American Beauties: Dry Shade Gardens

     This is the third installment of the four part series highlighting potential themed gardens using American Beauties native plants. So far we have covered the possibilities for a wet spot with our rain garden ideas as well as how to attract those beautiful birds with various native plantings. The possibilities are endless with native plants and to continue the themed garden approach, we will now cover ideas for an area of particular difficulty, a dry shady spot.

     If you have a dry and shady spot in your garden, you probably have had a tough time getting plants to thrive there. A lot of shady plants like moisture and a lot of dry plants like sunny conditions so when it comes to being both dry and shady, we can face quite a predicament.

     First, let's give the plants a fighting chance by doing some prep work in the area. Make sure to amend the soil  with some good composted material that will help build up nutrients in the soil and can help with water retention. Mulching helps to keep moisture in so find some solid organic mulch and cover the area. Just make sure to not cover all the way to the stem of the plants to prevent any root rot! Another good idea is to do some careful pruning of your surrounding trees to allow a little bit more light in if need be.

     Now that you have some ideas for how to prep your dry shade garden bed, you're probably wondering what to plant in it. Well, here is a very abbreviated list to get you started.

- Chasmanthium latifolium (Northern Sea Oats)

- Aquilegia canadensis (Wild Columbine)

- Aster ericoides (White Heath Aster)

- Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper)

- Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Red Cedar)

- Nyssa sylvatica (Black Gum)

- Cornus racemosa (Gray Dogwood)

- Viburnum prunifolium (Blackshaw Viburnum)

- Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire) 

- And soooo much more!

     Please ask us questions in the comment section, give us a call at (302) 239-2727, or stop in and see us!

American Beauties: Bird Attracting Gardens

     This is part two of the four part series featuring the American Beauties brand native plants and their potential in themed gardens. Almost everyone can find some kind of enjoyment from watching birds. They're graceful as they fly in and out of the garden's birdhouses. Their sweet songs can entertain and lighten hearts. They give back to the ecosystem you are so graciously contributing to as well. By planting a native garden filled with bird attracting pants, you're helping reestablish a balance in the environment! 

     Since you are so very interested in planting a few bird attracting natives, we have a few tips that will help your efforts. Before we suggest plants, we have a few pointers about how to construct and maintain a productive native bird garden. You will want to have a space that can provide water to the birds. Remember to keep those bird baths clean so the little critters don't get sick. Plan to have plants that will not only feed them but will provide some shelter as well. Leave the dead foliage that falls to ground so that when insects pounce on the decomposing materials, the birds can have a feast...oh the circle of life! Make sure to clear out space in you birdhouses in early spring so they have room to move in. You may want to add a bird feeder to the area so if they bring friends, they won't be hungry. Last but not least, please be as organic as possible and avoid any chemical usage near the area. 

     Now, onto the specifics with some plants you can add to your garden to bring some musical whimsy into your life!

- Carex pennsylvanica (Pennsylvania Sedge)

- Sporobolus heterolepis (Prairie Dropseed)

- Coreopsis pubescens (Star Tickseed)

- Phlox maculata (Natasha Summer Phlox)

- Baptisia australis (Wild Indigo)

- Lonicera sempervirens (Trumpet Honeysuckle)

- Betula nigra (River Birch)

- Ilex verticillata (Winterberry)

- And so much more!

     We can work with you to get a longer list of options...just leave a comment, give us a call at (302) 239-2727, or stop in and see us!

Pollinator Week June 17-23, 2013

Six years ago the U.S. Senate unanimously approved and designated of a week in June as “National Pollinator Week”. There is a growing concern about declining populations of all pollinators: bees, birds, butterflies, bats, beetles and others. They form an important link in our ecosystems. Pollinator Week has now grown to be an international celebration.

 

Mertensia virginica (Virginia Bluebells) and Stylophorum diphyllum

(Wood Poppy) – Both provide an early source of nectar native bees and other beneficials.

We need you to help spread the word. The Pollinator Partnership website has everything you need to get going. They have an events calendar where you can locate an event near you or promote your own event. They have free downloadable stickers for your Scout Troops and little league teams. You can purchase brochures, school garden kits and books. Other things you can do include reducing your own impact. Consider giving up your pesticide use. Grow native plants to create a pollinator friendly garden. Talk to your neighbors and community groups and maybe even join the Pollinator Partnership. 

 

Echinaceapallida (Pale Coneflower / Sweet-Scented) - This delicate looking flower provides nectar for birds and butterflies all summer and seeds for finches in the fall and winter.

Join me at Gateway Garden Center this Saturday at 2pm for a talk about some of my favorite Native Plants. I'm going to stick around after the talk so, if you have any questions about using native plants in your garden, I'd be delighted to speak with you. 

Aronia melanocarpa 'Elata' (Black Chokeberry) - Double duty, white flowers in spring for the butterflies, beautiful fall color and berries in autumn to feed the birds.

One of the best things you can do to help pollinators is to plant things that will provide food for them at different times of the year like the ones pictured here. Gateway has native plant experts on staff to help you select plants the will not only provide food for the pollinators all year long, they will provide you with a beautiful, colorful garden all year long.

Bring Life to Your Garden

Have fun out there!

Peggy Anne

American Beauties: Rain Gardens

This weekend coming up we are celebrating our American Beauties native plants! We will have themed display gardens using native plants and there will be speakers highlighting specific plants and the benefits of planting with native species.

To prepare you for this weekend, we will be posting entries with information about some of the themed garden possibilities you can create with American Beauties native plants. To start it off today, we think it is appropriate to detail the opportunities for a rain garden.

First of all, what is a rain garden? It is not a pond! It can be a natural or man made depression planted with plants that love moisture. They are usually placed in an area that would collect the runoff water from a drain spout, driveway, hill, etc. Wherever water likes to gather and permeate through in a couple days is an ideal space for a rain garden.The plants act as filters for the water and clean up some of the pollution before the water seeps into the ground.

The main benefit for a native rain garden is the natural filtration it will provide for your runoff. The plants in the garden will filter the polluted water before it is cycled through the ecosystem as ground water. This helps to conserve water and improve its quality leading to an overall healthier ecosystem. As always, more plants mean less lawn and with native plants comes less maintenance!

By helping to prevent runoff, your garden will join the fight against pollution. Water that runs off our properties and mixes with nasty substances on the ground, like oil for example, becomes polluted and enters our storm drains just to be flushed out to parts of our fragile ecosystem. Take a stand against pollution and plant a rain garden today!

So now that you want to plant a rain garden, you're probably wondering what you should plant. Well, here is a brief list:

-Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass)

-Rudbeckia triloba (Three-lobed Coneflower) 

-Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Red Cedar)

-Nyssa Sylvatica (Black Gum)

-Cornus racemosa (Gray Dogwood)

-Sambucus canadensis (Elderberry)

-Lindera benzoin (Spicebush)

For more rain garden ideas, ask us in the comments, give us a call at (302) 239-2727, or stop in and ask us in person!

Tomat-oh-my!

     It's tomato time here at Gateway so we have put our Mighty 'Mato line of tomatoes on sale. These tough tomatoes are grafted bringing a rootstock that is known for its disease resistant nature and its high yields together with the scion (top part of a plant) of a yummy tomato plant. The result is a bountiful harvest of beautiful tasty tomatoes.

     This is our first year carrying these tomatoes but we are already thrilled with them. Most of them already have a few tomatoes popping out! Large two gallon sized Mighty 'Mato tomatoes just $9.99!

     Once you get those guys in the ground or in a few pots and feel the need to juice them up a bit, give them a little Tomato Maker to make them smile even brighter. Just top dress a little bit of this product at the base of the stem and see the prosperous results.

     If you have any questions about the grafted tomatoes or the Tomato Maker fertilizer, leave a comment here, give us a call at (302) 239-2727, or stop in and pay us a visit!

   

Butterfly Awareness Day

Butterfly Education and Awareness Day June 1^st

Meet me at Gateway Garden Center on June 1^st at 2pm. We’ll be celebrating and I’ll be giving a talk about some of my favorite 

American Beauties Native Plants!

The Association of Butterflies (http://www.forbutterflies.org) has declared that the first Saturday in June each year shall be celebrated as Butterfly Education and Awareness Day. The association hopes that the creation of a national day will help raise awareness about this important pollinator. This is a great reason to plan a celebration and get your kids involved with nature. You could plant a butterfly garden, raise butterflies at home or even gather the neighborhood kids and have a butterfly release. Maybe I’m just a kid at heart but I’m going to have a butterfly release at my wedding this weekend. I can’t wait to see the faces of our little flower girl and ring bearer.

 

Blackswallowtail

At the Association of Butterflies’ website you can find information about everything from information about host plants to how to plan your own release. It’s a wonderful site full of good information. There is even an article about my hero if you click here. http://www.forbutterflies.org/gardening/american-beauties/

Buckeye

Our butterflies are coming from Liberty School Butterfly Farm and Gardens. Owner Tamara Menas (http://www.libertyschoolbutterflies.com) has been a great supporter of American Beauties and is passionate about butterflies. Thanks for introducing me to your association Tamara.

Now come on, let’s get this party started, be the butterfly!

 Bring Life to Your Garden

Have fun out there!

Peggy Anne

Kid Friendly Container Gardening

Looking for a fun activity for you and your child or grandchild? Come to Gateway's Little Sprouts workshop on Sunday, May 19 at 12:00 p.m. Our fantastic designer and teacher, Holly, will show you and your children or grandchildren how easy and fun it is to grow their own food! This a fun activity to do together and a great opportunity to teach the little ones useful skills they can utilize in their future. All children must be at least three years old and accompanied by an adult. This is a 'take what you make' workshop meaning whatever you pot up, you take home! Spots are limited so give us a call at (302) 239-2727 or stop in to reserve a spot.

Themed Display Gardens

     We know the feeling you can get while walking in a garden center. If you don't have a set plan or design, it can get a little overwhelming with all of the beautiful choices around. Some plants like more sun than others and some like wet conditions over dry ones. Then you have fruit producing, evergreen, flowering, perennial, annual, etc., etc., etc. Oy vey! So many options and so little time. 

     Here at Gateway we strive to make the process as easy and enjoyable as possible. In order to ensure this happens, we have created a few themed display gardens to give you inspiration or fit your criteria. 

     So far we have developed a garden full of plants that we call our wet feet selections. These plants can take moist soil conditions. We put a few leucothoe with a couple sambucus under a river birch with some other plants that can take the moisture. There is a garden full of plants that are resistant to deer and another that is filled with plants that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. We are currently working on putting together a set for plants that can take the heat and fare well in dry conditions.

     Other ideas are in the works so stop in to see what's going on and be inspired!

Superb Herbs

     Looking for some plants to enhance your diet's flavor and your overall health? Give herbs a try in your garden. Whether it's solely an herb garden or you incorporate them into your vegetable garden, or even scatter their beauty throughout a landscaped bed! There are so many uses for plants like basil, thyme, mint, oregano, mosquito plants, etc. Harvest your basil and oregano to use in a homemade pizza. Use your mint for tea or mojitos! Roast a chicken with some thyme or rosemary. Strategically place a mosquito plant to deter those pesky creatures from entering your living spaces. 

     We carry a line of herbs that are very popular and have proven themselves time and time again. Sara's Superb Herbs are fantastic choices for your herbal needs. The line has just about any herb you could imagine. Curry plants, mosquito plants, dill, lavender, etc. The brand also has a great website that has recipe ideas, garden designs, container gardening tips, natural remedies, history of herbal uses, and much more! They are also a charitable organization that gives $0.50 of each herb sale to Easter Seals. We keep our wonderful collection of Sara's Superb Herbs next to our edibles greenhouse so stop in to see all they have to offer.

Here is a link to their website: http://www.superbherbs.net/seals.htm

BeeSmart Pollinator Gardener App

There’s an App for That!

I broke down and bought a smart phone a year or so ago but I never really got into getting all the apps. Technology and I are reluctant partners and I really just wanted it to be a telephone and a way to check my email on the go. But, I have to admit that this new app from the Pollinator Partnership http://www.pollinator.org

 Is pretty cool.

It’s called BeeSmart™ Pollinator Gardener. It’s a comprehensive guide to help you select plants that attract pollinators specific to your area. They have a database with nearly 1000 pollinator friendly plants native to the United States. It includes a range of plants from perennials to trees. You can search for a specific pollinator like butterflies or bats and drill down to search by flower color, soil type and more.

It gets even better. Once you’ve created a list of plants you want, you can bring your phone to the garden center and never forget what you were looking for. You can use the free Catch app and add text, pictures and voice recordings to your plant notes. You can also use Catch to start a garden journal and connect with other garden enthusiasts. BeeSmart and download this one – it’s free!

Bring Life to Your Garden

Have fun out there!

Peggy Anne

P.S. Are you a member of the Delaware Center for Horticulture? If not, you may want to join.  If you are, I'll see you tonight at Gateway for the special DCH members 30% off party! 

Bee there!

Weeds...Ugh!

   

     Dandelion, oxalis, crabgrass, bindweed, creeping charlie, pokeweed...the list goes on and on! Ninety nine percent of the population would tell you that they are weeds. However, there are a few renegades out there that would welcome them seeing as identifying a specimen as a weed is merely one's perception. You see, Merriam Webster defines a weed as a plant that is not valued where it is growing and is usually of vigorous growth to the point where it can choke out other plants.

     So, maybe they have developed the reputation for being annoyances because of the way they look or of their growing habits but, keep in mind, one person's weed could be another's welcome specimen. For you one percenters who don't mind them, all the power to you! For the other ninety nine percent, we have some suggestions for how to prevent and treat those pesky plants.

-Fill up your beds! More plants = less space for weeds.

-Mulch. It can help keep the weeds down.

-Pull. It is a pain but can be the best way to get the roots system out of the ground.

-Prevent. Spread some corn gluten in your yard in cooler weather and try landscape fabric before you plant a bed.

-Treat. Find a spray and get to it! There are tough chemical based ones and more organic options that are effective too.

     We try to keep our weed population to a minimum here at Gateway and we are full of experience...unfortunately...so post a response, give us a call, or stop in to ask us questions about your perceived weed problems.

Record Low Predicted

WARNING 

A record low temperature is predicted for tonight. The last time it was this cold on this day was in 1967! We want to make sure you all are aware of this so you can save your beloved plants. Warm weather plants like basil, tomatoes, and other wonderful annuals want to stay warm. So, if they're planted already, try to get them covered as best you can and if they're in pots, take the pots in the garage or anywhere else you have storage where they can be guarded from the conditions. We are bracing for the night and covering all of our plants with our special felt frost blankets. It's like we're tucking them in for the night! Good luck to you all and if you're on the fence about whether or not to cover a certain plant, you can give us a call for advice. If you're reading this after 7:00 p.m., our advice to you is...when in doubt, cover it!

MOM

     

     We want to send a shout out to all of the moms out there in the gardening world! We know it's hard balancing it all...work, raising children, social life, and, of course, gardening! We want to thank you all for being the wonder woman of your family and you all deserve a fantastic Mother's Day weekend. 

*Now that we have said our thanks and expressed our gratitude, it's time to hand over the laptop to the loved one next to you or call one over to view the rest of this post.

     It's Friday, May 10 and Mother's Day is Sunday, May 12. So, you're reading this post because 'someone' gave you a 'hint' for something they 'may' want to receive on that very special day. Don't worry, it's not too late to find a great gift and we are here to help! We'll list a few plants that will fulfill any mom's desires.

For the water loving mom. Great water features for inside the home.

 For the bird loving mom. Beautiful glass bird baths.

For the mom that loves to cook. Herbs galore in our edibles greenhouse.

 For the good smelling mom. The lilac bushes provide very nice fragrances.

 For the blonde mom. Golden mops are pleasant plants for any garden that needs some color.

 For the mom dreaming of a tropical vacation. Elephant ears are unique additions to any gardener's world.

 For the classic mom. Geraniums are always a safe bet.

 For the fashionable mom. Felt purses to hold all of that mysterious stuff she carries around.

For the zen mom. Orchids seem to have a calming effect inside a home.

For the mom who just got her nails done. We have many choices and you are bound to find a pair that will fit her style.

Still clueless on what to get her? Stop in and we can help you out! Happy Mother's Day!!!!

Plants with Attitude

     Geraniums, marigolds, petunias...the list goes on and on. Classic choices that are the "go to" options for everyone's garden. They fit in nicely and are well adjusted to our landscape designs. We all love these items for their beauty and reliability. We have grown them for years and will continue to do so because of the routines we get used to. They provide a comfortable gardening experience that keeps us within our "safe zone." 

     But, there are always a few rebels out there that go against the norm. They're strange. They're unpopular. They have faces that only a mother could love. These plants have attitude and aren't afraid to show it! They come from places with some pretty far out ideas. They were brought in to Gateway to provide those looking to take a walk on the wild side an opportunity to feed that desire. We will highlight a few of them below.  

--'Rita's Gold' fern is a member of the Boston fern family and will grow to about 18". It will stand out in a crowd of shady characters.

--Solanum pyracanthum is greenish gray with some mean orange spikes. This tough guy has a soft spot though when it flowers its one inch pale lavender flower.

--Acalypha Tiki Jungle Cloak looks a lot like camouflage up close. This full sun annual that will grow up to three feet tall may be up to no good trying to blend in, as it does so beautifully, with the other plants in your garden or pots!




      We have many more of these unique picks at Gateway so stop in to see what new cutting edge plants are available from our fantastic growers! 

Certified Wildlife Habitat

Would you like to turn your backyard into a Certified Wildlife Habitat™?

It’s not as difficult as you might think. The Certified Wildlife Habitat program from the National Wildlife Federation is an effort to empower people to take action to conserve and restore wildlife and the natural world. It’s no secret that loss of habitat is putting pressure on all wildlife but you can make a difference. By providing the four basic elements that wildlife needs to survive you can create a wildlife friendly oasis.

·       Food – You can feed birds, butterflies and other wildlife their natural diet by planting native plants that deliver nectar, seeds, fruits and berries.

·       Water – You will be amazed at how much life water will bring to your garden. You may want to think about installing a water feature. A birdbath works well too.

·       Cover – Animals need a place to get out of inclement weather and to hide from predators. Evergreen shrubs provide shelter all year. A rock or brush pile in a quite corner of the yard provides a safe haven.

·       A Place to Raise their Young – Nesting boxes, dense shrubs and trees all help wildlife to find a safe nesting site.

You can join the 157,000 other households that have certified their gardens by registering at the NWF.  You can also click on this link for more tips and ideas.  When you certify you will receive a certificate to proudly share and a year’s subscription to National Wildlife magazine.

In 2005, American Beauties Native Plants joined together in partnership to help further the mission of National Wildlife Federation.  With the support of American Beauties over $19,000 has been donated to NWF to date!  These funds help support NWF’s conservation work all across America. Every time you buy an American Beauties Native Plant a portion of the proceeds goes to support the NWF.

Incase you hadn’t noticed Gateway Garden Center is a Certified Wildlife Habitat that is leading the way and being a good neighbor.

Bringing Life to your Garden!

Have fun out there, Peggy Anne

Beneficial Nematodes

     Bugs. 

     Sometimes we are fascinated with their beauty. The monarch butterfly in all of its orange glory and the always fashionable ladybug are really sights to see when appreciative eyes are set on them.

     Sometimes we are frustrated with their destructive habits. Aphids can really suck the life out of a garden and bagworms are greedy little things that will take off your foliage and needles.

     However, sometimes bugs go to battle for us and we don't offer enough appreciation for their efforts. So, we would like to take a moment today to honor one of our great garden buddies that doesn't get enough recognition...the beneficial nematode. Well, since they are packaged by the millions, maybe we should refer to them as a group.

     These guys go to work for you in your garden by attacking over two hundred thirty different kinds of garden pests like white grubs and moth larvae. These microscopic critters go on the hunt to kill soil dwelling insects. They hang around for a while, about two years, and are safe to dispense around people, pets, and are fine for the environment. The container we sell holds seven million active units per each pint and will cover up to two thousand square feet. Release instructions are easy to follow and no training is necessary.

    So, if you're having some troubles with soil dwelling pests in your garden, give these guys a chance and see how they can work their magic!

   

Spread Your Wings

First, we would like to thank Peggy Anne for contributing an article to our blog last week. She is a phenomenal writer and you can look forward to her posts on Wednesdays! 

Now, onto the post of the day...

One of our goals here at Gateway is to incorporate sustainable practices in our gardening. We promote native plants because of the benefits they provide to our local ecosystems. Some misjudge these plants and consider them unattractive in landscapes but they would be surprised at how many beautiful options there are! 

We have a large selection of native plants from American Beauties, a brand we know and love. The helpful handy dandy handouts that they provide explain the benefits that planting with natives can bring to your garden as well as what plants will attract what critters or what will thrive in dry or wet areas. There is a plethora of options to choose from and one in particular we enjoy are plants that attract birds. 

Few things in life are more simply entertaining than watching birds. All you have to do is walk out of your back door, take a seat, and soak it in. That is, after you plant these selections that American Beauties has highlighted as good picks for bird lovers.

-Pennsylvania Sedge

-Adam's Needle Yucca

-Woodland Aster

-Wild Indigo Baptisia

-Eastern White Pine

-Black Gum

-Arrowwood Viburnum

-Blueberry

And much, much, much, more!

Our native displays are right up front so check out the cool stuff in the green pots for a new and improved take on gardening! 

Bees Populations in Danger

EU Voted for a Two-Year Ban on Pesticides Thought to be Harmful to Bees 

A bee collects pollen from a sunflower in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

British newspaper the Guardian reported this past Monday that the EU is banning pesticides that are thought harmful to bees. One day later, the New York Times, Huffington Post, BBC, NPR and many, many others are all a buzz with the news. “I pledge to do my utmost to ensure that our bees, which are so vital to our ecosystem and contribute over €22 billion annually to Europeanagriculture, are protected,” said Tonio Borg from the European Commission in Brussels. 9 

The pesticides in question are called neonicotinoid pesticides. This nicotine-like chemical is extremely toxic to insects. It dissolves in water, which means it can be taken up by the roots (or even applied to the seed) making the entire plant, even the pollen toxic. Worldwide sales of the pesticides total in the billions of dollars. Bayer CropScience and Syngenta are the two companies that are making the product in Europe. Both companies point to colony collapse disorder, mites and viruses, environmental changes and poor nutrition for the decline in bee populations. And, certainly these things must be contributing to the problem.

Americans are watching the proceedings and research closely because the pesticide is in wide use here in the U.S. In another New York Times articleit has been reported by beekeepers that 40-50% of bees have died off in the past year. Beekeepers and environmentalists are suing the Environmental Protection Agency over its approval of the products, which they claim were allowed on the market with inadequate review.

Bees need you now more than ever. Please take them to heart when you do your spring shopping. Every plant counts! With thanks to Mid-Atlantic Gardening, I’d like to share this list of bee favorites.

Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’

The super dark purple blossoms make a great cut flower besides being bee caviar. Cutting back the spent flowers will encourage a second bloom for you and your bees.

 Monarda didyma

The bees will love it and so will you. Use it to decorate summer salads and add color to homemade herb butters.

Sunflowers

Annual sunflowers are easy to grow from seed. It’s a fun way to introduce your children to gardening and the outdoors. 

Hollies  (Ilex)

Butterfly Bushes (Buddleia davidii)

Salvia of all sorts (Salvia greggii, Salvia nemerosa)

Catmint (Nepeta cultivars like ‘Dropmore’, ‘Six Hills Giant’)

Sedum (especially the fall blooming types like ‘Autumn Joy’ and ‘Matrona’)

Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum)

Veronica (cultivars like ‘Sunny Border Blue’)

False Aster (Boltonia asteroids)

Asters

Beebalm (Monarda didyma and its cultivars)

Anise Hyssop (Agastache)

Sunflower  (annual or perennial)

Lavender (lavandula)

Goldenrod (Solidago)

Here is a short list, there are many more. The staff at Gateway is always there to help.

Happy Gardening, Peggy Anne

American Beauties native Plants