The Kansas City
editor’s notes
GARDENER A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening
Hydrangea blues
Independently owned and operated since 1996 Publisher Michael Cavanaugh Editor Elizabeth Cavanaugh Editorial Assistant Hannah Cavanaugh Contributors Charles Anctil Sipora Coffelt Nik and Theresa Hiremath Susan Mertz Dennis Patton Rodney St. John Diane Swan Gayle Yelenik Distribution Publishers Delivery Solutions, Inc.
How to Reach Us ...
P.O. Box 8725 Prairie Village, KS 66208 Phone: 913-648-4728 For advertising information contact Michael Cavanaugh at mike@kcgmag.com Submit editorial questions to Elizabeth Cavanaugh at elizabeth@kcgmag.com
See us on the Web: www.kcgmag.com
Don’t Miss A Single Issue! Get a subscription for yourself or your favorite gardener. See page 23.
4
August 2015 | kcgmag.com
N
ot far from where we live, there’s a fabulously designed landscape that grabs my attention every time I pass. Whether on foot or in the car, and no matter the season, I am drawn to this garden. On a recent Sunday morning, driving to church, it happened again. If we had more time, I would have stopped the car in order to make a few notes and snap a couple of pictures. Instead, I made a mental note to consider this shrub for our landscape next season. The edge of the property, between the public sidewalk and the dry stack wall that borders the garden, is healthy green turf, well manicured. Just behind the twofoot wall are evergreen and deciduous shrubs, paired with blooming perennials. Something always seems to be in flower. What an inspiring scene! What caught my eye that day were the three tall, hardy hydrangea ‘Limelight’ (Hydrangea paniculata). Bold. Striking. And loaded with beautiful creamy, to bright white elongated blooms. With a little research, I discovered this hydrangea is drought tolerant, with reliable, soft green summer flowers that change to pink in fall. Good
in containers, and as a cut flower. Talk about a full season shrub. Truly impressive. ‘Limelight’ is stellar in comparison to the hydrangea in my landscape, which are Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Nikko Blue’. In years previous, my landscape has been full of large clusters of long-blooming summer flowers in that characteristic mophead form. With so many flowers, I had the great pleasure of sharing with my neighbors. Isn’t that one of the reasons we garden – to share our treasures with others? There’s nothing quite like strolling the garden, clippers in hand, picking flowers for a friend. Whether there is plenty or only a select few, the random act of giving is your gift. And don’t get all fancy searching for just the right vase. Any sort of vessel that holds water will do. Then, the look in their eyes when you’ve presented your gift
of the heart is the sweet reward for this labor of love. I’ve missed that experience this season and last. For two years now, I have been hydrangea bloomless. I don’t know why they haven’t bloomed. They have been fed. The plants are healthy and are without outward signs of disease or pests. I’ve been patient with a “wait and see” attitude, or try to convince myself “maybe next year.” I’m satisfied with the plentiful serrate, dark green leaves that add texture to the garden. But how long must I pine for the return of my beloved blue blooms? While waiting, I’ll continue to be captured by other hydrangea varieties. When the waiting becomes unbearable, a change will be made. For without the act of giving, my labor of gardening is without reward. I’ll see you in the garden!
In this issue August 2015 • Vol. 20 No. 8 Ask the Experts ........................ 6 The Bird Brain ......................... 8 Ash Tree ................................. 9 Daylily Beauty ......................... 10 Butterflies and Bees Love These.. 12 Country Gardens Celebrate ...... 14 Aeration and Dead Zones ........ 16
about the cover ...
Call Before You Dig ................. 17 Upcoming Events ..................... 18 Rose Report ............................ 20 Dinner on the Prairie ................ 21 Garden Calendar .................... 22 Professional’s Corner ................ 23 Subscribe ................................ 23
Milkweed is a favorite of gardeners wanting to help Monarch butterflies . Learn more about pollinator plants for butterflies and bees starting on page 12.
10
14