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Q&A: ICE DAMAGE TO TREES; BEST FLOWERS FOR SUMMER
Q. The trees in my yard are a disaster after the ice storm. What should I do to help them recover?
The clump of white birch in my yard looks like a fountain in a city square. The tops of the four 3-inch trunks are frozen to the ground, arched out in four opposite directions. My river birch is equally bent out of shape, though not as symmetrical in its deformity as the white birch.
People have been calling and asking what to do, if anything, about their ice-coated trees and shrubs. The word from the University Extension Service is "nothing."
Without question, it was a bizarre storm. The extensive damage to trees is sad. Limbs and branches were severed from trunks and spring cleanup promises to be a real chore. The good news is, most trees will recover and heal their wounds over time.
Mike Zins, a tree specialist at the University, said most damage sustained by trees after a snow or ice storm is caused by homeowners eagerly trying to help their plants shed the snow or ice.
Below-freezing temperatures make the plant tissue brittle, and severe disturbance from shaking or knocking ice off with a broom will break branches and foliage, he says. Zins recommends just leaving plants alone until the warmth of spring melts the ice and snow.
If you have significant tree and shrub damage, Zins suggests the following: Your first priority is to prune broken branches. If the natural form of the plant can't be restored no matter what you do, your only option is to make the best of a bad situation. If the damaged plant has possibilities for renewal, a plan of rehabilitation should be formulated. Some split limbs and crotches can be saved by bracing. Ragged stubs and branch ends should be pruned back to desirable crotches.
Aftercare of storm-damaged plants is important. Injured plants should be watered if our spring is dry, and a light application of fertilizer may be appropriate.
Q. Can you suggest some flowers that will perform well and add some color to my yard?
You can't go wrong choosing from All-America selections and "plants of the year." Recent winners include 'Purple Wave' petunias, Russian sage, Gloriosa daisy 'Indian Summer,' Coreopsis 'Moonbeam,' and Sedum 'Autumn Joy.'
This year's annual winners are: Petunia 'Fantasy Pink Morn,' Petunia 'Heavenly Lavender' and Salvia farinacea 'Strata.' The Perennial Plant of the Year is Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red.'
'Fantasy Pink Morn' is classified as a "milliflora," meaning many small blooms. Flowers (1inch diameter) and the overall plants are smaller than normal petunias. Pinching is not necessary. It is the first of seven milliflora petunias to be introduced.
'Heavenly Lavender' is an improvement of the double petunia, with a large number of petals on the numerous 2-1/2 inch pure lavender flowers.
'Strata' salvia has a new white and blue bicolor flower. Plants grow to 2 feet and prefer sun, bloom all summer, have few pest problems and good drought tolerance.
iHusker Red' grows to 30 inches and is loaded with as many as 50 white flowers on each of 20 or more open, airy flower stalks during July and August. This perennial's most valuable attribute is the rich, bronze red foliage that provides striking contrast with the masses of white flowers. Husker Red prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Your best bet on finding these seeds is to order from catalogs; you're less likely to find these seeds at garden centers. You may be able to find started plants in garden centers in May.
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PUTTING DOWN ROOTS:
A Delightful Blend of
Gardening Wisdom, Wit
and Whimsy
$10 + $2 for shipping
by Cliff Johnson |
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