Gardening is a wonderful way to enhance your well-being while connecting with nature. Not only is it a great way to get some fresh air and exercise, but it can help you to relax since caring for live plants can relieve fatigue and stress. Moreover, it can be an excellent mindful activity since gardening requires focus, and you need to be physically present for it. In an interview with The New York Times, English psychiatrist Sue Stuart-Smith explains how gardening, which enables people to work with nature’s energy, can be a form of meditation. “People often describe losing themselves in the […]
Category: Shrubs
8 Easy Fall Garden Cleanup Tasks
The days are turning shorter and cooler as the growing season ends. As gardeners, it’s hard to let go of the plants we’ve been nurturing for the last six months, but there are many tasks we can accomplish to prepare for next year’s garden. Garden Notes Now is an excellent time to make final notes and take photos for planning for next spring. Having garden notes allows us to dream of warmer days as winter progresses. If you haven’t already, request a copy of the latest Jung Seed catalog to inspire you for next year. Mulching & Composting If you’re […]
The Science of Fall Foliage
Why do leaves change color and fall off the trees? I never asked this question when I was young since, I was preoccupied with jumping in leaf piles. But as I got older, I became interested in learning why the fall colors exist. The Colors Of Nature Summer During summer, the leaves of most trees are green because of a pigment called Chlorophyll. This pigment is produced throughout summer to maintain the green foliage color. Fall However, other pigments exist in the leaves that we can only see in fall. These pigments include: The long summer days are ideal for […]
Fall Gardening: September Garden Checklist Zones 3-6
For many of us, September is a transition month from summer to fall. We can get a head start on the cooler weather by accomplishing a few tasks in the landscape. Here are a few tips to get you started. Veggies and Herbs Trees and Shrubs Annuals and Houseplants Perennials and Bulbs Special Notes Also, less visible soil in the garden means less sunlight for weeds to germinate. However, there’s a difference between full and overgrown. A full garden bed will have plants that fill in the extra space without crowding out each other. Remember, there’s still time to enjoy […]
Selecting Shrubs for Colorful Foliage
As I look through my old garden photos, I’m reminded of the impact of foliage plants on the landscape. Shrubs, in particular, can provide you with color that continues to draw interest. The color of these shrubs is often amplified by their unique leaf texture or plant structure. Today, we’ll look at shrubs that offer exceptional color on the leaves. In addition to striking foliage, many of these shrubs have attractive flowers. These shrubs range from small and compact to large and more spreading. Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla) A spreading shrub that fills in large sites and is often used to […]
An Easy Guide For Planting Trees & Shrubs
Trees and shrubs can bring structure and beauty throughout the year if you’re starting a new landscape or adding to your existing property. These plants also provide ecological benefits for your landscape and the planet. Before planting, it’s crucial to understand planting techniques to ensure long-term success for your landscape. Why Proper Planting Is Essential Before we examine the specifics, let’s focus on why proper planting is essential for trees and shrubs. A common problem in landscapes is trees that are planted too deep. As a result, these trees often deteriorate from excess moisture around the stem or develop circling […]
Amazing April Native Shrubs
Each year, in April, some of my favorite native Wisconsin shrubs are coming into bloom in Wisconsin’s woodlands and wetlands. Before their leaves appear, these shrubs bloom joyfully in the woods and wetlands of our state. Getting to know these amazing spring shrubs, as well as enjoying their short-lived bloom is a rewarding and enchanting journey. Eastern Redbud Eastern Redbud is another beautiful spring-blooming native shrub. Blooming on its bare stems, the tiny blooms appear in clusters all along the branches, rather than concentrated toward the end. This makes the redbud a magical shrub when in full bloom in late […]
Cutting Flower Garden: Planning, Maintenance, & Preserving
A favorite activity of mine is walking around the landscape on a summer morning and finding flowers and foliage to use as cut flowers. My garden is in northern Wisconsin, where the climate is cold, and deer are plentiful. These conditions make it difficult to grow many flowers. However, I can still find fun bouquets from plants like bleeding hearts, alliums, and even ferns. As gardeners, we have access to various types of plants with beautiful flowers and foliage. What Are Cutting Gardens? Cutting gardens are spaces dedicated to growing plants for floral decorations. These plants can include annuals, perennials, […]
Spring Gardening: March Garden Checklist Zones 3-6
March is a tough month for gardeners. Signs of spring are showing, with birds returning and bulbs emerging. Unfortunately, winter still appears and keeps us from getting carried away with planting. Regardless of the weather, there’s a variety of gardening tasks you can accomplish this month. Houseplants Pest Control At this point, your houseplants are used to being inside, but you should watch them for signs of insect pests. If your houseplants are becoming leggy, consider moving them to a sunnier part of your house or purchasing a grow light. Keeping your plants healthy will reduce pest and disease problems. […]
5 Must-Have Flowering Shrubs For Spring
It’s hard to believe, but spring is on the horizon. Soon the landscape will burst into growth, and the birds will return, allowing us to say goodbye to a long winter. One way to enhance your landscape is by adding spring color. Flowering shrubs offer many benefits to the landscape, including the year-round structure and a pop of color in spring. The benefits of flowering shrubs are endless. Each shrub has unique characteristics that provide value to you and your property. Today, we’ll be highlighting shrubs that flower in spring. Azaleas A favorite sight in late spring is the pop […]