We recommend the use of drip irrigation for all planting beds. It can even be installed in containers, if there is a way to hide the line next to a building, for example. Drip irrigation directs the water efficiently to the root zones of the plants without wasting it. Systems should now be re-set from…
Nothing beats a walk through your garden, noticing new buds and by-chance color combinations, and providing a chance for general oohing and ahhing over the beautiful scene. You can now also use this time to notice tell-tale signs of drought: drooping or twisting leaves on trees, shrubs or perennials, wilting annuals, and off-color foliage. Some…
Pinus mugo I had the chance to work with three overgrown mugo pines of varying size recently. Late in the month of May is the perfect moment for their renovation, as new growth is just beginning and can be easily edited by “candling” or pinching off the new growth. I also had to saw some…
This trend from recent years is actually nothing new – just another way to add more color, style and variety to your garden by choosing plants that are actually useful to insects, birds and butterflies! The goal is to keep these beings thriving and doing their jobs of enriching our environment by offering them “food”…
This native of the coastal plain of the Northeast (Nova Scotia to Virginia) is resisitant to black knot in my experience! Blooming in mid May through June with a brilliant show of pinkish-white flowers, it is a small stature tree (4′-6′) or multi-stemmed shrub. Plant and enjoy in full sun. It is not fussy about…
At this time of year with leaves off the trees, we often see black masses or galls attached to outer twigs of plum and cherry trees in the genus Prunus. Both ornamental and edible varieties are susceptible to this fungus, along with the native chokecherry. Sometimes apricot and peach trees are impacted. This disease produces rough,…
For many years I’ve had fun experimenting with minor bulbs, meaning those small bursts of color other than tulips and daffodils. Being smaller in stature, that means a smaller sized bulb to begin with, and that means digging a shallower hole! Fall planting goes much more quickly that way. In these photos, you’ll see a…
Priscilla’s Garden To-Do List for Late April/Early May: Continue to clean up garden beds by raking, cutting back perennials and ornamental grasses Finish dormant pruning by May 1 when leaf-out is expected Cut back butterfly bush, smoke tree, caryopteris, beautyberry and other cutback shrubs Prepare vegetable garden beds Sow seeds of peas, spinach, kale,…
When Forsythia gets overgrown, it’s really overgrown! We like to renovate Forsythia before it comes into bloom. It’s very easy to see parallel stems and pick the best ones to cut all the way to the ground. Crossing branches and deadwood are readily spotted, too. This thinning action helps keep your plant looking natural yet under control. Do this…
Celebrate the lowly dandelion! Remember that its functional taproot pulls up minerals deep from the soil below. The leaves are collected as a spring tonic and lightly steamed or sauteed like other greens. Dandelions are rich in Vitamins A, B, C and D, just what we need after winter. Native Americans and herbalists use the…