Monroe County Master Gardener Association

story & photos by Gail K.

With Covid still a concern, our first meeting/speaker for 2022was held in March.

It was nice seeing a friendly face: Josh from 4 Star came with his top picks of Proven Winner plants for 2022.

Everyone was intent on hearing all the latest, as Josh spoke about the testing and trials which the Proven Winner brand goes thru before it reaches the market. 

As is his norm-Josh brought many plants for us to see.

With Covid, many have taken up “gardening” so he also brought house plants from Proven Winners.

Knowing several of our members love using Coleus–Josh shared a photo of one he wasn’t able to bring a sample of.     Very Striking I must say.

He also shared a sample of a petunia-the closest to a true-blue color they have ever achieved

The meeting ended with Josh graciously allowing anyone to choose from the selections below; a plant to take home. THANK YOU JOSH!  As always, a very informative discussion/g.

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story & photos by Gail K.

The past two years, found many of us facing a variety of life’s curve balls.  I would like to step back in time and catch up on posts to our blog………

March 2022- I attended a discussion on bird seed and feeders  at a  local nursery.   Our host was Jennifer-

–

I’ve spoken of Nature’s Corner before-finding Jen to be informative & helpful.  Maybe you’ve
heard her garden talks on Toledo TV channels.

The day was sunny but chilly.  There was a large number in attendance & most were excitedly anticipating spring’s arrival and winter’s end.

The speaker was a rep from a seed company.  He had a variety of seed & feeders; was informative and

happy to answer the many questions.

There was even a raffle drawing:

Although I did not win; these friendly ladies got me my free sunflower seeds and helped me with the purchase of a

nifty feeder to hold meal worms that I use to feed my bluebirds.If ever you are out that way–stop in at Nature’s Nursery-they have plants of all kinds and a great gift shop.
SEE YA AT THE CORNER………………..g

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JOAN sent Gail these flyers. She thought to share with all…..in case some

others want to give some thought to attending either one………..

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Naida sent in this information on Bedford’s Garden tour.

This event is the major fundraiser for the Bedford Garden Club with proceeds used for library and community projects along with providing a $1,000 scholarship each year to a Bedford High School graduate who plans to study horticulture or agriculture.

What: Bedford Flower and Garden Club Annual Garden Tour

When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 9.

Starting point: Bedford Branch Library, 8575 Jackman Rd., Temperance.

Cost: $10 a person, available at the library on the day of the tour.

Benefit: Proceeds are used by the garden club for library and community projects, along with a scholarship fund for Bedford High School students.

At the tour’s beginning point, the Bedford Branch Library, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy floral displays, music and refreshments. There also will be a Backyard Boutique area with raffle drawings and garden-related items for purchase.

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In the last few years, I’ve planted 5 David Austin James Galway roses along my newly installed fence, an Eden climbing rose and Zephirine Drouhin climbing rose on an arbor installed.  Along with these were several rose bushes I’ve planted throughout the year.  My roses were doing beautifully with foliage, but I notice the buds looking a bit odd.  I first thought it was just the odd weather we’ve been having because as they were opening I notices brownish edges on them.  Many opened fully, but you could see the damage.  I did some research and found that I had thrips.  I followed some instructions to make sure by taking an open rose and shaking it onto the palm of my hand….yes there they were.  They are so small, like the size of a whisker, these tiny little insects sucking the life from my roses. 

For treatment I got a rose insecticide making sure that it said it would treat thrips.  I sprayed every bud and bloom on every rose in my front and back yard.  I did this to make sure I can eliminate them.  I left it on a day, then I went back and cut off every bud and bloom on every rose bush in my yard.  I did this even though some did not show damage.  I just didn’t want to take the chance.  Hopefully, they’re controlled and will only hurt this first spring bloom.  I will definitely spray as soon as I see a bud forming to prevent further infestation.  Cutting all those beautiful roses and buds off was just so depressing…I’m sure I will feel better as soon as they begin to produce again. I put them in a sealed bag and disposed of them.  Just heartbreaking.  Thrips tend to go for light color and pink roses, however I cut all just to be safe. I suppose that’s why my Eden shows the most damage.  Hopefully, they have blooms by the garden tour.

I will closely watch for any signs and spray periodically.  The foliage still appears healthy, although I did find a few saw fly damage and larvae.  I picked those off and destroyed them. Here are some photos of all I had to treat and remove.

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Stella sent us info:

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity at MBGNA.  We completed three successful plant sales, hosted a national cut flower show, welcomed the first outdoor wedding of the year, launched the 2022 Shakespeare in the Arb season, and celebrated the W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden’s 100th Anniversary!  We are so grateful to our amazing staff and volunteers for all of their hard hard work readying the gardens and supporting these events, and to our visitors who made it all worthwhile.  We could not have done it without you!Bonsai in BloomOur Azalea Bonsai are currently blooming and they are exquisite! Their bloom is short-lived, so stop in to Matthaei Botanical Gardens this week if you want to see them in person. Interested in growing your own bonsai?  We have a DIY guide on our website, check it out here.Bugs with Beth: Mining bee (genus Andrena)by Beth WeilerThis week’s featured bug is a Mining bee (genus Andrena)! These bees get their name from their nesting habit, which is to “mine” and create their nests in bare ground. All bees in this genus are solitary ground-nesters. Female Mining bees excavate a small burrow in the ground, then divide it into multiple cells; she will lay one egg in each cell. The female then collects pollen throughout the day and turns it into “bee bread”: firm, round little loaves of pollen, which she leaves in each cell for the developing baby bee to eat. Pictured is Andrena vicina, the Neighborly Mining bee. It is covered in the bright orange pollen of Prairie alumroot (Heuchera richardsonii), which is currently blooming in the prairie of the Great Lakes Garden at Matthaei. The bee bread that this individual is making for her offspring will probably be bright orange and quite delicious!100 Years in Bloom: celebration highlightsAfter over a year of planning, the W.E. Upjohn Centennial Celebration took place on June 5, 2022.  The weather was perfect and the peonies were ready to impress. Highlights of the event including photos are available at this link.  Highlights from this year’s peony bloomThe W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden is more than a just a place – it is a meaningful backdrop for so many moments that is intricately woven into the tapestry of our community. This garden is your garden. We celebrate together. Enjoy video of the garden at the link below.June is pride monthFlowers such as green carnations, violets, pansies, roses, and lavender have symbolized the LGBTQIA2s+ movement for centuries. Flowers were used as a form of coded language and to symbolize represent love, beauty, and loss. To our friends in the LGBTQIA2s+ community, we see you and support you. Native plants supporting pollinatorsHost plants are plants that provide food for butterfly or moth larvae.  This beautiful Raspberry Pyrausta moth’s host plant is dotted mint (Monarda punctata).   You can learn more about which moths and butterflies feed on which native plants at this Native Plant Finder. This friendly Mining bee (Andrena sp.) was found in our Great Lakes Garden is collecting pollen on a fleabane.  Both daisy fleabanes (Erigeron annuus and Erigeron annuus) are native to Michigan. Native pollinators such as these are important to humans, not only for ecological balance, but in their role in our food production.  By including native plants in our own yards and spaces we can support these important

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Naida asked me to post:

VERY LARGE THANKS TO ALL CLUB MEMBERS

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Stella K. sent in this information.

Join us to celebrate! The beloved peony garden in Nichols Arboretum was established 100 years ago in 1922 with a gift of peony plants from Michigan alumnus W. E. Upjohn. It is the largest collection of antique and heirloom peonies in North America. At peak bloom visitors are treated to more than 10,000 blossoms in shades of pink, red, and white. It’s a must-see event, so don’t miss this year’s peony garden blooming season – the peony plants are expected to be at their peak this weekend, just in time for our Centennial Celebration!Visit our peony garden website for visit detailsCelebrating 100 Years of Bloom!June 4th from 1-3pm Nichols Arboretum, 1610 Washington Heights Wander through this stunning display of historic herbaceous peonies in bloom, then join us for a centennial celebration featuring remarks and peony-inspired musical performances. The W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden Centennial Celebration will feature remarks from Nichols Arboretum director Tony Kolenic, Peony Curator David Michener, members of the W.E. Upjohn Family, and others, as well as performances of peony-inspired Korean choral works and a composition by composer-in-residence, Alexis Lamb. Innovation and Impact“The W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2022 and with that comes a question that I am often asked: what do you do with a historic peony garden at a leading public research university? to be honest, it’s a question I truly love answering.” Read more from Director Anthony Kolenic in his post “From Legacy to Catalyst: Innovation and Impact at the W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden“.Peony Garden Named for Original DonorIn 1922, Dr. W. E. Upjohn gave a gift of peonies to the University of Michigan that would become what is now the University of Michigan Nichols Arboretum Peony Garden. Upjohn’s significant gift has come full circle, as his family has come together on the 100th anniversary of his gift with a donation of $2 million to name the gardens after its original donor. On May 19, the U-M Board of Regents approved naming the garden the W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden, in recognition of collective gifts from members of the Upjohn family.  The full story is available here.W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden. Date unknown- approximately 1930Learning About PeoniesCaring for Peonies Do you have questions about growing you own peonies?  Take a look at our Peony Care Frequently Asked Questions page for helpful tips and answers to common questions.Peony Viruses Unlike mammals, plants do not possess immune systems that produce antibodies. Instead, practically speaking, every plant cell defends itself using an arsenal of molecular mechanisms.  Learn more about peony viruses in this post by Dr. Nastassia Vlasava and Dr. David Michener.Peony Root Systems The beloved peony has traveled the world thanks to its specialized root system.  MBGNA Garden Coordinator, Doug Conley, shares information on peony root systems.What’s in a Name? When you come across a peony at the arb, the tiny hint to its history that you have in that moment is its name. Whose stories are told by the name of each peony, and whose stories are left unsaid?  Read more in this post by Michaela Kotziers.The American Peony Society recognizes 6 common forms the peony can take. All six can be found at the W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden!  Learn more in this short video.Bloom UpdateThe W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden is nearing peak bloom.  This photo was taken the morning of Friday, June 3, 2022.Events The 100 Years in Bloom Centennial Celebration is just one of many events taking place as we celebrate. For additional details and registration, visit https://mbgna.umich.edu/peony-100/ or click on links to individual events below.   Through June 26  “Time in the Garden” Art Exhibit June 4-5 American Peony Society Convention and Cut Flower Show June 4 100 Years in Bloom Garden Walk hosted by Ann Arbor Farm & Garden June 3-5  Bonsai in Bloom Exhibit and Workshops June, Thursdays-Sundays Shakespeare in the Arb “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”  June 26 “Time in the Garden” Closing ReceptionShare Your StoriesThe peony garden is a special place.  We want to hear your stories.  What does the W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden mean to you?Support the W. E. Upjohn Peony GardenOur primary challenge is to maintain the integrity of this historic collection. Your gift will help us continue to maintain the W. E. Upjohn Peony Garden as an internationally recognized reference collection, a conservation model for other historic cultivar collections, and a destination for peony lovers. As we look forward to the next 100 years, your support will help us as we seek to build the related collection of tree peonies, create an international Online Peony Information Center, further cutting-edge research, and to explore the intersection of peonies and culture. Donate to the Peony GardenCopyright © 2022 Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website, became a Matthaei-Nichols Member or received previous communications from us Our mailing address is: Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum 1800 N. Dixboro Rd Ann Arbor, MI 48105 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

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Just thought I’d share a few of the spring blooms from my garden. These will of course not be blooming in July when we have the Horticulture Club tour. My tulips were amazing this year. I planted over 100, many of which did not bloom…I’m thinking critter issues and a few in pots didn’t make it. But my tree peonies were prolific for sure.

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By Jennie S.

On the north side of Dunbar Rd between Strasburg and Geiger there is a large field of crimson clover in bloom. This soil-improving cover crop might be harvested for seed but it is more likely to be tilled up or killed and planted to corn or soybeans shortly. Karen H. remembers seeing a field near her, and seeing folks stop along the road to take photos of it. I thought our horticulture club members might enjoy the sight and being able to identify the plant. I took a sample to the meeting Saturday and took these photos this morning.  My phone did not get the deep red shade of the flowers.

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