Winter is for the Birds

Posted on by Cyanne Bredlau

The snow has been falling and so have the temperatures. This is a good time to remind us that small gestures of kindness can even be extended to our feathered friends. If you like to see birds, you need to provide shelter and food sources to keep them in your yard.

Planting trees, shrubs, and perennials that birds like to feed on and nest in will encourage them into your yard.

Trees and shrubs that produce berries will provide the birds with a source of fuel. Especially the migratory birds so they can make it to their destinations.

Serviceberry trees and Eastern Redbuds are great examples of trees the birds love. Junipers (including red cedar) produce berries that the birds will enjoy.

Red Oaks and Lindens are examples of canopy trees that will provide shelter and food for the birds.

Most of us know to feed the birds by putting out seeds in bird feeders, but they also need a source of hydration. So if you are feeding the birds, consider adding a water feature such as a birdbath. There are so many different styles to choose from and one will be perfect in your landscape. Make sure you keep the birdbath clean as dirty water can be a hazard to the birds. There are heated bird baths that are available to use during these cold winter months. The birds will love their fresh water!

“A bird does not sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.” -Maya Angelou

Autumn Watering

Posted on by Beth

Cooler weather is coming and before you know it we will reach regular freezing temperatures. Just because it is time to put the garden hose away does not mean you can stop watering your plants. Although there may be fleeting blooms and leaves your trees, shrubs and perennials still require a sip of water every now and again.

A general rule of thumb would be to water your trees and shrubs about twice a week with the current temperatures we are seeing this late in October. As we progress into November and have colder temperatures that may be bumped down to once a week dependent upon conditions.

Happy watering!

What is Wilt Pruf?

Posted on by Beth

Are you seeking a solution to prevent moisture lost in your plants and Christmas decor? We have the solution for you. Wilt Pruf prevents moisture loss by forming a clear, protective layer over the plant’s foliage. This prevents your plant from experiencing severe wilting, shock, and even plant failure.

Wilt Pruf can be used on the following:

Evergreens
Boxwoods
Rhododendrons
Christmas Trees
Christmas Wreaths
Spruce Tops

Stop in now to protect your plants and Christmas decor from moisture loss!

 

 

Late Season Blooms

Posted on by Beth

There may be frost on the rooftops in the morning, but that doesn’t mean plants stop blooming. There are some great plants still in bloom as we enter the end of October. Here are just a few late season bloomers that are still available. Stop in and grab one today!

Magnolias Anyone?

Posted on by Beth

Happy October, we have a magnolia blooming at the garden center! This Royal Star in the last magnolia tree for the season and its blooming RIGHT NOW! Here is your chance to grab this terrific spring specimen and get it planted before the season runs out. When spring rolls around you will be the talk of the neighborhood with these beautiful blossoms while the rest of us wait for these trees to arrive at the garden center.

Royal Star Magnolia Tree         Photo by Trees Today

 

Staff Picks for Fall

Posted on by Beth

The weather may be cooling down but there is still plenty of time to get those last few additions installed in your landscape. Here are some of our staff picks for fall. Check out the links for more information on these fall favorites!

🍂🍁💛🧡❤️

 

Wentworth Viburnum

Wentworth American Cranberrybush                     Photo courtesy of Bailey Nurseries®

This specimen poses excellent in the landscape by itself or as a hedge or screening. Petite early season flowers precede large red fruit which can be used in making preserves or fresh eating. Wildlife will love this plant and so will you!

Rainbow Sensation Weigela

Photo by Trees Today

Rainbow Sensation Weigela      Photo by Trees Today

The Rainbow Sensation oozes decadence. This medium sized shrub checks in with a height and spread of three to four feet. Light pink flowers “pop off the page” in contrast to the variegated green/yellow foliage. When fall makes an entrance, the foliage begins to take on a pink tone that stands out and pairs superb with perennial grasses or dark colored shrubs.

Berry Poppins Winterberry

Berry Poppins
Photo courtesy of www.provenwinners.com/

What a beaut! A great compact plant that has multiple seasons of interest! Aside from the beautiful yellow fall foliage from Berry Poppins, the main eye-catching event is the flourish of berries that decorate the winter landscape.

 

 

Is It Pampas Grass?

Posted on by Marietta Buchner

Every year we have numerous customers looking for the so-called Pampas grass that has large white flumes and grows along Wisconsin highways and in ditches.  Odds are very good that this grass you are seeing IS NOT pampas grass.  Pampas grass usually only grows down to Zone 6, maybe Zone 5.  What you are seeing is probably the Miscanthus Sacchariflorus or Amur Silvergrass.  This grass produces very little seed but it spreads, and rather aggressively, by rhizomes.  It is almost impossible to dig out as the rhizomes are intertwined and very thick.  The grass prefers wet sites, along ditches and highways.  You will also see clumps of this grass around old farmhouses as years ago the rhizomes were shared and the clumps just kept getting bigger and bigger.  Some states have listed this plant as invasive.  A plant that looks similar and is sold by most nurseries, including Trees Today Nursery, is the Flame Grass.  This grass is not invasive. It is a clump forming grass and over time the clumps spread wider.

Flame Grass
Photo by Trees Today Nursery

Fall is the Season for Grasses

Posted on by Marietta Buchner

Grasses have become extremely popular in the last five years.  They are easy to grow, interesting, low maintenance, and look spectactular in fall.   There are just so many types of grasses; tall and short, bushy flumes or dainty seed heads, tan leaves or burgundy, warm season versus cool season.   We carry a wide variety.  Some of the favorites are pictured below.

 

Prairie Dropseed grass
Photo courtesy of Baileys Nursery

 

Miscanthus Red Silver Grass
Photo courtesy of Baileys

 

Korean Feather Reed Grass
Photo by Trees Today Nursery

 

Karl Foerster Grass
Photo by Trees Today Nursery

 

Little Bunny Tails Dwarf Fountain Grass
Photo by Trees Today Nursery

 

Miscanthus Flame Grass
Photo courtesy of Baileys

 

Aureola Forest Grass
Photo courtesy of Baileys

 

Overdam Feather Reed Grass
Photo courtesy of Bailey’s

 

Northwind Switch Grass
Photo by Trees Today Nursery

 

September chores

Posted on by Marietta Buchner

Listed are a few chores that can be done in the September flower garden.

1) Discontinue deadheading annuals if you want them to reseed.
2) Cut back perennials if they are done blooming except those that provide winter food for wildlife.
3) Discontinue fertilizing plants.
4) Plant spring bulbs in late September.
5) Weed garden and rake up debris.
6) Cut injured or deceased parts of perennials off.
7) Discontinue deadheading perennials that provide winter food for birds.
8) Dig and divide daylilies and hostas.
9) Dig out any bulbs that are not winter hardy.
10) Look at your garden and make notes of wishful improvements.

Spring Flowers & Fall Color: Double Duty Plants

Posted on by Beth

 

There are several plants, trees and shrubs alike, that are well known for their early season attributes, but go amiss when it comes to their fall foliage. As we turn the calendar to September and prepare for fall, the garden center is beginning to transition to reds, oranges, yellows, from the typical greens that gather the rest of the season. As you walk around, you can see its more than just the maples, oaks, grasses, and dogwoods turning color, there are common spring and summer staples that are also pulling double duty as we head into fall.

Crabapples

Crabapples are commonly known for their showy spring flowers, but did you know they also have fabulous fall foliage? Flaunting tones of red and orange, crabapples do not receive enough attention for their fall foliage which should be equal to their spring flower. So the next time you are seeking a new tree for your yard don’t forget about the dueling seasonal opportunities a crabapple can provide!

Serviceberry

An under utilized garden gem! Available as a tree or shrub, this specimen boasts beautiful spring florals that lead to edible small purple-black berries. The tree form ‘Autumn Brilliance’ is a beautiful medium sized ornamental tree if you are looking to add diversity to your landscape. The shrub form, ‘Regent’ is a great addition for feeding wildlife in your yard or creating a small hedge or screening. Not only will these plants bring spring color and edible fruit, the blaze red/orange fall color is a show stopper for sure!

Azalea/Rhododendron

Prolific blooms fill these plants early season. Bright pink, purple, white and orange are colors you can expect from these spring flowers. Many people desire the spring impact that the azalea and rhododendron bring to the landscape but many are unaware of the bonus fall color they are in for. Broad, thick leaves bring copper and bronze hues into fall with the next season’s buds adding a depth of texture, what a sight to behold!

 

So, as we make our way to the end of another year, planning for the next begins. Consider adding a few of these double duty plants to your landscape and enjoy an eye catching spring and fall landscape.

Serviceberry Fall Foliage

Crabapple Fall Foliage

Mums: Garden versus Fall

Posted on by Marietta Buchner

Now is the time of year when beautiful mums appear at Trees Today Nursery, grocery stores, and home stores.  These are called “fall” or annual mums.  Their colors are an assortment of reds, oranges, bronzes, yellows, whites, and many more.  They look beautiful sitting in pots on front porches or placed in gardens.  However, they generally do not survive being replanted in the garden in  Zone 4 (our area of Wisconsin and Minnesota).  If they do survive a winter, chances are they will not survive the following winter.  If you succeed in overwintering a fall mum in your garden, to get a bushy blooming mum in fall you need to start pinching it back in July or chances are it will become stringy and lanky.

Garden mums are the perennial mums hardy to Zone 3.  At Trees Today we carry Mammoth Mums that were bred at the University of Minnesota for endurance and cold.  Once planted in your garden they may grow to 3-3 1/2  feet wide by 3-4 feet tall.  Their colors are limited, but their abundant blooms are very showy and last for weeks.  Also, these mammoth mums do not need any pinching.

Orange fall mum
Photo from Trees Today Nursery

 

Mammoth lavender mum
Photo by Trees Today Nursery