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| UPCOMING EVENTS | Hydrangea Festival July 24, 2010; 11:00am Planning for Spring Flowering Bulbs September 11, 2010; 11:00am Fall Urn Insert Workshop September 9, 2010; 6:00 - 8:00pm September 12, 2010; 1:00 - 3:00pm Planning for Fall Maintenance September 18, 2010; 11:00am Events and Details |
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Greetings!
"In summer, the song sings itself"
~ William Carlos Williams
Ah, summer...everyone is busy with plans. It's that time or year for schedules for vacations, camps, visiting family or just plans for relaxation. Most of our plans include watching the weather and determining how that will impact our plans.
The recent alternating heat and moisture have resulted in an explosion of blooms and colour with our Hydrangeas. This large family flowers from mid to late summer when many of our garden shrubs have finished blooming. These plants are relatively low maintenance; however there are a few tricks of the trade to get the most bloom, colour and survival in your garden.
Join us this Saturday July 24 at 11:00 for our Hydrangea Seminar. Donna Zarudny, owner of the Dufferin Garden Centre, will introduce you to the many different types of hydrangeas. Learn the tips and tricks on fertilizing, pruning and enjoying this wonderful family of plants.
Register for Hydrangea Seminar
Events
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Summer Flowering Hydrangeas!Hydrangeas prefer a partial shade to full sun with a soil rich in compost and nutrients. They prefer not to dry out and the limp leaves will tell you when they need a drink. The word 'hydrangea' comes from the Greek meaning "water tub". The common big-leaved hydrangea has been widely cultivated since arriving in England from its native Japan in the early 1700's. The hydrangeas native to the southern parts of North America tend to be the Annabelle and mophead varieties. Most shrubs range in height from 3' to 6', however, in some climates, they can reach higher becoming small trees. There are three flower arrangements in hydrangeas. Mophead flowers are large round flowerheads resembling pom-poms or, as the name implies, the head of a mop. In contrast, lacecap flowers bear round, flat flowerheads with a center core of subdued, fertile flowers surrounded by outer rings of showy, sterile flowers. The paniculata group has flowers that are more in a cone shape. Hydrangeas begin blooming in late June or early July and mature and stay on the plant throughout the winter until they are cut back. After the first hard freeze, most varieties dry on the branch to a pale green or brown. Many hydrangeas are white but in some species, can be blue, red or pink. In these species, their colour often is a result of the pH of the soil. In acidic soils with a low pH (5.5), the flowers show bluer tones compared to a sweet soil with a higher pH (6.0) will show more pinkish tones. The following list is an example of hydrangeas now in bloom at the Dufferin Garden Centre. Do you know another gardener who might enjoy this article?  |
Annabelle Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle')
Full Sun to Full Shade
4' Ht and Sp
Dark green foliage with large, round, pure white flowers in July that last until October. Flowers are produced on new wood. Does not like dry locations. Flowers are ideal for drying. Prune back to 10" each spring. Currently not in stock.
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File Photo
 | Incrediball Hydrangea NEW
(Hydrangea arborescens 'Incrediball')Full Sun to Part Shade 4'-5' Ht and Sp An improved 'Annabelle' with strong stems and massive blooms on both new and old wood. A very prolific bloomer midsummer to frost. The blooms emerge an attractive lime green and change to white and age to green. Currently not in stock, however it will be available end of August. Interested? Call the store to add your name to our list to avoid missing out on this amazing plant! |
Invincible Spirit Hydrangea NEW
(Hydrangea arborescens 'Invincible Spirit')
Full Sun to Part Shade
4' Ht and Sp
The flower emerges dark hot pink and matures to a rich clear pink. Plants bloom nonstop until frost. It is the pink version of the 'Annabelle'. Cut it back to the ground in the fall as it blooms on new wood.
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Blushing Bride Endless Summer Hydrangea
(Hydrangea macrophylla 'Blushing Bride')
Full Sun to Part Shade
4' Ht and Sp
Blooms all summer long, with its mopheads that start pure white and change to blush pink as they mature. The strong stems and dark green foliage make the flowers an excellent choice for cutting.
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Endless Summer Hydrangea
(Hydrangea macrophylla 'Endless Summer')
Full Sun to Part Shade
4' Ht and Sp
Unique mophead hydrangea that flowers on both new and old wood. Large pink flower in alkaline soils, blue in acidic soils. Flowers all summer when spent blooms are removed.
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Twist-n-Shout Hydrangea
(Hydrangea macrophylla 'Twist-n-Shout')
Full Sun
4' Ht and Sp
See Feature Plant below...
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File Photo  | PeeGee Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandiflora')
Full Sun to Part Shade
9' Ht and Sp
White, cone-shaped flowers in August turning bronze-pink by October. Foliage is dark green. Also available in tree form.
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 Limelight Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight')
Full Sun to Part Shade
8' Ht and 9' Sp
See Tree of the Month
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 Little Lamb Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata 'Little Lamb')
Full Sun to Part Shade
6' Ht and Sp
It has the smallest flower petals of any Hydrangea. These delicate little blooms are held in tight but little flower heads that look like little dancing lambs floating above dark green foliage. Blooms mid to late summer.
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File Photo  | Pink Diamond Hydrangea
(Hydrangea paniculata 'Pink Diamond')
Full Sun to Part Shade
4' Ht and Sp
Pink flower buds opening to large cone-shaped, white blooms in June quickly turning bright pink and lasting through to September.
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File Photo
 | Pinky Winky Hydrangea
(Hydrangea paniculata 'Pinky Winky')
Full Sun to Part Shade
6.5' Ht and Sp
A new hardy hydrangea that has large white blooms turning pink that are 12-16" long and cover the entire plant. Currently not in stock.
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 Quick Fire Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata 'Quick Fire')
Full sun
6.5' Ht and Sp
This variety blooms up to a month earlier than other hardy hydrangeas. The blooms change from white to a rich pinkish-red before other varieties even start to flower. Currently not in stock.
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 Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala 'petiolaris')
Partial Shade
22' Ht and 13' Sp
Slow growing vine with shiny green foliage that turns yellow in the fall with white flat flowers in June. It does not require support as it develops 'feet' and sticks to walls and trellis supports.
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 CIL Aluminum Sulphate
- Acidifies the soil to encourage the growth of acid-loving plants including hydrangeas
- Directions for the garden: apply 1 kg evenly over 20 sq m or apply 125 mL to medium size plants
- Treatment may be repeated every 3-4 weeks
- CAUTION: Do not put in direct contact with roots or damage to plants may occur.
Product available at the Dufferin
Garden Centre.
2 kg box, Regular $6.99, see below for coupon.
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 Green Earth Dolomitic Lime
- Neutralizes Acid Soil
- Use to enrich soils for healthy, vibrant gardens and vegetables
- Excellent for tomatoes, clematis, lawns and garden vegetables
- Provides available calcium and magnesium
- CAUTION: Wash hands after use
Product available at the Dufferin Garden Centre.
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 Super Green Muriate of Potash (0-0-60)
- Increases vigour and provides disease resistance
- Improves the quality of plants and increases plumpness of fruits and vegetables
- Provides a vital part in the transfer and formation of starches, sugars and oils and promotes winter hardiness
- CAUTION: Do not put into direct contact with roots as damage may occur to plants
Product available at the Dufferin Garden Centre
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Cottony Maple Scale - File Photo  | Karen's Top 5 Munching Monsters
These are the top 5 questions that our staff has been asked about over the last few weeks.
5. Cottony Maple Scale
Problem: In the overwintering stage, the insect is oval, flat and pale to dark brown without obvious legs, antennae or wings. Later, a white cottony egg sac two to three times the length of the scale is produced in the spring. It gives the appearance of cotton balls being strung from twigs. The insect feeding causes twig dieback. Severe infestations can kill major limbs and occasionally the entire tree, especially if the tree is stressed.
Solution: Dormant oils can be applied before bud break in the spring to control the overwintering scale. Summer control of scale insects needs to be targeted at the crawlers that usually hatch from eggs in late June through July by using insecticidal soap. Unfortunately, conventional insecticides such as malathion also will kill the scale insect's natural enemies and ultimately could make the infestation worse.
4. Aphids
Problem: Aphids are tiny, soft-bodied insects with long, slender mouth parts that they use to pierce and suck out plant fluids from the tender plant parts and new growth. Aphids may be green, yellow, brown, red or black depending on the species and the plants they feed on. Aphids often feed in dense groups and do not move rapidly when disturbed. Though they can curl leaves and produce sticky honeydew. They rarely kill plants and can often be washed off with water.
Solution: When aphid numbers get high, natural enemies such as ladybugs, parasitic wasps, lacewings and praying mantis frequently feed on them. Safer's End-All is an insecticide that controls all stages of aphids, whitefly, scale, spider mites and mealybugs. To control aphids, caterpillars, leafhoppers, earwigs on fruit trees, landscape trees, ornamentals, flowers, shrubs and vegetables spray them on first appearance and repeat in 10-14 days if necessary.
3. Little Green Worms
Problem: Tiny green worms working their way through the rose garden. If left untreated, they will decimate the entire plant.
Solution: Safer's Ready to Use End All II Insecticide is a fast-acting, short-lived product. When the insects first appear, spray all plant parts including both upper and lower leaf surfaces, repeat 10-14 days later if necessary. This product controls aphids, caterpillars, leafhoppers, earwigs, whitefly and beetles on fruit trees, landscape trees, ornamental flowers, shrubs and vegetables.
2. Slugs and Snails
Problem: The damp weather certainly brings out the slugs and snails. You can see them especially on your lettuce, broccoli, hosta and so much more.
Solution: Safer's Slug and Snail Killer to be used around vegetables, perennials, fruit trees, berries, ornamentals (shrubs, flowers, trees) and lawns against slugs and snails in the greenhouse and outdoors. Apply the bait evenly on the soil around or near the plants to be protected from slugs or snails. This product will not harm pets, birds or wildlife. It can be dispensed directly from the container to small areas as a spot treatment or can be applied using a handheld spreader.
1. Lily Beetle
Problem: Newly hatched larvae feed on the underside of leaves while mature larvae feed on the upper surface of the leaves. The larvae cause most of the damage and spend 2-3 weeks stripping the foliage, then the flower buds before dropping to the soil to pupate.
Solution: Hand-picking should be the first level of control if possible. A constant vigilance and quick removal and disposal of beetles, eggs and larvae can control an infestation on a small number of plants. Neem Oil will repel beetles and kill young larvae, and it's best to apply every 5 to 7 days after the eggs hatch.
All products mentioned are available at the Dufferin Garden Centre
Don't see your garden monster? Visit our June's issue of Garden Matters or send us a form through What's Bugging You?
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Eco-Tip: Adjusting Hydrangea Colour Naturally
Some hydrangeas are interesting as the colour of their flowers can change dramatically. If you have a white hydrangea, unfortunately they can NOT be changed to pink or blue. Although, sometimes as the flower ages, you may see a pinkish blush to them.
The hydrangea growers have the most control over the hydrangeas as it is easier to control the pH of the soil in the container than in the ground. Sometimes, hydrangeas will change colour on their own when they are planted or transplanted. They are adjusting to the new environment. It is not unusual to see several different colours on one shrub the next year after planting.
PINK
For Hydrangea blooms to be pink, the plants must be planted in an alkaline soil with a pH of about 6.0-6.2. To achieve this, add dolomitic lime several times a year. Use a fertilizer with high levels of phosphorus. Phosphorus helps to prevent aluminum from being absorbed which keeps the colour pink not blue. Planting hydrangeas near a concrete foundation or sidewalk will often affect the colour since the pH of the soil may also be raised by lime leaching out of these structures.
BLUE
To obtain the blue flowers on a hydrangea, aluminum must be available in the soil and the pH must be lower to allow the plant to absorb the aluminum. The pH of the soil should be about 5.2-5.5 and to achieve this acidity, add organic matter such as coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable peels, pine needles and evergreen clippings. When planting the hydrangea, add a few aluminum nails to your planting mixture, or add aluminum sulphate to the soil to make it more readily available. Also try a fertilizer that is low in phosphorus and high in potassium to help produce the blue colour. Bone meal should be avoided when trying to produce blue flowers.
Have fun with experimenting with colour. Let us know how you achieved your colour changes!
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File Photo
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Feature Plant - Twist-n-Shout Hydrangea
Twist-n-Shout Hydrangea produces abundant blooms on both old and new wood all summer long. Lace deep-pink centers are surrounded by gorgeous blossoms of pink or periwinkle blue, depending on soil type. Sturdy red stems and glossy deep green leaves turn red-burgundy in fall to offer year-round interest in the garden.
Easy to care for, this hydrangea is an elegant stand-alone specimen, dramatic in combination with other plants and compact enough for containers.
Height: 3-5'
Spread: 3-5'
Flower: flowers all season long, repeat blooms with pink bloom in alkaline soil and blue blooms in acidic soil
Shape: rounded
Garden Uses: great addition to the garden with its late summer colour, or a dramatic shape in a large container, used for cut flowers, great fall interest plant
Design Tips: outstanding specimen plant in the mixed border, can also be grown in the cutting garden
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Garden Tip - Gardening Online
When the weather gets just a bit too steamy for working outside, or Mother Nature is watering your garden naturally, what to do? Ask most gardeners and they'll say, that's when the housework gets done!
The Dufferin Garden Centre has been working for several years on keeping an online presence with our ever-changing website, photo galleries and newsletters. We have decided to expand that to include more interaction with you...our gardening family, friends and customers! You will now be able to find us now on Facebook and Twitter. Come and join our communities as we celebrate the joys of gardening, morn the experiments gone badly and share answers to questions.
Facebook:
Facebook is a social networking website intended to connect friends, family and business associates. It began as a college networking website and has expanded to include anyone and everyone. Facebook users create a profile page that shows their friends and networks information about themselves. A popular feature on Facebook is the ability to share photographs uploaded from a phone, camera or hard drive. As with other private information, users have the option to allow only friends to see their picture or anyone.
Already have an account?
Twitter:
Twitter is a great way for friends, family and co-workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent messages. People write short updates, often called Tweets of 140 characters or less. All you need to use Twitter is an internet connection or a mobile phone. Once you're in, type your first update into the web box. Following someone simply means receiving their Twitter updates. When you follow someone, every time they post a new message, it will appear on your Twitter home page, so you always get the updates in real time.
Already have an account?
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Cedar's Corner - Rock Stars!
Hey my Pint-Sized Potters how is your summer going? Are you having fun in the glorious weather? Here's a craft idea for you to add to your garden. Do you like to collect rocks? I'm not sure I have met someone who doesn't. There is nothing better than nice smooth stones under your paws...I mean in your hands!
Materials:
- rocks
- paint brush
- paint
- old fashioned creativity!
When searching for rocks, the best ones for painting are the unusual shapes that can really make a painting stand out. Thoroughly clean your rock using soap, water and good scrubbing brush to remove any debris from the rock. Leave them out in the sun to dry as you want a nice clean, dry surface to start.
Acrylic paints seem to work best for rock painting. Painting on rocks in hard on brushes, so any inexpensive synthetic brush will do. If you want your rocks to be important additions to your garden, use a weather resistant paint. A clear acrylic sealer could also be applied to the entire surface of the rock after painting to completely protect it.
What's your subject? 
The shape of the rock itself can sometimes help with this. Does it look like an animal, or a flower, or a scene? If you feel a sketch is needed, try using a pencil to lightly sketch the outline onto the surface.
Begin painting, allowing time for each colour to dry before applying the next. This is easy if you are doing this outside! Try moving the rock around to allow you to get your brush into difficult areas.
When you are done, where is the best place to display your creation...on a desk, by the front door, or in the garden?
When your project is done, come and tell me all about it!!!
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Can you name these Summer Blooms? These
are plants you could see around the Dufferin Garden Centre (or our
website
- hint, hint!). If you have not won in the last three months, please send your answers via Email, we will accept
either Common or Latin names!
The first three entries with the correct answers will
receive a $5.00 gift card from the Dufferin Garden Centre. The answers
will be published our next newsletter.
Answers from Garden Matters - June 26, 2010
1 - Nasturtium
2 - Phyllis Smith Daisy (Leucanthemum)
3 - Wineberry Candy Daylily (Hemerocallis)
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Inspiration is Blooming at the Dufferin Garden Centre
Monday to Friday; 8:00am to 6:00pm
Saturday; 8:00am to 5:00pm
Sunday; 10:00am to 4:00pm
Telephone: 519-941-5081
250 'C' Line, Orangeville
Dufferin Garden Centre
www.dufferingarden.ca
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