Horticulture
New USDA Hardiness Zone
In the first official revision since 1990, the US Department of Agriculture has updated its Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Most of Washtenaw County is now classified Zone 6a, with average annual low tempertures between negative five and negative ten degrees Farenheit. What does that mean for Washtenaw County gardeners? Not necessarily a whole lot, as cold hardiness is only one of many factors that affect how any given plant flourishes or perishes. Soil type, sun and wind exposure, and appropriate moisture levels are just a few factors that are coequal to cold hardiness in determining the fate of plants in our landscapes. What the new zonation does mean is justification to explore new plant possibilities previously thought to be a fuzz too tender for our winters. Fraleighs will be trialing a few such candidate plants in the coming years. If you have any suggestions you’d like to try, let us know. We’ll be glad to give you our opinion for the odds on a specific plant, and source them if we can.
Links to the new Zone Map:
Boxwood Blight
Recently, a devastating exotic fungal disease has been identified in boxwood in eight states and Canada. To date, its presence has not to be confirmed in Michigan.
The experts are working to ascertain the extent of the disease’s spread and develop management strategies. We at Fraleighs are concerned with this disease, especially since boxwood has become a staple deer-resistant evergreen element in the last decade. We will continue to monitor developments and will post any preventative measures that are presented.
In the mean time, following recommended procedures, we are limiting our incoming boxwood stock to plants grown by a trusted supplier here within Washtenaw County. She has had all of her plants growing on site for many months now, and the liners she grows her stock from are all produced by Michigan propagators.
Likewise, we are expanding our plant palette to allow for more deer-safe evergreen alternatives. We have dabbled in other options in the past, and while none of the alternatives have been as flexible as boxwood, several now merit a place in our designs. Come see us this spring to meet some goodies such as Cephalotaxus and Ilex glabra ‘Nordic’.
Links for more info on the boxwood crud:
Winter mulching
November is a great time to remulch your gardens. Firstly, it will provide a protective ‘blanket’ for your plants’ root systems, limiting stressful temperature swings in the soil. Secondly, the recent frosts have left most perennials in a fully dormant state, and they are ready to be cut back — this makes the actual spreading of mulch that much more efficient. Thirdly, don’t we all have enough to do in the spring already without worrying about mulching? We can get one thing checked off the list early, and the plants will benefit from the mulch all winter long. Refer to the ‘Mulch’ tab in the navigation bar above to learn more.
It’s HollyTone Time!
Remember, Fraleighs recommends an application of HollyTone fertilizer twice annually to maintain and enhance your gardens and landscapes. Halloween and April Fool’s Day are the approximate dates we set to help folks to remember to feed their plants. HollyTone is a great organic low-analysis (4-3-4) acidifying fertilizer well suited to our alkaline soil types. The HollyTone formulation also contains beneficial organisms — helper microbes — that complement and enhance healthy root systems. Perennials, shrubs, ornamental grasses, evergreens, and trees can all benefit from a twice-annual application. Stop by today — our staff would be glad to help you calculate how much you need, explain the simple application process, or arrange for our crews to make the application for you.
Click here to learn more about the product.
8600 Jackson Road, Dexter, MI 48130, 734-426-5067 |
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