Michigan Gardener - Your guide Great Lakes gardening: Garden Event Calendar / Expert Advice / Plant Profiles / Tree Care

PLEASE NOTE: In the autumn of 1995, we hatched the idea for a free, local gardening publication. The following spring, we published the first issue of Michigan Gardener magazine. Advertisers, readers, and distribution sites embraced our vision. Thus began an exciting journey of helping our local gardening community grow and prosper.
After 27 years, nearly 200 issues published, and millions of copies printed, we have decided it is time to end the publication of our Print Magazine and E-Newsletter.

Michigan-based group seeks to restore forests

March 15, 2011 •

David Milarch founded Archangel Archive with the goal of re-growing old growth forests:

“In our infinite wisdom, we’ve destroyed 98 percent of the old growth forests that kept nature in balance for thousands of years,” said David Milarch, the group’s co-founder. “That’s what we intend to put back.”

Milarch, a tree nursery operator from the northern Michigan village of Copemish, and sons Jared and Jake have been producing genetic copies of ancient trees since the 1990s. They’ve now joined with Elk Rapids businesswoman Leslie Lee and a team of researchers to establish Archangel Archive, which has a staff of 17 and an indoor tree research and production complex.

Read the full story here…

What is the difference between own-root and grafted roses?

March 13, 2011 •

What is the difference between own-root and grafted roses? Is one better than the other?

Own-root roses are produced by rooting and growing the cuttings of desired varieties. The types produced by this method often include Antiques, Flower Carpet, Meidiland and many Shrub varieties. Most own-root roses do not need ground level protection in winter once they are established. Budded (or grafted) roses are produced by inserting a bud of a desired variety onto a vigorous rootstock. The types produced by budding include Hybrid Teas, Grandifloras, Floribundas, Climbing and English varieties, as well as a few from the Antique and Shrub groups. Budded roses should be planted with their swollen bud union 1 to 2 inches below the surface, plus have winter protection each year to help them survive our cold Michigan climate.

Very few rose varieties are produced using both methods, so the question of one method being “better” than the other really does not apply. Since the propagation method relates to the type of rose, your choice is really determined by the rose producers and their experience of which one works best for that particular variety.

Which ornamental grasses won’t flop over?

March 12, 2011 •

Which ornamental grasses stand up best throughout the year? I have a couple now that flop over during both the summer and winter months. I need some choices that are 5 to 8 feet tall.

Several ornamental grass varieties will maintain their strong, upright growth habit from summer through winter. These include:

Maiden grass (Miscanthus), 5-6 feet
Japanese silver grass, variegated (Miscanthus), 5-7 feet tall
Porcupine grass (Miscanthus), 6-8 feet
Ravenna grass (Erianthus), 10-12 feet
Zebra grass (Miscanthus), 5-7 feet

Keep in mind that certain growing practices can reduce the sturdiness of grasses, especially when placed in partial shade, or when too much nitrogen fertilizer is used. The above varieties, even when properly grown, will usually be flattened by heavy snow, but return upright once the weight has melted.

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