As the Snow Melts

“In the spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.”
-Mark Twain

Our recent, albeit short-lived, spring-like weather has set off my desire to get back in the garden. The constant influx of spring seed catalogs is only fuel to the fire, making me all the more anxious for warmer weather. I took care this past fall to plant daffodils, tulips and grape hyacinth, so this spring I’ll not be envious of my neighbors (see Bulb Envy). Though I am anxiously awaiting the colorful spring display they promise, it is with more anticipation that I await for what they represent. That is the arrival of warm weather; the commencement of the gardening season. My favorite time of year to be in the garden. It is in the spring when I look at my garden as what it has the potential to become. Later in the summer I often look at my garden as what it should be, and what I did not accomplish. Everything is hopeful in spring.


“The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring.”
-Bern Williams


There is little else I look forward to more than those first few warm days in spring, when I can spend all day working in the garden. Cleaning up the last of the fallen leaves, completing what I failed to finish last fall before the winter weather set in, giving the yard a fresh clean look of which I have been desirous all winter long.

“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”
-Margaret Atwood

The weather this past weekend was so nice (at least for part of it) my urgency for the end of winter has increased. However, it is with much disgust that I know winter will remain for some very long weeks to come, occasionally teasing me with windows of spring weather. Until then, I will be making my plans for what my garden will become this year.

“Every year, back comes spring, with nasty little birds yapping their fool heads off and the ground all mucked up with plants.”
-Dorothy Parker

I Speak for the Trees....

As Nebraskans, we work hard for our trees. We are not blessed with large forested areas. Instead we must forest our land ourselves; after all we are the home of Arbor Day. We are devastated at the loss or injury to our trees after a storm has ravished its way through our neighborhoods. We are still feeling the sting of the October snow storm of 1997, and the more recent ice storms of the last year.

I was shocked to learn that since 1977 Nebraska has experienced a 50% loss of its community tree resources (according to ReTree Nebraska). This decline in trees is not only due to these acts of extreme weather, but also combines with severe drought, poor species selection, poor planting practices, and the spread of disease. One disease of particular concern is Pine Wilt. Pine Wilt attacks Scotch and Austrian Pines, (which are planted in abundance across the state), killing them before one can realize they have been infected. Not only is Pine Wilt a current threat to the trees of Nebraska, but we must now consider the very real threat of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) which is currently annihilating all species of Ash (Fraxinus sp.) in some state just to the East of Nebraska. Unfortunately, Ash is a dominant species in Nebraska; therefore, the result of the EAB will be devastating. According to the ReTree Nebraska Initiative, the Emerald Ash Borer has the potential of wiping out 25% of Nebraska’s tree population. Urban tree removal and replacement due to EAB in Nebraska could total $1.65 billion. Most experts believe that it is not a matter of IF EAB will reach Nebraska, but WHEN.

Fortunately for Nebraskans, we have professionals who are determined to lessen the severity of devastation we as a state will endure. The ReTree Nebraska Initiative has been formed to,

“…raise public awareness of the value of trees, reverse the decline of Nebraska’s community tree resource and improve the diversity and sustainability of trees in communities in Nebraska for generations to come. The primary goal of ReTree Nebraska is to work in partnership with people across the state to foster the planting and proper maintenance of one million new trees in cities and towns over the next decade.”

For the future of Nebraska’s tree community it will be important to correctly plant and properly maintain a planting of diverse species of trees. This will prevent such widespread devastation should another species be attacked as the Ash is currently. The proper planting and management of trees is also important as it is the weak trees which are first attacked.

"I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues. I am the Lorax who speaks for the trees which you seem to be chopping as fast as you please. But I'm also in charge of the Brown Bar-ba-loots who played in the shade in their Bar-ba-loot suits and happily lived, eating Truffula Fruits."

-The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss

Exiting New Plants

Each year new plant introductions are released, each with the promise of some unparalleled characteristic which will make that plant superior to all others. Usually these promises are include unmatched beauty, a new and exciting color, improved disease resistance or new dwarf size. It is interesting to see what new plants are introduced each year. Just when you think there are enough varieties of Heuchera in the world, eleven new ones are released. Not that I don’t like Heuchera, but perhaps there are some other species that would benefit from some research and new breeding. To me, many new plants are such slight variations from earlier plants, that one cannot tell them apart. I think it might be time to call an end (or slowdown) to new varieties of Spirea, Wiegela and Heuchera and perhaps concentrate more on native plant breeding. That’s not to say there aren’t some great plants that are released each year. In fact here are some plants I am excited to try out this year:

Schizachyrium scoparium ‘MinnblueA’
Blue Heaven Little Bluestem

I am really excited about testing out this new cultivar of little bluestem. Though new in 2007, I have not had much chance to use this promising new grass. If Blue Heaven lives up to its promises, this may become one of my favorite grasses. Introduced by the University of Minnesota, they claim it stands upright and has blue foliage, which turns red, purple and burgundy in fall. They refer to it as a “Blue Karl Foerster”.

Hydrangea paniculata ‘DVPpinky’
Pinky Winky Hydrangea

There have been quite a few new Hydrangea introductions in the last couple of years, which have seemed to live up to their promises. Therefore, I am excited for this next introduction. This variety of Panicle Hydrangea is claimed to have fourteen inch blooms, which begin white and fade to pink. It also has strong, red stems to hold those enormous blooms upright. Should this hydrangea live up to its promises of fourteen inch blooms, I may forgive it for its terrible name. I may have to come up with a nick name for this one; I don’t think I can bring myself to call it by name.

Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’
Caradonna Salvia

Okay, so this is not a new release. In fact, I’m not sure when it came out. However, in the last year it has become more available. This Salvia which grows to 30 inches in height has wonderful blue-ish purple flowers which are borne on erect purple - black stems. This variety will also will bloom from May through July, though may require some deadheading.

Winter Landscapes

Many people do not regard the winters of the Midwest to be a time when one can appreciate landscapes. However, is it not the desolate winter months when one would most appreciate a garden? Some plants are at their best in the winter. Though they may be dormant it is the season of their glory.


When imprisoned inside due to frigid temperatures and bone chilling wind, nothing can motivate me to go outside. That is, until I look out the window and see plants covered in snow, ice or hoarfrost. I am compelled to slip on some boots and possible a hat, grab my camera and traipse across the icy snow and photograph frozen plants. More than just the traditional evergreens – pines, firs and spruces – but the ornamental grasses, herbaceous seed heads, and interesting branching. Here is a list of some of my favorite plants for the winter landscape.

Ilex verticillata (winterberry)
Acer griseum (Paperbark Maple)
Hamamelis vernalis (witch hazel)
Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea)
Ostrya virginiana (Eastern Hophornbeam)
Malus sp. (crabapple with persistent fruit)
Hydrangea sp. (leave seed heads on)
Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem)
Echinacea (coneflower – seed heads)Sedum sp. (tall sedum – seed heads)
Solidago sp. (goldenrod – seed heads)
Sorghastrum nutans (Indian Grass)
Panicum virgatum (Switch Grass)

Ten Tips for Turning Waste Into Compost

What is Compost?

Compost is an aerobic mixture of decomposed matter which is produced by the breakdown of organic matter (yard waste, kitchen waste, paper) to form an organic fertilizer.

Why should I compost at home?

1.) It enriches the soil naturally (a soil conditioner, mulch and fertilizer in one)
2.) Studies have shown compost helps prevent plants from pests and diseases.
3.) It benefits the environment – one-third of all household waste can be composted.
4.) It will reduce your need for chemical fertilizers
5.) It’s Free!

Ten Tips for Turning Waste into Compost:

1. Make your compost pile the right size. If you make your pile too small, you may run out of room to quickly, a pile that is too big will be difficult to manage. A good size to begin with is 3 feet by 3 feet.

2. Keep a small bin under your sink for compostable food scraps. This way you won’t be running out to the compost pile constantly. Though, you will want to routinely empty it every day or two.

3. To ensure your compost decomposes quickly, keep your pile in direct sunlight. It will decompose fastest between 120-160 degrees F. Piles will decompose at cooler temperatures, though it will take longer.

4. Does your compost pile have an unpleasant odor? If so, try turning it with a pitch fork to create air spaces which will limit the anaerobic microbes, and stimulate the aerobic microbe activity. If that doesn’t work, you may have too much in the way of nitrogen rich (green) material, try turning in some carbon rich (brown) material such as dry leaves, pine needles or straw.

5. Too much of one material will off-set the balance (and can create that unwanted odor). Make sure you have a balance of green and brown materials.

6. Don’t let your compost pile become to wet or too dry. If the pile becomes too wet, an unpleasant odor may develop, add some wood chips to help absorb the excess water. If the pile is too dry materials will not break down properly, add some water a little at a time. The appropriate moisture level in a compost pile is that of a wrung-out sponge.

7. Finished compost should smell earthy and look and feel like rich dark soil. The volume of the cured compost will be less than half of what you started with, but will be much more dense.

8. Many composting bins are available commercially, though you do not need to buy one to start a compost pile. You can have a pile directly on the ground with nothing containing it, though you may want to lay some larger sticks or branches on the ground for air circulation. A wooden shipping pallet also makes a great base.

9. When possible break down or shred you materials. This will help to speed up the decomposition process.

10. Don’t have space for a compost pile in your yard? Try composting with worms! This can be done in a self contained bin inside or outside! To learn more about worms turning your waste in to compost check out Worms Eat My Garbage, by Mary Appelhof.

Fabulous Fall

Recent weather has made me yearn for the return of autumn. With its cools days, crisp air and wonderful colors marking the end of the growing season, fall is easily my favorite time of year. Though historically in poetry and literature Autumn has been a time of year which authors and poets consider to be melancholy, it beckons me outside more than any other time of year. Yard work once again becomes enjoyable, neighborhood walks become a symphony of crisp leaves crunching under your feet. I become mesmerized by the orange glow of sugar maples and serviceberry’s, the russet hues of prairie grasses, and the bright reds of Virginia sweetspires, oaks and maples – all in their final glory before the long winter hibernation. I believe we treasure autumn as we know what dreary weather awaits us in the coming months. It is a small reprieve between the hot, humid days of summer and the cold gray days of winter. We know we must take advantage of this break in weather while we can, after we have been imprisoned in air conditioned houses during the intense heat of the summer and before we cozy up in front of a warm fire during the winter months.

Some of my favorite plants for fall color are:

Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple)
Acer ginnala (Amur Maple)
Acer rubrum (Red Maple)
Acer miyabeii (State Street Maple)
Amelanchier grandifolia (Serviceberry)
Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire)
Hamamelis vernalis ‘Autumn Embers’ (Witchhazel)
Aesculus glabra (Ohio Buckeye)
Aronia arbutifolia ‘Brilliantissima’ (Chokeberry)
Bouteloa curtipendula (Sideoats Grama)
Geranium maculatum (Cranes-bill)
Panicum sp. (Switchgrass)
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)

Plants I Dig....

Geraniums

No not those bright annual geraniums, but hardy, perennial Geraniums. It seems like there is one for almost every situation. I love Geranium cantabrigiense as a low groundcover which flowers in spring. ‘Karmina’ has pinkish flowers while ‘Biokovo’ and ‘St. Ola’ are white selections. One of the great features of this species is its fall color of red to purple and its nearly evergreen foliage. My favorite geraniums for their endless flowering abilities are ‘Rozanne’ and ‘Jolly Bee’ (both are hybrids). Almost indistinguishable from each other, both boast violet-blue flowers from May through September.

Blue Muffin Viburnum

This new cultivar of Viburnum dentatum (arrowwood viburnum) has many excellent qualities. It is a compact deciduous shrub growing 3-5 feet tall and wide. Its white spring flowers give way to blue berries later in the season. In fall it supposedly gets reddish-purple in fall, though I have known it to be yellow. Though the berries and fall color are great, it is the texture of the plant which I find most appealing. Its bright green serrate leaves are beautiful as they are.

Little-leaf Linden

The little-leaf linden (Tilia cordata) is easily one of my favorite trees, especially when allowed to branch to the ground. Though it does not offer any fall color to speak of, there are plenty of qualities which make this tree worth planting. In my opinion, there is no plant which offers a fragrance to top the linden; it in itself is enough of a reason to include one in your landscape. Not every landscape lends itself to a linden, as they are typically quite large. Lindens in general have attractive foliage, are densely branched and have a very regal form, all of which makes it one of my favorite trees.