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Website Extra: On the Road to the Missouri Botanical Garden

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Editors Note: The following are bonus photos from a story on the Missouri Botanical Garden featured in the May, 2016 issue of Michigan Gardener. To read the full story, pickup a copy of Michigan Gardener in stores May 1 or read it in our digital edition.

An American treasure

A visit to the magnificent Missouri Botanical Garden should be on Michigan gardeners’ wish lists

Photos courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden

The meticulous plantings in the boxwood garden are breathtaking.
The meticulous plantings in the boxwood garden are breathtaking.

Many activities abound in the children's garden, including a tree house.
Many activities abound in the children’s garden, including a tree house.

The Chinese garden pavillion rests peacefully in the fall.
The Chinese garden pavillion rests peacefully in the fall.

The Ottoman garden is a unique walled garden that enlightens visitors about gardening traditions during the Ottoman Empire.
The Ottoman garden is a unique walled garden that enlightens visitors about gardening traditions during the Ottoman Empire.

The hedges and borders in the Victorian district are dusted with a gentle winter snow, which highlights the garden's "bones."
The hedges and borders in the Victorian district are dusted with a gentle winter snow, which highlights the garden’s “bones.”

Website Extra: Plants, nature, learning at Matthaei Botanical Gardens

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Editors Note: The following are bonus photos from a story on Matthaei Botanical Gardens featured in the June issue of Michigan Gardener. To read the full story, pickup a copy of Michigan Gardener in stores now or read it in our digital edition.

A visit to Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor
will leave you inspired and enriched

All photos by Sandie Parrott

An 80-year-old agave bloomed in the summer of 2014 for the first, and last, time: agaves die after flowering. It grew to over 28 feet before sending out hundreds of flower buds. The plant will produce hundreds of seeds and enough genetically identical “pups” for other agave plants to begin growing.
An 80-year-old agave bloomed in the summer of 2014 for the first, and last, time: agaves die after flowering. It grew to over 28 feet before sending out hundreds of flower buds. The plant will produce hundreds of seeds and enough genetically identical “pups” for other agave plants to begin growing.

When the agave stalk reached the conservatory ceiling, workers removed a pane of roof glass to allow the flower stalk to continue growing.
When the agave stalk reached the conservatory ceiling, workers removed a pane of roof glass to allow the flower stalk to continue growing.

“Penjing is a more inclusive form of creating miniature landscapes developed in China. It can include rocks, water, representative landscapes or individual plants. Penjing compositions often include small figures—humans or animals—to give a sense of scale,” said Matthaei Director Bob Grese.
“Penjing is a more inclusive form of creating miniature landscapes developed in China. It can include rocks, water, representative landscapes or individual plants. Penjing compositions often include small figures—humans or animals—to give a sense of scale,” said Matthaei Director Bob Grese.

 

Web Extra: Made in the shade

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To read the full article by Sandie Parrott on Michael Maitner’s garden, pick up a copy of the May, 2014 issue of Michigan Gardener in stores or find it in our digital edition.

Captions and photos by Sandie Parrott

Kay and Michael Maitner stand in the woodland garden next to a metal sculpture titled “Kinetic Mandala" by Steven Spiegel.
Kay and Michael Maitner stand in the woodland garden next to a metal sculpture titled “Kinetic Mandala” by Steven Spiegel.

 

Maitner built this bridge many years ago to add an Asian look, not to actually get anywhere. It bridges a dry stream bed.
Maitner built this bridge many years ago to add an Asian look, not to actually get anywhere. It bridges a dry stream bed.

 

The color "green" actually comprises many different color variations. By using lots of them, as well as different leaf textures, shapes, and sizes, Michael Maitner has painted a lush, compelling landscape.
The color “green” actually comprises many different color variations. By using lots of them, as well as different leaf textures, shapes, and sizes, Michael Maitner has painted a lush, compelling landscape.

 

 

Web Extra: Hop on board the garden railroad

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To read the full article by Sandie Parrott on Sean Rosenkrans’ garden railroad, pick up a copy of the April, 2014 issue of Michigan Gardener in stores or find it in our digital edition.

Captions and photos by Sandie Parrott

Rosenkrans controls all the trains from his transformer platform. Moisture or anything else on the rails means he has to regularly clean them and adjust speeds to keep the trains moving.
Rosenkrans controls all the trains from his transformer platform. Moisture or anything else on the rails means he has to regularly clean them and adjust speeds to keep the trains moving.

 

A “steam” locomotive pulls flat cars with logs through a forested lumber camp (evergreens and seedlings), with the village in the background. The scene includes a sawmill with a handmade sawdust burner, campsite with tent, campers and hungry bears, and a covered bridge.
A “steam” locomotive pulls flat cars with logs through a forested lumber camp (evergreens and seedlings), with the village in the background. The scene includes a sawmill with a handmade sawdust burner, campsite with tent, campers and hungry bears, and a covered bridge.

 

The hippodrome is the main circus building along with fortune teller and ticket booths, a merry-go-round, and gnome village. Animals, performers, and visitors complete the scene.
The hippodrome is the main circus building along with fortune teller and ticket booths, a merry-go-round, and gnome village. Animals, performers, and visitors complete the scene.

 

The bathroom garden began when a neighbor was throwing away an old sink. Rosenkrans hung it on an old door with a mirror and added a pump for washing hands. The tub came from another neighbor’s remodeling project. Now it has a pump and helps to water plants. The commode was found by the side of the road. Hostas are planted in the bowl and pansies in the tank.
The bathroom garden began when a neighbor was throwing away an old sink. Rosenkrans hung it on an old door with a mirror and added a pump for washing hands. The tub came from another neighbor’s remodeling project. Now it has a pump and helps to water plants. The commode was found by the side of the road. Hostas are planted in the bowl and pansies in the tank.

Web Extra: Pruning to make great evergreens

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To read the full article by Janet Macunovich on pruning evergreens, pick up a copy of the Nov/Dec, 2013 issue of Michigan Gardener in stores or find it in our digital edition.

Captions by Janet Macunovich / Photos by Steven Nikkila

Even a tiny branch (circled) has great potential. Once clipping changes its position from shaded interior to sunny outer edge, this wimpy twig can become a husky, densely feathered leader.
Even a tiny branch (circled) has great potential. Once clipping changes its position from shaded interior to sunny outer edge, this wimpy twig can become a husky, densely feathered leader.

 

Evergreen pruning can be done at any time. I can even thin at one time, and cut back overall at a different time. I take advantage of that in winter when we need long branches for decorations. Look at all the great cuttings I've gathered just from thinning this boxwood (left) and these hollies (right).
Evergreen pruning can be done at any time. I can even thin at one time, and cut back overall at a different time. I take advantage of that in winter when we need long branches for decorations. Look at all the great cuttings I’ve gathered just from thinning this boxwood (left) and these hollies (right).

 

Work with the natural shape of the plant and you can do all the cutting at once, using pruners. Most stems are clipped by one year's growth. The thickest are cut by two years'. These shrubs were a matched set five minutes ago. They will be again in five more minutes once I've clipped the one on the left.
Work with the natural shape of the plant and you can do all the cutting at once, using pruners. Most stems are clipped by one year’s growth. The thickest are cut by two years’. These shrubs were a matched set five minutes ago. They will be again in five more minutes once I’ve clipped the one on the left.

 

If a shrub has become too big (photo 1), I wait until early spring to cut and thin. For instance, I cut and thinned these boxwoods shortly after budbreak (photo 2). At other times all this previously sheltered wood and foliage would have been suddenly exposed to summer heat or wintry cold. Such quick changes can kill leaves and make wood die back even further than it was cut. Recovery was well underway in August of that same year (photo 3).
If a shrub has become too big (photo 1), I wait until early spring to cut and thin. For instance, I cut and thinned these boxwoods shortly after budbreak (photo 2). At other times all this previously sheltered wood and foliage would have been suddenly exposed to summer heat or wintry cold. Such quick changes can kill leaves and make wood die back even further than it was cut. Recovery was well underway in August of that same year (photo 3).

Website Extra: The artistic country garden

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The garden of Judy and Larry Rowe reflects their love of art and creativity

To read the full profile on Judy and Larry Rowe, pick up a copy of the June, 2013 issue of Michigan Gardener in stores or find it in our digital edition.

Photos by Sandie Parrott

Purchased from a neighbor, this manure spreader is the center of attention in the front yard, along with a white dogwood (Cornus florida ‘Weaver’s White’) and a pink-purple rhododendron (‘Elsie Lee’).
Purchased from a neighbor, this manure spreader is the center of attention in the front yard, along with a white dogwood (Cornus florida ‘Weaver’s White’) and a pink-purple rhododendron (‘Elsie Lee’).

 
Larry made the arbor for this corner garden that sits next to their sunroom where they relax and listen to singing birds playing in the water. There are two ‘Jackmanii' clematis on the arbor, several hostas, and two Alberta spruces for seclusion.
Larry made the arbor for this corner garden that sits next to their sunroom where they relax and listen to singing birds playing in the water. There are two ‘Jackmanii’ clematis on the arbor, several hostas, and two Alberta spruces for seclusion.

 
Larry made the wishing well from an old barbeque grill. The arbor Larry also made is covered with clematis, while clay drain tiles serve as a border. Insulators line the paths to keep hoses out of the gardens and prickly pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa), hardy in Michigan, surrounds a planted cactus dish garden.
Larry made the wishing well from an old barbeque grill. The arbor Larry also made is covered with clematis, while clay drain tiles serve as a border. Insulators line the paths to keep hoses out of the gardens and prickly pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa), hardy in Michigan, surrounds a planted cactus dish garden.

 
Judy collects cacti, even though most are not hardy in Michigan and must be taken inside. The pot of succulents is made of five drain tiles turned upside down and wired together to form a flower shape. The display is crowned by a hypertufa pot made by a fellow Master Gardener.
Judy collects cacti, even though most are not hardy in Michigan and must be taken inside. The pot of succulents is made of five drain tiles turned upside down and wired together to form a flower shape. The display is crowned by a hypertufa pot made by a fellow Master Gardener.

Website Extra: Janet’s Journal – Give your garden a raise

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Photos by Steven Nikkila

For the full article on raised garden beds by Janet Macunovich, pickup a copy of the June, 2013 issue of Michigan Gardener in stores or find it in our digital edition.

Most landscapes offer the possibility of building raised beds from recycled material. For example, we removed the raised beds constructed at this house as an accent edging 30 years ago. The pressure treated lumber was mostly intact. We couldn't pull out the spikes that held it together, so we sawed it into sections intending to haul it away. We reconsidered when we learned there would be an extra charge to dispose of it since it could not be accepted at the organic waste site.
Most landscapes offer the possibility of building raised beds from recycled material. For example, we removed the raised beds constructed at this house as an accent edging 30 years ago. The pressure treated lumber was mostly intact. We couldn’t pull out the spikes that held it together, so we sawed it into sections intending to haul it away. We reconsidered when we learned there would be an extra charge to dispose of it since it could not be accepted at the organic waste site.

 
In the back yard at the same house, a steeply sloping corner that ccalready begun filling the area with sod and soil cut out in other projects in the yard. The plan had been to retain this bed with straw bales now, replacing them with a fieldstone wall once funds were available. We revised that to reuse the lumber.
In the back yard at the same house, a steeply sloping corner that ccalready begun filling the area with sod and soil cut out in other projects in the yard. The plan had been to retain this bed with straw bales now, replacing them with a fieldstone wall once funds were available. We revised that to reuse the lumber.

 
It was a puzzle to piece together the lumber we'd pulled out of the front beds in this new space, but simple math assured us there was enough to make the missing third edge of this triangular raised bed. So now, the earth holds two sides of the bed and we've retained the third with a wall that should last at least five years and probably much longer. No more mowing headaches—just a deep raised bed.
It was a puzzle to piece together the lumber we’d pulled out of the front beds in this new space, but simple math assured us there was enough to make the missing third edge of this triangular raised bed. So now, the earth holds two sides of the bed and we’ve retained the third with a wall that should last at least five years and probably much longer. No more mowing headaches—just a deep raised bed.

 
Mortared brick raised beds are worth considering if regular and varied pressure will affect the sides. That's often the case at botanical gardens where many people perch there regularly and wheeled vehicles frequently pass and occasionally bump the beds.
Mortared brick raised beds are worth considering if regular and varied pressure will affect the sides. That’s often the case at botanical gardens where many people perch there regularly and wheeled vehicles frequently pass and occasionally bump the beds.

 
As with wood, use some imagination and mixed stone can be recycled too. Karen and George Thompson made their steep slope into this large, safe garden by cleverly combining two sets of salvaged blocks plus a few bricks.
As with wood, use some imagination and mixed stone can be recycled too. Karen and George Thompson made their steep slope into this large, safe garden by cleverly combining two sets of salvaged blocks plus a few bricks.

 
George works out a pattern...
George works out a pattern…

 
...and settles on this elegant solution. Note the brick and block combination on the lowest terrace.
…and settles on this elegant solution. Note the brick and block combination on the lowest terrace.

Profile Website Extra: More photos of Bob Grese’s garden

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Continued from page 50 of the May 2013 issue.

Photos by Sandie Parrott

Bob Grese tends to a witch hazel tree (Hamamelis virginiana). Native Americans used the tree bark to treat sores, tumors, skin ulcers, sore muscles, coughs, and colds. Yellow blooms in early spring and yellow fall color make this a beautiful tree.
Bob Grese tends to a witch hazel tree (Hamamelis virginiana). Native Americans used the tree bark to treat sores, tumors, skin ulcers, sore muscles, coughs, and colds. Yellow blooms in early spring and yellow fall color make this a beautiful tree.

 
The striking plumes of bottlebrush grass (Elymus hystrix) in late summer are beautiful in any garden setting.
The striking plumes of bottlebrush grass (Elymus hystrix) in late summer are beautiful in any garden setting.

 
Grese grew Yukon Gold potatoes in what is typically called a grow bag. They are great reusable containers for vegetables and now come in many colors and sizes.
Grese grew Yukon Gold potatoes in what is typically called a grow bag. They are great reusable containers for vegetables and now come in many colors and sizes.

 
One of Grese’s favorites is prairie dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum). “I love the broad leaves and tall stalks. The leaves orient on a north-south axis and are wonderful backlit against the sun. The coarse texture is an effective contrast with fine-leaved plants,” he described.
One of Grese’s favorites is prairie dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum). “I love the broad leaves and tall stalks. The leaves orient on a north-south axis and are wonderful backlit against the sun. The coarse texture is an effective contrast with fine-leaved plants,” he described.

Janet’s Journal Website Extra: More edging photos and advice

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Continued from page 54 of the May 2013 issue.

Photos by Steven Nikkila

Practical and pretty: This raised brick edge keeps loose material in the beds, nudges feet aside, and looks great in this traditional herb garden at Cranbrook House and Gardens in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Practical and pretty: This raised brick edge keeps loose material in the beds, nudges feet aside, and looks great in this traditional herb garden at Cranbrook House and Gardens in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

 
There are no plants surrounding these beds at the Detroit Zoo so there’s no reason to install a root barrier. Yet there is need for a foot barrier in a place so heavily trafficked. Weathered logs and dead branches are used because it's readily available material that's in keeping with the overall landscape, where wood from pruning or tree removal is used in exhibits as animal enrichment.
There are no plants surrounding these beds at the Detroit Zoo so there’s no reason to install a root barrier. Yet there is need for a foot barrier in a place so heavily trafficked. Weathered logs and dead branches are used because it’s readily available material that’s in keeping with the overall landscape, where wood from pruning or tree removal is used in exhibits as animal enrichment.

 
Metal can be longer lasting than plastic edging but it is just as likely to be forced up out of the ground if not set in well to begin.
Metal can be longer lasting than plastic edging but it is just as likely to be forced up out of the ground if not set in well to begin.

 
Enjoy the look but don't rely on small fence or edge sections to block weeds. Even if they are deep enough to thwart the adjacent lawn or groundcover, they'll need help at the seams.
Enjoy the look but don’t rely on small fence or edge sections to block weeds. Even if they are deep enough to thwart the adjacent lawn or groundcover, they’ll need help at the seams.

Janet’s Journal Website Extra: Wattle wisdom and step-by-step to make Tollgate Twist

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Continued from page 42 of the April 2013 issue.

Photos by Steven Nikkila

This basic wattle weave in and out of sturdy cedar posts will last at least 4 years and then only the withes will need to be replaced.
This basic wattle weave in and out of sturdy cedar posts will last at least 4 years and then only the withes will need to be replaced.

Priscilla Needle, Paul Needle, Debi Slentz, and others from our Detroit Zoo volunteer group harvest redtwig dogwood for wattle. It’s best to use fresh clippings, which remain flexible. However, cold storage that
prevents dehydration can extend the wood’s useful life. On this January day we seized an opportunity to cut a quantity of redtwig dogwood although we would not weave until April. It was a gamble but paid off in withes still quite flexible and ready when we were on April 1.

Making the Tollgate Twist

Materials needed:

  • Cut stems such as dogwood, willow, kerria, spirea, etc. in 4- to 5-foot lengths. Must be fresh, cut recently enough or stored cool enough to retain their flexibility.
  • A hammer or mallet and sturdy stake or pipe to punch post holes.
  • Biodegradable twine.

tollgate-twist-wattle1

1. Set three-part posts at 15-inch intervals along the desired fence line. Each three-part post consists of:

a. Two flexible weaving wands, 48 inches or greater. If the bottom 18 inches is rigid, not flexible, that’s okay but everything above that must bend easily. If the weaving wand has side branches you will treat the wand plus its twigs as one bundled unit.

b. One stout stake, its top at the desired finished height of the fence.

c.  All with their butt ends securely seated in drilled or punched holes about 6 inches deep. Depth of the holes depends on soil type and finished fence height. Looser soil and taller fences need deeper holes.

tollgate-twist-wattle2

2. Select a new 3- to 5-foot wand and weave it in and out around 3 or 4 posts. If this wand has side branches, treat it as one bundled unit. Pass alternately behind and in front of three-posts, and thread between each post and one of its weavers.

tollgate-twist-wattle3

3. Grasp the left-side weaving wand of post group A. Bend it to meet B, the next post to the right. Wrap down and around the three branches that make up post B, beginning between post B’s stout stake and left-side weaving wand. Wrap around the horizontal wand. Leave this weaver wand’s tip trailing on the ground. If a wand should crack, don’t let it break through completely, or replace it if it does.

4. Now bend and weave post B’s right-hand weaving stem to the left. Thread it between post A and its free weaver, then wrap around that post group.

tollgate-twist-wattle4

5. Weave to connect 4 or 5 posts. Then insert another 3- to 5-foot wand horizontally, as in #2, overlapping the first horizontal by half and alternating with it by weaving in and out between the posts.

6. Bend trailing tips of all weaving wands up to wrap around and run with horizontal wands. Tie with twine at intervals as necessary, or snug the wand tips into portions already woven.

7. Insert more 3-part posts and keep weaving.

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