Dream of ThisYes, I know it’s a mouthful, but I love it even so. When I’m feeling tongue-tied, I can always refer to it by its common name: beautybush.
I received this shrub, Kolkwitzia Dream Catcher maybe 10 years ago as a trial plant from Spring Meadow Nursery in Grand Haven, Michigan. Actually, there were two plants, seedlings really, just a foot or so tall on a single stem. A lovely surprise since I had read about kolkwitizia but never seen it in the flesh, let alone grown it. I decided to make room for the pair under the bay window at the corner of the house, a spot where my sunny front border transitions to the semi-shady side yard.
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Columns
Defensive Design A funny thing happened to me on the way to writing one of my columns last year. I decided to draw ...
Features
The first time I taught an adult photography class, I asked the participants to list what they hoped to gain …
Departments
At the end of February I spent a couple of weeks in a suburb south of San Francisco, doing grandma duty while my daughter ...
Columns
I think I’m missing a gene. Okay, maybe two or three. This is the time of year when gardeners are told to dream, to curl up ...
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Does your garden wear the “layered look?” “Garden layers are made up of a variety of plants, some with complementary or ...
questions
Late last year most of the leaves on my year-old seven-son tree (Heptacodium) turned brown, starting at the tips. It had some new growth on the tips and buds. I used a tree ring soaker hose every two weeks.
What are some trends in gardening you see becoming more prevalent in the next few years?
I have two 20-year-old pine trees whose needles are turning brown on the west side of the plants. On the east side I have a compost pile.
I live in the St. Charles region and my soil is mostly clay. What is causing the browning? Should I get rid of the compost? How do I correct the damage?
