Goodbye and Hello

By Ms Sherry

http://theinquisitivegardener.blogspot.com/

I am moving; please follow me at this link. 

The Inquisitive Gardener

Inquisitive Gardner Has Moved To Blogger

By Jeremy Gordinier

The Inquisitive Gardner has moved to a new location.
http://theinquisitivegardener.blogspot.com/

All your Gardening Tips, Tricks and Helpful Hints will be located here.
Please update your links.

Thanks!

January Snow

By pbarnett

I forgot to upload the snow photos from last month. I keep trying to take a photo of the berry-laden nandina, and it always comes out too orange. Maybe the snow toned it down a little.

The Glorious Ginkgo

By Ms Sherry

This glorious Ginkgo biloba is located at Kew Gardens outside of London, England. The tree gets its common name, maidenhair tree, because its leaves resemble those of the maidenhair fern. Although it is a very nice tree four seasons of the year, it comes into its prime in the fall when the light green leaves suddenly turn a brilliant yellow. The coloful leaves remain on the tree for a while and then drop all at once. A friend told me recently that the most beautiful tree in our community was a huge Ginkgo he passed every morning on his ride to work.

Ginkgos as a whole may have gotten a bad reputation because, when many think of Gingkos, a foul smell comes to mind. However, that reputation is an ill-deserved one; it is only the female trees who produce lots of messy, nasty smelling fruit. To bypass the unpleasant smell simply plant a male tree.

Ginkgos can reach 80 feet tall (varying cultivars can grow from 40 to 50 to 60 feet also) and only about 1/3 to 1/2 that in width; if you add one to your garden, give it ample space to grow. Ginkgo trees prefer full sun, well-drained soil, and need regular water until they are very well established. They grow fairly slowly about a foot a year; but if they are really happy, they can grow more. Many believe that a supplement made from the ginkgo seed can improve memory.

This splendid tree is one of fall’s most wonderful specimens. Having one in your garden will surely bring you years of pleasure.

While we are talking about planting a tree like the Ginkgo in our gardens, perhaps some very basic tree planting techniques might be helpful. Guidelines for trees (or ornamental shrubs) which will go into a single hole planting – that is one hole for one plant – are simple. These guidelines will apply to container trees; balled and burlapped trees/shrubs have a slightly different set of rules.
• Do not amend the soil for a single hole planting. The tree or shrub needs to acclimate to the native soil as quickly and easily as possible, so put the native soil back in the hole with no added amendments–soil conditioners, compost, etc. Score the sides of the hole with your shovel. The tree should not be planted any deeper that the root ball is planted in the pot. As a matter of fact, it is better if the top of the root ball is a half an inch to an inch over the native soil line. Draw your native soil and mulch back to the root ball. (The quickest way to kill a new plant is to plant it too deep.)
• The hole should be 3 times as wide as the root ball.
• Place the tree in the hole; replace the soil adding water as you go along; firm the soil in. Make a berm around the root ball to hold the water.
• Water gently to allow the tree to get a good soaking.
• Mulch around the base with an inch or two of a good mulch. Mulch, however, should not touch the tree trunk. That invites diseases and pests to attack the tree.  Think bagel or doughnut instead of volcano.
• The best time to plant new trees or shrubs is November through February when Mother Nature can help keep them watered. Energy can be expended by the plant on the roots instead of on the greenery.
• Water, water, water during summer months until the plant is very well established–at least two years –longer if it is very dry and hot where you live.
• Place your new tree carefully, making sure not to plant under power lines or blocking views so that safety is never compromised (entering or exiting your driveway,etc.).

 

English Ivy

By Ms Sherry

Considered a menace by many in this country, ivy is almost a landscape feature in the English country side. As we drove through many of the small villages I noticed houses virtually covered with it.  From my photographs, a local plant enthusiast was able to identify it as English ivy (Hedera helix).  Notice the tremendous root on this ivy; it was growing on the Manor House Hotel near Castle Combe outside of London. The ivy was absolutely beautiful as it practically glowed red in the sunshine.

In case you need some help encouraging ivy to grow at your house (I frankly need help getting rid of it) it will grow in part shade, part sun to full sun. It appreciates being watered. Some folks even fertilize it with a high-nitrogen fertilizer.  Granted it does make a wonderful ground cover if you can control it; it also can hide a chain link fence. It is a nice addition to a container planting where it can easily be snipped if it grows out of bounds. Deer don’t snack on it. Ivy, as seen in these photos, probably does have its virtues in the landscape. However you may want to keep it groomed as it can make a splendid hiding place for small creatures.

With some caveats ivy can be a beautiful addition to your garden. There are many interesting selections on the market. In the right place, even ivy be the right plant!