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| Bill!!! |
Well, My Gardening
Friends, another year is upon us!
Having just finished up
some last minute nursery orders for spring I am enthused about some of the new
plants coming out this year. Many are
low maintenance, compact plants-- some are even fruits-- that can be used either
in containers or small garden areas.
These fruit varieties of blueberries, raspberries, & small fruit
trees offer high yield and their compact habit will allow gardeners to work
them into finished landscapes.
Gardening in containers
has been a growing trend over the last few years—containers are popular because
they are easy to maintain and can fit into tight areas. Last year we planted quite a few containers
with mixed vegetables and herbs to show people what they could do in their
yards or patios. We plan to do more this
year and will possibly add some fruits to the AS&L Container Garden as
well!
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| A Maine Standard: Blueberry |
This time of year is the
time I like to plan for some projects for the coming season; whether it
involves renovating a particular garden, moving plants that have become to
large, or focusing on areas that have become tricky because of water issues or
maintenance. I have one spot that I have
been thinking about for a few years and NOT tackled it (short of putting down
landscape cloth to suppress the weeds until I can REALLY deal with it). This area has sandy, verrrry well drained
soil with a lot of sun and wind exposure, AND a lot of snow which falls from a
steep roof in the winter. So you can see
why I have procrastinated so long about this spot!! Ideally, I want plants that will tolerate
these conditions as well as naturalize the area to help keep the weeds at bay
and to stabilize the soil.
Recently we had the
annual MELNA trade show in Augusta. One
of the key-note speakers was talking about some of the plants that I think
would fit the bill for me. In particular
Grow Low Sumac “Tiger Eyes” that has lovely yellow foliage. I will also use Spirea Sorbifolia, it has
large, beautiful, billowy white blossoms and nice fall foliage. Both of these are forgiving and can be cut
back if they are damaged by snow; they also naturalize well.
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| Black Chokeberry |
There are many other
overlooked and quite nice plants that are drought tolerant and “low” (NOT NO)
maintenance. Such as, Paniculata
Hydrangea which has varieties that grow large, others that grow small, and many
in between! They also now come in many
colors often changing color both with the blossoms and the foliage throughout
the summer and fall.
It is also good to
consider plants that offer fruit and seeds for wildlife. It’s a “win win” situation; birds and wildlife enjoy the plants and we,
in turn enjoy watching the birds and wildlife right in the garden! Aronia
(chokeberry), Ilex (winterberry), myrica (bayberry),sambucus (elderberry) are
just a few fabulous plants for a wildlife garden!
Just remember that even
those challenging spots in the garden there are plants that will not only
survive but thrive there. Don’t be
afraid to ask questions when you visit your local nursery, we’re here to help. Remember we love to talk plants!
And, don’t forget to take
the time to smell the roses—there’s beauty and peace there if we simply open
our eyes and minds to it!
