IN THE GARDEN: Top 10 - best plant picks

1 - Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo Biloba) This has always been my favourite tree and still is and always will be. The fan shaped leaf is striking and unusual, but the best part is Ginkgo's are disease and insect free. They grow perfect with no pruning required. Also if you are into holistic medicine you know the medicinal value of the Ginkgo Biloba, I put a few drops in a glass of water every day. Good Health!

2 - Ivory Silk Lilac Tree (Syringa Reticulata) Here is another care-free tree that is very hardy and can tolerate urban conditions. Large creamy white flowers appear in June when most other flowering trees are finished blooming. This is a mid-size tree that also resists insect and disease. The bark is a beautiful smooth tan colour which stands out in the winter months.

3 - Eastern Redbud (Cercis Canadensis) My favourite Carolinian, a small irregular tree with ascending branches and open form. This is a great pick for naturalized plantings, early spring bloomers with profuse but small magenta purple flowers. A magnificent flowering tree, when they burst into bloom everyone calls that week to ask about them. Plant one, you will not regret it.

4 - Dwarf Korean Lilac Treeform (Syringa Meyeri) If I designed your landscape, you already have one of these outstanding little trees. I love to use this plant by the front door or entrance as it has a sweet fragrance and does not get to large, a perfect small accent tree. This plant gets covered in dainty purple violet clusters of flowers in late spring to early summer. Try this one in a large pot on the patio very formal.

5 - Boxwood Green Gem (Buxus) For an evergreen you cannot beat Boxwoods, they are very versatile, but look best in a formal garden. Lush, green foliage, year-round even in the winter months. Pyramid, globular or used in a small hedge Boxwood always look great. They do require some pruning. Boxwoods can be pruned into almost any shape. Try a Mickey Mouse hat.

6 - Dwarf Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis Obtusa Nana) What a wonderful dwarf conifer, so soft with flat fern-like foliage. A slow growing tightly woven plant with an irregular growth pattern. Ideal when planted in rock or alpine gardens, around ponds or places in the landscape where space is limited. Hinoki Cypress are used in all Japanese theme gardens, look at the gold variety "botusa nana aurea" this is a beauty as well.

7 - Magnolia Saucer or Star (Magnolia Soulangiana/Stellata) This tree is often mistaken for a tulip tree because of the huge tulip shaped flowers. You may think this tree is messy and the flowers short lived, but they are still worth it! A profusion of large pink flowers cover this tree early in the season, when magnolias bloom you know it's spring. In multiple stem form the smooth grey branches create a stunning effect in the landscape.

8 - Red Sunset Maple (Acer Rubrum Red Sunset) If you want fall colour and have got the room for a large shade tree, plant this one with blazing orange and autumn foliage. We have two in our backyard and in the fall the show is incredible, the smooth grey back also adds to the beauty of this maple variety. For larger properties, plant groves for more impact in the landscape.

9 - Weeping Flowering Cherry (Prunus Subhirtella Penula) Clusters of double, hot pink flowers cover the branches of this small, graceful weeping tree. A real showy display of early colour in the landscape. Use as a focal point in an accent garden or rockery. Although related to the fruit bearing cherries this one is non-fruiting.

10 - Perennials There are so many different varieties it's mind boggling and I love most of them. Here are my best picks that every garden should have:

* Hostas - great for bold foliage statement in the shade garden.
* Dwarf Grasses - should be used around all natural water features and ponds.
* Stella Doro Daylilies - very long flowering period-the-best.
* Coneflower - rudebeckia and purple cone flower-echinacea. [ Top ]

FOR YOUR LAWN:

Rake your lawn and remove all leafy and stick debris. You may then thatch or aerate if necessary. If you had crabgrass last summer, April is the time to apply Turfbuilder with Halts. This will prevent those nasty seeds fro germinating this year - remember for every 10 seeds sown last fall, up to 10,000 seeds could germinate - scary...

If your lawn is thin and you want to reseed, you will have to make a decision - either apply Halts now and reseed in mid May or seed now and apply just Turfbuilder product. Halts prevents germination of all seeds including grass seed.

Save $$$ by purchasing our 4 Bag Scotts Program. [ Top ]

IN THE POND:

If you are a proud pond owner, you should clean your pond of all leafy debris from the bottom. This can be done by removing the fish and storing in an adequately sized container with a pump to provide oxygen; then unplug your pump, drain your pond of most or all water; spray leaves to remove from stones. This will loosen leaves and heavy debris; and then remove as much as possible, keep spraying, pushing water to the deepest part of the pond. You may then pump out the dirty water and refill with clean...don't forget if you are using chlorinated water, use a de-chlor product...last, but most important add a powder or liquid bacteria and then you are ready to add your fish once again. All of our store staff are knowledgeable in necessary products to use - don't be afraid to ask - we only believe in 1 main product - BACTERIA - BACTERIA - BACTERIA.

Best buy right now, 1 gallon Microbelift $119.00, never goes bad, can be used 12 months.
FOR ANY OTHER GARDENING QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL OUR NURSERY AT:       (519) 352-5149.

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