Shrubs Archives - gardenmyths.com

Over mulching Trees | Mulch Volcanoes Kill Trees

As Penn State puts it: “Mulch Volcanoes are Erupting Everywhere“, and they are killing trees. It is a slow death, but one that is almost inevitable. Gardeners and landscape professionals see over mulched trees everywhere and they copy the method, not knowing that they are mulching incorrectly.

The main cause of death has been attributed to increased trunk rot, but that is a myth. This post will debunk this myth, explain the real cause of death, show you how to mulch trees and shrubs properly and how to fix the problems caused by mulch volcanoes.

huge cone shaped pile of mulch around a thin tree — An extreme mulch volcano. Notice that all of the trees in the background are also over mulched, source: Paul Hetzler, Adirondack Almanack

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Best Time To Plant Trees

When should you plant new trees? Many people plant in spring, probably because they want to do some gardening at that time of year. Others claim that fall planting is better. Here is what the experts say.

Best time to plant trees

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When Do Roots Grow – Spring, Summer or Fall?

Common advice is that tree roots grow in spring and fall and take a rest in summer. The tree is too busy in summer taking care of leaves, flowers and fruit to do much root growth. Roots also grow better in cool weather. Perennials also take a rest in cold winters, but do the roots grow in summer? This certainly seems to make a lot of sense, but is it really true?

When Do Roots Grow - Spring, Summer or Fall? — When Do Roots Grow – Spring, Summer or Fall?

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Globularia repens – creeping globe daisy, dwarf globe flower and Globularia nana

Globularia repens is an uncommon alpine that is perfectly suited to the rock or scree garden. It spreads fairly quickly for such a small plant and makes a nice cushion display.

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Cornus Mas – The Cornelian Cherry

Cornus mas is a shrub or small tree that blooms very early in year, even before forsythia. It has attractive yellow flowers followed by red fruit that develops in fall. It does not make a big splash in the garden, but adds a nice touch to a shrub border.

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Flueggea suffruticosa aka Securinega suffruticosa

Flueggea suffruiticosa is a rare shrub in gardens that is interesting, but not spectacular, until fall when it turns a beautiful golden color. It is quite architectural, presenting a weeping habit.

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Abelia mosanensis (Zabelia tyaihyonii), the Korean Abelia

Abelia mosanensis is a lovely shrub that few people grow. I am not sure why because it is very easy to grow, flowers well every year and is more fragrant than just about any other shrub in my collection. It does sucker a bit, but is easily controlled. It also forms nice red-orange fall colors.

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Learn How Pruning Affects Flowering Shrubs

My two Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ are coming into bloom, but one shrub was several weeks ahead of the other with respect to flowering. I was wondering why, until I remembered that one was pruned in spring and the other was not. It was the perfect opportunity to make a short video about how pruning affects … Read More

Syringa pekinensis

Syringa pekinensis is a small multi-stemmed tree that would fit most gardens. It has large clusters of cream-white flowers and exceptional exfoliating bark. If it had great fall color it would be one of the most popular trees on the market, but unfortunately the leaves just go brown.

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Heptacodium miconioides

Heptacodium miconioidesis a small tree or large shrub that provides year long interest, especially in late summer and fall when it appears to flower twice; once in white and then again in red. The white flowers form in bunches of 7 which gives the plant its common name of seven sons plant. After flowering, it forms small fruits and red calyx that are as large as and showier than the flowers.

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Growing Subshrubs Like Lavender and Russian Sage

Go into any nursery and try to find lavender and Russian sage; they will be in the perennial section. Check these plants online or in books, and most sources will tell you they are perennials. Lavender and Russian sage are subshrubs, a fancy name for a small shrub. Once you understand they are NOT perennials, they become easy to grow.

Lavender - a common subshrub — Lavender – a common subshrub

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Paeonia rockii

Paeonia rockii, from seed by Robert Pavlis

Paeonia rockii is a lovely tree peony that should be grown more. It can be difficult to find in a nursery, but those specializing in peonies will have it. The ones pictured here were grown from seed obtained from the Ontario Rock Garden Society Seedex program. The flowers are mostly white or light pink with dark maroon basal flares on the petals. There is some variation in flower form and coloration. One seedling from this group has red leaves in early summer.

The common name, tree peony, describes the woody stems that are produced, but it is probably more correct to call these shrubs, not trees. They do not need staking.

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