Ella's Advice: Five Favorite Flowering Trees

spring , trees , Ella's Advice

Birds are singing, bees are buzzing and flowering trees are beginning to BLOOM! Spring has finally arrived, and flowering trees are one of the greatest delights of the season! I’ve compiled a list of my favorite blooming trees based on their special features. Perhaps you’ll find the perfect one to add to your spring landscape!

First to Bloom: Apricot trees display delicate flowers and offer the promise of tasty fruit. Check out the Chinese Apricot tree.

Great for Small Spaces: Crabapple trees are small in size, but bloom so heavily they often hide entire branches of the tree. My personal favorite is ‘Tina’ Crabapple.

Classic Spring Tree: Redbud trees offer spring flowers in shades of pink and purple, and leaves that turn a pretty bronze/gold color in the fall. For a twist on the classic redbud, check out ‘Lavender Twist’ Redbud which has a contorted stem, arching branches and develops an umbrella-shaped crown with prolific flowers.

New this Year: ‘Butterflies’ Magnolia has unique yellow blooms instead of the traditional pink and grows to be a nice sized ornamental tree.

Unique: ‘Ivory Silk’ Lilac Tree combines the huge fragrant flowers of a lilac bush with the stature of a flowering tree. It bears clusters of creamy-white flowers around Memorial Day.

A traditional Pink Saucer Magnolia

While these are some of my favorites, there are many more flowering trees to choose from. To see our full selection of flowering trees, visit Plant-o-Pedia.

Happy Spring!

Ella

Ella's Advice: Caring for your Hanging Baskets

Ella's Advice

Whether they greet your guests at the front door or brighten up your porch or patio, every home has room for a lush, beautiful hanging basket. Here are my tips for keeping your hanging baskets healthy and blooming all summer long:

First, determine the light conditions the basket will receive in your selected location. Some plants thrive in full sun and some require lots of shade. Check with a horticulturist at Hoerr Nursery for advice on selecting appropriate plants for your basket.

Second, purchase healthy plants; choose ones with multiple stems for prolific growth. Trailing plants are ideal for hanging baskets. Some plants to consider include ivy, geranium, verbena, sweet potato vine, million bells, petunias, browallia, and many others. Click here to view our selection of annuals in Plant-o-Pedia.

       
            Petunia                              Verbena                     Sweet Potato Vine

Third, assemble your basket! Planting hanging baskets is as easy as any potted plant, but there are a few tips to follow to keep your flowers growing:

• A key element to any successful gardening project is quality soil! Since hanging baskets can dry out very quickly, choose a moisture-control potting soil such as Miracle-Gro Moisture Control.
• Make sure your basket is at least 14 inches in diameter – this will ensure your plants will have adequate soil and moisture. If your basket dries out completely, submerge it in water and let it absorb as much as it can handle - this will boost its chances of recovery.
• Keep your plants fertilized with a slow release fertilizer like Osmocote. This fertilizer is activated and released at every watering.
• By mid July, cut back the plants to encourage growth and add more slow release fertilizer to keep your baskets looking great! Be sure to rotate the basket so that all sides receive adequate light.

Remember - if you don’t have time to assemble your own, you can come in and view our huge selection of hanging baskets, or have one of our associates create a custom basket for you!

Happy Spring!

Ella

Ella's Advice: Building the Perfect Container

techniques , gardening , Ella's Advice

The first thing to consider when you start designing your container is whether it will be placed in sun or shade. Selecting the correct plants for your location will ensure the success of your container.

Color, Color, Color!

After determining your light requirements, think about the colors you'd like to use. There are a number of different ways to combine colors in a combination planter.

• Mono-color: A range of shades of a single color. Be sure to use a pot that is either a neutral color or coordinates with your color scheme.
• Similar colors: Yellow-orange, orange-red, yellow-orange-red, violet-red, blue-green, and blue-violet.
• Complimentary colors: Red and green, orange and blue, and yellow and violet. Complimentary colors create a ton of contrast and cause both colors to pop.

                

Foliage = Texture

The next step to building your perfect container is incorporating foliage. This will bring another element of color and texture to your container.

• Dark foliage is perfect for highlighting light colored flowers.
• Silver foliage can harmonize with many flower colors like pink and lavender.
• Chartreuse blends well with hot colors like red, orange and yellow to create a tropical feel or it can contrast against dark colors like burgundy.

               

Thriller/Filler/Spiller

The final step in container building is selecting and arranging plants for the greatest structural impact. An easy way to do this is to select Thrillers, Fillers, and Spillers.

• Thrillers are plants with height that add drama and a vertical element to the combinations. Thrillers can be flowering or foliage plants. Some examples of thrillers are coleus, tall ornamental grasses, butterfly argyranthemum, gaura and angelonia.
• Fillers are essential for making your container look full in the middle. They tend to be rounded or mounded plants and are generally placed in front of or around the thriller. Some examples of fillers include Diamond Frost Euphorbia, lantana, diascia, shorter coleus, and New Guinea Impatiens.
• Spillers are trailing plants that hang over the edge of the container. They should be placed close to the edge of the pot. Some examples of spillers include calibrachoa, sweet potato vine, verbena, and creeping jenny.

             

Try putting these tips to use when you create your next container! But remember, there are many ways to combine plants and you should always feel free to play!

Happy planting!

Ella

Ella's Advice: Top Five Gardening Mistakes

techniques , gardening , Ella's Advice

5. Too Much Mulch!
Mulching is great for plants – it reduces water loss from the soil, minimizes weed competition, and improves soil structure. Unfortunately, many landscapes fall victim to a plague of overmulching, leading to excess moisture and root rot. Avoid creating a “mulch volcano” around the base of your shrubs and trees. Piling mulch around the trunks can create a habitat for rodents that chew the bark. Make sure your mulch is no more than 2 to 4 inches deep.

4. Ignoring the Roots
If your new plant or shrub has been growing in a container, you’ll need to pay a little attention to the roots before you plant. Using your hands or a trowel, tease apart and loosen the root ball. Roots often become pot-bound and circling in containers and need encouragement to grow out and down when transplanted. If you skip this step, the plant’s roots may never spread into the surrounding soil.

3. Forgetting About Soil
In a perfect world every garden would have an abundance of nutrient-rich soil. Even seasoned gardeners can forget to add organic matter to their soil when planting. Take a little time to enrich your soil with compost at planting, and it will pay dividends for the entire life of the plant!

2. Full Sun, Full Shade, Does it Even Matter?
Yes it matters! Plants appreciate an environment that has been carefully selected for their needs. Check the label on your plants for light requirements before you buy them! At Hoerr Nursery you can find all sun-loving perennials out in the open, and all shade-loving plants under a protective awning. Even if your plant survives in an inappropriate environment, it will never perform as well as it would under the proper conditions.

1. Planting Too Close Together
We’ve all seen landscapes that start out looking full, only to become overgrown and out of control in a couple of years. Before you place your plants, consider how big they will be at maturity. As a rule of thumb, shrubs should be planted 3 to 4 feet apart, and 2.5 to 3 feet away from the wall of a house or building. Spacing your plants appropriately will help maintain a tidy landscape and reduce your time spent pruning.

Ella's Advice: Japanese Beetle Tips

techniques , pests , japanese beetle , Ella's Advice

Quick Facts about Japanese Beetles:

• They feed for 6 to 8 weeks from late June through August.
• They eat between the veins of a leaf, leaving it dried and lacey.
• They can stress plant material but rarely inflict enough damage to kill it.

Japanese Beetles do have favorite plants, but they feed on a large variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers - especially on yellow colored rose flowers or ripening fruits like raspberries and grapes.

Favorite plants:

• Linden, birch, cherry and plum trees
• Plants in the rose family
• Grapes and red raspberries
• Virginia creeper
• Porcelain berry vine
• Rose of Sharon and other mallow
• Onethera and many others

Prevention
One way to control Japanese Beetles is to replace favored plants with those they tend to avoid, including boxwood, hydrangea, lilac, euonymus, holly and forsythia. Another prevention strategy is to physically cover plants with a floating row cover. This is a lightweight spun polyester fabric that lets light and moisture through but excludes the beetles from feeding. This is especially helpful for vegetables or raspberries where sprays may be undesirable.

Control
If Japanese Beetles are already present in your landscape you have a few options for controlling the damage they inflict.

1. Physical Removal
   The least invasive method of control is to physically remove the insects from your plants. Japanese Beetles are fairly clumsy and will fall off a branch when it is shaken. Hold a bucket of soapy water under the branch while you shake it to collect the beetles. Use liquid dish soap, as plain water doesn't quite do the trick - the beetles can survive and swim around in it for days.
2. Japanese Beetle Traps
   You can also hang traps that lure beetles using a pheromone scent. These traps have replaceable collection bags or containers to dispose of trapped beetles. You should only use the traps if there is a heavy infestation. Be sure not to place them near the desirable plants - hang them in a nearby area to draw them away.
3. Chemical Control
   Another method of control is with the use of a chemical product. This option may be necessary for large infestations that cause serious plant damage. All general use insecticides will control beetles, and most require direct contact to kill the beetle. Be sure to follow label instructions when spraying.
   
   Spray insecticides later in the day when adult beetles are less likely to fly off and bees may not be working. Apply carbaryl sold as “Sevin” or permethrin or other pyrethroid sprays. You may also apply imidacloprid as a drench in early spring to prevent damage to a favored tree.

For more advice on dealing with Japanese Beetles, call or stop by the Garden Center to speak with one of our horticulturists.

Click here to see our Growing Guide on Japanese Beetles.

Ella Maxwell

Ps. Be sure to watch my talk on Japanese Beetles on the Mid-day Gardener tomorrow! Tune to the WEEK noon news cast and watch for the program around 12:20pm after Mr. Food.

Ella's Advice: 10 Best Value Plants

favorites , Ella's Advice

When hot summer weather arrives, it’s valuable to have plants that can go a little while without being watered. Fortunately, there are several drought-tolerant plants that can save you money on watering and still look beautiful throughout the summer.

We’ve compiled a list of our most valuable plants that are guaranteed to come back year after year, save you money on watering (all are drought-tolerant), and eventually fill up a lot of space.

Next time you’re thinking about adding to your garden or landscape, try incorporating some of these plants to stretch your dollar a little further:

Sedum One of the most reliable growers, sedum provides star-shaped blooms well into fall and attracts butterflies. Fall blooming varieties also offer fuel for monarchs and other late fliers on their journey south. Why we love it: Sedum is one of the first perennials to emerge in the spring, offering interesting foliage until it erupts with blooms from late summer through the end of fall.
Yarrow (Achillea) Yarrow grows in almost any conditions, providing vibrant colored blooms in the garden until frost. Some of our favorite varieties are Moonshine (light-yellow), Apricot Delight (pink), and Strawberry Seduction (red). Why we love it: Yarrow is very tolerant of heat and humidity, has a long bloom season and even grows well in a pot.
Coreopsis Also known as Tickseed, this plant produces sunny yellow flowers and thrives in dry conditions. Interesting varieties include Tequila Sunrise (variegated leaves), Crème Brulee (light yellow), and Jethro Tull (fluted petals). Why we love it: Native to the Southwest United States and Mexico, this perennial can take the heat and still perform beautifully.
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia) This cheerful perennial offers large, daisy-like blooms from early summer through fall. Considered a wildflower by some, the bright red and yellow blooms look great in a tidy border or naturalized landscape. Why we love it: This plant is very tough and cheerful! The bright colors will add a touch of whimsy and wilderness to any area of your garden.
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) Just when we need a breath of fresh air in the late summer heat, butterfly bushes happily burst into bloom. At a time when many other plants are already spent, buddleias are just beginning their show. Their passive coloring and texture makes a wonderful backdrop for perennials, and you'll love the butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds that flock to their honey-scented blossoms. Why we love it: Deer resistant, fragrant, drought-tolerant, attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds and even great in a cut flower arrangement – you can’t ask much more in a perennial!
Coneflower (Echinacea) This native plant has become a standard for the summer perennial garden. Coneflowers are accustomed to harsh prairie conditions, and they are great at tolerating heat, drought, and wind. They’re even a source of seed for birds long after they stop blooming. Some of our favorites are Kim’s Knee High (dwarf), Tomato Soup (red petals), Pink Double Delight (double pink petals), Mac ‘n’ Cheese (yellow petals) and more! Why we love it: Available in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and shapes, coneflowers are some of the best perennial flowers for late summer and early fall.
Agastache This drought-tolerant perennial is often forgotten, but it’s the perfect addition to any wildlife habitat, with flowers that attract butterflies, hummingbirds and bees all summer long. Agastache boasts a compact, upright growing habit, fuzzy licorice-scented leaves and lovely, nectar-rich blue-lavender flower spikes Why we love it: The tall blooms provide a great backdrop for other perennials and annuals in the landscape.
Knock Out Rose There’s a reason we call them Knock Out Roses! This family of roses has stunning flower power with a generous bloom cycle (about every 5-6 weeks) that will continue until the first hard frost. These low maintenance roses are easy to grow and extremely disease resistant. Why we love it: Knock Out Roses can fit into any landscape. Plant them individually among shrubs, annuals and perennials, or in clusters for a dramatic visual impact.
Hens & Chicks (Sempervivum) We love this tough plant for its rosette-shaped clusters of leaves. It can grow in shallow or rocky terrain in the garden, and is also very attractive in containers. The plants can be divided easily at any time by pulling up some of the "chicks" and replanting them elsewhere Why we love it: Sempervivum is very forgiving. It can go for days without water, and then perk right back up once you remember.
Ornamental Grasses These perennials are the perfect garden backdrop, adding texture, color and fullness to any space. Look for switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) for beautiful fall color and feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora) for a stately sweep up to 5 feet tall. Why we love it: Ornamental grass offers year-round interest and adds a touch of drama and looks perfectly at home in the Midwest landscape.

Ella's Advice: Top Tips for Mosquito Control

gardening tips , techniques , pests , Ella's Advice

Few things can put a damper on your outdoor summer activities like mosquitoes! These pesky critters roam our landscapes from May to September, just looking for their next meal!

Follow these simple steps to put mosquitoes in their place and start enjoying your landscape again!

Standing Water – Dump it or Treat it!
Mosquito larvae can develop in even the tiniest pools of standing water. Make sure you turn over garbage can lids and unblock your rain gutters to keep the breeding grounds to a minimum.

For water features such as ponds, rainbarrels and birdbaths, drop in some Mosquito Dunks. The dunks are round discs that contain micro-organisms to eradicate the larvae. Each dunk can treat up to 100 square feet of water for a month, and they can be broken into pieces to treat smaller areas.

Bite Back!
To deal with major mosquito problems, apply an insecticide like Bonide Mosquito Beater Ready-to-Spray. The spray container can be attached to a garden hose to treat the entire yard. This water-based product contains Permethrin and will help control other insects as well.

No More Party Crashers!
The grill is hot and the pool is ready – now make sure your party guests are comfortable and bite-free all evening! Apply Bonide Mosquito Beater Ready-to-Use Preventative to your recreation areas to reduce the presence of mosquitoes and other flies. The shaker-top container makes it easy to distribute the granules in your desired area. Best of all – mosquitoes are driven away in about an hour, and won’t come back for 24 hours!

All of these mosquito-treating products can be found in the Plant Pharmacy at Hoerr Nursery. And for a limited time, Bonide Mosquito Beater products are half off!

Enjoy your summer and live at peace with your landscape!

Ella

Don’t dump those patio containers just yet!

Ella's Advice , Christmas

Don’t dump those patio containers just yet! With winter just around the corner, your pots can be transformed into the perfect holiday greeting for your friends and family – a ‘Christmas Container’!

The Right Pot

First things first – you need a container that can withstand the freeze and thaws of Illinois winters. Terra Cotta pots need to be stored indoors, but fiberglass, ceramic, concrete and most plastic containers are perfect for Christmas Containers.

Keep Your Soil

The soil in your pots creates an ideal base to hold your evergreen arrangement! Simply take a knife to cut out the existing plants just below ground level. Be sure to do this BEFORE it freezes solid... so sooner the better! Here’s another idea: if your planters have ornamental grasses or other great foliage plants (i.e. ivy), you can decorate these plants with a bit of metallic spray paint for a nice accent to your arrangement. TIP – use a paper sack to hold the leaves and then spray paint into the bag to avoid getting spray paint everywhere!

Evergreens & More Goodies

Consider some of your own evergreens to add to your containers! Trim a bit of arborvitae, pine, spruce, boxwood, and holly for great additions to your container. Of course we have everything you need to create your fantastic planter. Center your tallest branch first and fill in the sides and create a little depth to your arrangement. Fill in with your favorite greens between each branch and add in artificial picks, sprays and ribbon to complete your design! Even consider recycling your old Christmas tree decorations! You are limited to your imagination.

Looking for advice or more inspiration? Stop in any time for friendly (and festive!) seasonal advice – we’re always here to help!

Ella's Advice: Go Native

shrubs , Ella's Advice , Native Plants

We can all relate to those hard-to-grow areas, like heavy shade or those low spots that are mud most of the time. Here’s a few ideas using native plants that are incredibly easy to grow and also attract songbirds and butterflies.

What Do You Mean, Native Plants?

The simplest answer is: plants that have grown in this region of the globe even before colonial expansion. Over all that time, these plants adapted to various soil, water, weather and sunlight conditions as well as developed a strong tolerance to local common plant problems and diseases. Basically – native plants are tough!

Added Bonus

These plants are not only rewarding for you – but also for wildlife like songbirds and butterflies. Natives can provide an excellent source of food and shelter for many species all year long.

A Few Favorites

There are dozens to choose from - each with their own distinctive characteristics and qualities. Here’s a few that I enjoy: Happy Gardening!

Amethyst Falls Wisteria

A beautiful climbing vine, perfect for trellises and arbors. Its lavender-purple, grape-like flowers attract native butterflies and insects. Very easy to grow and blooms at a far earlier age than other Wisteria and it’s not as aggressive. Tolerates shade, but will only flower well in full sun.

Winterthur Viburnum

A compact cultivar with fragrant white flowers arranged in clusters April-May. The flowers provide nectar for butterflies, native bees and other pollinators. Flowers are followed by clusters of rounded berries that change color as they ripen from light pink to deep pink to blue to purplish-black. Glossy dark green leaves turn maroon or dark red-purple in fall. Plant in full sun to part shade.

Northern Bayberry

Very aromatic, dark green foliage with a thick branching habit form a wide, flowing shrub that thrives in a multitude of sun exposures and soils. In the winter, birds love the waxy gray berries and the dense twigs for cover.
Fun fact : Native strands of this plant provided an essential supply of aromatic oils that were historically used to manufacture soaps, candles and other household products even before colonial times. Even today, you can still find Bayberry candles.

Button Bush

NEW at Hoerr Nursery for 2011 - Tremendous source of nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators, and thrives in very wet conditions. Hundreds of tiny, creamy white flowers are packed into large showy flower heads, which dangle from the bush in August. The fragrant flower heads mature into round fruits each containing hundreds of nutlike seeds that are eaten by waterfowl and other birds.