Monthly Archives: May 2011

Spring Combination

Posted on May 31, 2011 by

Just for fun, a photo of an attractive spring combination:  large purple globes of Allium giganteum, strappy Hemerocallis leaves, and a bright, golden-leaved Spirea japonica ‘Gold Mound’ in the background.

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Geum coccineum ‘Cooky’

Posted on May 31, 2011 by

Geums (JEE-ums), known commonly as Avens, are members of the Rosaceae family. They are especially useful to gardeners in Zones 5 and 6 because they are quite hardy (to Zone 4), they will grow in full sun or partial shade, and, … Continue reading →

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Plant of the Month: Syringa x hyacinthiflora ‘Mt. Baker’

Posted on May 24, 2011 by

The Mt. Baker lilac was introduced in 1961 by Canadian Frank Skinner, known for his cold-hardy lilac hybrids. The Hyacinthiflora lilacs were developed as crosses between the common lilac, Syringa vulgaris, and the hardy northern Chinese native, Syringa oblata. Mt. Baker probably … Continue reading →

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Degree Day Update and Temperature Comparisons

Posted on May 23, 2011 by

For those readers living in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, or Ohio, there’s a handy degree day information site available, courtesy of Michigan State University, and supported by several turfgrass associations. All you have to do is enter your zipcode  and … Continue reading →

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It’s baaaack!

Posted on May 12, 2011 by

Every spring, I wait in suppressed panic to see whether my plants made it through the winter, and to see whether I’ll need to do just some judicious pruning or whether I need to replace the plant. Especially this year, … Continue reading →

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