Perennial Hedge?

Have you ever thought of using a perennial for a 'hedge'??? Try Geranium sanguineum 'Max Frei'!

May 8 - Rose Trial Status

Updates on just a few of the roses in the trial gardens --- just across from the new shade trial gardens near the Yard Shoppe.


Rosa Little Mischief - Easy Elegance


Rosa Golden Eye - Easy Elegance


Rosa Elsie May


Rosa Double Knockout


Rosa Knockout


Rosa My Hero - Easy Elegance


Rosa Mystic Fairy - Easy Elegance

For more information about Easy Elgance(R) Roses visit: http://www.easyeleganceroses.com/

New Shade Trial Beds

Exciting developments today as Kevin and the landscape crew lay out beds and begin planting for the future shade trial beds. These gardens are near the Yard Shoppe behind the shade structure in the yard - in the garden we call "Retail North". Three shade trees will be planted and once their canopies provide enough shade there will be comparisons of ferns and astilbe. Right now we begin with, hosta comparisons in the areas with most shade and the geranium comparisons are being planted nearby. Retail North garden will also be home to a comparison of Boxwood - all except Wintergreen will be planted with the intention of allowing them to grow to their natural habits without pruning. A Spiraea comparison will also be installed. See the beginning of the project here.

May 2, 2007 Landscape Walk

Kevin McGowen, Robert Adolph and Christa Orum-Keller completed the first landscape walk of the year after the snow has subsided. Priority projects for the next weeks are to rennovate the retail north gardens, install the Johnson House landscape and complete plantings around the new pond near the Yard Shoppe. In June we will focus on the Midwest SolutionsTM plantings on the west side of the office as well as additional plantings of Jeepers CreepersTM.

Featured plants in Retail North will be: Buxus comparisons, Spiraea comparisons, Hosta comparisons and Geranium comparisons. Three shade trees will be installed to provide future shade and the addition of Astilbe and Fern comparisons will follow once the trees are large enough. The path will be redesigned somewhat.

The Johnson House project is focused on providing an example of how to complete a typical (NOT high end!) residential landscape project with an eco friendly twist! There will be four Midwest SolutionsTM plant combinations used with a strong focus on the micro environment. Choosing plant combinations to meet the precise cultural site requirements provides a more sustainable foundation, while also looking aesthetically pleasing. There will be rain barrels at each downspout. The rain barrels come with their own watering hoses - the units are of recycled plastic and we expect they will be easy to install and use. We found them at www.gardenerssupply.com. Finally, we identified a moist spot in the back yard. We will excavate about one foot and included in the final design is a small rain garden.

If you visit the new water feature between the wholesale office and the yard shoppe, it looks bare now - but not for long! Kevin and Christa have been working on developing an excellent, very low and dry plant combination for the front section. We want to include a 'standing / teaching mini stage' with stepping stones. Behind the water feature, we're working on a more detailed plant by plant design. If you have ideas - share them with Kevin.



Plants in bloom: Epimedium, Waldsteinia, Vibrunum carlessi

Build a Pondless Waterfall Day

On Friday, April 27, 2007, Midwest Trading will be hosting a Build a Pondless Waterfall day in conjunction with Aquascapes. It's very exciting for us to have a water feature in our landscape as we've been envious of Midwest Trading for having a phenomenal one in their old location for years. Now, both companies get to enjoy! Check out the before pictures below to see what the area looks like that we're about to landscape. It's been an exciting week watching the Ranunculus and weeds being removed from this area. Yes it's true, even Midwest Groundcovers has weeds in their beds. Hopefully what takes the place of those plants will look a little better. Next week I'll post what the finished product looks like. The people working our retail shoppe are excited that they will have a little movement and sound from the gardens surrounding them. Notice the beautiful Picea abies 'Pendula' that will be a great backdrop to the water feature. Till next time, have a great day!

Plant of the Week: Lamium maculatum 'Shell Pink'

The leader of the pack in the Chicago Botanic Gardens trials. This groundcover has very nice shell pink flowers over green foliage with white diamonds in the middle. Flowers are a lighter color and the color doesn't bleed onto the foliage as some of the darker flowered varieties do. Rising to no more than 6", this is a successful groundcover for the shade to partial shade garden.