The "Arbor Farm" Report

April 29, 2011

Staging Bloom Times

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 10:11 am

When planning your landscape beds and borders, it is a good idea to choose plants that bloom at different times so that you always have something blooming. You can also add seasonal interest with a variety of leaf colors and textures.

Coralburst Crabapple blossoms

Some spring-blooming trees are: ornamental pear, weeping cherry, crabapple, serviceberry and magnolia.

Herbert Azalea

There are many shrubs that bloom in early to late spring, including forsythia, lilac, azaleas, rhododendrons and viburnum.

Double Knockout

For summer blooms, you cannot beat roses for a sunny spot and hydrangeas for a shady area.

When deciding on perennials; creeping phlox, iris, catmint, salvia, dianthus and daylilies all bloom quite early and some can be deadheaded for reblooming.

Goldsturm Black-eyed Susan

Rudbekia is a long blooming summer favorite, as is garden phlox, which is available in a variety of colors.

Cone Flower

Echinacea, or coneflower is now available in many varieties and is one of the most versatile and long lasting of perennials.

If you browse nurseries often, you are able to see what is in bloom at any given time. Check labels to see if the plant needs dry or moist conditions, sun or shade. We have a knowlegeable staff who would be happy to help you with your selections.

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When It Rains, It Pours!

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 10:10 am

April has lived up to its name, and we have had above normal rainfall for the month.

Moisture, combined with cooler temperatures, creates conditions that are favorable for fungal diseases.

A fungicide applied early and, as needed, will help to control this problem. It is also wise to give plants a dose of all-purpose fertilizer, especially if leaves are turning yellow, a common sign of too much water.

Now is a good time to check for poor drainage in your landscape. If you have areas with standing water, those would not be good areas for plants that require well-drained soil, such as spruce, roses, fruit trees, etc. Instead look for trees, shrubs, or perennials that will tolerate or even prefer a little more moisture.

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Plant Highlight: Bloomerang Lilac

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 9:56 am

Bloomerang Lilac

A revolutionary new kind of lilac, the Bloomerang blooms in spring and again in midsummer. The fragrant, lavender flowers, which continue until frost, attract butterflies and are good for cutting. The bright green foliage is resistant to powdery mildew and deer!

Growing to approximately 48″-60″T x 48″-60″W, with a tidy mounding habit, this variety is a good fit for any garden and a classic addition to foundation plantings and mixed borders. Remove spent blooms and prune to shape promptly after flowering, to encourage reblooming.
The Bloomerang requires full sun and well-drained soil. Apply a controlled release fertilizer.

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April 7, 2011

Frost Crack

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: Frost Crack — admin @ 11:18 am

Frost Crack is a form of tree bark damage sometimes found on thin barked trees. Visible as vertical fractures on the south, south-westerly facing surfaces of tree trunks. It usually occurs in late winter and early spring, when water in the inner bark and wood may expand and contract rapidly under often significantly fluctuating temperatures, particularly under quickly falling night temperatures.

Trees growing in poorly drained sites or left exposed by felling are highly susceptible. Wood beneath frost crack is rarely damaged.

Avoiding the use of fertilizers late in the growing season can reduce the incidence of splits. Protect young trees with paper wrap or plastic trunk protectors.

Treat now for: Apple Scab

Filed under: Plant pests and diseases — Tags: Apple Scab — admin @ 11:02 am

Apple Scab

Most apple varieties are susceptible to this disease, including flowering crabapples. Apple scab is caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis. Fallen leaves harbor the scab fungus and should be raked and destroyed before they become brittle and break up. Prune apple trees in late winter to maintain an open tree.

The most critical time to apply fungicides for scab control is spring. Apple trees should be sprayed on a regular schedule starting shortly after bud break.

To learn more about Apple Scab and its treatment…

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Treat Now For: Maple Bladder Gall

Filed under: Plant pests and diseases — Tags: Maple Bladder Gall — admin @ 10:55 am

Maple Bladder Gall

Maple Bladder Gall is caused by the larvae of a small gnat-like mite.

When these mites feed on the undersurface of leaf buds, it causes the formation of a blister. The mites enter the protective cavity and continue to feed. Homeowners are often alarmed when they discover that their maple tree leaves are infested with leaf bladder. They fear that the tree is going to die unless something is done quickly. This is not the case. Other than aesthetic damage, no significant damage is done to the health of the tree.

Use of dormant oil is recommended to control or eliminate the mites, but should be applied in EARLY spring before buds reach the 1/2″ stage.

It is always important to rake and dispose of leaf litter, in order to slow or eliminate the spread of disease.

December 6, 2010

Nursery plants in the winter

Filed under: Nursery News — Tags: Nursery News, Over-wintering plants — admin @ 3:35 pm

Many of our customers ask what we do with our plants during the winter. Many think that we dispose of the plants, sell everything or return them to the growers. What we do is carefully store our plants so that they can be used next year. As a matter of fact we sometimes bring in plants during the late fall so that we have them for our customers when the weather turns nice in the spring. We especially do this with plants that we think will be in short supply the next year. That way we have the newest, popular plants available for you.

Hoop Houses in the summer

All of our perennials are cleaned up and placed in two of our hoop houses that are covered with plastic. We place the plants side-by-side to help insulate the roots during the winter. One of the houses will be heated in the spring so that plants that need more heat to start are ready to go when our customers are ready to plant. We pot up lots of daylilies and hostas in the fall so that we have them ready for the spring. This allows us to bring you different varieties at a reasonable price.

Shrubs are cleaned up and placed in two covered hoop houses for the winter–one for evergreens and one for deciduous shrubs. We re-pot anything that has outgrown its container, and prune those plants that need it.

Our containered trees are all moved to a different location in the nursery, placed side-by-side and the pots are covered with wood chips. This helps to keep the roots from getting winter injuries and helps keep moisture on the roots. Our larger trees are left in place where they are essentially “planted” in the wood chips.

During the winter our staff members inventory everything that is left at the nursery so that we know what has been sold and what we need to have available for purchase the next year. We educate ourselves about new plants and plan for next year by ordering nursery stock. We prepare to participate in the Fort Wayne Home and Garden Show. Before you know it, it’s March and we’re back to work.

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Gift Certificates

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 3:34 pm

Don’t forget that your gardening friends and family would love gift certificates for plants and landscaping supplies! The nursery is open by appointment during the winter so give us a call at 260-637-5816. We’re happy to meet you at the nursery so that we can help you complete your Christmas shopping.

Purple Coneflower

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November 3, 2010

Over-Wintering Plants in Containers

Filed under: Over-wintering evergreens — Tags: Container Plants, Over-wintering plants — admin @ 2:02 pm

We get many questions about over-wintering plants that have been in containers during the summer. In our zone it’s more difficult to do this, but it is possible. We found an excellent article about how to have more success with winter containers at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden website. Good luck and enjoy!

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Fall and Winter Interest from more than Maples

Filed under: Tree Selection — Tags: Plants in Winter — admin @ 1:37 pm

Consider all the possibilities for adding color to your landscape. Maples make beautiful fall color shows, and we don’t deny that they are important parts of the fall landscape. Did you know that evergreens can also provide you with wonderful fall to winter color changes? Also, some plants who don’t shine during the fall color season will give you great winter interest?

Red Twig Dogwood Winter Stems

The Red Twig Dogwood is a nice plant for many reasons, but the winter show is spectacular. After the leaves drop the showy red stems will stand out in your winter landscape. If you have any doubts…make a trip to the nursery on a snowy day and see our beautiful hedge of dogwoods along the drive.

The lowly Burning Bush provides great fall color, but consider the interesting, corky stems for winter interest too. Some other plants that provide interesting bark or form include:

Contorted Filbert–corkscrew branches and catkins in early Spring

Hawthorn–Silvery and somewhat peeling bark

Birch–Peeling bark in various colors

Fine Line and Fern Leaf Buckthorn–Dark grey bark with creamy, white spots

Some evergreens that change colors include:

Junipers–many blue types take on a purple cast during the winter, and the Youngstown Juniper has beautiful rosy hues. Below is a picture of a green Youngstown Juniper next to one that has winter color.

Youngstown Juniper Winter Color

Russian Cypress changes from a medium green to a beautiful bronze.

Russian Cypress Winter Color

Rheingold Arborvitae is a bright orange/yellow during the summer and becomes darker orange during the winter.

Rheingold Arborvitae Winter Color

Or how about a Chief Joseph Contorted Pine or Golden Mugo Pine? These great plants are medium green through the summer, but turn an eye-catching gold in the winter.

Chief Joseph Contorted Pine

Gold Mugo and Burning Bush

Think about how plants look year-round when planning your landscape. You’ll enjoy your yard in the winter even if it is from the comfort of your warm home.

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