INSIDE: DIY CUTTING GARDEN PLAN
Gardener Northern
A MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY PUBLICATION
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THIS SUMMER! You Can Grow FIGS in the North Design a Native Plant Garden Peony Passion
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SUMMER 2023
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SUMMER 2023 l VOLUME 151 l NUMBER 2
Table of Contents 30
38
A Collector’s Garden
Design Class
Something sparked Jill Stevens’ love for peonies—now she’s an expert with a garden filled with blooms. BY SARAH COLBURN
Let a native plant expert help you create a welcoming garden with common plants and uncommon savvy. BY BENJAMIN VOGT
SUMMER 35 YOUR GARDEN CHECKLIST It’s the heart of the growing season, so enjoy every minute of planting, watering, weeding and harvesting that your garden offers. After the winter of 2023, you have earned it. Here’s what to do during each of these glorious months. BY MARY LAHR SCHIER
IN THIS ISSUE 2 Director’s Note 4 MSHS News: Classes, calendar and more. 10 Garden Plan: Cottage Cutting Garden. By Amy Kainz 12 Plant Profile: ‘Montrose White’ calamint. By Matthew Olson
42
A Passion for Martagons
Patience and a zeal for beauty inspire this amateur lily breeder. BY GAIL BROWN HUDSON
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50
Good-Looking Garden
Weird but Wonderful
Tasty and pretty, these nine vegetables deserve a spot next to your favorite flowers. BY JENNIFER RENSENBRINK
These wacky plants might grow on you, given a chance. BY MICHELLE MERO RIEDEL
14 Garden Hack: Check Your IDs. By Eric Johnson 16 Ask the Expert: What’s the Iris Blooming Problem? By Diane McGann 18 DIY: Pruning Artistry. By Kathy Purdy 20 Garden Solutions: What’s Wrong with My Lilacs? By Diane McGann 22 Growing Together: Front-Yard Farming. By Michelle Bruhn
54
24 Kitchen Garden: Go Fig-ure! By Lee Reich
Friend Group
28 Pollinators: Meal Plan. By Beth Stetenfeld
BY KATHY PURDY
60 Before & After: Cabin Vibes. By Mary Lahr Schier
Meet your garden’s new BFF, easy-going geraniums.
ABOUT THE COVER: Brighten your summer garden with sea holly and other unusual plants. Page 50. Photo by Michelle Mero Riedel