Thursday, May 10, 2012
What do plant-loving moms really want for Mother's Day? Patio flowers with exotic fragrances, trendy vertical gardens, a 'greens' garden, and ... a great big pile of mulch with all hands on deck.
If you’re one of the countless people who buy flowers for Mom on Mother’s Day, good for you … and great for Mom! There’s nothing like a big bouquet to brighten the day. Area gardening experts suggest taking Mom’s love of flowers a few steps further by picking up a plant for her that she can enjoy, perhaps as a centerpiece on Mother’s Day but then on her patio or deck as an added adornment this summer. And while plants in pots are great, so are blooms that brim from the new vertical, wall trays. Consider giving Mom gardening tools or even a big pile of mulch. Seriously, some mothers have reported that one of their best gifts ever was a pile of mulch and some extra hands for spreading it! Here, some plant- and garden-enthusiast gift ideas …
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Whether your lilacs are old or new, or if you're thinking of planting some new shrubs or trees, these tips from professionals help the sweet-smelling plants thrive.
These lilac tips come from area gardeners and landscapers: • Easy to grow. “Lilacs are one of the most easy-going of the shrubs/trees in the landscape,” said Deborah Friedman, a certified landscape designer who owns Deborah Friedman Designs in Bloomfield Hills. "They require very little care and tending to overall.” • Trim liberally. "I trim back my lilac plants in the fall, or they get crazy," says Karen Johnson, a cleaning specialist/team leader for Ask Alice Cleaning in Troy. A place in the sun. “Generally, lilacs need a location which has at least six hours of sun per day,” said Friedman. “If your location does not have enough sun, you may miss out on those fragrant lilac blooms.” Added Deborah Lee, owner of Shades of Green in …
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Temperatures are expected to drop into the 20s overnight after a nice day Thursday.
Yes, it's nearly May and we've had some pleasant spring days, but those cold nights are being stubborn. So there is another freeze warning for overnight and the early morning. The National Weather Service says temperatures will fall below freezing overnight, with temperatures dropping into the mid- to upper 20s in most areas by sunrise. The freeze warning is in effect from 2-8 a.m. Several hours of below freezing temperatures can damage unprotected vegetation, especially fruit trees on which blossoms have formed. So, cover up anything you want to protect and cross your fingers we escape the wrath of Jack Frost.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Temperatures expected to drop to seasonal levels will threaten newly budded plants.
Temperatures are forecast to hover around freezing overnight, for the next several nights, which could threaten all those early blooming spring flowers. Because of the cold temperatures, the National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook on Wednesday. Low temperatures are forecast to drop to a frosty 34 degrees Wednesday night and dip below freezing by Thursday night. Low temperatures are forecast to pick up to the 40s by the weekend. That means newly budded and sensitive outdoor plants could be killed if left uncovered. Representatives from English Gardens recommended covering plants with freeze cloths, newspapers or sheets. Gardeners can also spray a product called Freeze Proof on the plants. Click here for additional …
Nate Stemen
5:50 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012
How are you – and your plants – coping with all of these frigid nights? Tell us in the comments. more ›