Indholdsfortegnelse for July/August 2020 i Garden Gate

Large containers, lightweight hoses and easy-to-use tools are a few ways I make watering easier... Can I make a confession? I don’t enjoy watering. I know some gardeners find it almost meditative. Not me. Dragging (and rewinding) hoses and lugging watering cans are just not peaceful activities for me. That’s why I stopped planting small containers a few years ago. Only those large enough to need watering a couple of times a week for most of the season make it onto my patio these days. I have to admit that I don’t dislike watering as much as I used to since I recently upgraded my watering tools. My new lightweight stainless steel hose is actually easy to rewind. And a watering wand with a lever release and a nice, tight…

When you think of lamb’s ears, you probably think of soft silvery leaves that spread to form an irresistibly woolly carpet. Less common but no less wonderful are its green-leaved cousins, the betonies. These two Stachys are so different from each other: One is grown for its sprawling gray-green carpet of fuzzy foliage, and the other group is grown for its showy spikes of bright lavender-pink flowers in midsummer. And each has its own best uses in the garden. Let me introduce you to some of my favorite cultivars and show you how to grow lamb’s ears and betonies best.…

Betony Stachys spp. Perennial Blooms Spikes of red, purple, pink or white two-lipped flowers in late summer Light Full sun Soil Well-drained Pests Slugs can be a problem Size 18 to 24 in. tall and wide Cold hardy USDA zones 4 to 8 Betonies’ upright spikes of vivid pink, purple or white flowers rise above a bushy mound of attractive foliage well after spring’s initial flush has passed. UNIQUE ADDITION Although betonies are relatively unknown to many gardeners, they make hard-working companions. They send up large heart-shaped, scalloped, deep green leaves and form large upright clumps that look good in the garden even without blossoms. Then in early summer, upright stems emerge above the foliage bearing whorls of two-lipped tubular flowers that wave above the wrinkled foliage like drumsticks. Betonies…

Sunflower Helianthus annuus Annual Blooms Yellow, gold, white, brown, peach, burgundy, green and bicolors from summer to frost Light Full sun Soil Well-drained Pests Occasional downy mildew, squirrels will eat the seeds Size 1 to 16 ft. tall, 2 to 3 ft. wide Remember sowing a sunflower seed in a cup to bring home to mom on Mother’s Day? She probably wasn’t the only one who waited with great anticipation to see cheery blooms. This beloved annual is still a popular choice for gardeners of every age. No wonder—it comes in a wide variety of sizes, from pint-sized to extra tall. And while traditionally flowers are yellow, like ‘Ballad’ at left, these days you can find a wide range of pretty colors. Even better, there’s no fuss required after your…

For fresh summer bouquets cut sunflower blooms just as the petals start to unfurl and enjoy them for 7 to 10 days in a vase. To harvest seeds for yourself instead of feeding the birds or to save a favorite variety, wait until the petals wilt, the seeds begin to turn brown and flower heads turn yellow on the back side. Cut the heads off along with a few inches of the stem and hang them upside down to dry in a well-ventilated area where birds can’t get them for a week or two. You’ll know they’re mature when the seeds easily come off the head.…

For landscape designer Lisa Bauer, designing a garden is a little like doing a puzzle—there are a lot of pieces to fit together to create a beautiful picture. In a small space like her 3,400-square-foot Seattle garden, every inch is critical. She created a garden with great curb appeal in front and a relaxing family space in back, while still leaving plenty of room to indulge her love of plants. Working all these pieces into a cohesive design in a small space isn’t easy. Let’s see how Lisa did it. The first piece of the puzzle with any design is adding structure—paths, steps, porches, patios, hedges, trees—all the big stuff that isn’t easy to move or change. Lisa wasn’t a landscape designer when the front garden was installed so she…

Lisa took what’s usually a dull and unused area of the yard — the window wells — and turned them into whimsical vignettes that bring smiles and comments whenever anyone walks by. Just like works of art, she’s titled each one. A Help, I’m Drowning in Plants! Lisa’s mother, Pat Warashina, is a ceramic artist, and these arms broke in firing so they ended up in this mat of baby’s tears holding a twig Lisa painted red. B Swimming Pool Tumbled blue glass and figures from the hobby store make up this carefree and weather-proof scene. C Project Concrete Jungle Using one row from a green wall planter, this long-lasting combo provides a nice view for the TV room. D Bento Box When a friend said the rocks looked like…

Beets Most varieties are ready to harvest 2 months from planting when the roots are 1 ½ to 2 inches across. Corn Harvest corn when the ears have filled out completely. The easiest way to gauge ripeness is to lightly squeeze the end of the ear. It should feel plump and full. Cucumbers All cucumbers are at peak quality when slightly immature. Refer to the seed packet for ideal harvest size, but standard slicing cucumbers are best picked when 5 to 6 inches long. Lettuce Lettuce can be harvested as a baby green when the leaves are just a few inches long or cut as a mature head. Pick before the plants start to bolt — the leaves turn bitter at this point. Peas The easiest way to see if…

So you aren’t fit to be tied later, remember these basics to tie up your plants right: • Where to tie Attach a plant tie just above a branch or leaf petiole to keep it from sliding down the stem, like in the top photo at right. • Make a figure-eight Wrap a tie first around the plant stem. Then make a figure-eight with the tie, enclosing a stem in one loop and the stake in the second loop and tie it off on the back of the stake. You may need to wrap the tie around the stake a second time and tie tight to make sure it doesn’t slide down. As you can see in the middle photo at right, the crossed tie will keep the stem from rubbing on…

1 | Rootstock Gardening Smock Hang this lightweight chambray smock near your back door so you can grab it as you head to the garden and be protected from sun, bugs, thorns and thistles. Carry your small tools and supplies in the four large pockets — they won’t fall out as you bend or move about. Small grommets on the bottom of each pocket prevent soil and debris from collecting inside. The smock is roomy enough to throw on over your clothes, and, bonus points: It’s quite stylish. Duluth Trading Co., duluthtrading.com ($69.50) 2 | Water Glutton Door Mat Coming back inside is hard enough after spending time in the garden. This doormat greets your return with a pretty pattern and color (there are a lot of looks and sizes to…

A hoof pick (usually used to clean horses’ hooves) is perfect for removing weeds with short roots. It’s a little over 5 inches, is lightweight, fits easily in a pocket and is quite inexpensive. Perfect for little jobs!— Kathy Finch, WI Sock sleeves Stephanie Gelfan, MA Stephanie found that no matter how good her garden glove or how long her shirt sleeve, there was always a gap that left her wrists exposed to dirt, biting bugs, stinging nettles and poison ivy. When her son gave her a pair of socks that she knew she would never wear, she cut off the ends of the toes and made a loop for a thumb hole to keep the socks from riding up her arm. She slides her hands through the socks and…

Long before central North America was settled and developed, large swathes of verdant prairies teeming with diverse flora and fauna thrived there. Expansive grasslands existed from Canada south to Texas, and from Indiana west to Colorado. Though few original prairies still exist, gardeners across America have begun to take action to restore prairie plantings right in their own backyards. WHY A PRAIRIE? Prairie gardens, especially more expansive and interconnected ones, offer habitat, food and refuge for vital pollinator and wildlife populations. Also, compared to turf grass, mature prairie plantings require less water, fertilizer, fossil fuels and effort to maintain. That’s because many native prairie plants are naturally drought tolerant, pest resistant and adaptable to low-nutrient soils. Though original prairie plant communities were comprised of 60 to 70 percent grasses and…

‘Hummelo’ betony reaches 2 feet in height and was awarded the Perennial Plant Association’s Plant of the Year in 2019 for its eye-catching rose-lavender spikes that persist all summer. ‘Pink Cotton Candy’ betony was bred by Richard Hawke at the Chicago Botanic Garden. It reaches 2 feet in height and has dense pink whorls of two-lipped flowers; the upper lip is lighter than the lower. ‘Superba’ is showy with upright spikes of vivid purple-pink flowers throughout summer above handsome mounds of dark green wrinkled leaves that are heavily veined with scalloped edges.…

SUN & SOIL Sunflowers need plenty of sun to bloom well and are heliotropic, meaning they follow the sun. Too much shade, and plants will lean and may need staking. Well-drained soil keeps seeds and stems from rotting. WATER & FEED Regular watering is important for sunflowers to look their best. If the soil gets really dry and the blooms droop, they won’t pop back up. Enriching soil with compost helps grow strong and healthy sunflowers with large flowers. Applying a slow-release plant food in spring can help, too. STAKING TIPS Single-stemmed varieties over 3 feet tall need the most help. Sink a hardwood, metal or bamboo pole at least 6 inches in the soil for stability at planting time to avoid root damage later. Then attach the stem to…

The garden is the home’s largest consumer of water. So, as a savvy gardener, water conservation—no matter where you live—should be a concern. A well-designed, water-wise landscape that incorporates water-saving devices and techniques can still be a lush and inviting space without wasting water. Here are a handful of water-smart garden hacks that will get you through the summer with minimal irrigation—and are guaranteed to make your life easier. Each of these tips is sure to save time (by watering more efficiently), money (on monthly water bills and maintenance) and, of course, our precious water.…

Allium Allium stipitatum Angel’s trumpet Datura spp. and hybrids Daffodil Narcissus hybrid Dead man’s fingers Decaisnea fargesii Dwarf English boxwood Buxus sempervirens Garden phlox Phlox paniculata Garlic chives Allium tuberosum Geum Geum coccineum Hellebore Helleborus spp. and hybrids Lawson’s falsecypress Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Manzanita Arctostaphylos densiflora Panicle hydrangea Hydrangea paniculata Sedge Carex spp. and hybrids Horsetail Equisetum hyemale Pitcher plant Sarracenia spp. Baby tears Soleirolia soleirolii Banana Musa basjoo Canna Canna hybrids Hakonechloa Hakonechloa macra Sedge Carex spp. and hybrids Thyme Thymus spp. and hybrids…

Sometimes it seems like spreading your favorite flowering plants throughout the garden is the best way to create impact. That may be. But I bet you know what it’s like to step into a backyard, round the corner of a path or pull into a driveway and be wowed with the stunning sight of one bountiful, beautiful, bloom-filled border. The secret to elevating your garden from dull to delightful might be to concentrate your efforts into one show-stopping vista. So if you’ve always felt like crafting a flower-filled border that makes jaws drop is far too much to master, let me convince you otherwise. All you need is one small patch of ground, plants with enduring beauty and a plan. Let’s look at three magnificent examples. I’ve highlighted several tips…

2020 ANNUAL PASS Get access to all of our online seminars for 2020 and garner in-depth knowledge about a variety of garden topics, right from the wisdom of our very own editors. Hone your skills in many areas, such as plant propagation, macrame, garden photography and holiday wreaths. Grow your knowledge of the best perennials, discover new plants for 2020 and find solutions for your garden problems. You’re about to become an expert! GardenGateSeminars.com ($34.95 for all 10 seminars)…

Good news! You don’t need to own acres of land to grow a micro prairie. “Some people do not realize they have the power to sequester carbon, provide habitat for wildlife, prevent erosion, and clean water by choosing to replace the norm — their non-native lawn or flowerbeds — with a prairie,” said John Hart Asher, environmental designer at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center of Austin, Texas. Micro prairies are smaller urban gardens that include a diverse group of native species and cultivars. There are no rules for size. You might choose to devote one section of your property to this kind of planting and team up with a neighbor who could develop a native garden adjacent to yours. By interconnecting micro prairies throughout neighborhoods, you can create extended…

‘Big Ears’ (also known as ‘Countess Helene von Stein’) has large silver-green leaves that form an 8-inch-thick velvety mat and rarely send up a flowering stalk. ‘Fuzzy Wuzzy’ is a popular selection for edging that reaches 18 inches tall and sends up magenta-lavender spikes in early summer above drooping silver leaves. ‘Silver Carpet’ is primarily grown, as its name implies, to form a thick, soft 4- to 6-inch carpet of silvery leaves that spread rapidly.…

It’s easy to grow big betony from seed. You can direct sow the seeds in your garden in late summer or early fall for germination the following spring. If you want to start them in spring, you’ll need to plant them indoors. They require a moist, cold period called “stratification.” Either way, they’ll bloom reliably the first season. Here’s how to do it: › Start this process five to six weeks before your last frost date. Use your fingers to gently press the seeds into a premoistened, soilless mix, cover with plastic wrap and then refrigerate for 3 weeks. Don’t let them dry out while refrigerated. › Check the seeds frequently and moisten as necessary. The mix should be moist, not wet. › A couple of weeks before you’re ready…

There are so many sunflower varieties to choose from and it’s great to have choices. But it can also be hard to know where to get started and how to use them. Let’s meet a few varieties you can use in all the different spots in your yard. Then check out “Harvest Flowers” below for more ideas on how to use sunflowers and get maximum enjoyment from sowing just a few seeds. — Sherri Ribbey ADD HEIGHT TO BORDERS Tall and stately sunflowers are perfect for dressing up the back of a border or the center of an island bed, leaving plenty of room for shorter plants, such as ‘Moonshine’ yarrow, to cover their bare legs. Many tall sunflowers are open pollinated and can reseed, as the group at right…

This summer we’ll choose five lucky readers to each receive a set of water-wise tools from the DRAMM company. The set includes a watering wand, a 25-foot soaker hose and a ColorStorm Water Timer. Sign up for the giveaway at GGMagExtra.com. 1 HARVEST & STORE RAINWATER Rainwater harvesting can be as simple as installing a rain barrel under a gutter coming off a roof. It can be expanded to include a cistern to handle overflow. The only thing that differs between the two is the scale of the system. They both follow the same principles. A large system just captures water from more than one source. There are a variety of commercially available rain barrels in a wide range of sizes, shapes and styles. Most have a 100-gallon capacity, but…

Ah summer, a time when you can sit back, watch your garden grow, and wait for the harvest to roll in. Right? Not quite. While a vegetable garden doesn’t have to be high maintenance, there are a few summer tasks you can do to encourage healthy growth and maximum yield. FEED I like to say that I “feed my soil,” not “fertilize my plants.” Why? I use organic fertilizers, which are derived from natural ingredients and broken down by the microorganisms in the earth. It’s these hardworking microscopic creatures that make the nutrients available to my plants. A smart soil-feeding regime starts in early spring with an application of organic matter like compost or aged manure. During the growing season I also rely on granular and liquid organic fertilizers. Organic…

At some point, every gardener needs a plant tie. It may be to tie a newly planted tree to a post so it doesn’t blow over in a strong wind, fasten a gladiola flower spike to a stake to keep it standing straight, stop a perennial from splaying out or guide a vine onto a trellis. I’ve seen some pretty strange things used to tie up plants, and even used some of them myself in a moment of desperation (an old leather belt, a shoelace and a plastic bag come to mind). But let’s face it: Nobody wants to see your old tube socks holding a delphinium up in your pretty perennial bed. Though any number of materials can do the job, some things make better plant ties than others.…

Musk thistle Carduus nutans What it looks like Musk thistle has such a pretty flower, you may have seen it in a calendar or on a quilt, but don’t be fooled. Those flowers produce thousands of seeds spread by wind for miles. Musk thistle is a biennial that grows a low, almost 4-foot-wide rosette of spiny leaves the first year, then bolts up to 6 feet tall the second year. Solitary violet-purple flowers nod at the end of long stems from late spring through summer. Where to find it Musk thistle grows in nearly all of North America. It colonizes easily in pastures, meadows and ditches. Seed can remain viable for up to 10 years, so soil disturbance can kick up dormant seed to germinate. How to get rid…

Jerusalem sage Phlomis fructicosa Perennial Blooms Tiny tubular hooded two-lipped yellow or white flowers in repeated whorled clusters along each stem emerging from handsome olive-green foliage in summer to fall Light Full sun to part shade Soil Dry to medium Pests None serious Size 2 to 6 ft. tall, 2 to 5 ft. wide Cold hardy USDA zones 5 to 9 Jerusalem sage in bloom is a sight to behold. Those bright yellow flowers form fascinating stacks of whorls you see in the photo at right. It’s mesmerizing. Better yet, this is a drought-tolerant perennial that blooms in summer. Its snapdragonlike flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden even as other perennials are succumbing to the heat. UNIQUE & UNDERUSED Jerusalem sage is native to the mountains of…