THE GREEN MAN

STYLISH TOUGH SITE SOLUTION FOR SUN: 1-2-3

2012-01-25T19:18:00.000-08:00

Landscape rose 'The Fairy'
www.whiteflowerfarm.com

Mid-Winter provides the right time to start planning for landscaping improvements for 2012, so let's deal with that sunny but impossible "problem area" with a 1-2-3 punch and get it over with.

Here's the formula:

Landscape rose "The Fairy"
Daylily 'Happy Returns'
Catmint

Prolific rebloomer daylily 'Happy Returns,' in primary yellow

smokeysdaylilygardens.com/Itemdata.php?item=Happy%20Returns

Sun-loving, traditional rose companion, catmint ('Nepeta')

www.diggingdog.com/pages2/nepeta.php

For height, add 1 to 3 Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light.' 3 max or design gets too busy. Plant landscape roses in front not back.

Always plant in curvilinear drifts of roses, daylilies, and catmints. Do not mix, or, once again, your design will look too busy!

OK, next challenge.

Well-behaved, Japanese silver grass 'Morning Light.'

www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1859/morning-light-maiden-grass.php

FRAGRANT, EARLY-BLOOMING 'GOLDEN CRANE' HYDRANGEA

2012-01-17T19:38:00.000-08:00

MONROVIA introduces a "must-have" hydrangea cultivar for 2012! 'Golden Crane' has it all. Exquisitely-formed lace-caps flowers, subtle whites and greens that complement any garden color scheme, early and sustained seasonal blooming, an ideal size of 5' x 5', plus fragrance! Order yours now.

www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/3097/golden-crane-hydrangea.php

PRE-ORDER NEW MONTICELLO GARDEN BOOK

2012-01-17T19:28:00.000-08:00

www.monticello.org/

BULB SALE CONTINUES AT WHITE FLOWER FARM

2011-11-23T03:08:00.000-08:00

www.whiteflowerfarm.com

HOLIDAY 'WINTER GREENS' FROM MONTICELLO

2011-11-15T10:48:00.000-08:00

www.monticellocatalog.org/home-d-cor-d-cor-holiday-d-cor.html

STILL TIME TO PLANT SPRING CROCUS

2011-10-22T09:04:00.001-07:00

Crocus chrysanthus 'Cream Beauty'
www.whiteflowerfarm.com/140714-product.html

Fall shipping for bulbs usually ends around the end of October, so you still have time for crocus.

Crocuses are inherently charming and courageous as they brave blasts of cold air and accumulated icy snow in early Spring. Perhaps, most importantly, crocuses provide a healing splash of bright color in the landscape after a seemingly-interminable, gray and bleak Winter.

Crocus 'Pickwick'

Separate from violet in your composition with another color but not white.

Here's how to do crocuses. If your site has space, avoid the color mixes. Make a selection of five varieties that includes one white. Strive for an accent of something unexpected, such as the tawny shade of 'Cream Beauty.' Incorporate a bright yellow, one of its color wheel opposite, violet, and something striped:

That's:

'Cream Beauty'
White
Yellow
Violet
Stiped

In this case, quantities of each color are not as important as creating individual color drifts. In fact, the aesthetic effect is much more dramatic if the indivudal color quantities are highly varied.

Offset the drifts with about 7-11, oddly-placed single crocus corms slightly away from the drift itself to simulate naturalization. Do not blend the offset corms into another color drift.

Spring crocuses! The perfect segue from Winter Tyde.

VISIT THE AMAZING VITEC'S NEW SHOP FOR STUNNING BIRD PORTRAIT ORIGINALS

2011-10-18T12:28:00.000-07:00

Monticello in autumn
www.monticello.org/

A masterful robin portrait by the brilliant VITEC

The Green Man chanced upon the deliriously-magnificent, Impressionist bird paintings of Berkshire, England-based artist VITEC several years ago. Now, he has an online shop, and it gratifies TGM to see and know he is prospering!

The new Etsy shop features bird miniatures although VITEC has created other artwork such as still lifes (some possibly yet available), and one certainly hopes he is open to private commissions.

VITEC's work is simply brilliant, and the artist has played an important role in revitalizing the endangered, holiday tradition of the Christmas Robin.

Visit today to view VITEC's enthralling, superb work!

www.etsy.com/shop/VitecArt?ref=seller_info&order=price_desc&page=1

Portrait of a great tit by England's VITEC

(Click on image for a breathtaking enlargement.)

PEONY 'WHITE TOWERS' MEDIATES COLORS

2011-10-18T11:25:00.000-07:00

Monticello in autumn
www.monticello.org/

Paeonia 'White Towers'

"Brand new and not to be missed, this lustrous double is indeed a tower of pure white petals, rising above good, dark green foliage that is so important after the big show has passed. 'White Towers' has delightful fragrance, too. A great choice for a Moon Garden. Midseason."

Available from www.whiteflowerfarm.com

The Green Man recommends this new cultivar from White Flower Farm for peony beds. 'White Towers' offers a dazzling display of double white that mediates colors in your peony bed.

Outline the area of your proposed peony bed. Use 3 color cultivars. Choose 3 colorful varieties, but separate them in the bed with a drift of 'White Towers.' Such a strategy will allow the subtleties of each of the color varieties to be optimized by eliminating visual competition and by brightening the display in general.

"Coral Collection" peonies

For example, plant White Flower Farm's "Coral Collection," subtle pinks with hints of yellow, in your bed. However, separate each variety with an elongated drift of 'White Towers' between each, but use fewer plants. For example, try, left to right in your peony bed, a 5-3-5-3-5 combination.

No matter the numerical combination, do not use the same amount of white; use more or fewer whites than the color cultivars. Each variety will stand out optimally.

Plant peonies in full sun.

KOREAN SPICE VIBURNUM 'DIANA' HITS THE MARK

2011-10-13T17:24:00.000-07:00

Heronswood features this "must-have" compact, tough, yet graceful viburnum. Makes the perfect hedge.

Try search term: heronswood

BEAUTYBERRY 'DUET' BRIGHTENS UP THE SHADE GARDEN

2011-10-08T10:22:00.000-07:00

Variegated beautyberry 'Duet' is Callicarpa dichotoma 'Duet.'

The Green Man loves the use of Beautyberry cultivars as accents in the landscape.

Cultivar 'Duet' is especially useful as a large shrub for shady areas in tough sites: the white of its variegated leaves brightens dark corner and add an element of surprise. The small berries this shrub produces are enchanting and understated, while the shrub itself responds well in difficult conditions and exhibits some deer resistance.

Definitely an "equity" addition to your grounds! Use sparingly. 3 for most home sites max. Larger areas can take 5, but no more or the effect is diluted. Arrange in pairs at large passageway entrys, and/or triangulate around the site.

Try www.heronswood.com, or search the name.

"Anticipate a joyous cascade of cream and green variegated foliage from this fine-stemmed, fountain-like 6' shrub. Come Fall, 'Duet' reveals a secret: the unique white fruit clustering along the stems. Like a perennial, once established, it needs to be cut to the ground in early spring. Will do fine in poor, if well-drained soil. Disease-and insect-free. Full sun to part shade."

"GOT GALANTHUS?"

2011-10-01T09:11:00.000-07:00

The Giant Snowdrop, Galanthus elwesii

Glistening, celestially-white, snowdrops are de rigueur for early Spring cheer! Use the Giant Galanthus sparingly! 3-5 rather compact drifts in easily visible areas, for example, near the house entry, of 7 plants suffice...otherwise, the subtlety is lost.

Use, also, other Galanthus species available at The Green Man's favorite bulb purveyor JOHN SCHEEPERS.

www.johnscheepers.com/catview.cgi?_fn=Item&_recordnum=3500&_category=Best:Galanthus

STOCK UP ON SEASONAL DAYLILIES AT AN EXCELLENT PRICE

2011-09-30T13:08:00.000-07:00

Seasonal daylily 'Halls Pink'

Here's a terrific solution for landscape clients with sunny "problem areas" within the grounds: daylilies. Graceful, pest-resistant, and prolific, Hermerocallis functions as a groundcover on steep grades, erosion sites, and various other situations that constitute "tough areas" to landcsape.

These are seasonal sale daylilies that will put on a show in mid-summer.

A few caveats:

Avoid the "nacho cheese" daylily 'Stella D'Oro,' which has been woefully overplanted and used on commercial sites. Utilize pinks, primary yellows, peach tones. Make sure the colors work with your site's color palette.

Use the SAME cultivar on your problem site. Mixed daylilies in an enormous drift create aesthetic confusion.

If you are dealing with a large problem area such as an eroding hillside. Use THREE varieties in solid DRIFTS across the site. Do not mix cultivars within the drift, and do not use more than 3 varieties. Make sure you can see the visual contrast at a distance.

Plant daylilies in sunny locations.

smokeysdaylilygardens.com/special.php?sale=SP_5

DEER-RESISTANT, PINK FLOWERING QUINCE FOR EARLY SPRING COLOR

2011-09-25T16:07:00.000-07:00

Tough, hardy, deer-resistant flowering quince is one of The Green Man's most-recommended shrubs for a visually-stunning cascade of color in early Spring to dispell the gray of winter.

Check this inroduction available from White Flower Farm that's compact and dazzling:

www.whiteflowerfarm.com/60914-product.html

SPRING SHADE GARDEN BULBS FOR COLOR

2011-09-14T18:59:00.001-07:00

Monticello in autumn
www.monticello.org

Check the "Wonderful Woodland Special" at The Green Man's favorite purveyor of Spring bulbs, John Scheepers. These delicate bulbs add color and complement daffodil yellows in woodland transition areas...

Fall bulb planting is always special with something from John Scheepers!

www.johnscheepers.com

FALL 2011 DAYLILY BARGAINS FOR NEW DRIFTS

2011-09-03T11:20:00.000-07:00

Monticello in autumn
www.monticello.org

Photo courtesy: www.uvamagazine.org

Daylily 'Siloam Ethel Smith'

The Green Man says to check the daylily bargains at Smokey's Daylily Gardens for Fall 2011.

Select three areas around your site that seems neglected design-wise, are troublesome due to erosion or poor soil issues, or a space that's somewhat hidden and could be turned into a remarkable surprise for a strolling guest.

Delineate the outline of these new beds with a shovel. Make them curvilinear with smooth edges and somewhat lozenge shaped. Remove turf and weeds, till the soil, and these new beds will become your daylily "drifts" for Spring and beyond.

Remember that a successful drift contains one cultivar. Mixing daylilies lessens the impact of each one. Use one cultivar per drift in a bed, and triangulate the beds themselves asymmetically on the site. Locate in sun. (For large beds, use not one, not two, but three cultivars separated as drifts. Do not use more than three!)

www.daylilies.org/AHSfaq1.html

smokeysdaylilygardens.com/special.php?sale=SP_5

ADDRESS YOUR VERTICALS WITH 'NORTH POLE' ARBORVITAE

2011-08-27T07:50:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Summer
www.monticello.org

'North Pole' seems to be an improved cultivar of one of The Green Man's favorite shrubs, 'DeGroot's Spire.' This compact arborvitae provides elegant, year-round coverage of right or left side verticals on the front of houses.

Use only one, on the appropriate front vertical, and complement it on the other vertical with an upright growing viburnum. Next, you are ready to select your foundation shrubs.

Note that the rootball must be dissected exactly in half by the vertical and planted 3 feet out from your foundation. Do not misalign your "vertical slayers" on either side!

www.provenwinners.com/plants/thuja/north-pole-arborvitae-thuja-occidentalis#tab-2

USE THESE 3 SUPERB VIBURNUMS FOR SCREENING

2011-08-23T17:53:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Summer
www.monticello.org

Judd viburnum in bloom

The standard solution for screening along a property line is usually a row of 'Emerald Green' arborvitae lined up like soldiers. However, clients should be advised of two drawbacks: 1.) arborvitae is a yummy treat for browsing deer, and 2.) the effect is totally unnatural. A better solution is to create a multilayered "woodland border" along the property line with a strongly curvilinear bed line facing your view. Where deer are not an issue, use the traditional arborvitae solution along the property line, accounting for the width of the plants at maturity (about 4' for 'Emerald Green' arborvitae), but create your "woodland border" in front of it.

Low-growing David viburnum

Now, incorporate the "Lexus of shrubs," glorious varieties of viburnums. The Green Man recommends going with 3 varieties that are most-resistant to the viburnum leaf beetle: Judd, David, and doublefile. Here is the complete list:

Viburnums most-resistant to the viburnum leaf beetle:

•V. bodnantense, dawn viburnum
•V. carlesii, Koreanspice viburnum
•V. davidii*, David viburnum
•V. x juddii, Judd viburnum
•V. plicatum, doublefile viburnum
•V. plicatum var. tomentosum, doublefile viburnum
•V. rhytidophyllum, leatherleaf viburnum
•V. setigerum, tea viburnum
•V. sieboldii, Siebold viburnum

View the complete list here: www.hort.cornell.edu/vlb/suscept.html

The most graceful and elegant viburnum of all, doublefile

Aronia arbutifolia can be pruned into a small tree within your woodland border.

Accent your selection of viburnums with Aronia arbutifolia and Aronia melanocarpa, pink Clethra 'Ruby Spice', Pieris japonica 'Forest Flame', Fothergilla 'Mt Airy', and 'Ivory Halo' dogwood.

Where deer are not a problem, you can also incorporate swamp and pink shell azaleas, mountain laurel, and rhododendron.

ORDER YOUR AUTUMN 2011 PLANTS FROM MONTICELLO

2011-08-23T17:35:00.001-07:00

Monticello in Summer
www.monticello.org

Shop our entire selection of plants!

www.monticellocatalog.org/outdoor---garden-plants---seeds-plants.html

All purchases help support our dual mission of preservation and
education, and all are deeply appreciated.
_________________________________________________________________
Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Inc.
Monticello Catalog
556 Dettor Road, Suite 107
Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
Order Line: 800.243.1743
Customer Service: 800.243.0743
Email: catalog@monticello.org

FALL LANDSCAPING SEASON 2011 IS HERE! STOCK UP ON SALE HOSTAS.

2011-08-19T13:29:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Summer
www.monticello.org

Spectacular blue hosta 'Silver Bay'

www.gilberthwild.com/Hosta-Silver-Bay/productinfo/O-SIL/

FALL 2011 IRIS SALE

2011-08-13T14:39:00.001-07:00

Monticello in Summer
www.monticello.org

Reblooming iris 'Coral Chalice'

www.gilberthwild.com

TIME TO PLAN FOR SPRING BULBS: NARCISSUS 'SENTINEL'

2011-07-24T07:20:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Summer
www.monticello.org

The Green Man advises that the traditional "Dog Days" of Summer run July 3rd to about August 11th, and they mark, often, the hottest time of the year. This period of sustained heat and becalmed air occurs as the "Dog Star," Sirius, rises each morning with the Sun.

Sirius, the Dog Star

The Green Man uses this time, when gardening is often made impossible, to spend time indoors, staying cool and making plans for new Spring bulbs. And that recalls one of the Green Man's favorite bulb resources: John Scheepers. Visit his website for a few online specials and other treasures to augment your selections for bulb planting this Fall.

www.johnscheepers.com

Pink Large Cupped Narcissus Sentinel

"New! Standing straight up and looking at you, this long-lasting 1972 Grant Mitsch hybrid subtly changes its intricate coloration as it
matures. The barely open bud can appear golden-yellow, yet
the flower opens with its ruffle-edged cup detailed with
varying rings of saffron-apricot to salmon-pink around a
luminous green eye~all against a 4 1/2”, overlapping white
perianth. It shades-of-pink cup pales as it matures, often
fading to an ivory cup with a pale pink rim toward the end
of its show. Limited supply. 26”. (8462)"

The Incredible Twosome Tulip Special

"The ethereal beauty of shimmering Tulip Innuendo, a 2011 Triumph Tulip introduction, is complemented perfectly by regal, deep purple Negrita. They are stunning companions.

Individually bagged and labeled, it is specially priced with about 7% off of our already terrific prices. Normal shipping charges apply. Top size bulbs: 12 cm/up. Height: 16” to 18". Bloom time: April/May. Plant 6" to 8” deep and 6" apart. Horticultural zones 3-7.

20 Tulip Innuendo: Whisper-pink, magenta edges.
30 Tulip Negrita: Deep purple.
Catalog #6603"

A 2011 "MUST HAVE": 'GREAT STAR' HYDRANGEA

2011-07-16T11:10:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Summer
www.monticello.org

Hydrangea paniculata 'Great Star'

NEW! Hydrangea paniculata Great Star™
Fall Ship
This recent introduction from the celebrated woodland garden of Princess Sturdza in Normandy, France is unusual for its graceful display of large, starry blooms. Hydrangea Great Star™ bears almost round clusters of creamy white flowers, up to 4in wide, with wavy, elongated petals. Plants typically reach 6–7ft tall and nearly as wide in full sun or partial shade and flower from midsummer until the first hard frost. With an upright, arching habit, this low-maintenance shrub has an elegant air worthy of its royal heritage. 'Le Vasterival' PP 20,272

Available from www.whiteflowerfarm.com

COMPACT 'LET'S DANCE STARLIGHT' BIGLEAF HYDRANGEA

2011-07-07T11:34:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Summer
www.monticello.org

www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/3048/lets-dance-starlight-bigleaf-hydrangea

'DOUBLE SCOOP RASPBERRY' CONEFLOWER FOR GRASSES

2011-07-01T18:06:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Summer
www.monticello.org

Echinacea 'Double Scoop Raspberry'
Purchase here: www.heronswood.com

The Green Man recommends adding late summer color and interest to ornamental grasses with coneflowers and coreopsis. Tuck a bed of these tough, drought-resistant, deer-resistant glorious flowers between stands of grasses to brighten up your site. Ornamental grasses tend to get used as an inexpensive fix for resolving tough site issues such as screening, intense sunlight, poor soil, or erosion. Misanthus sinenesis 'Morning Light' is The Green Man's first recommendation for an ornamental grass, and coneflowers make superb tough site perennials companions.

Several caveats:

Always work with your color wheel-selected landscape color palette.
In this post, for example, the saturated raspberry pink is softened by the use of pale yellow 'Moonbeam' coreopsis. The color triad is completed by employing a mediating color, white. In addition, white coneflower 'Fragrant Angel' also offers the enhancement of wafting garden aroma and accents the thin white striping of the silver grass.

Finally, avoid magenta coneflowers as they lend a commercial look to the site. Coneflowers are available in a great variety of colors and types, so select varieties carefully, and work with the color wheel or your work will be for naught.

'Morning Light' Japanese Silver Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light')

Echinacea 'Fragrant Angel'
Purchase here: www.whiteflowerfarm.com

'Moonbeam' Coreopsis
Purchase here: www.whiteflowerfarm.com

EXOCHORDA 'SNOWDAY SURPRISE' ON SALE

2011-05-31T14:30:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Spring

www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville!

Exochorda 'Snowday Surprise'

BLUESTONE PERENNIALS is one of THE GREEN MAN's favorite sources for perennialsand harder-to-find shrubs. Take advantage of their sale on this compact "pearlbush" cultivar 'Snowday Surprise.' The Green Man considers this delightful addition to clients' landscaping a true equity-builder.

SPECIFICATIONS:

"Exochorda 'Snowday Surprise'
Pearl-Bush (a.k.a. Niagra) Height: Tall 3-4' / Plant 4-5' apart
Bloom Time: Spring to Late Spring

Sun-Shade: Full Sun to Half Sun/ Half Shade

Zones: 4-9 Get Your Zone
Soil Condition: Normal, Acidic

Flower Color / Accent: White / White

Order Code: EXSSP

a.k.a Niagra. Improved variety - More neat and compact than old-fashioned Pearl-Bush. Pearl-like buds open to white flowers that blanket the emerging foliage in early spring. Equally at home in the border or as a mass planting. Nice on a bank or near a pond. Adaptable to most soils, but loves a bit of acidity."

www.bluestoneperennials.com

CALYCANTHUS 'HARTLAGE WINE' FOR EQUITY

2011-05-20T20:28:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Spring

www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville!

Calycanthus 'Hartlage Wine'

SPECIFICATIONS:

Any Calycanthus ("Sweetshrub") adds value and charm to the landscaping site, and cultivar 'Hartlage Wine' is one of the most delightful!

Zone: 5 - 8 Height: 96"
Class: Shrub Soil Type: Average
Siting: Part to Full Shade Spread: 72"

"The late J.C. Raulston had the inspiration of crossing the Asian Calycanthus sinensis with the native Calycanthus floridus. The http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifresult? A superlative plant with fast-growing, 8-inch tall branches covered with large, glossy, green leaves and hundreds of 2-inch, red flowers. In bloom mid-April to May, this is one plant that we absolutely must have."

Available from www.heronswood.com

LANDSCAPING SHRUB SALE & "MICROSCAPING" REDUX

2011-05-15T13:57:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Spring

www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville!

As a professional landscaping coach, The Green Man wants to advise clients of this sale from respected, Pennsylvania nursery MUSSER. Mix or match 20 shrubs for $20!
Of course, these plant will be small and just getting started in life, but they're ideal for landscaping tough spots and the periphery of the grounds. Quality landscape design and installation IS expensive! That's why today, many homeowners on a budget, are choosing to do their own installation alongside a landscaping coach.

www.musserforests.com

OK, before proceeding, The Green Man has selected the items that are equity-building from those that are not. Hence, get the biggest bang for your buck with these items:

'SHAMROCK' INKBERRY HOLLY (Sun) Perfect for foundations! One of the best!

'MISS KIM' KOREAN LILAC (Sun, no shade) Terrific compact rather than upright-growing lilac!

'ROYAL PURPLE' SMOKEBUSH (Sun) The Green Man suggests this large shrub be pruned as a small ornamental tree. This is a highly-desirable focal point item. Hence, use ONE per site, or, on larger sites, triangulate with THREE, and that's it. You may use TWO in a symmetrical setting, for example a formal walkway entrance.

'GREEN MOUNTAIN' BOXWOOD (Sun) This is a terrific opportunity to get this small boxwood! Use it copiously to border the potager The Green Man has been telling clients for over two years to create in the Family Living Area. 'Green Mountain' boxwood works well on formal walkways and as a foundation shrub for traditional style houses.

VARIEGATED RED TWIG DOGWOOD (Sun, some moderate shade)

This is a highly-desirable tough site plant. Plant it on ravines, swales, poor soil, wet spots...any part of the site that gets mostly sun where nothing else will prosper. Provides winter interest!

OK, one caveat: Yes, draw a plan, and buy a lot. However, you must note the MATURE SIZE of the plant and SPACE THEM accordingly!!!

'Miss Kim' Korean lilac

For example, in a sun-baked location, create a massive hedge with 'Miss Kim' Korean lilac. You'll want to keep each plant at about 4' x 6', so plant accordingly with a 6' foot spacing between each plant on the line.

Now, study this re-post! And, if "Microscaping" appeals to you, MUSSER will supply
virtually everything you need. So, after making your designs, stock on sale items, and look at what else MUSSER offers for your site.

www.musserforests.com

= The Green Man Gold =

Saturday, March 22, 2008

"INTEGRATED MICROSCAPING" FOR TIGHT BUDGETS

The Green Man wants clients to have the landscaping installation of their dreams. However, the vagaries of the economy often preclude huge expenditures on pricey landscaping materials. The way to resolve the issue is through The Green Man's methodology of "Integrated Microscaping."

The plan is really quite simple and is based on the idea of optimzing what you have to work with and has several basic components.

1. Start with a master landscaping plan
2. Address high-priority landscaping issues with expenditures on large- size trees and shrubs
3. Address low-priority landscaping issues with expenditures on the smallest size trees and shrubs.
4. Spend your landscaping budget on these two priorities in a 1:5 basis. In other words, buy 1 $250 black tupelo and 5 smallest-available-size doublefile viburnums.
Each of the latter will still grow up to be a "Lexus."
5. Invest in fertilzer and GH plant sprays to stimulate rapid growth in the low-priority items. Combine a regimen of fish emulsion and MegaGro spray for explosive growth. DO NOT OVERFEED OR OVERSPRAY! You'll find small plants are like children: fully-grown before you know it.

As you can see, "Integrated Microscaping" allows clients to invest in the landscaping of their heart's desire at a fraction of the cost of using large plants. Next, The Green Man will provide a simple IM example:

High priority: You want to screen off the neighboring property. Pump your big bucks into an arborvitae hedge and 1 or 2 large accent viburnums. Then, MICROSCAPE inside a curvilinear bed in front of the hedge using the smallest sizes of other viburnums, hydrangeas, fothergillas, clethras, chokeberries, hollies, ornamental flowering trees, and conifers you can find. A 6" seedling is OK. It will grow. Place daylilies and perhaps a Japanese silver grass (Use Miscanthus sinenesis 'Morning Light') around them in strategic masses to fill out the space. Remember "Less is more." and empty space balances. The daylilies and clump-forming grasses can be moved easily as the tiny shrubs and trees grow rapidly with the application of fertilzers and GH sprays.

Ironically, watching and assisting your MICROSCAPED installation is ultimately more fun and satisfying than experiencing the curious let-down of perfect "instant landscaping." Moral: Be grateful for what you have to work with and optimize it.

Variegated red twig dogwood in winter. Use it for screening along property lines, sites with some shade, and tough sites that are wet...almost anywhere!

'FIREDANCE' DOGWOOD FOR WET, TOUGH SITES

2011-05-15T10:18:00.001-07:00

Monticello in Spring

www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville!

"'Firedance' dogwood packs a lot of pleasing attributes into one, small package: It's ultra-hardy, has a compact habit, bears stunning fall color, shows off bright red stems in winter, and the cultivar has great disease resistance. Plus, it doesn't mind wet ground, so it's perfect for rain gardens or at the end of a downspout.

Tough selection for tough sites!

Scientific name: Cornus sericea 'Bailadeline'

Growing conditions: Full sun or part shade and moist soil

Size: To 4 feet tall and 5 feet wide

Zones: 2-7

Photo courtesy: baileynurseries.com

OAKLEAF HYDRANGEA AT MONTICELLO

2011-04-29T07:03:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Spring

www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville!

"In early spring it begins, slowly at first. “Excuse me, what is that plant with the silvery foliage just emerging?” Then in June the questions start in earnest, with poorly concealed excitement as the large white paniculate flowers emerge and slowly turn purplish-pink with age. Finally, in the fall, all formalities disappear. “What is that plant with the magnificent burgundy foliage?” At the Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center at Monticello we all smile and answer “Oakleaf Hydrangea.”

Planted en masse in the courtyard and tended by horticulturist Amy Jeffries, the Oakleaf Hydrangea stops our visitors in their tracks. This beautiful shrub offers something for the landscape in all seasons. Discovered by William Bartram in 1775 in Crawford County, Georgia this native shrub is excellent as a specimen or in mass plantings. Hardy in zones 5 thru 9, Hydrangea quercifolia grows 5 feet high with a slightly greater spread. A fast grower in full sun to partial shade, it provides interesting foliage in early spring, beautiful flowers for 3-4 weeks in early to mid summer, followed by rich burgundy foliage that can persist until December. In the winter the exfoliating bark offers interest when there is little else for the eye to enjoy. A year-round landscape gem, smile and think of us as you answer your neighbors with “Oakleaf Hydrangea.”

Brian Hartsock
Center for Historic Plants

Shop our selection of plants!

All purchases help support our dual mission of preservation and
education, and all are deeply appreciated."
_____________________________________________________________________________
Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Inc.
Monticello Catalog
556 Dettor Road, Suite 107
Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
Order Line: 800.243.1743
Customer Service: 800.243.0743
Email: catalog@monticello.org

DAVID AUSTIN ROSE 'CARDING MILL' BLOOMS ALL SEASON

2011-04-28T08:09:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Spring

www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville!

Climbing rose 'Carding Mill'

'Moombeam' coreopsis makes a stunning rose companion. Combine with catmint for your color triad.

"Antique beauty matched with a modern repeat-flowering habit are the keynotes of hybridizer David Austin’s Roses, and Carding Mill™ is an outstanding example of his achievement. Full, slightly nodding blossoms with about 80 petals appear apricot but combine shades of pink and yellow and are deep apricot inside when they first open. Their rich myrrh perfume and the leaves’ disease resistance are also welcome. ‘Auswest’"

www.whiteflowerfarm.com/66936-product.html?utm_source=zones6+7+8+9&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2011+04+28

Traditonal rose companion, catmint

HYDRANGEA 'VANILLA STRAWBERRY' PROVIDES LATE SUMMER COLOR

2011-04-26T03:24:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Spring

www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville!

"Hydrangea paniculata Vanilla Strawberry™ from Bailey Nurseries. Hardy to Zone 4, this relative of the classic PeeGee Hydrangea produces large flower heads starting in midsummer. They begin creamy white but turn pink two weeks later and then become strawberry red or even burgundy, retaining that shade for about 3–4 weeks. New flower heads continue opening into late summer, and as a result, plants display all three color stages at any one time. The blooms are borne on red stems, too, making quite a contrast against the green leaves."

www.whiteflowerfarm.com

Combine with The Green Man's favorite upright-growing Japanese maple 'Fireglow'

Photo: www.katherine-davis.com

and Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake"

USE VIBURNUMS MOST-RESISTANT TO LEAF BEETLES

2011-04-25T01:10:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Spring

www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville!

Doublefile viburnum 'Summer Snowflake' is "the top of the line."

Viburnums most-resistant to the viburnum leaf beetle:

•V. bodnantense, dawn viburnum
•V. carlesii, Koreanspice viburnum
•V. davidii*, David viburnum
•V. x juddii, Judd viburnum
•V. plicatum, doublefile viburnum
•V. plicatum var. tomentosum, doublefile viburnum
•V. rhytidophyllum, leatherleaf viburnum
•V. setigerum, tea viburnum
•V. sieboldii, Siebold viburnum

The Green Man extolls the virtues of viburnums, and he considers the species to be "the Lexus of shrubs." Use it for equity-building. However, as a caveat, install the "models" most-resistant to theft!

'ARIZONA RED SHADES' GAILLARDIA DESIGN TRIAD FOR SUN

2011-04-23T00:25:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Spring

www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville!

'Arizona Red Shades' Gaillardia

Reliable 'Becky' Shasta daisies brighten perennial beds, mediate colors, and makes colors "pop."

www.monrovia.com

'Going Bananas' daylily is an improved 'Happy Returns.' Prolific and low-management.

www.gilberthwild.com

The Green Man in stone

www.statue.com

'Walker's Low' catmint

Punctuate the color triad SPARINGLY with silvery catmints such as 'Walker's Low."

Then, add a MINIMAL dash of Coreopsis 'Moonbeam.'

Finally, focus your composition with a single, TASTEFUL work of garden art. The wrong selection will destroy all your hard work, so ALWAYS go with something classic such as a reproduction Green Man plaque for wall or tree.

THE AMAZING VITEC: CHECK HIS LATEST BIRD PAINTINGS

2011-04-21T20:22:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Spring

www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville!

A Christmas robin by the brilliant English Impressionist VITEC

Wildlife is certainly an intrinsic element of fine landscaping, and birds are one of the most satisfying. Aesthetically, trees and birds have a synergystic relationship.

If you are a bird aficionado and a connoisseur of fine art, The Green Man encourages you to invest in the artwork of of a brilliant English painter he discovered several years ago: the amazing VITEC. His technically-perfect and poetically-infused works recall the art of the great masters of French Impressionism...in The Green Man's opinion, especially that of Renoir, Degas...with a soupcon of the post-Impressionism of Cezanne.

Discover VITEC before all his work ends up in the Louvre.

Thanks for supporting his work.

vitec-painting.blogspot.com

AMELANCHIER 'AUTUMN BRILLIANCE' TREE COMPANIONS FOR EQUITY

2011-04-21T17:02:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Spring

www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville!

Amelanchier 'Autumn Brilliance'...a classic

The Green Man has been noticing how widespread interest is in Serviceberry. OK, say you elect to plant 3 of these around the site. You're asking: "What other large trees work with these?" Well, to cut to the chase, Betula nigra 'Heritage,' a cultivar that sparkles in groupings of 3-5, is The Green Man's choice. Then fill in with black tupelo, Nyssa sylvatica.

'Heritage'river birch resists the bronze birch borer and features 4-season interest.

Black tupelo,'Nyssa sylvatica' in the autumn. Plant in a sunny location.

Korean pine 'Silver Ray'
www.monrovia.com

Accent with Korean Pine, Magnolias 'Dr. Merrill' and 'Royal Star.'

'Dr. Merrill' magnolia in Spring...dazzling to behold

Now, you have an 'equity' tree foundation to work with...and the elegant and cutting-edge The Green Man look.

'WHITE FEATHER' HOSTA FOR YOUR WOODLAND GARDEN

2011-04-20T16:09:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Spring

www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville!

A single grouping of 3 is what you want. Otherwise, the effect is diluted. Not deer-resistant.

springhillnursery.com/white-feather-hosta/p/75379/

NEW, DWARF 'BLOOMERANG' LILAC FOR SUMMER COLOR

2011-04-16T08:50:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Spring

www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville!

"Want a plant to brighten a dull corner of your yard, hide an eyesore, or fit into a tight space? We have a great lineup of plants ready to come to your rescue. New to the market, dwarf Lilac Bloomerang™ is a rebloomer that's the perfect size even for small yards – and it attracts butterflies, too!"

www.whiteflowerfarm.com

Syringa 'Bloomerang'™

"We can find a lot of garden opportunities for this dwarf, reblooming Lilac, and we think you will, too. Clusters of purple-pink, sweet-scented flowers cover its branches in spring and continue off and on until frost. Bloomerang™ fits in small spaces and is an excellent choice for a fragrant, low hedge. 'Penda' PPAF. One gallon pot 6 1/2" by 6 1/2".

Bloomerang™ forms a bushy plant with small leaves. Its bloodline includes four different Lilac species (it's a hybrid of Syringa patula x macrophylla x meyeri x juliana). Plants bloom heavily in the spring, take a resting period, and then start up again in mid-summer and continue until cold weather. The second period of bloom is not as full as that in the spring, but still showy.

Plants are best pruned right after the spring bloom, as this creates a fuller shrub with more branches and thus more flowers. Every stem can produce flowers in summer. Bloomerang™ is mildew resistant, too.

Lilacs are among the best-known, classic spring-flowering shrubs. For generations of reliable bloom and sweet fragrance, generally before Memorial Day, these sturdy shrubs are in a class by themselves. Most Lilacs prefer full sun and neutral to slightly alkaline soil."

FLOWERING QUINCE 'TOYO-NISHIKI' FOR EARLY SPRING COLOR

2011-04-15T05:58:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Spring

www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville!

Here's a terrific treasure for the landscape for early Spring color...in fact, red, pink, and white on the same plant! Flowering quince is low-management, works in both sun and partial shade, and is deer-resistant.

www.heronswood.com

AMELANCHIER 'FOREST PRINCE' FOR UNDERSTORIES AND SMALL SPACES

2011-04-14T12:34:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Spring

www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville!

'Forest Prince' Serviceberry

AMELANCHIER x grandiflora
Apple Serviceberry 'Forest Prince'
Plant type: tree
Size: 20'H x 15'W
Shape: oval
Plant Zones: 4-7

Fall Color: red-orange
Flower: white
Fruit: pome
Feature: fall color
Sun/Shade: full sun/partial sun

Description:
Selected by Roy Klehm for outstanding leathery, dark green summer foliage and clean robust growth. Heavy spring bloomer and attractive red edible June berries. Autumn color is pleasant orange-red.

www.beavercreeknursery.com

'GREAT STAR' HYDRANGEA IS A 'MUST HAVE' DELIGHT FOR 2011

2011-04-14T01:48:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Spring

www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville!

'Great Star' Hydrangea

"Related to wildly popular 'Vanilla Strawberry' and 'Limelight' hydrangeas, 'Great Star' is a unique selection from France that features huge star-shape white flowers in big clusters starting in midsummer and continuing all the way through fall. It looks particularly stunning in autumn if you pair the white flowers with plants that have bold red fall color.

Name: Hydrangea paniculata 'LeVasterival'

Growing conditions: Full sun or part shade and moist, well-drained soil

Size: To 7 feet tall and 8 feet wide

Zones: 4-8

www.baileynurseries.com

AMERICAN YELLOWWOOD 'SWEETSHADE' AND MORE PROBLEM-RESISTANT TREES

2011-04-02T15:46:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Spring

www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville!

American yellowwood in bloom early summer

The Green Man suggests readers check out this well-written article on problem-resistant trees that make better choices than the typical junk available at the local, "we-could-care-less-if-it-falls-through-your-roof" lowly, corporate "box" stores.

Educate yourself before making your tree-purchasing decisions! Be both wise and patriotic, and get your trees from an American-owned, independently-owned garden center. Go in, and ask assertively for assistance from someone who knows something about plants rather than fast "food"...and take with your hardcopy homework with you!

pubs.ext.vt.edu/450/450-237/450-237.html

Here are trucked-in trash trees to avoid at the typical, "we-could-care-less" corporate chain "box" stores:

Absolute worst:

Silver maple
Norway maple, including 'Crimson King'
Bradford pear
Crabapple, cherry, hawthorn

More disastrous choices:

Red maple (invasive, too large, and too much shade)
Any birch except River birch, Betula nigra (Birches are yummy feast for the lethal bronze birch borer)
Ash (Perfect meal for the deadly emerald ash borer)
any fast-growing screens such as poplars
Sugar maple (a great tree for huge spaces, but for most sites creates deep, dark, dense shade and becomes too large

Or...you might consider a simple cut to the chase and installing The Green Man's
signature triad:River birch 'Heritage'
Amelanchier 'Autumn Brilliance'
Black tupelo

and accent with

Star magnolia 'Dr. Merrill' and 'Royal Star'
Japanese maple 'Fire Glow'
Koelreuteria paniculata
Ginkgo 'Autumn Gold' (Just one is enough)

or hire The Green Man to design the entire site.

NOTE: Not all of the trees listed at the linked article are suitable for some sites as they grow too large. Check for MATURE SIZE and DEER-RESISTANCE as you read and make notes. Thank you.

GOT DEEP SHADE ISSUES? GET HOSTAS.

2011-03-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

Monticello in Spring

www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville!

The 'Emerald Isle' Hosta Collection from White Flower Farm

White Flower Farm just posted these terrific hosta collection, and The Green Man suggests you take a look if your site had shade issues. Too much shade simply means to work with what you have to convert these spaces into an elegant woodland glade.
The Green Man suggests working in triads of hostas of varying sizes. Introducing more than 3 varieties per focal point dilotes the effect. In addition. avoid yellow in hostas and work with white and all shades of green and blue-greens, though the latter should be saved for a specimen. Finally, complement your hosta triads with
Solomon's seals and False Solomon's seals. Just a few in unexpected places.

Astilbe used correctly for the woodland shade garden

www.westonnurseries.com/

Also, use astilbe with caution. Too much color in your woodland garden will cause a jarring unnatural effect. The Green Man recommends creating a few mass grouping of white astilbe with hosta and eschewing all other colors. The one permissible exception is a burgundy astilbe, and use it sparingly.

tx2.ssprd10.net/hostedmessage/message.aspx?2853920.1602153.858759792.2156

Great Solomon's Seal from Prairie Nursery
www.prairienursery.com/store/

Mix in some stands of cinnamon fern for height to the back of
your hosta triads, some Jeffersonia to the front, and add mass where needed in your compositions with the tough standby 'Ivory Halo' dogwood, Pieris japonica 'Mountain Fire,' and the doublefile viburnum 'Snow Showers.'

Cinnamon fern

www.finegardening.com

Astilbe 'Vision in White' from White Flower Farm

BULLETPROOF DRIFT ROSES FOR TOUGH SITES

2011-03-10T05:46:00.000-08:00

Monticello in Spring

www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville!

Drift rose "Pink Drift"

The Green Man suggests clients check these new introductions from KNOCK OUT ROSES. These Drift Roses are available in a range of colors, possess the "bulletproof" hardiness of famous KNOCK OUT ROSES, yet are designed to hug the ground, making them perfect for sunny, tough site areas such as embankments. Check the pink here:

www.conard-pyle.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/drplants.plantDetail/plant_id/597/index.htm

PINK LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY FOR SUBTLE COLOR IN SHADE

2011-03-07T20:48:00.000-08:00

www.whiteflowerfarm.com/26788-product.html

PLAN YOUR 2011 POTAGER NOW.

2011-01-23T10:58:00.000-08:00

Monticello in Winter
www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville, Virginia!

A section of the potager at Chateau de Villandry, France

Once again, The Green Man urges clients to convert useless and high-management turf in the Family Living Area ("backyard")of their houses into an elegant and productive potager.

Use the link below to see some excellent photos of the potager at the Chateau de Villandy in the France's Loire River valley to get a visual idea of what your potager should look like. Recall that a potager is a highly-formal and geometric space that COMBINES vegetable plants with trees, flowers vines, topiary, fountains and shrubs. Hence, look for smaller squares and rectangles for design ideas that are inscale with your own site.

Remember also, the potager location is critical. It must be situated in those areas of the site that receive at least 6 hours of sun per day. Strive for a location that abuts the rear terrace near the kitchen for quick access.

The scrawny and unsightful garden "patch" is no longer happening. Upgrade your thinking about what a vegetable garden should be: an integral and elegant, 4-season pleasing part of your landscaping investment..."the potager."

web.mac.com/charlierj/ArtOfGardening/Home/Entries/2008/1/28_Villandry_Gardens.html

www.amazon.com/Designing-New-Kitchen-Garden-American/dp/0881927724

Think "potager." A vegetable garden should be elegant.

WINTER 2011 DAYLILY SALE!

2011-01-17T09:16:00.000-08:00

Monticello in Winter
www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville, Virginia!

The Green Man recommends that clients invest heavily in what he calls a "grateful" plant: the daylily. Provide daylilies with a sunny location, and they will multiply prolifically and bloom their little heads off from May to December. Daylilies are not only grateful...they're also "bulletproof" when they're happy: perfect for tough sites in the sun, pest-resistant, and low-management.

www.smokeysdaylilygardens.com

Rebloomer 'Happy Returns" in PRIMARY YELLOW is grateful, bulletproof, and tough.

Load up at Smokey's Winter sale AFTER planning the daylily beds around your site on paper, and have staked out the areas. A few caveats: Most daylilies will bloom in July and early August. Cultivars bearing the name "Happy Returns" and their relatives will bloom ALL SEASON LONG. The point is that if you want color consistently all season in your landscape, bulk up on "Happy Returns," "My Sweetheart Returns," and other daylilies marked "rebloomer." Then, accent with short-season varieties.

Final caveats:

Do not mix varieties in the same bed in a scatter gun effect. Keep varieties in a bed to 3, and DO NOT INTERMIX the sections (drifts of 1 variety). For example, try placing "Happy Returns" up front, "Apricot Sparkles" to the side in a smaller drift, and one tall seasonal classic such as "Barbara Mitchell" in the back. Keep in simple. Watch your color palette like a hawk.

Prolific, tough, and delightful "Happy Returns" companion, "Apricot Sparkles"

Photo courtesy:

www.whiteflowerfarm.com/31011-product.html

Photo courtesy:

www.gilberthwild.com/
(A The Green Man favorite supplier!)

Never, ever plant the "Taco Bell" daylily "Stella d'Oro"...unless, of course, you desire your grounds take on a commercial, "Taco Bell/KFC" look. In general, avoid daylilies the color of Velveeta. You have thousands of optional color choices.

Hosta 'Guacamole"

Photo courtesy: www.easytogrowbulbs.com

"Happy Returns" will tolerate some shade. Use it there at the periphery where some sunlight penetrates, and accent with cinnamon fern, and WHITE and green hostas such as "Patriot" and/or "Guacamole."

Cinnamon fern 'Lady in Red'

www.gorgetopgardens.com/perennials/ferns-ladyinred.html

www.smokeysdaylilygardens.com

INVEST IN TOUGH TREES AND SHRUBS!

2011-01-10T10:49:00.000-08:00

River birch, Betula nigra 'Heritage/Cully' is aesthetically-pleasing all 4 seasons, and it is most resistant to bronze birch borer.

The Green Man just visited a site that recommended trees for landscaping, and he was appalled. The list was filled with virtually every birch, including Betula pendula, cherry trees, horse chestnuts, and ash. What the site did not mention is the susceptibility of these trees to a host of pest diseases: bronze birch borer, fire-blight and everything else, blight, and die-back.

Invest in EQUITY trees and shrubs! Shop for diseases and pest resistance! Here's The Green Man's short-list of safe trees to take to the nursery this spring:

RIVER birch only! Betula nigra 'Heritage/Cully' NO OTHER BIRCH SPECIES.

Ginkgo biloba 'Autumn Gold' (Males only)

The glorious, tough, and reliable Serviceberry 'Autumn Brilliance'

Amelanchier "Serviceberry" 'Autumn
Brilliance'

Substitute Yellowood (Cladastris lutea) for Green Ash to avoid emerald ash borer infestations.

Koereuteria paniculata "Goldenrain Tree"

Hophornbeam

Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica)

Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua 'Rotundiloba'

2011 LANDSCAPING EQUITY PROJECTS FOR SPRING

2011-01-08T05:14:00.005-08:00

Monticello in Winter
www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville, Virginia!

Illustration of a classic French potager. Keep your potager to scale with your site, keep it highly geometrical and formal.

Winter 2011 is here, and now is the time is to begin sketching out plans for Spring landscaping projects. The Green Man proposes 2 large-scale additions to clients' sites that ought to be conceptualized and initiated in 2011. Because of the scale of these 2 projects, they should be delineating physically on the site with stakes. Here's the key: Clear the space, and get the ball rolling...even with a minimal investment. Simply plant the seed, and add more each season.

willowbrookpark.blogspot.com/2009/09/potager.html

Readers may guess the first project as The Green Man has promoted it for several years: the off-terrace potager. Situate your potager in an area of the Family Living Area ("backyard") that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Attempt to place the potager near the kitchen entry and adjacent to the terrace. Your terrace and potager should be conceptualized as "outdoor rooms" that flow into one another. If the terrace is geometrical, the potager should incorporate the same symmetrical characteristics, yet each area should remain distinct. If the terrace is informal, enhance the formal geometry of the potager and create a formal entry.

Here is the book to get to begin your potager:

www.timberpress.com/books/designing_new_kitchen_garden/bartley/9780881927726

A 4' wide path meanders through a residential arboretum

Once you have delineated the area for your potager, move the the periphery of the sight. Here, most likely, you will find the wooded area of your lot that is simply "there" but not doing much aesthetically. This is what you will transform into a residential arboretum for preserving your favorite woodland trees and shrubs. Create a potential entry on the far right hand side. Using a ball twine, slowly wander through the woods to determine intuitively where a 4' wide pathway should run.

Add plenty of twists and turns, and once the grounds have been covered created an exit on the far left side of your sight. Revisit the pathway, and begin to clear small unwanted plants such as briers and volunteer seedlings. When planning what trees, shrubs, and flowers to install in your new residential arboretum, make sure they work aesthetically with the existing landscaping. One perfect tree for a transitional area between yard and woods is Ostrya virginiana, the hophornbeam.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2010

2010-12-25T17:58:00.001-08:00

Monticello in Winter
www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville, Virginia!

WINTER TYDE 2011: RECYCLE THAT HOLIDAY WREATH

2010-12-23T18:09:00.001-08:00

Monticello in Winter
www.monticello.org

Greetings from Charlottesville, Virginia!

The ideal Winter Tyde wreath: simple, silver, classic, no bow.

The Green Man picked up what he needed to create his Winter Tyde wreath at a "70% off," early "After Christmas" sale yesterday. He will recycle the current, artificial fir holiday wreath... and without having to move it from its highly visible terrace glass doors.

All the Winter Tyde items are silver, an Official Winter Tyde color: some pinecones, berry stalks, except a single artificial chickadee. Simple, graceful, and satisfying.

OK, let's review as the third season of Winter Tyde nears its start. One impetus for the Winter Tyde wreath is that it symbolizes a season of celebration that follows hot on the heels of Christmas. Because the retailers have stolen the 12-day Christmas season, many feel anger and an emotional let-down after the 25th and especially after New Years Day.

To forestall slipping into a depressive mindset by staring into the emotionally empty chasm of Winter, have your Winter Tyde arrangements in order by January 6th. The final, real last day of Christmas is January 5th, "Twelfth Night." On Epiphany, January 6th, the first day of Winter Tyde begins, and thus, creates a smooth, emotional transition to new season. Have your wreath ready!

The Official Winter Tyde colors are:

white
silver
natural tones
burgundy as an accent.

The point is to eliminate ALL CHRISTMAS COLORS by the first day of Winter Tyde. Recycling the basic Christmas wreath is a simple way to welcome Winter Tyde. No bows! The Winter Tyde wreath takes no bow. Keep it simple after the excesses of Christmas.

AUTUMN DAYLILY SALES ARE HERE!

2010-08-31T18:28:00.000-07:00

Monticello
www.monticello.org

www.gilbertwild.com

Mid-season rebloomer 'Pirates Patch' (Top) is a perfect foil for 'Happy Returns.' (Above) Work in THREEs, so select a third complementary variety such as 'Indiscreet.'(Below)

August 2010 zipped by for The Green Man, and already tomorrow is September 1st! The Labor Day Weekend means time to take advantage of seasonal daylily sales. The Green Man recommends intensive incorporation of daylilies into the landscape site for a multiplicity of reasons:

low-cost
tough, bullet-proof-level groundcover for difficult areas (with sun)
color
low-managemnt
high pest-resistance
extended blooming season
vrieties of colors, shapes, and sizes,
prolific reproduction
ease of dividing and transplanting.

Alas, daylilies are not deer-resistant, so they will have to be protected and are not suitable for deer browse areas.

Prolific, workhorse daylily 'Happy Returns'

OK, let's get started. The Green Man recommends that clients select PRIMARY YELLOW as the "tie-together" color around the site. This means incoporating daylily "HAPPY RETURNS" in primary yellow in extensive drifts around the site on all sides of the
residence.

Create some drifts at the far edges of the property to make the site look larger and to create color drama away from the house itself. NEVER USE the chrome yellow "STELLA D'ORO," an intrinsically- fine variety but today grossly-overused to the extent that it now says,"commercial property." Leave it the Taco Bells. Use PRIMARY YELLOW.

Once the locations of drifts of "Happy Returns" are defined and designated, select areas for 1 to 3 contrasting beds of a complementary rebloomer such as The Green Man favorite, "My Sweetheart Returns" or "Apricot Sparkles." Use the contrasting selection in a 1:3 ration. For example, create THREE free-form beds of "Happy Returns" for ONE drift of "My Sweetheart Returns."

Daylily 'My Sweetheart Returns' is a perfect complement to 'Happy Returns.'

Now, you're ready for selecting some non-rebloomers or short-season rebloomers to accent the 'Happy Returns' beds. Simply append an smaller area to a rebloomer drift, and fill it with the variety you enjoy that works with the house color scheme: Use burgundies, peach-tones, corals, subtle pinks, pale yellows, light golds. Avoid magenta and muddy mauves, and anything multicolored and flashy. NEVER CARELESSLY MIX MULTIPLE VARIETIES IN THE SAME DRIFT, or the effect of charm, color, and nuance is lost. Also, note the mature height of each variety as the tallest go the the rear of the drift.

The Green Man likes SMOKEY'S GARDEN for value-packed autumn dayliliy sales as an adjunct to Gilbert Wild, and the site provide all kinds of details about each variety and whether or not it is a rebloomer:

www.smokeysdaylilygardens.com

=the green man gold= AUGUST ELEGANCE: ROSE OF SHARON 'DIANA'

2010-07-20T16:53:00.000-07:00

Saturday, August 23, 2008
AUGUST ELEGANCE: 'DIANA'

Mid-August brings the flowering of the rose of Sharon shrub, at a time when garden blooms are sparse. Hibiscus syriacis is an old-fashoned flowering shrub currently out-of-favor with most landscape designers. It has Victorian associations and has been so overplanted throughout the years that it is now often found on small, cramped urban lots growing into houses, in the company of painted dwarves and pinwheels. However, one cultivar of rose of Sharon stands alone, and it's the only Hibiscus syriacus cultivar that The Green Man uses: 'Diana'

In full bloom 'Diana' rose of Sharon is simple, classic, graceful, and a joy to behold unlike its often garish relatives. As a single specimen, 'Diana' works wonders in lawn areas that need a single large specimen shrub as a focal point or near the transition zone from the family living area to the woods beyond. 'Diana' is somewhat formal in appearance so it functions superbly in pairs...and spectacularly as an allee as planted at Longwood Gardens, the former Dupont estate in Kennet Square, Pennsylvania.

The Green Man loves Hibiscus syriacus 'Diana' but proffers several caveats. First of all, all rose of Sharon plants require lots of space and plenty of sunlight and water.

However, 'Diana' is easily-grown in average, medium, and well-drained soil. Rose of Sharon prefers moist, organically-rich soils, but tolerates poor soils and some drought after it is well-established. Although the species is quite tolerant of summer heat and humidity, a specimen may flag during prolonged hot spells so make sure the location of your shrub is within easy reach of water. Large flowers may be obtained by pruning back hard to 2-3 buds in early spring. Otherwise, prune to shape.

'Diana' is vigorous, multi-stemmed, and will max out at about 5-8' tall. Also, it may be trained as a single trunk tree or espalier. 'Diana' features showy, hollyhock-like, 5-petaled, pure white flowers (4-6" diameter) with no eye. Each flower has a prominent and showy center staminal column. Long, early-summer to fall bloom period.

Flowers stay open at night thus making 'Diana' perfect for spacious moon gardens. Also, 'Diana' is a sterile triploid that produces few if any seed pods so it's not weedy. Triangular, lobed, leathery, dark green leaves. A Royal Horticutural Society of Great Britain "Award of Garden" Merit plant.

Some problems make 'Diana' moderately management-free: light susceptibility to blight, canker, rust, leaf spots, aphids, scale, whiteflies, and Japanese beetle.
However, a well-situated and happy specimen should thrive with minimal attention.

INVEST IN WHITE LILACS

2010-06-17T04:34:00.000-07:00

Monticello
www.monticello.org

Double-flower white lilac 'Madame Lemoine'
www.cedarcreekfarm.net

The Green Man recommends investing heavily in lilacs if clients have a large site and plenty of sunshine. Lilacs are admirably tough plants, but they do require not too acid soil, room, and plenty of sun.

One major design issue with lilacs is that the common light purple varieties may appear prosaic, tired, and weedy when planted en masse. The simple solution is to use white lilacs in their place.

First, the color white brightens and dazzles the landscape, and it immediately adds a sense of surprise, class, elegance, and decorum. Second, white is a mediator color, and it is especially useful in mediating colors in lilacs which tend to be exceptionally nuanced.

Lilac 'Charles Joly' www.estabrooksonline.com

For example a 'Charles Joly' planted next to a 'Monge' defeats the purpose of appreciating subtley in the shades of color and simply looks gauche. However, mediate these two cultvars with a grouping of 3 'Madame Lemoine,' and all with stand out as glorious specimens.

Use the violet 'Monge' in proximity with 'Primrose' but mediate with a white variety. Yellow and violet are color complements.

OK, here's the bottom line:

1. Use white lilacs en masse.

2. Separate color varieties from one other with grouping of 3 to 5 whites. Do not use lilacs in pairs unless they are used formally as "sentries" on either side of a gate or doorway. Go with Nature's own 1-3-5 scheme instead.

3. Create an element of surprise on the site by including a grouping of 3 yellow lilacs. 'Primrose' yellow blossoms will darken to a deeper yellow as the plants mature. Create one grouping only, or the effect is diluted.

Lilac 'Primrose'
www.waysidegardens.com

4. Incorporate smaller lilac cultivars into the design scheme. Use low-growing Syringa patula 'Miss Kim' and dwarf Korean lilac Syringa meyeri 'Paliban' to balance the verticality and height of lilacs and to provide fragrance.

Dwarf Korean Lilac

(Below) Lilac 'Madame Lemoine'

'EARLY SUMMER SALE' 2010 AT GILBERT H. WILD & SON

2010-05-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

Monticello
www.monticello.org

The Green Man recommends Gilbert H. Wild and Son's sale item, peony 'The Duchesse de Nemours, in combination with red or pink climbing roses.

Today's post brought The Green Man a new catalog from one of our favorites, Gilbert H. Wild & Son. Visit their site today to request a catalog. The "Early Summer Sale" issue for 2010 features great deals on "Hostas by the Handful," a troublesome shade areas, reblooming daylily collections, reblooming iris sets,

"Must-have" reblooming daylily 'Calico Jack'

Classic reblooming iris 'Immortality' is de rigueur for mediating colors in the Spring and Fall garden. And at $2.40 per rhizome, buy dozens!

and a $3.00 apiece top shelf daylilies sale. Gilbert H. Wild & Son combines high quality, reasonable price, and handsome, full-color catalogs. Visit here: www.gilberthwild.com

DOUBLEFILE VIBURNUM 'SHASTA" FOR HORIZONTALITY

2010-05-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

Monticello
www.monticello.org

Doublefile viburnum 'Shasta'

The Green Man likes to tell clients "Viburnums are the Lexus of shrubs." Accordingly, the doublefile viburnum is the Lexus LS10...the top of the line. Make sure you have at least one. Works well in sun or shade, so use in rhododendron banks along with azaleas, mountain laurel, pieris, fothergilla, and ferns. In sun, combine with Japanese maples, lilacs, and ornamental grasses.

Zone: 5 - 9 Height: 72"
Class: Shrub Soil Type: Average
Siting: Part Shade Spread: 72"

Description
Shasta' displays a profusion of extra large, pure white flowers that are larger than those found on other cultivars. The growth habit is strongly horizontal, twice as wide as high, making 'Shasta' a choice without equal as an architectural specimen. Bright red fruits are a brief ornamental attraction in late June followed by gorgeous maroon-purple autumn color.

Get at least one for the small site 3-5 for larger sites here:

www.heronswood.com

'LADY ELIZABETH' WHITE REBLOOMING DAYLILY FOR FORMAL GARDENS

2010-04-06T05:49:00.000-07:00

The Green Man came across this graceful REBLOOMING white daylily 'Lady Elizabeth' this morning, and it's de rigueur for formal garden elegance. Let's look more closely at this gem.

First, The Green Man considers daylilies as "equity" perennials...those that add value to the client's landscaping yet require minimal management. Rebloomimg daylilies bloom their heads off from mid-Spring into November with remarkably little trimming. Daylilies are genuine "troopers" in the garden...taking on rough terrain, iffy but dry soil, and inhospitable locations as long as they get sun.

Happy daylilies are virtually pest and problem-free. Invest in them! However, let's look at several caveats in their employment. Create daylily "drifts" of a single color. The Green Man finds the charm and uniqueness of each variety is diluted when daylily varieties are mixed willy-nilly. Second, chose for COLOR carefully, and keep the NUMBER of varieties to a minimum.

A drift of daylily 'Happy Returns.'

Primary yellow 'Happy Returns' makes the perfect "tie-together" cultivar around which to create a constellation of other subtle shades such as the apricot and pink tones of a The Green Man favorite, "When My Sweetheart Returns."

Daylily 'When My Sweetheart Returns'

WHITE daylilies are exceptionally formal in the garden. Hence, they cannot be used in an informal drift. The Green Man recommends employing 'Lady Elizabeth' in formal SYMMETRICAL beds along walkways or in an allee. The spectacular effect white daylilies create is stunning to say the least, so plan carefully, or you will have a lot of plants to remove and replant as recommended. But, definitely use 'Lady Elizabeth' in that special, formal focal point in the landscape. And, a few go a long way.

Hardiness Zone: 4-9 S / 4-9 W
Height: 18"+
Exposure: Full or Part Sun
Blooms In: July-Sept
Spacing: 15-18"
Ships as: Bareroot

"One of the stars of the Lovely Lady™ series, this elegant snowy white flower seem all the more pure as it contrasts with a rich green throat. Prettily ruffled, unusually prolific, and neat in habit, Lady™ Elizabeth is also a dependable rebloomer. PP 11,862

Daylilies are the plants every gardener dreams of. They offer glorious flowers in every shade except blue, a long season of bloom (though individual flowers last but a day), and a robust disposition that makes them easy to transplant, easy to maintain, quick to multiply, and resistant to pests. Planted together in large numbers, they quickly crowd out weeds and make a carefree and colorful ground cover. Among the miracles of modern breeding are tetraploid Daylilies, which have larger flowers with heavier texture and produce more blooms per stem over a longer period.

We ship plants that usually bloom the first year. They will outperform lesser grades offered elsewhere. Except as noted, all are "dormant" varieties, which means their leaves are deciduous."

Available from White Flower Farm: www.whiteflowerfarm.com

A DOGWOOD DILEMMA? USE KOREAN.

2010-03-28T08:28:00.000-07:00

Korean dogwood 'Satomi'
Use this cultivar in lieu of common pink dogwood Cornus florida.
www.monrovia.com

In late March and early April, clients shop for dogwood trees. The Green Man recommends the use of KOREAN DOGWOOD (Cornus kousa)in contradistinction to common FLOWERING DOGWOOD (Cornus florida) to avoid what he calls "heartbreak down the line."

Recall that your landscaping dollars are an investment, so shop for "bulletproof" trees, shrubs, and plants whenever possible. And, the problem will flowering dogwood is its susceptibility to dogwood anthracnose:

Finally, if you find you absolutely must have FLOWERING DOGWOOD (Cornus florida), then use the disease-resistant white cultivar 'Appalchian Spring.'

www.rarefindnursery.com

"Every so often a new plant is introduced that is destined to become a classic. 'Appalachian Spring' is one of them. It has demonstrated unusual resistance to dogwood anthracnose, a destructive disease which affects this treasured native species.

The parent tree was found growing wild in heavily shaded forest understory on Catoctin Mountain in Maryland. In U.S. Forest Service tests, thousands of dogwoods were screened for resistance to anthracnose, and 'Appalachian Spring' was the only one to survive!

An excellent tree with four seasons of interest, it blooms prolifically with white flowers which are followed by abundant bright red fruit. The strikingly larger leaves than most other flowering dogwood cultivars turn bright red in autumn. Its vigorous upright growth habit reaches 20 feet in 10 years."

Combine dogwoods with a deer-resistant viburnum, the "Lexus of shrubs." such a Viburnum odoratissmum 'Red Tip'.

www.monrovia.com

OK, so here's your design triad:

1 Korean dogwood 'Satomi'
3 Flowering dogwood 'Appalachian Spring' OR 3 white korean dogwood
5 Viburnum 'Red Tip'
Accent drift: Daffodil 'Dutch Master'

Understory with "bulletproof" daffodil 'Dutch Master.'

GROW YOUR OWN TOMATOES IN A POTAGER

2010-03-16T02:54:00.000-07:00

The Green Man has recommended to clients for nearly 2 years now to design and install an expansive potager in a 6-hour sun area on their sites. OK, here's another reason to start NOW: store tomato prices are ridiculously high...and what you get...pulpy, tasteless, and useless...makes growing one's own tomatoes highly desirable. Tomatoes are great plants for beginning gardeners to try to build confidence and skills. And, tomatoes are so easy to cultivate!

Flavorful Tomato 'Big Pink'

Tough 'Snowball' white marigolds produce 3" flowers on 2' plants, and they protect both roses and tomatoes from pests.

www.burpee.com/product/id/102997.do

Design triad: The Apothcary's rose (Rosa gallica officionalis) is the traditional potager rose. Keep tomato plant 12" away to protect the root system. Mediate the bright rose pinks and bright tomato reds with groupings of white marigolds between. www.roguevalleyroses.com

Let's enumerate the reasons to grow your own vegetables, starting with tomatoes:

1. They're easy to grow. They need stakes for support, but they thrive in hot, dry weather.

2. They are real tomatoes, and nothing beats the taste of vine-ripened fruit.

3. Gardening a bit each day has inumerable health benefits. In fact, in Candide, Voltaire recommends gardening as the only reasonable response to a wacky world.

Carefree pink Knock Out rose
www.naturehills.com

Cheerful and elegant cherry tomato 'Sun Gold' Yummy!

Design triad: Accent pink Knock Out roses and 'Sun Gold' tomatoes with Victorian heirloom EDIBLE 'Empress of India' nasturtiums.

4. Tomatoes are colorful additions to the potager. They LOVE the benefits of companion plants such as carrots and colorful marigolds in bright yellow, white, and creams. Do not use orange.

5. A fresh food-producing potager is a terrifc substitute for expanses of high-management, inert turf. Enjoy greens on the golf course...grow greens (and tomatoes)at home in a potager off the terrace and near the kitchen.

You can do this. Start here: www.americanpotager.com

www.burpee.com/category/vegetables.do?cid=2010_03_15_TomatoPrices&

OAKLEAF HYDRANGEA 'SNOW QUEEN'

2010-03-06T09:01:00.001-08:00

An elegant, much-desired hydrangea. Get it!

Go with the whites.

"Some improvements make this Oakleaf Hydrangea significantly better. Its upright habit is useful in small spaces; its rich green leaves take full sun and its large, white, well-filled flower heads are held on rigid stems and do not droop after rain."

Then, russet to burgundy fall leaf color is a plus, too. Want 5 good ones?

Any oakleaf hydrangea
'Limelight'
'Annabelle'
'Little Lamb'
'The Swan'

Get your color from perennials and other plants.

'Snow Queen' is available at www.whiteflowerfarm.com

COMPACT REBLOOMING LILAC 'BLOOMERANG'

2010-02-25T00:44:00.000-08:00

Monticello
www.monticello.org

5/7/10 UPDATE: Some confusion exists as to the common name of this cultivar. Since, this lilac is trademarked as 'Bloomerang,' we're going with that. Either way it's a winner: "'Boomerang' BLOOMS all season." or "'Bloomerang' BOOMS all season."

Thank you!

The Green Man recommends this exciting new cultivar for several reasons. First, lilac is tough. It's relatively low-management and pest-free when grown in the right location with plenty of sunshine. Second, the 'Bloomerang' introduction is a rebloomer in the late months of summer when garden color dwindles, and it continues to bloom into early Fall. Third, it's compact so it can be used near the house. Fourth, 'Bloomerang' is fragrant. Fifth, the colors of pink shading into violet work with The Green Man's recommended "tie-together" color for flowers and shrubs all the way around the site: yellow. Hence, this formidable collection of positive attributes makes lilac 'Bloomerang' virtually de rigueur for today's landscapes.

Common Name: 'Bloomerang' Lilac
Hardiness Zone: 4-7 S / 4-8 W
Height: 4-5'
Fragrance: Yes
Exposure: Full Sun
Blooms In: May-Sept
Spacing: 3-4'

A recommended carefree companion: 'Blushing' Knock Out rose [Do not use Knock Out red.]

"We can find a lot of garden opportunities for this dwarf, reblooming Lilac, and we think you will, too. Clusters of purple-pink, sweet-scented flowers cover its branches in spring and continue off and on until frost. Bloomerang™ fits in small spaces and is an excellent choice for a fragrant, low hedge. 'Penda' PPAF

Complete the 'Bloomerang' lilac, 'Blushing' Knock Out rose shrub triad with 'Annabelle' hydrangeas.

Bloomerang™ forms a bushy plant with small leaves. Its bloodline includes four different Lilac species (it's a hybrid of Syringa patula x macrophylla x meyeri x juliana). Plants bloom heavily in the spring, take a resting period, and then start up again in mid-summer and continue until cold weather. The second period of bloom is not as full as that in the spring, but still showy.

Plants are best pruned right after the spring bloom, as this creates a fuller shrub with more branches and thus more flowers. Every stem can produce flowers in summer. Bloomerang™ is mildew resistant, too.

www.gilberthwild.com

Accent the triad with carefree, ever-blooming daylily 'Happy Returns' in primary yellow. [Do not use 'Stella d'Oro.']

Lilacs are among the best-known, classic spring-flowering shrubs. For generations of reliable bloom and sweet fragrance, generally before Memorial Day, these sturdy shrubs are in a class by themselves. Most Lilacs prefer full sun and neutral to slightly alkaline soil."

Available from White Flower Farm:

www.whiteflowerfarm.com

ORDER YOUR 2010 MONTICELLO PLANTS NOW

2010-02-23T10:36:00.000-08:00

WHITE FORSYTHIA TO HASTEN SPRING BLOOMS

2010-02-20T14:59:00.000-08:00

Graceful and elegant white forsythia in bloom.

Abeliophyllum distichum, known as "white forsythia" is not a true forsythia but displays a similar blooming habit...however, about 2 weeks before yellow forsythia announces the arrival of Spring.

The Green Man encourages the incorporation of white forsythia into clients' landscaping mix for several reasons: First, the blooms of white forsythia supply hope to the human spirit at the end of a long and tiring Winter. Second, the shrub provides classic and elegant white in the landscape color pallete. Third, white forsythia is fragrant and easily forced into bloom indoors in the waning days of Winter. Forth, white forsythia stays a manageable size, maxing out at 3' x 5'. Finally, becasue white forsythia is underused and highly-desirable at the onset of early Spring, the shrub adds equity to your landscaping investment.

"There is only one species in this Korean genus, which belongs to the same family as the common Forsythia, but there is nothing common about this plant. A. distichum is an open, spreading shrub that grows to 3-5ft and produces an abundance of delightfully fragrant, pure white, star-shaped flowers at the very beginning of spring, at least two weeks before Forsythia.

The blooms are followed by foliage of a cool bluish green. Branches cut in late winter are easily forced into bloom, and the perfume is much more pronounced indoors. Grow in full sun or partial shade and average soil, and underplant with early-flowering spring bulbs such as Scilla and Muscari."

www.whiteflowerfarm.com

TOO MUCH SHADE? CREATE AN INEXPENSIVE "INSTANT WOODLAND GARDEN"

2010-02-19T11:20:00.000-08:00

Monticello in Winter
Greetings from Charlottesville, Virginia!

Use large hosta 'Sum and Substance' at the center of your beds.

The Green Man enjoys landscaping challenges, and he knows many homeowners want to beautify their sites but feel constrained by heavy shade.

Many houses are surrounded by large, deciduous trees such as Norway maple, sugar maple, red oak, and sycamore...all of which can create dense shade issues below the canopy. If the trees are vigorous and in good condition, obviously, they are part of your landscaping equity. To digress for a moment, The Green Man stresses again and again: select young trees that will add value to your home equity rather than detract. However, let's say you do have a densely-shaded site. Here's what to do:

Fern bank

The Green Man likes the phrase "If you're given lemons, make lemonade." Let's do it. Let's create a gracious and elegant woodland garden in the public area or the "front yard" of your property. OK, let's say you have a cluster of large shade trees on both the right and left sides sited in soil or anemic turf.

First, plan to tie the trees together aesthetically with a lozenge or kidney bean shaped bed 6 to 8 feet wide that cuts right across the front sidewalk in the center to the trees on the otherside. Use a tree spade-type shovel (flat-edged) to determine the edges of this giant lozenge until the sides are even and smooth. Leave no "saw teeth" on the edges. Use the kidney bean analogy, and make the edges smoothly-rounded. Keep the lozenge under 6-8' wide at its maximum. Remove what ever remains of the turf or groundcover. Turn over the soil until the new bed is ready to be planted.

White bleeding hearts

Second, here's the fun part of the challenge: optimizing the use of your landscaping dollars! Use inexpensive plants, obviously, but also the ones that add equity! Here, The Green Man can assist you.

What prompted today's post was the arrival of a garden catalog from a budget nursery plant supplier, Interstate. So, the Green Man perused the booklet, and he selected the best plant values for your "instant woodland garden" as the creative challenge.

Consider using these plants to create a small woodland garden beneath several trees:

1 "Handful of Hostas" (8 plants) for $10.99
2 Hardy Japanese lily for $2.96
2 Hosta 'Regal Blue' for $3.50
2 Mixed Trillium for $1.96
4 Hardy Ferns for $5.99
3 White Bleeding Hearts for $10.99
2 Hosta 'Sum and Substance' for $7.75
2 Hosta Francee' for $5.79

The above basic "instant woodland garden" comes in at a grand total of 25 plants for $49.93, and that's optimzing your landscaping investment dollar!

Plant the largest hostas at the center of the bed, the smaller hostas and ferns in front and in between them, and save the bleeding hearts, trilliums, and Japanese lilies for the front in a step-down arrangement.

There you have it: an "instant woodland garden" for $50. Once installed, select a few items to accenuate. Remember less is more. To complete "The Green Man Woodland Garden Triad," you will need at least 1 Solomon's Seal.

Solomon's Seal
Use ONE in a focal point. Remember, in a woodland garden, "Less is more." Keep it simple.

For color, use the reblooming daylily 'Happy Returns," which will give you some color the entire season even in shade. Do not use 'Stella d'Oro' as the color is wrong.

REBLOOMING daylily 'Happy Returns' in primary yellow. Do not use 'Stella d'Oro.'
www.gilbertwild.com

So, by the time you've purchased everything, including a few bags of brown mulch, your equity enhancing "instant woodland garden" should cost you less than $100. Start planning!

www.interstatenurseries.com

THIRD NOTICE: CONVERT YOUR BACKYARD INTO A POTAGER

2010-02-17T05:29:00.000-08:00

WHITE BLEEDING HEARTS 'SNOWDRIFT' FOR SHADE

2010-02-15T12:06:00.000-08:00

Dicentra eximina 'Snowdrift'

The Green Man recommends highly this cultivar ("cultivated variety") of old-fashioned bleeding hearts for your shady, "woodland garden" areas around the site. Use it in a asymmetrical trianagle to accent the basic The Green Man woodland garden traid of hostas (sans yellow), ferns, and Solomon's Seal varieties.

Do not use pink or red bleeding hearts in the woodland garden or the effect is ruined. Reserve them for locations closer to the house. Also, for extensive woodland gardens, use an additional triangle of bleeding hearts. Remember: "Less is more," and more than 6 bleeding hearts in a typical woodland garden area will dilute the effect. Keep it simple, and in areas away from a formal entry way or terrace, work in a 1,3,5,7 series to maintain the natural look.

Available here: www.whiteflowerfarm.com

CONVERT YOUR BACKYARD INTO A POTAGER IN SPRING 2010!

2010-01-26T13:50:00.000-08:00

Potager expert Jennifer Bartley

The Green Man returns briefly from taking some vacation time to urge readers to initiate plans now to convert backyards (in landscaping parlance, "family living areas") into substantial potagers as the 2010 Spring landscaping season approaches!

In 2010, you and prudent homeowners everywhere may wish to begin vegetable farming in your backyard. For the uneducated, this process usually entails identifying the least aesthetically-desirable section of the yard, often somewhere at the rear of the property, and installing an unsightly and ill-conceived "vegetable patch."

Typically hideous and unncessary "vegetable patch."

Rethink everything now!

First: Eliminate the phrase "vegetable patch" from your vocabulary and thinking.

Second: Learn the French word potager ("PUH-ta-zhay"). Potager is related to potage or "soup." Hence, a potager is a "souper," a planned structure designed to grow vegetables, herbs, and other plants required to create soups.

Third: Note that unlike a vegetable "patch," a potager is aesthetically-pleasing, a delight to the senses, and a pleasure to work in. Unlike the dismal "patch," it is located nearest the kitchen and terrace areas wherever the site receives full sunlight for at least 6 hours per day.

Fourth: Unlike an impromptu "patch," a potager is FORMAL, HIGHLY-
STRUCTURED, and GEOMETRIC in layout. Unlike those of a a "patch," its walkways are brick, stone, gravel or mulch combinations rather than compressed soil and weeds.

Fifth: Unlike a patch, vegetables are not the only plants grown there. In a potager, vegetables are aesthetically-integrated into compositions using annuals, roses, dwarf fruit trees, certain perennials, shrubs, water-features, and sculpture. For example, whereas, 2 stone putti spouting water would look absurd in a vegetable "patch," in a substantial potager, they're virtually de rigueur.

To sum up, once a homeowner discovers the potager, a vegetable "patch" seems a ridiculous alternative. And, in addition to providing convenience, charm, sensual delight, pleasurable and neat work, and food, a well-planned and installed potager adds to the value of your landscaping investment!

The bottom line? Scrap your plans for a "patch," ("Please!") and educate yourself about how to create a large and viable potager that is an integrated addition to your in situ landscaping.

Plan for a well-conceived and substantial potager

Landscaper JENNIFER BARTLEY is the "go-to" source for learning. Visit and study here:

www.americanpotager.com

www.amazon.com/Designing-New-Kitchen-Garden-American/dp/0881927724/ref=sr_1_1/102-4026744-6890524?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177880191&sr=8-1

Think "potager." A vegetable garden should be elegant.

ON VACATION

2010-01-25T20:45:00.000-08:00

DIANTHUS 'ELEGANCE WHITE' BLOOMS ALL SEASON

2010-01-17T08:48:00.001-08:00

The Green Man recommends this stunning 2010 introduction from famous Heronswood Nursery. This pink (Dianthus) cultivar ("cultivated variety") is classic white for "elegance" which mediates colors in the border, double-fringed, and it blooms all season. Takes full sun.

Zone: 5 - 8 Height: 24"
Class: Perennial
Soil Type: Average
Siting: Full sun
Spread: 18"

This pristine white dianthus produces a shower of fringed double, lacy white flowers, and keeps on blooming right till late summer. Growing knee-high (24"), the sturdy, upright, slender plants keep their cool in the summer heat. As cut flowers: spectacular. Plant in a sunny spot with well-drained soil.

www.heronswood.com

A TRIAD OF NEW HOSTAS FOR SHADE WITH 3 MAPLES TO AVOID

2010-01-03T22:46:00.000-08:00

Monticello in Winter
Greetings from Charlottesville, Virginia!

"No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth,
no culture comparable to that of the garden ...
But though an old man, I am but a young gardener."

Thomas Jefferson, Garden Book, 1811

The Green Man wishes all a Happy New Year 2010. And, a new year means making preparations for Spring gardening and landscaping!

Many clients seem frustrated by shady areas on the grounds. Often older, established sites are planted with enormous maples that create dense shade. While most these trees are fine in the proper location, too often they end up having been sited too near the house itself.

Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) is often the "culprit." It's a fine tree for the edges of the property where it has room and shade may not be an issue. Much worse is Acer saccharinum or Silver maple...fortunately, these days usually unavailable because of its weak-wooded structure and rapid, weedy growth. Finally, the worst offender is Norway maple (Acer platinoides) and its cultivar ("cultivated variety") 'Crimson King.' The latter was planted extensively to provide the color burgundy in the landscape. The problem is that it is an introduced species that proliferates and drives out desirable native species. However, because of its enormous, leathery leaves, this tree casts dense shade. Do not use it!

Hence, a good rule of thumb is to plant no maples AT ALL with the exception of these 2 varieties that are smaller and add value to your property: Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) and paperbark maple (Acer griseum.)

Japanese maple 'Fireglow'

Paperbark maple provides Winter interest with its cinnamon-colored exfoliating bark
www.finegardening.com/plantguide/acer-griseum-paperbark-maple.aspx

The Green Man recommends 'Fire Glow' for the former and the use of 1 or 3, not 2, paperbark maples towards the back and side window areas of the site. These 2 maples are highly desirable trees and readily available at quality nurseries and garden centers. If you want a compact draping Japanese maple as a focal point tree near the house entrance, use 'Crimson Queen.' Thousands of Japanese maple cultivars exist, but keep it simple for starters.

Meanwhile, if your site is shady, do not despair! You simply have a "woodland garden" site, so work from there. Make any full-sun locations burst with color, and then work with a much more subtle color palette for the woodland garden areas.

Glorious Solomon's seal in bloom

Begin with the basic The Green Man woodland garden triad: Hostas, ferns, and Solomon's seal, and accent with a few woodland garden specimens such as astilbe in tight groupings. Use WHITE astilbe and BURGUNDY astible only.

Use Astile 'Vision in Red' and white Astilbe only, or the woodland effect will be destroyed.

Every other color tends to overpower the impact of adjacent plants with hideous, muddy shades of pink and worst of all magenta, a garden no no.

OK, here are three relatively new hostas for 2010 that can be incorporated into your woodland garden setting. Note that none features YELLOW. Do not use YELLOW hostas as they compete for attention. Use WHITE as much as possible to brighten shade along with lush greens. Use blue hostas carefully as they create focal areas and can grow huge. A single specimen of blue is best.

Create lozenge rather than circular beds 6' across widthwise at the bases of your shade trees. Cover exposed roots first with a small berm of soil...with the soil kept away from the tree trunk base.

White periwinkle, 'Vinca minor alba'

The ideal shade groundcover is Vinca minor alba or white periwinkle. Do NOT use the common blue.

Use trouble-free daylily 'Happy Returns' in PRIMARY YELLOW in any shade areas that receive some sunlight. You will get a remarkable number of flowers and the leaves provide texture, height, and complementary interest.

Stalwart daylily 'Happy Returns' in primary yellow

DO NOT use 'Stella d'Oro' daylilies ever as the chome yellow will throw off the color scheme, and it is an over-planted variety best saved for its KFC and Taco Bell sites.

Hosta 'Dancing Stars' PPAF

NEW Incredible thick leaves that holds the crisp colors better than any similar types.

A Burpee Exclusive of a hosta that thrives in the shady garden with incredible thick leaves that holds the crisp colors of the white center with dark blue-green margins better than any similar types. Extremely prolific grower as its parent, ‘Dancing in the Rain’, a very long lived hosta. The light lavender spike flower sweeps over the variegated foliage in a very complimentary fashion.
Height: 26" Spread: 36" Zones: 3–9.
Sorry, state laws prohibit shipping plants to Alaska, Hawaii.

www.burpee.com/product/id/114911.do

Hosta 'Silver Bay'

NEW Spectacular blue color. Thick leaves with a striped pattern.

A fantastic silver-blue mounding hosta with thick leaves with a striped pattern likened to seer suckering. The intensity of the blue color is spectacular, will stand out in every garden where the primary color is green. Use as an edging, border plant due to its well-mannered short growth habit.
Height: 12" Spread: 36" Zones: 3–9.
Sorry, state laws prohibit shipping plants to Alaska, Hawaii.

www.burpee.com/product/id/114911.do

Hosta 'Night Before Christmas'

Hosta Night Before Christmas dark green leaves with a central white splash, pointed and slightly twisted leaves. Large mound size at maturity.

Not 'brand new' per se but 'new' as it's woefully underused.

THE GREEN MAN WISHES ALL A HAPPY YULETIDE 2009

2009-12-25T15:54:00.000-08:00

Monticello in Winter
Greetings from Charlottesville, Virginia!

Christmastide 2009

'BURGUNDY COTTON' ELEGANT WHITE CRAPE MYRTLE

2009-11-22T12:18:00.000-08:00

Greetings from Charlottesville, Virginia!

The Green Man FLD is directly adjacent to the lovely grounds of old "Montesano" (Faulkner House)

"Famous for its amazing burgundy new foliage color! Blooms in Summer with spikes of interesting white flowers that contrast dramtically with foliage. Features excellent mildew resistance. May be pruned as shrub or allowed to grow into tree. Use as an accent or massed in borders. Perfectly sized for large containers. Deciduous shrub/tree. Full sun. Moderate growth 6 to 12 ft. tall, 5 ft. wide"

The Green Man notes that one of the remarkable sights in bucolic Charlottesville, Virginia during the summer months is the abundance of WHITE CRAPE myrtle that graces the landscape everywhere.

Usually, one sees the white cultivars of this popular Southern small ornammental tree in a grouping with pink cultivars. However, one building on The Green Man's daily route through town has used the white cultivar exclusively to contrast with its Jeffersonian Federal Style brick building. The combination creates a sense of timeless elegance. Consistently, The Green Man has advocated the incorporation of plenty of white into landcsape designs.

Many white crape myrtle cultivars are available, but 'Burgundy Cotton' has some advantages over the other. Enhanced mildew resistance and 4-season interest are top-most.

www.monrovia.com

SUBTLE NEW CONEFLOWER: ECHINACEA 'HOPE'

2009-10-09T22:48:00.000-07:00

Monticello
Greetings from Charlottesville, Virginia

The Green Man loves this understated and elegant new coneflower that's perfect for late summer and early autumn color in the garden. The petals are are soft pale pink accented by a burgundy to russet cone...a classic color combination. It's a perfect companion to daisies such as 'Becky' and the glorious 'Broadway Lights.'
Complete your COLOR TRIAD with a dash of late-blooming Salvia 'Ultra Violet.'

Salvia 'Ultra Violet'

As a "Plant for the Cure," a portion of proceeds from the sale of each plant is sent by our supplier to the Susan G. Komen Foundation to benefit breast cancer research.

www.heronswood.com

PLANT IN TRIADS: GROUPS OF THREE

2009-10-06T02:32:00.000-07:00

Monticello
Greetings from Charlottesville, Virginia

The "Lloyd" border is, indeed, lovely. However, the bright orange daylilies or oriental lilies have to go as they clash with the violet shades. Use PRIMARY YELLOW Hemerocallis 'Happy Returns Tall," a rebloomer, and "Hyperion." In fact, the Green Man suggests eliminating lilies COMPLETELY from the landscape as the have many drawbacks: short-bloom period, they are messy and the stalks and foliage unattractive, they proliferate like weeds. Get rid of them, and use Hemerocallis exclusively.

The Green Man got a hearty chuckle out of White Flower Farm's latest missive since he has always encouraged clients to plan and plant IN TRIADS. Planting a ONE creates a focal point, whether intended or not. By carefully planning and planting in TRIADS or disequilateral arrangements of three, gardeners work hand-in-hand with Nature to achieve a harmonious integration of plant materials into the existing landscape.

In most landscaping situations, think in a schema of 1, 3, 5, 7 to replicate Nature's own patterns. Use 2, 4, 6, etc. only in those few areas where symmetry is required. Those spaces are usually at the entry to the house and in formal areas such as rose gardens or parterres.

Meanwhile, the Green Man is mostly in agreeement with White Flower Farm's suggestions below. He posts his caveats at the conclusion:

"In gardening, as in music, a single note can be simple and pure and hauntingly lovely. But a trio of notes, known in music as a triad, completely changes the esthetic experience, offering depth and contrast and complexity and rhythm and balance. This epiphany of effect explains why good gardeners so often design by using plants in threes, sometimes also repeating plant groupings three times within larger plantings. With a little extra commitment, the result is vastly enhanced. Had we not learned this experience on our own, our customers would quickly have taught us, since their purchase habits clearly reflect the principle.

At our end, triads offer further benefits because it's much cheaper per plant for us to provide three plants of one variety to a single customer. Economical growing cycles on a number of favorite perennials have allowed us to take further discounts when you purchase in threes. You'll find these items below. There has never been a better time to experience the magic of triads."

Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam'
3 for $21.45
SAVE 20%

Salvia x sylvestris 'May Night'
3 for $31
SAVE 20%

(The Green Man asks readers to note how well the above Coreopsis and Salvia work together. Yellow lies exactly opposite violet on the color wheel, not orange. In general, use orange sparingly. Think of it as paprika: just a dash. On the other hand, PRIMARY YELLOW is the ideal color to tie together plantings around the entire site. And be advised, MAGENTA is always wrong anywhere. Eliminate it now from your palette.

Visit WHITE FLOWER FARM here:

tx2.ssprd10.net/hostedmessage/message.aspx?2408761.1602153.304629518.9666

'HOT PAPAYA' CONEFLOWER AVAILABLE NOW

2009-08-08T06:56:00.000-07:00

Monticello
Greetings from Charlottesville, Virginia

New for 2009!

- Another breakthrough from Dutch perennial breeder Arie Blom, who also bred Coconut-Lime Echinacea

- Fiery-orange ray petals surround a plush, red-orange pompon

-Fragrant, nonfading flowers cover the sturdy, well-branched plants for weeks in summer

-A must for hot-colored borders with crocosmia, kniphofia and coreopsis
Botanical name: Echinacea ‘Hot Papaya’

www.plantsnouveau.com/2008/10/16/echinacea-hot-papaya

WE'RE MOVING.

2009-07-24T01:01:00.001-07:00

VIBURNUM 'SUMMER SNOWFLAKE' FOR ALL-SEASON BLOOMS

2009-06-21T04:38:00.000-07:00

"Among the showiest of its kind, this shrub may bloom continuously throughout the summer in snow white blossoms. These are startling in moonlight and stand in high contrast against deep green foliage. Reddish to bronze-purple foliage in fall. Produces an abundance of bright red berries by late summer which feeds migrating birds. Ideal for foundation planting, in shrub borders or habitat garden. Prune often and provide well drained evenly moist soil. Deciduous. Full sun to part shade. Moderate growth to 6 to 8 ft. tall and 8 to 10 ft. wide."

www.monrovia.com

SPIREA 'FAIRY QUEEN' COMPLEMENTS PERENNIALS

2009-05-23T04:12:00.001-07:00

Three-lobe spirea works wonders in perennial beds to mediate colors, provide dazzling white, and to provide drama, mass, and texture. The Green Man loves the new florabundant cultivar 'Fairy Queen.' This shrub maxes out at about 3' tall and 4' wide, hence, it's perfect for most perennial beds. Requires sun.

ROSA 'BLANC DOUBLE DE COUBERT': A TOUGH ROSE FOR PROBLEM SITES

2009-05-14T19:29:00.000-07:00

The Green Man recommends the Rugosa rose 'Blanc de Coubert' for sunny to lightly-shaded "problem areas" on clients' sites. The dazzling white of this tough cultivar blends with every color scheme and mediates colors well. Use it on slopes with marginal run off issues and/or poor and gravelly soil, and let it go. It's remarkably low-management. In addition to treating problems areas, the 'Blanc de Coubert' rose adds more classic and elegant WHITE into the landscape!

'Blanc Double de Coubert' Rose Details:

Plant FactsMature Height 5 - 7 feet
Sun Exposure Full Sun
Flower Color White
Flowering Date April
Fragrance Moderate
Disease Resistance Very Good
Zones 3-7

The Blanc Double de Coubert Rose, Rosa 'Blanc Double de Coubert', Hybrid Rugosa, is a beautiful rugosa hybrid that exhibits large, intoxicatingly fragrant, double white flowers. The delicate blooms are followed by bright red hips. Shiny, dark green foliage is attractive all season long and shows good fall color.

This rose has its own root. The advantage of own root roses is that once established they are very resilient. If winter's freezing breezes kill the top growth, the rose will grow back in the spring, and the recovered rose will look the same as the one you purchased.

Also, Rosa 'Blanc Double de Coubert' features a long blooming season that should run from late April all the way into mid-October.

www.naturehills.com/product/blanc_double_de_coubert_rose.aspx

ARONIA 'IROQUOIS BEAUTY'

2009-04-26T11:08:00.000-07:00

The Green Man recommends incorporating 'Iroquois Beauty' black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa ‘Morton’) into clients' landscaping designs. It's a cultivar of a native plant, it's tough, hardy to Zone 3, pest-resistant, low management and compact, and provides 4-season interest. In other words, it's an "equity" shrub.

"Iroquois Beauty™ is a multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub selected for its unique compact habit, showy display of small white flower clusters, glossy foliage, showy orange to deep red fall foliage and abundant production of black fruit. Iroquois Beauty™ is a selection from the collections at the Morton Arboretum. It establishes quickly after transplanting and slowly makes colonies by spreading via root suckers. Ten-year-old plants are less than 3' high with a 5' spread.

Note that The Green Man calls this shrub by its scientific name. First, it's easier to say than "chokeberry." Second, it avoids confusion with "choke cherry," a small native tree, Prunus viginiana. Third, "Aronia" is neutral and doesn't conjure up the negative assciations of "chokeberry." Simply call it "Aronia," as green industry people do, and you'll sound like an educated homeowner who takes charge of his/her landscaping.

BUTTERCUP WINTERHAZEL PROVIDES APRIL BLOOMS

2009-04-25T21:30:00.000-07:00

One of the Green Man favorite April-flowering shrubs is buttercup winterhazel or Corylopsis paucifolia. It's a small shrub with translucent pale yellow flowers that appear before the leaves in late April. This gem is perfect for the transition zone between yard and surrounding woodland areas. Corylopisis paucifolia grows to about 4' wide and 3'-4' high and is hardy to Zone 4.

A SUNNY CONEFLOWER BORDER

2009-04-18T06:14:00.000-07:00

In 2009, Echinacea or "coneflowers" are available in a wide-ranging color palette in addition to sizes and styles. Coneflowers are highly-desirable for the sunny border because they bloom effortlessly until frost thus extending your blooming season.

The green man recommends working with a triad of 3 coneflowers cultivars. If more are employed, their effect is diminished. Select 2 colors that work with your color scheme and mediate them with the WHITE coneflower called 'Fragrant Angel.'

'Fragrant Angel' coneflower

Coneflower 'Hope'

The Green Man recommends the cultivar 'Hope' as the ideal pink to utilize as the form is graceful, the pink is subtle, and the tendency toward dreaded magenta is eliminated. (For those who wonder why "dreaded magenta" is proscribed, the answer is simple: Magenta is a 50/50 combination of 2 color primaries red and blue. Hence, in the landscape, it acts as a "black hole," in that it pulls the eye away from more subtle color combinations. Eliminate it completely.)

Next find a tie-together yellow:

Coneflower 'Mac 'N Cheese' (That's 'Tomato Soup' in the background)

Phlox paniculata 'David'

Use phlox 'David' to the back of the border in tandem with WHITE cleome 'Sparkler.' Treat 'Sparkler' as a shrub as it can attain great size if it's happy in its location.

Cleome 'Sparkler'

Use 'Caradonna' sage to accent the coneflower 'Mac 'N Cheese," and use a dash of brilliant red bee balm 'Jacob Cline' to accent the coneflower 'Hope.'

Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'

Bee balm 'Jacob Cline'

Catmint 'Walker's Low'

Toss in a compact Solidago or goldenrod, and your border is complete.

www.whiteflowerfarm.com

www.greatgardenplants.com

www.bluestoneperennials.com

SWEETSPIRE 'HENRY'S GARNET'

2009-04-17T15:56:00.000-07:00

In Fall

In Spring

'Henry's Garnet' Sweetspire (Itea virginica 'Henry's Garnet') seems to get stuck as an afterthought during Spring landscape designing, so The Green Man mentions it now.

This small gem provides graceful, fragrant flowers after the effloresence of Spring, and it highly adaptable to shade, sun, wet, or dry soils. Management issues are low, and it's pest resistant.

In the autumn, the plant comes into its own by providing an unusual shade of bugundy in its foliage that complements other fall colors.

Common Name: Virginia sweetspire
Zone: 5 to 9
Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Grossulariaceae

Native Range: None
Height: 3 to 4 feet
Spread: 4 to 6 feet
Bloom Time: May - June Bloom Color: White
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Low

General Culture:

Easily grown in average, medium to wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Adaptable to shade. Prefers moist, humusy soils, but tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. Can spread to form colonies by root suckering if left unchecked.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

This Virginia sweetspire cultivar is an erect, rounded, deciduous shrub which typically grows 3-4' tall. Features fragrant, tiny white flowers borne in cylindrical, drooping racemes (3-6" long) which cover the shrub with bloom in early summer. Oval, dark green leaves (1-4" long) turn an attractive garnet red in autumn, sometimes persisting on the shrub until December. Flowers (racemes larger) and fall color of this cultivar are superior to that of the species.

Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems.

Uses:

Versatile shrub for sunny or shady areas of the shrub border or woodland garden. Also a good specimen or foundation plant. Naturalizes well in wild locations. Good for wet locations such as low spots or on the edges of streams or ponds.

© Missouri Botanical Garden, 2001-2009

THE GREEN MAN FINE LANDSCAPE DESIGN SPRING 2009 NEWSLETTER

2009-04-16T18:31:00.000-07:00

The Green Man
Fine Landscape Design
P.O. Box 1272
Saratoga Springs, New York 12866

Spring 2009 Newsletter

The Spring 2009 landscaping season is here, and we at The Green Man are looking forward to an exciting, creative, and productive year creating beautiful environments for our clients.

First of all, in 2009 The Green Man Fine Landscape Design proudly announces the addition of 2 more landscape design consultants to the team to ensure that clients get a thoroughly comprehensive analysis of their landscaping site as well as an innovative design that addresses all issues. The mission of The Green Man is to assist clients in the optimization of their landscaping investment dollars.

The Green Man Fine Landscape Design is a member of APLD, the Association of Professional Landscape Designers, The National Trust for Historic Preservation, and The Garden Conservancy.

Landscaping Trends for 2009

1] The trend towards utilizing outdoor space as a series of adjoining “rooms” that are extensions of the house will become even more pronounced in 2009. Clients want to have sections of their landscaping site well-delineated for differing purposes and activities yet to have traffic flow smoothly through these areas. Hence, a design that optimizes the use of space gracefully is essential.

A French kitchen garden or potager

2] The trend toward “clean” food will witness exponential growth in organic vegetable gardens driven by cost concerns for fresh and healthy food.. To meet the demand, The Green Man is emphasizing the addition of an old and venerable garden enhancement called the potager or French kitchen garden.
The potager is simply an outdoor room that is formal, geometric, and symmetrical. A typical potager design consists of 4 rectangular raised beds that surround a center circular bed. Within the garden, vegetables and flowering plants grow together accented vertically with vines, dwarf fruit trees, standards, and statuary. Connecting walkways are covered with pea gravel and accented with bluestone squares and antique brick. A potager is situated where plants will receive 6 hours of sunlight daily yet close to kitchen accessways.
A well-designed potager provides multiple harvests per season as well as aesthetic pleasure and charm year round. Traditional potager plants include boxwood, medicinal and culinary herbs, lavender, pot marigold, catmint, nasturtium, iris, and apothecary rose.

Rosa gallica officinalis /Apothecary rose

3] Simple water features will increase in popularity. The Green Man is suggesting the incorporation of a simple recycling bubbler on or near a terrace where the refreshing sound of splashing water can be heard readily. Reproduction antique millstones make ideal water features for both traditional and contemporary settings. Simple wall fountains provide the same experience.

A reproduction antique millstone suitable for use as a water feature

4] Rain gardens will increase in popularity as a low-cost and low-management way to deal with minor run off issues and with areas of the site that tend to collect water and remain “boggy.”

5] Residential arboreta will grow in popularity as way to incorporate wooded areas of the site into the landscaping plan by means of well-delineated pathways, open areas, careful plantings, and seating.

The Green Man Fine Landscape Design team is ready to assist clients with the integration of these trends into their landscaping plans! In addition, The Green Man encourages the use of heritage plants such as historical irises and peonies, the incorporation of low management roses, and re-blooming daylilies to extend the color season in the landscape.

For 2009, The Green Man Fine Landscape Design has modified it fees to accommodate more readily the needs of clients.

The flat fee for an initial landscaping consultation and preliminary site analysis is $150 for a 2-3 man design team depending on the complexity of the job. Most initial consultations run no more than 2 hours.

Professional drawn-to scale design plans run $500 to $1500 or more for extensive projects.

Designers will work closely with clients' landscape contractors at an hourly 2-figure rate, dependent upon the complexity of the work, to ensure that the installation conforms to the plan.

Additional flexible work options are available. The Green Man's goal is to meet clients' wants, needs, and expectations.

Call today for an appointment with our design team. The Green Man Fine Landscape Design takes appointments by mail or phone at 1-518-423-1233, where you may leave a voice message for a return call.

Thank you and we look forward to working with you in 2009.

Visit our website for landscaping ideas and new plants for 2009!

www.thegreenmanfld.blogspot.com

The Green Man Fine Landscape Design team

'LITTLE LAMB' HYDRANGEA

2009-04-16T14:42:00.001-07:00

The Green Man likes Hydrangea paniculata 'Little Lamb' because of its florabundant nature, compact size, extended blooming season, low-management requirements, and its partial-shade tolerance. Complements viburnums well.

"Perfect for smaller gardens, hardy, and easy to grow, this compact shrub blooms over a long season. In sun or part shade, the diminutive white blooms of 'Little Lamb' will light up your garden as they nod and flutter in the breeze like capering youngsters. A Proven Winners® variety. PP 15,395

Hydrangea is a valuable genus of some 100 species of shrubs and vines grown for their large and very showy flower heads. Hydrangeas are at their best in summer and fall -- quiet time for most woody plants -- and are worth having for that reason alone."
Hardiness Zone: 4-8 S / 4-9 W

Height: 4-6'

Exposure: Full or Part Sun

Blooms In: July-Sept

Spacing: 6'

www.whiteflowerfarm.com

LOW-MANAGEMENT ALLEGHENY SERVICEBERRY FOR BEAUTY ALL 4 SEASONS

2009-04-15T14:37:00.000-07:00

Allegheny serviceberry blossom in white

The Green Man loves the spectacular beauty of Amelanchier laevis or Allegheny Serviceberry in the Spring. The tree's blossoms explode into a cascade of brilliant white throughout the canopy for a spectacular display. In summer, well, listen to what American Beauties has to say:

"Allegheny Serviceberry is a native tree for all seasons. In April and May it has beautiful white flowers that are delicately scented and provide nectar for the season's early bees and butterflies.

In mid summer its fruits ripen to brilliant violet pink, aging to deep blue purple when fully ripe. Its leaves play occasional host to the larvae of viceroy, striped hairstreak, and Canadian tiger swallowtail butterflies.

And the grand finale comes in fall with brilliant oranges, yellows and reds as the leaves prepare to drop."

[The Green Man interjects that in Winter, if pruned correctly, Allegheny serviceberry
provides a dramatic branching structure to enjoy juxtaposed with snow.]

"Amelanchier laevis is found in moist woods and meadows, but tolerates most any garden situation. It will bloom more in full sun, but have a more open and graceful habit in shade. It is drought tolerant once established, but will grow taller and faster in consistently moist soils. Amelanchier can be grown as a small tree pruned to become a densely branched shrub."

Benefits:

Fragrant spring flowers
Easy to grow and widely adaptable
Edible berries in summer
Gorgeous fall color

Homeowner Growing and Maintenance Tips:

Plant Allegheny Serviceberry in average or moist soil in full sun or partial shade. Adapts to dry conditions but performs best in moist, well-drained soil.

Landscape trees and shrubs should not be fertilized at planting or during the first growing season.

Easy to grow and requires little care once established.

Height:

15-30 Feet

Spread:

10-15 Feet

Native Range:

Allegheny Serviceberry is found in open woods and moist meadows throughout eastern North America.

Native Trivia:

The sweet, juicy fruits are edible and rich in iron and copper. Native peoples dried the small pomes like raisins or mashed and dried them in cakes. Trees of Ontario by Linda Kershaw

USDA Hardiness Zone 4-8

"Amelanchier berries are enjoyed by cardinals, waxwings, hairy woodpeckers, thrushes, catbirds, orioles, and robins."

Characteristics & Attributes

Plan Sub Group
• Medium to Tall Shrubs
• Deciduous Trees
Exposure
• Morning Sun / Afternoon Shade
• Filtered Shade
• Sun
Soil
• Humus-rich
• Wide soil tolerance
• Acidic
• Well-drained
Soil Moisture Preference
• Average
• Moist but well-drained
• Moist
• Wet

Attracts Wildlife
• Butterflies
• Songbirds
• Beneficial insects
• Mammals
Bloom Time
• Early Spring
Habitat Collection
• Songbird
Native Habitat
• Riparian, wetland
• Forest

Foliage Color
• Blue-green
• Orange
• Green
• Yellow
Uses
• Fragrant
• Ornamental fruit
• Border
• Mass plant
• Specimen
• Naturalizes

www.abnativeplants.com

The Green Man recommends using Allegheny serviceberry as a n adjunct to Serviceberry 'Autumn Brilliance' along with black tupelo, paperbark maple, river birch 'Heritage,' and white fir...all equity trees.

WHITE REDBUD FOR EARLY SPRING ELEGANCE

2009-04-14T08:37:00.000-07:00

Cercis canadensis alba

The Green Man recommends adding WHITE redbuds to clients' landscaping as an unexpected complement to the traditional and ubiquitous, dark pink redbud. In Zone 5, redbuds require a somewhat sheltered site away from prevailing winds.

Common Name: eastern redbud
Zone: 4 to 9
Plant Type: Tree
Family: Fabaceae
Native Range: North America
Height: 20 to 30 feet
Spread: 25 to 35 feet
Bloom Time: April
Bloom Color: White
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Management: Low

JAPANESE SNOWBELL TREE ACCENTS JAPANESE MAPLE 'CRIMSON QUEEN'

2009-04-13T06:58:00.000-07:00

The Green Man recommends the Japanese snowbell tree (Styrax japonicus) as a good companion to the popular Japanese maple cultivar 'Crimson Queen.' Both are hardy in Zone 5 as long as they are located in a protected location away from prevailing winds and day-long sunlight.

The Japanese snowbell tree provides a flowering tree to enjoy in late Spring, after other trees have bloomed i May to early June. In addition, the tree is tough, resists pests, and tolerates a variety of soils.

Japanese maple 'Crimson Queen'

Use an upright, yellow-fruiting viburnum such as 'Michael Dodge' to complete your design triad. Spaced the shrub asymmetrically from the 2 trees for a natural look.

Japanese snowbell (Styrax japonicus) specifications

Hardiness Zones: 5-8
Habit: Deciduous
Growth Rate: Moderate
Site Requirements: Sun to partial shade; moist, well drained soil but tolerates clay
Texture:Medium to fine
Form: Rounded to broad crown; horizontal low, wide spreading branches
Height: 20 to 30'
Width:20 to 30'
Leaf: 1 to 3.5" alternate, simple leaves; modest yellowish to reddish fall color
Flower/Fruit: Cluster of large white pendulous flowers with yellow stamens in May June; mildly fragrant; modest .5" gray fruit in fall
Comments: Does not tolerate heat or drought very well; cast light shade

Styrax japonicus cultivar list

'Camellia Forest' - Dwarf

'Crystal' - Dark green leaves; white flowers with purple pedicels and sepals; vigorous grower; upright, fastigate habit

'Emerald Pagoda' Large, leathery, dark green leaves; heat tolerant; upright vase shape

'Fargesii' Large leaves; flowers 2 weeks later than most styrax; greenish purple pedicels; tree like habit

'Issai' Rapid grower; 20 to 30'

'Kusan' Compact, globe shaped; 11'; flowers at early age

'Pendula'; Carillon 8 to 12' weeping tree

'Pink Chimes' Upright shrub to small tree; pink flowers

'Ryan's weeping' Weeping form

'Rosea' Clear pink; upright shrub; 4'

'Snowfall' Dense, rounded form; prolific, slightly fragrant flower production

VINCA MINOR ALBA FOR ELEGANCE

2009-04-10T11:11:00.001-07:00

Vinca minor ’Alba’ is an evergreen trailing vine, with leaves slightly smaller than common Vinca. It is covered with large showy white flowers from April through June (also blooming sporadically summer through frost), and acts like the common Vinca that we’ve all seen in every other regard.

Alba complements every other color in the garden. It makes a charming companion to spring-blooming bulbs and thrives in the dusty shade beneath trees and shrubs, where other plants are not happy. The clean white flowers shine in the shade that vinca is most useful in, always noticeable even in the darkest areas.

Like most Vinca vines it will produce fewer blooms in deep shade, so if you can give it partial shade it will be happiest. Prefers shade in zones 7 - 8, must have shade in zone 9; tolerates full sun with regular watering in zones 4 - 6.

It will fill a space faster if grown in organic, moist, well-drained loamy soil, but it will also grow quite well in heavy clay as long as it gets adequate moisture. Spreads quickly once established.

Deer tend to avoid, tolerant of infrequent foot traffic. Caution: invasive, should only be used in contained areas. Mature prostrate height 4" - 6", spacing 8" - 12".

Vinca (from Latin vincire "to bind, fetter") is a genus of five species of in the family Apocynaceae, native to Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia. The common name, shared with the related genus Catharanthus, is Periwinkle.

They are subshrubs or herbaceous, and have slender trailing stems 1-2 m long but not growing more than 20-70 cm above ground; the stems frequently take root where they touch the ground, enabling the plant to spread widely. The leaves are opposite, simple broad lanceolate to ovate, 1-9 cm long and 0.5-6 cm broad.

The flowers, produced through most of the year, are salverform (like those of Phlox), simple, 2.5-7 cm broad, with five petals joined together at the base to form a tube. The fruit consists of a group of divergent follicles; a dry fruit which is dehiscent along one rupture site in order to release seeds.

The two species (the Small Periwinkle V. minor and the Large Periwinkle V. major), are very popular ornamental plants in gardens, grown for dense evergreen ground cover and their delicate violet flowers. V. major has broader leaves with a hairy margin and larger flowers, is less cold hardy, and has twice as many chromosomes as V. minor. A variegated selection of V. major is commonly cultivated.

Part sun Shade

Zones: 4-9

www.classygroundcovers.com

A PINK HYDRANGEA FOR SHADE

2009-04-09T14:56:00.000-07:00

The Green Man is not a fan of colored hydrangeas unless used to complement with Victorian gingerbread. However, Heronswood has introduced a compact pink cultivar that tolerates partial shade. And it's those "partial shade" areas of the landscape that can benefit from the addition of a long-blooming color shrub:

"This hydrangea makes a big impression despite its compact size. A good choice for smaller gardens, the tidy plant offers up armfuls of ball-shaped, pink-toned blooms against dark green, glossy leaves. Hardy, reliable, easy to grow, you can tuck this one into the smallest garden."

Do it if this pink harmonizes with your color palette.

www.heronswood.com/shade-garden/hydrangea-macrophylla-masja

HOW TO BUILD THE CORRECT AND MOST INEXPENSIVE WOODEN COMPOST BIN

2009-04-08T17:41:00.001-07:00

The Green Man urges clients to install and to use a WOODEN compost bin that functions as an integral part of the site design. A compost bin can and should be highly-efficient and functional AND aesthetically pleasing.

PLASTIC or VINYL compost bins are NOT happening. They are over-priced, made from non-renewable resources, and are aesthetically offensive.

The list price on this glaring-white white elephant is a mere $454. How many equity TREES will that buy? And it's only 1/3 of what you really need. So the final list price? $1,362!!! Outrageous.

Save the $1,400 Hoe Dumpo and other "box" stores want for such hideous, ecologically-detrimental, vinyl eye-sores, and build your own:

Locate an INDEPENDENT building supply company, take a print out
of these instructions, and go purchase what you need. Putting this composter system together isn't rocket surgery and might actually be fun to build.

The correct composting system in all ways: A wood and wire three-bin turning unit.

"Wood and Wire Three-bin Turning Unit"

A wood and wire three-bin turning unit can be used to quickly compost large amounts of yard, garden and kitchen wastes. Although relatively expensive to build, it is sturdy, attractive and should last a long time. Construction requires basic carpentry skills and tools.
Materials

Four 12-foot lengths of pressure-treated 2 x 4 lumber
Two 10-foot lengths of pressure-treated 2 x 4 lumber
One 10-foot length of construction-grade 2 x 4 lumber
One 16-foot length of 2 x 6 lumber
Six 8-foot lengths of 1 x 6 lumber
A 22-foot length of 36-inch-wide 1/2-inch hardware cloth
16d galvanized nails (2 pounds)
Poultry wire staples (250)
Twelve 1/2-inch carriage bolts, 4 inches long, with washers and nuts
One quart wood preservative or stain
Materials for optional lids

One 4-x-8-foot sheet of 1/2-inch exterior plywood
One 4-x-4-foot sheet of 1/2-inch exterior plywood
Six 3-inch zinc-plated hinges
Twenty-four 3/16-inch galvanized steel bolts, with washers and nuts
Tools

Tape measure
Hand saw or circular power saw
Hammer
Tin snips
Carpenter's square
Drill with 3/16-inch and 1/2-inch bits
Screwdriver
Adjustable wrench
Pencil
Safety glasses, ear protection, dust mask, and work gloves
To build a wood and wire three-bin system

Cut two 31-1/2-inch and two 36-inch pieces from a 12-foot length of pressure-treated 2 x 4 lumber.

Butt-joint and nail the four pieces into a 35-inch x 36-inch "square" (Figure 3b).

Repeat, building three more frames with the remaining 12-foot lengths of 2 x 4 lumber.

Cut four 37-inch lengths of hardware cloth.

Fold back the edges of the wire 1 inch. Stretch the pieces of hardware cloth across each frame. Make sure the corners of each frame are square and then staple the screen tightly into place every 4 inches around the edge. The wood and wire frames will be dividers in your composter.

Set two dividers on end, 9 feet apart and parallel to each other. Position the other two dividers so that they are parallel to and evenly spaced between the end dividers.

Place the 36-inch edges on the ground. Measure the position of the centers of the two inside dividers along each 9-foot edge.

Cut a 9-foot piece from each 10-foot length of pressure-treated 2 x 4 lumber.

Place the two treated boards across the tops of the dividers so that each is flush against the outer edges. Measure and mark on the 9-foot boards the center of each inside divider.

Line up the marks, and through each junction of board and divider, drill a 1/2-inch hole centered 1 inch from the edge.

Secure the boards with carriage bolts, but do not tighten them yet. Turn the unit so that the treated boards are on the bottom.

Cut one 9-foot piece from the 10-foot length of construction-grade 2 x 4 lumber.

Attach the board to the back of the top by repeating the process used to attach the base boards. Using the carpenter's square, or measuring between opposing corners, make sure the bin is square. Tighten all the bolts securely.

Fasten a 9-foot length of hardware cloth to the back side of the bin, with staples every 4 inches around the frame.

Cut four 36-inch-long pieces from the 16-foot length of 2 x 6 lumber for front runners. (Save the remaining 4-foot length.) Rip-cut two of these boards to two 4-3/4-inch-wide strips (save the two remaining strips).

Nail the 4-3/4-inch-wide strips to the front of the outside dividers and baseboard so that they are flush on the top and the outside edges.

Center the two remaining 6-inch-wide boards on the front of the inside dividers flush with the top edge and nail securely (Figure 3c).

Cut the remaining 4-foot length of 2 x 6 lumber into a 34-inch-long piece, and then rip-cut this piece into four equal strips.

Trim the two strips saved from Step 8 to 34 inches.

Nail each 34-inch strip to the insides of the dividers so that they are parallel to, and 1 inch away from, the boards attached to the front. This creates a 1-inch vertical slot on the inside of each divider.

Cut the six 8-foot lengths of 1 x 6 lumber into 18 slats, each 31-1/4 inches long.

Insert the horizontal slats, six per bin, between the dividers and into the vertical slots.

(Optional)

Cut the 4-x-8-foot sheet of exterior plywood into two 3-x-3-foot pieces. Cut the 4-x-4-foot sheet of exterior plywood into one 3-x-3-foot piece on one of the three bins, and attach each to the back, top board with two hinges.

Stain all untreated wood.

Great job!

THE "DAFFODIL AZALEA" BRIGHTENS SPRING: 'CORNELL PINK'

2009-04-01T18:06:00.000-07:00

April 1, 2009, after an interminable Winter,and Spring has arrived. And today The Green Man Fine Landscape Design opens another landscaping season!

The Green man loves daffodils in Spring, and the azalea 'Cornell Pink' blooms in the middle of the season's daffodil florabundaunce. The shrub features compact size, full sun tolerance, apparent mildew resistance, fall color, and Zone 4 hardiness. However, it is not deer-resistant, as the daffs are, blessedly, hence, be selective about location. White Flower Farm rhapsodizes:

"Soft pink flowers (with absolutely no magenta) [Emphasis added] appear in great profusion in late April or early May, preceding the leaves and forming a cloud of unimaginable beauty.

The small delicate leaves turn lovely shades of gold or burnt orange in the fall.

The plant's compact habit (4-6ft, and taller than wide) recommends it for a wide range of uses (it's next to our office door). This deciduous variety originated at Cornell University, so it's very hardy.

This familiar genus of evergreen and deciduous shrubs includes the azaleas. These lovely shrubs look terrific in a mixed border or in foundation plantings.

In our trials, there's been no sign of mildew, which can be a pest for some deciduous Azaleas. All thrive in full sun or partial shade (required in the South) and evenly moist, acid soil.

www.whiteflowerfarm.com/66598-product.html?utm_source=12MB+Active&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2009+04+01

Mid-season doffodils

FRENCH KITCHEN GARDENS 2009: MAKE WAY FOR THE POTAGER

2009-03-26T19:54:00.000-07:00

April 2009 is upon us, and NOW, as traversing the land around the house becomes tenable, is the time to determine the space for your potager. That space must receive 6 hours of full sun per day.

Your potager should be located as close to your kitchen access as possible, in fact, adjacent to the terrace is ideal. Remember, your potager is not the gawky and embarassing "vegetable patch" that you would like to relegate to a back corner. Oh...no, no, no, no, no. Your potager is a FORMAL, rigidly GEOMETRIC garden that is an integral part of your landscape design.

The basic template that The Green Man designers will be using is a 2 x 2 arrangement of 4' wide by 6.5' (NOT 6', 6.5' to maintain the Golden Ratio proportions or the the garden will look squat) long rectangles separated by 4' wide walkways that enclose a center circle planter as the focal point.

Raised beds are ideal because the drain so efficiently, but ground level beds will suffice as long as they drain well and are edged. The Green Man designers will edge with antiqued brick, and walkways will be covered with pea gravel.

The traditional potager apothecary rose Rosa gallica officinalis

Use FOUR 7' bamboo pole lengths to creates the "tepees" for climbing vegetables and flowers such as peas and nasturtiums that will be placed in the center each rectangle.

Beautiful, edible nasturtiums

The focus circle is more purely decorative and should contain the de rigueur apothecary rose for authenticity and underplanted will a hardy lavender such as 'Hidcote' or 'Munstead.'

The center circle is also the ideal location for TASTEFUL statuary such as Renaissance reproductions. Use drip irrigation to water the beds

(Left)
Authentic reproduction of the Ercole Farnese
(Happening)

(Right)
Vinyl gnome collection
(NOT Happening)

Order your seeds soon as a shortage is already looming. Use organic heritage items whereever possible. Plant expensive greens such as cilantro and arugula, tomatoes of all colors, celery, eggplant...less expensive items are beans. Use edible perennials such as nasturtiums and pot marigolds integrated among rows of vegetables.

Dwarf fruit trees are acceptable as are rose and hydrangea standards.

'Peace' rose standard

Start planning toute de suite! Bon chance!

Find heirloom seeds HERE:
www.halcyon.com/tmend/links.htm

Order and use this potager book:

www.amazon.com/Designing-New-Kitchen-Garden-American/dp/0881927724/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238127047&sr=8-1

SPRING 2009 SITE CLEANUP

2009-03-19T16:23:00.000-07:00

SPRING EQUINOX 2009 - "THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING"

March 20, 2009 marks the longed-for FIRST DAY OF SPRING! HOPE "springs" anew in the hearts of all those who survived the winter. Daffodils and daylilies have begun to sprout, so NOW is the time to rake out garden beds and drifts...anywhere bulbs and new growth is emerging.

Clean up and rake emerging spring growth areas first! No way to rake through new Crocus vernus

Once leaves, twigs, and detritus are raked up, collected, and placed in your compost bin (You do have one, right?), assess what needs to be done next.

This elegant wooden slat composter is a work of art! Anything plastic or vinyl is never happening.

The Green Man is posting his favorite article with a step-by-step plan for tackling the clean-up project, herewith:

Remember:

PACE YOURSELF! BEWARE OF THE TEMPTATION TO DO TOO MUCH AT ONCE AFTER A WINTER-LONG PERIOD OF ACTIVITY! lISTEN TO YOUR BODY!
Clean up new growth areas first.

Use the divide and conquer method to site clean-up, so you don't feel overwhelmed.

"Toil and Trouble - Spring Garden Clean-up Time" by Carol Wallace

It's that time again - the time when confusion reigns and it doesn't look as if everything will possibly get sorted out in time for the real garden season. You know that season. It lasts a day or two and is the time when you sit back and admire things and can't find a single weed or encroaching branch to cause you to leap out of your chair to tend to them. And it comes every five years or so.
Meanwhile, there is work to be done. So much work that it doesn't seem possible to even contemplate it all. If I did I'd call in a backhoe and have them fill in all those spots I call gardens.

Instead, I try to break things down into manageable tasks. Instead of saying that I need to clean out all of the beds and trim back all of the shrubs and do a massive spring tidying, I only allow myself to contemplate one garden at a time - and one goal at a time.

Light and prudent raking is advised around these daffodil drifts.

LOPPING

My first task is to get out my loppers and attack the roses in the poppy field. They have grown so monstrously large that it will require not just arm gauntlets but a shield of some kind - but it has to be done. If it isn't, I won't be able to do much else in that garden, simply because I can't get to it without being punctured in a zillion different places.

WEEDING

After that I will do an inspection of the ground, looking for signs of the monstrous and un-pullable weed that tried to take over in that area last year. I am hoping that if I spot those types of weeds that grow like bamboo or those that have taproots that go to Australia when they are still young I can get rid of them with relative ease. I'm not much on using chemicals in the garden, but there are one or two weeds that are otherwise indestructible. This year I hope to get to them when they are still young and tender and drown them in Round-Up.

Other weeds will be disposed of relatively easily. Some pull up quite nicely, and most will depart this earth with a few passes of the hoe. Get the weeds now before they have a chance to take hold, then go to seed. At this time of year they don't fight too hard.

Of course weeding time presents me with a bit of a dilemma. I don't know about you, but last year I planted several new types of plants that I had never grown before. I have no idea what they look like in their infant stages - in fact in a few cases I don't have a really clear picture of what the mature foliage looked like. I live in fear that I will hoe up something I paid good money for last year - but even more afraid that if I leave that strange plant in the ground it will turn out to be the weed from Hell. (Those are MUCH harder to pull up than those whose roots considerately stop in Tasmania.)

Normally, unless a plant is quite large, I tend to plant in groups of three or 5 or more, so one good clue as to whether a particular spot of green is friend or foe is the number of them I see making an appearance. A single plant is probably a weed. Multiples may or may not be. I am wracking my brain now trying to remember if I was experimenting with a new kind of groundcover last year because in one area that is what I seem to have - so much of this stuff that it's either a dastardly foe or a real winner.

My usual solution is to wait a bit. There is plenty else to occupy my time, so I hate to waste it dithering.

CUTTING AND CLEANING OUT

For instance, it makes great good sense to clear out the remains of last year's garden before I start worrying about those things just now appearing. The evergreen daylily foliage is now a pile of straw colored mush that will come off fairly easily with a sturdy rake. Stems and twiggy growth from last year's annuals and perennials can be cut down. I always enjoy doing this because almost invariably I am greeted with fresh, vibrant new growth pushing up through the ruins of last year.

The absolute best is cutting back the hellebore foliage, which gets quite tatty looking by spring. Because when you get rid of the leaves you see tons of buds, just waiting to burst into bloom.

And then the ornamental grasses must be attacked. They did a great job this winter of creating some interest and texture in the winter garden, but by now they are starting to shatter - so there are broken shards of grass all over. Warning - wear gloves if you try to pick these up or to wade in to cut them down. Those blades can be very sharp!

If your grasses are isolated enough that they won't pose a hazard to the surrounding structures and vegetation you can burn the old foliage. If not, the best way to tackle this job is to tie a rope or string around the middle of the old foliage and then use a chain saw or whatever cutting implement you have handy to make your cut below that.

RAKING

Another springtime task for me is to rake out the lambs' ears (Stachys byzantina). Much of last year's growth is now brown and shriveled and ugly. But it comes away pretty easily if you go at them with a sturdy rake. This lets you see how much it has grown - and you will probably want to remove half or more of it - unless you don't care to have anything else in that garden.

That done, you can look at the bed you have been working in and see that it has turned into something more closely resembling a junk heap than a garden.

If you are smart you will have brought something like a tarp or old sheet with you. You can rake all the debris in the beds onto that sheet - it's a lot easier than trying to pick it up by the arm full. But don't drag it to the compost heap just yet, because you're not done.

SALVAGING

Make sure you inspect the debris just in case you have inadvertently raked up a plant that was uprooted by frost heave. Tuck these tenderly back into the bed - they may just surprise you. I found a few bulbs today that had been heaved from the earth - and they had as much new leafy growth as those still securely tucked in. And last year I was devastated to find my prize hosta, Aphrodite, lying face down in the dirt, roots waving frantically in the air. I righted her and tucked her back where she belonged - and she grew and flowered. Plants are often much tougher than one might expect.

Once you've raked away the debris you can see what's left in the beds. The skeletons of last year's perennials and annuals may be sticking up from the ground. Cut the perennials back and pull the annuals out. Put them on the sheet with the rest of the debris.

PRUNING

Check any woody plants. Some like hibiscus and buddleia may need to be cut down to the ground. If you simply let them grow they will become leggy - like a group of very awkward adolescents who have no clue what to do with their gangly limbs. Many of your vines need the same treatment. Others, such as the climbing roses shrubby dogwoods with brilliantly colored stems need cutting back - but not wholly. With the colored twig dogwoods I usually cut out about a third to one half of the limbs on mine. It's easy to see which ones to cut - they are no longer as brilliantly colored as the younger ones. That happens. And those dull twigs have got to go, healthy or not.

Of course you are also removing any dead twigs and branches you may find. While you're at it, why not get rid of limbs that head toward the center of the shrub, or that cross each other. Open up the entire shrub for better light and air circulation and you'll have a healthier and happier shrub.

And now you pick up that rake one more time and rake the beds again. But don't leave yet. There is more to come.

WEEDING II

Now you can see the soil. (At least I hope so!). Now you can see some plants that have spread beyond their boundaries. You can also make a pretty good stab at differentiating weeds from treasured plants. (I know, I know - I told you to weed paragraphs ago! But now that you have cleared out so much you will undoubtedly see more. Remove them.)

DIVIDE

As for those greedy plants, if you plan to dig up the excess and get rid of it, toss the extras onto that tarp. Otherwise pot them up temporarily until you see whether you might not have a use for them elsewhere in the gardens. Or save them as little gifts you can give to garden visitors.

NOTE: Do not give garden visitors things like INVASIVE kudzu, gooseneck loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides) and Silver Queen artemisia unless you don't want them to come back. They may thank you now - but not for long. In fact, don't even compost those types of plants. Put them in garbage bad and tie it tightly. Paint skulls and crossbones on it and hide it from curious eyes. Under pain of eternal toil, do not let these plants escape. Burn them if you must but I would be nervous about even the smoke carrying some part of these insidious plants allowing them to reproduce once more.

Please notice - I have been going on at great length here about things to do in the garden - and I haven't even gotten to the good part - those boxes of plants that will start appearing on doorsteps all over any day now. My first box arrived today, as a matter of fact.

RECOVERY

But here is the good news about all of this backbreaking work that you have just performed. Look back at the beds. What do you see? Space! Lots of space.

All right - don't get too excited. It looks like more space than you really have. There are still plants lying completely below the earth, dormant. Last year I underestimated the growth of my hostas and planted dahlias somewhere in their vicinity. They bloomed - but you had to lie on your belly and peer under a gigantic hosta leaf to see it for yourself.

But you do have a nice clean bed, weed-free and ready for your latest seedlings and shopping spree spoils. You probably also have calluses, an aching back and a deep feeling of satisfaction. And as soon as you drag that debris-laden tarp over to the compost heap and unloaded it you can go in and soak in a nice hot bath and sigh pleasurably at the prospects of more fun in the garden.

Because tomorrow you can go back out and start all over again in a different part of the yard!

LANDSCAPING 2009: THE TREND IS "FRENCH COUNTRY"

2009-03-03T09:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome to landscaping season 2009! Although the first day of Spring 2009 falls on March 20th, the month in the Northeast is a perfect time frame in which to begin planning. And the trend in 2009 is one of The Green Man's favorite styles: FRENCH COUNTRY.

French Country design incorporates the French Impressionist color pallete of Claude Monet, particularly those of his gardens at Giverny.

This means lots of pinks, peach-tones, reds, burgundy, yellows, violets, and lots of white. Plants favored are wisteria, nasturtiums, morning glories twining through grapes, vines of all sorts such as CLEM-atis, roses, irises, lavenders, catmints, various fruits and vegetables, and others. The look is informal yet geometrical and structured, and incorporates standards, pea gravel walkways, and brick.

Iris banks at Giverny

For the landscaping season 2009, The Green Man will be encouraging clients to install substantial potagers based on strict geometry that incorporate herb gardens, iris banks, daylily banks, substantial amounts of knock-out roses in pink and yellow, but not red, puctuated by a few old roses such as Gallicas, a water feature that is simple yet elegant, potting benches, lots of Provence-style urns and pottery,and a cage de poulet for a few ornamental breeds.

www.tinyhousedesign.com

Cage de poulet

The Green Man will have more on the details of the 2009 "French Country" look in upcoming posts. Meanwhile, he urges clients to determine the approximate area of the potager. Recall veggies need 6 hours of full sun per day.

Locate your wall water feature near the terrace or a sitting area where the sound can be enjoyed. Keep it simple.

Locate areas for the potting shed, storage shed, and the cage de poulet. Sketch the locations out on a sheet of paper as bubble diagrams until your approximate plan is just right. Remember to keep traffic circulation open around the property.

SUNNY YELLOW KNOCK OUT ROSES

2009-02-02T22:43:00.000-08:00

February is upon us, and despite the groundhog's seeing his shadow, Spring will be here quickly. Plan now for your 2009 landscaping. If your trees and shrubs are in order on your site, it's time to begin the fine detailing that really makes a good landscpe installation perfection.

The Green Man recommends using the super-reliable Knock Out rose in YELLOW where you want color and low-management. Roses need lots of sun although the Knock Out will tolerate some light shade. YELLOW is The Green Man's color for use all the way around the site. Punctuate with REDS, PINKS, VIOLET, and WHITE, but employ PRIMARY YELLOW as your "tie-together" color everywhere. And the Yellow Knock Out rose is an ideal choice. It provides low-management and a long season of bloom.

Catmint 'Walker's Low'

Plant Yellow Knock Roses with its color complement and traditional companion, VIOLET catmints, such as "Walker's Low" or "Six Hills Giant" Work OFF-WHITE marigolds into the composition to complete the triad and to protect the roses in general. (For example, you may want to complement a 3-5-7 grouping of Knock Outs with a less hardy rose cultivar.

Marigold 'Sweet Cream'

www.naturehills.com/product/sunny_knock_out.aspx