Much is being written and spoken about “leaving the leaves” to provide critical overwintering sites for pollinators in garden beds. We’re in favor of this, but with some caveats. Leaves blanketing driveways, walkways, and lawns DO need to be cleaned up, and the sooner the better. Plan to make use of these leaves elsewhere on site…
As trees drop their leaves and nights grow cooler, what we call “dormant pruning season” begins. It’s so much easier to see the structure of a woody plant without leaves. As long as temperatures are above 20 degrees, we can prune fruit trees and any ornamental species now through April. Below that temperature point, branches are brittle and may…
Finish transplanting and dividing work by the first week of the month Cut back peony and hosta, plants that don’t “die well” and may transmit fungal diseases Leave perennial seed heads if you enjoy bird activity during winter – otherwise cut back now Leave hydrangea, tree peony, foxglove, hellebore, ornamental grasses, tall sedums, roses, perennial…
Here are three more native woody plants that attract overwintering birds in our area: Viburnum trilobum, Cranberry Bush Viburnum, sports a clear red berry resembling a cranberry that persists in the cold weather. It is low in lipids, so birds like Cedar Waxwings will choose it in late winter when they are desperate…
Many of you have large blue Meserveae hollies (Ilex x meserveae) in your gardens, with many shrubs heavily loaded with red berries this year. The native American holly, Ilex opaca, is also fruiting now. Please plan to use holly branches in your holiday decorating! However, be aware that the cut branches will last only 7-10…
Canada Goldenrod Ragweed has no brilliant fall color; it simply balloons out to the 4’ x 4’ size. It has fern-like foliage similar to mugwort. This is the plant that makes people sneeze, not the Goldenrods! Ragweed is shallowly rooted, so you can easily remove it from the landscape before it seeds around. You’ll find…
Scraping of lead paint underway Several of our clients are having their homes scraped and painted this summer. For structures built before 1978, lead-based paint was used. What can be done about lead paint chips in the soil around foundations? Is it safe to eat herbs and plants grown in these areas? Painting companies should take precautions to…
We have been alarmed by recent news about the PFAS or “forever” chemicals that have contaminated drinking water at over 200 properties in the central Massachusetts town of Westminster. The culprit, in this case, is the local compost processing facility, Mass Natural, that has accepted biosolids for over 30 years. Biosolids is a marketing term…
Varieties of purple coneflower thrive in a Littleton garden This prairie native is fairly drought tolerant because droughty conditions are typical to summer on the plains! Blooming from July to September, it packs a great punch of color whether you prefer pale pastel or bright saturated tones in your garden. Its raised, mahogany-colored centers are a butterfly…
Now is the time when our standard practices of siting the right plant in the right place, topdressing with compost and soil amendments, applying compost tea, planting ground covers among taller perennials, shrubs, and trees, mulching, and use of drip line irrigation will pay off. But despite these measures, a Level 2 drought can be tricky…