The American elm is a perfect shade tree.  It is extremely fast-growing and has a deep root structure that won't disturb nearby driveways of sidewalks.  It thrives in any soil type and is the most tolerant of harsh growing conditions of any native North American Tree   The 30 foot tall trees pictured here are only 10 years old.  Leaves turn a bright yellow in the Fall.

 

Once the dominant feature in the American landscape east of the Rockies, the American elm ruled supreme as the shade tree of choice for generations of Americans prior to World War II. These large, graceful specimens with their upright, vase-shaped habit and non-intrusive root structure have shaded so many American streets that "Elm Street" is generally believed to be the most common street name in the United States. Unfortunately, in the early 1930s, a fungal infection borne in beetles was introduced into the United States in a shipment of lumber from Europe. This fungus turned into a deadly and catastrophic blight wiping out tens of millions of American elm trees over a period of decades.

The Princeton American elm has recently reemerged as a disease resistant variety. By using modern, improved vegetative propagation, versus grafting, the Princeton American elm is now a tree, from top to bottom, that can be easily planted and cared for by virtually anyone. This tree is not a hybrid but a true American elm (Ulmus Americana) with a proven scientific record of Dutch elm disease resistance and longevity on the street.

 

The Princeton American Elm is available at Wingard's.  And this is a great time of year to plant it!

(Information excerpted from www.americanelm.com)

 
When I was growing up, we would go out in the woods and look for a cedar tree to cut down for our Christmas tree.  The tree never looked that great, always too fat, or too spindly, or only good on one side.  But it was our special tree that we found growing naturally in the woods.  It is one of my favorite memories of times spent with my Dad.

I can't recreate that experience for you, but if you want to pick your own Leyland Cypress growing in the field across from the Nursery (next to Pilgrim Church), it's almost as good.  I guarantee the tree will look a lot prettier, because my Dad grew them.  We'll cut it for you, or we'll dig it and put it in a pot so you can plant your Christmas tree in your yard after the holidays are over.  We have plenty of 6 footers ready to dig or cut.  And, we even have some 9 foot Leyland Cypress we'll cut for you.

 

 

 

If you prefer a Fraser Fir, they are scheduled to arrive from North Carolina on Friday, November 20, at the same prices they have been for the past three years.   We'll be setting them up for display the following week, but those of you who are eager to get your tree up before Thanksgiving are welcome to come in and select your tree as it comes off the truck.  We'll have a limited  number of 9 footers, so if you're looking for a big tree, come early.  We'll also have a limited number of 3-4 footers, so if you looking for a little tiny tree, you'll need to come early also.  There'll be plenty of trees in the 4-5 foot and 6-7 foot range.

A word of caution.... Last year some Christmas tree lots were selling live Fraser Firs in pots, advertising that you could plant them after the season.  Don't bother.  Fraser Firs will not grow here.   It's too hot.  If you want a live tree, use a Leyland Cypress.  Or do what I did one year, decorate a potted magnolia as your Christmas tree.  I'll never do that again.  Although, I thought it was beautiful, my family revolted and insisted on a "real Christmas tree."

 

 

Plant Your Own Container - Bring your own container, or buy one of the many we have here.  We'll help you pick out a great combination of plants that suit your location and appeal to your taste. You can use our potting shed to plant the container.  It is always stocked with fresh Lake Murray Mix, our unique potting soil. The only charge is for the soil you use.  If the container is too large for you to carry home, we can deliver it for a fee.

We'll Plant It For You - Bring your own container, or buy one of the many we have here.  We'll help you pick out a great combination of plants that suit your location and appeal to your taste.  Or, you can just leave it up to us.  The cost includes the plants, Lake Murray Mix potting soil, and a container planting charge depending on the size of the container.  You pay 50% up front and the balance when you pick it up, or we'll deliver it to you for a fee.

 

If you attended Art in the Garden and have any suggestions as to how we can continue to improve this event, please feel free to drop us an email. 
 

 

We've learned that all we have to do is have a train running through the nursery, and parents with young children will flood the place.  Thanks to Conductor Dan Goering for bringing his Thomas the Tank Engine Train, disguised as a pumpkin, for local children to enjoy during our festivities on Hallow-Palooza Day, last Saturday. 

 

Over 400 votes were cast for favorite scarecrow, and the results were close.  Congratulations to Brownie Troop 2315, whose scarecrow, "The Shopping Diva" pictured here, received the most votes, winning a $100 cash prize from Wingard's.  And thank you to all those groups that built very creative scarecrows for the contest:  Zion Lutheran Church High School Youth, Zion Lutheran Church Middle School Youth, Brownie Troop 2315, Girl Scout Troop 236, Girl Scout Junior Troop 2133, Cub Scout Pack 339, Daisy/Brownie Troop 2312, Girl Scout Troop 2167, Girl Scout Troop 983, Girl Scout Troop 2228, Platt Springs United Methodist Church Girl Scouts,  Girl Scout Troop Juniors & Cadets 2364, Cub Scout Pack 306, Girl Scout Troop 2192, Girl Scout Troop 272, Girl Scout Troop 2222, Girl Scout Troop 1435, and Girl Scout Troop 9140.  Most of them will be on display until November 15th, if you haven't had a chance to stop by and take a look.

We have the exclusive rights from our manufacturer to design, produce and distribute Lake Murray ornaments for five years.  So our plan is to produce four more of them.  Next year, for the 2010 Lake Murray ornament, we are planning a design entitled "Walk the Dam".  Don't miss out on collecting the entire series.