Linwood Gold is one of the oldest varieties of forsythia, yet still one of the best; they flower best in sunny situation but will also bloom in the shade. Linwood grows 6’ to 8’ tall, and sometimes taller, but can be kept shorter with some pruning. They are a couple of new varieties that flower even more prolific bloom the Linwood Gold. They are called Show Off and Show Off Sugar Baby. Show off Grows 5-6’ tall and Show off Sugar Baby grows 2-3’ tall. They both Have flowers that cover the stems all the way to the ground. We have a limited quantity of these plants. Call for information (231) 342-0087.
The bright yellow flower of the forsythia brings signs of the beginning of Spring. They are among the first shrubs to flower in the Spring, and they flower before their leaves appear. They can be used as a single specimen or make a splash as a hedge anywhere in the yard.
Linwood Gold is one of the oldest varieties of forsythia, yet still one of the best; they flower best in sunny situation but will also bloom in the shade. Linwood grows 6’ to 8’ tall, and sometimes taller, but can be kept shorter with some pruning. They are a couple of new varieties that flower even more prolific bloom the Linwood Gold. They are called Show Off and Show Off Sugar Baby. Show off Grows 5-6’ tall and Show off Sugar Baby grows 2-3’ tall. They both Have flowers that cover the stems all the way to the ground. We have a limited quantity of these plants. Call for information (231) 342-0087.
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Redbud Trees (cercis canadensis) are one of the first flowering trees that people ask about it in the early spring. “Snowbirds” see them in the southern states – often when they are traveling home form their winter vacation places in the early spring. In many Southern states, late winter to early spring time is the time they are in blossom with their beautiful pinkish-purple flowers. They are adorned with unique heart-shape leaves. Redbud (also known as Judas tree) is grown as a clump or can be grown as a single stem tree, and is usually a small tree, but can attain height of thirty feet or more.
“Minnesota strain” of Redbud are trees that have been originally collected from northern-grown seed and are propagated to endure colder weather conditions better than their Southern counterparts. They are, therefore, said to be harder in the Northern climates. I have seen older Redbud trees in our area in Leelanau County near Lake Michigan where temperatures are tempered by the water of Lake Michigan. They can be grown successfully in Northern Michigan. BIRCH TREES
Birch trees are especially popular in Northern Michigan because they are native to our area and because of their exceptionally attractive bark. Birch clumps are in more demand than single stem trees because they have a larger impact on the landscape. Bronze birch bore, is an insect that has caused decline, then dying of many birch trees; it is a problem especially with European white birch and other non-native varieties. River Birch, which exhibits a dark tan exfoliating bark and Heritage River birch with a chalky white to light tan exfoliating bark do not have the bore problem. Whitespire birch (technically a grey birch), which has a smooth white bark, has been a leader in white birch sales the last several years because of its resistance to Bronze Birch. Hot, dry summers cause a lot of stress on birch trees along with other environmental conditions. Birch trees have a relatively short life, but keeping the trees healthy with fertilizer and extra deep watering to prevent stress on the tree can do much to slow down or prevent birch bore infestations. There are systemic chemicals that can help prevent the bore from attacking and can also kill existing bores (and other insects) that attack birch trees. With the right selection of tree varieties and intentional care, birch trees can remain a beautiful tree in our landscapes! If you like birch with wine-colored leaves, we carry single stem Royal Frost Birch trees. PANICLE HYDRANGEA
Panicle Hydrangea is the variety with heads of flowers that are cone shaped. (Panicles are loose clusters of flowers). They have large blooms that typically. Start white with some turning pink as they mature, some will turn different shades of pink and others will exhibit blooms that are both white and shades of pink to dark red on the same plant. Aborescens (or “smooth” hydrangea types start out lime green, turn white as the bloom maturity. The original panicle type was called Pee Gee hydrangea, then later developed a variety called Limelight. They are very similar, but the panicles of the Pee Gee hydrangeas are larger. They can typically grow 10-15’ tall and some have developed into small trees. It is best to keep them pruned and de-headed which helps maintain the density of the shrub and the production of large panicles. Panicle hydrangeas do well in partial shade or full sun and are the hardiest of the hydrangeas. I have planted both Pee Gee and Limelight on the north side of buildings and they do very well. In recent years, several other varieties have been developed. We carry the following varieties: Bobo a dwarf variety that grows 2 ½-3’ tall Little Lime grows 3-5’ tall. Pinky Winky grows 6-8’ tall. Little Quick Fire grows 3-5’tall. Vanilla Strawberry grows 6-7’tall. Sweet Summer & Oak Leaf MOP HEAD HYDRANGEA Our Mop Head hydrangea range in growth from 3’ to 5’ wide and 4’ to 6’ tall. Their average bloom is earlier than the panicle hydrangea generally two to four weeks. They mostly spread wider that tall, the Endless Summer and some of the newer hydrangeas flower for extender periods of time and the colored flower persist will into the fall. They bloom in the full sun with plenty of watering, but do better with some shade, We carry the Flowing variety: ENDLESS SUMMER (Original) ENDLESS SUMMER BLOONSTRUCT ENDLESS SUMMER CRUCH BLUE JANGLE ANNABELLE (white) DAVID RAMSEY TUFF STUFF LET’S DANCE We carry apple trees, we also have pear, peach, plum and cherry trees. Our varieties are mainly semi-dwarf trees. The biggest advantage of semi-dwarf trees is they begin producing fruit within a year or two from the time they are purchased; whereas standard size varieties may take several years before they produce fruit. The fruit size on semi-dwarf trees is just as large as those grown on standard size trees, but the tree itself grows only half to two thirds the size of standard trees. The small size helps them fit well in a residential situation and the lower branching makes them easier to pick. Many fruit farms also prefer certain varieties of semi-dwarf trees over standard size because they are easier to maintain.
Some of our clients purchase apple trees in the fall to grow apples for the deer. It is best to purchase earlier in the spring when you can be more assured that the variety of the tree you are looking for is readily available, as the more popular varieties sell the quickest. The trees are available at our Garden Center beginning mid to late April. You may call us at (231) 342-0087 or (231-943-8758) to see if we have the tree(s) that you are looking for that are in our inventory. We travel down state to several wholesale nurseries throughout the spring and early summer. We can check to see if the trees you are looking for are available to order. Thanks. Dorian Yes, rhododendrons can be grown successfully in Northwest Michigan. First it is important to select the right varieties. The hardiness classification of rhododendrons is important as many are on the borderline. Select varieties that are in the H 1 category; that means they are hardy to twenty degrees below zero. Temperatures in our area may get colder than that, so it is best to nestle them in a micro-climate- an area that is close to a heated building that some of the heat from the building is beneficial to warming the air around the plant. It is also beneficial to protect them from frigid winter winds. You may create a micro-climate by carefully covering the plant with evergreen branches and building up the area around the plant with peat moss for winter protection.
Some of the small leaf rhododendrons tend to be hardier than the large leaf rhododendrons. Small leaf rhododendrons that we sell include PJM Rhododendrons and Olga Metz. Our larger H 1 rhododendrons that we often carry include Nova Zemble (red), Roseum Elgans (pink), Album (white), Purparium (purple) and Calsap (white w/ wine color center). Our rhododendrons arrive just after the first of May. Call first (231) 342-0087. Dorian |
Dorian's BlogWith over 30 years of experience growing and landscaping plants, Dorian Dobias will describe some unique characteristic along with physical descriptions for over 20 groups or Genera of plants through the 2014 growing season. Many new and older Garden Center plants will be described along with some frequently answered questions about plants. Archives
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