550 KTRS Inside Outshow Scouting Report Rolling Ridge a Horticulture Hot Spot

Field Report: Favorites available for Adoption (sale) at Rolling Ridge Nursery in Webster Groves, MO- short list-
(side note Jim is not available for adoption-he's a keeper!)

I have included a few brief descriptions of what plants I am excited about and a few care tidbits that I shared with a recent client. I am helping him deal with managing rainwater runoff and creating an attractive rain garden habitat for birds and butterflies.

It is no surprise that Rolling Ridge Nursery is a quality source for information and plants. It is a surprise that Jim McMillian, KTRS's Inside Out Co-host doesn't brag about these particular items? Perhaps because they are in limited quanities?????( yes there was small quanities of a few things, but I checked with Chris Wagner-one of his right hand guys and a true hort man and his sources are solid. He can replace material sold -whatever the demand. I have to wonder if a customer then just needs to ask about MaryAnn's favorites?

I have made it easy and listed them below. Print out the list and hand it to them when you get there. I can't make it any easier. Just ask to see these first, then do your own scouting- there is a lot more there than this list. I want them to point these out to homeowners who wants to look totally unique- is that you? (I have had list takers in already- and one created a completly new area to accomadate these butterfly / bird friendly plants. I expect to have pics posted eventually so you can see too! Meantime, you do the same and send me you pics of your habitat garden -hopefully with several of these installed!

Best and Most Unique Butterfly and Bird Plants at Rolling Ridge Nursery

Ninebark on standard-WOW
Heptacodium-(My personal favorite when I was caretaker/ staffer at Missouri Botanical Garden Kemper Center) Best two story butterfly magnet perfect for viewing from 2nd floor windows!
Service berry tree-Beutiful bark suitible for uplighting, delicate looking spring flowers, sweet tasting fruit and great fall color - multiple forms, sigle, clump and three stemmed!
Aronia -my front door favorite-also has same qualities as service berry but narrow profile and different foliage- grrrreat!
Rose of Sharon- single only – 'Dianne'. Subject of my recent "Staying Single" article soon to be posted on website! This one really does bloom all summer and it does attract butterflies-nice size bride white flowers!
Hydrangea 'Pink Diamond' tree form-loved it more once it was where I could see it every day- featured it in my garden in the Post Dispatch! Butterfly worthy

also:

Itea 'Little Henry'
Crape myrtle 'Cherry Dazzler'
Phlox- 'Robert Poore' and 'David'
Liatris
Monarda- petite series only
Buddlia ‘Adonis Blue’
Purple Cone flower
Swamp Milkweed ( don’t worry- it is beautiful)
Amsonia – cultivar- new shorter variety- I think it is ‘ Short Stack’
Baptisia –any you like
Yarrow 'Moonshine'-(driest location)
Annuals –Pentas and Lantana

Just a few descriptions and care notes to make you dream!

Small tree like selections- speciality items- very unique management or underused

Ninebark on standard (spring flower, summer non-messy fruit- all season foliage color. Prunable to manage size space allowance –minimum care)- beautiful bark exposed
Clethra tree form ( trim after flowering- fragrant like spikes with dream carnation / clove fragrance. Butterfly!
Heptacodium- starry Jasmine flowers, summer blooming, then bracts( stems) color rosy pink- 9-10 weeks of interest plus pealing bark like birch
Japanese Lilac ‘Ivory Silk’ cherry like bark – white lightly fragrant flowers in spring-no mildew problems –not a major bore issue like other lilacs
Hydrangea ‘Pink Diamond’ –trained to standard ( it will need consistant moisture but will take sun if adequate moisture available- place this in the swale area. Attractive to butterflies- flowers last till fall and can be used as cut flowers as well)
Service berry tree – Spring flowers, summer blueberry non-messy fruit edible-song bird favorite – great fall color- nice bark
Wafer Ash ( unknown little sweet tree that feeds native butterflies- looks like a cross between Jap maple green form and dogwood with petite habit and airy open look- not a knock you down plant- but sweet)
Styrax –actual small tree- only saw one but it was very nice- lily of the valley like bells in spring- frequently used for nest site of small birds- delicate / petite looking

Multi stemmed option

Aronia
Service berry ( they have both multi and single tree forms-see description above)

Lg Shrubs
Persimmon
Sassafras
Buttonbush
Spice bush
Rose of Sharon- single only – 'Dianne-' extended bloom frequently once established- bloom till fall!, easily pruned without forfeiting flowers -

Small Shrubs

Itea 'Little Henry' –fragrant spring flowers great fall color, takes moist wet swale area well
Beautyberry ( large 4’by late summer--trim to ground in spring)
Crape myrtle- no butterfly use- may help attract hummingbirds because of strong color- very pretty foliage-Cris feeling ok on hardiness -check out Cherry Dazzler foliage!!!

Perennials (start with just these)

Phlox- 'Robert Poore' and David
Liatris
Monarda- petite series only
Buddlia ‘Adonis Blue’
Purple Cone flower
Swamp Milkweed ( don’t worry- it is beautiful)
Amsonia – cultivar- new shorter variety- I think it is ‘ Short Stack’
Baptisia –any you like
Yarrow 'Moonshine'-(driest location)

Evergreens for future reference

Gold Thread False cypress- he keeps in stock

Check if they can get these –hold this list and I will post a pic of these used as a living tapestry- fainty good!

Juniper virginiana ‘Hillspire’ or Juniper virginiana ‘Emerald Sentinel (Concorcor)
Juniper virginiana ‘Skyrocket’or Juniperus virginiana ‘Glauca’
Platycladus orientalis (Thuga) ‘Yellow Ribbon’ or Platycladus orientalis (Thuga) ‘Berkmann’s Gold’

Larger trees – replacement options when Pear goes down – not if –when)
Coffeeetree
Yellowwood
Hackberry
Pecan

Assertiveness vs. aggressiveness in Horticulture

Call out to The Casual Gardener and Yardeners:

Quick note to those who wish to appreciate easy care plants but not create extra work in the landscape.


Please take the time to become familiar with the plants considered possibly invasive in Missouri and don't plant them. When you find them- remove them while they are small and easy to manage.


These are at the least high maintaince plants when you decide enough is enough. Also take care not to use the word "invasive" carelessly as many harmless plants that reseed easly and can be controled with a quick clip are getting confused with some more problematic plants that are moving out of our reach and causing control difficulties by crowding out our natural landscape ( see invasive Honeysuckle picture above)


Most importantly- know what is a problem in your specific area. All adaptive plants are not invasive everywhere and there are friendly plant members in many of these plant families that are best choices for a garden. My favorite honeysuckle is a non-invasive native to the lower Midwest, Lonicera sempervirens- I wouldn't ever have a garden without it!

Hopefully Growing Smarter All The Time,

MaryAnn


P.S. Here are some helpful links to help you know more about this topic!


http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/pages/invasive-plants.htm

http://www.usna.usda.gov/Gardens/invasives.html

http://www.fleppc.org/FNGA/St.Louis.htm

http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/unitedstates/mo.shtml

http://www.ill-inps.org/

http://www.chicagobotanic.org/research/conservation/invasive/index.php

Trees Invest In Your Future and Theirs with pruning

Invest in the Future: Trees, Knowledge and Timely Management Increases Value!


As you gaze up into your trees this summer, it is possible you will see not only a sky of green, beautiful shapes, song birds, butterflies and perhaps even caterpillars. You might also see limbs without leaves, smaller than normal leaves and areas where the quantity of leaves appears to be less or not evenly distributed.

The typical approach is then to grab a chain saw and start accessing tree limbs for removal.
Halt, wait stop! Not all trees should be managed at the same time or even the same way!
Pruning can be dangerous for you and the tree. The professional assistance of an arborist can save you time and money. There is the potential opportunity for injury for you, the tree and the surrounding property!

Professional Arborists manage trees (and frequently your entire landscape) They are in some ways, your best financial investment expert, since what they do increases your real estate value. When done right, as the tree grows, so does your investment portfolio!

Tree management needs assessment all during the fluctuating cycles (seasons) and reviewed periodically for best management practices for value building for the future.

As a property owner, this is like hiring a financial consultant to review your investment portfolio to look at your overall needs, create a inventory of what your currently have and need and advise you how best to proceed. A consultant considers your existing commitments, your long and short term investments, and your goals. This will help you understand your real estate investment and build value in your property.

Pruning at the proper time can avoid certain disease and physiological problems:
To avoid oak wilt disease DO NOT prune oaks during April, May, or June. If oaks are wounded or must be pruned during these months, apply wound dressing to mask the odor of freshly cut wood so the beetles that spread oak wilt will not be attracted to the trees.
To avoid increased likelihood of stem cankers, prune honey locusts when they are still dormant in late winter. If they must be pruned in summer, avoid rainy or humid weather conditions.

Prune apple trees, including flowering crabapples, mountain ash, hawthorns and shrub cotoneasters in late winter (February-early April). Spring or summer pruning increases chances for infection and spread of the bacterial disease fireblight. Autumn or early winter pruning is more likely to result in drying and die-back at pruning sites.

Some trees have free-flowing sap that “bleeds” after late winter or early spring pruning. Though this bleeding causes little harm, it may still be a source of concern.

Prune the following trees after their leaves are fully expanded in late spring or early summer. Never remove more than 1/4 of the live foliage.

Examples include:
Acers (all maples, including box elder
Butternut and Walnut
Birch and its relatives, ironwood and blue beech.

The time of pruning should take into account the life cycle of insects and diseases. Plants in the genus Prunus (flowering cherry, cherry laurel) are prone to develop bacterial cankers. The spores for the diseases, which are released in fall and early winter, can enter plants through fresh pruning cuts and wounds. Prunus trees do not initiate new cankers during late spring or summer. Dogwood borers are most active in May, June, and July. Thus, dogwoods should not be pruned during these months.

The Incredible Edible Landscape Saga Continues

A Few Edible Landscape Suggestions for the Lower Midwest

( for more suggestions visit the main website article section. There is an entire edible landscape recomndation that was part of a presentation for

Red Cedar Country Gardens spring workshops. It was a combined trip as I also shared my excitedment about the many ornamental natives that are front door appropriate. this audiance was the Kansas City Master Naturalists and Kansas City Master Gardeners. It was held at the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Conservation Center. It also included a terrific selection of plant material. Both list have native plant details as well as some cultivar specifics! Click here for main website page / resources for downloading plant lists/handouts!

Malus (Apple). Gold Rush, M. Enterprise and M. Jonafree
Asimina triloba (Am. Pawpaw)
Diospyros virginiana (Persimmon)
Prunus persica 'Bonfire'
Prunus Americana (Wild plum)
Prunus domestica subsp. Insititia (Damson plum)
Vaccinium corymbosum ’Duke’, ‘Bluecrop’ and ‘Elliot’
Aronia melanocarpa (Black chokecherry)
Amelanchier spp. (Serviceberry)
Vitis labrusca (grape) ‘Seedless Concord’ or other disease resistant variety
Actinidia arguta ((hardy kiwi)) ‘Issai’ (self pollinating)
Sambucus canadensis (American Elderberry) see note on cultivar selections!
Ribes odoratum (Clove Currant)
Rubus ‘Thornless Chester’
Fragaria vesca (Woodland strawberry)


Power Vegetable Gardening (Maximum success in small spaces)
Bush beans (for planting after peas) (starts well from seed)Broccoli (plant early from starter plants)Carrots (starts well from seed)Cucumber (bush-type) (use starter plants or seed)Lettuce (starts well from seed or use starter plants for an earlier crop)Onions ‘Walla Walla Sweet White (start with long day variety from "sets")Peas ‘Sugar Bon Early (an early crop) (starts well from seed)Peppers (Capsicum spp) ‘California Wonder’ (plant started plants) (green peppers are easiest)Radish (Raphanus sativus ) ‘Burpee’s White, ‘Cherry Belle’, ‘Easter Egg’ (plant seeds early)Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) ‘Tyee’ / ‘Olympia’ bolt resistant (plant seeds early)Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) ‘Gardener’s Delight’ / ‘Better Boy’, Okra 'Red Burgundy' (pictured above)

KTRS 550 Inside Out Show Featured Plant Cladrastis kentukea

Cladrastis kentukea / American Yellowwood-Come Rain or Come Shine!


Yellowwood is a summer flowering medium size tree (30-50’ in ideal conditions) that likes clay soil. Excellent as a low-maintenance, small shade tree for residential lawns, particularly on smaller properties, it is especially appropriate near patios and terraces or grouped together on larger properties so the fragrance can be appreciated!

It is great for “green space” uses, wildlife habitat, projects that require low or minimum water usage, soil erosion issues and conservation projects such as rain gardens and storm water run off areas. Once established, this beautiful native tree is tolerant of variable weather conditions including brief wet periods in spring and early summer and frequent dry periods common during the summer season. It has a good water "take up" ability as its water need pattern corresponds well with the seasonal moisture excesses and shortages.

An alternative for the ash tree (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), this member of the pea family (legumes) is a “nitrogen fixer” that is sometimes said to have an “ash tree look”. It does have the yellow fall color, the same basic rounded shape/ form and a similar pinnately compound leaf pattern. Most importantly, it is without emerald ash borer problems or any other major insect and disease problems!

When shopping for this addition to the landscape, a big tree isn’t necessary! Instead look for a young tree that has at least a few clusters of the sweetly fragrant "wisteria like" flowers or the developing seed pods, indicating it is mature enough to produce flowers. Trees are relatively fast growing and the easiest to transplant when young. Growth slows naturally with maturity. Trees with the evidence of buds, flowers or seed pods are usually already more than 8 years old!

Although the flowers are typically white, new selections are now being introduced with a soft pink coloration to the petals. Like many flowering and fruiting trees, the most profuse blooming occurs in alternating years. Thin, beige- brown seed pods are present primarily in September-October. They are not usually considered a messy problems as they are not a significant contributor to fall clean up.

Both Cladrastis lutea and Cladrastis kentuckea are synonymous for this American beauty. The common name “yellowwood” refers to the distinctively color of the heartwood. This Missouri native naturally occurs in several southwestern counties near the White River and its tributaries. This tree is under planting tolerant of perennials and small shrubs, preferably at installation to avoid tree root damage.

Pruning is seldom needed, however if any trimming is done, wait till summer, after the flowering period has ended. It will bleed heavily if pruned in the winter or spring. The bark is beautiful and beech like, deserving focal point staging. Increase appreciation for true stuctural beauty by extending interest with the new solar uplightng for late evening enjoyment. this is a lovely native addition to the residential, commercial or municipal landscape.

550 KTRS Inside Out Show

550 KTRS Inside Out Show

Power Gardening Grows!


Jim's Top Power Garden Crops:

Bush beans (for planting after peas) (starts well from seed)

Broccoli (plant early from starter plants)

Carrots (starts well from seed)

Cucumber (bush-type) (use starter plants or seed)

Lettuce (starts well from seed or use starter plants for an earlier crop)

Onions (start from "sets")

Peas (an early crop) (starts well from seed)

Peppers (plant started plants) (green peppers are easiest)

Radish (plant seeds early)Spinach (plant seeds early)

Tomatoes (starts well from seed, but you'll get a head start by planting already started plants)



Jim's Top 10 Dos and Don'ts When Growing a Garden:

1. Location: Do locate your garden in a sunny spot.

2. Don't plan an area too large to take care of. Little Time?... Little Garden! 12' x 12' is just fine.

3. Unless you have a large space, Don't try to grow "space hogs" like pumpkins, watermelon, most cucumbers, or corn.

4. Do try to pick crops you can rotate, so something is always "happening" in your garden.

5. Do plan to grow veggies you like. You're more likely to pay attention to those crops.

6. Do plan to use some "elbow grease" for adding organic matter, pulling weeks, watering, planting, and harvesting.

7. Do try to plant more of the crops you use the most. ex: potatoes, lettuce, onions, and tomatoes.

8. Do involve your kids or grandkids. They love to watch stuff grow... and they'll learn and remember.

9. Do allow for fall planting, too. This is not just a spring thing.

10. If a crop (or the whole garden) doesn't respond the way it should, Don't be discouraged. Sometimes that's the way we learn.

Jim's Top Tools:

Long-handled (not bending) Spade

Stiff garden rake

Hand trowel (narrow blade)

Garden glovesHoe (narrow blade or "V" point)Garden hose

Now you're on your way to your own very tasty power garden!

Visit http://www.rollingridgenursery.com/powergardening.html for updates as the season continues!

KTRS Inside Out Saturday Show features Rain Garden Plants plus more blog information to be posted soon Visit these rain gardening websites

KTRS Featured plant today is Ninebark ( The City of Chesterfield's gift plant today distributed to attending residents today celebrating Earth Day and Tree City recognition.) This is an easy to grow flowering and song bird favorite. It likes a wide variety of soil and moisture conditions as well as sun or shade. Perfect feature for rain gardens! Visit this website for habitat details. Easy care! http://biology.missouristate.edu/Herbarium/Plants%20of%20the%20Interior%20Highlands/Plants_of_the_Interior_Highlands_P.htm

Rain Gardening Websites

http://www.showmeraingardens.com/ Website focused on managing storm water, conserving water resources and improving water quality.

http://www.shawnature.org/ Homeowner focused rain gardening and storm water runoff workshop program Thursday, June 11th, 2009. visit link for details and registration information.

http://www.raingardens.org/ “Green Dreaming”, site is under construction, but has some nice thoughts and well worded commentary. Originates in Western Michigan so plant recommendations are not appropriate for Iowa.

http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/home.gardens.pdf Brochure available as a PDF file. Nice diagrams, demo pictures. From Univ. WI Extension office.

http://www.co.dane.wi.us/commissions/lakes/raingarden.shtml Another excellent Wisconsin reference. Great explanations, step by step “how to” available as a PDF: http://www.co.dane.wi.us/commissions/lakes/pdf/HowToBuildaGarden.pdf

http://www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgarden/YGLNews/YGLN-May0101.html#rain short but fairly comprehensive explanation of rain garden concepts, nice diagrams. From MN extension office.

http://www.mninter.net/~stack/rain/ Twin cities area garden site, nice explanations, diagrams. Many links to other rain garden sites. Printable PDF pamphlet about rain gardening.

http://chicagowildernessmag.org/issues/spring2001/raingardens.html
Well written article about rain gardens in the Grayslake area of Chicago.

http://www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/marsh.cfm
National Wildlife Federation article about rain gardening, entertaining, some instructions, plants listed not appropriate for Iowa.

http://www.appliedeco.com/StormWaterMgt.cfm
Taylor Creek Restoration Nurseries, Applied Ecological Services, Inc. website. Extensive information about native landscaping and green development.