Michigan Gardener - July / August 2020

July/August 2020

MichiganGardener.com

Your guide to Great Lakes gardening

Please thank our advertisers in this issue

PERENNIALS

Coneflower Vegetable Patch Garden to Table Starting seeds indoors for the fall

Grilled lamb burgers

New Plants

New shrubs for 2020

Garden Profile Repurposing in a country garden

Plants don’t get to choose, but you do.

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A Summer of Hydrangeas Best selection in town:Â

More than 60 varieties available, hand-selected for Michigan gardens.

Shop select varieties online at EnglishGardens.com

Let’s Dance

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Firelight

Limelight

Little Lime

Little Quick Fire

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Sweet Summer

Zinfin Doll

Photos courtesy of Proven Winners and Centerton Nursery

Shop our Open Air Stores.

800-335-GROW EnglishGardens.com Connect with us:

Clinton Township 586-286-6100 Dearborn Heights 313-278-4433 Eastpointe 586-771-4200 Plymouth/Ann Arbor 734-453-5500 Royal Oak 248-280-9500 West Bloomfield 248-851-7506 Landscape Services 248-874-1400

In July, perennial gardeners are just getting started.

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Michigan Gardener | July/August 2020 | MichiganGardener.com

Garden Wisdom A good plant never becomes old-fashioned. It stays good.

At Telly’s, there is always something fresh to add color to your summer garden. Come see why we are a favorite summer destination for so many Michigan gardeners.

—Piet Oudolf

Ask MG............................................................6 Anemone ‘Spring Beauty Pink’ In late spring, rosy pink flowers welcome early pollinators. 11" tall, 14" wide. Sun to part shade.

Allium ‘Serendipity’ A sport of Millenium—same purple flowers, but blue foliage. 18” tall, 13” wide. Sun to part sun.

To-Do List........................................................8 Vegetable Patch..........................................10 Books for the Michigan Gardener.......12 Garden to Table...........................................14 Perennial Perspectives.............................16 Calendar........................................................26

Anemone ‘Fantasy Snow Angel’ Lots of bright white flowers in late summer.

17” tall, 13” wide. Sun to part shade.

Hibiscus ‘Holy Grail’ 9” wide, deep red flowers July-Aug. Nearly black foliage; bright green calyxes. Full Sun-Part Shade.

Advertiser Index........................................26 Classified Ads.............................................27 Through the Lens......................................28 Where to pick up Michigan Gardener.....................................29

Proven Winners

Lilac: Scentara Double Blue New Shrubs for 2020 ������������������������������� 24

Weather Wrap...........................................29 Subscription Form.....................................29 Echinacea ‘Sombrero Sangrita’ Orange flowers mature to warm red with dark cones. 20” tall, 23” wide. Sun to part sun.

Daylily ‘Hungry Eyes’ 5” mauve rose flowers with orange tint. Wine red eye & matching picotee edge. 22” tall & wide. Sun to part sun.

Helleborus ‘Wedding Crasher’ 3” soft pink flowers; liberally covered with darker pink spots. 21” tall & wide. Shade to part shade.

Daylily ‘Raspberry Eclipse’ 5” raspberry purple blooms; lavender purple band. Frilly, yellow picotee edge. 30” tall, 21” wide. Sun to part sun.

TROY • 248-689-8735 3301 John R • 1/4 mile north of 16 Mile Rd.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP • 248-659-8555

Places to Grow...........................................30 Profile: Repurposing out in the country garden ������������Back Cover

Publisher/Editor Eric Hofley Design & Production Jonathon Hofley Advertising Eric Hofley Circulation Jonathon Hofley Editorial Assistant Anna Doman

4343 24 Mile • Btwn Dequindre & Shelby Rd.

www.tellys.com

find us on

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

On the cover: Coneflowers always appear on lists of the most popular perennials. Learn more about them starting on page 16.

Photo: Eric Hofley / Michigan Gardener

30747 Greenfield Rd., Suite 1 Southfield, MI 48076 Phone: 248-594-5563 Fax: 248-594-5564 publisher@MichiganGardener.com E-mail: Website: www.MichiganGardener.com Publishing schedule 5 issues per year: April, May, June, July/Aug, Sept/Oct. Published the first week of the month.

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Have a question? Send it in!

Go to MichiganGardener.com and click on “Submit a question”

Willow leaves are brown We planted 4 dappled willows (Salix integra ‘Hakuro Nishiki’) in a mix of sandy to regular soil and in the sun. The willows looked healthy for a few days, but now it appears that the leaves are being eaten off the plant as the limbs are nearly bare in spots. A few of the leaves have turned brown near the base of the plant. There are deer in the area, however, I don’t see any prints. I have not noticed any insects, worms, or spider webs on the plant. Any ideas? K.S., Grand Haven Dappled willows (‘Hakuro Nishiki’) are lovely additions to the landscape with their multicolor pastel foliage. They can take a lot of sun once their roots are established. They do appreciate some reprieve from afternoon sun and heat because of the light-colored foliage.

Very likely you are seeing transplant shock, which can occur when a plant is removed from the nursery pot where it received regular watering in a compact container. Too

much sun, upon being newly planted in unfamiliar territory, and a need to be watered more frequently until it is established, will cause the shrub to lose leaves. It is the plant’s response to stress and loss of moisture.

Remember that sandy loam drains far more quickly than a clay loam. Since new plantings need extra attention during the first year, a fast draining site means additional watering. Water is probably the most important ingredient to a plant’s success. Mixing some compost into the soil surrounding the plants can help retain that moisture you need to provide, and cause the plant to send out roots toward available nutrients.

If you can find no evidence of insect damage or critter browse, then get consistent water on the root zone early morning and late afternoon. This is especially critical during a heat wave. Once the willows are established, you should see new leaves appear, and you will know that the plant is responding to its soil conditions. Do not fertilize; just water consistently when there is no measurable rainfall.

Turf grass invading groundcover How do I control turf grass that is taking over my pachysandra? D.S. You will need to lift the pachysandra and manually remove the turf grass from the root zone. Replant the pachysandra and top dress with about one to two inches of topsoil so that the sprawling stolons can root in fresh medium.

Next, cut a strong trench between the turf lawn and the pachysandra. Cut about 3 inches down and create a space of 2 to 3 inches between the lawn and the groundcover. Turf grass roots will not grow across an open air space. Do not apply mulch to the pachysandra or the trench. You will have provided the turf grass exactly what it needs to grow into your groundcover. Grass travels via stolons or seed.

Last, when the lawn is mowed, use a mulching mower to put the grass clippings back into the lawn itself. If that is not possible, do not allow the mower to throw cut grass into the groundcover, especially when the turf grass is in seed head. With diligent maintenance practices, you can prevent turf grass from re-establishing in the groundcover.

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How do I keep weeds from driveways and walkways? I pull them out and put weed killer in the cracks and they continue to come back. I have creeping Charlie popping up between the pavers in my patio, which I pull daily. How can I stop them?

K.M., Bloomfield Hills Those lovely patio pavers often settle over time. Properly installed pavers will not be easily susceptible to weed growth. Weed seeds do not come from the bottom up; they come from the top down when the paver sand washes out and makes room for weed seeds to take hold.

A paver patio and even a concrete driveway and walkway need good drainage that slopes, so water does not sit on the hard surface.

Weed seeds want a cool, damp environment to grow; proper drainage will help avoid that.

If your drainage has shifted due to tree root invasion, subsoil erosion, or loss of the underlayment sand, then you may need the paver areas reset by a professional so the drainage can be re-established.

In the short term, since you have frustrating weed growth, remove the largest ones manually. Use a pressure washer to remove other existing matter from the cracks. This is more effective for the very small weeds than manual extraction. When working with pavers, be very careful not to affect the bedding sand layer. Using a non-chemical solution is better for people and the environment. Consequently, using full

strength white vinegar (not household vinegar) or boiling water in the cleaned paver joints or driveway cracks will kill existing weeds and prevent new ones sprouting. Acidity and heat are quite toxic to minute seeds.

Once the area has dried, refill the paver areas with stabilizing sand. There are paver sands that have a bonding agent or gel in them that swells slightly and prevents cracks from developing where seeds can settle and germinate. The same product can be used on concrete cracks.

Find out where the noxious creeping Charlie (Glechoma) is propagating in your lawn or adjacent landscape, and make every effort to remove the source. Stopping the flowering will stop seeds from forming. This may take some due diligence over a period of time, but will help prevent re-infection.

Growing sweeter strawberries What would make my strawberries taste naturally sweeter? J.K., Charlevoix First, select a healthy set of plants, preferably an established cultivar such as ‘Ozark Beauty,’ which is ever-bearing and welladapted to Michigan cold. Ever-bearing means that they will bear fruit the year they are planted. Plant them well spaced apart and in mounded rows for good drainage. Loamy soil slightly on the acidic side (pH 6.0 to 7.0) is ideal. Opt for soaker or drip line irrigation rather than overhead watering. Spacing and proper watering allow good air circulation and prevent fungal diseases from developing.

Enrich the soil with organic matter along the troughs on either side of the mounded rows during fruit development. Consistent watering is the key to sweet berries, especially when there is no measurable rainfall.

There is no magic fertilizer that will make the berries “grow” sweeter. Remember too that weather conditions can have a tremendous effect on the sugar content of small fruit, particularly strawberries. Cool and rainy weather creates conditions ripe for disease. Hot and dry without proper irrigation can create a bitter, off-tasting berry.

Planting your crop on a gently sloped site where cold air can drain away can lessen frost and freeze damage to blossoms in spring and frost damage in fall. The slope direction can also impact the sunlight exposure and temperature. Southern and western provide the most sun. With proper plant selection, planting methods, and a consistent maintenance plan, your strawberries should produce well and be sweeter.

Answers provided by Beverly Moss, owner of Garden Rhythms.

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Michigan Gardener | July/August 2020 | MichiganGardener.com

Feature Task: Caring for your garden in summer Annuals

General

• Most container gardens need water every day, and a few may need water more frequently. Be sure to water thoroughly, so a little water runs out the bottom of the container. If plants are drying out too quickly, move them into just a little bit more shade.

If you’re going on vacation and nobody will be watering, give the plants a good soaking and move them into the shade. It’s not a perfect solution, but it may keep them alive until your return.

• With proper care, annuals should look great until frost kills them.

• Get the family involved. Planting is a natural activity to involve all members of the family. Keep everyone interested throughout the season with as many fun, gardenrelated activities as you can. Make work fun for the kids. Plan contests to see who gathers the most weeds, or spots the insect that’s eating the leaves of a plant. Assign each person one area of the garden that is theirs to water and nurture, so they take ownership. Get creative and get everyone gardening together.

• During the summer, enjoying the fruits of our spring efforts and continual maintenance are the main things happening in the garden. Monitor watering and scout plants for pests.

• Over the course of several days, check garden spots hourly to accurately determine how many hours of sunlight the garden receives. This is the defining factor as to what plants can be grown.

Bulbs: Spring-Flowering • The foliage from spring-flowering bulbs can be removed as it dies back. These bulbs can also be divided and replanted now, or wait until the fall.

Evergreens • Avoid pruning evergreens during the summer. Pruning promotes new growth that won’t harden off before winter sets in.

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• Start harvesting blueberries, raspberries, and even some peaches. It’s best to pick fruit early in the morning. If birds are getting to the fruit before you have a chance to harvest, use a protective netting that will let light, air and water get through to the plants but keep birds away.

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Hot and humid is typical weather in Michigan, and it can wreak havoc with the garden.

Here are some tips to keep your landscape looking its best.

Water. The right amount of water is important, particularly during the summer.

Make sure that anything newly planted this year gets adequate water—at least an inch a week from rainfall or supplemental methods.

More established plants will also need water during the dry spells. Some plants will wilt under the stress of hot sun. Hydrangeas will typically be droopy until the sun goes down in the evening. That said, check the ground before watering to avoid the opposite problem: overwatering.

When watering, create a puddle around the plant. This ensures plants will be watered deeply, which encourages roots to grow deeper. To water more efficiently, create an earthen ring of soil (like a moat) just outside the plant’s root ball to make sure the water does not roll away from the plant, but soaks in to the root zone.

Container gardens may need to be watered daily during dry weather. A 10-inch hanging basket may need as much as a gallon of water every morning. It’s a good idea to double check containers later in the day, as more water may be needed. Think about drip irrigation for planters and hanging baskets. Hook it up to a timer or the sprinkler system so you don’t have to remember to water.

Plant annuals, like impatiens, at the base of shrubs and trees to indicate when the soil is getting dry; impatiens wilt when they need water. plants to help keep moisture in and weeds out.

• Fertilize perennials regularly and water deeply but infrequently for best root growth. A perennial’s roots live through the winter, so bigger roots now mean a bigger plant next year.

Vegetables • The biggest issues now are weeds and bugs. Check the underside of plants at least every week for signs of bugs, but don’t worry if you find them. Bring a sample to your local garden center and go home with an appropriate cure. There are many options, including organic ones, to nip the problem in the bud.

• Remove weeds promptly. A good layer of mulch makes weeding easier and helps prevent soil compaction between the rows.

When watering, water deeply and let the soil dry out a couple inches down before watering again. This gets oxygen into the roots and helps keep roots cool in the heat.

• Continue fertilizing, following the manu-

Pests and diseases. Keep fallen leaves and debris out of garden beds. They can harbor insect pests and disease organisms.

Check plants frequently to look for signs of pests or diseases and treat them as they arise. It’s easier to take care of a situation early before it becomes something major. Be careful when spraying insecticides or fungicides. Temperatures must be below 85 degrees F, otherwise foliage gets burned.

Fertilizer. A slow-release fertilizer will keep plants performing through fall. Containers, annuals and vegetables will benefit from an application of a water-soluble fertilizer.

Lawn care. Keep the grass a little longer during periods of low rainfall. Only cut 1/3 of the grass blade at any one time, and make sure the mower blade is sharp. Jagged edges lead to sunburned tips, which will cause stress and make the grass susceptible to insects and diseases. To keep a lawn growing actively, it needs about one inch of water per week. Lawns that don’t receive adequate water will go dormant; they will resume growth when they receive water consistently.

Mulch. Add a layer of mulch to new and existing plants to conserve moisture. Mulch also cuts down on weeds and provides a fresh look for garden beds.

Weeds. Weeds grow fast in the heat.

Keep the vegetable garden free of weeds so they don’t rob edibles of precious moisture and nutrients. Pulling a few weeds every day from garden beds keeps everything looking tidy and prevents weeds from taking over. facturer’s directions for frequency and application rates. Applying more fertilizer or more frequently won’t help plants grow any better or faster.

Water Garden • During hot weather, algae can grow a lot.

Have adequate pond plants to help keep the algae down. The water’s surface should be covered at least 75 percent by water plants, such as water hyacinths, water lilies and water lettuce. Cleaning the filter on a regular basis and testing the water to keep the balance correct will also help keep algae under control.

• To help control mosquitoes, introduce fish into the water or add mosquito dunks to prevent eggs from being laid.

• Fertilize pond plants with tablet fertilizer specifically designed for water garden plants.

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Michigan Gardener | July/August 2020 | MichiganGardener.com

Starting seeds indoors for the fall

I

f you want to get the most from your of true leaves, they can be transplanted into garden, then now is the time to consider containers with potting soil. More informastarting seeds for a fall crop. Many of our tion on potting and seed starting soils can be cool weather crops, such as beets, carrots, found in the Michigan State University Excauliflower, radishes and so on, can be planttension article at tinyurl.com/yay7borg. ed from mid July through August to mature It is important to maintain soil moisture in the cooler weather of September, October while the seeds germinate and the young and even November. While the root crops of plants are growing. A spray bottle filled with beets, carrots, parsnips and radishes are best water works well to dampen the soil and if directly seeded in the garden, many of the avoid splashing it out of the pot. When uscooler crops can be started indoors where ing plastic trays, be sure that the cells have cooler temperatures more in keepdrainage holes and that you have a ing with their natural growing condrip tray to catch any overflow. The ditions can be maintained. By the purpose of the drain hole is to allow time the plants are 4 to 6 weeks old excess water out of the pot to avoid and ready to transplant in the garliterally drowning the plants. Do den, the weather outdoors will be not overwater your plants! heading toward the cooler temperLight is extremely important to atures they require. The important the healthy growth of your transpart in all of this is growing healthy plants. Leaving a tray on a windowtransplants. sill is unlikely to provide adequate Mary Gerstenberger When we talk about starting light. It is best to have either a seeds indoors, the same principles grow light or a combination of cool apply whether they are planted in spring or and white light fluorescent tubes suspended late summer. There are seven things to conabout 4 to 6 inches above your growing trays. sider: container, potting medium, moisture, The light should be raised or adjusted as the light, temperature, nutrients, and hardening plants grow. off.

Since we are growing cool weather plants, It is best to start the seeds in individual constarting them indoors provides the warmth tainers. Plastic multi-celled trays or the multineeded for good germination and having air celled peat pots work well. By planting seeds in conditioning keeps temperatures cooler individual containers, you avoid the damage to than outdoors. If there is no air conditioning, roots that can occur when plants grown in an growing the plants in the basement can proopen tray need to be separated. If planted in vide nice, evenly cool temperatures. peat pots, the pot can be planted directly in the Nutrients are usually provided in the soil, reducing stress that form of fertilizer. It is not can occur when removing always necessary to proa plant from a plastic cell. When starting seeds vide fertilizer, as many of However, the entire peat the potting soils contain pot must be below soil level indoors, there are seven an adequate amount for when planted to avoid ex- things to consider: the time that the plants are posed peat wicking water in pots prior to transplantaway from the roots. It may container, potting ing. In all cases, check the be necessary to peel away medium, moisture, light, label of the seed starting a small portion of the top or potting mix for nutrient of the peat pot when plant- temperature, nutrients, content and any recoming. The benefit to growing and hardening off. mendations. seeds in the plastic multiLast, but not least, is pack trays is that you can the process of hardening sanitize and reuse the trays, where you must off the transplants. Hardening off means the always buy new peat pots. plants are being acclimatized to their outdoor For the potting medium, seeds can be environment. The indoor environment lacks started in a seed starting mix or in a potting the light, wind and fluctuating temperatures mix. Those two mixes are very different. that plants experience outside. To help your Seed starting mixes are sterile, soilless, and transplants adjust, about two weeks before have a finer texture than potting mix, which planting, begin taking them outside each may contain soil. By using the seed starting day, extending the length of time from a mix, the problem of damping off (a fungal disfew hours in the beginning to all day before ease of young seedlings) can be avoided. Once transplanting. It is also a good idea to do the the seedlings have developed their second set transplanting late in the day to give the plants

MichiganGardener.com | July/August 2020 | Michigan Gardener

the cooler night hours to establish and reduce stress from the heat of the day.

Vegetables that are considered very hardy and able to survive a hard frost and even freezing temperatures include: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, leaf lettuce, peas, spinach, and turnips. Frost-tolerant vegetables include: beets, cauliflower, carrots, parsnips and radish.

For more information on starting seeds indoors, check out the University of Minnesota

11

Extension article at tinyurl.com/y93hvozq.

Mary Gerstenberger was the Consumer Horticulture Coordinator at the Michigan State University Extension in Macomb County, MI. For vegetable and gardening information from MSU, visit www.migarden.msu.edu.

Call the toll-free Michigan State University Lawn and Garden Hotline at 888-678-3464 for answers to your gardening questions.

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Michigan Gardener | July/August 2020 | MichiganGardener.com

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The Gardener’s Botanical: An Encyclopedia of Latin Plant Names

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The Gardener’s Botanical will help you unlock these secrets. This guide contains a wide array of botanical names in alphabetical order. Each word is listed with a pronunciation guide, definition, example plant, and, where appropriate, etymology. Also included are special features on important plant genera, fact boxes, essays focusing on the history and importance of Latin names and botanical illustrations, and an index of common names with more than 2,000 popular plants cross-referenced with their botanical names.

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Michigan Gardener | July/August 2020 | MichiganGardener.com

Grilled Lamb Burgers with Spicy Cucumbers and Arugula

R

aise your hand if you love a good burger, especially in the middle of summer and even more so when it’s hot off the grill! Yep, I see those hands! I’m happy to share this recipe because I love a good burger, but even more so, I love a delicious lamb burger. Yes, lamb has a unique flavor compared to beef, which is what makes it so enjoyable and different from a typical

burger. Ground lamb is also a great way to enjoy the flavorful protein without spending loads of cash on fancy racks and chops.

Every good burger needs good toppings and accompaniments. For this summertime version let’s look right to the garden for some added flair—cucumbers! It’s as if cucumbers get all dressed up with this extremely simple transformation, and all it takes is a little pep-

pery heat and pop of vinegar. The way they add both a spicy kick and a refreshingly crisp, juicy crunch to the burgers makes me downright giddy for cucumbers. Keep in mind, the following recipe is written based on an English cucumber, but can be adapted easily for whatever variety you may be harvesting in your garden this year.

Skip the ketchup, and instead, whip to-

Emily Wilson gether creamy goat cheese with a touch of mayo for a bold sauce that stands up to the flavor of the lamb. Arugula is always a musthave on any burger of mine (or any sandwich for that matter), and dare I say the real star of the show is the pretzel buns you see pictured.

Tender and slightly sweet, they take burgers to the next level. Enjoy!

MichiganGardener.com | July/August 2020 | Michigan Gardener

1

2

3

4

Ingredients

Serves: 4 • Prep Time: 15-20 Minutes

Spicy Cucumber • 1 large English cucumber (or preferred garden variety) • 1/4 cup spicy (or sweet) cherry peppers, sliced thin • 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil • 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper Burger • 1 tablespoon ground cumin • 1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt • 3/4 teaspoon black pepper • 1-1/4 pounds ground lamb • 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil • 3 ounces goat cheese, softened at room temperature • 4 tablespoons mayonnaise • 1 tablespoon butter, melted • 4 pretzel hamburger buns (or preferred choice) • 1 cup baby arugula

Instructions 1. To make the spicy cucumbers, use a mandolin to shave the cucumber lengthwise very thinly.

2. Set them in a medium bowl and mix in the hot cherry peppers, olive oil, vinegar, crushed red pepper, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Let them marinate at room temperature as you prep the burgers, stirring every so often.

3. For the burgers, combine the cumin, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Divide the ground lamb into 4 equal portions, about 5 ounces each. First, roll them into balls, then flatten each ball between your palms to make 3/4-inch thick patties. Rub both sides with olive oil and season all over with the cumin mixture.

4. Prepare your grill to cook the burgers directly over medium heat. Once grill grates are hot, place the burgers on the grill.

Cover and cook about 8-10 minutes for medium doneness, flipping once halfway through. Lift the lid to check the burgers every so often, and lower heat if necessary. When done, transfer to a clean plate.

5. As the burgers finish cooking, brush the cut side of buns with melted butter. Place on the grill over low heat, cut-side down, and cook 1-2 minutes until toasted.

15

6. Stir together the goat cheese and mayonnaise and spread on the bottom half of each bun. Set the cooked burgers on top of the goat cheese-mayo and finish with arugula, spicy cucumbers and the top bun!

Helpful Tip: The spicy cucumbers, goat cheese-mayo and the burger patties can all be made in advance. Allow the patties to come to room temperature by taking them out of the refrigerator about 20 minutes before grilling.

To Cook Indoors: If you prefer to cook inside, set a sauté pan large enough to fit all four patties over medium-high heat. A cast iron skillet works great for this, if you have one. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and once hot, add the burgers. Lower heat to medium and cook about 8 minutes, flipping once halfway through.

Emily Wilson is the chef, recipe developer and food writer behind The Craveable Kitchen food blog, which is an overflow of her passion for cooking and helping others cook well for themselves, too. Find more recipes, tips and inspiration at www.TheCraveableKitchen.com.

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Michigan Gardener | July/August 2020 | MichiganGardener.com

Coneflower

C

oneflowers always appear near the top of lists of “most popular perennials,” regardless of who wrote the list. It’s no wonder these plants are popular— they are available in a multitude of flower colors and shapes, as well as many heights and growth habits. A literal explosion of new coneflower (Echinacea) varieties have been developed over the past three decades.

History and background The native purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea has been used as an ornamental in this country since the 1700s. Its native range includes most of the eastern half of the U.S., which makes it a sensible, easy-to-grow choice among native-plant gardeners and traditional perennial gardeners alike. This species is available in the typical dusky pink/light purple color and a white-flowered form. E. purpurea, and its early selections ‘Bright Star’ and ‘White Lustre’ were the only varieties available to the gardening public during much of the 20th centuKaren ry. In 1985, Jelitto Seed Bovio Company of Germany introduced ‘Magnus,’ which was hailed as a breakthrough due to its horizontally held petals, larger flower size, brighter color, and tall sturdy habit. ‘Magnus’ was selected as Perennial Plant of the Year in 1998.

Interest in native plants led gardeners and horticulturists to explore some of the other echinacea species, particularly E. angustifolia, E. pallida, E. tennesseensis, and the only yellow-flowered species, E. paradoxa. All of these have played a part in the breeding of new coneflower varieties. A simple hybrid of a white-flowered “purple coneflower” and the native Ozark coneflower E. paradoxa by Jim Ault of the Chicago Botanic Garden resulted in the 2004 introduction of the first orange coneflower: ‘Art’s Pride,’ aka Orange Meadowbrite. This amazing color breakthrough stimulated a frenzy of hybridizing efforts that have resulted in the profusion of colors and shapes available today.

Semi-double forms of purple coneflower occasionally occur in nature, and German grower Eugen Schleipfer worked during the 1990s to select and propagate the best of them. The result was the development of ‘Doubledecker,’ a seed-grown strain introduced by Jelitto Seed in 2004 that bears a topknot of extra petals on top of the cones. The goal of producing reliably double coneflowers,

www.PerennialResource.com

‘Magnus’ combined with the genetics for colors outside of pink and white, has led to today’s plethora of incredible coneflowers. In my opinion, no horticultural genus has evolved, or perhaps I should say expanded, as rapidly as Echinacea.

Our modern, colorful double coneflowers are so different in appearance from their straightspecies progenitors that horticulturists of the previous century could never have predicted their development.

However, the creation of double cone-

flowers—the flower form usually exhibits a crested center of tightly packed petals instead of the traditional “cone”—comes with a cost when it comes to wildlife. The loss of the cone correlates with sterility and an inability to reproduce from seed. The double forms are typically produced in laboratories by means of tissue culture; the resulting plantlets are sold to nurseries and greenhouses for growing-on in larger pots to sell to the public. This is good news for growers and gardeners seek-

ing the new and unusual, but not such great news for bees and other pollinators, which have difficulty foraging for nectar within the somewhat distorted floral form. Studies and trials show that insects prefer the traditional single form and while they don’t completely shun the doubles, insects must work a lot harder for their nectar reward. Fertility and seed production, sacrificed in the process of continued on page 18

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Michigan Gardener | July/August 2020 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from page 16 doubling, may not be a problem for gardeners who dislike the excessive self-sowing of the single forms, but it’s bad news for songbirds who would otherwise consume the seeds.

This author takes no stand in the argument of “natural versus hybridized” because both have their places in gardens. I trust that gardeners—people who love plants and nature— will grow a wide enough variety of plant forms and types to satisfy both the needs of wildlife and their own desire for the unique and novel.

Growing coneflowers

www.PerennialResource.com

Double Scoop Mandarin

Not only do coneflowers appear at the top of popularity lists, they also top many lists of “easy-to-grow perennials.” The single purple (or white) coneflowers are so adaptable that even beginners are certain to have success, but the unusual colors and double forms have proven to be more challenging. Many new hybrids are relatively untested in landscape settings and may fail to overwinter, particularly in their first year.

A common recommendation is to prevent these new hybrids from blooming during establishment—a period of one growing season—by removing all flower buds. Yes, that is a hard choice, and most nurseries are reluctant to perform this task because their customers want to see the flowers. But tests

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PowWow Wild Berry

show that eliminating the flowers forces the plants to channel their energy to the root system rather than spending it on flowering and the often futile attempt to produce seeds.

All echinacea varieties (native species, seed-propagated strains, and cultivars grown from tissue culture) prefer well-drained soil and full sun. The species and seed strains are very adaptable to different soils, from sandy to loam to clay but often fail in overly wet or poorly-drained soil. Purple coneflowers also fare quite well in partial shade, but the more highly hybridized cultivars do best in full sun.

Coneflowers are drought tolerant once established—in fact, all species except E. purpurea and its hybrids will develop long, moistureseeking taproots at maturity. Gardeners find coneflowers to be carefree and easy to grow when given the conditions they prefer.

Propagation Although coneflowers can be divided, they are quite slow to bulk up in the garden. This makes division a less common method of propagation compared to faster-growing perennials like daylilies, Shasta daisies, and sedums. Growing from seed is an easy method to produce echinacea species and some purple coneflower strains. Plus, it is considerably less expensive than increasing plants by division or tissue culture. Because seed-grown continued on page 20

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Michigan Gardener | July/August 2020 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from page 18 The fancy double types, and many of the new brightly colored singles, must be grown from division or tissue culture and are thus much more costly.

Coneflower companions Coneflowers have a very long season of bloom, from July until frost in southeastern Michigan. Because of this extended bloom time, dozens of perennials can be used as companions. For midsummer color, plant them with daylilies, Shasta daisies, bee balm, butterfly bush, coreopsis, gaura, false sunflower, sea holly, and rose campion. Later in the summer, coneflowers continue their show with phlox, rudbeckia, sedum, and all types of ornamental grasses. Native plant enthusiasts find that coneflowers cohabitate nicely with orange butterfly weed, Culver’s root, rattlesnake master, pearly everlasting, many species of liatris, and native grasses like little bluestem and prairie dropseed. Coneflowers are available in heights ranging from 14-inch dwarfs to tall varieties reaching 42 inches, making echinacea a very versatile genus for all types of gardens.

Recommended varieties

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coneflowers have always been single and purple/pink or white, hybridizers have stepped in to develop seed strains that include the new coveted colors of orange, apricot, gold, and yellow. ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ is perhaps the best-known example. Nursery growers can now provide customers with fancy colors at a lower price, but it must be noted that they are single-flowered and come as “mixed colors,” occasionally producing plants with lessdesirable rose pink, cream or white flowers.

Although not flashy and certainly not new, ‘Magnus’ still stands out as an inexpensive but great garden plant. It is durable and long lived, and self-sown seedlings may be equal in quality to the parent. Among dwarf purple coneflowers, several are proven performers.

PowWow Wild Berry and ‘Kim’s Knee High’ are two good examples. The well-known ‘Kim’s Knee High’ has drooping petals rather than outspread like ‘Magnus,’ but the sharp contrast of its pinky-purple petals to bright red-orange cones, along with profuse flowering, puts ‘Kim’s Knee High’ in the category of tried-and-true. However, it is becoming harder to find, due to the influx of so many new varieties in the rose/pink/purple color range.

Given the huge number of new echinacea cultivars available, it is difficult to make fair recommendations without slighting some excellent ones. Furthermore, there are regional favorites developed in different parts of the country and overseas. Many are introduced as part of a series or collection, encompassing multiple cultivars in different colors. A trip to the local garden center will reveal plenty of choices. Here are a few of my favorites, based on flower color, habit, and reliability in southeastern Michigan.

‘Hot Papaya’ – Tall double, bright paprika orange. Very large flowers with an elongated shape and high crest. A member of the ConeFections series. 32 inches tall.

Double Scoop series – Double flowered in two colors: Cranberry (deep red) and Mandarin (fluorescent orange). 24 inches tall. continued on page 22

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Michigan Gardener | July/August 2020 | MichiganGardener.com

continued from page 20 ‘Butterfly Kisses’ – Double, dwarf with mounded growth habit. Pink flowers with a crested center. From the Cone-Fections series. 18 inches tall.

‘Green Twister’ – Large, green, single flowers tipped pink. A variable seed strain; plants are not identical. 38 inches tall.

Sombrero series – Dwarf plants with single flowers in very bright colors. ‘Adobe Orange,’ ‘Salsa Red,’ ‘Lemon Yellow,’ ‘Hot Coral,’ and ‘Baja Burgundy.’ 18-24 inches tall.

‘Solar Flare’ – Large single flowers with glowing sunset colors. Black stems and black cones. From the Big Sky series. 36 inches tall.

PowWow Wild Berry – Short single variety of vibrant purplish-rose. Petals are reflexed, not out-facing. Seed-grown. 20-24 inches tall.

‘Julia’ – Four-inch wide, single flowers of tangerine orange. A member of the Butterfly series. 16-18 inches tall.

‘Rainbow Marcella’ – Sherbet colors of light orange and raspberry. From the Butterfly series. 18 inches tall.

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Michigan Gardener | July/August 2020 | MichiganGardener.com

Proven Winners

Lilac: Scentara Double Blue challenging landscape spots.

This lilac species (Syringa x hyacinthiflora) is grown for its fragrance. In spring, the cool purple blooms of Scentara Double Blue take on a bluish tone, while the double flowers are loaded with petals, creating a seashell effect.

With excellent disease resistance, it is easy to grow and care for. Just give it full sun and welldrained soil, preferably on the alkaline side.

Height: 8-14 inches. Width: 36 inches.

Light: Full sun to part sun. Zone: 3.

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Light: Full sun. Zone: 3.

Proven Winners

Ground Hog displays its small white flowers while serving as a groundcover around these golden arborvitaes.

Black chokeberry: Ground Hog This native shrub (Aronia melanocarpa Ground Hog) naturally grows as a dense groundcover. In spring, small white flowers nestle amongst the glossy green foliage. Then

dark purple berries develop in the fall, along with showy red foliage. Once established, Ground Hog tolerates drought and most any soil conditions. Use this tough cookie in your

Hydrangea: Endless Summer Summer Crush This compact, bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) delivers big raspberry red or neon purple blooms, depending on the pH of your soil. A more alkaline soil will yield blooms in the raspberry red range. The small, tight growth habit of Summer Crush makes it suitable for patio containers.

Height: 2-3 feet. Width: 2-3 feet.

Light: Part sun to part shade. Zone: 4.

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MichiganGardener.com | July/August 2020 | Michigan Gardener

25

ECOLAWN 250

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Compost will add to lawns: Proven Winners

Rose: Ringo This shrub rose sports sunny yellow blooms, with a bold red ring in the center. As these single blooms age, they fade to white with a pink ring, continuing the show. The accompanying photo shows the multiple flower color phases. An award winner, Ringo

is a robust grower and disease resistant.

Deadheading is not required to get continuous blooming.

Height: 3-4 feet. Width: 3-4 feet.

Light: Full sun. Zone: 4.

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Adding compost to lawns will also lessen the amount of water needed for waterings and helps with erosion control. www.CountryOaksLandscapeSupply.com Clarkston 248.623.2640 | Burton 810.743.1920

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!

Viburnum: Spice Island

Plants Nouveau

This Koreanspice viburnum (Viburnum carlesii) offers fragrant, pink buds that open to white snowball-like clusters in mid spring. Unlike many Koreanspice viburnums, Spice Island blooms with its leaves fully expanded as a backdrop, enhancing the beauty of the flowers. As the temperatures cool and fall approaches, the foliage turns to brilliant shades of burgundy and glowing red. This compact grower is slow to mature, so it is suitable for smaller spaces and garden paths, where the scent can be most appreciated.

Height: 4-5 feet. Width: 4-5 feet. Light: Full sun to part shade. Zone: 5.

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

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Michigan Gardener | July/August 2020 | MichiganGardener.com

calendar July / August / September / October / November

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT PUBLIC GARDENS, please visit MichiganGardener.com.

Click on "Resources" then "Public Gardens."

New members always welcome Visit our website for program schedule

NOTICE: Contact event organizer to verify event is still scheduled.

July

Find serenity in your garden Statuary • Arbors • Trellises • Furniture • Bird baths

New! Shop Our Website: www.thegardenmill.com/shop

110 S. MAIN • DOWNTOWN CHELSEA • 734-475-3539 • www.thegardenmill.com

call

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GARDEN RHYTHMS

15 Years Experience at Botanical Gardens

CREATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR

RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPES

FREE Estimates

586-214-9852 Pat Www.agardenspace.com

Maintenance & Pruning Garden Design Garden Coaching Seasonal Containers Certified Master Gardeners & Designers

248-217-6459 bevinbloom@comcast.net

Advertiser Index Abbott’s Landscape Nursery..... 23 Aguafina Gardens International...........................................17 Assoc. of Professional Gardeners................26 Auburn Oaks Gard Ctr.................. 23 Barson’s Greenhouse......................19 Beauchamp’s/The Pond Place.....5 Billings Lawn Equipment............... 13 Blossoms.............................................. 23 Bogie Lake Greenhouses.............. 23 Contender’s Tree/ Lawn Specialists..................................7 Country Oaks Landscape Supp...............................25 Dale’s Landscaping Supp............. 23

Davey Tree.............................................5 English Gardens........................Page 3 Fraleigh’s Landscape Nursery......19 The Garden Mill................................26 Garden Rhythms..............................26 A Garden Space................................26 Gerych’s Greenhouse.......................6 Gordon’s Lawn Core Aeration.....11 Grass Magic........................................ 17 Hidden Lake Gardens..................... 17 Lake Orion Lawn Ornaments...... 13 Margolis Nursery..............................19 Merritt Home Design.....................21 Milarch Nursery.................................11 The Original Budget Tree Service...........................................8 Oldani Landscape Nurseries......25 Organimax...........................................21

Orion Stone Depot........................... 17 Osmocote...........Inside Front Cover Piechnik’s Gard Ctr........................... 12 Poison Ivy Control of Michigan.......................................... 12 Proven Winners Color Choice......9 Schuman Landscape Lighting..... 13 Sell Farms & Greenhouses........... 13 Specialty Growers............................21 State Crushing....................................19 Stone Cottage Gardens...................8 Telly’s Greenhouse.............................4 Turner’s Landscp & Gard Ctr.......10 Uncle Luke’s Feed Store................ 27 Van Atta’s Greenhouse..................11 Warmbier Farms...............................21 The Weed Lady.................................10

**CANCELLED** Northville Garden Walk 27th Annual Wed, Jul 8, **CANCELLED (Coronavirus)** 9am-4pm, Northville. By Country Garden Club of Northville at 7 gorgeous gardens PLUS a bonus Mini walk. $12/advance $15/day of. www.cgcnv.org, 734-451-5553. **CANCELLED** Troy Garden Club 46th Annual Garden Walk Wed, Jul 8, **CANCELLED (Coronavirus)** 9:30am3pm & 5pm-8:30pm, Troy. “Kaleidoscope of Gardens.”

By Troy Garden Club at 7 private gardens at 7 venues.

Rain/Shine $12/advance; $15/day of. Activities at the Troy Historic Village, 9am-6pm: Midsummer Arts & Crafts Boutique, Plant Sale & Student Art Exhibit. www.TroyGardenClubMI.com, 248-540-6158.

Taylor Conservatory Music & Art in the Gardens Wed, Jul 8, Wed, through Aug 5, 5:30-8:30pm, Taylor.

At Taylor Conservatory. $5. Music starts at 6:30. Plenty of space to practice distancing. Bring a chair, etc. www.taylorconservatory.org. **CANCELLED** Grandmont Community Association’s Garden Tour Sat, Jul 11, **CANCELLED (Coronavirus)** NW Detroit.

By Grandmont Garden Club & The Grandmont Community Association. This fund helps graduating high school students that live in Grandmont. Lorena Rashid: 313-585-2499.

NOTICE: Contact event organizer to verify event is still scheduled. **CANCELLED** Super Sprout Kid’s Club: Stepping Stone Sat, Jul 11, **CANCELLED (Coronavirus)** 11:30am, all locations. At English Gardens. $5. Bring your Super Sprout to create a stepping stone. All the materials needed are supplied. www.EnglishGardens.com.

Summer Crops & Plant Management for Yield & Pest Control Sun, Jul 12, 9am-Noon, Online. By MSU Tollgate Farm & Education Ctr. Tomato, pepper, cucumber trellising, pruning & maintenance. Field demos of pest management, pruning & trellising. https://events.anr.msu.edu/MorningsFarm2020/.

**CANCELLED** Belleville Area Garden Walk: Gardens with a Vision!

Sun, Jul 12, **CANCELLED (Coronavirus)** Belleville & Van Buren Township. By Belleville Area Garden Walk Committee at 7 area gardens. Knowledgeable docents & gardeners on hand. www.bellevilleareagardenwalk.com.

H Garden Delight Tour Wed, Jul 15, 11am-1pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $29.99. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com. **CANCELLED** 38th Annual Garden Walk Interlochen Thu, Jul 16, **CANCELLED (Coronavirus)** Noon-7pm, Interlochen area. By Friendly Garden Club at Long Lake/ Interlochen area gardens. $10/pre-sale $12/day of. www.mynorthtickets.com.

NOTICE: Contact event organizer to verify event is still scheduled. **CANCELLED** Michigan Koi & Pond Club Annual Pond Tour Sat, Jul 18, **CANCELLED (Coronavirus)** 10am-5pm, West Bloomfield/Commerce. By Michigan Koi & Pond Club. $10/adult, $5/under 12. Beautiful gardens with water features. Rain/shine. mkpc-se.com for more information.

Hosta Show Sat, Jul 18, 10am-5pm & Sun, Jul 19, 11am-5 pm, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. FREE. Hosta leaves will be displayed in vases, showcasing an amazing variety. West MI Hosta Society members available to answer questions.

H Outdoor Garden Tea Party Wed, Jul 22, 11:30-1:30, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $31.75. The perfect way to celebrate summer.

Dates: 7/22, 7/23, 7/24, 7/28, 7/29, 7/30. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com.

Taylor Conservatory Music & Art in the Gardens Wed, Jul 22, Wed, through Aug 5, 5:30-8:30pm, Taylor.

At Taylor Conservatory. $5. Music starts at 6:30. Plenty of space to practice distancing. Bring a chair, etc. www.taylorconservatory.org. **CANCELLED** Silver Anniversary Garden Tour Sat, Jul 25, **CANCELLED (Coronavirus)** 9am-4pm, Houghton & Higgins Lake area, By Kirtland Garden Club.

Tickets are $10 pre-sale, $12 day of event. Self-guided tour. 832-360-0974.

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

September/October 2020 April 2021

Deadline August 15, 2020 March 15, 2021

MichiganGardener.com | July/August 2020 | Michigan Gardener

August **CANCELLED** 27th Annual Garden Tour: Yardeners of St. Clair Shores Sat, Aug 1, **CANCELLED (Coronavirus)** 9am-3pm, St. Clair Shores. By Yardeners of St. Clair Shores. $5. Kids under 12 free. Begin at the Selinsky-Green Farmhouse Museum. Visit the vendors & see the sponsors at the garden sites. Rain/Shine. Self guided tour. scsyardeners@gmail.com.

Taylor Conservatory Music & Art in the Gardens Wed, Aug 5, Wed, through Aug 5, 5:30-8:30pm, Taylor.

At Taylor Conservatory. $5. Music starts at 6:30.

Plenty of space to practice distancing. Bring a chair, etc. www.taylorconservatory.org. **CANCELLED** Super Sprout Kid’s Club: Carnivorous Plant Terrarium Sat, Aug 8, **CANCELLED (Coronavirus)** 11:30am, all locations. At English Gardens. $24.99. Bring your Super Sprout to create a Carnivorous Plant Terrarium. www.EnglishGardens.com. **CANCELLED** Stories in the Garden Wed, Aug 12, **CANCELLED (Coronavirus)** 1011:30am, East Lansing. At MSU. FREE. Teens will be reading stories to younger children—a magical time of fun & learning. www.canr.msu.edu.

H Family Bike Day At Hidden Lake Gardens Fri, Aug 14, Tipton. At Hidden Lake Gardens.

517-431-2060.

Crocker House Museum’s Maiden Porch Walk Sat, Aug 15, Noon-4pm, Mt Clemens. By Crocker House Museum. Come discover the history of private homes in the historical section of Mount Clemens. Homeowners will share their home’s history.

10th Annual Summer Garden Tour Sat, Aug 15, Detroit. At Black Cat Pottery. Register: www.blackcatpottery.com.

Season Extension & Putting the Garden to Bed Sun, Aug 16, 9am-Noon, Online. By MSU Tollgate Farm & Education Ctr. Season extension, storage crops, cover cropping & mulching. Field demos of extension techniques & mulching. https://events.anr.msu.edu/ MorningsFarm2020/.

Michigan Koi & Pond Club 8th Annual Koi Show Fri, Aug 21, 2-5pm; Sat, Aug 22, 9am-4pm; Sun, Aug 23, 10am-1pm, Brighton. At Bordines. Judging koi from 6 states, vendors, selling fish & supplies. 734-846-8588. mkpc-se.com. rayalexander60@aol.com.

H Herbal Summer Faire Sat, Aug 29, 10am-5pm & Sun, Aug 30, 11am-4pm, Fenton. At Heavenly Scent Herb Farm. $3. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com.

Dahlia Show Sat, Aug 29, & Sun, Aug 30; Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. Marvel at the variety of colors, shapes & sizes of dahlia flowers & view creative floral arrangements. www.meijergardens.org.

NOTICE: Contact event organizer to verify event is still scheduled.

Grand Garden Show Sun, Aug 30, Mackinac Island. By Proven Winners at Grand Hotel. Three days of garden tours, expert speakers & educational content. www.grandgardenshow.com.

September Hydrangeas - A Show for all Seasons Wed, Sep 9, Noon-2pm, Troy. By Troy Garden Club. $7.

Light lunch at Noon. Annette Ferris: Hydrangeas – A Show for all Seasons. Register: infoandideas@aol.com. www.TroyGardenClubMI.com.

Dahlias: 68th Annual Dahlia Show & Competition Fri, Sep 11, 12-9:30pm, West Bloomfield Twp. By the Southeastern Michigan Dahlia Society. At Orchard Mall. 500 dahlias of varying size, color & form. www.semds.org, 248-689-5947. **CANCELLED** Super Sprout Kid’s Club: Nature Art Sat, Sep 12, **CANCELLED (Coronavirus)** 11:30, all locations. At English Gardens. $5. Bring your Super Sprout to create a Nature Art piece. All the materials needed are supplied. www.EnglishGardens.com.

27

Chrysanthemums & More Fri, Sep 18, through Nov 1, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. Celebrate the autumn season with an extensive display of hundreds of flowering plants. Color tours, tram rides & seasonal children’s activities.

Yardeners Fall Plant Exchange Sat, Sep 19, 9am-11am, St. Clair Shores Library. By Yardeners of St. Clair Shores at St. Clair Shores Library parking lot. Load up your vehicles with your extra labeled plants & divisions. scsyardeners@gmail.com.

Uncle Luke’s featuring

NOTICE: Contact event organizer to verify event is still scheduled.

Herb & Gourd Fest Sat, Sep 19, & Sun, Sep 20, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. Discover a variety of ways to use herbs & gourds in this fall event. Gourds available for purchase. www.meijergardens.org.

Japanese Garden 5th Anniversary Celebration Lecture Tue, Sep 22, 6pm, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. Author Leslie Buck will embark on a garden adventure in Kyoto as seen through the daily lives of gardeners, rather than visitors.

Great Gardens Party Wed, Sep 23, 6pm, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. $100/ticket. Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a sitdown dinner, live/silent auctions, a raffle & much more.

Fall Ornamentals & Putting Your Garden to Bed Fri, Sep 25, 10am, Rochester. By Meadow Brook Garden Club at Meadow Brook Hall. $5 donation. Kathy Miller presents. www.meadowbrookhall.org.

October Fall Bonsai Show Sat, Oct 3, Sat-Sun, Grand Rapids. At Frederik Meijer Gardens. See a variety of bonsai on display, from trees in early stages of training to lovely older trees. Watch bonsai artists at work.

Dahlias: Digging, Dividing & Storing Your Dahlias Mon, Oct 5, 2-4pm, Troy. By the Southeastern Michigan Dahlia Society at Telly’s Greenhouse. Dr. Keith Berven & members will show how to dig, divide & store tubers for the winter. www.semds.org, 248-689-5947. **CANCELLED** Super Sprout Kid’s Club: Halloween Party Sat, Oct 10, **CANCELLED (Coronavirus)** 11:30am, all locations. At English Gardens. $5. Bring your Super Sprout to a Halloween Party and create a festive mask.

All the materials needed are supplied. www.EnglishGardens.com.

Composting Mon, Oct 19, 7pm, St. Clair Shores. By Yardeners of St. Clair Shores at St. Clair Shores Public Library.

FREE. Presentation by Mary Gerstenberger. Learn the benefits & techniques for composting in your garden. scsyardeners@gmail.com.

Scent of the Holidays Fri, Oct 23, 10am, Rochester. By Meadow Brook Garden Club at Meadow Brook Hall. $5 donation. Colleen K. Dodt presents. www.meadowbrookhall.org.

ORGANIC

Soil Amendments & Fertilizers

Fresh, local produce arrives starting mid-July as the crops ripen—Come see what’s available!

Tomatoes • Corn • Peppers • Cherries • Peaches and much more! Our sweet corn is fresh-picked DAILY Bring us your lawn, plant & pest problems— We will help you troubleshoot!

Uncle Luke’s Feed Store

6691 Livernois, Troy (1/4 Mile S. of South Blvd.)

248-879-9147 • www.unclelukes.com Mon-Fri 9-6:30 • Sat 8-6 • Sun 9-5

Visit our 2nd location:

Flushing Lawn & Garden 114 Terrace St., Flushing, MI 810-659-6241 Bagged soils & mulches • Cocoa mulch (great price!)

Outdoor bird feed & supplies • Pet & animal food & supplies

Classified Ads

November **CANCELLED** Super Sprout Kid’s Club: Autumn Luminary Sat, Nov 14, **CANCELLED (Coronavirus)** 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. $5. Bring your Super Sprout to create an Autumn Luminary. All the materials needed are supplied. www.EnglishGardens.com.

10th Annual Holiday Open House Sat, Dec 5, Detroit. At Black Cat Pottery. www.blackcatpottery.com. **CANCELLED** Super Sprout Kid’s Club: Cookie Decorating Sat, Dec 12, **CANCELLED (Coronavirus)** 10am, all locations. At English Gardens. $5. Bring your Super Sprout to Cookie Decorating. All the materials needed are supplied. Register: www.EnglishGardens.com.

NEED A HAND? Call “The little gardener that could.” 15 yrs experience at Botanical Gardens. FREE Estimates. Pat: 586-2149852, agardenspace.com.

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.

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DON’T LOOK. Oops, you looked. And so will 70,000 potential customers. Advertise in Michigan Gardener. Call 248-594-5563 or e-mail publisher@MichiganGardener.com.

NEED TECHNOLOGY HELP? Since 1986, I have helped folks just like you. Computer, smartphone, TV, tablet, WiFi network. I will analyze your needs, set-up, train & provide support. If you are frustrated by all the technology in your life, email or call Dave Barrett: coachbarrett4@gmail.com or 248770-4541.

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28

Michigan Gardener | July/August 2020 | MichiganGardener.com

through the lens Photographs from Michigan gardeners

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.

3. If your photo is published, we’ll give you a free one-year subscription to Michigan Gardener.

“May your night be full of peonies, roses and allium.” —Susan Frentz

Linda St. Laurent snapped a photo of this Tuscan-themed container on the patio of her sister and brother-in-law, Dolores and Frank Vento.

Roseanne Young captured this bearded iris glowing in the sunlight.

This honeysuckle grows on Elsie Misner’s potting shed porch.

www.MichiganGardener.com | July/August 2020 | Michigan Gardener

Look for Allen Park • Ace Hardware Almont H American Tree • 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 H 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 • Garden Central Beverly Hills • Ace Hardware Birmingham H Blossoms Brighton • Ace Hardware • Brighton Stone & Fireplace • Grasshopper Gdns • 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) H Country Oaks Landscp Supp • Gateway • Lowrie’s Landscp • Weingartz Clawson • Ace Hardware • Billings Lawn Equip Clinton Twp H English Gardens

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at these fine locations: • 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 • Bloom! Gard Ctr • 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 H Heavenly Scent Herb Farm Ferndale • Casual Modes Home & Gard 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 • Le Fleur Décor Haslett H Van Atta’s Greenhse Highland • Ace Hardware • Colasanti’s Produce & Plants • Five Star Ace Hardware • Fragments • Rock Bottom Stone Supp • 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 • Boyka’s Greenhse H Brohl’s Greenhouse H Elya’s Village Gard • Joe Randazzo’s H Landscape Source • Olejnik Farms • Wild Birds Unltd Midland • Dow Gardens Milford • Ace Hardware • Rock Bottom Landscp Supp • 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 • Rock Shoppe

• Sideways • Sparr’s Greenhse Pontiac • Goldner Walsh Gard/Home • MSU ExtensionOakland Cty Ray • Heritage Oaks Redford H Pinter Flowerland • Seven Mi Gard Ctr 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 • Manus Power Mowers • Wild Birds Unltd Saginaw • 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 • 3 DDD’s Stand • Eagle Landscp & Supp • Lavin’s Flower Land • Main’s Landscp Supp St Clair Shores • Ace Hardware (Harper/13 Mi) • Cultivation Station • DeRonne True Value Hardware • Greenhouse Growers • Hall’s Nurs • Soulliere Gard Ctr Sterling Heights • Sterling Hts Nature Ctr Sterling Hts • Decor Statuette H Eckert’s Greenhse

• Prime Landscp Supp Stockbridge • Gee Farms Superior Twp • Lucas Nurs Sylvan Lake H AguaFina Gardens Interntl H Detroit Garden Works Taylor • Ace Hardware • D&L Garden Ctr • Massab Acres Greenhse H Panetta’s Landscp Supp Trenton • Ace Hardware • Carefree Lawn Ctr • Keck Hardware Troy • Home & Gard Shop H Telly’s Greenhse H Uncle Luke’s Feed Store Utica • Stonescape Supp • Weingartz Warren • Ace Hardware • Beste’s Lawn & Patio • Greco’s Nurs • Kutchey Family Mkt Washington • Big Red Orchard • Landscape Direct • Rocks ‘n’ Roots

Precipitation May 2020

NORMAL Monthly 3.38 3.08 3.36

Detroit Flint Lansing

ACTUAL Monthly 3.62 5.36 6.05

DEVIATION from Normal +0.24 +2.28 +2.69

2020 Year to Date: Jan 1 - May 31

NORMAL Yr. to Date 12.54 10.99 11.57

Detroit Flint Lansing

ACTUAL Yr. to Date 14.97 13.76 16.78

Wixom • Angelo’s Landscp Supp Ypsilanti • Coleman’s Farm Mkt H Margolis Nurs • Materials Unlimited • Michigan Greenscape Supp • Schmidt’s Antiques H Sell Farms & Greenhse

DEVIATION from Normal +0.23 -0.27 -0.75

2019 Year TOTAL: Jan 1 - May 31

DEVIATION from Normal +2.43 +2.77 +5.21

NORMAL Yr. to Date 12.54 10.99 11.57

ACTUAL Yr. to Date 15.97 13.25 12.51

DEVIATION from Normal +3.43 +2.26 +0.94

May 2020

May 2019

NORMAL Avg. High 69.9 68.5 68.8

ACTUAL Avg. High 66.7 68.9 66.7

DEVIATION from Normal -3.2 +0.4 -2.1

ORMAL N Avg. High 69.9 68.5 68.8

ACTUAL Avg. High 68.6 67.9 66.6

DEVIATION from Normal -1.3 -0.6 -2.2

Detroit Flint Lansing

NORMAL Avg. Low 49.4 45.3 46.7

ACTUAL Avg. Low 48.7 47.9 46.7

DEVIATION from Normal -0.7 +2.6 0.0

ORMAL N Avg. Low 49.4 45.3 46.7

ACTUAL Avg. Low 49.1 45.5 46.1

DEVIATION from Normal -0.3 +0.2 -0.6

Data courtesy National Weather Service

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Westland • Ace Hardware H Barsons Greenhses • Bushel Stop • Joe Randazzo’s Nurs • Merlino’s Bushel Ctr • Panetta’s Landscp Supp

Williamston H Christians Greenhse

ACTUAL Monthly 3.61 2.81 2.61

Monthly 3.38 3.08 3.36

Detroit Flint Lansing

West Bloomfield • ACE Hardware H English Gardens

Whitmore Lake H Alexander’s Greenhses • Green Oak Gard

NORMAL

Temperature

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

White Lake H Bogie Lake Greenhse H Mulligan’s Gard Ctr • Sunshine Plants

May 2019

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almont H American Tree

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

auburn H Warmbier Farms 5300 Garfield Rd, MI 48611 989-662-7002 www.warmbierfarms.com

auburn hills H Haley Stone 3600 Lapeer Rd, MI 48326 248-276-9300 www.haleystone.net H State Crushing

H HillTop Greenhse/Farms H Lodi Farms H The Produce Station

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H Turner’s Greenhse & Garden Ctr 4431 South Wagner Rd, MI 48103 734-663-7600 www.turnersannarbor.com

H Begick Nursery & Garden Ctr 5993 Westside Saginaw Rd, MI 48706 989-684-4210 www.begicknursery.com

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H Meier Flowerland 8087 W. Grand River, MI 48114 810-229-9430 www.meierflowerland.com

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Bruce’s Pond Shop Raupp Brothers Gard Ctr H Ruhlig Farms & Gard

H Blossoms

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blissfield H Ogden Station Daylilies 7120 Hodges Hwy, MI 49228 517-443-5530 www.ogdenstationdaylilies.com

brighton Bordine’s Brighton Stone Leppek Nurs

H Van’s Valley Greenhse 74865 Van Dyke Rd, MI 48065 586-752-6002 www.vansvalley.com

burton H Country Oaks Landscp Supp H Walker Farms & Greenhouse 5253 E. Atherton Rd, MI 48519 810-743-0260 www.walkersfarm.com

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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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clinton twp H English Gardens 44850 Garfield Rd, MI 48038 586-286-6100 www.englishgardens.com Michigan Koi Tropical Treasures

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clio H Piechnik’s Greenhouse 13172 McCumsey Rd, MI 48420 810-686-9211 www.cliogreenhouse.com

grosse ile H Westcroft Gardens & Farm 21803 West River Rd, MI 48138 734-676-2444 www.westcroftgardens.com

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H Zoner’s Greenhse 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

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dexter Bloom! Gard Ctr Dexter Mill 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 Nurs

fenton H Gerych’s Greenhse H Heavenly Scent Herb Farm 13730 White Lake Rd, MI 48430 810-629-9208 www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com

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haslett H Christian’s Greenhse H Van Atta’s Greenhse

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

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Fogler’s Greenhse Sherwood Forest Gard Ctr

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new baltimore H Meldrum Bros Nurs

new boston H Grass Roots Pond & Gard Mums the Word

new hudson H Milarch Nurs 28500 Haas Rd, MI 48165 248-437-2094 www.milarchnursery.com 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

H Auburn Oaks Garden Ctr 3820 West Auburn Rd, MI 48309 248-852-2310 www.auburnoaksnursery.com

lake orion H Lake Orion Lawn Orn H Orion Stone Depot 4888 Joslyn Rd., MI 48359 248-391-2490 www.orionstone.com

lansing Lansing Gardens

lapeer H The Iron Barn

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

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macomb Altermatt Greenhses Boyka’s Greenhse H Brohl’s Greenhse Deneweth’s Garden Ctr H Elya’s Village Gardens H Landscape Source Joe Randazzo’s Nurs Olejnik Farms Wiegand’s Nursery Wild Birds Unltd

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oakland twp H Piechnik’s Garden Ctr 1095 N. Rochester Rd, MI 48363 586-336-7200 www.cliogreenhouse.com

ortonville H Wojo’s Greenhse 2570 Oakwood Rd, MI 48462 248-627-6498 www.wojos.com

ottawa lake Beauchamp Landscp Supp

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

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H Detroit Garden Works

H Haley Stone 3975 S. Rochester Rd, MI 48307 248-852-5511 www.haleystone.net

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roseville H Dale’s Landscaping Supply 16720 E 13 Mile Rd, MI 48066 586-778-1919 www.daleslandscaping.com

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troy H Telly’s Greenhouse 3301 John R Rd, MI 48083 248-689-8735 www.tellys.com

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H Uncle Luke’s Feed Store 6691 Livernois Rd, MI 48098 248-879-9147 www.unclelukes.com

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H English Gardens 4901 Coolidge Hwy, MI 48073 248-280-9500 www.englishgardens.com Wild Birds Unltd

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H AguaFina Gardens International 2629 Orchard Lake Rd, MI 48320 248-738-0500 www.aguafina.com

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H Designs by Judy Florist & Greenhse 3250 Wolf Lake Rd, MI 49240 517-522-5050 www.designsbyjudyflowers.com

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H Christians Greenhse

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Earthly Arts Greenhse Schutz’s Tree Farm Super & Sons Nurs

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H The Weed Lady 9225 Fenton Rd, MI 48439 810-655-2723 www.theweedlady.com

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H Stone Cottage Gardens 3740 West Willford Rd, MI 48624 989-426-2919 www.stonecottagegardens.com

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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 Greenhses 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

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sterling heights Decor Statuette H Eckert’s Greenhouse 34051 Ryan Rd, MI 48310 586-264-5678 www.eckertsgreenhouse.com Prime Landscp Supp

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warren Beste’s Lawn/Patio Supp Kutchey Family Mkt

washington Landscp Direct Rocks ‘n’ Roots

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ypsilanti Coleman’s Farm Mkt H Margolis Nurs Materials Unlimited Sell Farms & Greenhouses 7200 Willis Rd, MI 48197 734-484-3819 www.sellfarmsandgreenhouses.com

Gardens to Visit ann arbor H Matthaei Botanical Gardens/ Nichols Arboretum

battle creek Leila Arboretum

blissfield Ogden Station Daylilies AHS Display Garden 7120 Hodges Hwy, MI 49228 517-443-5530 www.ogdenstationdaylilies.com

bloomfield hills H Cranbrook Gardens

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dearborn Arjay Miller Arboretum @ Ford World HQ Henry Ford Estate

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Anna S Whitcomb Conservtry, Belle Isle Lafayette Greens

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H Merritt Home Design 5940 Cooley Lake Rd., MI 48327 248-681-7955 www.merritthomedesigns.com

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English Gardens 6370 Orchard Lake Rd, MI 48322 248-851-7506 www.englishgardens.com

westland 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

east lansing H MSU Horticulture Gardens W.J. Beal Botanical Gard H Sunny Fields Garden Park 5444 Welch Rd, MI 48022 810-387-2765 www.visitsunnyfields.org

flint Applewood Estate

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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

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Michigan Gardener | July/August 2020 | MichiganGardener.com

text continued from back cover Through the years while living in Flint and then later when they moved to the country, they obtained many of their plants from the Lapeer County plant exchange. They would scope it out before the exchange began to see what plants they wanted. Because there were seven in their clan, they would send each girl to get one of the desired plants. Pretty ingenious if you ask me. When they began going to the exchange, the girls were 5 to 12 years old. These adventures introduced their girls to gardening and they still garden today.

When the move was made to the country, their koi pond and rock garden came with them. They dug the pond deeper than it had been previously and they overwinter more than 20 koi. The pond also provides sound in the garden, as it has a waterfall made from a barrel at one end.

The most unique feature of the pond is the aquarium in the middle that the koi can swim in and out of. I was amazed. How is that done? The aquarium is upside down and supported by an old walker under the water. It is attached to the walker by C-clamps. Then, using a wet/dry vacuum, the air is vacuumed out of the aquarium and the water fills the aquarium and stays there. That is so cool!

A bubbler is running all winter to keep the koi alive in the pond. In terms of herons, they have not had any problems so far. Once a heron finds the fish, they come back, so let’s hope one never flies over and spots their fish. The rock garden surrounding the pond has been moved three times, but this became its final home. The Paulys found the rocks from facades of demolished buildings, and they also look for interesting rocks wherever they go.

My favorite sculptures were the huge, col-

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

orful flowers throughout the garden. When Cathy told me what they were, it became obvious. They are fans. Small fans up to enormous fans. When the Buick plant was demolished in Flint, Cathy procured the huge exhaust fans. With a bit of spray paint in fun colors, the fans became whimsical flowers scattered throughout the garden.

Cathy and Greg’s mantra is definitely reuse/recycle/upcycle. Visitors take notice of some other fun things used in unique ways.

The gazing globe garden has many globes that are made from bowling balls and Cathy has covered a few with broken dishes, beads, buttons, and glass to make them even more colorful. I observed flowers made from keys, faucet handles, and Allen wrenches. Cathy and Greg have many outbuildings on their property, and they keep everything—they never know when they will need it!

The Paulys moved to have a larger garden, but didn’t realize the tree taking up a good part of the yard near the house was a black walnut. Because of the juglone in the roots and ground around the tree, many vegetables will not grow. They didn’t let that bother them. Remember, they are pickers and keep everything. They had laundry sinks on legs and found even more—then made their veggie garden in those. The sinks’ holes assured drainage. As a bonus, they don’t have to bend over to pick the veggies. It saves their backs as well as providing fresh veggies for dinner.

They grow tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, carrots, Brussels sprouts, Swiss chard, and potatoes—all in containers.

Even broken pots have a new purpose—in this case, a fairy garden.

text continued on page 35

Left and right: What an ingenious way to use old fan blades—add some paint and they become big and bold flowers.

MichiganGardener.com | July/August 2020 | Michigan Gardener

The home’s previous owners have written their names on bricks under the front porch.

Here is one from 1935.

The vibrant petunias on the front porch are planted in antique milk cans.

This upside-down aquarium cleverly allows the fish to rise up and look at us looking at them.

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Michigan Gardener | July/August 2020 | MichiganGardener.com

This shade and hosta garden is filled with “gazing globes.� Most of them are actually recycled bowling balls, many of which have been covered with mosaics.

This large, claw-foot bathtub has become a miniature garden within the garden, complete with a pond.

When the Paulys moved to their new home, the koi pond was on the list of things to bring with them.

MichiganGardener.com | July/August 2020 | Michigan Gardener

35

This bowling ball is positioned just right— with the hat on, it becomes a cute face. text continued from page 32 Where plants grow that aren’t affected by the tree, the soil is rich, and they grow well.

They have natural fertilizer from the previous owner raising cows, horses, and pigs.

The Paulys are hunters and also raise a lot of their own meat, such as turkeys, pheasants, Guinea hens, ducks, and rabbits. Cathy hunts and Greg does the canning, so they are all set when winter arrives. Greg makes homemade ketchup and hot sauce, and freezes the veggies. Their pheasants follow the lawn mower around the yard, catching insects jumping out of the mower’s path.

As we wandered around the yard and talked about the garden and house, Cathy pointed out some names written on the home’s bricks on the front porch. The previous owners have all written their names on the bricks.

Since the bricks are protected by the porch, the names are still there many decades later.

The first dated signature is from 1916, so it has lasted over 100 years. Cathy had small arrows taped onto the brick so people would notice them on a recent garden walk. What a special piece of history on the house itself.

This home and garden is full of fun artifacts and tons of history. Cathy and Greg are adding to that history with their unique art and creative gardens.

The extensive rock garden was also moved from Flint to the owners’ new garden. The rocks came from foundations of old homes.

The Paulys are always on the lookout for interesting rocks when they travel.

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).

| July/August 2020 | MichiganGardener.com

Repurposing Out In The Country Garden Cathy and Greg Pauly’s mantra of reuse, recycle, and upcycle is reflected in their historic property

C

athy and Greg Pauly are the ultimate their five children, but for their garden. When “scrappers” and their rustic garden they found this 10-acre Genesee County farm reflects that. What does 10 years ago, they made the move. “scrapper” mean? As Greg says, At the time, there was a barn be“They are collectors of rusty antiqhind the house, but unfortunately it uities.” The Paulys do some creative was too far gone to save when they things with those antiquities and moved in and has since been taken that is evident in the garden sculpdown. The silo is still there though ture seen throughout their country and has become a focal point in the garden. They found many of the garden. The wisteria scrambling up bottles on the fences and farm imthe side came from their daughter’s plements in a dump in their woods garden and has almost reached the Lisa where decades of previous owners top. It’s breathtaking in the spring— Steinkopf had cast their trash. a purple beacon that can be seen Cathy and Greg started out in from a long way off. the city of Flint, but wanted to be in a rural setting and needed a bigger home not only for text continued on page 32

The back porch is an ideal place to sit and view the pond and garden, and watch the hummingbirds flit about.

The Pauly’s historic brick farmhouse is over a century old.