Kerry VerMeulen
-
Category Archives: beautiful gardens
Should I prune now?
NO!! With a few exceptions. To remember what and when to prune, ask yourself these questions first: Will the plant have time to put out new growth before winter arrives? If you answered yes to this question then No, don’t … Continue reading
Wrapping a trellis for winter
As you can see in the photo, trellises covered in vines are easy to wrap, provided you have the right tools. I’m using a handy ShrubJacket custom sheet ( http://www.plumstone.com), which is long and wide enough to protect this lovely … Continue reading
Posted in beautiful gardens, winter burn, Winter Prep
Tagged no more deer damage, prevent deer, stops deer
Leave a comment
What to Wrap in Winter?
Wondering what’s worth the effort? Anything that gets chewed on by d*#! (yes, that stands for deer, what else?) Boxwoods, hydrangea, lilac, rosebushes, Arborvitae, any broad leafed evergreen like rhododendrons and azaleas, fig trees, camellia, larch, and many more Anything … Continue reading
Fuschias!
Wow, I thought peonies were pretty great until I checked out the new varieties of fuschias at my local lawn and garden center. These shade plants are so pretty up close that each bloom is a work of art. They … Continue reading
Growing in Less Than Great Soil Part I-Sand
Sand=tiny bits of stone. Soil is alive with so many creatures its an ecosystem unto itself, something that little bits of stone will never achieve. Sand does add structure-water winds its way through easily to drain and oxygen can get … Continue reading
Soil and its Limiting Factors
I found this fascinating map while searching what kinds of soils are distributed throughout the US. This is from a worldwide database that measures the suitability of soil for agricultural purposes. As you can see from the map, most soils … Continue reading
Posted in beautiful gardens, Fertilizing, Nitrogen Levels, Phosphorus Level, Soil preparation
Tagged soil sandy clay pH
Leave a comment
Primroses
Way more than what you see at the grocery store, these baddies can hang in there for years popping up just when you need a harbinger of spring. Unfortunately, of all the primroses I stuck in the ground after they … Continue reading
Test Sunlight Before Planting Azaleas
Azaleas need at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight to bloom properly. I have read countless times that azaleas and rhodendrons are great “shade” plants, but this is a misnomer. They’ll tolerate partial shade, but the more sun the better … Continue reading
Posted in azaleas, beautiful gardens, Enough Sunlight, Spring to do's
Tagged azalea, azalea blooms sunlight, azaleas
4 Comments
Buckets of Peonies
Every peony website will mention how carefree and easy these shrubs are to grow but I have had struggles with them, I have to admit, and want to make sure all of you out there don’t repeat my mistakes. 1. … Continue reading
Fertilizing Azaleas and Rhododendrons
Now is the time to fertilize these shrubs as they are getting ready to set their blooms for next year. There is a short window so make sure you do it just after yours have finished blooming. I also recommend … Continue reading
Plumstone 