Archive for April, 2009
Trees For Your Landscaping
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photo by gracey, morguefile.com
Trees, along with the Hardscaping of your property have been called the “bones” of the garden. They are such prominent fixtures in your landscaping and will stand forever, so make sure you are confident that the trees you plant will harmonize with your property. Here are some reasons for using trees in your landscaping.
• As a Focal Point- Maybe you want the tree to be the main attraction to a garden or lawn. Consider its ideal shape. In a garden, for instance, you’ll want a tree that provides little shade so the flowers underneath can flourish. A flowering cherry tree would be ideal for this type of garden.
• To Counterbalance a Building- Trees can be used to soften the contrast between a building and its surroundings making the design more appealing to the eye. Use tall spiky trees such as Italian Cypress for this function.
• Screening- Creating a natural screen with trees can be difficult. Trees require time to grow to maturity. Hedges and fences are great alternatives. Hedges also make great wind screens since they have foliage year round.
• Shade- Consider the spread of the tree when choosing for shade and remember you’ll need open space for that spread. Oak and Chestnut are fine shade trees.
• Color- We love colorful blossoms in the spring and burning red leaves in the fall. Some trees can be colorful in spring and fall like the crabapple.
Now that we realize how to use a tree to compliment landscaping we must remember a few points when choosing a tree and planting it.
• Remember the size of your garden. Huge forest trees are neat, but probably won’t go well with a tiny flower garden on a tiny plot of land.
• Remember that the tree may be tiny now, but how tall will it be in ten or fifteen years? Will it hit the house? Does it have room for its eventual spread?
• Remember that the soil you plant the tree in can influence its rate of growth and how big it will get. Do your research.
• Remember the roots. Root spread can be a problem near homes, outbuildings, sidewalks, driveways. Some trees, like the Weeping Willow and Poplar, have huge root systems. Just keep this in mind when you choose a spot for planting.
Trees, “…will be the ancestors in your garden, standing as a blessing or a curse on those who come after you, depending on how well you choose what to plant.” -Liz Dobbs and Sarah Wood
Remember to choose the tree and its position in your landscaping wisely. That tree will likely be permanent or require much effort to remove later on.
Trees can be marvelous additions to our properties. They make great focal points, give us contrast and color, and provide a back bone for our landscaping. Tell us how and why you chose the “ancestors” of your garden.
Caring For Your Roses
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If you were to ask most people what their favorite flower is, more than likely their answer would be the rose. There are several things that you will need to consider when you decide to establish your own rose garden. One thing that you will need to think about when you are planting your rose garden is the amount of sunlight your roses will receive. Roses need to have a minimum of six hours of sunlight each day. They will also need to be planted in an area that offers good air circulation. This will help to prevent disease.
You will want to be sure to thoroughly water your roses when you arrive home after purchasing them. If you will not be able to plant your roses right away, then you will need to place them in a shaded area to keep them cool. You will need to continue watering them until you are able to plant them.
The following tips will help your efforts be successful as you establish your garden of roses:
Amending the Soil: Roses prefer a soil that is slightly acidic and well-drained. Prior to planting your roses, you will need to amend the garden bed with one part organic material. This can be a mixture of Soil Pep, Coco-Peat, Peat Moss or manure that is well-rotted to two parts soil.
Planting-You will need to dig a hole that is a minimum of 6 inches wider than the root ball. The hole should also be deep enough that it will cover the graft of the rose. In colder climates, USDA Zone 5 or colder, you will want to make sure that the graft is 2 inches below the level of the ground. This will help to protect the rose from dying back to the rootstock. Most hybrid roses are actually grafted onto a hardier rootstock. If the rose dies back to the roots, then a different rose will begin to grow than what you planted. You will want to apply a root stimulator to the root ball before you cover it with your soil mixture. This will help the plant to become established more quickly.
Mulching-The application of a mulch product such as a Soil Pep does several things. It will aid in the retention of water, help to prevent weeds, and keep the roots of the plants cool during weather that is hot. It will also help to give the roses an attractive and finished appearance.
Watering- A drip system is the best way to water roses because it allows the water to soak into the ground and keeps the water off of the foliage of the rose. This will help to discourage disease. It is okay to use an overhead sprinkler, but be sure to use it in the early morning. This will allow the foliage of the plant to dry and will help to prevent disease. Be very careful that you do not over-water your roses. The roots need air as well as water. Do not keep the soil soaked continually. If the soil is moist around 1 inch below the surface, you do not need to water.
Fertilizing-Roses prefer a fertilizer that is balanced. You will want to choose one that has a fertilizer analysis of 15-15-15 or 5-10-5. You will want to fertilize the rose plants when they are in full leaf. Fertilize them again after the first bloom and finally about six weeks prior to the first anticipated frost. Do not fertilize them later as they canes of the roses need a sufficient amount of time to harden off properly before winter arrives.
Pruning-Roses are pruned in order to not only give them direction, but to promote their health and vigor. Pruning gives the plants shape, removes wood that is unproductive, removes wood that had been damaged by winter and provides a good circulation of air. The best time to prune your roses is in the early spring before the new growth begins. This should be done sometime after the last killing frost.
You will want to prune out any wood that is weak or has been damaged by the winter. Cut the wood about 1 to 2 inches below the damage. Remove any branches that are crossing. Be sure to leave any of the new and healthy canes. Also remove any of the suckers that are growing below the graft. When you are pruning, you will want to cut ¼ inch above the dormant bud eyes that are facing to the outside of the bush. The new growth on the plant will come from these eyes.
Pest and Disease Control-For an easy control of insects, you will want to apply a systemic rose fertilizer about every six weeks. You will also want to spray your roses with a systemic fungicide to help prevent disease.
Winter Care-Your roses will need to be prepared for winter. You will want to prune them back to around 18 inches. Be sure to mulch around the rose plant. This should be around 6 to 12 inches deep and you will want to use Soil Pep, leaves or soil. In colder climates, it is also helpful to place rose cones or rose collars around your roses. If you choose to use rose cones, you will want to make sure that the cones are well ventilated.
Realizing that there are many acclaimed rose growing tips, what are some of yours?