Garden
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5620 Bloomington Avenue, Minneapolis
Calling All Pollinators
Plants Top 10 Plant List
Gardening is my hobby and my passion. I’ve only been in my house since 2015, but I’ve been reworking the gardens to draw pollinators and create a private, relaxing space in the back yard.
1. Tree Peony (Koukamon)
The dominant feature there is a massive silver maple. The roots reach everywhere, including into the ground around a concrete patio that had drainage problems, and into an old, overgrown garden. The patio is my favorite place to relax, so I tackled that issue first. In 2016, I edged the patio with a new garden featuring hydrangeas, junipers and a burning bush that help absorb water and create a privacy screen. I add pots of annuals for summer-long color. Last year I replaced the tired plantings in the existing garden with low-maintenance perennials that should draw pollinators. That garden is anchored by a tree peony with maroon flowers, surrounded by plants like bee balm, astilbe, penstemon, coneflowers and bugbane. I’ve tried to amend the soil as I go. The maple has been a challenge, but I respect the tree and value its shade and have tried to protect the roots. I love the sound of water and have fountains in the front and back yards. Birds and squirrels stop by for a drink, and once a Cooper’s hawk sat on the fountain in the front yard! EDUCATION STATION
Water Wisely
You can grow beautiful, healthy plants and turf while helping to conserve water at the same time. Watering Wisely means incorporating best practices for watering your home landscape efficiently. Stop by to learn about the effect of soil texture on water movement, how to determine the type of soil you have in your landscape, and ways to adopt recommended practices for watering gardens, newly planted and established trees and shrubs, and lawns. Water is one of our most precious resources, and you can make a difference in conserving it to benefit generations to come. 6 Master Gardeners’ 2018 Learning Garden Tour
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2. Hydrangea (Little Quickfire)
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3. Dwarf Burning Bush 4. Peonies (Sarah Bernhardt) 5. Prairie Smoke
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6. Swamp Milkweed 7. Bergenia 8. Sliver Maple Tree 9. Anise Hyssop 10. Ficus Tree
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Directions: From Hwy 62: Exit at Portland Ave., head North on Portland Ave., East on E56th St., South on Bloomington Ave. S.
Master Gardener – Hennepin County
The Garden Shed Don’t miss this year’s delightful collection of items at The Garden Shed — perfect gifts for all of the gardeners in your life, including yourself!
2 Rustic, reclaimed-wood birdhouses 2 Charming (and practical) chicken-wire garden cloches 2 Mini garden stakes 2 Succulent planters 2 “Pollinator Packs” of native plants — loved by bees, butterflies and birds All proceeds provide funding for the Extension Master Gardener Program – Hennepin County.
Located in Garden A, 5620 Bloomington Avenue Master Gardeners’ 2018 Learning Garden Tour 7