DIG IN: A GUIDE FOR NEW NORTHERN GARDENERS
Gardener Northern
A MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY PUBLICATION
TASTE THE TOMATO RAINBOW
MAY/JUNE 2021
Fabulous Border Design
Bergenia A PLANT FOR ALL SEASONS
HOW TO OUTSMART
SQUIRRELS U.S. $4.99 Can. $5.99 Display until June 30
LET’S GET GROWING
MAY/JUNE 2021 l VOLUME 149 l NUMBER 3
Table of Contents 28
32
Bordering on Fabulous
Taste the Rainbow
Under an expert gardener’s care, this garden blooms with color and joy. BY MARY LAHR SCHIER
Cherry tomatoes offer diverse colors and flavors, but not all on one plant. BY RHONDA FLEMING HAYES
36 The Finest Phlox
Revitalize your garden and extend the growing season with colorful, vigorous blooms from spring to fall. BY MICHELLE MERO RIEDEL
IN EVERY ISSUE 2 Director’s Note
40
4 MSHS News: Classes, calendar and more.
A Plant for All Seasons
Bergenia does it all—and now there are more reasons to grow it. BY GAIL BROWN HUDSON
14 Northern Natives: Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica). By Beth Stetenfeld 16 Kitchen Garden: In defense of mint. By Samantha Johnson
44 Heavenly Scents
Spicy, sweet, fruity, piney—scented geraniums offer aroma and delight. BY THERESA MIESELER
46 Resistance May Be Futile …
But try these tactics for keeping squirrels out of your garden. BY JENNIFER RENSENBRINK
18 Garden Solutions: Gypsy moth. By Laura Schwarz 20 DIY: Outdoor succulent dish garden. By Eric Johnson 22 Pollinators: Fast-growing vines for hummingbirds. By Rhonda Fleming Hayes 24 Plant to Pick: Calamint (Calamintha nepeta subsp. nepeta). By Debbie Lonnee 26 By Design: Mound it up. By Diane McGann 52 Northern View: A whiff of wonderful. By Janet Favorite
ABOUT THE COVER: 'Jackmanii' clematis adds height to Ken Zimmerman's fabulous border. Photo by Mary Lahr Schier