Innehållsförteckning för March/April 2019 från Garden Gate

Use old cookie and candy tins to hold small garden tools out of the elements. Tuck the tins under shrubs, hide them behind tree trunks and nestle them into perennial beds so you can tidy up the garden at a moment’s notice. Charlotte Cross, IL Turn it upside down Lita Mathy, CA A plant stand works great when placed on the firm surface of a patio or entryway. But say you want some extra height and interest in your garden bed. The uneven ground would be too wobbly to support a plant stand and a container. So Lita turned the stand upside down. For extra security, you can see she added rocks in the bottom. One of her pots fit perfectly in the opening so she doesn’t need to worry…

Because tabletop containers rest on surfaces that are meant for more than just propping up plants, there’s a little more to consider when putting one together. Here are a few simple tips to help you design a container perfectly suited for your table. Proportion is key The number one rule is to use plants and containers that are not too tall to see over. You don’t want to block the view of the others seated at the table. Matching the height of the plants to the height of the container makes pleasing proportions. Don’t forget the details Plants with dainty flowers get a chance to shine here. Opt for two to four repeated plants, and make sure the container looks good from all angles, so no matter where you sit,…

VARIETY—In nature, when a population of plants within a species differs in some significant way (perhaps flower color or leaf shape) from the other members of that species, it may be named its own variety. For example, the pink-flowered lily-of-the-valley: CULTIVAR—On the other hand, if plant breeders have worked to develop a population of plants that differs from other members of that species (as opposed to occurring naturally), then the new population is called a cultivar (short for cultivated variety): TRADEMARK NAMES—Nurseries also offer trademarked plants (designated with the symbols ® or™ ). These plants have official cultivar names that may not be very memorable or the introducer may license the plant to be sold under different trade names to different companies:…

You just can’t beat the taste of potatoes freshly dug from your own garden. Boiled, baked, fried or roasted—they’re all delicious. They’re also packed with nutrients, such as vitamins C and B6, magnesium, potassium and dietary fiber. And harvesting them is like digging for buried treasure: How many will you get? What size will they be? Can you find every last one of them? It’s so satisfying! MIX IT UP Sure, you can find a few types of potatoes in the grocery store, but grow your own and the options skyrocket—large, small, long, stubby, red, blue or yellow—there’s a potato for every taste. Local garden centers often have several types, but if you want to experiment, you might explore the offerings of a few of the mail-order sources I’ve listed…

Astilboides Astilboides tabularis Hardy geranium Geranium hybrid Hosta Hosta hybrids Maidenhair fern Adiantum pedatum Arum Arum spp. and hybrids Begonia Begonia hybrid Butterbur Petasites japonicus Crambe Crambe spp. and hybrids Elephant ear Colocasia esculenta Gunnera Gunnera manicata Hosta Hosta hybrids Ligularia Ligularia spp. and hybrids Magnolia Magnolia spp. and hybrids Viburnum Viburnum spp. and hybrids Bear’s breeches Acanthus mollis Hakonechloa Hakonechloa macra Hosta Hosta spp. and hybrids Japanese painted fern Athyrium niponicum pictum Lady’s mantle Alchemilla mollis Lamb’s ear Stachys byzantina Rhododendron Rhododendron spp.…

Cam didn’t want a big fence around the yard to keep the deer out. She loves watching these graceful creatures but has developed some strategies to minimize the damage to her garden. Here’s what she does: 1 Interplant clover and turnips — deer like to nibble the new green growth — in areas far from the house and gardens to entice them to eat their meals elsewhere. 2 Use a variety of spray deterrents on a rotating schedule so they don’t get used to one particular formula. If she forgets to spray and loses a few flowers or some foliage, she doesn’t worry about it. 3 Grow deer-tolerant plants, such as: • Daffodil Narcissus spp. and hybrids• Hellebore Helleborus spp. and hybrids• Japanese pieris Pieris japonica• Persian lily Fritillaria persica•…

Check trellises and obelisks for damage or rotting wood each spring before they are covered in foliage and harder to fix. First, look for broken pieces that might be easily repaired. Double-check hooks or fasteners that hold a trellis to a nearby structure. Then test for rotting wood — see how above. If the rot is a structural support, replace that piece of wood. You can repair a rotted spot that is small or just cosmetic: Sand or chisel out any soft, spongy wood. Next, treat with a wood conditioner that soaks in and forms a solid base for an epoxy or wood filler, such as Bondo® or Abatron products, that will reconstruct that wood. Spread the epoxy or wood filler on the treated section and smooth it out. When…

Layering is a great way to combine bulbs with different flowering times. The trick is correct spacing. Both tulip (Tulipa spp. and hybrids) bulbs and Oriental lilies (Lilium spp. and hybrids) should be planted about 6 inches deep, but each requires different spacing between them. Tulips are planted 4 to 6 inches apart, while lilies should be spaced 10 to 12 inches apart. Leave at least 10 inches between the tulip bulbs and the lily bulbs to give them enough room to grow.…

Does cloudy weather get you down? Here’s a tree that’s sure to make you happy when skies are gray. JUST KEEP GLOWING Rosy pink buds of The Rising Sun ™ redbud sparkle in spring. But it’s the foliage that sets this cultivar apart. The first flush of chartreuse leaves (shown in the photo at right) already shows a hint of the color variation that only intensifies over time. All season long, new leaves emerge like a ripe, juicy orange and kindle a warm progression from tangy apricot to lemon yellow and finally speckled green as the leaves age. Each heart-shaped leaf hangs neatly behind the other for an extra dimensional look. The color keeps coming until fall foliage flares yellow-orange. IN YOUR GARDEN This compact tree works well in a…

When you think of your backyard, what’s your list of must-haves? Does it include a place for the kids or pets to play and run? Do you want to sprinkle in some interesting art pieces you’ve collected? Are you dreaming of cozy furniture and a relaxing atmosphere? Or are you imagining a place where you can dine in the shade and look out over a beautiful garden border like this one? Finally, do you want a place to get your hands dirty in the garden, or would you prefer that your surroundings look good without much effort on your part? Whether you’re looking to turn your entire backyard into a retreat or just include a few more welcoming elements, we’ll show you how. Turn the page to get started! Entrances:…

Asparagus beetle Crioceris asparagi What it looks like Adult asparagus beetles are ¼ inch long, oval-shaped and black and brown with six cream spots on their backs. Their eggs are small, dark brown and oval-shaped as well, and larvae are small and gray with black heads. Where to find it Asparagus beetles overwinter in debris near the asparagus patch. They emerge as asparagus sprouts in spring and begin laying eggs on the spears. Larvae hatch, feed on the foliage and then drop to the ground to become adults. This whole process is about one month long. Some adults will feed on the spears themselves, causing spears to bend over and brown. But most larvae and adults feed on the foliage, which weakens the plant. This decreases the crop the following…

Is there really such a thing as a no-fail plant? Not really. But there are perennials that are ridiculously easy to grow. I’m talking about those plants that once you get them established in the garden, there’s really nothing else to do except perhaps annual clean-up of the spent plant. No deadheading, no staking or tying up, no spraying or fertilizing necessary. Do these plants really exist? Yes! Check out my shopping list of almost no-care perennials. Start with five sunny favorites, then move to six shade-lovers on the next page. SUN-LOVING PERENNIALS Succulent HEN & CHICKS Sempervivum tectorum WHY IT’S SO GREAT Sometimes called houseleeks, hen and chicks are attractive outdoor succulents prized for their charming foliage and extremely resilient nature. They resemble an unfurled rose with seasonal blushes…

Problem: Potato scab causes raised corky and pitted areas on the tuber that have to be cut off. Solution: Rotate crops, grow resistant varieties and buy seed potatoes that are certified disease-free. Problem: Late blight causes lesions that kill foliage and damage tubers. Solution: Rotate crops: Give growing areas a three-year rest between potato crops. Problem: Colorado potato beetles eat foliage. Solution: Hand pick adults and eggs on the back of leaves and kill them. Or use a pesticide safe for use on edibles, such as Sevin®.…

Enthusiasm for nesting birds started with the gift of a bluebird house from a neighbor. Now birds of all kinds make their home in these charming creations. Neighborhood birds claim many houses during the nesting season. In late winter the houses are all cleaned by removing old nests to get ready for the next generation. It’s also a good idea to scrub out mud or other debris, spray with a 1 part bleach and 9 parts water solution, then rinse with water to avoid disease problems.…

No pollinator needed • Peaches• Tart cherries Better with pollinator • Almonds• Apricots• Nectarines• Pecans• Persimmons• Walnuts Pollinator needed (plant within 50 feet) • Apples• Asian pears• Chestnuts• Filberts• Pears• Sweet cherries If you have always wanted an orchard, order bare-root fruit trees and get them in the ground in early spring before bud break. Do your research first — it can take two to six years to get a full crop, and you may need more than one tree, as well. Some species can be pollinated by pollen from flowers on the same tree, but others must have another tree nearby blooming at the same time. Even a self-pollinating tree will often yield a better crop if pollinated with another cultivar. Check out the quick reference guide above to…

Low maintenance is a must here, so the shrubs are pretty easy-going. They all have compact habits and only need pruning if branches die or a few limbs grow out of place. If needed, shape up the hydrangea after it’s finished flowering and the blueberries after harvest, and clip back any suckering fothergilla stem as soon as it appears. EASY CARE Leave the perennials standing all winter—some are semi-evergreen, such as the ajuga and Chinese fairy bells. Remove old leaves and stems as new growth emerges in spring. Balsam will need to be started by seed 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. It readily reseeds and will likely return each year. Pull out and discard any plants that pop up in unwanted places. Deadhead the obedient plant for…

Sometimes unpredictable weather—early thaws, late frosts, snow that won’t melt—can throw off an entire spring garden. But container gardens offer a little more flexibility. For one, you don’t have to fret if a plant didn’t make it through the winter; instead, stroll through the store until you find something blooming just as you’d like. Grab every budding and flowering plant that tickles your fancy, and don’t be shy. Spring doesn’t last long, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pack in the plants! MAKE IT COUNT Fill big containers, such as the one here, with a mix of small shrubs, perennials, long-blooming annuals and brief spring beauties for a longer-lasting display. But if you want something small, sweet and exclusively spring, turn the page. Fire Up the Flowers The trick to…

You may not want to transform your entire landscape into a gravel garden, but you can start out small and see for yourself the advantages of gardening in gravel. After he had success at Olbrich, Epping installed the gravel garden at right in his front yard. Here’s how: 1 Pick a spot Select a site that has well-drained soil. Dig out or kill the existing vegetation. Existing trees and shrubs can be incorporated into the gravel garden. Remove the top 5 inches of soil in the area you will be planting. 2 Give it an edge An edge must be tall enough to retain the 4 to 5 inches of gravel that will be placed on top of the soil. Use existing hardscaping to provide a good edge, including a…

Gardening, like the world of fashion, has trends. Some seem to come and go (think bell bottoms and Boston ferns); others stand the test of time to become beloved classics (think flannel shirts and old-fashioned peonies). But some of these old standards have benefitted from a few significant updates. Every year there is a staggering array of new introductions to sift through. Who wouldn’t want longer bloom times, more compact habits, more intense fragrance, higher pollen and nectar counts to attract pollinators and new and unheard-of color combinations? “New is not always better,” says Kelly Norris, plant breeder and director of horticulture for the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. “But it’s often worth a hard look. I like new things and I’m naturally curious about new varieties. With so many…

We’ve all done it—used our thumb to spray water out of the hose, maybe to shoot it where the hose won’t reach or soften the flow on tender plants. But when you do that, you can end up with cold hands and wet feet. A good nozzle can easily control the direction and flow of water—this is better for your plants and more comfortable for you. SO WHAT’S BEST? Nozzle choice is usually task-specific. The spray pattern is the first consideration—check out four common ones in “Spray patterns,” below. Next, make sure the tool feels comfortable in your hand. If it’s awkward, heavy or hard to turn on and off, you won’t reach for it. Here are four kinds of hose nozzles, each one with a specialty. See if you’re…

Truly beautiful shade gardens often rely on attractive combinations and contrasts of foliage and plant forms to create texture. For our purposes, texture refers to the surface qualities of a plant that you can see, the visual texture of plants. While plants offer texture through bark, flowers and fruits, the dominant source of texture is most often foliage. Think of the soft green fronds of a fern against a mat of furrowed hardy geranium leaves, as you see at left. What shade gardens lack in brightness, they can make up for in texture. Here are some ways to create texture in less-than-light conditions. VALUE VARIEGATION Some people think that the palette of plants for deep shade provides little visual diversity. This is not true! Shade gardens combine and highlight many…

Clover Trifolium repans Flowering quince Chaenomeles hybrid Giant coneflower Rudbeckia maxima Salvia Salvia greggii Thyme Thymus vulgari Turnip Brassica rapa Wild grape Vitis riparia Florentine tulip Tulipa sylvestris Jack-in-the-pulpit Arisaema triphyllum Japanese cobra lily Arisaema sikokianum Bearded iris Iris spp. and hybrids Daffodil Narcissus hybrid Daylily Hemerocallis spp. and hybrids Hellebore Helleborus spp. and hybrids Lavender Lavandula angustifolia Tulip Tulipa hybrid…

Q I need help. I have three clematis that have been growing in the same area for 6 years. How and when do I safely move these vines? Marcia Niles, MA A The best time for transplanting clematis is in spring, just as the plant is waking up from winter. Before you dig the plant up, prepare its new hole, which should be about 2 feet deep and wide. Make sure it is wide and deep enough to accommodate the entire root system. The rootball (the mass of roots and soil) will be at least as big around as the top of the plant and perhaps 2 feet deep. Break up the soil that you’ll be refilling the hole with and a couple of shovelfuls of compost. Now dig up…

1 | Superbells® Doublette Love Swept™ As if the bitsy sweet double calibrachoa flowers weren’t already adorable enough, this new hot pink variety comes with a romantic twist: a delicate white rim around each petal. Can you imagine hundreds of these flowers trailing over your container’s edge? This tender perennial grown as an annual grows 6 to 10 inches tall and trails. Local garden centers 2 | Tech Tote for Gardening What makes gardening even better? Listening to your favorite tunes while you work! A pocket with a waterproof Bluetooth speaker is just one perk of this high-tech gardening bag. It also has roomy pockets, easy-to-clean lining and a strong waxed-cotton exterior. Even more, you can slide your phone into a swipe-friendly, waterproof sleeve! Great Useful Stuff, greatusefulstuff.com  ($45.00)…