KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday January 29th 2011

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

Ozark Witchhazel : A Magic Moment Maker

by MaryAnn Fink

Conservation Specialist

copyright 2011

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

Amsonia hubrichtii

by MaryAnn Fink

Conservation Specialist

copyright 2011

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

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

copyright 2011

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

American holly (Ilex opaca)

by MaryAnn Fink

Conservation specialist

copyright 2010

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

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

Boxwood 'Green Mountain'

by

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'