What's new with Brandt's Family Tree?
May 2014
It's been a rough winter for all of us but Mother Nature has finally calmed down and we are up and running! Come see what we have! We are continuously receiving new stock of plants during this month so stop back often to see the new items we get!
June 10, 2011
We appreciate everyone's patience while we settle down and back into the groove of things from last year. We will be at Washington Park tomorrow for the Manitowoc Garden Fair. We will have a great selection of plants available for purchase, along with a sample selection of the newest plant releases and hard to finds. We will also be handing out coupons to be used at our store, door prizes and FREE TREES! We can't wait to see you there!
We've also updated a new Clearance area at the nursery. The plants are healthy, just looking for a home. There is a variety and it changes throughout the season... everything is priced to sell!!!! Savings up to 80%!!!!
Lastly, our hours have been extended - Monday thru Friday 9AM-7PM, Saturday 9AM-3PM, & Sunday 10AM-3PM. These will be our hours through June and we hope these will better fit your gardening needs. Stop in to see what we have to offer, and as always, Happy Planting!
September 6, 2009
The Dog Days of Summer
Ah, the dog days of summer… The last few weeks in August, when there seems to be a lull, summer is coming to an end but fall has not yet quite arrived… Already, we’ve noticed that the sun sits slightly lower in the sky and the days have become shorter, the plants are still growing but using less water and the evening temperatures are definitely getting cooler.
At the Garden Center, this time of transition is very exciting… Although the late summer flowering plants are still in full bloom, the berries of spring flowering trees and shrubs are starting to mature and their summer foliage is starting to turn into autumn colors… Yes, summer is coming to an end and fall is right around the corner!
What’s in Bloom
Sun-loving, summer perennials are still flowering at the Garden Center… Right now, the daylilies, coneflowers and tall garden phlox are putting on a spectacular show, with their bright, cheery blooms!
The late-summer flowering perennials have started to bloom and are adding to the show! The following is a listing of some of my favorites:
Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’, 1999 Perennial of the Year, is the classic Black Eyed Susan – It’s in full bloom with masses of showy golden-yellow, daisy-like flowers. A vigorous grower to 24-30” high and wide, it flowers July to mid-October and prefers fertile, loose soil; the Goldfinches love the seeds!
Another new favorite is Rudbeckia ‘Henry Eihlers’… Sue has it planted in her garden and is smitten with its mass of 2” yellow starburst flowers on 4-5’ stems; it blooms August until frost. This is a great plant for the back of a perennial border in full sun or light shade!
Other eye-catching Rudbeckia favorites include Cherokee Sunset, Goldilocks and Indian Summer… Their large flower size and bright colors are very impressive but please be aware, these are short-lived perennials and will need to be renewed every couple of years.
Perovskia atriplicifolia is an upright, shrub-like perennial that adds a sense of lightness to the garden. It offers a long bloom season with tall, airy, spike-like clusters of flowers that create a lavender-blue cloud of color; a moderate grower, it prefers full sun. Little Spire is a dwarf, more compact form of Russian Sage.
Liatris forms grassy clumps with flower spikes that add a vertical element to the garden; it makes a good cut flower and it attracts hummingbirds and butterflies! It blooms from August-September, tolerates heat and drought, grows in average, well-drained, moist soil and prefers full sun… Alba has white flowers and has a flowering height of 36” high… Kobold is more compact, with rosy-purple flowers that reach 18-24” high.
The Sedum are full of buds and will be flowering any day… Stonecrop is easy to care for and are great xeriscape plants, preferring full sun and well drained soil.
Black Jack is a newer variety with stunning deep purple (almost black) and large (almost 8” across) bright pink flowers; it grows 24” high.
Matrona has an upright growth habit with a unique blue-gray foliage, dark red stems and clusters of pink flowers August-September; it grows 18-24” high.
Postman’s Pride is exceptional, with its dark purple foliage and violet-pink flowers – It is a
My favorites include:
Autumn Charm has variegated green leaves that are edged in cream and is long-blooming with soft pink flowers that turn to red as the weather cools.
Autumn Joy is an upright grower with green foliage and large clusters of pink flowers that mature to a rosy-russet color in fall; it grows 18-24” high and prefers drier soil.
Autumn Fire is similar to Autumn Joy but with a tighter growth habit, thicker foliage and brighter rosy-pink flowers; it grows 24-30” high.
lso salt tolerant!
Asters are another late-summer favorite that flower into fall; they attract butterflies, too! Purple Dome is a fast grower, forming a solid purple mound, 18” tall and 36” wide, with semi-double, 1.5” purple flowers and bright yellow eyes; it prefers full sun and well-drained soil… Farmington Michaelmas forms an 18” high by 24” wide dense mass of lilac blooms with yellow eyes; it prefers full sun, grows in almost any soil and is highly mildew resistant… October Skies has deep sky blue flowers and grows 18” high by 18” wide.
Aster divaricatus offers dwarf cultivars that are lower growing (only 12-15” high by 12-18” wide), that are more compact and mildew resistant; they prefer full sun, well-drained soil and flower August-October:
Wood’s Blue – single, clear blue flowers with gold centers
Wood’s Pink – single, clear pink flowers
Wood’s Purple – dark purple flowers
Of course, fall flowering Chrysanthemum are always a perennial favorite! New for this year are the Mammoth Series garden mums… They are fast growers and will reach 14” high by 20” wide, the first year, and can mature to 2-3’ high by 3-4’ wide; these are hardy to zone 4.
Coral Daisy – Deep coral, yellow-centered flowers that mature to an antique rose
Red Daisy – deep red, yellow-centered flowers that mature to an antique rose
Yellow Quill - clear yellow, narrow, tubular-shaped petals radiate from a yellow center
If you’re looking for something big and showy, try the dramatic Hardy Hibiscus… From the Rose Mallow family, this woody, shrub-like perennial offers huge 8-10” blooms that look spectacular in bold shades of red, deep rose, pink or white! These late flowering perennials are fast growing to 3-4’ high and wide; they prefer full sun and well-drained, organic soil with ample moisture. They are hardy outdoors to zone 4 but are deciduous and die back in the winter (and are very late to emerge in spring).
Another Hibiscus for late-summer color is the Rose of Sharon…This shrub is a drought-resistant, cold-hardy choice for a tropical look; an upright grower with a vase-shaped habit, it quickly reaches 10’ high and 6’ wide, in full sun to part sun. While its flowers are not nearly as large as their tropical relatives, they have a long bloom season with a profusion of continuous blooms from August to frost, in shades of purple, red, rose, pink, lavender or white with single or double petals. Rose of Sharon can be used as a specimen plant, for hedges or a screen.
Clethra is one of my all-time favorite, late-summer, flowering shrubs; its fragrant, candle-like flower spikes are intoxicating as it perfumes the air and attracts masses of butterflies! Although Summerweet is slow-growing, it is tolerant of heavy shade but will also withstand full sun and can tolerate moist soil; the lustrous deep green foliage turns yellow in fall.
Hummingbird is a profuse bloomer with white flowers and grows 3-5’ high by 3-4’ wide.
Ruby Spice has 4” bright, rose-pink flowers and grows 3-6’ high by 3-4’ wide.
Sixteen Candles has 6” white flowers and grows 4-5’ high by 2-3’ wide.
Grasses
Ornamental Grasses are very popular in today’s landscape and gardeners are discovering and enjoying the ease and diversity of Grasses. Not only do they add vertical height and interest to the landscape but Grasses also imply movement, even when there is no breeze; their contrasting forms add a sense of life.
Although they mix well with other plants, some Grasses can stand alone as effective hedges; others are big and bold enough to be specimen plants, while smaller versions can be used to line pathways. The category is so diverse that it offers selections for almost any situation, formal or casual, sun or shade.
Miscanthus sinensis is a Maiden Grass and offers finely textured foliage and large, airy plumes. It prefers full sun; dwarf and variegated selections are also available.
Hakonechloa macra is a Japanese Forest Grass – its graceful, colorful foliage dances in the shade.
Calamagrostis is an upright Feather Reed Grass; a stunning vertical grower, it’s like an exclamation point in the landscape!
Chasmanthium lactifolium is a Northern Sea Oats; it has bamboo-like foliage and dangling, flat, oat-like flower spikes.
Festuca forms low-growing, mounded blue spikes of foliage; perfect for borders and as a ground cover.
Panicum prefers full sun or part shade; Switch Grasses has an upright habit with wide blades of foliage and light, airy plumes.
Pennisetum is a Fountain Grass with thin blades of foliage that radiates from the center; its flower spikes are soft and fluffy.
Schizachyrium is a Little Bluestem; it has narrow, upright foliage with a unique, light blue color – In fall it turns a coppery-orange.
For winter interest, leave the grass standing and enjoy its movement and color against the snow. The wildlife will appreciate being able to use it for coverage and the birds will be able to enjoy the seed heads during the cold, winter months… In spring, cut the grass back to 4” and let the new growth grow through.
Was that Rain?
Well, we’ve finally had some rain on the lakeshore. But don’t let it fool you! I’ve been planting in my front garden beds and was astonished to note that the rain had only reached down 4” or so; that depth is fine for grass, perennials and, perhaps, some shrubs but it is not nearly deep enough for a tree.
We’ve had a number of customers come in, distraught, because they have mature plants showing signs of distress; ash, oaks, birches, blue spruces and arborvitae seem to have been affected the most.
Please continue to take care of your newly planted trees and shrubs and make sure to water them deeply, once a week… Remember, a tree needs to be cared for during the first year of being planted and monitored for the next 3 years.
Full Moon Madness Sale
Just wanted to mention that our 2nd annual Full Moon Madness sale was a huge hit with our customers and we had so much fun! Although no one won their ‘Purchase Free’, there were a lot of customers who received 30%, 35% and 40% off of their total purchase… We definitely are looking forward to having this promotion again, next year!
Spring Bulbs
We’re already thinking spring! Spring flowering bulbs should be arriving around September 15th. We’ve ordered a selection of daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, alliums and crocuses.
This year, the majority of the tulips will be Darwin Hybrids… These are considered the ‘giants of the garden’, with their tall stature and large blooms. They are also referred to as ‘perennial tulips’ and tend to return every spring. Darwin Hybrids are mid-season bloomers and flower April-May; also, their sturdy stems make them the most weather-resistant.
Because of the large deer population surrounding us, we’ll be also focusing on daffodils and will have a nice assortment of Triumph, Large-Cupped, Doubles and Specialty varieties… Daffodils, hyacinth, alliums and crocuses are highly deer resistant!
Spring bulbs should be planted in fall before the ground freezes. In our area, the optimum time to plant spring bulbs is September 15th - October 15th; this will allow them plenty of time to start setting their roots before the ground freezes.
Although I’m still enjoying the late-summer flowers and the start of the fall colors, I can’t wait to see these bulbs blooming in spring! Happy planting! Kim
August 4, 2009
Summer Fun
One might think that the
Garden
Center is quiet during the summertime but that’s only an illusion… Although there may not be as many cars in the parking lot, all at one time, we are still busy, helping our customers and taking care of the plants.
New shipments have come in to replace plants that have sold, so that we remain stocked with a fine selection… Spring flowering shrubs have needed their spent blooms pruned, roses needed deadheading and systemic and the perennials have needed to be cut back and deadheaded.
Of course, watering has been a constant issue… Not like in 2007, when the weather was constant with temps in the 90s. In fact, we were so miserably hot that year, Sue and I wore water drenched bandanas around our necks, just trying to stay cool… Nope, this year we simply have a lack of rain.
Noting that I needed some additional summer color, when I went to plant, I found that my soil was too hard to penetrate with a spade. I watered the earth for a day or two, first, before I started digging (and that just felt wrong). However, I got my holes dug and after the top 6 inches, the soil looked pretty good and the digging was easy. I’ve been able to add some Hydrangeas, Roses and perennials to my front beds; I still want to plant more and am praying for rain.
Full Moon Madness
Sale
Mark your calendar…There is a full moon on Thursday, August 6th and it kicks off our 2nd Full Moon Madness Sale, with savings of 20% - 40% off your total purchase; one lucky winner will receive their total purchase FREE!
Thursday, August 6th thru Sunday, August 9th, when you bring your purchase to the check out, you can choose a moon with its hidden savings (the percentage off). The savings will be revealed and we will subtract that percentage from the regular retail price… Full moons will have savings of 20% off, 25% off, 30% off, 35% off or 40% off; one full moon will have “PURCHASE FREE”!
The sale includes all trees, shrubs, evergreens, perennials, cement and wrought iron garden décor, fertilizers, insecticides and fungicides…At these savings, you won’t have to wait for our fall clearance – You’ll be able to get your plants in and enjoy them this year, yet!
The sale does not apply to gift certificates, topsoil, mulches and delivery; these are excluded. Also, the sale is not retroactive and only good at time of purchase; layaways do not apply for sale pricing.
Last year’s sale was so much fun and we’re hoping to repeat that, again, this year – Hope to see you there!
Hydrangea Mania!
With more than 20 varieties available, you can’t help but notice the Hydrangeas at the
Garden
Center! Their long bloom season starts in mid-July and continues into September, providing months of late summer color; the only shrubs that flower more are Potentilla and Shrub Roses!
In the wild, Hydrangeas grow under tree canopies and are protected from the sun; this needs to be duplicated in the landscape and, as a general rule, they should be planted in part sun to full shade. However, they do need 4-6 hours of sunlight (for flowering), so morning sun or filtered sunlight is ideal.
Hydrangeas also need fertile, well-drained soil; amend the soil with organic matter and apply a slow-released, balanced fertilizer in early spring and again in August; add some fish emulsion in June to enhance fall flower production… Avoid fertilizer with high nitrogen; this will only stimulate the foliage at the expense of the flowers.
Deadhead after flowers have faded and, after flowering, remove at least, two-thirds to three-quarters of the plant to ensure that future stems will be strong and sturdy to support the next year’s large flower heads… However, Hydrangeas from the Endless Summer Collection (Endless Summer, Blushing Bride and Twist-n-Shout), bloom on new and old wood; these varieties should only be pruned to shape (or you will be cutting off half of the next year’s flowers!).
Also, some varieties have the ability to change color according to the amount of acidity in the soil - pink flowers in alkaline soil, blue flowers in acidic… If you want blue flowers, simply add several cups of aluminum sulphate at planting time and work into the soil, and then add an additional cup of aluminum sulphate several times during the growing season to maintain blue color; the Endless Summer Collection varieties can change color… Please note, aluminum sulphate is not a fertilizer; its only use is to change the acidity of the soil.
However, there are some Hydrangeasthat will always be pink (macrophylla Glowing Embers), others that will always be blue (macrophylla
Nikko Blue), some that will start white but then mature to a blushed or bronzy pink (Hydrangea paniculata) and some that will only be white (Hydrangea arborescens); aluminum sulphate will have no color effect on these varieties.
Our most popular, Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ is a Smooth Hydrangea; it has pure white flowers up to 12” across. It will tolerate full sun but thrives in full to partial shade and grows 4-5’ high and 3-5’ wide… Often, the flowers are small the first year but will be normal size the following years; these are fast growers and can be cut back to the ground in late fall.
Most recently, new varieties of Hydrangea macrophylla have been introduced in the Endless Summer Collection… The first released, Endless Summer The Original, is a mop-head type with the unique ability to bloom consistently on both new and old wood; the result is a plant that flowers all summer long... Depending on soil acidity, flowers will be pink or blue; it is a moderate grower to 3’-5’ high by 3’-5’ wide and prefers full to partial shade.
Another shade-lover, Endless Summer Blushing Bride has been a sensation for the past two years, with its huge 6” flower mops of semi-double florets that are white and lightly blushed with blue or pink; when deadheaded, it quickly reblooms… However, we think its real show is in fall, when the flower heads mature to a deep burgundy-wine!
Endless Summer Twist-n-Shout is new for 2009! It has more of a ‘lacecap’ appearance with its lacy florets with deep pink centers, surrounded by pink or periwinkle blue (depending on soil acidity) and it blooms on both new and old wood; in fall, the leaves turn burgundy-red.
Hydrangea paniculata varieties can tolerate full sun or part shade. These have large, cone-shaped flower panicles with florets that tend to open all at the same time; they bloom on new growth and may be cut back in winter or early spring... A few of our favorites: Limelight has exquisite lime-green flowers that turn white and mature to a blushed pink … Little Lamb has a unique look with tiny, delicate white florets that are tightly packed into small but very full panicles… Pink Diamond has incredibly large (12” x 8”) inflorescences that open creamy-white and gradually turn to rich pink; it is at its best in full sun… Pinky Winky is similar to its parent, Pink Diamond, but has 14” blooms, more petal count and stronger stems to support the weight of the flowers.
Summer Flowering Shrubs
Caryopteris is a low-growing, free-flowering shrub with fragrant blooms in shades of blue, from late July until frost; they prefer full sun…. Blue Mist has powder-blue flowers and silvery-gray foliage, Dark Knight has deep purple-blue flowers and silvery-gray foliage, while Sunshine Blue has blue flowers and chartreuse foliage… These are best treated as a herbaceous perennial and cut back to the ground in spring; they bloom on new wood.
Clethra is valued for its fragrant summer flowers, tolerance of heavy shade and moist situations and they attract butterflies. Slow-growing, they prefer full to part sun and have a compact habit that works well in small gardens, effective in mass, in perennial borders or along foundations… Hummingbird is a profuse bloomer with white flower spikes and grows 3-4’ tall and slightly wider, Ruby Spice has bright pink flowers and grows 3-6’ tall by 3-4’ wide and Sixteen Candles has 6” white flowers and grows 4-5’ tall by 2-3’ wide.
The hardy Hibiscus are starting to bloom; they have a long bloom season and will continue flowering until frost. They are fast-growing to 10’ high by 6’ wide and prefer well-drained soil in full sun... A.k.a. Rose of Sharon, we carry Aphrodite (dark pink with red eye), Ardens (double lavender-pink), Diana (white), Helene (white with red eye) and Minerva (lavender pink with red eye).
Potentilla has been flowering since June and is still putting on a show, along with the Shrub Roses and a number of Spirea… Another shrub I noticed is the feathery silver-blue foliage and rosy-pink flowers of the Tamarix.
Sun Loving Perennials
Campanula Blue Clips or White Clips have 2-3” cup-shaped flowers on an 8” mound of dark green foliage; they are profuse bloomers, flowering June through October… This low-growing perennial is perfect as an edging or for the front of a border.
Coreopsis are flowering in shades of yellow to gold; threadleaf varieties Heaven’s Gate and Sweet Dreams are in shades of rosy-pink, while Snowberry is a light, creamy white… These are prolific bloomers, often flowering 8-10 weeks throughout the summer. Often, they will rebloom when cut back; they prefer full sun and well-drained soil.
Dianthus may be small in size but delivers a generous amount of blooms! These sun-loving perennials are available in shades of white, pink and red; they bloom profusely over a long period, beginning in early summer, and often have a strong, spicy clove fragrance… This is another low-growing perennial that looks great in the front border, as an edging or in a rock garden.
Gaillardia is a sun-lover for the perennial garden… Blanket Flowers are compact plants with showy, daisy-like flowers (usually in two-toned shades of yellow/orange or yellow/red); they are heavy bloomers, providing continuous color all season long! Plus, they do well in average to poor, well-drained or dry soil and are drought resistant… Frenzy and Tizzy are two of the newest varieties and have become very popular.
Hemerocallis Stella D’Oro and Happy Returns have been blooming for quite some time; the other Daylilies are following suit and are in full bloom… We carry more than 70 varieties of Daylilies and to choose only one or two may prove to be a bit difficult.
However, you might want to check out the “Twice As Nice” Daylilies; these varieties have been chosen because they all have an extremely large number of flowers per stem (very long bloom time), vibrant colors, vigorous growth and for their ability to rebloom… Our selections for this year include All Fired Up, Bela Lugosi, Border Lord, Ed Brown, Elegant Candy, Hush Little Baby, Indian Love Call, Moonlit Masquerade, Scarelet Orbit, Seductor and Wineberry Candy.
There are also the ‘reblooming’ Daylilies - These flower one heavy flush in summer and then, again, later in the season; these include Black Eyed Susan, Custard Candy, Pandora’s Box, Pardon Me, Rosy Returns, Ruby Stella, Stella Supreme and Strawberry Candy… Stella D’Oro and Happy Returns bloom one heavy flush at the beginning of the season and, then, on and off until frost.
Some of my favorites Daylilies, that may be of interest, are Alabama Jubilee (7” fiery red-orange flowers with a yellow throat), Bodacious Returns (huge 7” bright, golden-orange flowers), Cherry Cheeks (6” rosy-pink flowers; long blooming), Easy Ned (7” lemon-yellow spider-like blooms), Frans Hals (unique, 5” bi-tone flowers with alternating yellow/orange petals), Sherwood Gladiator (a heavy bloomer with 7” lemon-yellow flowers on 5’ high stems) and Spider Miracle.
Perennial Hibiscus are starting to bloom – A woody shrub like perennial, these Rose Mallow are stunning with their huge, 10”-12” flowers in white, pink rose or red. They are fast growers and can reach 4’-5’ high, prefer full sun and evenly moist soil; unlike Tropical Hibiscus, these are hardy to zone 4!
Lavender Munstead and Hidcote areflowering in shades of blue; their rich lavender spikes fill the air with their aromatic fragrance all summer long. They require full sun and are drought tolerant, once established.
Leucanthemum are fast growers with white flowers that attract butterflies… I really like Becky for its large, single white flowers on strong stems (that don’t require staking)… Snowcap is a dwarf variety that grows only 12”-15” high and can be tucked in anywhere… Crazy Daisy is very unique with its 2” wide flowers of fringed and frilly petals; no two flowers are exactly alike.
Liatris are drought tolerant plants that give vertical height to the sun garden; its flower spikes bloom in bright violet-purple or white… Kobold is a dwarf variety with a bright, rosy-lavender color.
Monarda is a fast grower and prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil; it flowers in shades of coral, pink, rose or red in July and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies … Petite Wonder is a dwarf variety that only reaches a height of 9”-12” with clear pink flowers.
Nepeta has been in bloom at the
Garden
Center since early May and, still, is in full bloom! Walker’s Low, the most popular, has fragrant mounds of lavender-blue blooms from June through September; it grows 18”-24” high… Little Titch is the smallest of the Catmints, growing only 8-10” high; it has violet-blue flowers and is perfect for the front of the border, an edging or rock gardens.
Garden Phlox are in bloom, from soft pastels to vibrant shades of white, pink, orange, red and purple! Very long blooming in the garden and a long lasting cut flower, they prefer evenly moist soil and full sun… To prevent powdery mildew, overhead watering should be avoided and plants should be evenly spaced to allow for good air circulation; deadheading spent blossoms will prolong blooming.
We’re ‘Cone’ Crazy!
The Echinacea are commanding center attention with their long bloom time in shades of white, green, yellow, gold, orange, pink and magenta… Once established, Coneflowers are tolerant of heat, cold, drought and poor soil; they are fragrant, bloom July–September, attract butterflies and make excellent cut flowers!
We carry more than 30 varieties and still have a nice selection available for this year; new varieties for 2009 include:
Mac ‘N Cheese – 4” blooms in brilliant yellow that never need staking
Pink Poodle – Massive, true pink, multi-petal, dahlia-like flowers on strong stems
Purity – Pristine white petals with orange center cone; it never needs staking
Tomato Soup – Deep red petals that hold their color for 7-10 days, before softening to shades of orange
My personal favorites include:
Coconut Lime - Creamy white tufts of short petals surrounding a green cone
Doubledecker – Double-tiered, rose-pink petals on the top & bottom of a chocolate cone
Green Envy - Long, green petals tipped with pink around a green center cone
Harvest Moon (Big Sky Series) – Golden-orange petals and a golden-orange center cone
Magnus - The classic coneflower with huge, 6” rose-pink petals that mature to pink
Summer Sky (Big Sky Series) –
Orange petals that mature to a rosy-orange and then pink
Tiki Torch – Bright orange petals that hold their color all season long
Twilight (Big Sky Series) – Vibrant rose-red petals with a deep reddish-brown cone
Vintage Wine – Intense, deep, rose-red petals with a chocolate cone
White Swan – A low-growing, dwarf variety with white petals and copper-brown cone
Emerald Ash Borer
Recently, an Emerald Ash Borer was caught in a trap in
Green Bay, WI – That is just too close to home! Knowing how slowly they travel, I was hoping it would be a year or two yet, if at all, before this insect made its way here; perhaps I was being overly optimistic… No doubt,
Manitowoc
County will soon be under quarantine; we will keep you informed.
Gypsy Moths
Recently, I was checking the tree guards and stakes on my trees and looking for signs of damage… I noticed that my 10 year-old Prairifire Ornamental Crab looked odd and I couldn’t quite pin point it; it didn’t look as leafed out as it normally does... At first, I thought lack of precipitation (and manual watering) may have been a culprit but, upon closer inspection, I found the base of the tree totally infused with gypsy moth larvae – Gross!
Trained as I am, I didn’t know what to do first – Spray the larvae off with a full-force blast of water from the hose, then collect the larvae and dispose of them or just scrape them off the tree and dispose of them… I elected to spray them first (hoping to drown them), so I could inspect the damage. Of course, they didn’t drown, so I had to shovel them up from the base of the tree and dispose of them (plus destroy their cocoons).
Systemic with an insecticide has been sprinkled around the base of my trees and I’ve dressed them with burlap ‘traps’ and am checking them daily… The leaves have started to replenish on the Prariefire and the larvae haven’t been seen for the past two weeks.
A few customers have come in with Gypsy Moth Larvae to be identified… The main damage is leaf defoliation and the messy cocoons; use insecticide and burlap traps - destroy manually.
Yellow Jackets and Bumble Bees – Oh, My!
Well, there’s never a dull moment at the Garden Center – Last year, a nest of yellow jackets were found in one of my container Evergreens, that was waiting to come home and be planted… After much discussion about how to fumigate this plant and its guests, I decided to let it overwinter at the nursery, hoping to freeze those little guys out.
This year, it wasn’t yellow jackets that Sue found in a potted Evergreen but a nest of Bumble Bees… Okay, imagine this conversation:
Sue: Kim, we have a problem.
Kim: Okay?
Sue: Come here – I need to show you this.
Kim: Okay?
(Kim has no idea what the problem is and is completely clueless as Sue leads Kim into the middle of the
Asian
Display
Garden)
Sue: Do you see it?
Kim: Nope.
Sue: You can’t see it?
Kim: Nope.
Kim: What am I looking for?
Sue: It’s right here!
Kim: Where?
Sue: Right here! (As she walks over and points to the infested plant)
Sue: Can you hear it?
Kim: Hear what?
Sue: Listen… Can you hear it?
Kim: Oh, shoot! Not good!
Kim: Is it yellow jackets?
Sue: Nope. It’s Bumble Bees.
Kim: Bumble Bees?
Sue: Yep!
Kim: Oh, that’s good!
Sue: Uuhhggg!!!
And now, imagine the two of us discussing all the different options of how we could move this buzzing container without upsetting the bees; with much laughter, that conversation took 45 minutes… But it only took Sue 5 minutes, a plastic bag, a pair of leather gloves and a wagon. Priceless!
Please note - The telephone was kept conveniently handy, just in case the plan failed and we needed to call 911.
Happy Gardening! Kim
June 15, 2009
SUMMER IS COMING
It’s been another interesting spring – During the month of April, we had average temperatures and minimal precipitation. And during the month of May, daytime temperatures were warm but cold at night… Overall, temperatures have been below normal.
At Brandt’s Family Tree, we noticed that a variety of plants leafed out and flowered later than usual. But now that it’s June, the temperatures should start warming up and the plants will catch up and be back on schedule… Before we know it, summer will be here!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Also, for a limited time, we are offering Perennials - Buy 5, Get One Free (of equal or lesser value)… This is a great time to plant perennial flowers in your landscape that will return year after year!
Last, there are two Garden Walks scheduled… Manitowoc County Master Gardeners Volunteer Garden Walk 2009 is Saturday, June 27th from 9:00AM-4:00PM… And the 13th Annual Sheboygan Garden Walk is Saturday, July 11th from 9:00AM-4:00PM… Both are rain or shine; contact us for more details.
Also, Sue has completed the new Conifer Collector display garden… She has filled it with a mix of specimen and hard-to-find Conifers, along with some specimen deciduous trees. This is the area to check out if you’re looking for that something extra special to say “WOW” in your landscape!
Next, she will start working on the Japanese display garden… It just needs some tweaking but Sue does have some new plants that she wants to add.
I’m still working on the Perennial Hoop House – With the weather warming up, our
Wisconsin growers’ perennials are finally ready and starting to ship… We’re excited because we’ve been very fortunate and have been able to book many of the new releases for this year!
Some of the new Echinacea (coneflowers) are already in - Coconut Lime, Green Envy, Green Jewel, Purity and Tiki Torch… More will be coming soon!
The new Garden Phlox ‘Candy Series’ is in – Bubble Gum Pink, Coral Gum Drop and Grape Lollipop have all been bred to be highly mildew resistant.
Also, the new Oriental Trumpet Lilies are in and full of buds! They grow 36-48” high and have huge, 8-9” flowers! These bloom later than most lilies, seldom need staking, can adapt to most soil conditions, have a heavy bud count and have an exceptional vase life - Conca D’Or (lemon yellow), Gluhwein (mauve pink) and Robina (bright rose).
WHAT’S IN BLOOM
My favorite French hybrid is Yankee Doodle - A Father Fiala introduction, it is the deepest and darkest of the purples. It is a profuse bloomer with large clusters of very fragrant, large, single flowers. This lilac grows smaller than most French hybrids; it matures at 8’ high by 8’ wide.
My second favorite French hybrid is Sensation – Its coloring is very unique, with single, purple florets surrounded by a distinct, pure white border; this variety grows 8-10’ high by 8-12’ wide.
Beauty of Moscow is always popular – This French hybrid starts with pink buds that open to pale pink flowers; it grows 10-12’ high by 8’ wide .
Charles Joly is an old favorite – It has slightly smaller flowers but bears masses of purple buds that open to fragrant, double magenta flowers; it grows 10-12’ high by 8-10’ wide.
Miss Ellen Willmott is a classic, with its beautiful, double, pure white florets; it grows 10’ high and wide.
President Lincoln is one of the truest blue of any lilac with single florets… President Grevy is a vigorous grower and has large panicles of double, lilac-blue florets.
Primrose is a hard-to-find lilac – It has creamy yellow buds that open to single, cream colored flowers; it grows 10-12’ high and wide.
Dappled Dawn puts on quite a show with its variegated yellow and green foliage; it bears fragrant, lilac flowers and grows 8-10’ high by 6-8’ wide.
After the French hybrids have flowered, then the Korean Lilacs start blooming… These are a dwarf variety and have smaller flowers than the French hybrids but they are still quite showy and very fragrant.
The most popular is Miss Kim - A hardy lilac from
Korea, it has purple buds that open to fragrant, pale lilac flowers. It only grows 6-7’ high by 5-6’ wide; the foliage turns a nice burgundy-red in fall.
Blooming at the same time are the Fairytale Lilacs… Selections available include Thumbelina (light pink), Tinkerbelle (pink), Prince Charming (purple) and Sugar Plum Fairy (rosy-lilac); these are very fragrant and only grow 5-6’ high and wide – Often they rebloom later in the season.
If you wish to extend the lilac season even longer, consider adding
Preston hybrid Lilacs; these are the last to flower and start blooming around mid-June. Also, they are profuse bloomers, extremely hardy, very adaptable and can withstand moisture conditions than the French Hybrids; they also make wonderful hedges.
Bigleaf Rhododendrons are finishing their blooms – They have put on quite a show for the past 4-6 weeks. My favorite is a toss between Purple Passion (purple) and Nova Zembla (rosy red); Capistrano (yellow) is hard-to-find and ranks #3.
The Dogwood trees are in full bloom – Last year, I fell in love with Constellation, a hybrid that has masses of large, traditional snow-white flowers for more than 6 weeks! Traditionally an understory tree, it prefers full to partial shade. To top it off, it has vivid scarlet fall foliage and is highly disease resistant; it’s a moderate grower and matures at 25’ tall and wide.
Another Dogwood that has caught my attention is Stellar Pink – Also a hybrid, its flowers are coral pink and fade to a soft-yellow with pink margins; it prefers full sun to part shade. It has great fall color and is highly disease resistant; it’s a vigorous grower and matures at 25’ high and wide.
Although hard to find, Satomi is still my favorite – It has horizontal branching and deep, pinkish-red spring flowers; in fall, it has red hanging fruit and deep purple-red foliage. It prefers full sun to light shade and moderately grows to 20’ high by 15’ wide.
Wolf Eyes still intrigues me – Its elongated variegated mint green foliage with wavy, ivory white margins catches my attention, more so than its white, star-shaped flowers. Bright red berries appear in fall and the foliage fades to hues of pink. It prefers part sun and slowly grows to 20’ high and wide.
Alas, the Weigela are starting to bloom – Wine & Roses is a classic; it grows 4-5’ high by 3-5’ wide and has deep, dark burgundy-purple foliage and rosy-pink flowers… A shorter version, Dark Horse, grows 2-3’ high and wide, and has magenta-pink flowers; Minuet only grows 24-30” high by 2-3’ wide.
Variegated Weigela selections include Variegated, which has deep rose flowers and grows 4-6’ high by 6’ wide. French Lace has dark red flowers and grows 4-5’ high and wide; a dwarf variety, My Monet, has pink flowers and only grows 12-18” high and wide.
One of the showiest Weigela in bloom is Red Prince – It has bright red flowers that contrast against the bright green foliage; it grows 5-6’ high and wide and tends to rebloom in late summer.
Weigela Trees have been available for the past few years and are very popular – The tree forms only grow to be 5-6’ high and wide; these are small enough to tuck into a limited space and are the perfect size for smaller landscapes… Carnival, Gold Rush, Red Prince and Wine & Roses are selections available in tree form; all of these have exceptional foliage color and tend to rebloom again, later in summer.
FRUIT TREES
While moving the Fruit Trees, I got really excited when I noticed that the apricot trees have little apricots – same thing with some of the pears. And I’ve already been eating Boysenberries, fresh off the plants, at the
Garden
Center.
Remember, an apple tree needs another apple tree (of a different variety) in order to pollinate and bear fruit. The varieties you choose must blossom at the same time for pollination to occur… We’ll be more than happy to help you make the correct selections.
Pear trees also need to pollinate with another pear tree (of a different variety)… The exception to this is Summercrisp; however, pollinating with another pear tree will greatly increase its yield… Overall, Patten is a good pollinator for most other pear trees.
SPRING PRUNING
ROSES
If you want great looking roses that flower all season long, be preventive instead of reactive and keep your roses healthy with a 3-in-1 Systemic… The systemic should have a fertilizer, insecticide and fungicide. The fertilizer will feed them through the growing season, the insecticide will take care of unwanted insects and the fungicide will help keep black spot and mildew at bay… An easy way to remember when you need to apply the systemic is to think summer holidays – Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day
April 27, 2009
See What's Blooming in Spring!
SPRING IS HERE!
The weather this past weekend sure was different than the weekend before… It was so nice then, I think we all had spring fever and wanted to plant something! But we cautioned our customers not to be fooled by Mother Nature and to remember last year, when we had a hard frost the day after Memorial Day.
So, the weather this past week was typical for
Wisconsin – Rain on Monday, snow on Tuesday, rain on Wednesday and cold temps on Thursday… Friday’s forecast was 80* and sunny but that didn’t happen until after 4:00PM. And then, Saturday & Sunday was rain showers, on and off, throughout the day… But remember, April showers bring May flowers. J
Sometimes, it can be challenging working in these conditions but Sue & I have actually been able to get a lot done… April 17th we opened the hoop houses and started hardening the plants off. Last week, we started bringing plants out of the houses and they’re adjusting to our spring on the lakeshore, quite well.
WHAT’S IN BLOOM
At the
Garden
Center, the Forsythia are in full bloom… I have two favorites – The first is Northern Sun; it is in tree form and is small enough to be tucked into a limited space because it only grows 10-12’ high by 8’ wide; it handles pruning very well…. Last year, the tree in my landscape bloomed for over 4 weeks!
My second favorite is Fiesta – This shrub only grows 3-6’ high x 3-5’ wide; it puts on quite a show in spring with its bright, golden yellow flowers. However, after the flowers have faded, there’s an added bonus – It has its variegated green & yellow leaves… Mine is in light shade and it really lights up the garden the rest of the season!
Show Off is a new variety that we brought in this year. This plant is a Proven Winner and a profuse bloomer, with masses of large, golden yellow flowers from the stem, all the way up; it grows 3-6’ high by 5-6’ wide.
Of course, I must mention Gold Tide… This Forsythia is very compact and perfect for small spaces, growing only 24-30” high by 1-4’ wide. It’s also a profuse bloomer but with light yellow flowers; it does well in full sun or light shade.
The flower buds on our Magnolias are starting to open… One of my favorites is Ann, from the Little Girl Series. She is bred to bloom later than other Magnolias, thus avoiding the late season frosts that can nip the tender flower buds. This selection grows into a large, upright shrub, 8-10’ high by 10’ wide, with lightly scented, 7” rosy-pink flowers in early spring, before the leaves appear… Its flowers are very similar to a Saucer Magnolia and they tend to rebloom sporadically throughout summer.
Another favorite is Butterflies – Also late blooming, it grows 15-18’ high by 8-10’ wide and produces an abundance of 4-5” double, yellow flowers before the foliage appears. It is considered one of the best of all yellow-flowered Magnolias… At the
Garden
Center, ours are loaded with buds; we carry it in both tree and shrub form.
WINTER PROBLEMS
Our customers have been telling us their tales of woe from this past winter; the most common plight we hear is ‘defoliation by deer’… With there being so much snow cover, the deer could only find food above the snow line and, if a deer is hungry enough, it will eat anything. Unfortunately, when you have a hedge of Arborvitae, well, that’s like an open invitation to a free buffet.
Fortunately, there are steps one can take to prevent this problem, the first being - don’t plant Arborvitae… If you want an evergreen hedge, consider planting Green Mountain Boxwood – It has an odor that that the deer find offensive but we do not. It is moderate growing to 5’ high by 3’wide, has bright green foliage and retains its color during the winter, plus it grows in full sun to part shade… Unfortunately, this shrub is sensitive to wind and should not be used as a windbreak.
However, there are a number of Junipers that make an excellent hedge or screen, these include:
Hetzii Columnaris, a fast grower with bright, green foliage, dense branching and grows 15’ high by 5’ wide.
Moonglow, a moderate grower with a broad, pyramidal form and silver-blue color and grows 15’ high by 8’ wide.
Wichita Blue, a moderate grower with silver-blue color, is broadly pyramidal and grows 10-15’ high by 4-6’ wide.
Other possibilities include Dwarf Alberta Spruce and, in a shady area, Hemlock or Pyramidal Yews.
Another problem resulting from this past winter is ‘winter burn’ which is the result of harsh, dry, winter winds evaporating all the moisture out of the evergreen’s foliage, leaving it dry and crisp; often this is noticed on the north-west side of the plant. Also, noted was ‘sunburn’, which resulted from the sun’s rays reflecting off the snow, onto the plant; this is most noticeable on the south side of the plant.
Both of these situations require patience as the plant heels itself. Unfortunately, this will not happen as fast as we would like but tiny buds will start to form and grow into branches, replacing those that were damaged. Sometimes, a light pruning will be needed to clip off dead material but, if this is done, wait until after the warm temperatures in May produce the first flush of new, spring growth. (If you prune too early, you will be cutting off this new growth.)
To prevent this from happening in the future, consider using Wilt Stop by Bonide… This product is specifically formulated for evergreens and designed to help prevent the effects of harsh, winter winds. Another option is to put up a burlap windbreak in front of the plants, temporarily during the winter months.
MORE SPACE!
Previously, I mentioned that we were thinking of moving the potting shed so that we could expand the Shade House and add another
Display
Garden… Sue’s husband, Andy, and their son, Ross, moved it last weekend and what a difference it makes! Next week we’ll start setting it up and I can’t wait!
WE’VE BEEN BUSY
We finally found the time to unpack and price the 1st shipment of cement statuary, benches, birdbaths and memorial stones last week… At this time, we can’t list all the pieces separately because they are limited to only one or two of each style. However, I will try to take a group shot and give you a sneak peak… Two more shipments are expected in around May 1st.
Last week, Sue and Tasha finished planting the trees; next week, we will finish planting the shrubs. Also, we were kept busy with three shipments of plants that needed to be unloaded, inventoried, inspected and priced… This is just the start of the season; next week we have shipments coming in every other day.
WHAT’S LOOKING GOOD
So, what’s on the “Hot List” at Brandt’s Family Tree this week?
Of special interest are the Potentilla from
Monrovia – The #2 containers came in filled out with lush, green foliage and are full of buds! At this time, we received Abbotswood (white), Apricot Whisper (light peach) and Gold Star (golden yellow).
Now, when it comes to Potentilla, most customers either love it or hate it… I think it’s a really great flowering shrub! Why? Because it truly does bloom throughout the entire summer, it tolerates drought (once established) and poor soil, it loves full sun but tolerates light shade, there are several varieties available (in more than one color) that grow to be different mature sizes, it takes pruning well and it doesn’t host any pests or disease.
One that has captured my attention, Apricot Whisper; is a newer variety that I was introduced to last year… As the season progressed, I fell in love with the fine textured foliage and the profusion of peachy-pink flowers that bloomed throughout the summer. I think this variety is perfect for a cottage garden and I plan on planting a low hedge of these, facing the road, in front of my white picket fence.
Also, another favorite, Euonymus alatus ‘Little Moses’ arrived… This is one of the smallest, most compact Burning Bush varieties available; it has brilliant red fall foliage that is at its best when planted in full sun. It is a slow grower and perfect for small spaces where other Burning Bushes would be too big.
Aronia Brilliantissima are full in #5 containers with spring flowers waiting to open and with last year’s red berries still on – Beautiful!
Autumn Joy Sedum are a nice size in SuperOne containers… Larger than a #1 container but at a #1 price!
And the perennial Mountain Bluet, aka Centaurea ‘
Montana,’ came in with flower buds… If the weather is nice, they’ll be blooming by the end of this week.
From Willoway, the new Foxglove, Digitalis ‘Camelot Rose’, arrived in full bloom. Also, Wildwood Twist, a new Japanese Painted Fern, and Dre’s Dagger, a Lady Fern, came in lush and full!
Azalea x ‘Karen’ arrived loaded with buds; its bright rosy-purple flowers should be in full bloom within a week or two! It is a moderate grower, reaching 3-4’ high by 4’ wide, prefers full to part sun and acidic soil.
New this year is Prunus c ‘Crimson Point’ – This Flowering Plum arrived in full bloom; its white spring flowers will be replaced by glossy, maroon foliage and will hold its color throughout the growing season… This variety has a strong columnar habit and grows 25-30’ high but only 10’ wide; perfect for smaller landscapes and lining drives!
Malus ‘Showtime’ is another new selection – This is a purple-leaf Ornamental Crab variety with vibrant, rosy-pink flowers in spring; it is highly disease resistant.
Summer-blooming Hydrangea arrived last week – Annabelle, Quick Fire and Pink Winky are all showing leaf buds and are ahead of the ones we grow at the nursery. Also, new for this year is Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ in tree form.
Last, are the tree form Weigela - These are great for a small space and are already leafing out… Wine & Roses is noted for its dark, burgundy-purple foliage and rosy pink flowers, while Red Prince is prized for its bright rosy-red flowers against deep green leaves.
NEW SHIPMENTS
May 1st, new shipments start rolling in… Specialty plants and evergreens from the west coast will arrive at this time, along with our shipment of roses from Bailey’s Nurseries in
Minnesota. Also, another Willoway shipment is expected; this will include many New for 2009! Perennial plants. And a Burley Clay order will be coming with birdbaths.
Although planting is possible in spring, summer and fall, we do recommend shopping early for best selection… Many of our specimen plants and New for 2009! varieties have limited availability – They cannot be reordered.
As always, you can purchase your plant(s) and we will be happy to take care of them for you, up to 14 days, at no additional charge.
GARDEN CENTER HOURS
Our hours have been limited since we’ve been busy preparing for the season but regular Garden Center Hours will be:
MAY 1st – JULY 3rd
Monday-Friday 9:00AM-7:00PM
Saturday 9:00AM-4:00PM
Sunday 10:00AM-3:00PM
Hopefully, we’ll see you soon… Happy Planting! Kim
April 17,2009
Next week, the trucks start rolling in... We've already received a shipment of statuary; another will be coming in around May 1st, along with a shipment of birdbaths. All of our cement garden decor is made in the USA and comes from Roseville, Ohio and a studio in
Chicago, Illinois.
Also, next week we are expecting two large shipments from growers - One is from Monrovia's
Ohio nursery and the other is from Willoway... Although we already have some evergreens in stock, our big evergreen shipments will start coming in the week of May 1st and our main rose shipment will be coming in that week, also.
April 2, 2009
We started planting in March and everything is on schedule... However, now we've decided to move the Potting Shed and I'm excited! Even though we'll lose some working space in the back, it will allow for another display garden up front plus we'll be able to expand the Shade House. Hopefully, we'll have the time and energy to move it this week.
Today, we opened up the hoop houses... This will increase the air circulation and will help the plants 'harden off' and acclimate to our spring temperatures. If the weather stays nice, we'll start bringing plants outdoors within the next few days. However, everything with tender, new growth needs to be monitored & protected from the strong, northeast winds we receive off of
Lake Michigan.
Also, we need to still watch the night temperatures - A single, light frost can nip the flower buds waiting to open on a Magnolia or defoliate the fresh leaf buds of a Japanese Maple... Last year, we had a number of frosts throughout April and May; the big one after Memorial Day, caught gardeners off guard and destroyed tender vegetable and flower gardens!
At this time, the business hours are based upon the weather... This week, Sue and I are trying to get done as much as possible before the rain starts on Saturday and the cold front comes in on Sunday... It's suppose to warm up again early next week and we'll start putting the 'OPEN' flag up out front, weather permitting. However, regular spring hours will start May 1st and will be posted shortly.
Now is the time to prune your spring blooming shrubs… Forsythia, lilacs, rhododendrons and azaleas should be trimmed in spring, after they have flowered. If you wait to do this until later in the season, you will be cutting off their flowers for next year.
The Fruit Trees have finally flushed out with two sets of leaves… Those cool night temperatures really prolonged this process! But now they are ready and we have brought them up, into the fruit section.
Sue likes the soft, light pink flowers on Pohjola’s Daughter and Roseum Elegans (rosy pink) is a classic… Firestorm is a new variety this year – It has the deepest, darkest red we’ve ever seen on a Rhododendron.
Although most lilacs have finished flowering, at the
Garden
Center, a number of lilacs are still in bloom… I tend to prefer the traditional French hybrids, because of the size of their blooms and the color choices (I like big and showy!). These typically start blooming just before Memorial Day and continue into the second week of June.
WHAT’S NEW
Well, we have finally extended the Shade House – Andy added another 12 feet and we now have a Japanese Maple room! Also, this will allow more room for our customers as they shop our selection of Astlbe, Hosta, Heuchera and other shade-loving plants.
Our Shade Tree Sale will be starting Wednesday, June 17th and continue through Tuesday, June 30th… All Shade Trees will be 20% off the regular price… Imagine Dad resting on a hammock in the shade, under the tree for years to come - This would make a great gift for Father’s Day!
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