Monroe County Master Gardener Association

Gail writes:
Does anyone know the name of this shrub???? When we moved into our home in 1977—the elderly lady next door,
shared how she and her deceased husband used various gardening practices (chives under bushes to cut down on mosquitoes). One of my earliest exposures to” organic gardening techniques.” among her many plants, one has survived the many “new neighbors” but I have never been able to figure out what it is. So I decided to let you all help me (PS I do not have a smart phone–).

Evergreen in nature–but not conifer insignificant-small white flowers, emit a grape smell flies & bees just love the berries which follow in the fall remind me of bittersweet- not orange….but white, and when ripe they pop open to reveal a bright red berry like seed.

The plant reseeds easily and the bush can get quite large thanks ahead of time……………..gk

by Gail K.
Once again, we find ourselves at the end of our growing season. Most of us have prepared our gardens
for the upcoming winter season. On Nov. 10th we held our annual banquet to celebrate the fellowship
of the Monroe County Master Gardener Assoc. & Horticulture Club during the past year. I would like to
share with you some of the pictures from this event.

It was a nice time to mingle & a pleasure to relax with friends & to share in good ole conversation……
no meeting today…….just food, friends and smiles (full bellies)


Thanks to Jenny and Winnie for the beautiful tablescapes; the tables were covered in fall colors & anchored by centerpieces of colorful gourds.

Also a big thank you goes to Joan; who treated each of us to a jar of homemade pepper jelly.

As if all of the above wasn’t enough. Jenny made ice cream out of the paw paw crop from the extension gardens.



The group listened intently as Ms. Hill spoke to the various aspects of how we could control the weeds in our gardens, and how we could ID them to ensure we were using the correct techniques to control them.



So in closing out another year- let’s give thanks for all the friendships we have enjoyed through the master gardener program-the tours which open our eyes to what lies beyond our own gardens and to all aspects
of gardening we are exposed to via the various educational opportunities we enjoy.

HAVE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING, A HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
See you 2019………………..gk

May I add a Thank you to Gail for all the great stories she has contributed to our Blog. It’s been a pictorial scrapbook of great shots. Linda

AUTUMN IS A SECOND SPRING WHEN EVERY LEAF IS A FLOWER
Albert Camus

gk

Photos and article by Gail K.

I have had an issue with a particular flower and thought it may be good to share my experience. I am not sure where I purchased, but the plant marker had it labeled as UPRIGHT PURPLE-RUELLIA. Sold as a perennial I thought it would be an asset in my garden. Very showy it says-when in full bloom. NOT ONE THING ABOUT IT BEING INVASIVE. As far as I am concerned it is invasive in my yard.

It really is pretty, but I am finding it in every planting bed I have and it is not easily removed……….so I am just sharing this with you—before you plant this, be aware of what my experience has been. It has other names: Wild Petunia (Monroe County Cons. District sells this in native plants) and Mexican Petunia (Ruellia Simplex). Used for prairie plantings as it attracts butterflies… read that the wild form is invasive and on watch lists. I am not sure how you know if you have the wild or not but I won’t plant any version of this—gk

During a Work and Learn at the Demo Gardens, it was noticed that our Euonymus had scale. We thought it would be good to show a photo of it.
We pruned the bush back and disposed of the infested branches. This is the best remedy when it is so infested with scale. If you notice it quickly, when they first appear, you can eliminate them by simply rubbing them away. Other solutions include alcohol on a cotton swab or Neem Oil.

Article and Photos by Gail K.:
This week I want to share just a few photos from my visit to the Biltmore House & Gardens
in Asheville, North Carolina. I planned to see fall colors but hurricanes along with global warming
have a way of changing “normal” time frames. I also made trip adjustments so I could visit the gardens
during the Chihuly display. Not sure that was smart; more people than plants but since we saw Chihuly
pieces on display during the Meijer garden tour I thought you might enjoy. So jump in the car and
head for the HiLLS!!!!

We were fortunate they allowed open ticket sales for the last day of the Chihuly exhibit-I wonder if the crowds are as large for other major events they host throughout the year? A winding road through a vast wooded area, took us to the shuttle stop & then the house.

Looking towards the “front yard” from the house, we could see the first
Chihuly exhibit ……………..
Per ticket time & after going thru security, we passed by #2 Chihuly display before entering the house……
Once inside the foyer, the routes to other rooms was clearly visible. This was one of the most
impressive architectural areas to me-.
This area directly off the foyer showcased another Chihuly exhibit. We heard later
in the week, that by Monday–Chihuly exhibit was gone and the space was being transformed
into a center piece for the Christmas display………

This area, obviously for entertaining. Lower from the side veranda-
higher than the gardens. Imagine if you will, attired in a sparkling ballgown-dancing
to the music of an orchestra while under the stars on a summer’s eve-the air heavy with the aroma of flowers. ## reality check:

I took this route to get to the next site, an arbor with
stone walls proved to be a great spot for several different Chihuly exhibits.
Here are 2 of my favorites from the walkway.
From the “shrub garden”–area packed full of trees,shrubs & plants. Defined by
meandering paths & occasionally a Chihuly would arise from out of the ground.

Crape Myrtle-Lagerstroemia ‘Natchez’ A Chihuly fits right in.

Next level down: conservatory garden, very expansive area On the right side is an arbor covered with vines.



The roses were not all in full bloom but these were a couple of my favorites.

I only took a quick look into the conservatory and moved on but
I found the doorways to be intriguing.<a

I made it back:



Quick note; I normally try not to include people in pics-it was just not feasible this time. We spent about 3 hrs on site–I did not visit the spring,azalea or bass pond gardens. The gardens clearly offer year round interest & spring probably another prime time to visit. Wish fall colors had peaked-but still enjoyable. Massive estate, multiple gardens,multiple dwellings & multiple uses.
I suggest checking out the web site. http://www.Biltmore.com (satellite view) leaving this grand place,we must follow a one way road–leads around the outside edge of the estate–exposing views of the other areas.

By Gail K.
This week, I want to show you pictures from the afternoon portion of our tour:
the home of Edsel & Eleanor Ford on the shores of Lake St. Clair. For the last 90 yrs, the notable features which designated this home a National Historic Landmark are the lake shore and the designs used to create the various garden rooms. While we are lucky to have Linda to assist us with design questions, the Ford’s used Jens Jensen.

The entry is located up on the roadside (where the staff stayed) one of the features there is a butterfly house and pollinator garden.

Our docent spoke to the major features of the estate. One major problem the gardeners are facing, is the aging landscape. All of the Elms on the property have been treated to prevent Dutch Elm disease. Mr. Jenson loved to create “rooms of trees”.

I don’t have the exact size of the estate but we started from the road and went to the shoreline–we could not see the water until we actually reached the shore. Here is a path to show just how vast the area is–

This shows a bit of size comparison with the adults on the right of the area. We all spoke to just how much fun
a child would have had on this estate. While you note the designs when you look at the following pictures,imagine playing a game of hide and seek.

Some of the rooms were hidden by design but they all connected–again; we are walking in a fairly straight path heading towards the water. One of the major plants on this estate are the 700 roses.

Note the design-dictates the type, color to be planted in each area.

The “pool house” is another. What is so unique with this feature, the water comes from the lake and is filtered back to the lake via a water fall feature.

Again, I am going to remind you we are still not to the shore, “Darling, will you please bring me my towel”

As we ended the tour, it brought us to the house. Whew!!! Our docent tells that when the whole family was on site-they had 50 people to assist them while they were there.

We did not get a handout pamphlet about the estate but were told if you have an iPhone…you can download a free tour app….”Edsel and Eleanor Ford House Tour.” As we leave, note yet another path to ????? Mr. Jensen was a real visionary.

by Gail K.:
For those of you who are unfamiliar (like me) the college usually covers 3 days.
the second day this year included 2 options. First-a choice from 5 full day
tours or an afternoon workshop. So this week’s blog topic will focus on the full day
tour I attended: Explore the Shore. The tour’s primary focus was the gardens of Fair Lane;
home of Clara & Henry Ford, and the Edsel & Eleanor Ford estate. Please, take a seat-enjoy
the trip.

Our docent, having worked on site for 30 yrs. was a wealth of knowledge. Here are some pictures with a few highlights. The gardens are currently under an “Interpretive”restoration. The gardens were designed by Jens Jensen who used the “natural environments.”

The tour of the grounds started with the new grand entry, the powerhouse/garage-cutting garden with the adjacent potting shed,& greenhouses. The property abuts the Rouge River-Jensen used the river to create a dam needed to produce hydro electric by the powerhouse. Today, the restoration includes creation of a stepping process beside the dam for fish to move up stream to spawn.

The estate has a large number of “rooms,” each with a different purpose & story..
I have a pamphlet with the 27 various aspects of the estate. We did not get to all of them.
Much of the lecture took place while we stood in the rose garden-at one time, Clara tended 10,000 roses
on 2.5 acres (now in ruins).

We continued our trek across the back of the house which faces the river. In an earlier photo, you saw the “blue garden” The house is also under renovation, this is a view of the rear and the side of the house.

From the side of the house you can view the “great meadow” The Ford’s were very progressive-
loved nature & natural features, organic gardening practices and ecological preservationists.



As Master Gardeners, we can volunteer in a variety of ways on this project, go to http://www.henryfordfairlane.org for more information.

Story and photos by Gail K:

I would like to feature the Master Gardener College which took place on Sept 14 and 15th. The event was held @ Wayne County Comm. College; being so close to home, it allowed for a bit more affordability & flexibility for those who wished to attend any portion of the 3 day event. We had many members of our MCMG assoc. present, it was my first time to attend this event.

This week will focus on the last day; 8 hrs. featuring 2 keynote speakers; 3 break out sessions each participant chose the topic of their focus;opportunities to shop @ various vendors (and we did shop) and of course–FOOD & fellowship with so many others who enjoy gardening & many of us (not all, sorry Pat) won door prizes.

Following breakfast-Mary Wilson MSU MG program coordinator gave the opening statement and introduced the first keynote speaker Bill Culina Director & President of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.

Mr. Cullina spoke on various aspects of plants, & insects. Plants are photosynthesis factories and the gardener is the manager of those factories. A notable fact: in response to a stimuli, a plant is cable of producing airborne smells-a chemical messaging system- detected by other plants alerting them to produce a defense mechanism. He shared a recipe for a preventative protein spray: 1 regular aspirin-ground up along with 1 tsp of mild dish soap mixed into 1 gal of water Spray on plants every 3 weeks prior to a known issue. The spray will cause the plant to increase its chemical response– helps ward off disease such as powdery mildew. He also spoke to the use of ultraviolet light vs daylight and how insects see @ night. Very good speaker, covering a lot of material.

Did I mention shopping???

The second keynote speaker for the day was Karl Gercens lll-Conservatory Horticulturist for Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. Mr. Gercens spoke to the design aspects he uses in the Conservatory. He has 800 volunteers and things change with each season & rarely repeat year after year. He spoke to the various plants they use & how they adapt them for their use…. Learned that Coral Bells grow better in potting soil, a wreath made of succulents.

References seedyourfuture.org and http://www.KarlGercens.com
Following his talk I added the Longwood Gardens to the list of places I want to visit ……..
DID I MENTION SHOPPING????

I SOMEHOW MISSED THE SILENT AUCTION DISPLAY BUT WINNIE FOUND IT

Many of our members won a prize throughout the 3 days—

BIG PRIZE WINNER!!!! Norma Buggy

The day was long- constant hustling and bustling as we tried to shop & eat; eat and shop and still get to our classes on time. I think everyone who attended enjoyed the day. I know that I did and give it a thumbs up. We all left with a wealth of knowledge to take out into the real world to share and put into practice in our daily gardening.

For all attendees we received 2 tote bags full of goodies for just attending. At the closing event, we learned that next JUNE in Pennsylvania there will be an INTERNATIONAL MASTER GARDENER CONFERENCE!!! Stay tuned…………information to come.