Fri, 15 May 2026 16:15:24 -0700WeeblyThu, 28 Aug 2025 21:06:11 GMThttps://www.dobiaslandscaping.com/blog/arborvitae6306956Upright Arborvitae
There are several varieties of Arborvitae in the nursery trade. These trees narrow leaf evergreens and are related to our native White Cedar. The Arborvitae most readily available in Garden Center are Dark Green (Thuja occidentalis ‘nigra’), Emerald (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’) and Green Giant. These varieties are readily available and are therefore less expensive at the consumer. Dark Green can grow 20+ feet tall and 4+feet wide with dark green foliage and Emeralds grow 10-15 feet and 3+feet wide with lighter green foliage. Dark Green can withstand heavy pruning/shearing and kept to a small size four to five feet tall. Pruning also helps keep them from” opening up” as they grow older. Unlike the Native White Cedar that grows in swampy areas, they do not respond well to excessive watering. When planting to create a solid hedge, we suggest planning Emerald Arborvitae 2 ½ to3 feet apart and Dark Greens 4 to 4 ½ feet apart. Arborvitae can create a relatively narrow evergreen screen. They are often planted on or next to property lines for years around privacy-especially useful when space is an issue.

Note, too, that Arborvitae can be effective when planted singularly or in groups. Arborvitae respond well to the use of organic fertilizer like Morganite or Decomposed Cow Manure.
 
Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja plicata ‘green giant’) is a rapid grower and is said to be deer resistant. Plant them five or more feet apart to create a screen. Foliage is little coarser than Dark Green. It needs extra pruning because of its rapid growth.
 
We typically carry and grow Dark Green, Emerald, Green Giant Arborvitae.
Dorian]]>Fri, 04 Jul 2025 13:56:17 GMThttps://www.dobiaslandscaping.com/blog/weigelaThe original weigela, Weigela Florida is a non-descript plant with green leaves and little fall color. But breeders have developed several newer varieties that have dark burgundy leaf color and a dwarf variety with variegated leaves. Most are very hardy in northern Michigan except some of variegated varieties. Also, some of the newer varieties will flower for an extended period beginning in the spring. The flowers of weigela are tubular shape and loved by hummingbirds. Red Java weigela was developed with “bronzish” leaf color; Wine and Rose followed with a much darker purple leaf color and extended flowering time. Wine and Roses will grow 4' to 5' tall and wide. Spilled Wine grows 2' to 3' tall and wide with small branches that spread or ‘spills out’ whereas Fine Wine weigela grows 2' to 3' wide but stays more compact.  Weigela that receive more sun exposure that have bronze leaves, will have darker leaf color and the better flowering.
 
We find that one of the original green leaf varieties called Red Prince that grows 5’ to 6’tall is a very worthy weigela to consider. Red Prince flowers around 3 weeks beginning late spring into the summer. They have bright red flowers that do not fade in color over time. It often produces a second, but sparce blooming late summer to early fall.
 
It is best to prune weigela annually after the flowers are spent and not to prune later when new wood is produced that will grow buds for new flowers.
Dorian]]>Sun, 08 Jun 2025 21:15:08 GMThttps://www.dobiaslandscaping.com/blog/birch-trees5670007Birch trees are especially popular in Northern Michigan because they are found native 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 has been a problem especially with paper birch and European white birch but has not stopped the use of white bark birches. There are some varieties of paper birch that are resistant or resistant to birch bore. 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. White spire 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 resistance Bronze Birch Bore.

Hot, dry summers cause a lot of stress on birch trees along with other environmental conditions. Birch trees 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 your landscape!

If you like a birch with wine-colored leaves, we carry Royal Frost birch trees.

Thank you for shopping Dobias Landscaping & Garden Center, Inc.
Dorian]]>Sat, 31 May 2025 23:53:20 GMThttps://www.dobiaslandscaping.com/blog/staycations-creating-a-sanctuaryWhen we find it necessary to stay and vacation at home, we can also create landscape features which make our home a place to enjoy in new ways, more than just landscape planting. Adding walks, benches, and patios can provide a beautiful, peaceful retreat, a reading area, or just an area to experience the solitude of nature. Properly landscaped areas can not only function as living space but also can provide added solitude and enjoyment. Choosing the right combination of plants – considering types of flowers, color, time of flowering, texture of leaves, and the use of companion plants -is an important part of your décor. Plants continue to appeal to the eye throughout the year and not just vacation time. A proper mixture of plants can accent your total landscaping through each season. Some plants can bring nature to you, worth fruits, flowers, stems, and roots that help draw wild birds and animals. Trees can provide shade to cool your home; windbreaks with evergreens can protect the intrusion of wind and create a courtyard to keep your area secluded. They also serve to insulate your house from the winter cold and bring down the cost of heating.
 
Dorian]]>Tue, 13 May 2025 17:22:33 GMThttps://www.dobiaslandscaping.com/blog/flowering-crabapple-treesFlowering crab apple trees are still some of the most beautiful spring flowering trees. Their flower color can be white, light pink, pink to red, and have single or double flowers. They can be naturally dwarf size or dwarfed by grafting, and some are weeping. They can grow from 4 foot to 30 foot. An ornamental flowering crab is defined by the size of the fruit. They are considered ornamental if the fruit is less than ½ inch in diameter. Although, whether a crab apple tree or apple tree is considered ornamental, can be defined by “the eye of the beholder”. Trees that produce fruit that are over ½ inch in diameter and up to approximately 2 inches may be used for spiced crab apples or crab apple jam. ’Dolgo’ produces a small apple often used in crab apple fruit processing.’ Dolgo’ flowers are also intensely fragrant!   Remember crab apples are apple trees with just smaller fruit. Like trees with larger apples, most are very hardy in our Northern Michigan climate.
 
Mature growing size, form, and flowering color are probably the main characteristics when choosing a flowering crab for your landscape. And like apple trees, they prefer a sunny location. Some of the flowering crabs have fruit that persists- that means the fruit stays on the trees well into the winter months. This gives the birds a chance to devour the fruit throughout a longer period of time. With fruit color from yellow, orange blush to red, they stand out in the winter months after losing their leaves in the Fall. At this time ‘Spring Snow’ is the only variety that I know of that flowers (white) and does not produce fruit.
 
 
Some of the varieties that we typically carry are Sargent Flowering Crab (white flower), Sargentina (grafted Sargent w/ white flowers), Red Jewell Flowering Crab (white flower),) and Prairie Fire Flowering Crab (bright pink), Coral Burst (red), and Thunderchild  (rose red flowers w/ purple leaves).
 
Dorian]]>Wed, 07 May 2025 18:53:45 GMThttps://www.dobiaslandscaping.com/blog/arborvitaeUpright Arborvitae

There are several varieties of Arborvitae in the nursery trade. These trees narrow leaf evergreens and are related to our native White Cedar. The Arborvitae most readily available in Garden Center are Dark Green
(Thuja occidentalis ‘nigra’), Emerald (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’). and Green Giant. These varieties are readily available and are therefore less expensive at the consumer. Dark Green can grow 20+ feet tall and 4+feet wide with dark green foliage and Emeralds grow 10-15 feet and 3+feet wide with lighter green foliage. Dark Green can withstand heavy pruning/shearing and kept to a small size four’ to five’ tall. Pruning also helps keep them from” opening up”  as they grow older. Unlike the Native White Cedar that grows in swampy areas, they do not respond well to excessive watering.  When planting to create a solid hedge, we suggest planning Emerald Arborvitae 2 ½ to3 feet apart and Dark Greens 4 to 4 ½ feet apart.  Arborvitae can create a relatively narrow evergreen screen.  They are often planted on or next to property lines for years around privacy-especially useful when space is an issue.
 
If you desire a wider growing Arborvitae there is Techny Arborvitae (also called Mission Arborvitae). Techny has dark green foliage and will grow 12+ feet tall and 8 feet wide, we suggest planting them 6 feet apart. They will eventually grow to a solid evergreen screen. Note, too, that Arborvitae can be effective when planted singularly or in groups. Arborvitae respond well to use of organic fertilizer like Morganite or Cow Manure.
 
Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja plicata ‘green giant’) is a rapid grower and is said to be dear resistant. Plant them five or more feet apart to create a screen. Foliage is little coarser than Dark Green. It needs extra pruning because of its rapid growth.
 
We typically carry and grow Dark Green, Emerald, Techny and Green Giant Arborvitae. At this time we carry a limited number of dwarf Techny arborvitae ‘Bailjohn’ that matures around 6’ tall.  They require little pruning.]]>