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

RHODODENDRONS

6/19/2023

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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RHODODENDRONS

LILACS IN THE LANDSCAPE

FLOWERING CRAB APPLES

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