Monroe County Master Gardener Association

Deb forwarded me this information. I’ve included the download files.

Greetings Plant Quest Registrant!

Attached are the recording links for the first three Plant Quest 2024 webinars along with the speaker handouts for all presentations.  Note that for the Jan.15^th presentation, we have also included several web sites providing information on gardening with deer and Viburnum Leaf Beetle and for the Jan. 22^nd presentation, we have included links for upcoming Pruning Events (via Zoom) and the Smart Gardener Conference in Belleville, Michigan.

You may watch the recordings as many times as you wish until June 1^st. 

We hope you are enjoying these webinars and are looking forward to seeing you next Monday at 6 p.m. ET.

Diane Brady

Horticulture and Events Account Manager – West Michigan

Read Full Post »

Monroe Conservation District  January 2024 Spring 2024 Tree Sale Catalog and Order Forms Now Available Click Here to Download an Order Form Product Descriptions/Additional Information Each year the Conservation District sells a variety of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and prairie grasses through our various sales. These include our Spring Tree Sale (deadline in March), Native Plant Sale (deadline in May), and Fall Conifer Tree Sale (deadline in September). Products from these sales are intended for conservation uses, such as:   Reforestation   Soil erosion control   Windbreaks and screens   Wildlife habitat improvements   Landscaping naturalizing   Pollination    Our Spring Tree Sale order form is now available. The order deadline is March 15th, 2024. Orders will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Native Plant Sale orders may be placed along with Spring Tree Sale orders, though pick-up dates differ between the two sales. Check out the Monroe Conservation District’s Tree Sale page for pictures and more information. Native Plant Sale 2024 Catalog Available Native plant sale orders may be placed with your tree sale order or by May 24th, 2024. Order pickup and extra plant sale is June 13th, 3:00-6:00 PM Click Here to Download Native Plant Sale Order Form For more information about our native plant sale, or to view pictures, please visit the Monroe Conservation District’s Native Plant Sale page.

Read Full Post »

EXCELLENT information and photos of box tree (Boxwood) moth in various stages from MSU!

Also sending link for information on an evening online program of four series that might interest you:

And once again, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Naida

Read Full Post »

Chris E. sent in this for us:

Karen Hehl & Chris Eddolls enjoyed spending the month of November working at Matthes Tree Farm (Lulu Rd., Ida, MI), making Xmas wreaths and roping.  Here is Karen behind her 6-foot diameter, hand wrapped wreath.  Look for it is gracing the MCCC building!  That’s Chris next to a star wreath; one of several unique shapes she makes (star, candy cane, cross, xmas tree, & swags).  Happy holidays to all!

Read Full Post »

By Naida A.

MARK YOU CALENDAR FOR THIS CHRISTMAS CONCERT!  It’s always a great one!

Subject: Concert Poster The poster for the upcoming Holiday Concert is attached for your info and for sharing with your family and friends. Jim Cubberly

Read Full Post »

By Gail K.

Just a note from Gail–DWARF BUCKEYE

At the November pot luck I had buckeyes to offer

from my dwarf tree–the question, if you plant

the buckeye will it grow and if it does, will it be a

dwarf.   I am not an expert, and Jennie may want to

offer some insight—I think  maybe it’s that way with

 a hybrid,

you don’t get the same plant by planting its seeds; but

from what I could find-if you plant the dwarf buckeye, you

will propagate a dwarf buckeye tree:  read below

Read Full Post »

Welcome, November! As we turn the page to a new month, we have been reflecting on the theme of renewal as we seek ways to preserve and restore Nichols Arboretum after the severe storm that hit in August. Don’t miss our interview with Jeff Plakke, our Natural Areas Program Lead, who shares his insights and heartfelt connection to the Arboretum’s preservation. Meanwhile, at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, our commitment to ecological stewardship continues as we prepare for our public Prescribed Burn Demo Day on November 12th. Prescribed burns are essential for maintaining a healthy ecosystem – if you are available to join us, we encourage you to register for this free event to learn more about this important practice. As always, we thank you for staying connected and joining us in this journey of renewal and restoration. Restoring Nichols Arboretum with Native Oaks In late August, a fierce storm took its toll on Nichols Arboretum, and over a hundred mature trees were brought down from high winds and rain. Yet, within this chaos, we have found an opportunity for renewal, staying true to our commitment to promote environmental and ecological sustainability.Well before the storm, oak tree management had taken center stage in our efforts to safeguard the Arboretum’s ecological well-being. Studies conducted within the space had revealed a concerning absence of oak tree seedlings. Oaks are not just any tree; they are keystone species, vital for maintaining the balance of our local ecosystems. They support an array of plant-eating insects, which in turn are the primary food source for songbirds. In addition, acorns are a valuable food source for a variety of animals, from ducks and turkeys to deer. In essence, oak trees are an important foundation of our local food chain. Read about MBGNA’s efforts here. Learn more about the importance of planting oak treesExcluding seabirds, 95% of bird species rely heavily on insects, particularly caterpillars. The chickadee, for example, requires 6,000 to 9,000 caterpillars to successfully raise a single clutch of nestlings. Oaks trees stand out from other plants in that they support over 450 species of these moth and butterfly caterpillars, making them crucial hubs for biodiversity.In this short clip, ecologist and conservationist Doug Tallamy delves into the wide range of caterpillars that look to oaks for sustence, and the importance of planting these trees to support our local ecosystems. Preserving Nichols Arboretum: An Interview with Natural Areas Program Lead, Jeff PlakkeJeff Plakke, the Natural Areas Program Lead at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, has played a pivotal role in addressing the August storm damage at the Arboretum. In this interview with Jeff, he shares not only his professional insights and strategies for managing and rejuvenating the Arboretum’s ecosystems but also offers a heartfelt connection to this special place, revealing his profound dedication to its preservation. Giving Tuesday is November 28th and a chance for the Matthaei-Nichols community to join the global University of Michigan community in an annual day of giving.Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum is seeking support for Nichols Arboretum. Your contribution will enable us to replant trees, repair structural damage, and provide the necessary care and resources for the Arb’s recovery and long-term future.On Giving Tuesday we will be asking for your support to help us heal the Arb. We welcome your donation then, or you can give today! Indigenous Collaborative Garden HarvestOn October 15th, in partnership with a season-long team led by Rosebud Sera of Ziibimijiwang Farm (Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians), we celebrated the fruitful harvest from the Indigenous Collaborative Garden at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. These food relatives, grown with traditional varieties and techniques, are the result of a collective effort with the Michigan Anishinaabek Cultural Preservation and Repatriation Alliance (MACPRA). This harvest, which included Bear Island corn, Odawa pole beans, Chippewa beans, Gete Okosomin (squash), and sunflowers is not merely a collection of crops but a celebration of the contemporary vibrancy of ancestral knowledge and lifeways. We are grateful to our partners for including us in this celebration. Upcoming EventsEvent Spotlight:Prescribed Burn Demo DayJoin us on Sunday, November 12th for a prescribed Burn Demo Day at Matthaei Botanical Gardens! The event is free, but to ensure a safe experience for everyone, registration is limited and required. Please visit this link to reserve your spot.NOV 1st and 5thWonder Walks: Preparing for DormancyNovember 1 @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pmNovember 5 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pmMatthaei Botanical GardensNOV 8thNature Play Pop-Up at Gaffield Children’s GardenNovember 8 @ 4:45 pm – 5:45 pmMatthaei Botanical GardensNOV 11thReception with Artist Rachel Yurkovich “Black Grass” Chernobyl ExhibitionNovember 11Matthaei Botanical GardensNOV 12thBurn Demo DayNovember 12 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pmMatthaei Botanical Gardens – Registration requiredNOV 15th and 19thWonder Walks: Searching for Food in the Dormant SeasonNovember 15 @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pmNovember 19 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pmMatthaei Botanical GardensNOV 18th -NOV 19thAnn Arbor Orchid Society Orchid ShowNovember 18 and 19 @ 10:00 am – 4:30 pmMatthaei Botanical GardensTHROUGHNOV 19thRachel Yurkovich “Black Grass” Chernobyl ExhibitionAugust 26 – November 19Matthaei Botanical GardensNOV 22ndNature Play Pop-Up at Gaffield Children’s GardenNovember 22 @ 4:45 pm – 5:45 pmMatthaei Botanical GardensNOV 25th -DEC 30thConservatory Display – AuroraNovember 25 – December 30Matthaei Botanical GardensNOV 25thDEC 30thCommunity Art Show – Earth and SkyNovember 25 – December 30Matthaei Botanical Gardens

Read Full Post »

from Gail K.

Seen at Menards on  E Alexis (near I 75 connector) a couple of COPPER DWARF BUSH HONEYSUCKLE PRICED @ $25.

NO    I did not get one….I was busy choosing tulip bulbs  g

Read Full Post »

Naida

We have our last work session in the Monroe Extension Demo gardens coming up October 9 from 2 to 4pm and I’m hoping something in BOLD AND LARGE can be put on the Blog reminding our Hort Club members to please mark their calendars – that this is the last work session of 2023 and we sure could use some extra help getting the gardens put to bed for the season!  

Read Full Post »

Sent me photos of her Seven Son shrub / tree, Heptacodium miconioides, Zone 5. She bought it last October at North Branch nursery in Pemberville, Ohio. It’s done well.

These photos of hers that have now turned color.

The flower blooms begin white in July-August and later turns to a red with golden yellow foliage in fall. It also has exfoliating tan bark that exposes a cinnamon-colored inner bark. As a tree it can grow up to 15-25 feet and will have a spread of 8-15 feet. It’s a member of the Honeysuckle family.

Jennie has often spoken about this tree, that provides a habitat to birds along with the flowers supplying nectar for pollinators.

Read Full Post »