MaryAnn Fink - Environmental Horticulture Advisor

550 KTRS Inside Out Show February 4th 2012 Plant of the Week, Fox Valley Birch

2012-02-09T17:41:00.000-08:00

Well I admit I enjoyed hearing the promos for the Inside Out show on 550 during the week. I tried to listen close to the descriptions of the strengths for each of the girls, it puzzled me to think they could summarize these three dedicated people in such a short time frame.

As I remember I think Steffie was described as design oriented, Jennifer, as the “color splash” girl and Ellen, the guru of house plants, food gardening and urban gardening. (If I have this wrong, one of you please let me know!)

My thoughts when I heard the promo was how they can focus in on this talent pool, but somehow for the sake of time, I guess they had to do it! I surely hope that no one thinks any of these gifted professionals are limited by topics in their knowledge- because they are NOT!

Garden Height’s Steffie Littlefield was the “Out” girl for the week so I thought I would appeal to her “landscape designer” heart. I opened with the “aesthetics” of my plant choice for the week, the dwarf river bush ‘Fox Valley’. I loved chatting with her about this handsome workhorse! It is so fun to agree on what handsome in the plant world "looks" like!

B. ‘Fox Valley’ is the full package. He carries an “I’m good, any time” charm that exudes confidence through all the seasons. His lightly tanned features include a casual, beach baby look that reminds me of a wind tossed, weather –worthy blonde. He has the kind of looks that will last him a lifetime and they could carry him all they way but they don’t have too! His stout, very well built frame work does the rest!

His vulnerable looking fair skinned bark with a rose tint gives him that “dishy blonde man” kind of complexion that is similar to his full size native counterpart, Betchula nigra / River birch.

The best part is he gets better with age! Eventually he stops hinting about his brawny build and starts to reveal his strong good looks and easy his going nature. With his muscle bound brawn barely held in check, his sleeves of bark randomly rip apart. It still surprises me what a tease he is as he he sheds his bark. The end result is a tough guy look that is real, personalble and so endearing!

To read more about his many qualities and the best way to use him visit these links:

Evaluation Notes from my dear friend Richard Hawke

Chicagoland Grows Plant Introduction Program

Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder

Show LINKS

John Shea, of Collier, Thompson and Shea

Garden Height’s Steffie Littlefield

Ellen Barredo, of Bowood Farms

Greenscape Gardens, Jennifer Schamber

KTRS is doing a three person round robin rotation that will address the part of KTRS’s Inside Out Show’s focus on gardening, landscaping and turf care (basically the “Out” portion of the show.)

John Shea will continue with his team of experts and industry representatives from the home building industry and hardware retail suppliers as the anchor of the Inside Out Show and as professional advisor for the balance of home owner call in questions.

All three of the new Inside Out Show’s garden hosts/ experts are wonderful writers and have featured articles published on a frequent basis in the Gateway Gardener. KTRS’s website will surely be updated with this new hosting information shortly!

God Bless You

… Re

550 KTRS Inside Out Show January 29th 2012 Plant of the Week, Christmas Fern

2012-02-02T07:33:00.000-08:00

Finally, everything clicked. John called me ahead of time so I would know the day (this was suppose to be the last week the show was bounced to Sunday) AND the time the show was scheduled, (it has been an hour earlier and apparently an hour shorter as well)

It was nice not to miss my “window” like last week. Last week I was enjoying the show as I straightened up the house. I would have said I heard most of it, but clearly I missed the critical part about the show ending at 1:00 pm.

All I heard that let me know it was “over” was them signing off at the top of the one o’clock hour. I had just moved my notes and my cup of coffee, to my favorite window and got comfortable, ugh! Oh well, I got a laugh, enjoyed my coffee and the break in my house work and just figured God had a different plan for me that day.

This week, Jennifer Schamber of Greens

cape shared the air waves with John. I was so pleased that she praised him after he mentioned he actually repotted his peace lily. He has talked about this poor suffering plant that has begged for better care for so long that the real peace for me is knowing that he has finally heard what he should do and did it!

The also talked about hosta, care, division timing and sun tolerance. I was glad Jennifer completely agreed that no hosta has been identified as truly sun loving in St. Louis in the middle of August!

I got a kick out of hearing her talk about plant societies and particularly the Hosta Society. Yes, as a past member of more than a few plant groups, and a self admitted “hortiholic”, I at least am aware now that I was over the top in some ways with my gardening. I am blessed to have such great memories and only a few regrets.

The one regret that comes to my mind as I look at the 2012 Hosta of the year, ‘Liberty’ one the decision not to move with me, my 10 year old, so perfect it was featured in the newspaper, my most beautiful Hosta ‘Sagae’, ( the parent of ‘Liberty’). This striking beauty for 2012 has great genes and makes me miss my dear sweet shade garden.

I confess that last year, I stumbled on a small immature ‘Sagae’, which had been set aside to make room for the new and upcoming star hosta, ‘Liberty’. I just couldn’t stand missing my personal favorite hosta any more and purchased the very young ‘Sagae’ for my equally young and tiny shady border garden.

I don’t need, newer/ better. I was happy with my historic relationship with this hosta parentage. Oh, this will be oh so worth the wait! Just looking at all the ‘Liberty’ hosta images on the web has made me even more anxious for spring! (Liberty has the same strong features; I just hope she grows a little faster since so many gardeners seem to be rather impatient these days!)

Finally after wonderful chit chat with Jennifer, John reminded me to mention the plant of the week, the evergreen perennial Polystichum acrostichoides, better known as Christmas Fern. My favorite memory of this plant draws me back to my time working at Missouri Botanical Garden’s Kemper Center where I cared for a large collection of this fern growing under the purple leaf redbud, ‘Forest Pansy’ in the border of the main path / tram stop. (image included here is at White Flower Farm. I was frequently too busy to take as many pictures as I wanted when I worked at the Garden, but I have my memories. If you have some great pics of this planting- feel free to send them to me if you want to share!)

I still remember hesitating to pitch all the pretty greenery I removed in very early spring just to make room for the new spring growth! I don’t remember how much I was able to keep out of the compost pile but some made it all the way to the cart display in the main building. Some plants even after a normal winter have great foliage, too pretty to throw away!

Show LINKS

John Shea, of Collier, Thompson and Shea

Garden Height’s Steffie Littlefield

Ellen Barredo, of Bowood Farms

… Re

550 KTRS Inside Out Show December 31st 2011 Plant of the Week, Cyclamen

2012-01-04T19:05:00.000-08:00

There, its over, we have started a new year, does that make you happy? Will a new plant make you happy? If you don’t know if it will, I suggest you try cyclamen and see what affect it has on your happiness!

Crazy as it sounds, I think this is a perfect starter plant for those seeking happiness in 2012 and are too scared to: commit, go overboard, spend big bucks, follow the dream, go for broke, or venture too far out on the ledge! After all, it only needs a window sill and some light! Ok, I am the one that’s a bit out there, but I like it here!

My favorite attributes of cyclamen is the long flowering stage, the variety of colors and its forgiving nature. It generally will give you a few “start over” opportunities while you learn the pleasure of nurturing a house plant. Although it does not have an indefinite life span, it can live longer than most flowering florist type plants and holds nice foliage with average care.

I just read an interesting article ( here is the link) about happiness. I stumbled on it when I tried to link “pleasure” and “sharing plant information” Apparently my intent to find the right words to explain my enjoyment in gardening and caring for a plant might be uniquely mine. (http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/what-makes-people-happy.htm)

I got side tracked but I admit I enjoyed reading and thinking about some other views on happiness.

Have a blessed 2012!

Here are some links on Cyclamen:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclamen

http://www.cyclamen.org/indexCS.html

http://gardening.about.com/od/houseplants/a/Cyclamen.htm

Show LINKS

John Shea, of Collier, Thompson and Shea

Garden Height’s Steffie Littlefield

Ellen Barredo, of Bowood Farms

… Re

550 KTRS Inside Out Show December 24th 2011 Plant of the Week, Meyer Lemon Tree

2011-12-26T10:35:00.000-08:00

Yes there was a 550 Christmas Eve KTRS’s “Inside Out “show Saturday and there was questions and calls on a wide variety of topics. Ellen, prepared to entertain and inform as needed talked in the first hour about Meyer Lemon trees. She also brought in some tasty treats from a kumquat plant. It seemed logical as she whisked me along with her “on air enthusiasm” that I should take her lead and discuss this beautiful, fragrant house plant / tree.

As usual, she triggered a ton of favorite plant memories for me! She also caused me to ponder the sadness brought on from the reminder that I have lost track of my friend Sylvia who first introduced me to growing citrus plants indoor. (Side note, if anyone knows Sylvia Greer and has her contact info please let her know I would like to hear from her. She moved to Seattle WA and then retired to Rolla and then my computer crashed. I lost all my info and a dear pen pal / friend who also enjoyed my passion for geraniums!)

When Sylvia moved away, her level of indoor gardening success became the envy of those who inherited her plants. I struck “pay dirt” when she gave me her wonderful compost pile, but my MG cousin accepted the challenge of what to do with a large thorny tree that needs to be near a large door or window. Also it took her some time to research and meet tree’s ongoing need for acidic pH. As I recall she has also battled a few insect challenges in the process of getting this tree to thrive. All is well now and the amazingly wonderful fragrance of the flower and fruit that fills the room is enough keep her committed to the effort!

I have moved away from my dream garden that benefited from Sylvia’s compost but my dear green heart cousin took all of Sylvia’s house plants she could manage and then later opened her home to several of mine. I have “anytime I want” visitation privileges and for that I am so grateful!

I confess every time I listen to Ellen I feel like hopping in the car and heading to Bowood Farms. Shortly I know I will find myself unable to resist the craving for warmth and more light. Knowing I will need to find a good light filled space with plants, my dad and I have decided to take Ellen up on her “on air” invitation to visit to Bowood soon!

We are planning to bring our poinsettias for her recycling program and have lunch at Bowood’s Osage Café. I am hoping I don’t forget I live in a very small light deprived place these days and have no place for such a “deserves better” plant as Meyer Lemon tree or a “crazy cute” Kumquat! (I am praying I will be able to stay strong and not purchase any plants that I will just have to relinquish again!)

For those who want to try citrus and may not want as much of a challenge as the lemon, it is noteworthy that kumquats don’t have as many thorns and may be a little easier to grow. They also need lots of bright light!

If I've worried you some about the challenges of growing lemons indoors, I offer my apologies. But don't give up! Instead consider Ellen’s alternative: a kumquat. It will give you the same year-round gifts of shiny leaves, fragrant flowers and delicious fruit but with a little less grief.

Here are some links on Meyer Lemons:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meyer_lemon

http://www.5min.com/Video/Caring-for-Your-Meyer-Lemon-Tree-152679509

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/d391/citrus-x-meyeri-meyer.aspx

Or check this link for Kumquat information:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18828304

Show LINKS

John Shea, of Collier, Thompson and Shea

Garden Height’s Steffie Littlefield

Ellen Barredo, of Bowood Farms

… Re

550 KTRS Inside Out Show December 17th 2011 Plant of the Week, Norfolk Island Pine

2011-12-23T18:03:00.000-08:00

"The Inside Out show was especially good Saturday!” Yes, it is Christmas, well almost and I am just now getting to download all the thoughts that have been floating lose in my mind. This was my dominate thought ever since the show ended. I even caught myself talking about the show and once having to explain my silly smile. I was surprised earlier today when I realized I was planning tomorrow’s activities in a way that would leave me in listening range of the radio, even though it will be Christmas Eve! (I hope my family is ok with this!)

Ellen reminds me of the “old times” when I would purposely visit greenhouses in the winter just to stand in the warmth of the sun and watch plants grow! Frequently house plants found their way to my car and my window sill at home so it seemed fitting to discuss a few favorites and share one of my favorite past times, seeing a familiar plant growing in its preferred environment. Who wouldn’t enjoy going to Hawaii to see 100 ft Norfolk Pines growing in a place so natural.

I admit it pains me sometimes to see such beauty and know I kept something so wonderful from reaching its full capacity. On the other hand, I know I treated my plants very well and I loved, each and every one!

Here is a useful link and a reminder, you better watch out, you better be good…to your plants: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/norfolkislandpine.html

550 KTRS Inside Out Show December 10th 2011 Plant of the Week, The Boxwood

2011-12-16T18:42:00.000-08:00

T’is the season of boxes and each needing to be in the right place!

As I watched a UPS truck loaded with boxes, I realized I might have a different mind track than most people at this time of year. I was not thinking of the rising postage costs, the possible damage to gifts en route, or even where I will be Christmas morning.

Instead, I was struck with the number, the variety of shapes and the well considered arrangement it took to fit so many boxes in one truck. Somehow… it reminded me of spring and gardening and left me wondering where in my favorite garden could there be a need for boxes!

It is hard to explain my thought process in a blog, (just as hard in person so I rarely try any more!) So for now I will do as I did on Saturday, find another green heart to share my “out of the box “type of thinking! Thank you Steffie Littlefield of Garden Heights and John Shea on Saturday’s KTRS Inside Out Show for participating in my, Plant of the Week “rave” about this holiday worthy evergreen, the Boxwood, casually known to most “hortiholics” as “boxes”.

I confess I haven’t been as busy as the UPS guys this time of the year, but perhaps you are so I decided not to drivel on too long before I share my favorite traits about this rather dense, easy to trim evergreen.

Boxes, botanically known as buxus are handsome! They are also generally deer resistant and are tolerant of gentle clipping this time of year to decorate- my boxes, door hangings, candle bases or even mantles!

To learn more about some of the more reliable performing varieties of boxwoods or “boxes” as I fondly call them visit Missouri Botanical Garden's PlantFinder. this should give you a good description of specific varieties and what is available in our area. I usually leave several links here but the web is not cooperating tonight! I will add some when I can. Meanwhile, visit your favorite garden center/ nursery and ask which ones they feel best about recommending for your particular site. Steffie of Garden Heights mentioned a few of her favorites, so I am sure she can line you up with some great choices! Also know each variety may have a have different growth habits! Oh so, so , so many boxes!

My words of wisdom about this beautiful greenery may sound clumsy and a little like a warning, but as my husband likes to say about so many things, it’s all about, “location, location, location”! (He isn’t talking plants when he says it but it certain applies to this plant for it to perform well!)

Boxes must have the right location, with good drainage, water even in the winter, and some protection from wind!

John Shea, of Collier, Thompson and Shea

Garden Height’s Steffie Littlefield

Ellen Barredo, of Bowood Farms

“Location” has always been a focus for me in my Christian walk too, especially lately. Location is the defining word for my family too! “Too far from home” is my eldest daughter, just “not close enough”, is my youngest daughter, who battles traffic and gas prices and thankfully the one with the most recent change of location, my son of which “I am grateful it is not farther” is the thought that rests in the back of my mind. (Actually I think it is one of the most perfect places I can imagine. I could almost call it my idea of heaven on earth location. And those that know me, know I don't say that lightly or very often!

Location can be a daily matter as well. Yesterday as always I pray to be in the right place, at the right time and sometimes but not always, when I reflect on my day, He let’s me see my path and if my prayer was answered. Yesterday, I was in the right place for me and as I think about it I hope it was the right place for others as well!

At breakfast with my dad at our weekly place, I noticed the smile on the waitresses seemed a bit weak. I couldn’t help starting a conversation that lead to her sharing her lack of enthusiasm for Christmas.

She had lost two sisters, who loved “The Season” and confessed she struggles to enjoy it at all and wouldn’t even try if not for her children and grandkids. I sympathized and shared about our loss in our family of our two youngest children, my sister and my only brother.

My dad sat very still during the exchange, more patient than normal with my chit chat. During the conversation, he didn’t say a word just an occasional nod in agreement. As she left our table, I hoped I had not made anything worse for her or us. I was even more uncertain when I looked across the table and I thought I saw tears in my dad’s eyes. Some how the rest of the day, well, seemed more honest, if not better as we got through the day.

The same day, in the afternoon, I held a newborn girl in my arms and gloried at the miracle of birth and the transformation of my young friends from a couple to a family. As I left the hospital, I thought about how grateful I am for my own children, those who have let me share that special beginning time in their lives and how thankful I am for that special time in my own life.

By night I found myself giving a blessing to the front line woman at a fast food place who was struggling to learn the register on a busy night. When I smiled with understanding of her situation, she flashed a smile back to me. Then her face furrowed and her voice cracked as she mentioned she had hoped for a family night but as the sole supporter of her family, and with her husband out of work for over two years, she was thankful for the opportunity to learn the register. I offered a prayer of blessing for the business that employs her, hope for her husband and patience for her customers as it was crazy busy for it being a Thursday night!

By the time I got home, I was so glad I had a quiet home, a wonderful family and such special friends and neighbors, that when I brought my dad his “look what I made for you, no salt, tasteless with too much variety” dinner, I was able to smile when he began to preach his theory of why his ankles are swollen, why there is nothing wrong with opening a whole can of salt laden spaghetti every day and eating it all.

I tried to hold that smile as he launched into his spiel on calories, what a body needs, and who I think are the experts on nutrition and healthy heart eating. (I may have let my smile slip but only to help hold my tongue)

Somehow I found myself still smiling when the garage door didn’t work. “This is exercise”, I said to myself as I weaved between dogs and fallen leaves that blew in with me at the front door, and followed me through the garage while I struggled with the door and finally blew out when I pulled the running car into the garage.

I found my smile again just minutes later when I was timely enough walking the dogs to be outside just in time to motion to my husband not to fret about the door as much as I had as I had already unhooked it. Unfortunatly I wasn’t fast enough to control the dog circus at my feet fast enough to open it for him. Hopefully he knew my heart and my good intentions!

I am not sure I should have smiled when I heard him grumble my name about something while he showered-but I did. “Hum, here I am Lord, everything is normal”, and maybe that is a location blessing in its self!

As I laid my head on my pillow last night I thought more about my “location”. Yes, it is sometimes hard for my imperfect self to know what is the right place for anything, especially myself but thankfully I am aware of my failings and make it part of my daily prayer.

All my prayers end as a “location” prayer. My sister Joanne, “located” now in heaven helped me find the perfect way to include a request for “location” for my life, even as it changes. It became the inspiration for the naming of her BENCH Garden.

Daily I ask God to place me wherever He can use my heart, my hands, and my words and at the very end I ask Him, to keep me, no matter where I am, close to Him:

B e
E ver
N ear
C hrist’s
H eart

…Re

550 KTRS Inside Out Show December 3rd 19th 2011 Plant of the Week Deciduous Holly ‘Nana’

2011-12-09T06:43:00.000-08:00

It sounded like an easy breezy show this week with John and Bowood Farm’s Ellen Barrado. Not so much of an easy week but definitely a fast week for me as I have started a new Christmas tradition, “intentionally” giving myself and my time as my gift. I have found it surprisingly more difficult than it use to be to estimate my time.

My apologies for anyone waiting on me to do this blog, I know it is late, but it is a gift as well and I do believe in the “better late than never” saying. Consider this wait time as training for whatever waiting marathons that might lie ahead this holiday.)

I have written about this wonderful plant, Ilex verticillata, and so many times that this should have taken a minimum amount of time. I thought I would just link back to previous articles, http://maryannfink.blogspot.com/2010/10/ktrs-550-inside-out-show-plant-of-week_30.html, http://www.newtownatstcharles.com/NTCourier/NTCourier_2006-11.pdf and this one I wrote for the Water Gardening Society’s newsletter, Water World, http://www.docstoc.com/docs/90600495/October-2009-WW-e-mail and post a cheery pic of a heavily berried holly in my neighborhood and be done.

Instead as I read these over myself, I found myself falling in love with this attractive native all over again! I confess I have just scanned thru the customers at Bread Co. wondering who I might be able to strike up a conversation with so I can introduce this beauty to someone right now! Euow… something is so wrong with me! (Here is one I just mentioned reading, I. v. ‘Nana’- but of course I read the whole article which sent me off in another direction, missing my grand baby who calls me “Nana”- focus girl!!!!!) http://maryannfink.blogspot.com/2010/11/ktrs-inside-out-show-plant-of-week_27.html

I am also including a Plant of Merit bloom list link because this holly is also a Plant of Merit. My friend Becky Holman spent some time a few years ago putting a “seasonal time of interest” for the plants that were Plants of Merit at the time.

Unfortunately the Plants of Merit program has ended, not because these aren’t good plants but the support to fund promoting them seems to have come to an end. Hearing this news was a sad moment for me because of the effort and time that has been committed to it by so many. (A reminder that time is a gift to be appreciated all year) Enjoy the link anyway! http://www.maryannfink.com/POM-listofBloomTime.htm

My sister Joanne posted this link (and so much more you are welcomed to use and enjoy) on my website as her gift to me. My advantage was I did know it was a gift even at the time. Now I know why I was so blessed but I didn’t know how much I would treasure her gift or how it was going to change my life.

I still smile when I think of all the questions she had while she read through each and every Plant of Merit and followed the links. She was amazing at making sure everything was working right, but she was a little like me, and time slipped away from both of us as she began a list of plants she wanted to see for herself. We even critiqued the photos and she offered some suggestions about which ones needed a better picture. Side note I planted a few of her favorites in her BENCH Garden at Creve Coeur Park’s Sailboat Cove.

LINKS

John Shea, of Collier, Thompson and Shea

Garden Height’s Steffie Littlefield

Ellen Barredo, of Bowood Farms

I believe in the example God set for this season, of our Savior’s birth, as a time of giving of one’s self. This year my gift to family and friends is so precious to me, that I am having difficulty explaining my reasoning and its value, to my own family. I hope someday they will understand me better and know that I actually have a new and deeper sense of the Spirit of Christmas.

Until I lost my sister, I am not sure I realized how time could be so painfully short and priceless. I also am more aware that this is a difficult to package gift. It surely does not come with any warranty or guarantee of anything, either!

My time is difficult to measure for the recipient on the pleasure scale too! Apparently enjoyment is not promised! Patrick probably doesn’t enjoy every minute with Nana and as I help my dad this past week review his eating habits and find new ways to limit his salt intake, he has doubts about the current value of this gift too!

As a matter of fact, I am thinking about weighting out six pounds of water and setting them on his kitchen counter today. He has lost 6 pounds in six days. Do you think he can see sometimes a gift is not having something, like this much water weight, leaning on his failing heart valves?

There is no exchange policy either! It can’t be given back or returned and once it is gone, it is gone. I hope that as I give this most precious gift, it will be a time of thoughtful consideration at least for me of what the Gift is that I am celebrating this Christmas. Thank you dear heavenly Father, for Your Son, for His Birth, His Life, and His Death so that I have Your Eternal Gift of Salvation!

Merry Christmas to All….Re (Nana)

550 KTRS Inside Out Show November 26th 2011 Plant of the Week Abies fraseri (Fraser fir) AND, Welcome Co-Host #3 Jennifer Schamber

2011-11-26T16:36:00.000-08:00

I am so happy that Christmas trees have such a foundational place in the home in this season of celebration! I am also pleased that the past few weeks have been such a blessing for me. I have enjoyed this opportunity to welcome to the Inside Out Show some of the best green thumbs in the St. Louis region! Congrats and blog bow to new Mommy, Jennifer, manager of Greenscape Garden & Gifts!

Certainly for some families, tradition plays an important role as to how much focus the Christmas tree will have both in the house and as part of the holiday festivities.

For some holiday participants, there may be several trees and a whole house decorating bonanza with decorations and greenery in every room. For a few of us it is enough if we have a wreath on the door, or maybe a handcrafted table centerpiece or mantle decor. For a couple of my friends, it becomes an ever evolving, never the same, display that can only be described as an annual activity that is in its own right, an art form!

Here are some links to help you think about the advantages of purchasing a live tree, also some advice on caring for fresh cut greenery in the home and some interesting information about Fraser fir trees, the most popular cut tree choice!

Caring For Your Christmas Tree and Holiday Greenery (I am including a link detailing how to use wiltproof to help your greenery stay fresh looking longer!)

http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/other/seasonal/hgic1753.html
http://www.helium.com/items/615314-choosing-and-caring-fo-holiday-greenery
http://www.humeseeds.com/xmastre.htm
http://www.christmastree.org/trees/fraser.cfm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abies_fraseri
http://forestry.about.com/cs/christmastrees1/a/top10_xmastree.htm
http://missourichristmastrees.org

Where to buy locally grown Christmas trees: Members of Missouri’s Christmas Tree Growers Association and map of grower/ suppliers:

http://missourichristmastrees.org/graphics/MCTA2011MembershipRoster.pdf
http://www.christmastreemap.com/farm/MO.html
Why you should buy a real Christmas tree
How to buy and care for a Christmas tree

Here are the links to the new 550 Inside Out Show co-host’s, Steffie, Ellen and Jennifer, their garden center websites and some of their events and holiday information:

Steffie Littlefield

Garden Heights Nursery Open House
Bring Your Holidays to Life
with fresh ideas

Friday, December 2nd
5:00 – 8:00 pm
Wine and Cheese Evening

Saturday and Sunday
December 3rd & 4th
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Visit Santa from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

Jennifer Schamber

To Prep Your Pots For the Holidays check out GREAT IDEAS at Greenscape Gardens & Gifts

Ellen Barrado

To experience a warm and wonderful event to launch your holiday season visit Bowood Farms Bonfire & Open House: http://www.bowoodfarms.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/calendar.detail/event_id/152/index.htm:
Holiday Bonfire & Open House
Thursday, December 1
5-8 pm, FREE!

How to tell if your tree is a Fir or a Spruce

To tell spruce and fir trees apart, it helps to know that spruce needles are sharply pointed, square and easy to roll between your fingers. Fir needles, on the other hand, are softer, flat and cannot be rolled between your fingers. Spruce needles are attached to small, stalk-like woody projections. When needles are shed, these projections remain. As a result, the branches of spruce trees feel rough. Fir branches lack these projections, and thus have smooth bark. The color and length of needles are not reliable means of identification; these can vary from tree to tree, depending on cultural conditions and the planting site)

Faith Note:

Themed Christmas trees are so much fun. I have a friend who hangs ornaments that celebrate notable events and trips she has taken each year. Over the years, enjoying her tree with her reconnects her to the amazing journey she has been on and lets me enjoy it with her! It is a way she celebrates the faith life she has as well as her faith!

I have done an ornament exchange for 30 plus years with my best friend who lives out of state. We periodically discuss how much we think of each other when we look at our trees. It is my prayer that each and every ornament reminds her of how much we have in common, most importantly, our faith! I think at some point we have discussed how meaningful it would be to visit each other at Christmas so we can see the trees we have decorated from afar!

This year I was included with the tree trimming process with my friend Lisa and Julie at Oma’s Barn. I made a few new friends and got to share in an unbelievable transformation of the heavily used barn. It has been in the family for years and is a treasure chest of gift items, funiture, antiques and home decor all year long but at this time each year, it is totally transformed with the holiday spirit. Unreconizable to even frequent visitors, it has a new look, with each nook and cranny given a new purpose. It has been beautifully prepared to greet and warm the hearts of all shoppers and lookers.

Dressing it from ceiling to floor, was an absolute blitz of time and effort, but oh now it is bursting with treasures. It has more than I can begin to describe, it must be everyone's dream of new Christmas folly and old Christmas memories. They even included an upside down tree. Perhaps it is a visual for the way our days seem headed. Any way you look at the barn it is bursting with bliss!

Without a doubt each tree was so over the top that I was nearly overwhelmed looking at them. The completeness and the artistic gift God has blessed each of the girls is amazing. Even though I was there when the changes started, it didn't seem possible to do what was to come, I needed to see it to believe it!

The funny thing was, it was a blessing, because somewhere in the process, I was "re"-minded how much this blessed holiday should be a total celebration in my heart. If they can do it with ornaments and decorations, surely I can do it with song and prayer, kindly actions and thoughtful words. Like the old barn, I am praying to be so re-newed!

My prayer of hope this season is that God will find as many ways to use me as Lisa and the girls have found to use an old and well used barn!

Thankful For My Sisters

2011-11-24T15:40:00.000-08:00

It is true but impossible to put into words the blessing it is to have sisters. I am more fortunate than some to feel so blessed because of so many people in my life, but it all began with sisters.

I have been blessed at the birth of each of my 4 sisters. They have taught me the most about being a friend. An with those lessons I hope I have shared the blessing with my friends, relatives and an amazing extended family.

So many of you have become an important part of my life. I have some special friends as close as next door and one as far as Denver. I am most thankful that Love has such an amazing reach!

We don't know the future and we can't change the past but Joanne use to try and explain the importance of living in the present and it being God's Present. I can barely grasp much less truly focus on the absolute truth of that important lesson but I will try this minute and say how blessed God has made me to have so very much-love to you! Ma (Re)

550 KTRS Inside Out Show November 19th 2011 Plant of the Week AND, and a belated welcome to Co-Host #2 Steffie Littlefield of Garden Heights Nursery

2011-11-20T17:43:00.000-08:00

There may be a chill in the air today but it was warm and friendly yesterday on KTRS’s Inside Out Show’s earlier than normal broadcast from 11-12:30 Saturday. I am still smiling!

Like kids running in a field with outstretched arms, John and Steffie touched the tops of so many green topics that I am lagging and laughing still today! It was exhilarating!

I have heard if you listen closely you can actually hear corn “growing”, I started to wonder during this week’s show if we are growing corn in the studio, have added sound effects or if what I am hearing ( that sounds a little like crunching and whistling noises) is John going through his own “growing” spurt. If he keeps learning at this rate, his green thumb will outgrow the rest of him! I am so proud of him!

One thing is for sure, John Shea, of Collier, Thompson and Shea sounded like he has really enjoyed these recent weeks with his new co-host arrangement. I think he was impressed with Steffie’s quick and completely on target responses to the many garden calls. A worker bee himself, he seemed completely enthralled with Steffie’s energy.

Steffie is a green heart through and through, and shows it in her passion for nursery retail, landscape design, general gardening, vegetable and grape growing and heirloom plant preservation, garden writing and …so much more!

She is like her other two co-hosts; she is very involved professionally and personally with many horticulture projects, activities and endeavors. I am “blog bowing” officially now by adding all these great links (see links below) and apologizing already for whatever I have overlooked!

For me the pleasure is to be so “chat tuned” into the show. I was late calling, but we still had plenty to clamored about as we discussed the many attributes of Redtwig Dogwood as the Plant of The Week.

Cornus sericea better known as Redtwig dogwood has many homescape friendly attributes to appreciate. This shrubby dogwood’s deep red branches are stunning in the landscape in fall and winter. With a few well considered pruning cuts, He is happy to share some of his plentiful ruby colored stems as a festive accent in seasonal arrangements both inside and out!

He is totally a broad shouldered handsome and modestly low care shrub. Strong enough for rain gardens and erosion control, he can also hold onto slippery stream banks. This is a dogwood that thrive where there are periodic wet dry cycles, continuously soggy or even just routine clay soil issues.

My personal favorite attribute of this dogwood is his willingness to contribute to any habitat oriented / butterfly friendly landscape. It seems his real strength is to be able to wear rather lacey looking flowers without looking too delicate. It is pretty amazing that he can look so naturally at ease in such a nurturing role!

LINKS

John Shea, of Collier, Thompson and Shea

Garden Height’s Steffie Littlefield

Ellen Barredo, of Bowood Farms

Greenscape Gardens, Jennifer Schamber

This is the three person round robin rotation that will address the part of KTRS’s Inside Out Show’s focus on gardening, landscaping and turf care (basically the “Out” portion of the show.)

John Shea will continue with his team of experts and industry representatives from the home building industry and hardware retail suppliers as the anchor of the Inside Out Show and as professional advisor for the balance of home owner call in questions.

All three of the new Inside Out Show’s garden hosts/ experts are wonderful writers and have featured articles published on a frequent basis in the Gateway Gardener. KTRS’s website will surely be updated with this new hosting information shortly!

Faith Note:

Dare to Bare ( and bow)

As the leaves fall, the structure of my friend’s redtwig is laid bare and fully exposed, many of his strengths and weaknesses that have developed over time are obvious to me.

At this time I am grateful for this reminder that naturally this is an imperfect world. I am humbled by what I see in his branches. I can see the damage, blackened dead stubbed tips remaining from hesitant pruning cuts.

There are plenty of dead gray twigs, (a reminder that not all growth is meant to thrive) and some now obviouse without the cloak of leaves, a few random shoots have been rushing in the wrong direction!

With closer inspection, I can see some raw and irritated places where branches have crossed over each other, rubbing, chaffing, wounding each other, equally hurt, equally damaged. But then I see at my feet buried in the leafy rubble with bits and pieces of broken, fallen branches, and his scattered withered with age decaying leaves, a tiny fruit from a neighboring tree-a seed of hope. Oh how I pray I can keep this thought as I ask for God to bless me, each and every day: "Help me “re”-late!"

550 KTRS Inside Out Show October 25th 2011 Plant of the Week AND, Welcome to New Co-Host #1 Ellen Barredo (twitter link) of Bowood Farms

2011-10-24T12:53:00.000-07:00

Season’s change, life changes and now the hosting of the Inside Out Show has made some changes. Joining John Shea, of Collier, Thompson and Shea this Sunday was Bowood Farm’s Ellen Barredo, (check this link to see what an idea (l) girl she is for this job) as “co-host of the week”.

Ellen is the first of three female local green industry professionals that will share the show’s “outside” expert position. John will also have Garden Height’s Steffie Littlefield and Greenscape Gardens, Jennifer Schamber

This three person round robin rotation will address the part of KTRS’s Inside Out Show’s focus on gardening, landscaping and turf care (basically the “Out” portion of the show.)

John Shea will continue with his team of experts and industry representatives from the home building industry and hardware retail suppliers as the anchor of the Inside Out Show and as professional advisor for the balance of home owner call in questions.

John Shea excels in all areas of building design, construction and care, so there will be his influence and continuity to carry the show. As before, he introduce the seasonal home care topics and be a representative for the program's many sponsors and advertisers.

With John’s knowledge of new homes and trends, plus all the types of home remodeling options and renovations he has implemented over his many years of experience, he will sure continue to earn his popular pet name as “Mr. Fix-it”.

His house care tips and his timely home upkeep suggestions are second only to his gift for problem solving which he does on air on a weekly basis. I am sure listeners appreciate John's jovial disposition. He finds numerous ways to keep the show energized, even as he sympathizes with callers and their challenging predicaments and issues.

Fair warning girls, his humor is contagious! I expect eventually all of the girls will get a case of silliness from his sometimes unexpected comments. All ready, first week I could hear a few timely giggles from Ellen as John educated / entertained her and his listeners. I hope all of new co-hosts will find my friend John as funny as he is knowledgeable. As a home owner myself, I have found him to be a valuable source of information and a great asset when making my weekly" to do" check list.

The Plant of the Week feature will continue. Ellen and I discussed a cool, “cool season annual alternative” ornamental kale. This is a favorite of mine for container gardening as well as in ground planting for fall! John was out of the loop some but he will catch up! He is sure to learn alot from this crowd!

I have listed a few information links about ornamental kale, the websites of the new co-hosts and the magazine/ resource, Gateway Gardener. All three of the new Inside Out Show’s garden hosts/ experts are wonderful writers and have featured articles published on a frequent basis. KTRS’s website will surely be updated with this new hosting information shortly!

PS Yes, I know Jennifer is soon to deliver her baby so I asked John Shea what the “plan” is for her sub-good news, her dad John Loyet, will hold her slot on the show. Check out this national industry magazine link which featured John, Jennifer and her mom, Sally on the cover! I am so proud of them! Check out their face book link.

Personal Tidbit, my sweetest Holly, mother of my grandbaby has worked for Jennifer for several years. I am so blessed to have her share in my love of my industry. I have had Jennifer her family and her staff in the perimeter of my family life, they have celebrated with me and cried with me.

I have loved watching Holly "grow"with them in so many ways. I am thankful for everyone at Greenscape who has shares in being part of my "extended" family! I so wish Joanne was here too- she would be so excited about Jennifer, the baby and the radio show! What a wonderful job you all are doing!

Here are a few kale plant links!

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/kale.html

http://www.arhomeandgarden.org/plantoftheweek/articles/ornamental_kale.htm

http://gardening.about.com/od/plantprofile1/p/Orn_Cabbage.htm

http://www.finegardening.com/plantguide/brassica-oleracea-ornamental-cabbage.aspx

PSS Not a Bible quote but one that speaks to my heart as a reminder of how far our voices can reach (airwaves to heaven?) and how as close as a whisper is God when I am surrounded by His Creation, God has blessed me!

" I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in." ~George Washington Carver

KTRS 550 Inside Out Show Time Out-What To Do

2011-10-16T11:51:00.000-07:00

Despite being off air a couple of weeks and the many changes in the" landscape" of the Inside Out Show, I decided there is no lack of tips and information for me to share.

The upcoming changes with the hosting of 550's Inside Out show signal a transition in more than the weather for all of us who care about the "Inside Out " show and its hosts.

Jim McMillian has retired and it is well deserved. I will miss his banter with John and his teasing about my intentions to take his job-ha ha Jim, I didn't take it!

I do wish the best to the trifecta that is coming along side John to take Jim's place. I wonder how good Jim feels knowing it will take three amazing people to take his place.

I have certainly learned that although no one can do the work of another and that change is unavoidable. I wasn't certain at first how we could possibly go on but now that John has made some rather awesome arrangements, I feel an unexpected excitement and pleasure at the thought of "re"-connecting with some of my past and a few of the best of our local "green girls".

Much has changed with me in the past few years. I am sure life has brought many changes to them as well, I look forward to hearing whatever they have to share and hope they enjoy my continued interest in sharing the passion for plants He has given me! In the mean time here is what I recommend doing in the garden:

To Do List: Make AND Do

Start getting in the habit of disconnecting the hose from the hose bib after watering- but KEEP WATERING!

Take notes, start a journal and make an inventory list of the plants in each bed /landscape area and what activities you know you did and ones you maybe should have done sooner- make your calendar for next year accordingly!

Remove at ground level summer annuals. Take cuttings now if you have a sunny window and desire a cost effective spring planting. Do some research for exact methods as propagating easy annuals such as coleus can be fun. This can be an adventure for the experienced gardener who wish to savory that certain plant or for a newbie who wants to develop a green thumb over winter with minimal effort!

For most annuals, make notes in your journal, especially the ones you wish to repeat, (or not) the numbers you used, how well they spread and filled an area. Start a budget now and maybe even draw a simple plan as a reminder as you shop next spring.

As you cut away all the annual material that is visible, also clean around the crowns of neighboring plants, at the base and under shrubs, and remove any weedy vines such as virginia creeper or bind weed that have infiltrated the structure of the trees and shrubs. Use this material for composting or place in pick up bags.

Remember; leave the still intact roots of the annuals in the ground to decompose. This creates natural air and water ways, releases stored energy back into the ground and allows the neighboring foundation plants a chance to revive and restore themselves for a few good weeks without unnecessary competition as they prepare for the dormant season.

This “leave the roots method” also seems to decreases “winter heaving losses” caused by accidental roots disruption from pulling up the neighboring plants. I have noted it also seems to help prepare the ground to become more “expansion friendly”. It seems the spreading and maturing perennials near by benefit from the improved water and air penetration left behind and can fill the empty space in record time.

Doing a “gentle” clean up now keeps me from having a heavy hand later when plants are more challenging to recognize ( as they might even seem gone). Also walking in the garden late in the season can cause damage from stepping on the tender, less protected crowns. (I recommend creating “care paths” all through the garden. I do this so I can reach and take care of the landscape without walking over roots. It helps all year long but as the wind play hide and seek with my paths, too many plants end up at risk!)

I tend to leave the “still green” material on the perennials and all stems on the semi-shrubs such as butterfly bush and caryopteris till early spring.

I even prefer to do minimal pruning on shrubs and trees at this time because it leaves the pruning cuts exposed to winter’s cold and wet for an extended time allowing moisture to cause expansion and giving disease and insects a foothold.

I prefer to do most formative and controlling pruning for any plant including trees and shrubs as a growth phase begins in late winter so that the wounds can take timely advantage of nature’s normal healing process. The plants recover quickly and my hand on method is less evident and most effective! It also gives me something to do when it is too early to be working in the garden.

On occasion, reseeding is desirable and even intentional. If this is the case, clean up the immediate area of the favorite bloomer and then intentionally hand disperse the ripened flower head’s seeds. Keep in mind success can be variable and think about your time and reality.

Occasionally there are factors and limitations that make managing an excess of plants that are popping up every where next spring more headachy than heartwarming. (Personal note-my lesson was learned with Rudbeckias and relearned with asters, eons ago! What was “picture perfect” one fall quickly became a “nook with the look of neglect” the following spring)

Whatever material remains gets a pass for the winter leaving some cover and protection for the wildlife and the soon to be sleeping landscape.

Knowing that all the majority of the excess material and all the most unsightly or questionable foliage has been removed while it was still fairly easy to identify, examine for problems and access for future plans and care gives me a happy heart knowing I have been a good and Godly steward, hopefully worthy of being a conscientious caretaker of His Garden for one more season!

Blessed With Today…

With my thoughts on water and caretaking, it seemed fitting to reflect on our Lord’s personal promise found in Matthew 5:6

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

He tells me that my pursuit of righteousness will lead me to Him. I have come to know Him through Jesus Christ my Savior, intimately as my companion and Lord. I look forward to my daily Walk with Him in His Garden

KTRS 550 Inside Out Show September 23rd Wind Rain and Sun, oh and Asters!

2011-09-29T11:59:00.000-07:00

Weather we like it or not! Ah, the variables we love to talk about!

As long as we are interested in having success in the garden or with our lawns, we have to care at least to some degree! ( ha- was that a temperature joke!)

Take some good advice from my friend Glenn Kraemer- water! (see his blog at http://glenno

nkraemer.blogspot.com/)

And as for asters, (a tricky word for me in the past-and a rather embarrassing moment when I was discussing an aster trial with Chicago Botanical Garden's trial master Richard Hawke that I will always remember-( note to self don't try and talk to fast on this one, got a great laugh that got me pretty far off track-miss you Richard!)

Search his plant evaluation site before you settle on which aster to plant and keep in mind, they do require some upkeep!

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday September 17th Plant of the Week, The Pansy, Legacy Botanical Garden Walk and the new Truth ’n Turf Blog

2011-09-20T08:20:00.000-07:00

I had trouble again narrowing the topic down on the show this week to talking about just one plant that is great for revitalizing the fall garden. Apparently I have the same issue with this blog-multiple topic!

The obvious choice for plants might be mums and asters. I like both and have used them in containers as annuals and in the ground as perennials. In containers they are subject to winter weather and are not likely to survive. In flower beds, the ground will keep the roots warm and with proper care they will establish, and if they are managed, should add color without much extra work but there are a lot more options, especially with pansies!

My years of managing the huge annual test gardens / pansy trials at Missouri Botanical Garden encourages me to “rethink” the possibilities for visual impact with pansies, an annual that thrive in cool fall weather!

Pansies (viola family) are winter hardy! Planting them now will add color for fall, winter, and spring! This is a long season that home owners frequently forget. It isn’t that our winters are long but that we stop gardening way too early!

This is a great time to consider play time options, look for colors that will work now till Christmas and still be looking good with the pastel spring rush of color!

Think this thru! If you are not a mixed it up color buff- try colors like blue, purple and yellow. These are just a few colors that combine well in the fall and the spring. I challenge you to be creative; this is a fun challenge worth taking on!

Don’t forget all that rejuvenating your lawn / turf effort with advice from Glennon Kraemer’s G.R.Robinson’s Truth ‘N Turf blog. This advice will pay off this fall too! Wouldn’t it be nice for the garden / foundation landscape to be just as spectacular as your great looking lawn!

For those also interested in great success with planting for structure and some honest “you can do it”, reality landscaping in Missouri, come walk with me at 3 o’clock, October 8^th as I preview Frisella’s new Legacy Botanical Garden.

Frisella Nursery is a family owned business that has gone the “Next Step Up” with a new botanical garden in the making. As an “ambassador” for my green industry and my sister and my Christian faith who taught me about be still moments, I have been given the humbling honor of introducing the “who’s who” in the Legacy gardens, both in the green world and my world these days!

For me walking through this Legacy Botanical Garden is about, the nursery business’s of family, it’s generational heritage and foundational beliefs, the intricacies of companionship (plants and friends), what’s at stake (friendships that has held us all up in difficult times), landscaping (what it can look like and truly be, in the landscape of our yards and our lives) and what is thriving (growing true, what it means for a plant, relationships, and me).

This is their story, my story, and maybe your story. It is the ongoing story of the cycle of life (people and plants), the survivors (trials of plants and people) gardens and gardeners (young and not so young any more) and cultivating, planting, fruits and reaping the blessings and rewards.

Learning and Sharing about our “growing success” in this Show Me State with my “show me” heart! Hope to see you soon…

…….Re…

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday August 27th Plant of the Week, Live Forever Sedum ’Carl’,

2011-08-28T08:04:00.000-07:00

This sedum, H. ‘Carl’ is now technically classified as a , Hylotelephium. He appears to a son of H. Autumn Joy’. With just as sunny of a disposition and a similar stout habit, He has been reported to be able to keep his composure and upright posture all season long. When bloom, he is professed to be able to balance and abundance of flower clusters touted to be the brightest / clearest crystal pink for a sedum to date! I will have to do my own side by side comparison, but I have seen the flowers and the ones I saw were an exceptionally crisp clear pink!

I recommend going on a , Hylotelephium Hunt, for H. ‘Carl’. He should not be the only great dry / hot garden performing Hylotelephium available. I suggest starting a collection. I am excited to see the difference in flower color and habits!

Rumor also has it that the several of the , Hylotelephium promoted through some of the plant programs have been difficult to actually find this year! It has been a tough growing year. It may have just been too wet early to find little starter size plants. Besides, I like mature full grown,” I'm loving the summer heat-bring it on” gallon size perrenials. I personally prefer shopping for a plant when it is close to its blooming time in local gardens.

Side Note: I am still looking for H. ‘Thundercloud’, it was a white flowering form that was a big hit last year in the perennial plant trials at MoBot. I had hoped to get one going in my sister’s memorial garden- none yet. At least H. ‘Carl’ is out there and holding up the excitement for this great family as it process their name change!

Personal Note, My Name Change:

Apparently the sedum plant family actually made the shift from “easy to say ” to "what the heck, Hylotelephium” in public ages ago.

I personally can” re-late”. I am struggling with a name shift that was private but now has become wonderfully public. I have asked my friends and family to call me by my baby sister Joanne’s pet name for me, “Re”.

I will try and make this long story short as my last paragraph “re-lates” one of my most precious moments when Joanne called me Re.

My condensed life story story:

I came from what was a big family, 5 girls and one boy. We have quickly and sadly w shrunk down considerably. We have lost our mother and then our two youngest siblings. Joanne was the “baby’ of the five girls, John was “the caboose”.

In the daily commotion of endless chatter with so many girls in one house, there apparently was a time Joanne thought my name was “Re-re” instead of “Ma-ry”.

She eventually called me, Mare, (like a horse) and later she used my given and professional name , MaryAnn. But as sisters can do, in private moments, prayers, or moments of distress, or when she needed to get my “sister” attention, she would “re-laps” and just call me “Re”.

I especially cherish the many ways she would work “re” and her faith into our daily conversations. She was most creative with stressing the “re” in her comments and sometimes she would do some fancy “underlining” and “quirky quote marks” in her notes, (a business no-no that I have never given up as everyone knows) She was always “re’-minding me of God and His ability to re: ( go back to a particular or original place, often merely intensive-no joke!.)

She was the most able person I knew to “re” me, always able to pick me up and carry me back to a particular point or place. I miss those “re-“ days and have decided to honor God and her by celebrating her impact on my life by acknowledging her childhood name for me.

God has ”re-kindled, re-started, re-organized, re-placed, re-formed, and re-deemed my life. I KNOW Joanne is in heaven, I see her artwork in the clouds and she dwells in the hearts of all who love her.

My cloud “re”-ference and my most favorite “Re” memory:

In the last weeks, we did some momentary fretting about all the “stuff” of letting go.

I would take notes and try to look “re-liable”. On the last visit to the hospital, I tried to hide some of tears and instead focused on using my “gift of distraction” to its very best. How I made light of anything, when time was so short and serious, was a miracle itself.

Somehow that first day as we moved from department to department and from one test to another, we drifted to a subject that we were both having some difficulty accepting: work. Even in her final weeks she was managing a tremendous amount of work. She was artfully inspired, maintaining her selflessness and professionalism through the entire process of closing down her business.

All the details were mind boggling. I will be forever grateful that my sister Margaret stepped in and completed that final phase.

While waiting around between an endless series of more tests at the hospital, God allowed me to put into words what was on our hearts. I am still amazed but so thankful that I said it out loud. WE had just been “re-flecting” on the “busy-ness” that still surrounded her, I expressed some minor confusion I was having and in the process asked an odd sounding question: “What will you “do” in Heaven?" she had no time to respond as the orderly had come to wisk her off again.

She rolled off for another test, and I heard myself mumbled weakly something about how “we don’t know how to not work”. I heard nothing but a chilling clanking noice as they pushed her further down the hall and into another room and I felt so alone. I collapsed on a overused couch and ached, forgetting about everything, I prayed. .

Sometime later, she was ‘re-parked” against the same wall and couch. She truly didn’t look like she was resting but she was quiet and her eyelids were tightly squeezed closed. I had no words, I just held her hand.

Suddenly, as if it had just registered that the activity had finally stopped, she opened her eyes and nodded for to me to bend in close. Her tired eyes looked almost too big and bright for her face, and I was struck by her paleness and beauty.

She smiled like she had one of her “silly sister secrets” to share. I leaned into the tall and chilling hospital car, and prayed I would be able to help with whatever she needed.

I got as close as my short legs allowed to hear her soft voice. With way too much effort, she whispered/ croak/coughed the word “clouds”.

I had though my mind was slipping. I couldn’t make the connection fast enough not to cause her to strain again. I thought I saw a just a trace of sadness when she realized that I had lost the thread of our last conversation.

With a calmness and peacefulness that struck me then and again now as I remember the moment, she raise up on her elbow and smiled with forced breath and said “ I’m going ask to do the clouds”.

How I ever caught back up to her thought trail, I don’t know, another miracle, but I smiled right back at her and quickly rattled off a condensed “ re-viewed” of her “project check list” formula from her “job coaching” lessons she had given me for the past year. We had grown so close in the past two years that it had become automatic to run through the "work check list" together.

As I ran through the “pre-project check list” from memory, I felt an unexpected rush enthusiasm that had been missing before that moment ( it has become a permanent feeling now that swells every time I “re-call” this moment.) I ended my work toned prattle on a “solution sounding” high note with an offer to collect all the zip codes for all the areas I knew she had a people connection to and put them in her bible since I felt sure that would be our “door”. I don’t know if she saw the burst of tears or if I was just crying on the inside, because in a quickly following moment, she smiled her brightest “ little girl smile” and reassured me, “Don’t Bother, Re, I will have the “ Master File”.

He Comforts and "re"-assures us of His Love,

Forever.....Re

I do miss her voice and so appreciate every time I hear her in those around me. Thank you to those who make the effort to call me “re” as it is a wonderful “re’-minder of that moment when her face looked so happy and full of joy!

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday August 20th Plant of the Week Gomphrena ‘All Around Purple’

2011-08-23T08:24:00.000-07:00

It was very easy to focus on this relatively small family grouping that belongs to a very large plant family, Ameranth. This tidy foliaged butterfly magnet is a distant relative of the more mainstream but still quaintly old fashioned bedding plant, celosia.

Historically, and yes, I do mean historically- as in through the ages since Biblical time this plant family has endured! Is is easy to find endless references for the many uses of this plant including its grain’s amazing attributes and many recipes for cooking and baking use etc.

It seems to be a frequent problem for me to hone in on one particular variety of some of my favorite plant families but I am doing it this week because of a recent “so impressive I had to stop” moment I want to share.

Last week as I was orienting myself to a brand new botanical garden in the making (more on this exciting topic coming soon- I am sooooo excited!) I found myself fist standing still, then sitting on the roadside, and then swirly feeling as wonderful memories flooded my mind and yes, my heart fluttered a little (should check this out?)

I immediately went on a search for the nursery person responsible for this fantastic show. I felt compelled to tell this “master planner/ grower of this old but not old, looks to be “reformed” version of a familiar “plant/ that feels like a friend” how his display affected my day and maybe share a few memories as well.

It is hard to put into words the feelings a plant can stir so it ended up I didn’t even try. I simply did what I have always done, raved, clapped and congratulated my new acquaintance on what a superb job he did in selecting such a perfect plant for such challenging location. Not to mention, (but I did) on its success despite, such a particularly tough year. Congrats to the brave who aren’t afraid to try a “newish” plant!

He humbly gave credit to others including his boss, the lovely Babette, co-owner of Frissella Nursery, he squirmed over my litany of compliments and then, bursting with pride, he kicked our “transportation” into top gear, flew past a few customers and my long time friend Tony Frissella, co-host of 97.1 garden talk show “ All Around The Yard”. Anyway, away we went, down and around and off and away to where his current plant babies, his well grown specialty mums,” I am not a baby any more” nursery setting.

I swear he did this just so I could hover over their little green mounding heads, make gurgling sounds as I gobble up plant tag details and flush red with the anticipation of seeing them all grown up, sitting on the retail shelf. I think he wanted his plant babies to know someone is waiting for them!

Back to the plant of the week- Gomphrena,
Here is a list of a few of my favorite cultivars:

Buddy
Tall Purple
Fireworks
Strawberry Fields

(I am still fond of Celocia’New Look Red and Cottage companion ‘ Love Lies A Bleeding’
Final comment – Did I mention how attractive these plants are to butterflies and birds?

See my favorite stand of gomphrena growing at the entrance of Frissella Nursery, a family owned business that is going the extra step with a new botanical garden in the making that will introduce the “who’s who” and the story about “Growing Success” in this Show Me State. I will be giving preview tours in the coming weeks!

Speaking of Show Me and Show Me Smart Gardening, , I am now helping my readers and listeners with their turf issues as well by helping Glenn Kraemer of G.R. Robinson Seed Company with his blog, we needed to get him "out there" and searchable on line so he can get this turf talk to you! Glenn has taught the Missouri Botanical Garden , St Louis Community College at Meramec and he writes for my favorite local paper, The Gateway Gardener.

Please visit his Truth ‘n Turf blogspot at http://glennonkraemer.blogspot.com/. and comment and ask questions- he is really good at this and he is a wonderful friend!

Read about him and the plants when you follow my links!

http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week493.shtml

Better Homes and Gardens

Gomphrena globosa - globe amaranth

Gompherena in the garden

Gompherena tall purple

More links:

Whole Grain Council
Amaranthus caudatus – love-lies-bleeding
Amaranthus tricolor / Joseph’s coat (not as humidity tolerant)

Faith Note and notes, never let it be an afterthought!

When I googled the root word of "amaranth" is the Greek ἀμάραντος[1] (amarantos), I felt immeadiate joy when considering how easy it has been to be evident in my faith these days , sharing my passion for plants that lead me to my passion for Christ!

This little somewhat obscure plant name describes My Father God’s love, “unfading". It is also grouped in a plant description of ccut flowers called “everlasting” and somewhere along the course of my information collecting, the word “immortatality” was repeated.

I am truly blessed for eternity!

Jeremiah 31:3

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

…Re

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday August 13th Plant of the Week Hosta ‘Guacamole’

2011-08-13T09:27:00.000-07:00

The Hosta is sometimes called plantain lily or occasionally August lily. It has been so frequently reclassified that the changes and details have finally become a blur for me.

There are those “hortiholics” who enjoy retracing a plant’s family tree but not me. I am completely comfortable with the word Hosta. It is easy to pronounce and it has already become a familiar plant word to those wanting a reliable perennial!

As with many plant breeding programs, the breeding for hosta is all about versatility. There are so many Hosta out on the market that choosing which one is the real challenge. Large, medium or small size, fragrance, vigor and specific foliage traits are just some of the considerations.

There appears to be a continued effort to increase the tolerance for site factors too! Sun tolerance, heavy shade, drought conditions, root competition and temperature extremes, winter cold and excessive heat can all be factors we deal with in our St. Louis region.

In general the hosta is a very hardy choice for shade gardens. If you are looking for particular tolerances, do your homework. For sun and heat tolerance, check now as this year was an extreme reality test in our area.

I have yet to find a Hosta in this area, planted in fun sun, average soil, even with supplemental irrigation that looks great by the end of any August, particularly this year. So for me, I will continue to consider them primarily shade plants until I have seen otherwise!

One of my personal favorites is H. ‘Guacamole’, named the 2002 Hosta of the Year. It is certainly on the top of my list of fragrant hosta. A vigorous sport of Fragrant Bouquet, it has also produced others sports such as ‘Fried Bananas’ with golden foliage and ‘Fried Green Tomatoes’ with medium to dark green foliage.

Here are a few interesting links and a couple of my other favorites:
My personal favorites

Hosta 'Gold Standard' – hosta
Hosta 'Guacamole' – hosta
Hosta 'Sagae' – hosta
Hosta sieboldiana 'Frances Williams' –
Hosta 'So Sweet' – hosta
Hosta (Tardiana Group) 'Halcyon' - hosta Plant of Merit
Hosta (Tardiana Group) 'June' - hosta Plant of Merit
Hosta 'Diana Remembered' – hosta
Hosta 'So Sweet' – hosta

Some Interesting links:

http://www.frisellanursery.com/
http://www.frisellanursery.com/about/radio-show/
http://www.americanhostasociety.org/missouri.html
http://www.plantsseedsandbulbs.com/

Like an old cracked clay pot, I have hope to be used to carry the sweetest of fragrances…

…Re

2 Corinthians 2:14-17; 4:7-12

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday August 6th Plant of the Week Ilex crenata Sky Pencil

2011-08-06T14:34:00.000-07:00

It seemed like a perfect opportunity today to break away from the shows regular banter routine. While John Shea was off enjoying family and Jim Compton in his chair, I grab some air space and ran fearlessly into a probably “longwinded” cheer-fest rally for this Japanese holly that has surprised me during its recent fast transplant recovery phase and already significant growth rate for this long stretch of “unholy-like heat”. How nice!

I also went into my “green industry ambassador” mode to stress the importance of relationship building, not just with your site and the soil but also with your local green industry professional.

I am passionate about these are the people who spend their living, and for some their whole lives building an encyclopedic level knowledge about R&R of landscaping (Regional quirks & Reality Care Planning).

I am not talking about R&R as the typical “rest and relaxation” notion per say but knowing who to listen to for gardening advice goes along way toward being able to step back and enjoy if not actually rest, knowing you love the final look.

Successful R&R also leads homeowners to being able to say with conviction “I know how and when to take care of my investments in my landscape so I can enjoy it with less worry!

Be forewarned, one successful R&R effort might lead to another, such as a “re-do” of other areas and hopefully you will get to time for re-al pleasure, for me it’s also lead to time for humbling “reflection”!

Personal Note:

Today, as I celebrate with so many our National Day of Prayer, I can only say I am hearing so many “r” words including ” revelation, repent, rethink, restore and respond and this is just mentioning a few!

Remember and rejoice…

…Re

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice” Philippians 4:4

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday July 30th Plant of the Week Joe Pye Weed, Eutrochim purpureum.

2011-08-04T18:47:00.000-07:00

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday July 30th Plant of the Week Joe Pye Weed, Eutrochim purpureum.

At the risk of seeming repetitious, I did discuss on the show for a second week in a row, the struggle homeowners have when purchasing a plant with the name weed in its title. How encouraging is it to be buying a plant that already has been called a weed?

In reality, Eutrochim purpureum is a very nice plant. It produces bundles of muted rose blossoms in multiple “plus size” bouquets.

I feel this eupatorium has better structurally than the wild blue flowering boneset as it is primarily upright in a fun sun average soil site. It is also significantly less rampant than the “oh no, its everywhere, its everywhere”, aggressive reseeding white flowering eupatorium.

This mid- late summer perennial has fairly clean green foliage and attractively arranged leaves on upright, and sometimes rather stout sturdy stems.

I have pondered the “use” value of this “flowering food bar” for butterflies and this is a “weed” that has won a deserving position in the garden.

Like the rest of us, there is always decisions to make when reality gardening. For me this plants request a small time commitment. When using it in a limited space, it does require a quick and painless (for me) shearing of the easy to reach flower heads. This control method in early fall easily offsets its strong habitat contribution. This method of controlling reseeding is for me a useful management decision. When I have properly timed, it has opened the door to enjoying many plants that suffer from a “weedy reputation”.

Side Note: The “G” Factor

Most years there seems to be some plant or plants that flourishes despite (or because) of the weather. I don’t always notice the thread of commonality until the season begins to draw to an end.

This year was no exception except how early I have taken note of the persistent, the rugged, the recovering and oh so visible durable, the plants that have what I call the “G” factor.

At first it was difficult to define them beyond “great”. As the weather, the clouds, the rain, the sun, the heat, the humidity, the drought, I waited to see what would be significant, what would remain, would anything survive, much less start to shine?

But in each season, there were plants that performed. I could hardly believe all the flowers that did hold, the seedlings that took root and fruit that formed. Despite everything, my fears had to fade as the “significantly showy” started to shine.

And the, like other years, there was the “oh that is so sweet” and the “who are you?” (And where did you come?) And admittedly, “oh I forgot but now I remember you”. I can’t seem to recall any other year as filled with so many variables that left such a visible effect on my heart.

And then I realized what the “G” Factor is. It’s not for “grow”, (some things did and some things didn’t, I know I did). It’s not for great (some things were but some were “so not”. I still have a hard time seeing the good in the loss of my sister, but I have to say there has been some things that might not have happened otherwise) the “g” is a “G”, I am sure; it is the “God” Factor.

Every year, every season, every event, every success and even hardship, opens my eyes, opens the door, tests me, shows me what is good. It is God who hardening the plants as it hardens me and makes me strong, cleaning my heart as the rain. God makes every thing, and everything that happens for me so I can come to know and recognize, Him, and so in my prayers, I can only ask to be included like my favorite plants, humble evidence of the “G” Factor!

Forever blessed,

… Re

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday July 23rd Plant of the Week Bloodflower

2011-07-27T14:24:00.000-07:00

Before I get started, I want to say “ouch John” and I hope your listeners find both Debbie and myself equally nice on air guests. I myself enjoy Debbie’s knowledge and her lovely personality. She always seems upbeat and excited about her topic. I appreciate her contribution to the show and I think your listeners agree. I also hope the listeners have not tired of “our “frequent banter which is done in fun always!

I have truly appreciated the many opportunities I have had over the years and through the many different media formats to share the green heart I have been blessed with as a passion.

Now for Plant Talk: As always, “walk abouts” inspire “blog about”.

With this in mind, I feel the urge to “Re”-view a favorite choice that reliably performs in our Midwest heat and humidity, Bloodflower. I even might go so far as to say this annual asclepia has teetered on the edge of being a complete and total show off this year! With both the bicolor red-gold varieties and the solid selections hitting a peak that can surely be considered a star performance and a Plant of Merit!

More banter:

This conversation then led to Jim and my mutual complaint about the problem with using common names. How confusing and discouraging it must be to hear us recommending to a newbie gardeners with limited knowledge and maybe even shaky expectations, to buy a plant that is clearly titled “weed” even in its name!

Jim and I also went on to a more positive note to discuss a few other of the “solution oriented” beautiful members of this amazing genus, including the muted rose flowering swamp milkweed and the fiery sunset orange flowers of the Missouri native prairie resident butterflyweed . I didn’t even have time to sing the praises of the “is that vanilla pudding cooking on the stove” sweetness of my favorite roadside queen, common milkweed!

I would venture to guess there is an asclepia perfect for anybody’s landscape. Recently some exciting variations have been discovered bred for production and are finally available. Best of all, all of these family members are the food source for Monarch Butterflies! .

SIDE NOTE: Lots of Gardeners seem bent on comparing this year to some other year. I suppose we have all had better years, better times, better plants- I savor those memories too and count with you –let’s toast to our loves, our successes and to years gone by!

PS

It does seem I am not alone in the tendency each year to compare our “memories” of the” perfect plant”, the “perfect year” to now. I think we do that with the memories of our loved ones as well. I admit have found it difficult to give balance and perspective to either since the loss of my sister. I mention this just so that if you fear I am exaggerating, about a perfect plant or a perfect sister I encourage you to reflect on your past loves and see if you do the same!

It seems I have a very emotional connection to my gardening history and my loved ones. (Just ask those who were present at my talk last night-how often has a plant talk brought you to tears?)

Although in no way are the loss of plants equal to the loss of my loved ones, I only recently was able to acknowledge the impact of the losses of both on me, how the compression of time occurred in the process and the effects and the blurring that still occurs from looking at life through my tears.

Maybe it is suppose to be this way. Maybe I need to forget how close to sun stroke I got working in Jeff’s garden a million years ago, the nerves I had that made me sick before my very first presentation, the times I cried, the times I was hurt, and the times I did not think I could do one more thing or hardest of all the time I knew there was nothing more I could do.

Now I can almost smile recalling the spring I moved an entire greenhouse of plants back into the greenhouse for what surely was the 5oth time, the time the model train in the Children’s Garden was found sunk to the bottom of the pond, the times I knew I was facing life changing choices and knew I was going to do what was right over what was easy. I didn’t know how sometimes I was going to keep going, I just knew, if God wanted me to, I would and if He didn’t I wouldn’t.

I am choosing to remember a year the dogwoods seemed to bloom for months, the time the honeysuckle flowers were on the arbor so thick I couldn’t see the foliage, when the summer phlox bloomed so long and hard that their fragrance followed me inside. And how could I forget the fall that the butterflies were so many the hepticodium tree became for me, a study in motion.

As my birthday approaches and I am saddened that my baby sister never got to be my age, I am choosing to seek the joy of the past to balance the pains of aging. I know the miracle of life and look to find the perfect balance of memories and lessons learned to help me know I am here, in the present but she and I will always in God’s Hands.

His,

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday July 9th Plant of the Week The Bald Cypress

2011-07-10T09:33:00.000-07:00

I gave Jim a choice this week to feature either a popular ornamental grass or this less familiar but exceptional tree, Taxodium distichum (Baldcypress, Bald Cypress, or Swamp Cypress). I don’t think I mentioned that it is a personal favorite. I grew this tree from a sapling my daughter brought home from school and enjoyed it for many years in my own front yard!

Jim showed his horticulture good taste as well as his horticulture expertise and chose this excellent tree to be the outstanding choice to bring to our listeners this week so the least I could do is get this information posted as soon as possible

Probably most correctly identified by its full botanical name Taxodium distichum var. distichum, this is a stately, beautiful and very tough tree.

Tolerant of heavy compacted clay subsoil, Bald Cypress also shrugs off fluctuating extremes in moisture levels including this year’s “will it ever stop raining” wet spring and the ever likely hot, humid, and sometimes drought laden summers. Native to a wide range of the United States, this tree can handle the typical and not so typical weather patterns of Missouri.

I love the refreshing look of its soft feathery appearance in July as much as I like its stark statuesque form in the snow mid-winter. Its fall color is noteworthy as well. This deciduous evergreen turns a beautiful burnt copper color each fall before its flattened “needles” drop to the ground.

This tree is trouble free as far as diseases and insects are concerned. Its wood is exceptionally strong and decay resistant. Reseeding isn’t a problem, however reproduction is possible from its small woody cones that naturally disintegrate at maturity.

Although “cypress knees” frequently develop in swamp areas, it is generally believed that it is uncommon for them to develop in residential situations.

The straight species is fairly common but recently there are a few new cultivars available with some very interesting and different traits. I have been looking for a location that seem deserving such a worthy tree!

Re…alizing I have options…

His Alone…

Re

Personal note- thank heavens I have come to re…alize my own unworthiness. I humbly pray to know what God wants me to do…every day!

(Luke 17:10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'“)

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday July 2nd Plant of the Week The Daylily

2011-07-06T15:26:00.000-07:00

I have always enjoyed the diversity of form and color as well as the easy care requirements of the plant family Hemerocallis.

The most familiar cultivar is the popular Stella de Oro daylily . No longer in the company of horticulture experts on this genus, my taste in daylily flowers is primarily just simplicity, although I still appreciate the various forms and habits. My personal favorites include ‘Fairytale Pink’, Hemerocallis 'Techny Spider' and Hemerocallis 'Wayside King Royale'

Although the individual flower of most cultivars may last only a day, a few have “extended” blooms which last a few hours longer. They particularly open on the eve of the day in they will be fully open.

I have not been overly impressed with this “preview ability” however it did prolong the time period of “color in the garden”.

I am not especially a fan of “rebloomers’ either. It seems like I sacrificed impact for novelty when I’ve focused on daylilies with this trait.

I confess it has been a while since I was knee deep in daylilies. I cherished and miss the friendships that came with sharing a passion for such forgiving plants. I especially miss my dear, dear friend, neighbor and mentor, Louise Bellagama.

Louise shared her love of God and plants with me with an open and pure heart. We spent weeks together every year for more than ten years, walking her garden and examining/ evaluating each of her seedlings.

Each spring before she started her daily wandering through the rows and rows of plants, she said out loud a prayer of thanksgiving for having another spring.

I will never forget the first time I heard her pray in her garden. She was loud, enthusiastic and so sincere. Her prayer lasted several minutes. As I recall, it lasted long enough for her to peruse through several rows of hosta, long enough for her to caress several of her iris babies pushing blades of fresh green toward the sun and to stoop over, dangerously close to toppling, to examine the many sprinklings of no-name seedlings of daffodils and daylilies.

Her prayer was sort of spontaneous and yet conversational. It came in rather loud spurts with periodic pauses. (She told me later when we discussed our faith and friendship how important she though it was to learn to appreciate every minute as a gift, to wait for answers and know He will always answer in “His time”)

She seemed primarily focused that spring day on thanksgiving, but as I remember, she also included a litany of requests and just a few complaints.

Clearly this had become a comfortable mode of communication for her. She easily transitioned from praise worship to good health requests for family and friends and ended with a short but vigorous bout of complaints about the creation of deer, her current and her anticipated disappointments, she attributed to “those deer”.

After several minutes, I found myself moving closer to hear her voice as it faded in the breeze. As she wandered a fair distance away, I got to where I could only catch a few names and some mumbled words. She finally stopped walking and talking as she reached the far end of the garden, ending at the door of a well used storage shed.

Then rather abruptly, she turned back towards me, as if she just remembered I was there, dried her hands and face on her house coat/ duster/ sweater combo, rallied with a clap of her hands and with an amazing amount of energy, called me to look over the newest additions, introducing me to a roll call of people and plant names, details, tidbits and more as she launched both of us into the new season.

We spent hours that day and for many days each season over the years we shared as” blessed best friends”.

No Regrets….

……Re

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday June 25th Summer is here!

2011-06-29T19:28:00.000-07:00

I am so ready to enjoy summer that I am celebrating a whole family of plants that seem to require and enjoy Missouri’s inconsistent weather. They are the ambassadors and the cheerleaders for our heat and humidity!

Popular in most gardens, these brown-eyed, black-eyed and even green eyed flowers are easy going enough for the “weekend gardener”, showy enough for the “bigger is better” crowd and tough enough to withstand hurt feelings from the “sorry I forgot your name, “ sorry I thought you were a weed”, and the “sorry, now there is too many of you” crowd.

Don’t be afraid to get to know this diverse daisy–like plant family that is so “at home” in our clay soils. Managing this large of a family can be easy, just balance your curiosity with healthy tolerance limits. and when you have hit your max , learn to edit!

Here are some great links, beautiful pictures and hopefully useful comments!

Rudbeckia fulgida - black-eyed SusanRudbeckia fulgida 'Blovi' VIETTE'S LITTLE SUZY - black-eyed SusanRudbeckia fulgida 'City Garden' - black-eyed SusanRudbeckia fulgida 'Early Bird Gold' - black-eyed SusanRudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' - black-eyed SusanRudbeckia 'Herbstsonne' - coneflowerRudbeckia hirta - black-eyed SusanRudbeckia hirta 'Indian Summer' - black-eyed Susan Plant of Merit Rudbeckia hirta 'Irish Spring' - black-eyed SusanRudbeckia hirta 'Prairie Sun' - black-eyed Susan Plant of Merit Rudbeckia laciniata - cutleaf coneflowerRudbeckia laciniata 'Hortensia' - cutleaf coneflowerRudbeckia maxima - large coneflowerRudbeckia missouriensis - Missouri coneflowerRudbeckia occidentalis 'Black Beauty' - coneflowerRudbeckia subtomentosa - sweet coneflowerRudbeckia subtomentosa 'Henry Eilers' - sweet coneflowerRudbeckia 'Summerblaze' - coneflowerRudbeckia triloba - brown-eyed Susan

In favor of nicknames, large families, every shade of yellow and any daisy-like flowers, also sympathetic to those who also struggle with editing; plants, time, stuff and words!

……Re

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday June 11th Who’s Who in The Hydrangea Family, What is the Hype and My Gripe?

2011-06-13T14:01:00.000-07:00

Well did anyone successfully keep score of the tally of black marks I accumulated this Saturday on air? I lost count after the 4th mark but who is counting?

I thought I would actually gain a few brownie points, (not more black marks) I drove all the way to Rolling Ridge WITH gas prices so high.

I had mistakenly thought there would be a round of applause for honoring an in person request from Jim McMillan. Apparently he thinks I wanted to do a complete, in person, inventory of Rolling Ridge’s wonderful tree, shrub and plant selections. (OK, so He knows me pretty well-but don’t tell him)

I am still having trouble choosing just one plant for my “brag about” segment. It was even worse after I saw how well they were stocked with good looking quality material.

The best I could do in the few hours was to narrow it down to the family of Hydrangeas. It wasn’t till I was on my way out I saw the deserving candidate for me SHOW ME STAR recognition. She stopped me in my tracks, H hydrangea paniculata‘PINK DIAMOND-tree form- WOW- what a great idea!

Some of the best time of the day was chatting with friends Chris Wagner (a great tree and shrub guy), and Lynn, Jim dear sweet daughter who is there-like night and day. I had only a minute to give a quick shout out to Susie, Jim’s wife who apparently has great stamina and patience.

Debbie, John Shea’s talented “how does she do it?” side kick was there too, as was Eon (?), running the board on location. And of course, didn’t I mention Jim and John!

The real disappointment was missing long time green heart, soon to be a mother of the bride, Mary Collier. I left after the first half of the show because my little “Patty cake” felt very warm and looked very flushed. I was worried he was running a fever. I hope my regrets were passed along!

Apparently the only thing he was running was g-pa- in a big huge circle around the lot, thru the store, out the back, down the hill and around again. Pattycake was fine but g-pa was dizzy, more tired than he would admit, apparently overheated and maybe even slightly dehydrated.

It was the perfect excuse to stop for ice cream on the way home!

As far as Hydrangeas go, I am fast to admit, I have my favorites, and they are not the ones with the most "hype". I also am convinced that as a plant family they demonstrate the challenges faced with “pot culture” .

My gripe, it has been my experience that H. Oakleafs frequently look sick in containers, but shopper aren't told that a plant that looks great in a pot is not guarenteed to look as good in the ground. Some do, many don't! Oakleaves get leaf spot and they can look, well almost rangy in almost any size pot. Plant them in the right location, water them adequately and boom, they recover completely. The difference-night and day!

Also, H. arborescence ‘Annabelle’ can look rough next to almost any of the well "hyped "macro- but she blooms in the Midwest-every year, big flowers, with minimal moisture and she is reliable. She also has a very long life span. Year after year of performance!

What about the Pink Annabelles? Well that depends on who you talk to but so far they are not coming across with the "wow" of some of the others that are part of the current rage.

I spoke with my own personal expert/Hydrangea breeder on H. 'Invincible Spirit' and I am convinced the growers are just not able yet to produce a good looking young product. My very reliable source suggests give her a few years in the ground and she will hold her head high, have great blooms and strong stems. Just because she can’t grow in a pot like the macros doesn’t mean she can’t out perform them reliably- she just needs to get settled in before she wins your heart!

H. Pink Diamond stole my heart years ago- in bush form as a hedge- she made me weak in the knees! How sweet it is to see her again- this time in a tree form!

Unlike some other hydrangeas that have been touted as good tree forms and then break and tear in our summer rain awith wind storms, she has shown in shrub form good stem strength in a down pour, relatively good “hold” in rain and some wind tolerance.

Many places she would be good as a small tree are likely to be somewhat protected. This makes her, in my mind a worthy to watch plant for places that need a sturdy, small” tree like” choice for patio viewing, courtyards and other small areas.

Gripe / Draw backs? Only one at this point. I have seen drought stress reduce flower size in many plants and I would assume that even though I have seen this gal in heavy root competition, she was in a well prepared bed. If moisture levels drop at any critical point, flowering size may be compromised.

And because she might get used in a limited space, and possibly even be surrounded partially or completely by hardscape, she may have either an access issue to moisture or a poor drainage situation where over watering could occur. A perched water situation could lead to her demise.

I believe in educating and honoring the stewardship connection between the homeowners and their “piece of heaven”.

I feel comfortable recommending this hydrangea for a "casual care" situation as long as they are made aware of man-made situations to avoid, use sensible watering guidelines and seek professional advice when any plant starts to fall short of their expectations.

Here are a Hydrangea link to check out-and remember local / regional information is best when dealing with questions about performance and hardiness.

Most importantly, get to know your nursery professional.
Ask questions, follow their instructions and know their preferred method of communication before a plant dies- not after!

There is usually a reasonable “check in” procedure that will work for both of you! I have always found dialoguing useful. Frequent reports and feedback is essential for customer / nursery relationships.

Best advice, “be ready”. Plan to always “make room” in your garden for what is coming. You never know what the future brings. Let your smiling face be what is on your nursery person’s mind when premium and promising material like this H. PINK DIAMOND tree form arrives on the lot!

http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Plant.asp?code=D619

Personal note:

Be ready is also the most perfect biblical advice I can offer. I am so humbled when I realized my advice for communication is exactly the way I start my day.

Just as I recommend “checking in” with your favorite nursery person, I am doing the same and learning how to dialoging with my Heavenly Father, my Creator God. I do know the degree of the process is slightly different but it is even more personal.

I have been blessed to be able to share my passion for plants over the years. It has taught me how to open my heart. Just like you, I have come to know it is ok to ask questions, to ask for direction and instruction. I don’t want to be too late in finding His preferred method of communication either. I also hope I don’t let any issue lay overly long before addressing it and bring it to Him for “re”solving.

My check in procedure is part of my day and it works for both of us. I report in and I ask for feedback- it is most rewarding. Apparently, that is the way all relationships work because they are based on His Perfect Design. I am honored to have been blessed with such wonderful friends and family who have taught me all I know about “relationship essentials”. I am a blessed …

Work In Progress……Re

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday June 4th Butterfly Weed And Why To Know and Grow Her Family

2011-06-05T11:03:00.000-07:00

Perhaps I started off too fast or maybe on a wrong foot during my segment, I am not sure but if it was hard to follow, I am sorry.

It did seem like it maybe threw all of them off center to start out talking about weeds and then before their very ears , I morphed into a spokes person for a family of plants that are commonly considered-at least by the general public, as weeds.

Did it seem like this was new news to them that this plant is the very sustenance for the survival of our largest and most widely recognized butterfly, the Monarch? (Not Viceroy) Oh, I have so failed at my “job” on the show if this is true!

Here are a few links filled with Asclepias details:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asclepias
http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/plant.asp?code=B490
http://www.missouriplants.com/Redalt/Asclepias_tuberosa_page.html
http://mostlytexasnatives.com/whats_new_13.html
http://www.ehow.com/info_8500289_orange-butterfly-weed-asclepias-tuberosa.html
http://www.butterflyencounters.com/?gclid=CIeKx5uMn6kCFSFl7Aodg1hpxw
A great pic of purple milkweed, much harder to find

Follow this last link to see the most beautiful milkweed of all. This is exactly like one I have personally. I support Monarchs by growing an asclepias wherever the opportunity arises. I have one in full bloom right now at my front door-wow!

Thank you Devin of Prairie Farms, Grow Native Wholesale Supplier who gets a kind thought with a smile, each morning when I look out and see this natural beauty.

By the way Devin, you’ve made it to my “crush list” because of this grand way I now start my mornings! Of course, I must always say thank you to my mentor and friend Marvin Wallace who will always hold the top rung on my “crush list”.

Marvin of Missouri Wildflower Nursery, opened my heart to the treasures of Missouri’s natives and the door to many people I cherish as friends for life! Hope all is good for you all these days!

Still pondering:

Where was Jim when I needed him? (Exactly where he should have been –sharing a special time with family celebrating the marriage of his near niece-blessings to all!) I know they mentioned it a few times but still, I am glad he went and yet I still missed him!

And, why was Don so quiet- was he even listening? In all fairness, Don was being well defended for his occasional absences from the microphone. It was actually ok to have what seemed like a stream of “hosts and guests” especially since the show was on location at Schnarr's Hardware , one of my favorite locations to broadcast from!

I feel sure all of them sympathized with Don, who was trying to do both the show and retail sales. Don manages Rolling Ridge Nursery and I confess now I am not sure but I thought I heard another familiar voice at Schnarr’s, -was that Frank Blair- if so, another apology is in order, I failed to say “hi” to my friend too!

Well I am not new at trying to do too much sometimes. I am not sure it is even fair to say that was the case. I just know it is a challenge some days to keep a handle on this rowdy crowd that somehow “brings it” each week on air to so many appreciative 550 KTRS listeners.

I personally confess regularly, it is hard to keep this crowds attention. I have decided to feel flattered over the occasion of surprising “quiet”, the abnormal absence of comment except for Dear John. I assumed it was not the “delay problems” we have on occasion when doing an “on location” broadcast.

I want to think Don felt I was able to manage a “full on” pitch for sensitivity for helpless wildlife. He probably appreciated my plea for awareness of our sometimes destructive mind set toward” weeding without knowledge” and surely he agrees with my call to “feed the hungry” (as long as I don’t include deer, rabbits, moles, voles, ants, beetles, tent and bag worms and whatever else might gripe the weekend gardener/ customer.)

Can’t we at least “support” those critters that have been frequently enlisted as “entertainment” and” educationally desirables”? I truly thank God for them. Yes, they were the very distraction that stole my attention from the classroom as a child, but they also were there when my life changed directions!

Although I know I have been blessed with a significantly longer lifespan than a butterfly, it has also given me more opportunities to pause, and at times come to a full stop to take in the significance of what God makes daily, including butterflies!

I suppose I am a supporter for the Monarch’s Right to Life? I know sometimes Don has to be more neutral or at least more diplomatic than me. It is part of his job to tread softly and not offend his customers. That should be my mission as well.

I need to be gentler in my approach when I am “on air” and “on a mission”. I should take a breath at least, try and let it be a conversation. I do not have nor do I want or need a soap box. Yes, I am burdened with too many thoughts and opinions and sometimes I do forget my intent is to just “open the door” not plow everyone through such a very tiny window. I pray everyone accepts my apology!

What else am I praying for? That is a great question that surely does show how I am struggling hard to prioritize. I use to and still do occasionally pray for "deeper understanding" but I gave up on that because now I know it doesn’t matter if I understand, just as long as He can still use me!

So it seemed perfectly fitting that today I heard the words, “Forgive them, they know not what they do”. I am probably paraphrasing some, as my attention to detail is sometimes faulty but it was part of such a great message to my heart on praying.

What a wonderful reminder for me to be grateful for God’s tender heart that softens toward me despite my life filled with so much of "not knowing”. I am so humbled when I recognizing my own ignorance when I see a butterfly and don’t understand how such an amazing miracle could ever happen, over and over, every day, not to mention the miracle of a baby and how I am fully blessed now to be called by my grand baby"Nana Re...re".

I am filled with such gratefulness and Holy Bliss! Whoever said “ignorance is bliss” was maybe in some way at least partially correct- but now that you KNOW the good reasons to grow milkweed-aren’t you feeling a call to action?

All is well with me.....and my milkweeds…… Nana Re...re

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday May 28th Echinacea ‘Little Annie’

2011-05-29T13:31:00.000-07:00

Another plant receives my “Show Me NOW” Plant (New Offering With promise) recognition during KTRS’s Inside Out Show’s Featured Plant of the Week segment making it the second plant I am planning on keeping a sharp eye on to see if it is worthy of “Show Me Star” status!

The show went well with the pleasant addition of Kim, manager of Sugar Creek Gardens.

Feeling very comfortable about having another green heart on air to banter with, I didn’t feel too foolish in closing the segment asking Kim to do me a favor and put a ‘Little Annie’ aside for me to pick up today. She did agree it appears to be a very worthy perennial for me to trial, so THANKYOU Kim, what a cutie!

Culturally speaking, this E. p. ‘Little Annie’ is touted to be as sustainable as any other purple cone flower. She is described as “easy to grow” and like the rest of her family, good with average soil with average moisture and average drainage.

Most frequently the species is found in the transitional areas between woodlands and open prairie also savannah type communities. This is often a full sun to part shade situation. Cone flowers also seem able to withstand light to moderate root competition-this makes her good for my little friend Florence and her little frount door garden "Re-Do"!

If this growing description fits your landscaping, I think you should have good success with E. p. ‘Little Annie’ too!

Cone flowers as in Echinacea purpurea, is commonly described as an adaptable plant “tolerant” of drought, heat, humidity and poor soil. I consider all of these “normal stresses” that our plants are likely to encounter in an average home landscape so this “tolerance” is desirable as far as I am concerned!

Keep in mind, it takes most perennials at least one full season of monitoring and maintaining moisture establish.

Because ‘Little Annie’ is considered a dwarf selection, it is considerably shorter and more compact than many cone flowers, she will be perfect for small gardens like Florence's doorstep sanctuary garden.

The plant I have currently in my possession is also growing in a in a slightly smaller flower pot than most perennials. Therefore, once she is planted, I will be watching her closer than usual for early signs of drought stress. Water is likely to drain away from her relatively shallow, “petite” size root zone.

I will also be curious to see if she has kept her attractive qualities as far as food source for butterflies and song birds. I am not sure she can maintain this tight of growth habit over a three year period. Several earlier “compact” coneflowers outgrew their height description after only a few seasons. I will let you know!

Here are some great links along with some additional cone flower information:

http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/plant.asp?code=E407
Cone Flower Plant Search MoBot
Proven Winner ‘Little Annie’

On a personal note:

All this talk about ‘Little Annie’ proving her worth makes me think about my own worth. I am humbled that God loves me, knows my heart and is holding my hand these days.

Despite my imperfections, Jesus saved me. I know I will never be “trial worthy” for His Kingdom.

I pray every day that I never forget to be aware of the pretty miserable results to be gained from my own human effort.

I thank God that He reminds me of this daily. He made me, knows my name and hears me when I call. He has put wonderful people in my path to "Re-mind" me as well!

Here is a pretty song that means a lot to both my friend Beth and myself-hope it plays well for you or that you know it too!

In His Hands...Re (MaryAnn)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXsiWoyjw60

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday May 21st Viburnum 'Bulk' BRANDYWINE, “Show Me NOW” Plant (New Offering With Promise) recognition

2011-05-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

Well, I minded my manners this week and didn’t get into a disagreement with Jim on air.
I do feel compelled at times to discuss new plants but I do not wish to overstate their greatness before they have stood up to my “Re”view for whatever I think is a comfortable length of time. Remember I am a Show Me Girl!

Inspired to share my idea on the show, Jim wanted me to give a plant my Show ME Star designation to V. BRANDYWINE before it has earned it.

Any plant I brag or blog about may end up with a “Show Me Star” designation but it needs to be a candidate first.

I have decided to go “out on a limb” and call Viburnum nudum 'Bulk' BRANDYWINE, my first “Show Me NOW” Plant (New Offering With promise.) It’s not like it’s the first fairly new plant we’ve talked about but I want to start here!

I am working on the criteria but for now I suggest go with all these compelling reasons as stated on these links to honor this shrub as my first shrub to “Re”-view. I hope to find worthy of “Show Me STAR” status!

Also more great news, I have been released from the extra burden of carrying the superficies, rather pompous sounding but temporary title of “Officer In Charge of Finding Great Plants to bring to our listeners (Note: I never asked for a change)

Jim blessed me on air Saturday by returning me to my previous status as “ Special Agent”. He did this without consulting with his co-host John Shea but I hope that doesn’t nullify his decision!

This could have been his plan, maybe even sort of a political maneuver on Jim’s part since he made this” executive decision” on a weekend when John Shea was “off duty”! How slick was that! (I warned you all awhile back it seems like they both are sometimes rather whim blown!

The job demotion is for the best for me. I again showed my inability to keep up with the current off topic innuendos that sneak into the shows between calls chitchat.

Its not that I don’t care but the “boys” are hard for me to follow sometimes. This time, I it was me! I listen to Christian radio mostly where I am reassured not to press my panic buttons. Also they seem able to refrain from making fun of those who need our prayers.
I was sad to know this prediction had received so much main stream attention, and even sadder when I think” the boys” might think we reach a main stream audience!

I confess these references had to be explained to me off air! (Thank you dear)
Now for a quick prediction of my own for BRANDYWINE Viburnum is likely to be very good in our region! (I guess I am saying I am willing to go out on a limb on this one! Ha ha)

This new cultivar of our native viburnum is already wearing a “proven winner” tag, but might it really be able to prove its self worthy of my new “status category” recently announced and discussed briefly on the KTRS 550 Inside Out show.

I guess I am interested in drawing attention to some of these “new” but already “proven” plant introductions that are reaching our Nurseries and Greenhouses in the St. Louis area. This is a tough market, especially when a plant is already burdened with a heavy “proof” requirement because of marketing, branding and actually great name appeal!

Jim wanted me to give V. BRANDYWINE my “Show Me Star” designation. I agreed I need a way to help our viewers know which of these new plants I am predicting “potential greatness”. I over road his decision because I am a Show Me first girl, and I control the blog!

Here are a few links so you can check it out yourself:
http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/plant.asp?code=D495
My green hearted friend The Plant Hunter/ Tim Wood
Proven Winner Link

On a personal note:
All this talk about fruit has done two things, made me grateful that fruits have no point value on the new Weight Watcher program of which I am experiencing success and ….considering how important it is to me to keep praying for the fruits of the Spirit to be foundational in my life!
Here are the 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Longsuffering
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self-control

Looks like I am still “a work in progress” with nothing to prove on my own!

Eternally His...Re

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday May 14th Plant of the Week Peony

2011-05-15T10:56:00.000-07:00

Well it seems I am back in good graces at least for now ( apparently my new “title / promotion” as Special Officer in charge of selecting worthy/great plants to Feature for KTRS’s Inside Out Show is more than a mouthful, it is also a temp position that might be dissolved at a whim!

Rather than ponder the precariousness of my new status I have decided to attempt to recall how I got here and why I agreed to do this in the first place.

Many long time KTRS weekend listeners thought this dalliance of mine that causes me to participate weekly with the Inside Out show crew was for real, job position affiliated. (Good news (but for who?) That is not so or else I would have been long gone!

I have wondered myself “how long can I keep doing this? (Mostly because you all still keep asking!)

I have been a willing participant for years of Saturday afternoons. I deal with what I know to be two great guys that are a source of usable and practical homeowner related help/ advice.

I suppose it is my sense of humor is what is actually in question-(and maybe my priorities) I have no explanation other than I enjoy the show! I do question now what was it I was lacking or suffered overages of in my childhood that makes me laugh at their shenanigans!

I do find immeasurable joy interfacing on any level with the uniqueness of creation! (Ha that is it- I am actually infatuated with oddities- and these two sometimes sound like Very strange creatures!

Now For Plant Talk:

This week I had already decided to discuss the peony, even before the caller with problems!

I was once told that the most frequent problem, rain heavy bowed flower heads and sometimes serious cases of botrytis “stems” from the want of bodacious heavily petaled blossoms and longer but weak stems that were in demand during the 1950’s flower grower focus on the florist industry.

Now we have an excess of hybrid peony flowers that can best be enjoyed in vases but might be more likely seen in mud puddles!

Solutions, support the entrepreneurship of the tomato cage makers by purchasing a few peony rings and placing them around your peonies as they break ground in the spring or better yet, be choosy and think long term enjoyment when buying peonies ( A life span of 50 years plus is very possible!)

Visit these links for more information and revisit any favorite peonies growing in our region later in the season. August and September are very telling times to get a fair assessment of a particular cultivar’s foliage appearance; many become unsightly in the garden at that time! If you fancy yourself as a collector of plants that have minimal needs and thrive without irrigation, consider joining the peony society!

http://americanpeonysociety.org/
http://www.peonies.org/index.shtml
and my favorite mail order source for Peonies , Klehm’s Song Sparrow Perennial Farms( they donated a spectacular collection for my area in the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Kemper Center for Home Gardening- a must see!
PS

I was thinking about bowed heads and how humble I feel when I am having a “moment” enjoying the awe inspiring beauty of a peony blossom. This yellow one was a gift from a sister of my heart friend in KC Ricki Creamer of Red Cedar Gardens,

She had also experienced a loss of a loved one and knew how my interface experience with nature would bring me face-to-face with God, who knows what he is doing!

Best ever peony plant combo: Joanne’s favorite color was yellow! I have my peony planted where it can echo the same soft palette of colors that are in Missouri native columbine, Aquilegia canadensis and the more citric color yellow of my swallowtail butterfly host plant Zizia!

Eternally His…

MaRe (Re)

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday May 7th Plant of the Week-Fringe tree

2011-05-08T18:23:00.000-07:00

The growing season and moods of my co-hearts are leveling out-thank goodness. I am not sure but I think I even got a promotion from Inside Out’s “Special Agent” to “Officer In Charge” of bringing great plants to 550 KTRS listeners.

It was nice to feel good about the show since I was feeling a little upset when I realized they were just around the corner on location but they hadn’t invited me to join them on location. They were at Hackmann Do It Best Hardware Store in St. Charles, apparently surrounded by beautiful handing baskets! (why would they even think I would like that?)

They seemed to think I was joking when I said they hurt my feelings, so clearly they don’t understand how much I enjoy their company. That is ok, because I am already just way too happy to have their attention each week for even a few minutes, just to talk about plants!

Surprise, I always chose a personal favorite. This week I talked about Chionanthus virginicus or better known as Fringe tree. I have a female Fringe tree, from Greenscape Gardens planted in my sister’s memorial garden at St Louis County’s Sailboat Cove.

This tree, when in full flower, is very recognizable. Her frilly petticoat fringe flowers are very distinct and sweetly fragrant. Her leaves are a clean apple green and stay attractive throughout the growing season.

I am finally starting to see them around the “fringe” of the city but several have been long time residents of Tower Grove Park! I visited a few grouped together at the edge of a lake at the City Hall of the City of St Peter’s. It is a beautiful park I enjoy frequently with my grandson. It is great to be able to point to so many several great plant groupings. They are for the most part visable and easy to enjoy. I invite all our lissteners to find such a treasure and consider keeping a log-just for fun!

This is a tree worthy ofa quick "drive by" enjoyment as well as close up/ lingering pleasure!

Follow these links and see if you too can find a place for this great tree that not on the fringe of your property! This Missouri native tree that is definately doorstep worthy! (They are easy enough for the "average "homeowner,with "average" soil conditions to have above average results! side note: Fringe tree also tolerate very moist rain gardens and once established some drought!)

Here are a few Fringe links:

http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/plantkey.asp?key=Cornus%20florida

http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/com.asp?code=C120

photo credit Lisa Francis / Missouri Botanical Garden

PS

I was thinking about “fringe” and its many meanings and how much I feel like I am more on the “fringe these days as well. One of my favorite daily radio shows on Bott Radio is “Living On the Edge” with Chip Engram. He has a great way of describing how to survive the challenges of Fringe Living- hope you take the time to listen to him sometime!

Eternally His…

Mare (Re)

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday April 30th Plant of the Week-Easter Lily

2011-05-01T13:36:00.000-07:00

Well, it seems the KTRS 550 Inside Out Show is hitting it stride just as spring waffles around- oh well I guess both the weather and the show at times are a challenge to predict!

This week’s show seemed to have the perfect recipe of inside jokes, friendly teasing and most importantly valuable information, still lightly interspersed with… let’s say “tidbits” of personality that added a bonus of flavor- Good Job guys---oh and gal!

Yes, perhaps the show’s soft touch should be credited to Debbie Rose, of Collier, Thompson and Shea Construction who was sitting in with them and holding her own! Way to go Debbie!

Jim McMillian of Rolling Ridge Nursery was in his most professional mode and took a good amount of time with me discussing the horticulture attributes and all the “need to know” details about the featured plant family- Lily. Kudos to Jim!

He did such a good job that that I think the show maybe got behind for a few minutes but was able to catch up and end on such a high note that I had several comments over the weekend on what a good show we had! (Please don’t give me the credit-or the blame. I only do what I can, when I can, however I can. Sometimes it works!)

Here are a few Lily links:

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publications/lily/lily.html

Easter Lilies,

Lilium longiflorum

PS

My personal connection to the Easter Lily is based on a specific attribute that it has that reminds me of how I have been drawn in my walk of faith.

Some lilies, particularly the Easter Lily has a most wonderful scent. My typical response to a pleasant fragrance has always been to seek its source; I have frequently felt completed to comment the minute I have detected a pleasant odor- to whoever is listening.

Sometimes, my nose experience was similar to others and in starting a dialog, sharing a moment or a memory; I opened the door to a wonderful heartfelt connection.

I am frequently amazed at the number of people I have met in such a simple way. I suppose everyone starts out as strangers until they share.

A moment of shared enjoyment for me has lead to a verbal exchange that became a conversation, and then to life long relationships. I value these “friend making moments” as so many have changed my life!

I have been drawn close to some special people in my life because of what we have in common but most recently I have found that plants have given me an opportunity to share the sweetness of my faith. I hope that it has been as much of a blessing to them as it has been for me. I hope to always be able to look at the Easter Lily and humbly admit my best “white” effort in this life will always be dingy compared to His perfect White.

Eternally His…

Mare (Re)

Come see me tonight at the next Bloom and Groom event at Oma’s Barn .

Easter 2011 "Re" quest

2011-04-24T22:15:00.000-07:00

I chose this Easter to make a minor adjustment in my first name to commemorate a major adjustment in my Christian Walk, a “re”dedication of sorts. I am shifting my name’s already untypical spelling from MaryAnn (with no space) to Mare. Spelling it differently doesn’t really matter to everyone else-only me. Every time I write my name I can remember how God “re” ‘s me. (Redeems, redefine, reform…see where I am going?)

Writing my name, like I have for so long sounds so funny and strange now. That alone tells such a story! It is in many ways how I have lived most of my life- with no space, squeezing the most from myself, leaving no wiggle room, no allowance for mistakes and most notably a glaring lack of adequate quiet time to spend with God in prayer!

In the times when I could hardly catch my breath, Joanne would quote to me a bible verse she thought I should memorize. She said it to me so often, I finally did. Sometimes she would say it like it was a secret, in a whisper. Some times, when I must have sounded close to frantic, she sounded alittle stern. But most the time she said it with the “sound of a smile” in her voice. How she had such patience with me!

“Be still and know I am God”, I still think it, I have it in my heart and it is even on a plaque on my shelf at home. But it was my brother-in-law who stopped me in my tracks more than a year ago.

After Joanne’s passing, he decided to have a memorial garden for her at Sail Boat Cove. I agreed to be the caretaker of her garden. When the garden was first installed, he made arrangements for a bench with her name. I wasn’t the first to see the engraved plaque placed on the backrest of her bench, I probably wasn’t even the first to cry. But I might have been the first to freeze in place, so I could hear her whisper as I read my verse.

Please feel free to call me “Re” or “Mare” and share with me the pleasant “re” minder of my sister, Joanne, her sometimes silly ways of making a point and the amazing Heavenly Father who gave her to me as my baby sister!

Again; anew: rebuild, restore, reborn, redeem.
2. Backward; back: react.
3. Used as an intensive: refine.
re-a prefix meaning anew
Usage re- with verb indicates restoration
prefix meaning "back to the original place, again," also with a sense of "undoing," c.1200, from O.Fr. and directly from L. re- "again, back, against
a prefix, occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, used with the meaning “again” or “again and again” to indicate repetition, or with the meaning “back” or “backward” to indicate withdrawal or backward motion: regenerate; refurbish; retype; retrace; revert.
Indicating a return to a previous condition or an opportunity repeat with an intent to improve

http://www.embassyofheaven.com/catalog/comeout/comeoutc2.htm

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday April 23rd Plant of the Week-Dogwood!

2011-04-23T21:09:00.000-07:00

Just like Spring, my role on the show is a roller coaster. For now it seems like we are on the straight away with nothing more than some quiet grumbling happening in the background either before or shortly after the plant of the week segment.

I actually think has more to do with the effects of the weather and Jim McMillians’s surprisingly weather sensitive nature , not mine! (ok maybe mine too!)

As far as unpredictable, John Shea is running a close second to Jim! Not a peep was heard from him during my segment, even after I commented on his quietness. What –no John- how can that be?

I decided, for no better excuse was made by either, that he was lining up the next interview that followed close on my heels. That is the most likely explaination, considering his tendancy to “in general” “participate” during the plant segment. (this means there are times, he thinks he needs to add something he is afraid we will forget, and frankly he is usually right! He’s become fairly garden savvy!)

Most people don’t know about all the work that it actually takes to put on any show, much less one with so many “variables” and uniquely gifted hosts. I have seen the effort of both John Shea and Jim McMillian-it is work, even when it doesn’t sound like it- kudos to them!

Don’t get discouraged- here is the plant part you are looking for and the links:

Dogwood Tree (Cornus florida)

Cornus, the plant family Cornaceae

My favorite information beyond horticulture is about the Christian legend of the Dogwood blossom.

I am reminded every time I look at the world around me of my Creator God, and the amazing rebirth that happens every Spring!

To celebrate this life changing event, I have changed the spelling of my name, (unofficially, I admit) to Mare, another way to spell Mary or what my sister affectionately called me “Re”, a salute to her and the prefix “re” that is part of the many words that apply to what has happened in Christ in my life!.

Eternally His…

Mare (Re)

Come see me at the next Bloom and Groom event at Oma’s Barn .

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday April 16th Plant of the Week, Iris

2011-04-18T10:15:00.000-07:00

“It’s not about me!” Just a reminder to myself not to lose my balance and not to go off on a tangent over little things that happened or didn’t happen on Saturday’s show.

Just so everyone knows, the razzing that happens on the Inside Out Show is always done in good fun!

It is true sometimes people and their relationships, seem to have an overflow valve that allows “runoff” which indirectly influences other things, or in this case- others. (Oh oh, I am starting to carry the show theme too far! Doesn’t a water heater have an overflow valve?)

I am sure some times “run off “ has impact issues, for me and the people in my life, I want it always to have a positive effect. I pray for God to keep me near people who’s run off is so pure and forceful that it cleanses my heart like the spring rain I am waiting for to wash away the smudges of dirt and mulch particles I ground into the pavement from yesterday’s sporatic gardening / housework activities, done in a rush and filled with distractions. ApparentlyI am no different than anyone else trying to do it all in a day!

Part of the distraction yesterday was from rehashing the sillies from the show. Why I find humor in being “dismissed” and “reinstated”, all in the course of one three hour “Inside Out Show” is beyond my understanding. Thank goodness I only have to explain plants and not the dynamics of this show!

I had decided Saturday to do a George Stansa/ Seinfeld reaction after being fired again the week before, so I called in as usual this week and carried on because they let me!

The featured plant of the week was the whole family of Iris. Keeping it general was the best I could do because there are so many types with various bloom periods. But as promised I am linking a few favorite sites and again commenting on what a Master Designer God is to have created irises with such amazing and beautiful diversity!

Here are a few of my favorite links- send me a few of yours!

Greater St. Louis Iris Society The Magic of Irises by Barbara Perry Lawton Iris brevicaulis Shaw Nature Reserve Spring Plant Sale ( native iris on trail- check with Scott on location!)

In His Hands….MaryAnn

PS. Come and see the unique and beautifully planted containers at Oma’s Barn .

Mid Week Extra All Is Well At Sail Boat Cove's BENCH Garden

2011-04-13T18:03:00.000-07:00

For those who know about my sister's memorial garden, and for those who are just finding out while reading this, my brother-in-law has a beautiful space dedicated to her at St. Louis County's Creve Couer Park's Sail Boat Cove.

I will keep an update of changes on here and feel free to refer back to previous bloggs for plants lists and last season details!

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday April 9th Plant of the Week

2011-04-11T10:38:00.000-07:00

Well my spring sassiness has returned with the onset of warmer weather, or so I was told on air this week. Please accept an apology my dear listeners for my spunky mood-I am just so glad spring has sprung and I can see everywhere around me the celebration of life!

It looks like getting fired from my volunteer job is becoming a weekly occurrence (much like removing dandelions this time of year)

I don’t profess to be a horticulture expert (those are their words) or a grammar critic but I must have been out of bounds asking about the pronunciation of the word “pergola” I was simply inquiring if there were two pronunciations of if it was a man-thing/ woman-thing since Debbie, just moments earlier said the word the way I am familiar with it-well, should know better than questioning authority- especially on air and taking into consideration the difference in what is funny to them and what is funny to me. Clearly, I still don’t know what makes them laugh and they never seem to know why I am laughing- and just so you know I am still laughing!!!

As I promised I am linking to the definition and pronunciation of the word pergola AND doing my job as the 550 KTRS Inside Out Show’s Special Agent in charge of bringing great plants to the attention of our listeners” (I think I am doing this for His Glory- but maybe it is actually some form of punishment for me and/or the listeners).

So in honor of our agreement ( by the way nothing is writing but can I have a witness?) here is information about one of my favorite Missouri native and ornamental flowering trees, Eastern Redbud or to the botanical name minded Cercis Canadensis. There are some interesting cultivars on the market, C.c. ‘Forest Pansy’ with the spring flush of purple in his leaf, the rather new to me but maybe not to you, C.c. ‘Hearts of Gold’, of which is fascinating option and now newest to arrive, an eastern with true eastern heritage Cercis chinensis ‘Don Egolf’.

This chunky monkey of bush/tree is named after the shrub breeder of the U.S. National Arboretum, Dr. Donald Egolf. He caught me off guard with his handsome buff colored complexion. The even tone of his bark is striking, and each specimen, though young in age, seems ready to overcompensate with an excess of flowers buds. They do look to be the typical shade of purple, not red, as I so often hear as a complaint with the name or the color of Redbud. This is a hard one to argue since I lack sensitivity to the ” plight” of the landscape designer who wishes to wish away such a “pungent purple”. I say to them let it be as it is, God’s signature on His art work, which is surely titled “Spring in Missouri”

Well so much for now, except for my closing question-should I sign off now as “smarty pants” or “your not really my boss”? Since I don’t think either apply completely and I wish to only show respect and honor to my professional superiors and my Master, I will finish now with my typical e-mail sign off (Is this really my last week “on the job”? I guess it could be since two long hours after I was on air, they were still discussing how they had fired me-ha ha)

–oh well till next week-

In His Hands….MaryAnn

(I hope Forrest Keeling got a great response to their featured tree give away for KTRS listeners and Rolling Ridge Nursery had good attendance for Scott Woodberry’s talk on natives! Thank you to all that came to Oma’s Barn for our spring Bloom and Groom series. We had a first, two new cultivars of annuals to discuss that were so sweet, I could only describe them as good as “chocolate and chocolate”. We had a wonderful time and I was reminded how very blessed I am!

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday April 2nd Plant of the Week

2011-04-04T17:35:00.000-07:00

lt seems I am having some serious trouble narrowing down my plant recommendations for KTRS's Inside Out Show.

The best I could do this Saturday was introduce listeners to the family of Dicentra (some of the best ambassadors for the group are commonly known as Bleeding Hearts.

I am wondering if this indecisiveness is an aging issue or an expression of the wonderful deep knowledge I have collected and have carried around in my mind for such a length of time that it has to come out sometime!

Choose whichever answer you prefer, since I can not decide myself. I can only admit this is my current dilemma of recommending only one plant a week.

I suppose part of the problem is Dicentra family, which like my own sisters, each member has a uniqueness that stands her apart and yet we share a heritage.

Whether introducing my sister, or Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart I think I can say, “If you like …, you, you might like …!

I had thought I would start with the most familiar Dicentra spetablis and note with these links that there is also a gold foliage bleeding heart and a lovely solid white flowering form D. s. ‘Alba’ .

For those who want a more constant contributor to the shade garden there are several fern leaf bleeding heart types worthy of garden space who have more persistant foliage.

I personally have a fondness for our native relative, Dicentra cucullaria. I can only say the sweetness of stumbling into this bundle of fluffy ferny foliage with “fancy pants” flowers in a spring woodland setting makes me smile!

I wish that more shade gardens would consider retaining a "sense of place" by emulating Missouri’s natural places with this and other well behaved flowering native. (I am not saying all natives deserve doorstep placement, but several Missouri natives are moderate to slow growing and not in any way overly aggressive)

I am strongly in favor of encouraging listeners to experiment with showcasing a sampler shade garden that features our well mannered woodland species. This is an opportunity to show evidence of a personal relationship with the land. I encourage human stewardship with compatible natives as a unique and beautiful way to appreciate “home”.

Don’t forget to consider using my favorite signature combination of succession partnering of bleeding heart with fall blooming anemones.

Follow links for cultural information! And be sure to visit Gateway Gardener’s website and to pick up this month’s issue of The Gateway Gardener. Again there is a "how to" turf article by Glenn Kraemer. I can only say this is a magazine chocked full of valuable information, every month!

Closing Note: You have probably noticed I have always encouraged exploring plant families. As in the human realm, some plant family members have been great ambassadors for their relatives.

My sister Joanne was our family’s best ambassador since she was the tallest, prettiest and had the best hair- I miss her. I recently realize that while she was here on earth and very involved in the green industry with me, at times I claiming some type of credit for her. That was a mistake that I cannot fix, however what I should have claimed and will here and now is our shared Christian faith.

It connected us then and it connects us now. It also connects me to every child of God, so in a round about way I am really even more blessed than I had realized. My vision was short sited because she was so amazing and filled such a large part of my heart.

I am happy to acknowledge, though without taking any credit, that every tall beautiful Christian hearted woman with good hair is a sister of mine ( as are the short squatty ones with the so-so hair) I am blessed to be connected for eternity with every good attribute that God has ever created. As a part of a kingdom and a family that is not about “botany speak” , God reminds me daily , like the plants sprouting around me, I am growing and some day will be in THE most perfect place- HOME!

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday March 19th Plant of the Week and answers to caller Kevin looking for Dimension®

2011-03-26T12:40:00.000-07:00

Well I had thought things went well last week while on location at Greenscape Gardens but maybe not as well as I assumed since once again they have placed me on "probation"-ha ha!

There are some challenges working with such "high caliper "professionals.

Minutes after welcoming Jim back to the show after his 9 week vacation, he fired me on air because I “interrupted” their chatter.

Am I the just too much for these guys? Maybe I sound too serious sometimes? I have to find a way to to lighten up-pray for me as this apparently very difficult for me!

While I attempted to take a caller’s interest in accurate information seriously, I added a tiny little comment to Jim’s answer. As I turned around I was just in time to see John’s artwork, a kindergarten level effort of a sign that read “MaryAnn Fink’s Last Show!” thanks boys!

It’s OK, I know it is just for fun - so I call in today and surprise, I caught more grief- oh they are such funny boys!

Now once again, in an attempt to provide what they tell me is “useful information”, I will try here on my blog to link horticulture information, without their interruption! This segment is by the way, in my opinion, the high point of the Inside Out Show! (no offense Debbie!)

The KTRS 550 Inside Out Show “Featured Plant of the Week”is Chionodoxa luciliae and the bonus add on plant is Epimedium x versicolor 'Sulphureum' - bishop's hat.

We has so much interest for more low care shade tolerant ground covers that can grow under trees that I was happy to include this slow growing but easy and reliable performer as an extra bonus! It also does well with Lenten rose and Hosta!

My ground cover advice- don't limit yourself to one ground cover-keep it interesting and diversify!

And to poor caller Kevin, who was still driving around in a blizzard at the end of the show, looking for the weed control Dimension -here is my "goto" Turf Man for Best Management Practices For TURF- Glenn Kraemer.

And yes he has it and yes he is open on Saturdays, just mornings I think, but call and check and Kevin- tell him hello and thank you for helping out on the show from time to time! I appreciate anyone who knows so much and is still willing to sit with these comics for any lenght of time!

Also watch here and in The Gateway Gardener for Glenn's recomendations on turf care throughout the season! He does periodically teach some classes around town so ask him where he is next and let me know-I will post it here on my blog!

Well cross your fingers all of you who cleaned up your gardens already and cut back your ornamental grasses- there may be consequenses! God has used years of gardenening to teach me patience so I am being as "still" as possible- waiting!

G.R. Robinson Seeds & Service Co.8674 Olive Street St. Louis MO. 63132 314.432.0300 314.432.0388

Contact Person: Glenn Kraemer: gmmseed@sbcglobal.net

Key products are: Grass seed, fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides & herbicides for turf and landscape. Turf grass consulting for commercial & residential clients.

Glenn Kraemer is owner/operator of the G.R. Robinson Seed & Service Company, home of "George’s Magic Mix." This grass seed mix is specially formulated for St. Louis-area lawns, and is available in three types: sun, shade and heavy traffic.

A native of St. Louis, Glenn specializes in practical, hands-on advice for residential, commercial and athletic fields. You can reach him by email at gmmseed@sbcglobal.net.

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday March 19th Plant of the Week

2011-03-19T17:46:00.000-07:00

While on location at Greenscape Gardens this Saturday for their Spring Festival and to welcome Jim McMillan back after his 9 week 50th wedding anniversary vacation, I was struck with all Jim and I have in common (there would be too much to list, but I think it is why we “get along” so well!)

It was so obvious that we both had caught our annual case of spring fever. (Read older blog post for Jan 8th 2011 on Spring Fever for description of symptoms-it can be quite contagious)

Did I mention one of the symptoms is difficulty in decision making? (Guess I better reread my own blog and be sure I had added forgetfulness!)

The point being, I could only narrow my favorite plant of the week focus down to three, dill, strawberry (I prefer the June bearing cultivars)and of course Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart. (I didn’t get to mention my favorite native butterfly magnet for black swallow tail butterflies or where to buy it- Zizia aurea (Golden Alexander). This has been a very nice Missouri native plant that is prettier once it is planted in the ground and of course the swallowtails love it!

I even squeezed in a quick comment about my signature combination of succession partnering of bleeding heart with fall blooming anemones-(one of my favorite POM) follow links for cultural information. I admittedly I am having difficulty following instructions! (I guess I better add that to the symptoms, through I think spring fever just exaggerates the problem if it is already a tendency)

Also when I am having a bout of spring fever, rampant impulsiveness and sever hortarrhea (like diarrhea of the mouth only with a horticulture flavor) becomes a problem. I then have a tendency to butt into the Q&A segments, without invitation- without regret!

The fact is I never feel like there is never enough time to ask enough questions or even give a complete answer on air!

What is the best medicine for Spring Fever?

For me it is passing it along to family and friends! I was truly blessed to be with not only my KTRS station friends but with my sweet daughter Holly. She works at Greenscape with Jennifer Schamber, manager of Greenscape, and her many friendly and knowledgeable employees. My “sisters of the heart” June and Dianne were also there- what a wonderful day! (See picture of Holly and Jennifer on this post!)

KTRS 550 Inside Out Show Saturday March 12 2011 Plant of the Week Lenten Rose

2011-03-14T10:31:00.000-07:00

The Lenten Rose, Helleborus orientalis, is not a rose at all but a perennial evergreen ground cover that performs well in Missouri.

She is an easy care, slow growing and very polite member of the not so polite “wow that was fast, now there is way too much” buttercup family. It appears she is the one that ended up with the most of the family’s best traits!

Tolerant of shade, poor quality soils, heavy clay and fluctuating moisture, she blooms in early spring in several soft colors. She is most commonly dressed in shades of rosy purple, perfect for the Lenten season.

Her blossomed head is often tucked under a mantle of thick oversize evergreen leaves. There her softness is naturally protected with foliage that wears like leather. Better still, she is not palatable to wildlife, making her a preferred selection where ever deer are problematic!

She is a favorite choice for use in limited space where an evergreen anchor is needed.

Perfect along a prayer walk or in a sanctuary / meditation garden, her humbly bowed head is a quiet reminder to do likewise to prepare for the King.

Follow this link for more informationon Helleborus orientalis: http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/plant.asp?code=D100

Also per Jim McMillian's request- here is a link to rose articles in the Gateway Gardener and some in depth info on Knock Out Roses by the wholesale grower. More details on all the varieties available are at your nursery or garden center:

http://www.gatewaygardener.com/roses-2/romance-of-the-rose

http://www.conard-pyle.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/koplants.splash

KTRS 550 Inside Out Show Plant of the Week Saturday March 5 2011

2011-03-06T15:07:00.000-08:00

Lucky Shamrock (Oxalis Regnelli)

Although I believe in blessings not luck, I am reminded annually of the personal importance of this cheery plant and his romantic connection to me and St. Patrick’s Day.

So for no better reason than the importance of having a reminder of life and God’s blessings, I chose this uncommonly interesting houseplant.

With that in mind, I wish to encourage those with a soft heart but not a green thumb to consider gifting with this sweet spring green relative of our native wood sorrel.

This is an uncharacteristic effort on my part
to share my “odd little ode”
a “fanciful write”
to an acceptable gift
that offers me hope
when “winter weary”
either by the calendar or by life!

My Four Leaf Clover

First so nimble and fresh, he fills up his space
youthful and tender growth-delightful grace
So, rapid and bountiful,

he seems well... unstoppable.

As he brightens the day,
My senses overtake me,

something is just... right.
Basic in his needs,

his requirements are like,
minimal nourishment,

warmth, water and light.

Who knows the strength

it takes for each little stem
to push oversized leaves to such lenghts!
Opening and spreading
to catch the sun’s rays.
Out all day, closed tight by night.

On a soundless cue he presents his flowers, his gifts.
And like a school boy waiting

for a sweet first kiss
He stretches and reaches

till he touches my lips

Ah the relief of love,

now given and returned,
He make my life's pleasure

his primary task,

Not his duty, I'm sure

I've done nothing to deserve

His filllings of flowers I've not earned

No weight or measure

the blossoms, oh they are

are more than I asked

Flowers parade by

in a predicatable cycle.
Day in, day out

not one to neglect
He transports and stores

the energy he collects
Why can’t I see the price he pays for me
Invisible is his work,

oh, Love is his theme
Diligent is his effort,

ongoing and routine.

Hidden from view in a world I can’t know,
in what is his storehouse,
where from his goodness, it flows.

Now for all those with worldly eyes
It looks like his purpose is “done”.
In the battles of life, its over, he has lost –not won.
The “I’ve served my purpose” top growth is gone!

Ahh,… but after a time
It seems he was not idle or done,
the new growth emerges
thrives, thirst and reaches for sun!

I can only say this
after this painful attempt
To say this is an entertaining plant,
With most conditions, ....he’s content!

OK I’ll stop---- with relative long life- longer than this write... and with far more potential. He is in my humble opinion, entertaining and easy to maintain through his bloom and dormant cycles. He is likly to last much longer than this posting- awkward moment confessed- must stop soon!

oh well...This cheery fellow can brighten the window sill of an experienced plant collector or the newbie that has killed everything except maybe a peace lily. Yes I am referring to my dear Irish friend John Shea, who has learned much about "living", being " green"-inside and outside, while co-hosting KTRS’s Inside Out Show with Jim McMillian on 550, Saturdays).

Here are a few links plus a warning: much more time can slip away while following these links and learning about the many interesting members of this family. My hope is you will come to appreciate the range and delicate beauty of all of these including the perhaps less showy but durable even under foot traffic but possibly not appreciated and even considered headachy ones in your landscape.

And now and equally uncommon – a “RANT”

It amazes me how often we produce a list of plant attributes that seem desirable until we are “lucky" or "unlucky” enough to met up with one that has many of them. Once we experience personally the tenacity of the genetics we have wished for, we might realize one or all of the following:

There are no "perfect" plants
We are not qualified to define "perfect"
All plants are "perfect"wwin the right place

Side note for those who are interested in native plantings, the North American wood sorrels might need more shade or filtered sun

http://www.kingdomplantae.net/yellowWoodSorrel.php

http://www.gardeninggonewild.com/?p=6332

KTRS 550 Inside Out Show Plant of the Week Saturday February 26 2011

2011-02-26T09:22:00.000-08:00

Person of the Week and Plant of the Week (hey I can do both if I want!)

On air today will be one of my all time favorite people, Glenn Kraemer. He is amoung the few worthy of early morning attention on a Saturday when I could have slept in! So here is my blog before the show!

Glenn shares my passion for the environment with his own speciality- great looking lawns. This topic of interest opened our dialogue and gave us a starting point that has “grown” into a life long friendship as well as a mentoring relationship for BEST Management Practices for any type of TURF projects.

He is the owner and operator of GR Robinson Seed and Service. He has walked me though the ins and outs of turning Missouri Botanical Garden’s Bird Garden turf into a living masterpiece during my years as caretaker at the Kemper Center For Home Gardening.

His methods have drawn attention to every plot of turf I have ever hand a hand on including my own home landscape that was featured several years ago in the St. Louis Post Dispatch. It has been so fun having great success. Once I had someone who understands both grass as plants, and the homeowner who truly wants to experience success, it became economically and environmentally possible!

As far as featured plant of the week- let’s talk pansies. After years of managing the Missouri Botanical Garden’s annual trials and creating beautiful seasonal displays, it is apparent there is lots of potential uses and choices for spring annuals with pansies leading the list. For years I have grown baskets full of cool season pansies to decorate my deck and door step.

Probably one the best MoBot spring class ocassionally offered is taught my dear friend Jill Schroer, who does a hands on demo with the little viola frequently known as Johnny jump-ups! Watch for it and when you see it, sign up as it fills fast consistently!

The Pansy – Plentifall Viola is a new pansy bred touted to have large flowers, a true trailing habit with branching stems a mass and fragrance! They are mentioned on Sugar Creek Nursery’s website so call Ann and see when she’ll have them!

Here is a link with some details on this newbie coming to us soon: http://www.blogger.com/www.vanmeuwen.com/flowers/flower

Also while we are people and great info- visit Gateway Gardener’s new website. Robert’s new site will make regionally correct information fast and easy- who is smart now? He will post the link to his Spring Flower Basket article featured on this month’s cover on my face book page- watch for it!

He is even using a QR Code for those smarties with the smart phone! Hey finally a smart reason for a gardenner to get more high tech! (Ok any more using the word" smart" and I will sound stupid-just trying to get the point across!)

http://www.gatewaygardener.com/category/lawn-care

Follow this link to Garden Height’s blog and Steffie’s starting seeds article for some suggestions on how to “harden off” seedlings as this is useful for any new plants grown in a protected environment!

She has a great list of particular plants and a guideline for the amount of time needed to toughen them up. This will help you consider how to harden any of your “ they were still in the green house when I bought them” new purchases!
http://gardenheights.com/blog/?p=489

Also some perennials have held on to some green this winter or have new some growth showing. Although it is too early to get them in the ground- it is a good time to think about purchasing those” hard to get when you want them perennials” and include them in your mixed spring planter. Do this with the intention of moving them into the ground went the ground warms and you are ready to redo your baskets!

Ann at Sugar Creek Gardens is running some preseason perennial specials worth checking out! I noticed they are taking some special orders RIGHT NOW! I have a yellow peony I waited two years for at my front door that stops visitors in their tracks- check out their website at: http://www.sugarcreekgardens.com/Sales.htm

And finally, take some time to really see, feel and enjoy the life you've been given- I know I have been blessed!

KTRS 550 Inside Out Show Plant (s) of the Week Saturday February 19th 2011

2011-02-20T07:46:00.000-08:00

Think Summer? (BULBS)

Well I know everyone is in a rush for Spring- but hold on-early springs have their own set of issues including the effect they have on the summer garden. One of the easiest quick fixes is to plan for having “extra inventory” such as summer bulbs, on hand growing in attractive pots. This gives you the pleasure of “growing on” some of your own favorites which should include a few of these novelty bulbs.

These "summer bulbs" include mostly not winter hardy but fast growing tropicals with bulb-like root structures. Some you may be familiar with as plants but perhaps you have never thought of them as bulb purchases.

To name just a few that are frequently listed: begonias, caladium, cannas, dahlias, gladiola, gloriosa lilies, elephant ears,and sometimes even liatris (although it is perfectly winter hardy for us). These end up listed in summer bulb catalogs, hense they end up grouped together under the term “Summer Bulbs”.

A few well chosen summer bulb combinations mixed with some summer show stopping annuals can play a leading role in carrying on color after the spring rush and during the lulls that can happen when Spring pushes everything along fast. Order now, start these in individual pots and then replant them combined with a few good annuals when warm air is the norm and keep them on your deck or patio where they can be enjoyed and still be promoted to stardom in the summer garden when openings finally do occur.

Because most summer bulbs grow slow till the heat kicks in, pot them with a few appropriately selected annuals. Use at least moderate size pots- and wait! Remember, keep the pots situated for easy access and viewing- once they start growing, the fun begins!

When the gaps open out in the garden (and they will) transport one of your “pot beautiful” successes to the vacant area and either situate the already growing potted container in the clearing or dig a hole and drop the whole combination planting into the ground!

Many are Missouri Botanical Garden favorites. These may also arrive as growing plants at your local garden center/ nursery. Take this short cut if it is offered as some summer bulbs can be challenging. Early watering and temperature requirements can be specific.

Here is a link and go ahead- think Summer-it will be here right on the heels of Spring!

www.bulb.com. And http://www.flower-garden-bulbs.com/summerflowerbulbs.html#ixzz1EcxcPvcY

pictured Canna 'Striata' / Mobot

KTRS 550 Inside Out Show Plant of the Week Saturday February 12th 2011

2011-02-14T11:02:00.000-08:00

Potted Bulbs

by MaryAnn Fink

Conservation Specialist

This is the time of years many gardeners, anxious for spring, purchase green house forced potted bulbs for their homes, offices and as gifts.

FYI although some are more familiar than others, the most popular bulbs used are tulip, hyacinth, narcissus (daffodil), grape hyacinth, iris and crocus.

For your maximum enjoyment, purchased these beauties just after their buds are evident but are still closed tight. Don’t wait till they are fully opened! I agree it is hard to tell what color you are purchasing, but better to be surprised for a while than surprised the fun is over so soon!

Here are a few tips on how to take care of your new plant:

1) Place the pot in a cool spot where temperatures at night are about 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Do not place it a sunny location, the warm temperatures in sunshine will speed flower development and shorten the life of the flowers!

2) Remove the foil wrapper if there is one to avoid standing water. Keep the plants slightly moist but do not fertilize!

3) Do not try to keep them growing indoors for another cycle of flowers. A few bulbs are garden worthy for a few more seasons if planted in the garden – particularly daffodils!

4) Tulips do not do well after forcing! Also discard any bulbs that have been forced in water such as hyacinths or paperwhite narcissus.

5) When the bulbs have finished flowering indoors, remove the flower stem so no energy is wasted trying to produce seed.

6) Move the plant to a sunny location and keep them wet enough so that leaves are able to mature and dry gradually. If spring arrives before the natural ripening process is finished- plant them as they are “in the green”- this is while the foliage is still intact and growing! This is easy and the way I have had the most success.

7) If this is not possible, allow the tops to die away naturally, remove the dry foliage and soil from around the bulbs and store them in a dry place until fall. Plant them outdoors in the garden in the fall when it is the right time for your area.

8) If you have determined disposal is your only option-remember the soil, roots and foliage can be added to your compost pile!

For more information follow this link:
http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/qa/forced-tulip-bulbs.aspx

KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday February 5 2011

2011-02-06T15:25:00.000-08:00

Bonus Time -Second week in a row Co-Hosting with John-so much fun!

Did everyone else already know the darker colored the granite the heavier it is AND more expensive?

It seems very do-able with Affordable Kitchen and Bath's special pricing and deals- and sooo pretty!

I miss you Jim, I do, even if it is hard for listeners to tell!

I was greeted with such a warm welcome-I thought Spring had arrived!

Before the show I was pleased to see Mary Collier's bright smile as we shared our favorite topics-our children- and nature. We both are enjoying changes in our family status - her baby girl just got engaged and my son announced his engagement on Christmas!

During the show we had a busy but good time on air with lots of calls and great experts on hand to answer appliance and remodling questions (oh oo another job list- good thing there is a winter to do all this!)

We did talk answer some plant questions but it was clear- kitchens and baths were the focus for our listeners. I never fail to learn something in our time together- I hope the same is true for our listeners!

Our plant of the week was Amsonia hubrechii - here is a quick link to learn more:

http://www.perennialplant.org/documents/poy2011.pdf

KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday January 29th 2011

2011-01-29T17:06:00.000-08:00

Hostess with the Mostess-Fun

This may be bad English but it is what comes to mind when I think about the great fun at Schnarrs Hardware store with John and Frank this Saturday.

Particularly enjoyed that Dave was sharp and quick with John’s humor- a gift I lack but had me laughing and really enjoying all three hours of our on air time- so much that we never got to our plant of the week! SORRY!

This was my first time to this location and I was truly as impressed with their polite and friendly staff as I was with their assortment of “gee I need this” items on the shelves and hanging.

I also appreciated Frank’s knowledge on every topic we discussed- I went home with a job list –and new friends1

KTRS 550 Inside Out Show Plant of the Week January 22 2011

2011-01-22T13:41:00.000-08:00

Ozark Witchhazel : A Magic Moment Maker

by MaryAnn Fink

Conservation Specialist

This unlikely flowering period is NOT a trick but rather a great winter blooming option!

Sometimes hard to find but easy to appreciate, perhaps the real trick is placement.

Be sure to locate her in the landscape where you can appreciate her sweet confetti like flowers, despite the snow and January’s miserable cold! (It seems I have lost my winter hardiness- cold hurts!)

Although this native shrub does not rely on any secret potion to burst into bloom in the drabbest time of the year, (she does it naturally!), selecting between a cultivar or the straight species for me would be the only “whichy” part!

My best recommendation is to go right now while the sun is shinning and the cold feels almost tolerable to the Missouri Botanical Garden and see for yourself “which” one fits your needs.

Now that there is finally some awareness of this shrub’s durability there is a “ growing interest “ for breeders to work with this species. New hybrid crosses and some selections have brought interesting color variations, even one with somewhat purple foliage.

There is also some bragging rights about flower size and fall color variations. ( so I guess I should recommend another trip in fall if this is important!) Recently a weeping form made it to market. Be sure to take a note pad, pen, map of the Garden and a camera!

There does appear to be some difference in leaf drop as well. Some witch hazels do a better job of showcasing their flowers against clean bare stems but a few have leaves that linger. This makes it difficult to really appreciate the rather small but fun strappy flowers.

If fragrance is an important to you, know that Hamamelis vernalis can have a wonder sweet lemon scent that drifts and hovers in the vicinity of the flowers. I found it easiest to appreciate the delightful fragrance from a short distance in fairly still air. It was nearly impossible to detect with my nose buried in the bush!

Care Factor Rating: 1-2 depending on which form is selected. Ozark witch hazel must be watered regularly till she is established. A moderately slow grower, she maintains her natural branching habit with minimal pruning. Removal of the occasional damaged or dead branch can be done any time of the year.

Because of her look in a natural setting, it might be tempting to want to prune her to encourage a denser branching habit. This seems especially true if in her youth if she appears to be slightly willowy or thinly branched. Use caution, only a light hand is recommended because she is slow growing and usually will develop a naturally dense habit with age if not overcrowded or environmentally challenged.

If over time suckers begin to develop at her base / ground level, consider the space allowance and remove only what is necessary to maintain a visual balance for the space. She is very long lived when well placed and can eventually create a stunning colony if given enough time to mature.

Flowers develop on the old growth so consider only a gently pruning if any soon after flowering to modify her shape. This is best done in the early spring after flowering and before any new growth appears. Usually a conservative approach is recommended.

She is rather newly introduced for use in cultivated space use so placement, applications and pruning management recommendations may differ depending on landscape styles and spaces. At this time there has some creative formative pruning resulting in some espalier forms which will require slightly more pruning management!

All pruning should be delayed till she is past any transplant shock. At that point she may have filled out naturally and not require any pruning. Also remember flowering is likely to be affected with any pruning management approach. As with any shrub, never remove more than 1/3 of the total growth.

KTRS Inside Out Show Plant of the Week January 15 2011

2011-01-17T09:16:00.000-08:00

Amsonia hubrichtii

by MaryAnn Fink

Conservation Specialist

This American native best known as Arkansas Bluestar opened the door for me to this genus, eventually introducing me to rest of this great family of plants that are “doorstep worthy”.

She is a perfect example of an easy beautiful plant for average conditions! With her thread thin soft as silk clean green foliage, she has stood the test of time on my personal “go to” list of work friendly plants for fine texture.

Although she looks delicate, she stands up well to full sun, hot-cold, wet-dry, and humidity without bowing. She is so soft looking that a mature specimen can single handedly creates the relief I need from the monotony of “moderate textured medium green” that monopolizes so many uninspired landscape.

If it is not enough that she looks great from a distance, she also delights my close up viewing urges with a “go ahead you can touch me” invitation that she reissues each year.

By late spring, Amsonia h. completes her misty emerald cloud illusion by adding a bridal veil of “sunrise sky blue” stars that appear to be floating atop her fern-like foliage.

The delicate looking blossoms will eventually fade away, leaving clusters of dangling seed pods that age to cinnamon beige. These can be quickly tip sheered away leaving a fresh tidy appearance to this billowy space holder till fall arrives.

As the cool air strokes her foliage tresses, this multi-season beauty transforms again, now a tousled mass of gold that shines in the sun. Eventually the foliage will age to soft toasted maize and the stems become bare and bent.

In a harsh winter, burdened with snow, her once flexible form typically collapses into a wiry maze. Even in her sleep she works to protect the ground from exposure and erosion till spring calls her name and it all starts again!

Care Factor Rating: 2 During spring clean-up cut back all the old stemage from the previous year and then cut around the crown and through the roots like you are cutting a cake away from its pan. Remove any roots or crown portions that have stretched beyond the designated space for this plant and refill with soil.

To keep her fresh looking, all season, sheer off the top 4-6” of the stem tips. Do this after she flowers! This will remove the faded flowers, redirect energy from seed production to root establishment. Also this encourages upright growth and leaves a nice foliage mound for the rest of the season. It eliminates the normal tip collapse that happens naturally with her seed formation which leaves Amsonia h. with a less attractive “toasted on top” effect.

550 KTRS Inside Out Show Plant of the Week Spotlight Saturday January 8th 2011

2011-01-08T11:03:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year To All!

Spring Fever Is Contagious!

First Symptoms may include excessive mail checking and random reading in unlikely locations. Also scattered thought/ conversa
tion patterns including excessive blog ramblings have been noted!

This is typically preceding and /or following the arrival of 2011 plant catalogs. Duration / cycle can be as short as 2-3 weeks or a chronic condition can develop. Many industry professionals have had this condition for 5 years or longer with permenent side effects evident when two or more infected persons are allowed to gather.

It is not fatal but can become somewhat debilitating to support relationships. This is due to exhaustive componenet of optomistic attitude and unpredicatable drainage of finances. It is often associated with excessive communication anxiety!

Warning all forms of communication can cause any of the symptoms to escalate! (this includes the many electric forms now available such as any laptop with internet access, mobile phones with smart capabilities / downloadable apps. Any and All communications methods are considered possible "spring fever" carriers!

Extreme "blog rambling" example:

New Spotlight Candidates For KTRS Listeners in 2011:

Read more: http://www.colorchoiceplants.com/#ixzz1ATJ5SdAi

Coming soon!

MISS MOLLY Buddleia X ‘Miss Molly' ppaf, cbraf Good Golly Miss Molly! If you think Miss Ruby has awesome flower color - this plant pushes the color spectrum even further with blooms boasting rich hues of dark Sangria-red. Read more: http://www.colorchoiceplants.com/#ixzz1ATJCgDfG

DOUBLE TAKE™ Scarlet Storm Chaenomeles ppaf, cbraf Dark scarlet red camellia-like blooms with a bright yellow center. Flowers in early spring with occasional repeat blooms. Thornless. Read more: http://www.colorchoiceplants.com/#ixzz1ATJUYpQF

SUGARTINA™ Crystalina Clethra alnifolia ’Crystalina’ patent 21,561 cbraf An improved dwarf selection developed by NC State with attractive glossy, dark green leaves and an abundance of fragrant flowers. NATIVE: North America. Read more: http://www.colorchoiceplants.com/#ixzz1ATJavEU8

LITTLE LIME™ Hydrangea paniculata ‘Jane’ ppaf, cbraf A new dwarf form of the ever popular ‘Limelight’ Hydrangea. Little Lime Hydrangea sports the same great flowers and coloration as Limelight but at one third the size you can fit it in any spot in your garden. It blooms regardless of climate, soil, pH or pruning. Read more: http://www.colorchoiceplants.com/#ixzz1ATJoxwKp

QUICK FIRE™ Hydrangea paniculata ‘Bulk’, patent #16,812 cbraf A breakthrough plant that blooms more than a month earlier than other varieties. It turns to a rich deep pink before ‘Pink Diamond’ even begins to show flowers. It blooms regardless of climate, soil, pH or pruning. AWARDS: SNA Blue Ribbon - Best New Plant Read more: http://www.colorchoiceplants.com/#ixzz1ATJwss2H

SUNNY BOULEVARD™ Hypericum k. ‘Deppe’, patent #20,045, cbraf This tightly branched shrub is noted for its long bloom time, beginning in July and continuing until September. The flowers are a rich yellow and numerous. Read more: http://www.colorchoiceplants.com/#ixzz1ATK4Zgkz

by MaryAnn Fink

Conservation Specialist

KTRS 550 Inside Out Show Plant of the Week Saturday December 18 2010

2010-12-20T14:40:00.000-08:00

American holly (Ilex opaca)

by MaryAnn Fink

Conservation specialist

The classic American holly is native to southeastern Missouri.
She is truly one of Missouri’s most beautiful evergreen trees. Her strong upright posture, cheery red berries and spiny leaves create a perfect backdrop for a winter wonderland setting.

Her eventual broad base and her casually irregular shape develops over time. At maturity, these attributes lend an informal, pleasantly relaxed aspect to the landscape. Although her growth rate is considered slow in cultivation, she is dependable and long lived with minimum care.

When she is pruned hard regularly to a defined shape, she can become overstressed and lose some of her appeal. In a preferred setting with deep sandy soil, good drainage and adequate moisture she can potentially reach shade tree status. At a better than fair height of 35-45’ tall, she can carry a significant “wow” factor! If this is the goal, plan for her significant width as well! (Plant for at 10’ base minimum for adequate spacing. If a cultivar or selection is chosen, requirements may differ.

The American holly can be either male or female, but only the female will have berries. Both sexes must be present to ensure fruiting. The fruiting age varies with each tree. Berry production has been reported to occur as early as 3 years and as late as 9 years. The quantity of berries also varies from year to year. Individual tree’s production cycles normally vary from year to year. Also weather conditions, environmental stress and pollinator proximity are factors. Pruning can also decrease or eliminate fruiting as well. Choose trees at time of purchase with at least some fruit if berries are desirable for ornamentation or as food source for birds. Many song birds find holly berries very attractive!

Care Factor Rating: 2-3 This is a naturally steady grower but she does require regular watering year round in order to look and grow her best. Like most evergreens, expect to give her routine care during her establishment period. This is typically at least a minimum of 2 full years and possibly 3 years.

She must be watered regularly till established. Soil testing is recommended before planting to prepare the soil and periodically to be sure iron remains at an available level.
She does tolerate heavy pruning but does not perform her best under those conditions. Given optimal space and conditions and expect optimal results!

If allowed to grow naturally, her “care factor rating drops from 3 to 2 as pruning becomes minimal but her primary need for moisture will continue for the life of the tree for optimal appearance and performance. This makes proper placement critical! She can be very drought tolerant after she has established but is not as likely to look her best.

She is frequently listed as deer resistant however I would say “deer tolerant” is a better description. A well established tree suffering from some visibility issues because of natural pruning can be” prune managed” gently. Heavy and repeated browsing can greatly affect her aesthetic appeal. Fencing and deer repellants are frequently recommended.

By far, the most common cause of yellowing and leaf drop is the loss of older leaves that occurs every spring, just before, and during the development of new growth. So the next time you notice yellow leaves on your holly trees, take a moment to consider the time of year. If it’s springtime, chances are the condition is normal, seasonal and temporary, and no cause for concern.

Extreme winter cold, especially bouts of sub-zero temperatures, can cause yellowing in some years. On rarer occasions any of several leaf-spotting diseases may be the culprit. Their damage is more likely to be cosmetic, rather than life-threatening. More commonly, a lengthy period of drought during the heat of summer can contribute to considerable yellowing and premature loss of leaves.

Newly planted hollies are most vulnerable to drought injury, and should be watered weekly, beginning in early summer and fall. Winter watering will be “as needed” but does require monitoring the soil moisture.

Personal Christmas Message Friends and Family

2010-12-17T13:43:00.000-08:00

I do consider myself a “senior” these days and am wearing my graying hair proudly as a sign of the changes that have brought me to this point in my life.

I heard this senior version of the children’s song, “Jesus Loves Me,” read on the Bott Radio station the other day and wanted to share it.

http://www.bottradionetwork.com/about/the-complete-story/index.php ,

The words brought to mind the challenges we face as we age.

It also caused me to pondered Noah’s story. God “worked” him and blessed him and his family in his senior years.

It made me consider that as I mature, the complexities of knowing God for me at least has become much greater.

A few of my elder friends have been great witnesses. As they have become increasing aware that their days are numbered- I acknowledge so are mine.

Noah’s blessing/ burden was complicated, intense, specific, time oriented and outwardly evident ( it never said anywhere that he hid his ark! So I quit hiding my gray!)

And my favorite part, Noah's blessing was inclusive: Noah’s family benefited from Noah’s rightousness and relationship with God. I have been blessed through my family, especially through my sisters, and especially Joanne, who cradled a little lamb like this in her arms and played this song so many times in her last days. I pray now that God blesses my family in their time of need.

As this celebration of the Holy Night approaches, my prayer is that all my family and my “Family in Christ” is blessed.

Thank you to all who have crossed my path for being any part of my life!

( humm the tune and read the words- oh they are so true!)

JESUS LOVES ME
Jesus loves me, this I know,Though my hair is white as snow.Though my sight is growing dim,Still He bids me trust in Him.

(CHORUS)

Yes, Jesus loves me!Yes, Jesus loves me.Yes, Jesus loves me!The Bible tells me so.
Though my steps are oh, so slow,With my hand in His I’ll goOn through life, let come what may,He’ll be there to lead the way.

(CHORUS)

Though I am no longer young,I have much which He’s begun.Let me serve Christ with a smile,Go with others the extra mile.

(CHORUS)

When the nights are dark and long,In my heart He puts a song.Telling me in words so clear,“Have no fear, for I am near.”

(CHORUS)

When my work on earth is done,And life’s victories have been won.He will take me home above,Then I’ll understand His love

(CHORUS)

I love Jesus , does He know?Have I ever told Him so?Jesus loves to hear me say,That I love Him every day.
(Author unknown)

Thank you also to those who offered verse and web pages for these verses that address my aging issues-I hope I got them right!

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. Psalm 37:25.

Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth. Psalm 71:9.
O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. Psalm 71: 17-18.

Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. Psalm 92:13-15.

Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. Psalm 148: 12-13.

The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head. Proverbs 20:29.

The hoary (silver or grey) head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. Proverbs 16:31.

KTRS 550 Inside Out Show Plant of the Week for Saturday December 11 2010

2010-12-12T09:46:00.000-08:00

Boxwood 'Green Mountain'

MaryAnn Fink

Conservation Specialist

copyright 2010

Thank Goodness 'Green Mountain' Boxwood is an evergreen shrub that can tolerate St. Louis’s weather extremes, at least fairly well!

This boxwood is hardier that many boxwoods currently available. He seems to suffer less from winter burn, stem dieback and insect and disease issues. He also has an even growth habit that helps him recover quickly even if he does suffer some tip burn.

Finally we have a boxwood that seems able to avoid having that stagnant, shrinking, straggly misshaped form that so many older cultivars have eventually develop in the St. Louis area from year after year of heavy pruning management.

Too many boxwoods eventually succumb to VID (Visual Iimpact Decline). This is a condition that develops from the inability for most boxwoods to grow fast enough or evenly enough to compensate from the almost annual removal of winter burned branches and the various degrees of clean up pruning needed for insect infestation control.

To his credit, Bowood ‘Green Mountain’ shows some resistance to these “ills” and issues. His dense branching and slow but even new growth in all directions makes confident clean up pruning possible since the end result is a ‘still attractive” evergreen foundation choice for most if not all year!

His youthful growth rate is comparable to his mature growth rate, fairly slow. This is a benefit once he is installed, but a testimony to the patience of nursery growers.

At time of purchase look for him to already be in a well rounded globe shape. This gives him a pleasant yet classic profile, perfect for holiday lighting ( still with at least a few shoots available for greenery trimming) His well defined ball shape also makes him an easy starter plant for teaching beginning landscapers to “visualize” the base shape and to use it a guide for pruning.

He is also less commonly available in a delightful pyramidal form. Both styles compliment a manicured landscape, however take note he is also able to adapt to a more selective pruning style that eventually reveals his naturally handsome personality! I like to see boxwoods “grown out”. Over time they can become one of the most graceful strikingly handsome shrubs in the landscape.

He grows best in a sunny to partially shaded area protected from wind with evenly moist, well-drained soil. Although his growth habit is slow, it is steady. He shows natural vigor in both upward and spreading directions so with minimal pruning, he has the potential to reach a significant size of 5-7' tall and wide!

Care Factor Rating: 3 This is a naturally compact boxwood that must be watered regularly till established. He does not require heavy pruning and performs his best went given optimal space and conditions. If allowed to grow out pruning care drops to very minimal and his primary need becomes consistant but not heavy, year round watering. He can be very drought tolerant but is not as likely to look his best. He is also somewhat deer resistant, non-invasive and a good protection option from weather and predators for small song birds. A native option with a slightly simular look is inkberry- a personal favorite!

He needs only a gentle hand for clipping to look his best. Although he is generally tolerant of pruning and shearing, it should never be done before the last spring frost date.

Hard pruning late in the summer / fall stimulates growth which is particularly susceptible to winter damage. Pruning too early in the spring also stimulates growth that may be severely damaged or killed by a late spring frost. Wait till spring frosts are no longer a danger and new growth is evident and just do a two step trimming.

The first trim, keep it gentle, trimming only to clean up winter damage and a light shaping. The second trimming can be a slightly harder prune if maintaining a certain size is the goal. Do this second shaping pruning before summer heat- probably best last week of May or first week of June.

The typically performed late summer/ fall trim becomes risky if it is more than a light tipping. Several light trimmings through the season is best. Late season hard pruning sometimes stimulates growth that is easily damaged by weather extremes!

Also be aware that boxwoods naturally have shallow roots that can dry out ANY TIME OF THE YEAR! Water regularly all year and plan to cultivate only lightly near the shrub base . Keep a light layer of bark / compost mulch ( but no more than 1-2”) year round.

Remove dead/damaged branches can be removed any time during the growing season.

Winter winds can remove moisture from leaves at a rapid rate, often resulting in dehydration. Leaf damage is evident by a range of burned appearances. This can range anywhere from a darkening or “bronzing” to a tan dry “toasted” appearance. Whatever doesn’t recover can be removed in the first of the season pruning.

(Also remember to carefully remove any heavy snow accumulations as quickly as practical. Brittle frozen stems are susceptible to stem/branch damage.)

For those interested in B. ‘Green Mountain’s’ background history, his parents are thought to be the sweet little B. sempervirens 'Suffruticosa' (female) a very dwarf compact boxwood and the larger, more manly B. sinica var. insularis (male). B. ‘Green Mountain’ clearly picked up some of the best traits of both his parents.

A few other boxwoods likely to perform well in St. Louis if properly sited are listed below with links:

Buxus semperviren 'Suffruticosa'
Buxus 'Green Velvet'
Buxus sinica var. insularis 'Winter Gem'

Buxus sempervirens 'Vardar Valley'

KTRS Inside Out Show Plant of the Week November 27 2010

2010-11-27T14:44:00.000-08:00

Happy Holly Days

Ilex x meserveae ‘Castle Spire’

MaryAnn Fink

Conservation Specialist

Castle Spire is a new variety of Ilex x meserveae. This “blue holly” is reported to have good vigor for the extremes of Missouri. Although she was selected especially for her tight dense growth and her narrow upright silhouette, it is her well developed branching that catches the eye. This is a notable improvement for this type of holly!

She has an above average shape formed by her dense branching. She looks natural and balanced as she showcases her bountiful dark foliage. Her forest green complexion accentuates the brightness of her cheery red berries.

It might be tempting to bring her home to be a “one and only” because she will surely slip into even some tight spots with ease. But, resist the urge and instead consider massing her in a staggered grouping. Strategically placed along with a few other “winter showy” performers, she could easily anchor a serene snow-scape. She is pretty enough to be the featured in a living art vignette that would provide the needed structure / “bones” for a year round bird sanctuary!

Her placement is critical for maximum enjoyment! Choose your most visible location for her to be framed by your favorite window. She is furniture rearrangement worthy! Plan for maximum viewing pleasure from a warm and comfy spot!

Care Factor Rating: 1 This naturally narrow compact upright holly must be watered regularly till established. She does not require pruning when given proper space. She appreciates a gentle hand for the only occasional / random shoot trimming! Pruning at any time might affect her berry production!

Bonus tip
Design Suggestion: Consider a beautiful set of triplets in a staggered grouping end-capped with a strong Colorado blue spruce. Like a red Christmas ribbon that weaves through the grouping lace them together with several Red Twig Dogwoods ‘Cardinal’. Back-dropped all of these “pretties” with ‘Red Sprite’ and one ‘Jim Dandy’ deciduous hollies. (Hide him mostly behind the Blue Spruce since he is not so showy!)

Trim out the front edge of this winter fantasy collection with a few evergreen perennials such as Christmas fern. Finally, add a pretty bird bath. For the most wildlife friendly and natural look, consider a year round water feature, such as a phantom fountain that runs all winter with a short bird friendly creek bed!

(Use CASTLE WALL™ somewhere in the landscape as the pollinator for ‘Castle Spire’)

A Few of My Favorite Things (Can you hear me humming tune from Sound of Music?)
Castle Spire Holly Ilex x meserveae (new to me favorite)
Cornus ‘Cardinal’ Red-Twig Dogwood ( Long Time Fav)
Ilex verticillata ‘Red Sprite’ and ‘Jim Dandy’ (Deciduous Holly) (So showy-so easy)
Colorado Blue Spruce. (Picea pungens) (Ahhh)
Bird bath / water feature ( a must for me: always make wildlfe gardening a habit (tat)

KTRS %%) INside Out Show Plant of the Week Noember 21

2010-11-20T10:02:00.000-08:00

Beautyberry

Callicarpa dichotoma is a non-native cousin of our American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), qualifying it as another one of my favorite shrubs!

This pretty pastel berried relative has many cultivar names- all with the same common name of beautyberry. It is clear that good looks run in the family and a reminder of how important it is to know botanical names when searching for plants!

This beautyberry is a small stature soft stemmed fountain shaped shrub. She does stay considerably shorter that her native cousin. This is partially because of her thin “oh so nimble” canes that bow to the point of nearly touching the ground when fully burdened with fruit and full leaf.

Her canes, if pruned off at the base and laid out flat on the ground could conceivably be 5’ or longer but because of her relaxed posture, she frequently reaches a growing height under 4' tall. This does mean she extends her width by season’s end. Allow some extra room for her mature full figure. Her cascading fountain shape needs to flex comfortably to look her best!

Summer catches her making a very girly effort to dress up. She sports a repeated series of small Barbie-doll bouquets of lavender rose in her leaf axils all along her wiry stems. These are attractive to butterflies and pollinators! (She is a distant relative of lantana and verbena!)

These flowers then become her “beautyberries. Her gracefully flexed willowy branches flaunt her beaded clusters of amethyst fruit as if she is posing for a “best dressed” red carpet award!

These clusters of pastel purple berries are then chilled to perfection, deepening to vivid violet. This is accentuated first by her “oh so yellow” leaves and then by her tawny bare naked stems. Such a beauty!

These berries typically remain intact for several weeks becoming a song bird treat with minimal mess!

Care Factor Rating: 2 She must be watered regularly until established but after that she is very drought tolerant. She performs best when given a hard pruning to near ground level (leave 3-6” of growth) Do this each spring before leaf bud breaks.

She is a slow to moderate growing cane shrub like many of our best performer. This means she spreads gradually by increasing from the crown / base by producing new shoots from the base annually. This makes her a perfect choice for low hedge or part of a screen grouping. If her individual personality is to remain defined, consider limiting the basal area / spread of this shrub in early spring before the leaves develop. Beautyberry is mostly disease and pest free. Flowering and fruiting are best when several are planted together!

KTRS 550 Inside Out Show Bonus Tip Details How To Water Your Newly Planted Tree

2010-11-20T09:51:00.000-08:00

This is my recomendations if you have just planted a decidious tree in the last week. Of course you did water at the time of installtion per my earlier instructions Now, 5-7 days after planting your tree, you will need to establish a moisture checking routine.

I did my "after planting the tree" post planting check after ourt first watering to check to see how well the water had penetrated and dispersed within the tree's root zone.

I recomend doing this within the first 24 hours since the most serious damage to roots after installation happens when the roots of the tree closest to the edge of the root ball dries down too much!

Dry roots can cause signifacant damage. Keep in mind even though there are no leaves present on your tree to use up the water, the water will drain away or be "wick away" as it saturates the surrounding soil. The surface moisture also evaporates- so there are many ways to lose root moisture so don't be surprised if your tree needs water!

In our situation we were very dry before planting so we did a 50 Count initially. We rechecked in 24 hours and did an additional 25 count watering protocal with satisfactory penetration in the root zone. ( the only way to know that is to dig down 6-8" at the mulch edge and feel the soil!)

In a perfect world, it would have been nice to have been watering the entire area all fall a minimum of 1/2-1" of water weekly this would help us balance the mosture needs faster and easier, perhaps with less water)

We are now doing a every 5 day check for the next couple of weeks to get to know our site. If the top 6-8' of the soil around the root ball is dry to the touch- we will water!

As starters we are doing a "75 Count Watering Procedure". This may reduce to 50 or even 25 depending on our weather and percipitation. We recieved less than 1/4" the other night- not enough to even count!

See the instructions below for how is how to do this!

75 Count Watering Procedure:

Counting to 75 slowly with the hose running at a moderate rate.

Starting with the stream of water close to the trunk and water in a gradually widening circle till you have watered all the way to the edge of the tree mulch edge- then reduce the circle of water size till you are back to watering near the trunk again. Do this repeatedly as you count slowly to 75. It should only take 1-2 minutes to moisten the root ball and the surrounding soil. (I prefer to remove the hose nozzel to reduce the water stream force)

Please note you will need to be watering your tree throughout the winter as needed. Also remember to disconnect your hose from your faucet between watering!

(see general guidlines posted earlier )

KTRS 550 Inside Out Show Bonus Tip Watering Fall Planted Tree

2010-11-14T12:12:00.000-08:00

TREE WATERING GUIDE FOR FALL PLANTED TREES

By MaryAnn Fink
Conservation Specialist
Copyright 2010

Water is the most important thing for a new tree. All plants need to be watered for at least the first full year, the first 3 summers and in times of prolong drought.

The following is a suggested guide for how to water a deciduous tree planted in the fall- particularly this fall 2010 which has been so dry! (Deciduous trees are trees that lose their leaves! Typically all leaves have been shed before planting day)

Please note that these are just my guidelines based on a few of Frisella Nursery's suggestions and with my own explainations and recommendations. Adjustments may still have to be made depending on your specific site and soil-check with me via my website if you have any questions.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL FALL PLANTED TREES NEED TO BE WATERED BEFORE PLANTING AND AGAIN WITHIN THE FIRST 24 HOURS OF WHEN THEY ARE PLANTED REGARDLESS OF HOW WET THE GROUND.

THIS IS TO REMOVE LARGE AIR VOIDS IN THE SURROUNDING SOIL AND BALANCE THE MOISTURE BETWEEN THE NEW SOIL and SITE AND THE ESTABLISHED ROOT BALL / ZONE.

The time between watering after the initial watering will vary depending on your soil, so checking the trees about every 5-7 days is recommended.

The best way to check is to actually dig down about 8 to 10" along the side of the root ball (or about 8-10” away from the trunk). Check the soil of the root ball at that depth; if wet do not water but go ahead and recheck again the next day,

If dry water the tree again and then keep checking the tree about every 5 days, and if slightly moist check in 7 days again. After several times of checking a schedule develops and you know about how long it takes for your tree to dry.

During the fall, the roots are still active and so still need moisture but the quantity is less than when the tree is leafing out in the spring and during the summer when it is maintaining a full canopy of leaves.

Water is naturally drains or is wicked away by the constantly changing moisture levels in the surrounding soil but the root zone will still need moisture until the roots have extended beyond the original root space. As a tree’s roots develop they become an extensive moisture collecting network. A thriving mature tree can and will compete for available moisture but it takes time to become established!

FALL PLANTING TIME IS September – December! Depends on the amount of rainfall we receive and how long the plants have been in the ground your watering will need to be customized to your site. Generally speaking the time between watering does become more spaced out as we reach the coldest part of winter time.

TIP FOR EVERYBODY: A deep watering in late in fall helps all plants go through winter by protecting them from freezing dry.

WINTER :( December - February) Watering is necessary in this time frame because we have had a dry fall. Also if we have a dry winter (sometimes we are very cold but with little snow!). If that is the case a slow watering on mild days (45 to 50 degrees) will be required!

It is not uncommon for trees planted in heavy clay to occasionally go 2 to 3 weeks between watering, especially in a “wet” fall and winter when rain and snow are plentiful and there are no leaves to be maintained.

(PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT WATERING PROTOCAL WILL CHANGE IN THE SPRING ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR NEW TREE IS PUSHING OUT ITS NEW LEAVES AND AGAIN WHEN THE SEASON PROGRESSES. NEVER ASSUME A TREE NEEDS OR DOESN’T NEED WATER ALWAYS CHECK. MANY TREES WILL LOOK WILTED WHEN THEY ARE TOO DRY, TOO WET, OR TOO HOT. DO NOT ASSUME THAT IT NEEDS WATER; YOU WILL HAVE TO DIG DOWN AND CHECK THE SOIL!

PLEASE NOTE: EACH TREE IS DIFFERENT AND EACH INDIVIDUAL TREE MAY USE WATER DIFFERENTLY THEN SURRONDING PLANTS, SPOT WATERING MAY BE NEEDED DURING THE GROWING SEASON FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS!

Thank you Frisella Nursery's Adan Briagas and Morgan's newly planted Magnolia 'Shiraz' for posing for this snapshot!

550 KTRS Inside Out Show Plant of the Week November 13 2010

2010-11-13T14:51:00.000-08:00

Vanderwolf' Pine (Pinus flexilis 'Vanderwolf's Pyramid')

by MaryAnn Fink

Conservation Specialist

copyright 2010

Vanderwolf' Pine, sometimes called Limber pine is a choice selection of a U.S. native pine found primarily at high elevations. Despite his thin air preference, he seems to be fairly adaptable to our heavier, more humid conditions and tolerant of the rocky and lean soils sometimes found in Missouri.

Although this pine could easily reach a mature size of 25-60’ in his natural conditions, he is more likely to feel the stress of our different climate and weather shifts and respond by growing more slowly and perhaps mature at 18-25’ height with half as much width.

Introduced in 1972, he is still not widely planted in Missouri. This makes it difficult to estimate any long range predictions for his cultivated life span in St. Louis, but it is safe to say it is probably much shorter than in his natural conditions. Some estimates are as much as 15 years plus or longer.

When well sited he is reported to be healthy and a very positive contributor to the landscape. He has a soft blue-green appearance at a distance but as you approach him, his beautiful two-tone needles cluster becomes apparent. This gives him the unique ability to be the transitional player between the solid blue tones of a blue spruce or the softening anchor for the emerald greens of Juniper ‘Sea Green’ or ‘Keteleeri’. For color play consider using him as the blender between several different shades of greens and blues!

P. ‘Vanderwolf’ could be the "Ambassador for Diversity" in the landscape for a new and interesting way to create an informal screen. He has a fairly straight posture but rather asymmetrical to the ground branching. This creates a naturally relaxed pose / loose screening that gives some privacy while still allowing light and air flow.

Vanderwolf' Pine will grow best in full sun and average soil. He does require good drainage and even moisture year round. (Yes –this means you will need to water on mild days during the winter) He is not tolerant of consistently or even occasionally soggy soil!

To view him growing locally, visit Missouri Botanical Garden. Also there are some nice examples at Powell Gardens in the Kansas City region, a particularly healthy one is growing near one of their trolley stops. I was so impressed with his tolerance for the nearly constant drying winds they have year round. (better than me-it can be cooling but also exhausting to be so wind whipped!) He appears to be happy there, adapting and growing well with beautiful healthy needles!

Care Factor Rating: 2 He does want to form a stabilizing taproot even at a young age so transplanting him when he is young is preferred. Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Although watering can be reduced after establishment, he will still need water during the winter and during seasonal dry periods. No pruning is recommended!

photo curtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder

KTRS 550 Inside Out Show Plant of the Week November 6 2010

2010-11-07T12:25:00.000-08:00

Nyssa sylvatica ‘Wildfire’

by MaryAnn Fink

Conservation Specialist

He is the offspring of Missouri’s native Nyssa (Black gum) which has a rich heritage of a persistent population on both Missouri’s dry rocky slopes and the southern lowlands.

This natural population demonstrates the versatility needed to thrive in Missouri’s ever changing seasons, but this new cultivar also has fall color that rival the intensity of any Maple. Finnally a tree that has both native endurance and the main stream public’s desire for ornamental attributes!

This cultivar / selection is quite adaptable to the wide range of soil types typically encountered in urban situations including clay, inconsistent moisture levels and poor drainage- this make him a good choice for the average yardener. He is also likely to catch the trained designer's eye of landscape architects who demand picture pretty options. Even municipalities struggling for more "storm water friendly" choices will like his ability to “fit the bill” as a thriving filter option for long term use! (Can you say “rain gardens”?)

Although this cultivar is new to the market, it appears that N. ‘Wildfire already has his fan club! Those who love unique foliage coloration will think this handsome offspring of “Nyssa-The King of Color” will appreciate his "bonus feature": his new growth is notably red-tipped. Eventually as the growth matures it turns a wonderful shade of forest green)

Growers are already giving him rave reviews. I suppose it is only a matter of time before he will run the risk of being over planted by tree connoisseurs who have finally found the perfect tree! I admit he looks to be “the answer” for difficult sites that “must have” multi-seasonal attributes. He doesn't need pruning so he is also likely to be on the top of the list for the energy conscious as well!

He is predicted to have a tamer habit and somewhat smaller build than his wild relatives. This makes him acceptable for the smaller spaces where the common species might be crowed.

Size and growth factors do vary in climates and growing conditions. At this early point in his career, he is anticipated to have at least a slow to moderate growth rate, with the potential of reaching 20-30’ feet in 10 to 15 years. His estimated mature size seem to vary considerably depending on information sources but expect a spread less than half his height in perfect situations. His profile is frequently compared to being similar to pin oak. His lowest limbs may eventually need to be removed for street clearance, depending on the tree and the site situation.

N. ‘Wildfire’ certainly has a flair for color but he also has his parent’s straight upright form so he can play the role of a featured specimen in a formal setting or be used in casual landscape. He is actually so good looking, that he perfect whenever more is better!He is also the “new option” for edging the transition zone into an existing tree community. Consider planting your own woodland sanctuary with him as a main component. He is as truly as handsome as he is versatile!

He does produce rather small, greenish-white flowers that most consider " insignificant." Both male and female flowers are present on the same tree but only the female blossoms become nectar-packed energy drinks for our important beneficial pollinators. If ideal Midwest weather occurs, these modest little flowers are replaced by small persistent energy snack fruits that are attractive to song birds. This makes him perfect for both urban situations , municipal park use and habitat freindly green spaces.

Care Factor Rating: 1 He must be watered regularly till established. He has a naturally straight trunk that supports well balanced, well spaced and angled branching so minimal pruning if any is needed! Remove only the occasional damaged or dead branch) N. 'Wildfire' also appears to be less susceptible to leaf spot.

image curtesty of Missouri Botanical Garden

KTRS 550 Inside Out Show Plant of the Week October 30 2010

2010-10-30T12:44:00.000-07:00

Ilex verticillata’ Nana’ (but also fondly known as ‘Red Sprite’)

by MaryAnn Fink

Conservation Specialist

copyright 2010

This is a well rounded small slow growing female shrub that is truly an easy addition to the landscape and a real end of season show off! Although her common name winterberry is easy to remember, it is important to note her profuse red berries are extremely attractive in fall AND winter, (perhaps we should start a renaming campaign for Fallberry! Never mind, I am tired of all campaigning!!!!)

Her most notable feature is the way her framework is truly berry “laden.” It is hard to imagine how so many berries can develop so close together! Her simple green leaves are very pleasant but they are easily forgotten once they slip to the ground exposing her “berry nice” branches. She is truly worth remembering!

She is never a messy shrub. Her berries remain intact and attractive well after the winter holidays. Eventually after several freeze / thaw cycles, the berries become a slightly softened treat for hungry song birds.

Ilex verticillata’ is a perfect choice for foundation planting or low hedging. Place her where ever compact mature height is a consideration but maximum impact is a necessity!

She is a selection of our Missouri native holly, so she is happy with average soil and variable moisture levels. This deciduous holly (remember this means she drops her leaves) naturally tolerates sites with drainage issues. Choose her where “pretty” is important, habitat friendly is desirable and where soil erosion might become a problem. She is perfect for rain gardens, but she is also fairly drought tolerant, once establish!

She does produce flowers but they are relatively inconspicuous to everyone except her male companion I. ‘Jim Dandy. He needs to be planted near by to insure good pollination and profuse berry production. Generally only one male winterberry is needed for pollinating 9-10 female 'Nana' plants.

Care Factor Rating: 2 Winterberry must be watered regularly till established. She does not require pruning when given adequate space! Flowers and berries develop on the new growth so gently prune her to shape in the early spring before new growth appears. Never ever remove more than 1/3 of the total growth on any shrub. at any time! (If you are having to do this- you have a misplaced shrub!) Otherwise remove only the occasional damaged or dead branch any time of the year.

This is a cane shrub that spreads by increasing from the crown / base by producing new shoots from the base annually. This makes her a perfect choice for hedge use or screening. If her individual personality is to remain defined, consider limiting the basal area / spread of this shrub in early spring before the leaves develop. In drier garden soils, she tends to form a tight well defined clump with some basal sprouting that can easily be removed at pruning time.

There are many hybrid cultivars and normal genetic variation available on the market today and more being introduced every year so be sure to do some research and check with local experts for cultural details for this area ! This plant can range in heights from 3 feet to15 feet depending on specific selections. The width of the plant is also variable.

Here are some of my other favorite cultivars. I have included their links:

Ilex 'Sparkleberry' - winterberryIlex verticillata - winterberryIlex verticillata 'Afterglow' - winterberryIlex verticillata 'Cacapon' - winterberryIlex verticillata 'Maryland Beauty' - winterberryIlex verticillata 'Nana' RED SPRITE - winterberry Plant of Merit Ilex verticillata 'Spriber' BERRY NICE - winterberryIlex verticillata 'Winter Gold' - winterberryIlex verticillata 'Winter Red' - winterberry

image curtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder

KTRS 550 Inside Out Show Plant of the Week Saturday October 23 2010 ITEA HENRY'S GARNET

2010-10-23T21:18:00.000-07:00

by MaryAnn Fink
Conservation Specialist
copyright 2010

This is a cultivar of the Missouri native, Sweetspire. He is a hardy well rounded adaptable shrub that is native to many states. He is notable for his significant flower display and fragrant sweet honey-like scent. Itea is most impressive in the landscape when he reaches his mature height of 3-4' .

He has many pleasant features. His simple leaf shape and forest green foliage is naturally attractive even when there is the frequent seasonal extremes. The fact that his greenery remains clean and disease free, creates a perfect backdrop for his sweet, tickle my chin clusters of starry fragrant flowers in early summer as well as a perfect canvas to display Autumn’s full color palate. Itea ends the season with a strong finish in deep jewel tones of garnet, hence the name!

The bonus feature is the leaves remain intact till late fall –sometimes even early winter! This is much longer than many other deciduous shrubs, including burning bush! This particular cultivar selection I. ‘Henry’s Garnet’ is touted to have superior fall color than the straight species.

Itea is easy to grow in average soil and conditions. This includes medium to wet, well-drained soil. He grows best in full sun but is very adaptable to light shade conditions. Lower lighting may cause fall color to be slightly less intense or delayed . Flowering is impacted some with lower light levels and extremely dry conditions.

I. ‘Henry’s Garnet’ is a great hedge or transitional choice for a formal landscape that need to "relax a little" as it nears its perimeters. His multi-season casual good looks are also a plus when used as a foundation plant or featured shrub in easy care landscapes, woodland gardens or even green spaces that are focused on butterfly and habitating. Itea is especially nice at the edge of ponds or as the mainstay in rain garden designs.

Care factor Rating: 2 No deadheading is necessary after flowering unless personal preference. Reseeding is not an issue. Maintain moisture levels is necessary while establishing, but he is drought tolerant once well establish (flower and color are best when given adequate moisture) He does like to spread outward from his base, but he is controllable and well mannered when given boundaries.

This is a cane shrub that spreads by increasing from the crown / base by producing new shoots from the base annually. If his individual personality is to remain defined, once he is established, the basal area’s spread can be limited to the desired space in early spring.

Remove any excess shoots with a pruning saw and then cut around the base with a sharp shovel and remove any excess root and woody material. Replace-refill any hole area created with fresh soil to protect the exposed freshly cut roots. This activity will control the gradual but natural expansion of the primary clump. Maintaining base area spread for each individual shrub to a minimum of 2-3 feet wide will permit the individual shrub to remain visually balanced by keeping the height and width somewhat equal. If a continuous hedge desired- only limit the side borders.

Since the Itea’s tendency to colonize, consider establishing a few very choice well placed specimens as stock plants / parents and use the removed new growth as babies/ /pups for developing other areas in landscape ( or as nice give-a ways for friends)

Image curtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder

Sharing A Time of Thankfulness and Blessings

2010-10-22T06:57:00.000-07:00

I am not sure who here on earth keeps track of all our losses- especially recently with losing my baby sister Joanne last year and my only brother John last month, but this week I also celebrated Rachael's life- in my womb and my heart.

It is a precious time each year when I very consciously think about the private importance of her in my life 29 years ago. We lost her at 41 weeks, less than a month before our 1st wedding anniversary. I never experienced such grief before, it is different but similar in some ways to the way I am experiencing my personal loss of Joanne.

All of my immediate family commemorates this time differently, I am blessed with phone calls from family and special friends like Angie who also experienced the loss of a baby and a special intimacy with Michael who carries his heart pain quietly.

This year I want my adult children to know I pray for them daily. I have been spending precious little time with all of them these days as they hurry through life. I am blessed to be a grandparent for the first time because of my youngest daughter Holly. As she experiences the gift of life and joy of parenting for the first time, I reflected back with her about this unique loss of our beautiful and perfect baby, Rachael-her sister, this made it a new experience for me.

It was no coincidence that Focus on the Family, one of my favorite Christian radio shows that broadcasts at 7am--just when my alarm clock goes on in the morning gave me strength. They were featuring Amy and Todd Smith (singing group: Selah) Although they were sharing a much more recent loss, I felt like I knew exactly they way they felt about their baby except I felt it all in the last two days of my pregnancy.

As the show ended today they ended with this song written about their little girl-finally my feelings have words and a melody! Here are the lyrics, the link to the song and to the broadcasts-I am so blessed!

I Will Carry You

There were photographs I wanted to take
Things I wanted to show you
Sing sweet lullabies, wipe your teary eyes
Who could love you like this
People say that I am brave but I'm not
Truth is I'm barely hanging on
But there's a greater story
Written long before me
Because He loves you like this
So I will carry you
While your heart beats here
Long beyond the empty cradle
Through the coming years
I will carry youAll my life
And I will praise the One Who's chosen me
To carry youSuch a short time
Such a long roadAll this madness
But I knowThat the silence
Has brought me to His voice
And He says...
I've shown her photographs of time beginning
Walked her through the parted seas
Angel lullabies, no more teary eyes
Who could love her like this
I will carry you
While your heart beats here
Long beyond the empty cradle
Through the coming yearsI will carry you
All your life
And I will praise the One Who's chosen Me
To carry you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLuaGiu73jc October 21, 2010:Choosing Life in the Midst of an Adverse Pregnancy (Part 1 of 2) October 22, 2010:Choosing Life in the Midst of an Adverse Pregnancy (Part 2 of 2)

KTRS 550 Inside Out Show PLant of the Week October 16 2010

2010-10-16T15:22:00.000-07:00

Ginkgo biloba 'Autumn Gold'

by MaryAnn Fink
Conservation Specialist
copyright 2010

Ginkgo biloba 'Autumn Gold' is a selection of my favorite and easiest to identify tree. He is classified as a deciduous (leaf dropping) conifer (a true gymnosperm).

His distinct, double-lobed, fan-shaped leaves form a well distributed canopy throughout his beautiful almost symmetrical branching. His posture is tall, upright, lean, and strong. His demeanor is proud as if he is aware of the importance of his survivorship since prehistoric times.

'Autumn Gold' is a male cultivar that grows at a moderate rate in his youth but like many of us slows down with age. He is likely to reach his mature height of 35-40' before the inevitable but endearing widening to his mature yet pleasing 20-30’ spread!

His foliage signals the onset of autumn, with a blast of gold that gleams like a well polished French horn. In the forefront of a clear blue cloudless sky, this gingko plays a spectacular solo or blends as needed in a well orchestrated landscape!

The leaves tend to persist and then as if taking a bow, they all drop to the ground in one collective movement. The result is a round of applause from the audience- (at least me) and the ground gracefully and abundantly littered in foliage “show tickets” in the same regal gold!

Care factor rating: 1 This tree was selected for his great representation of this notable fall color trait, but like all Ginkgos, he is easy to grow in average soil in full sun with moist, but well-drained alkaline or acidic soils. He will tolerate compacted clay but not overly soggy soils. All Ginkgos are also tolerant of saline conditions, air pollution and heat.

KTRS 550 Inside Out Show Plant of the Week Saturday October 9 2010 Hydrangea paniculata 'Quick Fire'

2010-10-09T13:36:00.000-07:00

by MaryAnn Fink
Conservation Specialist
copyright 2010

Hydrangea paniculata is a group of the genus Hydrangea that blooms reliably on new wood. Regardless of cold or soil pH, this valuable family in this huge genus performs from summer to fall - every year!

Though I am most familiar and very fond of several members of this plant family, I am especially excited about getting to know this new boy in training (He can be seen as a shrub, but I checked him out at Rolling Ridge Nursery, where he has been successfully trained into a tree form). This charmer goes by H. ‘Quick Fire’ but in more familiar circles, he is also known as H. ‘Bulk’. I see why!

He is impressively eager to catch any onlooker’s eye with his big bold, muscular foliage. He has strong sturdy branching that forms the support system for his cherry red new stem growth, well rounded thick leaves and large casually held flower clusters. He holds himself together primarily upright and apparently effortlessly!

He works himself into a lather of soft vanilla cream blossoms a month earlier than any of his siblings! By the time other hydrangeas are begin to flower, he is already sporting his post work-out flush of deep rose that drenches every petal and last well into autumn! (This is when his foliage also puts out an effort to reflect the seasonal color change -he is absolutely handsome!)

Care factor rating 1 Hydrangea paniculata ‘Quick Fire’ thrives in urban conditions. His blooms occur on current season’s growth, so prune only once in late winter to early spring to remove last years faded blossoms. This is a very hardy selection that blooms reliably every year, no matter where you live, how you prune or what the pH. There is absolutely no fussing or guessing like with other Hydrangea!
Read more: http://www.colorchoiceplants.com/quick_fire.htm#ixzz12jtJRMtE

KTRS 550 Inside Out Show Featured Plant of the Week Nine Reasons To Plant NINEBARK

2010-09-29T06:47:00.000-07:00

by MaryAnn Fink
Conservation Specialist
copyright 2010

1) Ninebark ‘Center Glow’ has American Heritage

2) Doesn’t need irrigation (once established

3) Looks great without pruning (more time to have fun)

4) Shrugs off summer heat and winter cold (wish I could say the same)

5) It likes Missouri clay soils (thank heavens we have so many plants that like it here)

6) It has a wide range pH tolerance ( stop the uphill battle-accept what we have)

7) Amazing foliage and great fall color ( that holds up spring till autumn - not like the old gold ninebark cultivars with thin leaf foliaged that wore out before it fell off)

8) Barbie doll bouquets of “blush” white flowers (nice size for individual plate floral arrangements!)

9) Non-messy dry fruit-seed heads loved by birds ( and not hated by my husband)

PLUS A FEW MORE

10) Beautiful dark stems in winter (that eventually develops a sexy strip act-good, mine is too hormonal and heat flash related- not meant for viewing!)

11) Butterflies like the flowers (and I like butterflies AND flowers-imagine that)
Wet and/or Dry- It can be used in rain gardens that dry up in the summer (just wondering if anyone has had to water their rain garden THIS year?)

12)Not preferred by or significantly phased by occasional deer or rabbit browsing (apparently this is like my cooking- available but seldom selected as an option)

13) Recovers well from amateur pruning efforts (I know this from personal experience-I did move but not especially because of my husband’s poor pruning technique on THIS plant)

My favorite Ninebark is Physocarpus ‘Center Glow’ ((P.o.’Centre Glow’is spelled both ways) He originates from our wonderful American Beauty Physocarpus opulifolius which thrives in the lower Midwest.

His foliage begins its show of color when the first leaves unfurl displaying a striking green gold. The burgundy color migrates from the outside edge of the leaves inward toward the heart of the leaf, stopping instinctively as if Mother Nature has given an invisible paintbrush her nod, leaving the characteristic center of the leaf a bright gold.

Growing with vigor, P. ‘Center Glow’ repeats the coloring process as new leaves continue to emerge and the first leaf’s color deepens with age. All season this shrub has a constant dynamic appeal that increases as autumn arrives. The leaves take on an extremely bright scarlet color and remain intact till late fall. Eventually they slip to the ground, revealing dark red-black mahogany and gray branches.

Over time, P. ‘Center Glow’ shrugs off layers of his thin skinned bark, allowing the wind to think, it has won- but it didn’t! The real winners are the homeowner and landscapers that use this selection of ninebark in their most "has to be good" primo site locations!

['Center Glow' was bred by Harold Pellett, executive director of the nonprofit Landscape Plant Development Center in Mound, Minn. He is a committed and passionate plantsman. He cares greatly about “every day pretty”, our environment, sustainability and the ornamental value of horticulture to a community, and all its residents.] photo by Landscape Plant Development Center

KTRS 550 Inside Out Show Saturday September 11 Plant of the Week Salvia azurea

2010-09-11T13:24:00.000-07:00

(For Fall turf renovations see Friday's blog!)

Salvia azurea

by MaryAnn Fink

Conservation Specialist

Missouri native Salvia azurea is also known as Azure Blue Sage or Pitcher sage. He is an easy to grow perennial for a sunny location with average soil.
In the wild he can stretch up to 4-5’’, but with a little well timed grooming he is a stout, 2 ½’ -3’ tall profuse fall bloomer with wonderful manners!

Our Native Azure Blue Sage is a striking plant occurring naturally on limestone glades, rocky prairies, and prairie openings. He prefers slightly moist, gravelly or sandy soils with good drainage-never soggy feet!

His whorls of 2-lipped blossoms are densely dispersed along the uppermost portion of his multiple stems. This creates an equal opportunity for every crystal blue flower to be seen and appreciated!

Care Factor Rating: 3 Care for this sage is similar to mum and aster care. Once his growth is active and about 10-12” tall (usually late spring), trim his new growth back to about 6”tall.

"Tip trim” the new shoots a second time late June / first week of July (2-3”off each branch is enough!) This promotes lateral branching, heavier flowering and wonderful compact growth! (this will also delay flowering slightly)

Trim this sage lightly after flowering to redirect the energy from producing seeds to stimulating more root growth!

With gentle pre-bloom pruning, he tends to bloom late in the summer well into fall. He tolerates drought but blooms longest when not overly drought stressed. Remove spent flower spikes to help extend the bloom period.

Warning: Do not remove the last year’s shrubby stems till new growth is clearly evident (early to mid-spring). Also do not cut back any re-growth or any new stems any closer than 3-4” above ground at this first pruning!

Side Note: We also discussed another favorite blue flowering fall bloomer Caryopteris-also known as Blue mist spirea or bluebeard. There are many cultivars on the market. A tried and true is Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Longwood Blue' - other new ones have been introduced are are probably equally wonderful and always a pollinator's freind!

KTRS Inside Out Show for weekend of Saturday September 11 FALL TURF RENOVATION PROCEDURE

2010-09-10T09:07:00.000-07:00

by MaryAnn Fink
Conservation Specialist
copyright 2010

This week's Inside Out show show will be a short 2 hour program so talk time will be at a premium.

I will still have a plant of the week but also in response to the interest in lawn renovation and weed problems, I am posting the advice of MY favorite St. Louis TURF Expert, Glenn Kraemer- with some comments of my own.

I also included his contact information because I believe every situation is unique and he is best suited to help with specific problems.

These are the guidlines I followed while managing the turf area in the Bird Garden at the MoBot's Kemper Center for Home Gardening- It looked fabulous during the time I worked with Glenn to create a more eco-freindly routine.

In a short time, the weeds were gone, the chemical use was reduced by more than 85% and supplemental water appplications by more than 50%. IN short it is almost alwasy possible to make positive environmental changes in how you care for your lawn!

Step by Step Fall Renovation Plan for Cool Season Grass by Missouri Botanical Garden’s Turf Educator Glenn Kraemer with MaryAnn Fink’s commentary!

The best time for fall turf renovation starts with weed control in mid to late Aug, Turf seeding begins in early September- and the ultimate goal is to finish all steps including three mowings before mid-late October!

Decide if broad leaf weeds (as in not “grass like” foliage) are a problem- if so a post emergent herbicide spray may be necessary- apply per label’s instructions. Be sure the final application is two weeks prior to seeding! Use Turflon Ester for violets and ground ivy, Trimec for all other broadleafs. Sprays only. Be sure to read the labels!

If you are trying to control nut sedge with Sedge Hammer or Pro-Sedge-there must also be a two week interval between the last treatment of the sedge product and the seeding or reseeding effort! Always follow product directions as stated on the label. Be aware that heavy a infestation of nutsedge or long established mature nutsedge (nutsedge is maturing when it begins developing their spiky seed heads) may require more than one application of control product!

Remove any leaves or sticks and spread a thin layer of top soil to level any areas as needed.

After dropping mower blade to 2” height-mow grass- and then reset mower back to 31/2” mow height ( do this so that you don’t mow that low again till late October when you do your final cut! You want your grass to have grown well enough to need at least three mowing before cold weather sets in so it is mature enough to withstand winter)

Flag all irrigation heads and utilities that can be damaged by machinery!

Power rake and / or core aereate-you can’t aererate too much! Using both machines is best but expensive! Rake up and remove thatch- any healthy turf that remains intact- leave it intact. Grass debris can be composted or disposed of with yard waste/ trimmings.

Spread first the seed (make sure it is fresh and premium quality blend of turf fescue-I prefer not to use any annual or perennial blue grass or rye grass mixes- consult with Glenn for his seed recommendations for your specific site)

Spread the seed starter fertilizer (not all fertilizers are compatible with seeding-check the label. Some fertilizers are too strong and some have pre-emmergents added- both will interfere with starting a new lawn or renovating a lawn).

Power rake or use a leaf rake and re-rake the entire area again! This incorporates the seed lightly. Don’t try to bury it! This rate procedure will insure good seed to soil contact and will also help prevent the grass seed from washing away. This also decreases the grass seed’s visability from scrounging birds. Do NOT use straw which is filled with all types of viable –ready to grow the minute you turn your back, weed seeds!!!!!!

If an area is complete bare of any turf, or very thinly populated with grass, top dress (spread thinly) the seeds and soil with a thin layer of peat moss, finely grated soil or Penn Mulch (available thru G.R. Robinson’s seed company) I have used the left over thatch material I had raked up with various degrees of success- it frequently clumps too heavily and suffocates the grass seed) DO NOT USE STRAW-ALL TURF PROFESSIONALS KNOW NOT TO USE STRAW!!!!!!!! Only incompetents or people who don’t care about the end result use straw!

Water the soon to be the most beautiful lawn enough to keep the top ½” of soil moist for 2-3 weeks. You will have to water every day and some days perhaps twice- drying out is fatal to grass seed- and so watering so much that there are puddles!!! Avoid heavy watering, infrequent watering and beware of creating puddles! The goal is evenly moist not wet/dry or soggy!

Between the second and third week, mow the entire grass area with the mow blade set at 31/2” height –bag the clippings. Bagging is necessary to help prevent smothering the new baby grass.

After the second mowing, start watering more deeply but water just every 3-4 days.

If weeds start sprout up- (and they might-weed seeds live in the soil a long time waiting for the first chance they get to take hold) Do not apply any herbicide (weed killers) until you have mowed the grass at least 3-4 times. By then it may be too cool for effective control of weeds-READ THE LABEL! Fall is a great time to control weeds but it also the best time to grow a thick strong turf which is the BEST control for decreasing weeds next spring!!

If you are having a lot of leaves falling on the new grass don’t let them accumulate for more than 2-3 days. Blow them off with a leaf blower or cut the grass at the 31/2 “ mowing height with a bagger. Leaves will smother out the new grass!

Thanks to Glenn Kraemer , GR Robinson Seed Company, 8674 Olive Street, 63132, (314) 432-0300 for his input, his love of turf and the quality turf products he provides to both the horticulture industry and retail customers. Please call Glenn for any additional information, grass seed or turf products!

KTRS 550 Inside Out Show Plant of the Week Saturday Auguest 28, 2010 Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa)

2010-08-28T11:57:00.000-07:00

by MaryAnn Fink
Conservation Specialist
copyright 2010

Showy goldenrod is a very showy Missouri native that grows well in average to poor soil with almost no extra watering beyond rainfall!

She has a fairly tight and upright habit that hold the multiple clusters of tiny, bright flowers. These flower wands sway gently in the breeze as if keeping rhythm to a song only she can hear!

Her bloom time typically occurs just as summer transitions into fall, when fall blooming anemone and early blooming asters are just starting to flower. This makes her an indispensable color companion! Her starry flowers are the same for early blooming asters.

Goldenrods have been wrongly accused of causing hay fever which is actually an allergic reaction to wind-borne pollen from other plants such as ragweed.

She is attractive to bees, butterflies and the beautiful little goldfinches!
Showy Goldenrod can easily be distinguished from other goldenrods by the following characteristics: the flower cluster is quite large once the plat is established. The flower clusters are held fairly erect or might have a slight tilt or upward curve unlike the aggressive weedy Canada goldenrod which bends outward and downward.

Care Factor Rating 2 During spring clean-up cut back all the old foliage from last year and then cut around the crown and through the roots like you are cutting a cake away from it's pan. Remove any roots or crown portions that have stretched beyond the designated space for this plant. Remove spent flower clusters to encourage additional bloom.

Additional Tips: Another favorite goldenrod is Plant of Merit Solidago 'Fireworks'. There are many cultivars available allowing different choice of form and flower time!

SIDE NOTE: For listeners and John Shea excited about my favorite butterfly attractor/ late season flowering tree; Seven-Son Flower / Hepticodium- it is now flowering at Creve Cour Sail boat Cove's BENCH Garden. In my homescape the butterflies are gathering on it in mass!

KTRS Inside Out Show Plant of the Week Saturday August 21

2010-08-21T14:38:00.000-07:00

Live Forever Sedum Blessed With New Latin Name, New Cultivar, AND New Fans!

by MaryAnn Fink
Conservation Specialist
copyright 2010

Hylotelephium 'Thundercloud' is in fact the sedum to be on the watch for!

This newly introduced Sedum ‘Thundercloud’ is arriving on the nursery scene in a cloud of name confusion.

Yes the name game is still being played! The familiar upright sedum frequently known as live forever is officially known now botanically as Hylotelephium.

To add to the confusion, one of the newest introductions, H. ‘Thundercloud’ has a name that might sound less than desirable unless you need rain!

He does seem like a totally new type of sedum. He hints of the familiar simple and old fashioned good looks this plant is known for because he has the same easy going ways. His needs are minimal. Just give him full sun, occasional water and average soil.

What is different is a fancier edge to the leaf and a new look of abundance is forecast with this ‘Thundercloud’ with the heavy onset of hundreds flower buds.

The pending event is so evident I can only guess it was the inspiration for the name ‘Thundercloud’. And just as one might gaze toward the skyline to predict the timing for a rain fall, I found myself checking this plant to see just when in late August or September he was going to break into flower! And when he does-Wow!

Hardly a gray or gloomy mood is possible when looking at this fresh white bundle of florets! A smile is the only option and butterflies agree!

Care Factor Rating: 1 This is a relatively low maintenance perennial, and is best cleaned up in early spring before he begins active growth for the season. New as this cultivar is, it is not obvious if he will need frequent dividing like his relatives. Most of them do best when divided every other spring. From the looks of his habit- I am thinking this will not be as frequent and therefore he will be very low care!

For more information : http://www.greenroofs.com/content/apr-IPG-072309.htm

550 KTRS Inside Out Show Bonus Tips

2010-08-11T13:33:00.000-07:00

by MaryAnn Fink
Conservation Specialist
copyright 2010

Whether discussing trees, shrubs or perennials or even annuals, “how far apart” and “how many plants” are difficult questions to answer.

This is because the install size, the eventual size, the long term goal and time frame (redo’s are expensive but an option) are factors in the process. Even your hardiness zone, rate of growth, most successful transplant size, site situation and care/pruning budget need to be considered along with your personal taste and purpose. No point in growing berry producing shrubs for the birds if they have to be pruned so often they don’t get fruit!

Tight plant spacing may result in quick fill in, which may help decrease weedy opportunists and hide or shade the soil, but close spacing is expensive!

Besides the expense of multiple plants, after a while, crowed trees and shrubs begin to interfere with each other’s development above and below ground. Completion for moisture, nutrients and even sunlight can lead to stunted growth and unnatural growth habit.

Following Best Management Practice spacing guidelines might look sparse, but this will not last long. To avoid that initial sparse look, plant some short lived perennials and some annuals for the first few years. This will allow for grow in time without the expense of over-planting and subsequent thinning.

Consider plant arrangements that are suitable now and will look good in 10-15 years or longer. When putting your design to paper find the template that approximates the scaled diameter of the mature plant and draw in the circle at two-thirds of their listed mature size. There are two reasons for this; first, some plants such as trees may never reach their listed size in our tough zone second, especially for shrub plantings, I do not want to try and keep them under size by more than one third of their potential mature size, this will hopefully allow for habit to develop-who wants green meatballs?

Finally, please avoid rain shadow problems by placing foundation plants far enough from the house and its overhang so that there is adequate air circulation, good soil perco;ation and of course beneficial rainfall. A general rule of thumb is to space plants from the house by at least the distance of the plant radius at maturity. Complex or overcrowded designs usually will require more maintenance!

Contact me for additional advice and check out these links for more information:

trees and shrubs too close together Correct Spacing for Landscape Trees and Shrubs: Examples of Planting Distances Between Familiar Woody Ornamentals
Rules of thumb for volume:
overcrowded designs

Read more: How to Select Bushes & Shrubbery eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5824301_select-bushes-shrubbery.html#ixzz0wKCQwWZA

KTRS 550 Inside Out Show Bonus Blog -answer to "Giant Dragon Flyish bug in my garage"

2010-08-09T13:17:00.000-07:00

by MaryAnn Fink
Conservation Specialist
copyright 2010

What is buggin Jim : Caller inquired about giant dragon flyish looking insect-not near water-flying into his garage- here is a possible answer!)

Cicada killers (Sphecius speciosus) are related to mud daubers or dirt daubers on the wasp family tree. They average greater than one inch in length and are recognized by their amber-colored wings and yellow/orange/black bodies. Cicada killers' size leads one to believe that they are aggressive and dangerous. They are frequently seen zooming around just above the grass or soil and sometimes they are observed crashing into windows.

These patrolling behaviors are exhibited by the male cicada killer. Males patrol territories for females and will chase other males away; hence the window-crashing behavior when they see their reflection. Above all of this, male cicada killers do not possess a stinger and, therefore, cannot sting.

For more information click here!

550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday August 7 2010

2010-08-07T16:01:00.000-07:00

Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert'

by MaryAnn Fink

Conservation Specialist

This late summer blooming anemone is a cultivar, fairly representative of the many selections now available in the nursery trade. Some of the newer varieties may display a more upright habit or longer bloom period however new introductions may forfeit some hardiness or disease resistance.

Jobert’s china white flowers are propped cheerfully over her mounded foliage on leaf bare pole like stems, reminiscent of a balancing act done with fragile plates. Unlike such an act, this display of talent last for several weeks and combines well with other late season acts. The flowers will eventually shatter on their but not before entertaining a lingering audience.
She is reported to be deer resistant and attractive to the butterfly population-bonuses all around!

Care Factor Rating: 2 Every spring remove the old foliage from last year and mark area in some way to avoid disturbance until new growth is evident, a ring of small rocks works well! Once new foliage appears, determine the desired dedicated space and perform the standard root pruning procedure for perennials. This is an easy control method that also stimulated a tight growth habit. In a perfect situation this perennial may require this treatment twice a season—raising the CFR to 3- this is not probable but possible. An occasional root sprout near the designated space is more likely to appear if managment has been ignored-do not skip root pruning or else short runners may develop.

STANDARD ROOT PRUNING FOR VIGOROUS PERENNIALS: Cut around the crown and through the roots like you are cutting a cake away from a pan. Remove all the cut away crown portions and the roots that have stretched beyond the designated space for this plant. Continue to monitor during growing season and repeat if necessary. Root pruning when in bud or flower can interfere with bloom cycle.

(photo credit Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder)

KTRS 550 Inside Out Show -EXTRA NUTSEDGE HELP!

2010-08-04T13:43:00.000-07:00

by MaryAnn Fink
Conservation Specialist
copyright 2010

Nutsedge (a.k.a. nutgrass or watergrass) is the fast growing “grass” sprouting up in lawns all around the St. Louis region.

It grows faster than any turf so a few days after cutting your lawn-it looks like you missed a section or even a week.

The glossy foliage looks like grass with a folded crease down the center. It occasionally grows so fast it reaches to the seed forming stage. It then produces and a tight cluster of brownish green aging to brown thin needle-like seeds that rest at the top of the leaf blades.

If pulled from the stem, the underground nutlets usually disconnect and begin producing the next plant. Many nutlets can form- hence the control problem with pulling by hand!

Although it makes some sense to use an effective spray, it needs to be the correct product, done effectively. Timing is critical. Go to your nearest landscape or garden center for the correct information and product. I have asked Glenn Kraemer of GR Robinson Seed for his best recomendation. While waithing for his responce I decided to share his contact information-for those of you who need immeadiate help!

Gr Robinson Seed Company
(314) 432-0300
8674 Olive Blvd, St Louis, MO 63132 Get directions

I will post more info shortly and some links to help you manage this problem along with some other “weed” links! In the mean time –don’t feel alone- you are NOT!

When using any chemical, always read the label and follow the directions (don't try to mix a stronger, more is not always better! Also don't buy more than you need and follow storage information for any product!

KTRS 550 INSIDE OUT SHOW EXTRA: MY SPEAKENESE WHAT IS MARYANN TALKING ABOUT?

2010-08-03T11:38:00.000-07:00

COMMUNICATION; MY FAVORITE WORDS/ DESCRIPTIONS DEFINED (THIS IS NOT A RANT-PLEASE READ ON-AND ENJOY! )

by MaryAnn Fink
Conservation Specialist
copyright 2010

Colorculture/ Colorculturalist: A person such as myself who focuses on the embellishment of the landscape by using the color of flowering plants and foliage as major design tool. A horticulturist that is focused on adding the color that the main stream public says they want!

The Naturalista: a person-such as my self who appreciates the ”natural” look but offers it a “hand” through design technique and plant selection to help its visual appeal reach out to the main stream public. The Naturalista is always interested in making environmental education usable information for the end user!

Intentional Greenscaping: focusing on the purpose and function while factoring in ways to maximize a green space’s potential to both serve a function and be esthetically pleasing-max potential / most eye candy bang for the buck yet sustainable!

The New American Garden Artist: This stylized design uses the natural beauty of the native plant palette to create a recognizable complimentary composition that can be reasonably cared for and remain sustainable .

Monet Effect: saturating color in the garden but allowing for imperfections and an ebb and flow effect, massing, fading and blurring within the perimeters of a natural site line.

Moment in the Garden- a snapshot of when we pause long enough to let the crowds and the manmade sounds diminish and the urge to scurry diminish.

Native Boutique Garden - a gathering or collection of native plants that create a very concentrated effect that could possibly happen naturally but I haven’t seen it!

An Intentional Garden: A garden that has a clear, strong voice-obvious passion- based on the basics with human inspiration. Purposeful but not overly contrived/ the power of the natural landscape without being wayward-but still untamed. This type of garden has wild at heart beauty that says “accessible” a garden that invites interactive experience.

An Intentional Garden accentuates her assets. It is easy to appreciate her shapely lines-like a beautiful woman-she is engaging; she evokes a nurturing feeling in the onlooker. Her undertone and overtone is truthful, captivating. She elevates whoever she calls to a heighten awareness. Her natural inspired influence engages-forever changed. She beckons you with her sounds, begs to be touched and only wants to be. She can share a heartfelt moment or a lifetime.

An Intentional Garden brings it- the feel; even a mood- creates a relationship between the caretaker and the space. A budding love or maybe Love at first site!

Love at first site! Irrisistable -memorable moment when I first look at a landscape and imagine its possibilities! My Favorite gardens, thankyou to a few of my fav's Matt and Lisa-Oma's Barn, Dave Guempel, Mary Harrison, June Hutson and Dianne O'Connell!

Birthright landscape- born on site, elementary, stylized but recognizable.

Sanctuary / Habitat Garden: A place that invites wildlife and memories and private moments to pray and meditate - Planned seating is essential as are intimate vignettes. My favorite type of garden!

Bridge gardening: the trifecta of gardening, striving for a perfect balance, a threefer, the human element with the natural world and the spiritual realm: reaching for Eden- developing a space that encourages a walk in the garden with God!

Garden Prayer Work: Garden project-chores used to open up internal communications particularly with God. (Sometimes it turns external and you find yourself talking to a passerby in the truest purest voice- straight from your heart. When considering the gardening activity, its worth and myself, it find it a uniquely interactive time with God on a personal level that is open and comfortable- the best garden activity is one that you can slip into, while you explore your thoughts.

This is when I am most inspired to write my garden blessings / prayers. The work part is only in the application or intent –clearing your mind of trivial issues, bringing up the deepest feelings and putting them into a voice and talking to God. Suddenly it is meaningful on a spiritual level and near the end of the activity I find myself renewed.

E-harmony : Horticulturaly speaking it is environmental matchmaking. It is creating a marriage of site and soul worthy of growing together. A willing exchange, for me a vow filled with passion I can’t explain. E-harmony creates a healing place for the wounded, a memory connection to the past and path to the future and most importantly a resting place for now. E-harmony is dynamic. It is a conduit for energy between the garden and the gardener that connects all you circuits, stimulates the senses and hints of what the future relationship can become as it grows!

A Natural Habitat Garden: A Connection- not a documentary- not meant to devalue or demoralize a space. It is knit together, not fully random but a tapestry of corridors and patchwork that is sewn together by Nature and its caretaker.

A first step garden / door step garden: Welcomes you HOME or into gardening particularly with natives, the familiar, the mascots, a positive reminder of the positive aspects that impact us enough to recognize it represents where we live.

Good Neighbor Garden: A combination of natives and compatible –non-invasive plant selections that are appropriately selected for the site, environmentally friendly and functional as well as aesthetically pleasing.

Anywhere, USA Gardening: Total disregard for indigenous plants, may include invasive, and tropicals – not necessarily hardy or appropriate plant use for the site and sense of place. Anywhere, USA Gardening is not as universally appealing as it sounds, instead it is a pick up and put it anywhere “cookie cutter” use of a limited palette of plants that fall short of inspiring!