Garden Club at local gardens. $10/advance, $15/day of. Vintage/garden market. 800-877-5163, www.marshallareagardenclub.org. Earth-Friendly Gardening: The Secret is the Soil Tue, Jul 13, 6:30pm, online. By Master Gardener Society of Oakland County. Presenter: Lillian Dean. mgsoc.info/calendar-of-events. Northville Garden Walk Wed, Jul 14, 9am-4pm, Northville. By Country Garden Club of Northville at 6 area gardens & Mini Walk at condo gardens. $12/advance. $15/day of at Gardenviews & Northville Town Square. 734-788-9935. www.cgcnv.org. 46th Troy Garden Walk: Anniversary Gardens Wed, Jul 14, 9:30am-3pm; 5-8:30pm, Troy. By Troy Garden Club at 6 area gardens. $12 in advance at Auburn Oaks, Telly’s Greenhouse, Troy Historic Village & Uncle Luke’s. $15 day of at Troy Historic Village only. Arts & Crafts boutique & plant sale at Village. www.TroyGardenClubMi.com, 248-535-5955. Snip, Snip…Tips & Tricks Wed, Jul 14, 12:30pm, Grand Rapids. By West Michigan Flower Arrangers Guild at Frederik Meijer Gardens. www.kentgardenclub.org. Gladwin County Garden Tour Thu, Jul 15, 10am-7pm, Gladwin. By Gladwin Gardeners & Riverwalk Place. $10/presale, $12/day of. Artist market vendors. Benefits the Trail of Two Cities Gladwin County Trail Network. 989-329-7470. Facebook: @GladwinGardenTour Butterfly Meeting Thu, Jul 15, 7pm, on Zoom. By SE Michigan Butterfly Assoc. Presentation topic TBD. www.sembabutterfly.org. Concert Series at the Great Estate Thu, Jul 15, 7-9:30pm, Rochester. At Meadow Brook Hall. $30. Take in a night of live music & vibrant atmosphere. www.meadowbrookhall.org The Art of Benton Harbor Guided Day Trip Fri, Jul 16, 10am-2pm, Benton Harbor. By Frederik Meijer Gardens. $60. Meet up for a guided tour to experience the outdoor public sculptures curated by the Krasl Art Center. www.meijergardens.org Pine Concert Series Fri, Jul 16, 7-8:30pm, Midland. At Dow Gardens. Enjoy a summer concert series showcasing regional musicians surrounded by the beauty of Dow Gardens. https://dowgardens.org. Trenton Garden Walk Sat, Jul 17, 10am-4pm, Trenton. View 6 gardens in Trenton. $10/person. Call Glenda Albright: 734-281-6504. Flowers in the Cutting Garden Wed, Jul 21, 10am, Rochester Hills. By Rochester Garden Club at Van Hoosen Farm. Bring a chair. www.rochestergardenclub.org. 15th Annual Clarkston Garden Walk Wed, Jul 21, 11am-7pm, Clarkston. By Clarkston Garden Club. $15 pre-sale, $18 day of. www.clarkstongardenclub.org. Harrison Township Garden Tour Sat, Jul 24, 9am-4pm, Harrison Twp. By Harrison Twp Beautification Commission at 8 area gardens. $10 pre-sale at Harrison Twp. offices. $15 day-of at Tucker Senior Ctr. Register/map pick up at Senior Ctr. Masks required. 586-242-3868, keehns@wowway.com 25th Annual Kirtland Garden Tour Sat, Jul 24, 9am-4pm, Higgins Lake & Houghton Lake. By Kirtland Garden Club. Self-guided. $10. Tickets go on sale July 1 at 7 locations in Roscommon County. Ticket info: Steph 732-684-5497. 27th Annual Garden City Garden Walk Sat, Jul 24, 10am-3pm, Garden City. By Garden City Garden Club. $15/person. Tickets available at Barson’s. Includes lunch at Straight Farmhouse. Vendor show, plant sale, door prizes. Orchid Society Picnic & Orchid Mart Sat, Jul 24, Details TBA. www.greaterlansingorchidsociety.com Arts in the Garden Benefit Walk Sun, Jul 25, 10am-4pm, Chelsea. By Chelsea Area Garden Club at 3 distinctive gardens. Starts at the Intergenerational Garden, 512 Washington St. $20/person. Rain or shine. Tickets June 15-24 at Chelsea Senior Center, Garden Mill & Grass Lake Senior Center. www.chelseaseniors.org. 734-475-9748.

MichiganGardener.com | June 2021 | Michigan Gardener

Classified Ads NEED TO REPLACE SOME GRASS? We provide top quality sod grass to metro Detroit homeowners like you. Hillcrest Sod Farms has been growing quality sod for over 50 years. We provide sod to Do-It-Yourselfers or we can do the entire installation for you. A half century of experience has taught us to treat our customers like family—personalized care and attention is what you can expect from Hillcrest. For a free estimate, call 734-9419595 and ask for Mike or Caryl. Or visit www.sodfarm.com to learn more. GRAVESITE BEAUTIFICATION Memorial Gardeners specializes in gravesite cleanup and headstone cleaning. www. memorialgardeners.com. Call Michaeline Skaleski, 586-634-3813. NEED A HAND? Call “The little gardener that could.” 15 yrs experience at Botanical Gardens. FREE Estimates. Pat: 586-2149852, agardenspace.com.

Everything for your Garden, Home, and You

BELLEFLEUR GARDEN SERVICE Private professional gardeners. Maintenance, planting, garden renewal & more. 30 years in business. Call Karen 248-882-7579 or Heather 248-408-1583. MICHIGAN GARDENER E-NEWSLETTER Sign up for our free e-newsletter! We send out a few each year, and there are contests to win prizes as well. (No spam, and we do not share your e-mail.) Go to www. MichiganGardener.com and simply enter your e-mail address. ZOOM GARDEN SPEAKER AVAILABLE for your club or group. Well-traveled garden writer does virtual garden presentations & travelogues. This active collector gardener can speak on many subjects. For presentation list, biography, fee & references, contact Julia Hofley at Julia@juliasbiglife. com. 248-497-2674. Find me on Facebook.

Concert Series at the Great Estate Thu, Jul 29, 7-9:30pm, Rochester. At Meadow Brook Hall. $30. Take in a night of live music & vibrant atmosphere. www.meadowbrookhall.org

August Three Sisters Garden Wed, Aug 4, 10am, Rochester Hills. By Rochester Garden Club at Van Hoosen Farm. Bring a chair. www.rochestergardenclub.org Summer Foraging Guided Day Trip Thu, Aug 5, 11am-3pm, Grand Rapids. By Frederik Meijer Gardens. $70. Discover how sustainable foraging can be a powerful way to deepen your connection with the natural environment. 616-974-5225. Yardeners of St. Clair Shores Annual Garden Tour Sat, Aug 7, 9am-3pm, St. Clair Shores. By The Yardeners. $5/person. Under 12 free. Registration, tickets, maps at Selinsky-Green Farmhouse Museum. Self-guided driving tour. Rain/shine. scsyardeners@gmail.com Tour of Four Star Greenhouse Tue, Aug 10, 1pm, Carleton. By APG at Four Star Greenhouse. www.associationofprofessionalgardeners.org. Groundcover Plants Tue, Aug 10, 6:30pm, online. By Master Gardener Society of Oakland County. Presenter: Julia Hofley. mgsoc.info/calendar-of-events. Concert Series at the Great Estate Thu, Aug 12, 7-9:30pm, Rochester. At Meadow Brook Hall. $30. Take in a night of live music & vibrant atmosphere. meadowbrookhall.org Companion Planting Sat, Aug 14, 10am, online. By MSU Extension. MSU Tollgate Farm HomeGrown Gardening Series. $10/session or $75/series. A monthly virtual series designed to encourage & support home vegetable gardeners.

Garden Center

Garden Statuary

Available seasonally, we have a wonderful assortment of annuals and herbs. And roses! Over 100 varieties each year, including hybrid teas, floribundas, grandifloras, shrubs & miniatures. Plus, outdoor-grown perennials & shrubs. Why does outdoor-grown matter? Our plants are hardy, healthy & well-rooted— ready to succeed in your garden from day one.

Over 2,000 different cement garden statues in our outdoor showroom, all made here in Michigan by us! Plus, come see our mind-boggling selection of garden decor, arbors, gazing globes, furniture, and so much more.

5300 Garfield Rd. • Auburn, MI • Centrally located between Saginaw/Bay City/Midland

Michigan Gardener Classified Advertising is a cost-effective way to promote yourself and your business. Need help? Have help to give? Have a big event coming up? Have items to sell? Let our readers know! Go to MichiganGardener.com >> “Advertising” >> “Classified Advertising.”

Open Gate Garden Club Garden Tour Sun, Jul 25, 10am-4pm, Fenton. By Open Gate Garden Club at area gardens. $8 in advance at Bordine’s, Gerych’s, & Yard ‘N Garden Center, $10 day of at A.J. Phillips Fenton Museum. Children under 12 free & encouraged to wear wings/antennae. Find us on Facebook.

WARMBIER FARMS

Summer Program Wed, Aug 18, 10am, Rochester Hills. By Rochester Garden Club at Van Hoosen Farm. Topic TBD. Bring a chair. www.rochestergardenclub.org Butterfly Meeting Thu, Aug 19, 7pm, on Zoom. By SE Michigan Butterfly Assoc. Presentation topic TBD. www.sembabutterfly.org. Beauty from Bulbs: Part 1 Thu, Aug 26, 9-10:15am, on Zoom. By APG. Members only webinar. To join: www.associationofprofessionalgardeners.org Summer Faire Sat, Aug 28, 10am-5pm & Sun, Aug 29, 11am-4pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $3. More than 50 vendors. Hand-crafted garden accessories. http://heavenlyscentherbfarm.com

September EdibleWow Wed, Sep 8, 1pm, online. By Troy Garden Club. Robb Harper, founder & former publisher of edibleWow magazine will present. Register: infoandideas@aol.com. Between a Rock and a Hard Place: A Floral Trip Down Under Thu, Sep 9, Noon, location TBD. By Kent Garden Club. Presented by Ian Warnock. http://kentgardenclub.org, kentgardenclub1913@gmail.com. Veggie Harvest and Storage Sat, Sep 11, 10am, online. By MSU Extension. MSU Tollgate Farm HomeGrown Gardening Series. $10/session or $75/ series. A monthly virtual series designed to encourage & support home vegetable gardeners. Moving and Transplanting Plants Tue, Sep 14, 6:30pm, online. By Master Gardener Society of Oakland County. Presenter: Janet Macunovich. mgsoc.info/calendar-of-events. Butterfly Meeting Thu, Sep 16, 7pm, on Zoom. By SE Michigan Butterfly Assoc. Presentation topic TBD. www.sembabutterfly.org. Yardeners Plant Exchange Sat, Sep 18, 9-11am, St. Clair Shores. By The Yardeners at St. Clair Shores Library Parking Lot. Free. Bag, tag & drag your offerings to trade or give away to other gardeners. scsyardeners@gmail.com.

989-662-7002 • www.warmbierfarms.com

HEADING UP NORTH? We’re just 7 minutes off of I-75!

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Michigan Gardener | June 2021 | MichiganGardener.com

through the lens Photographs from Michigan gardeners

“One of my perennial gardens in full bloom.” —Jennifer Greene

Rachel Krug photographed these muscari blooms in her garden.

Send Us Your Photos! 1. E-mail 2 or 3 of your best garden photos to: photos@MichiganGardener.com. We are looking for photos of your garden, both wide-angle and plant close-ups. Be sure to e-mail a high-resolution file. 2. Please include your full name and a caption describing the scene and the plants.

Barbara Oliveto captured this photo of one of her water lilies.

“A magical crabapple carpet covered my garden for a day.” —Sylvia Whitmer

MichiganGardener.com | June 2021 | Michigan Gardener

45 call

Look for Allen Park • Ace Hardware Almont H American Tree • Blake’s Almont Garden Ctr • Brohl’s Flower Garden Ann Arbor H Abbott’s Landscp Nurs • Ace Barnes Hardware (Washtenaw Ave) • Ace Barnes Hardware (West Stadium) • Dixboro General Store H Downtown Home & Gard H HillTop Greenhse & Farms H Lodi Farms • Matthaei Botanical Gard H Produce Station H Turner’s Greenhse/ Gard Ctr • Weingartz • Wild Birds Unltd Armada • Pond Guy Auburn H Warmbier Farms Auburn Hills • Ace Hardware H Haley Stone H State Crushing Belleville H Banotai Greenhse • Gardeners Choice H Pinter Flowerland H Zywicki Greenhse Berkley • Durst Lumber & Ace Hardware • Garden Central Beverly Hills • Ace Hardware Birmingham H Blossoms Bloomfield Hills H Fleurdetroit Brighton • Ace Hardware • Brighton Stone & Fireplace H Grasshopper Gardens • Leppek Nurs H Meier Flowerland Brownstown Twp • Raupp Bros Landscp Supp H Ruhlig Farms & Gard Bruce Twp H Van’s Valley Greenhse Burton H Country Oaks Landscp Supp Canton • Canton Floral Gardens • Schmidt’s Roadside • Wild Birds Unltd Chelsea • Ace Hardware H Garden Mill • Potting Shed Chesterfield H Van Thomme’s Greenhses Clarkston • Ace Hardware (Dixie Hwy) • Ace Hardware (Sashabaw)

at these fine locations: H Country Oaks Landscp Supp • Gateway • Lowrie’s Landscp • Weingartz Clawson • Ace Hardware H Billings Lawn Equip Clinton Twp H English Gardens • Michigan Koi • MSU ExtensionMacomb Cty • Tropical Treasures Clio H Piechnik’s Greenhse Commerce Twp H Zoner’s Greenhse Davison H Wojo’s Garden Splendors Dearborn • Ace Hardware • Fairlane Gard Dearborn Hts H English Gardens Detroit • Ace Hardware • Detroit Gard Ctr Dexter H Dexter Mill • Earth Art H Fraleigh’s Nurs Eastpointe • DeRonne True Value Hardware • Drew’s Garden H English Gardens Farmington • Alexander True Value Hardware Farmington Hills • Ace Hardware H Steinkopf Nurs • Weingartz Fenton H Gerych’s Greenhse H Heavenly Scent Herb Farm Ferndale • Living Modes Flushing H Flushing Lawn & Gard Ctr Fostoria H The Iron Barn Fowlerville • Green-Up Gard Ctr Gladwin H Stone Cottage Gardens Grand Blanc H Weed Lady Grand Rapids • Meijer Gardens Grass Lake H Designs by Judy Grosse Ile • Grosse Ile Pet & Gard Ctr H Westcroft Gard & Farm Grosse Pointe • Allemon’s Landscp Ctr • Otherworld GP Grosse Pointe Shores • Edsel & Eleanor Ford House Grosse Pointe Woods • Wild Birds Unltd Hadley H Le Fleur Décor Haslett H Van Atta’s Greenhse

Highland • Ace Hardware • Colasanti’s Produce & Plants • Five Star Ace Hardware • Fragments • Thornton Nurs Howell H Specialty Growers H Superior Landscp Supp • Wilczewski Greenhses Imlay City • Earthly Arts Keego Harbor • Creative Brick Paving Lake Orion • Ace Hardware • Fogler’s Greenhse H Lake Orion Lawn Ornaments H Orion Stone Depot Livonia • Ace Hardware (5 Mi/Middlebelt) • Ace Hardware (6 Mi/Newburgh) • Bushel Mart • George’s Livonia Gard • GrowGeneration • Valley Nurs • Weingartz Macomb • Altermatt’s Greenhse H Brohl’s Greenhouse H Elya’s Village Gard • Joe Randazzo’s • Landscape Source • Olejnik Farms • Wild Birds Unltd Midland • Dow Gardens Milan • KC Runciman Milford • Ace Hardware • Peter’s True Value Hardware H Pond Place Monroe • Flower Market New Baltimore H Meldrum Bros Nurs New Boston H Grass Roots Pond & Gard • Mums the Word New Hudson • Fletcher & Rickard Landscp Supp H Milarch Nurs North Branch H Campbell’s Greenhses H Oldani Landscp Nurs Northville • Begonia Bros • Gardenviews at Home Novi • Ace Hardware • Glenda’s Gard Ctr • Tollgate Education Ctr - MSU • Wild Birds Unltd Oak Park • Ace Hardware • Four Seasons Gard Ctr Oakland H Piechnik’s Gard Ctr Ortonville H Wojo’s Greenhse

Owosso H Everlastings in the Wildwood Oxford • Ace Hardware • Dafoe’s Feed & Seed Plymouth H English Gardens Plymouth Nurs • Graye’s Greenhse • Plymouth Rock & Supp H Rock Shoppe • Sideways • Sparr’s Greenhse Pontiac • Goldner Walsh Gard/Home • MSU ExtensionOakland Cty Ray • Heritage Oaks Redford H Pinter Flowerland Rochester • Allstate Home Leisure • Fogler’s Greenhse • Sherwood Forest Gard Ctr Rochester Hills • Ace Hardware H Auburn Oaks Gard Ctr H Haley Stone • Wild Birds Unltd Romeo • Cold Frame Farm Romulus • Kurtzhal’s Farms • Rush Gard Ctr • Schwartz’s Greenhse Roseville H Dale’s Landscp Supp • Flower Barn Nurs Sea World Royal Oak • Ace Hardware H English Gardens • Frentz & Sons Hardware • Wild Birds Unltd Saginaw H Abele Greenhse & Gard Ctr Salem Twp H Willow Greenhse Saline H Clink Landscp & Nurs • Junga’s Ace Hardware • KBK Gard Ctr • Saline Flowerland Shelby Twp • Ace Hardware • Diegel’s Greenhse H Hessell’s Greenhses • Maeder Plant Farm • PJ Hebert H Telly’s Greenhse South Lyon • Ace Hardware • Bader & Sons • Mike’s Garden • Stone Depot Landscp Supp Southfield H Eagle Landscp & Supp • Lavin’s Flower Land H Main’s Landscp Supp St Clair Shores • Ace Hardware (Harper/13 Mi) • DeRonne True Value Hardware

• Greenhouse Growers • Hall’s Nurs • Soulliere Gard Ctr Sterling Hts • Decor Statuette H Eckert’s Greenhse • Prime Landscp Supp

“the little gardener that could” 15 Years Experience at Botanical Gardens FREE Estimates

586-214-9852 Pat Www.agardenspace.com

Stockbridge • Gee Farms Superior Twp • Lucas Nurs Sylvan Lake H AguaFina Gardens Interntl • Detroit Garden Works Taylor • Ace Hardware • D&L Garden Ctr • Massab Acres Greenhse H Panetta’s Landscp Supp Trenton • Ace Hardware • Carefree Lawn Ctr Troy • Home & Gard Shop H Telly’s Greenhse H Uncle Luke’s Feed Store Utica • Stonescape Supp • Weingartz

We grow all our plants PESTICIDE-FREE! • Annuals • Perennials • Trees • Shrubs • Vegetables • Herbs • Houseplants • Landscaping services

7839 Curtis Rd • Northville 248-437-7219 www.willowgreenhouse.com

Warren • Ace Hardware • Beste’s Lawn & Patio • Greco’s Nurs • Kutchey Family Mkt

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On your way “Up North,” stop in to see our 15 acres of: Annuals • Perennials Shrubs • Shade Trees Water Gardening • Weber Grills Home & Lodge Decor Premium Patio Furniture Garden Accessories & Gifts Floral Department

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5993 West Side Saginaw Rd. Bay City, MI Mon-Fri 9-7 Sat 9-6

Sun 11-5

Right off I-75!

Near Bay City

Amazing selection

Washington • Landscape Direct • Rocks ‘n’ Roots

of ornamental trees, shrubs and perennials

Waterford • Ace Hardware • Breen’s Landscp Supp • Jacobsen’s Flowers H Merritt Home Design

Rain Garden, Butterfly, Bee, Hummingbird, and Native Plants too!

West Bloomfield • ACE Hardware H English Gardens Westland • Ace Hardware H Barsons Greenhses • Bushel Stop • Joe Randazzo’s Nurs • Merlino’s Bushel Ctr • Panetta’s Landscp Supp White Lake H Bogie Lake Greenhse H Mulligan’s Gard Ctr • Sunshine Plants Whitmore Lake H Alexander’s Greenhses • Green Oak Gard Williamston • Christians Greenhse Wixom • Angelo’s Landscp Supp Ypsilanti • Coleman’s Farm Mkt H Margolis Nurs • Materials Unlimited • Schmidt’s Antiques H Sell Farms & Greenhse

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33866 Woodward Ave. 48009

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2781 Scio Church • Ann Arbor 734-665-TREE (8733) www.abbottsnursery.com

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Michigan Gardener | June 2021 | MichiganGardener.com

Quick Pickling G

ardening season is in full swing here in Michigan. If you don’t have cute little baby fruit or vegetables popping up in your garden just yet, it’s only a matter of days. To kick off the season, here is a recipe that can be used throughout spring, summer and fall. Quick pickling is an exciting way to prepare all your garden goodies for future deliciousness. Whether you have an excess of one item or just want a new way to transform another, keep this recipe close at hand over the next few months. Quick pickling is not just for cucumbers! Pretty much anything you grow in your garden can be pickled, from asparagus and jalapeños, to green beans and radishes. Keep in mind that this is not about canning or long-term preservation—it’s just about extending refrigerated shelf life (a few months or so) and adding flavor to perk up salads, grain bowls, tacos, pasta salads or even your favorite sandwiches. The basics of a quick pickle are easy— equal parts water to vinegar, plus sugar Emily and salt. A recipe is provided below, but Wilson don’t feel restricted. This is a suggestion that can be adapted in many ways. With vinegar, for example, apple cider, rice wine or white distilled all work well. For salt and sugar, play around with this ratio to see what you prefer. Instead of white sugar, try brown sugar. Instead of salt, try soy sauce! Another way to get creative is to add things to your basic pickling mixture. Fresh herbs are one good add-in as are black peppercorns, star anise, fennel seeds, mustard seeds, crushed red pepper flakes, dried chiles, garlic cloves or even citrus peel. Try a few different combinations each time and experience the endless possibilities.

MichiganGardener.com | June 2021 | Michigan Gardener

Pickeled mustard seeds can be a great addition to grilled steak or freshly sliced summer tomatoes.

To prevent fresh berries from getting mushy, cool the pickling liquid to room temperature before pouring over the fruit.

What shape do you cut all these different items? Some vegetables are more versatile, such as a carrot. Cut into sticks for an easy snack, a small dice to readily toss into salads, or thinly slice on the bias for the perfect layer on a sandwich.

Ingredients

Serves: 4 • Active Time: 10-15 Minutes

The Basic Quick Pickle • 1 cup apple cider or rice wine vinegar • 1 cup water • 1/2 cup sugar • 2 teaspoons kosher salt • 1 large red onion, peeled and sliced

Instructions Measure vinegar, water, salt and sugar into a small saucepan. Set over high heat and bring to a boil. Let mixture boil gently until sugar and salt dissolve. Place onions in a heat-proof bowl or jar. Pour hot pickling liquid over the onions, then cool to room temperature. Transfer liquid and onions to a storage container, seal with a tight fitting lid and refrigerate. Onions can be enjoyed immediately, but they will also take on more flavor as they sit for a few days. Additional Tips Firm vegetables, such as beets, should be boiled or roasted before pickling to ensure they are tender enough to eat. To prevent fresh berries from getting mushy, cool the pickling liquid to room temperature before pouring over the fruit. For a faster process, boil vinegar with half the water, remove from heat, then add cold water to drop the temperature more quickly. What to Pickle A few suggestions to get you started: radishes, asparagus, green beans, jalapeños, bell peppers, beets, zucchini, cucumber, cauliflower, carrots, fennel (bulb or stalks), onions, mustard seeds, pears, strawberries or blueberries.

All photos by Emily Wilson

Pretty much anything you grow in your garden can be pickled, from asparagus and jalapeños, to green beans and radishes. To Slice or Dice? What shape do you cut all these different items? Some veggies won’t give you much choice, like cauliflower—florets for the win! Other vegetables are more versatile, such as a carrot. Cut into sticks for an easy snack, a small dice to readily toss into salads, or thinly slice on the bias for the perfect layer on a sandwich. Then What? Acidity adds a punch of flavor, which makes pickles a great addition to a variety of dishes. Enjoy pickled berries in a salad with goat cheese and radicchio. Mix pickled fennel and asparagus into chicken or pasta salad. Take tacos to the next level with pickled radish or red onions, toss rice with pickled peppers, or layer pickled slices of zucchini or jalapeño on your best sandwich or grilled burger.

Pickled Veggie Remoulade Serves 4 / Active Time: 5 Minutes Need something specific? Try this Pickled Veggie Remoulade served atop fish or fried green tomatoes! • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise • 3 tablespoons sour cream • 3 tablespoons pickled carrots, small dice • 3 tablespoons pickled asparagus, small dice • 2 teaspoons pickled mustard seeds • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped • 1 tablespoon of pickling liquid • Kosher salt and pepper to taste Instructions Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.

A collection of stores and gardens to shop and visit. Please call ahead for hours, as they may vary from season to season.

Mt. Pleasant

Gladwin

Bay City

Midland

Auburn

Saginaw North Branch Clio

Lapeer

Davison

Imlay City

Flushing

Owosso

Lennon

Burton

Port Huron

Dryden

Grand Blanc

Flint

Emmett

Hadley Almont

Bancroft

Grand Rapids

Bruce Twp. Fenton

Oxford

Ortonville

Lansing

East Lansing

Oakland

Clarkston Hartland

Williamston

White Lake

Howell

Mason

Stockbridge

Rochester

White Lake Waterford

Pontiac

Plymouth Dexter

Chelsea

Jackson

Ann Arbor

Grass Lake

Superior Twp

Detroit Westland

Canton

DearbornDearborn Heights

Ypsilanti

Taylor Belleville

Manchester Saline

New Boston Tipton

Romulus Brownstown Trenton Twp. Grosse Ile Flat Rock

Tecumseh

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almont H American Tree 3903 Van Dyke Rd, MI 48003 810-798-2525 www.americantreeinc.com Brohl’s Flower Gard ann arbor H Abbott’s Nurs & Garden Ctr 2781 Scio Church Rd, MI 48103 734-665-8733 www.abbottsnursery.com H Downtown Home/Gard 210 S Ashley St, MI 48104 734-662-8122 www.downtownhomeandgarden.com H HillTop Greenhse/Farms H Lodi Farms H The Produce Station

H Turner’s Greenhse & Garden Ctr 4431 South Wagner Rd, MI 48103 734-663-7600 www.turnersannarbor.com Wild Birds Unltd armada Pond Guy auburn H Warmbier Farms 5300 Garfield Rd, MI 48611 989-662-7002 www.warmbierfarms.com auburn hills H Haley Stone H State Crushing bancroft Grand Oak Herb Farm

bay city H Begick Nursery & Garden Ctr 5993 Westside Saginaw Rd, MI 48706 989-684-4210 www.begicknursery.com belleville H Banotai Greenhse Gardeners Choice H Pinter Flowerland H Zywicki Greenhse berkley Garden Central birmingham H Blossoms blissfield H Ogden Station Daylilies 7120 Hodges Hwy, MI 49228 517-443-5530 www.ogdenstationdaylilies.com

H Ruhlig Farms & Gard 24508 Telegraph Rd, MI 48134 734-782-9811 www.ruhligfarmsandgardens.com bruce twp H Van’s Valley Greenhouse 74865 Van Dyke Rd, MI 48065 586-752-6002 www.vansvalley.com

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bloomfield hills H Fleurdetroit 1507 Old S. Telegraph Rd, MI 48302 248-953-3840 www.fleurdetroit.com brighton Bordine’s Brighton Stone H Grasshopper Gardens Leppek Nurs H Meier Flowerland 8087 W. Grand River, MI 48114 810-229-9430 www.meierflowerland.com brownstown twp Bruce’s Pond Shop Raupp Brothers Gard Ctr

burton H Country Oaks Landscp Supp H Walker Farms & Greenhouse 5253 E. Atherton Rd, MI 48519 810-743-0260 www.walkersfarm.com canton Canton Floral Gardens Schmidt’s Roadside Wild Birds Unltd chelsea H Garden Mill 110 S. Main St, MI 48118 734-475-3539 www.thegardenmill.com The Potting Shed chesterfield H Van Thomme’s Greenhses

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clarkston Bordine’s H Country Oaks Landscp Supp Lowrie’s Landscp clinton twp H English Gardens 44850 Garfield Rd, MI 48038 586-286-6100 www.englishgardens.com Michigan Koi Tropical Treasures clio H Piechnik’s Greenhouse 13172 McCumsey Rd, MI 48420 810-686-9211 www.cliogreenhouse.com columbus Haack’s Farm Greenhses commerce twp H Zoner’s Greenhouse 2355 E. Commerce Rd, MI 48382 248-363-6742 www.zonersgreenhouse.com davison H Wojo’s Gard Splendors 7360 E. Court St, MI 48423 810-658-9221 www.wojos.com dearborn Fairlane Gardens dearborn heights H English Gardens 22650 Ford Rd, MI 48127 313-278-4433 www.englishgardens.com detroit Eastern Market dexter H Dexter Mill Earth Art H Fraleighs Landscape Nursery 8600 Jackson Rd, MI 48130 734-426-5067 www.fraleighs.com eastpointe Drew’s Garden H English Gardens 22501 Kelly Rd, MI 48021 586-771-4200 www.englishgardens.com farmington hills Angelo’s Landscp Supp Farmer John’s Greenhse H Steinkopf Nursery 20815 Farmington Rd., MI 48336 248-474-2925 www.steinkopfnursery.com fenton H Gerych’s Greenhouse & Flowers 713 W Silver Lake Rd., MI 48430 810-629-5995 www.gerychsdesign.com H Heavenly Scent Herb Farm 13730 White Lake Rd, MI 48430 810-629-9208 www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com

gladwin H Stone Cottage Gardens 3740 West Willford Rd, MI 48624 989-426-2919 www.stonecottagegardens.com grand blanc Bordine’s Sunrise Greenhouse H The Weed Lady 9225 Fenton Rd, MI 48439 810-655-2723 www.theweedlady.com grass lake H Designs by Judy Florist & Greenhse 3250 Wolf Lake Rd, MI 49240 517-522-5050 www.designsbyjudyflowers.com grosse ile H Westcroft Gardens & Farm 21803 West River Rd, MI 48138 734-676-2444 www.westcroftgardens.com grosse pointe Allemon’s Landscp Ctr Otherworld GP grosse pointe woods Wild Birds Unltd hadley H Le Fleur Décor 3442 Hadley Rd, MI 48440 586-495-4076 Find us on Facebook hartland Deneweth’s Garden Ctr haslett Christian’s Greenhse H Van Atta’s Greenhse 9008 Old M-78, MI 48840 517-339-1142 www.vanattas.com highland Colasanti’s Produce/Plant Fragments Highland Garden Ctr Rock Bottom Landscp Supp Thornton Nurs howell Penrose Nurs H Specialty Growers 4330 Golf Club Rd, MI 48843 517-546-7742 www.specialtygrowers.net H Superior Landscape Supplies 4805 Musson Rd, MI 48855 517-548-2068 Find us on Facebook Wilczewski Greenhses imlay city Earthly Arts Greenhse Schutz’s Tree Farm Super & Sons Nurs jackson Hobbit Greenhouses kalamazoo H Wedel’s Nursery, Florist & Gdn Ctr 5020 Texas Dr, MI 49009 269-345-1195 www.wedels.com

flat rock Masserant’s Feed/Grain flushing

lake orion Fogler’s Greenhse H Lake Orion Lawn Orn

H Flushing Lawn & Garden Ctr 114 Terrace St, MI 48433 810-659-6241 www.unclelukes.com

H Orion Stone Depot 4888 Joslyn Rd, MI 48359 248-391-2490 www.orionstone.com lansing Lansing Gardens

lapeer H The Iron Barn lasalle Fowler’s Gift Shop lennon Stone Case Inc. livonia Bushel Mart George’s Livonia Gardens Valley Nurs macomb Altermatt Farms Boyka’s Greenhse H Brohl’s Greenhse Deneweth’s Garden Ctr H Elya’s Village Gardens Landscape Source Joe Randazzo’s Nurs Olejnik Farms Wiegand’s Nursery Wild Birds Unltd manchester McLennan Nurs mason H Wildtype Nurs milford Milford Gardens H The Pond Place monroe The Flower Market new baltimore H Meldrum Bros Nurs new boston H Grass Roots Pond & Garden 24765 Bell Rd, MI 48164 734-753-9200 www.grassrootspondandgarden.com new hudson Fletcher & Rickard Landscp Supp north branch H Campbell’s Greenhouses 4077 Burnside Rd, MI 48461 810-688-3587 www.campbellsgreenhouses.com H Oldani Landscape Nurseries 2666 Tozer Rd, MI 48461 810-688-2363 www.oldanilandscapenurseries.com northville Begonia Brothers Gardenviews at Home H Willow Greenhouse 7839 Curtis Rd, MI 48168 248-437-7219 www.willowgreenhouse.com novi Glenda’s Gard Ctr Wild Birds Unltd oak park Four Seasons Gard Ctr oakland twp H Piechnik’s Garden Ctr 1095 N. Rochester Rd, MI 48363 586-336-7200 www.cliogreenhouse.com ortonville Bedrock Express H Wojo’s Greenhse 2570 Oakwood Rd, MI 48462 248-627-6498 www.wojos.com owosso H Everlastings in Wildwood Crooked Tree Nurs Sunburst Gardens oxford Dafoe’s Feed & Seed

plymouth H English Gardens Plymouth Nurs 9900 Ann Arbor Rd W, MI 48170 734-453-5500 www.englishgardens.com Graye’s Greenhse Plymouth Rock & Supp H Rock Shoppe Sparr’s Greenhse pontiac Goldner Walsh Gard/Home ray Heritage Oaks redford H Pinter Flowerland richmond Jusko’s Greenhse rochester Fogler’s Greenhse Sherwood Forest Gard Ctr rochester hills H Auburn Oaks Garden Ctr 3820 West Auburn Rd, MI 48309 248-852-2310 www.auburnoaksnursery.com Bordine’s H Haley Stone Wild Birds Unltd romulus Block’s Stand/Greenhse Kurtzhals’ Farms Rush Gard Ctr Schwartz’s Greenhouse roseville H Dale’s Landscaping Supply 16720 E 13 Mile Rd, MI 48066 586-778-1919 www.daleslandscaping.com Flower Barn Nurs Sea World royal oak H English Gardens 4901 Coolidge Hwy, MI 48073 248-280-9500 www.englishgardens.com Wild Birds Unltd saginaw H Abele Greenhouse & Garden Ctr 3500 Wadsworth Rd, MI 48601 989-752-5625 www.abelegreenhouse.com saline H Clink Landscaping & Nursery 9403 W. Michigan Ave, MI 48176 734-495-3779 www.clinklandscaping.com KBK Gard Ctr Saline Flowerland shelby twp Diegel’s Greenhse H Hessell’s Greenhouse Maeder Plant Farm H Telly’s Greenhouse 4343 24 Mile, MI 48316 248-659-8555 www.tellys.com south lyon Mike’s Garden Stone Depot Landscp Supp southfield H Eagle Landscp/Supp 20779 Lahser Rd., MI 48034 248-356-4342 https://eaglelandscapesupply.com Lavin’s Flower Land H Main’s Landscp Supp

st clair shores Greenhouse Growers Hall’s Nurs Soulliere Gard Ctr sterling heights Decor Statuette H Eckert’s Greenhouse 34051 Ryan Rd, MI 48310 586-264-5678 www.eckertsgreenhouse.com Prime Landscp Supp stockbridge Gee Farms superior twp Lucas Nurs sylvan lake H AguaFina Gardens International 2629 Orchard Lake Rd, MI 48320 248-738-0500 www.aguafina.com Detroit Garden Works taylor D&L Garden Ctr Massab Acres Greenhse H Panetta’s Landscp Supp tecumseh Mitchell’s Lawn/Landscp trenton Carefree Lawn Ctr troy H Telly’s Greenhouse 3301 John R Rd, MI 48083 248-689-8735 www.tellys.com H Uncle Luke’s Feed Store 6691 Livernois Rd, MI 48098 248-879-9147 www.unclelukes.com utica Stonescape Supp walled lake H Suburban Landscp Supp warren Beste’s Lawn/Patio Supp Kutchey Family Mkt washington Landscp Direct Rocks ‘n’ Roots waterford Breen’s Landscp Supp H Merritt Home Design 5940 Cooley Lake Rd., MI 48327 248-681-7955 www.merritthomedesigns.com west bloomfield H English Gardens 6370 Orchard Lake Rd, MI 48322 248-851-7506 www.englishgardens.com westland H Barson’s Greenhse 6414 North Merriman Rd, MI 48185 734-421-5959 www.barsons.com Bushel Stop Joe Randazzo’s Nurs Merlino’s Bushel Ctr Panetta’s Landscp white lake H Bogie Lake Greenhouses 1525 Bogie Lake Rd, MI 48383 248-887-5101 www.bogielakegreenhouses.com H Mulligan’s Landscp & Gard Ctr 8215 Elizabeth Lake Rd, MI 48386 248-698-4741 www.mulliganlandscaping.com Sunshine Plants

whitmore lake H Alexander Farm Mkt & Greenhouses 6925 Whitmore Lake Rd, MI 48189 734-741-1064 Find us on Facebook Green Oak Gard williamston Christians Greenhse wixom Angelo’s Landscp Supp H Milarch Nurs 28500 Haas Rd, MI 48393 248-437-2094 www.milarchnursery.com Milford Tree Farm ypsilanti Coleman’s Farm Mkt H Margolis Nurs Materials Unlimited Mich Greenscape Supp H Sell Farms & Greenhouses 7200 Willis Rd, MI 48197 734-484-3819 www.sellfarmsandgreenhouses.com

Gardens to Visit ann arbor Matthaei Botanical Gardens/Nichols Arboretum battle creek Leila Arboretum blissfield H Ogden Station Daylilies AHS Display Garden 7120 Hodges Hwy, MI 49228 517-443-5530 www.ogdenstationdaylilies.com bloomfield hills H Cranbrook Gardens clinton twp Tomlinson Arboretum dearborn Arjay Miller Arboretum @ Ford World HQ Henry Ford Estate detroit Anna S Whitcomb Conservtry, Belle Isle Lafayette Greens dryden Seven Ponds Nature Ctr east lansing H MSU Horticulture Gardens W.J. Beal Botanical Gard emmett H Sunny Fields Botanical Park 5444 Welch Rd, MI 48022 810-387-2765 www.visitsunnyfields.org flint Applewood Estate grand rapids Frederik Meijer Gardens grosse pointe shores Edsel & Eleanor Ford Hse lansing Cooley Gardens midland Dahlia Hill Dow Gardens novi Tollgate Education Ctr rochester Meadow Brook Hall & Gardens taylor Taylor Conservatory & Botanical Gard tipton H Hidden Lake Gardens 6214 Monroe Rd (M-50), MI 49287 517-431-2060 www.hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu

Michigan Gardener | June 2021 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from back cover you might need to aim as high as 30 to 40 percent the size of the hard surface, keeping it shallow, at 3 inches or less of ponding water. Test your soils by conducting an infiltration test or a soil boring (learn more at www.TheRouge.org/soils). Alternatively, simply build the rain garden whatever size you can. If undersized, the garden will need more water-tolerant plants, attention to erosion risks, and a plan for overflow.

Digging the rain garden and amending the soil The least laborious way to hand dig a rain garden is to balance the cut and fill. In short, remove soil from the upslope area, and use that soil to elevate the downslope area, forming a berm to hold back the water. The entire bottom area should be as level as possible to spread and sink the water. Especially for gardens with extreme soils (sand or clay), drainage and plant survival improve significantly if you can remove an extra 2 to 3 inches of subsoil and rototill in an equivalent volume of compost. Be careful not to dig out and discard all the good topsoil. Consider a modified double-digging strategy, removing subsoil for the berm and replacing it with topsoil. With leftover soil, explore opportunities to artfully increase the size of your berm, or fill in a low-spot. Or, contact your nearest landscape supplier. Many will charge minimally to drop off a trailer for you to fill with extra soil. Don’t forget mulch! A three-inch layer of shredded hardwood looks great, doesn’t float, suppresses weeds, and keeps young plants alive.

Plants for your rain garden

Tricia Jones

Tricia Jones took the Master Rain Gardener training program in Washtenaw County. Starting with her snow-covered canvas, she opted to design a front yard rain garden.

To help your neighbors fall in love with your rain garden, start your process by taking a walk down the block and noting common neighborhood landscape features. Consider how to use present styles to frame your rain garden, so that your neighbors perceive the rain garden as a natural fit. Then, keep the garden as neatly maintained as possible. Select plants just like you would for any other garden, but pay extra attention to moisture tolerance. Think of your rain garden as having three planting zones: bottom (dry to wet), sideslope (dry to moist), and upland (dry to medium). For plant lists that indicate moisture tolerances, visit www.TheRouge.org/plants. Knowing your soil type is essential; a heavy clay bottom might require wetland plants, whereas a sandy bottom needs drought-tolerant plants. Plant the upland area like the rest of your landscape (though the berm can get droughtier). This might be where to put hostas or yews to frame your garden for neighbors. If you like a manicured look, reduce the number of species and use more grasses and shrubs for structure. Grasses (typically full sun) and sedges (all light levels and soil conditions) are friends of the manicured rain garden. Rely on them for at least 30 to 70 percent of the total to give your garden yearround structure and to unify your planting. If you’d like your garden to support birds, bees, and butterflies, use as many straight native species as possible. Add shrubs, trees, and grasses in addition to perennial flowers to create structure. A habitat-focused rain garden brings your backyard to life, adding a design dimension perfect for inspiring the next generation of young explorers, adventurers, and scientists.

Final steps After building your rain garden, let Friends of the Rouge know at www.TheRouge.org/rainsmart. Help us reach the goal of 1,000 rain gardens for the Rouge by 2025. With your

Tricia Jones

Tricia planned a rain garden for a 350 square foot section of roof. Because her soils were sandy, she could have built small. Instead, she went bigger for bigger impact, building a 110 square foot garden, instead of the 70 square feet suggested by the typical calculation. She placed the rain garden away from her home, near the sidewalk and property line.

MichiganGardener.com | June 2021 | Michigan Gardener

Digging the Rain Garden String Line Level

Stake

Start digging here

Need Compost? Dig 2 inches deeper so that you can add 2 inches of compost to the finished rain garden.

Orig inal grad e

Tricia Jones

A surprise rainstorm gave Tricia the opportunity to test whether she had dug her rain garden level enough to spread the water. While digging, she encountered roots from a silver maple. Thankfully, the root damage did not cause the tree to drop any limbs.

Measure down from the string to make sure the garden bottom is level

Pile soil here Base of rain garden

Tricia Jones

Berm

Underground pipe

Rain Garden water line 3-6"

w Ne

Bottom of pipe opening must be higher than the notch in berm.

Overflow notch on berm determines water level

Tricia amended her garden with compost. Given her sandy soil, the compost helps keep the soil from getting too dry in between storms, thus maintaining soil moisture levels for water-loving plants.

e ad gr

permission, we’ll add your garden to an online map to inspire others. And you can give back by providing guidance and support to future Master Rain Gardener trainees. Editor’s note: Part 1 of this two-part series appeared in the May 2021 issue of Michigan Gardener. To read that article, go to MichiganGardener.com and click on Digital Edition, where you can find the May 2021 Michigan Gardener as well as other past issues.

Matthew Bertrand serves Friends of the Rouge as Restoration Coordinator and Landscape Designer. He earned a Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture at the University of Michigan, and has designed and installed over 60 rain gardens. Matthew worked previously for MSU Extension and the Grand Traverse Conservation District helping people get more out of their gardens.

Tricia Jones

The garden’s second year. Tricia opted to build a rock-lined swale to transfer the water from the downspout into the garden, which adds texture and helps illustrate for neighbors how the garden functions.

| June 2021 | MichiganGardener.com

Susan Bryan

This streetside rain garden in Ann Arbor relies on brown fox sedge (Carex vulpinoidea) to provide a groundcover layer, which softens the adjacent Michigan boulder edging and the 1- to 3-inch cobblestones. A groundcover-focused style using sedges works well in neighborhoods that expect to see turf grass. This particular rain garden has a tidy look by using just two native species: brown fox sedge and red maple.

Part 2 of 2

n part one of this series, you learned that you can protect your property against flooding by building a rain garden. Rain gardens soak up water flowing off hard surfaces like roofs and driveways before that water can flood downstream neighbors. Rain gardens also help move water away from foundations and icy sidewalks, to help secure your home. Lastly, rain gardens bring your lawn to life by creating habitat for birds, butterflies, and bees. Now we’ll explore how to build a beautiful rain garden that you and your neighbors will love.

Ian Bernstein

This three-tier rain garden in Canton, Michigan was built on a slope. The planting design focused on creating groundcover textures, featuring brown fox sedge (Carex vulpinoidea) and wild iris (Iris virginica) in the uppermost, wettest basin. The high-and-dry circular berms provide evergreen contrast, with gray-green colors from Gray Guardian juniper (Juniperus virginiana Grey Guardian). Threeinch cobblestone on the overflows helps illustrate how water moves through the feature, while also creating additional texture.

How big to make your rain garden Sizing a rain garden depends on two key variables: the area of the hard surface draining to the garden, and the type of soils present. Small or large, rain gardens work best if sized proportionally to the size of the hard surface from which they receive water. The rule of thumb suggests sizing the rain garden at 20 percent the size of the hard surface, allowing the garden to hold no more than 6 inches of ponding water. So, if your roof is 1,200 square feet, but the garden will receive wa-

Matthew Bertrand

ter from only a 400 square foot section of roof, then size the garden at roughly 80 square feet (20 percent of 400). Likewise, a tiny rain garden sized at five square feet might be perfect to manage the run-off from a small shed roof. With extremely sandy soil and its fast drainage, you can build a smaller garden, down to 10 percent the size of the hard surface, and potentially much deeper (9 inches or more). For heavy clay that is slower-draining, continued on page 50