Blog,Garden Center,Shrubs, Perennials, Shade Trees, Dobias Landscaping, Traverse City, Grawn

Birch Trees

10/17/2023

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.

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Hydrangeas

9/19/2023

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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

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FRUIT TREES

7/14/2023

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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

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RHODODENDRONS

6/19/2023

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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

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LILACS IN THE LANDSCAPE

6/1/2023

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We grow several varieties of lilacs at our nursery. The best known of the lilacs are the old fashioned common purple and common white lilacs. These lilacs are among the first that bloom in the spring and they bloom from 3-4 weeks depending on the average air temperatures. They can grow 10- -12'+ in height. Like all lilacs, the more sun they have the more flowering occurs. Large lilacs are often used in border plantings.

A variety of the common lilac called Yankee Doodle is wonderfully fragrant, with a single deep purple flower and grows 6-8' tall. They are of value because the flower is consistently deep purple whereas the common purple lilac has flower color that can vary from blue to purple from plant to plant.

Lilacs begin to flower relatively early in the season. They can mature anywhere from 4-12' + in height depending on variety. Flowers can be white to pink; blue to purple and wine red; variegated white and red. Some have single flowers and others have double flowers. Also, the degree of fragrance can very significantly. Some have leaves that are quite different than the typical leaf of the common lilacs.

If you like the fragrance, the flower and the unique beauty of lilacs, you can plant several varieties, so you can enjoy them for several weeks from spring through early summer.

Dorian

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FLOWERING CRAB APPLES

6/1/2023

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Flowering 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 extremely fragrant. Remember they 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.

We find the best varieties are those that are resistant to apple scab disease. Apple scab causes the leaves of the tree to prematurely turn brown and causes varied leaf drop- usually beginning in July. This makes the trees appearance less desirable in the late summer and throughout the fall months.

Some of the varieties that we find are the most resistant to leaf scab are Sargent Flowering Crab (white flower) varieties, Sargentina (grafted Sargent with white flowers), Red Jewel Flowering Crab (white flower), Red Jade Flowering Crab (white flower), Prairie Fire Flowering Crab (bright pink), Coral Burst (red flower), and Thunderchild (rose red flowers with purple leaves).

Dorian

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Birch Trees

Hydrangeas

FRUIT TREES

RHODODENDRONS

LILACS IN THE LANDSCAPE

FLOWERING CRAB APPLES

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