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Forsythia
Forsythia x 'species'
Forsythia
is known for its early bloom time. Often times the Forsythia blooms
while there is still snow on the ground. Blooming in mid to late April,
it is one of the best shrubs for early spring color. Varieties such as
'Meadowlark' are known for being tall and wide. Reaching sizes of 8-10'
tall and 10-12' wide, 'Meadowlark can be used as an excellent
hedge,screen, or massing.
Smaller varieties can be grown as ground covers reaching a mature height of only 2'.
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| Rhododendrons & Azaleas
Azalea Genus
The
Rhododendron and Azalea can be one of the best spring plants available.
Growing wild in the southern parts of the US, they enjoy an acidic
soil. They are known for blooming bright colors which is beneficial
since they often grow in the darker areas of the garden. Coming in
almost any color they are truly a fantastic plant if one can grow them.
Providing an acidic soil by adding acidifies every month can help lower
the pH of the soil to help increase the plants health.
Planting
the Rhodo or Azalea under a pine tree is quite common for two reasons.
Reason #1 is because pine trees produce so much shade and needle
dropping that most other plants don't thrive. Reason #2 is because
pines naturally decrease the pH of the soil so that it is more acidic,
thus allowing the Rhodo or Azalea to thrive!
The sizes of
Rhodos and Azaleas range from 2-8' here in the Midwest area. P.J.M.
Rhododendron is one of the best varieties sold in the Omaha area. It is
known for staying under 3' and has a beautiful light purple flower in
the early spring.
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Fothergilla
Fothergilla X species
The fothergilla is a medium sized shrub that is rarely used in the landscape these days. Reaching a height of 4-6' it can be used as a hedge, specimen and looks great in masses. It prefers well drained soils but in moist soils it can sucker and spread/naturalize.
The flowers are bottle-brush like and are a creamy white color. The fall color is normally orange but it can be yellow and red when grown in full sun.
It is native to the south east and can provide a woodland look when desiring a native landscape. Truly underused in the plant industry.
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Magnolia
The magnolia tree is known for it's amazing spring color. The magnolia is one of the first plants to bloom in spring and has been used in the landscape industry for hundreds of years. The most common colors of flowers are pink and white but cream-yellows are starting to become more popular in the industry. It is known as an ornamental tree becasue it rairly reaches a size larger than 25-30'.
'Saucer' magnolia is the most common of all varieties sold in nurseries. Reaching a size of about 20' T and 15-20' W, it is the ideal size for an ornamental tree. The flowers are a light pink and burst into color mid April.
'Royal Star' is a common white variety that reaches a size of only 8-10' T
'Elizabeth' is becoming of a new favorite of mine. It has a cream/yellow flower and is slightly more erect and tall than the older varieties. Reaching a height of 18' and width of 8-10' it is perfect for smaller areas in the garden.
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Willow
Willows are known for producing fantastic spring flowers. Weeping willows are short lived but remain one of my favorite trees. Willows grow quite fast. Since they grow fast the wood is weak and the branches break off in storms easier as they grow older. Unlike most ornamental tree, this tree's male flowers are the ones that look so amazing. The catkins are yellow and produce the pollen for the plant.
Weeping willows produce a natural screen to allow for a private area underneath them. The private area can provide a sitting area that is a little more hidden.
The size of willows vary. Weeping willows, if planted in a location that has more moisture can reach a size of 75' T or more.
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Redbud
Eastern redbuds are native to the midwest and are quite hardy. The spring color is unique and the trees shape is unmatched in the landscape. Blooming a light pink to purple color, the redbud can flower on the trunk as well as the branches. Reaching a mature size of 15-20', the redbud is one of the best trees for the small garden.
'Forest Pansy' is a newer variety that requires slight shade and protection from harsh winds. The leaves are burgandy and green and provide a different look to the garden! Truely an awesome tree!
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Hawthorn
Even though the green industry has moved away from using the hawthorn, it has a unique shape and color to it. The flowers are most commonly white but they can be orange or pink which are interesting. The shape of the tree is oval and spreading and it produces small 1-2" thorns. The tree can reach a size of 15-20' tall and the same in width. The red fruit produced in late summer is quite unique and unmatched in texture!
The green industry has moved away from the hawthorn because it is known for getting a leaf minor, cedar apple rust and scab. To find out more about trees with spring color- Contact Well Rooted Gardens!
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Make the Lawn on Your Side of the Fence Greener!
Keeping one's lawn green through spring, summer and into fall is not as hard as many think. Knowing when to apply the needed products to the lawn and proper methods of mowing and watering can increase the color of one's lawn significantly.
4 Steps to a Greener Lawn
I. Proper grass type
There are many different types of turf grass used for lawns. Most of the time homeowners request a lawn of Kentucky blue grass thinking that bluegrass is going to be the most green. Though at the peak of the bluegrass's season that may be true, it's during the heat of the summer when it does not look so "hot". Having a blend of different turf grass in ones lawn allow for maximum health and quality.
If the current lawn is bluegrass, one may over seed in the fall and spring with a mixture of different rye and fescues to allow for variety. This allows the turf to continue to look nice even though one variety might be struggling. Bluegrass is great for the early cool weather but fescue does better during the summer. Using both allows for the lawn to flourish throughout the year.
Also, each type of turf grass is suseptable to different types of diseases. Having different grass types prevents diseases from spreading over the whole lawn.
II. Proper Mowing Methods
Mowing one's lawn can be one of the most beneficial things to do to one's lawn. When mown with a sharp blade, the grass blades are cut forcing new shoots called "tillers" to arise and replace the old ones. This allows for the lawn to get thicker and more healthy.
Mowing heights also make a big difference. During the spring mowing the grass at a height of 2-3 inches is ok but during the summer it is best to mow at a height of 3-4 inches depending on the type of grass. Keeping the blades longer during the summer helps cool the roots of the plant.
III. Watering the Lawn Properly
Of all the problems that arise in keeping a turf healthy, it would be watering a lawn improperly. Most sprinklers companies tell the home owner to turn the sprinkler on every day and even twice a day in the heat of the summer. This is the main cause of the turfs problems especially during the heat of the summer.
The best way of watering one's lawn is to water deep and less frequent. Turning the watering system on only twice a week for a longer period of time is the way to go. Allowing the water to soak down deep rather than just wetting the blades is quite important.
One tip Well Rooted Gardens is always sharing with it's clients is this. During the spring time, water less frequent but still deep. This forces the turfs roots to grow deeper in searching for water. Then, when summer comes, the roots are much deeper which allows for the turf to survive the heat easier.
IV. Proper Chemical Use
Chemicals applied to the lawn can be very helpful or very harmful. The key to chemical use is quite simple. Apply the chemicals according to the instruction on the package. Never apply more than instructed to try to give the lawn that extra boost. It is never worth it to "burn" a lawn by over applying chemicals.
Also, applying nitrogen too often to the lawn does more harm than good. Not to pick on local lawn companies here in the Omaha area but the amount of nitrogen applied is way to high for several reasons. The main reason is that forcing the lawn to become as green as possible by constant chemical application makes the lawn very susceptible to diseases and insects.
Though these steps are the main ones to follow, there are many other techniques to producing a green and healthy lawn. To find out how to get your lawn and healthy and green as possible contact Well Rooted Gardens today!
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An Underused Plant to Say the Least
Sobaria sorbifolia is
truly one of those plants that are way underused in the landscape.
Being native to the Midwest, Sobaria can naturalize quite easily if
given the opportunity. This plant is often called the false spirea most
likely because it is almost impossible to kill just like a spirea and
it's leaves have a similar appearance.
Landscape Uses:
Sobaria
can tolerate shady locations and moist soil locations. When found in a
moist location, the Sobaria grows aggressively. Sending out suckers,
the Sobaria can cover a hillside quickly. Probably not the best pick
for the formal garden in the middle of the city unless the 'semi'
variety is used. The 'semi' variety grows up to 3 ft tall while the
original grows upwards of 8 feet.
In large landscapes,
Sobaria can be used as a massing that requires little maintenance
giving the landscape a woodland setting.
The flowers are a
panicle and can be up to 8 inches in length. It flowers in late summer
and the flower heads can be left on through the winter for winter
interest. The flowers are typically white and have a slight fragrance.-
Probably not the best plant for next to the patio because they attract
bees like crazy.
Over all, Sobaria is one of my favorite native
plants not only because it is quite hardy, but also because it can
tolerate many different soil and light conditions.
For further info checking out http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Plant.asp?code=F630
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The Samara are on the way, get that pre-emergent out!
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So I was on a walk yesterday enjoying God's beautiful creation. Spring is trying to come out from hiding and I noticed that some trees are trying to push some color!
Acer saccharinum
The Acer is more commonly known as the Maple tree. You know, the tree that had the tree house that dad built for you when you a boy. Or the tree with all the bark that you peeled off to play with. Or the tree that produced all those helicopters you threw of the back porch growing up. Yes! They are in bloom and that means those annoying helicopters that get stuck in your cutters and grow as weeds in your garden are on their way!
With the warmer March weather we have been having, the Acer trees have been slowly pushing their buds and yesterday I noticed they finally burst! The flowers, if you can see them, are actually quite beautiful.
Acer trees are one of the most common trees in Omaha. The worst and most common one is the silver maple, (Acer saccharinum) and is Fast growing which means weak wood. This tree is known for falling over in wind and snow storms.
Unless we receive a hard freeze in the next few days those flowers are going to pollinate and soon turn into the helicopters. The helicopters are called Samara and they are way that all maple trees disperse their seeds.
Spring prevention:
To prevent the seedlings from growing in all of your beds one can apply a pre-emergent in the early spring time. Early April seems to be a good time most years. The pre-emergent forms a barrier over the mulch and prevents the seeds from germinating. The pre-emergent does not prevent the seed germination 100% of the time but it helps prevent most of the weeds.
Applying a 3 inch layer of mulch to the bed BEFORE the Samara are dropped is another way to prevent some of the germination of the seeds. But to say the very least- Even if the flowers turn into annoying seeds, the flowers are still beautiful!
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Even though spring is right around the corner, now is still a great time to prune and trim your trees. Winter time is the best time to prune your trees for many reasons including:
#1- The sap is not flowing so no "bleeding" will occur.
#2- Very few diseases and insects are even around during the winter season to enter the wounded area
#3- The buds have not leafed out yet thus allowing for easy visibility of the branches
#4- The tree can recuperate from the damage of limb removal quicker in the spring time than during the summer
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