Feature Shade Tree: QUERCUS BICOLOR - SWAMP WHITE OAK

So - since Summer IS here, let's consider doing something with our yards. Thinking about adding a nice shade tree? Consider the Swamp White Oak! It matures at 50' to 60' in height with an equal or greater spread forming a broad, open, round-topped crown. The acorn is a shiny light brown nut, about 1" long, usually appearing in pairs.

Natively it can be found growing in low-lying and more or less swampy conditions or along the banks of streams - i.e. it likes moist soil conditions. However, once established, this tree exhibits excellent drought resistance. With time it develops coarse-textured, blackish, deeply ridged-and-furrowed bark. Fall color becomes a yellow-bronze in tone, but may on occasion be a reasonable purple burgundy. The winter silhouette is coarser in appearance than the white oak because of the numerous short stems that develop from the secondary branches.

This particular type of Oak transplants quite easily, not exhibiting the typical tap root problems that many other Oaks have. It will accept variable soil conditions, although it prefers a somewhat acidic setting. Mill Creek Nursery is growing them and offers a range of sizes, from 2" to 3" caliper trees.

Shade can provide a nice, cool, relaxing place to reside on a hot, steamy summer day. But for the serious gardener, too much shade can present problems and limitations on what can be grown there. Let us offer you some options for plants that will tolerate varying degrees of shade.

First, let's consider shade tolerant shrubs. The first option that springs to mind are the Hydrangeas. There are 4 primary forms grown here in northern Illinois. The Arborescens or Smooth Hydrangea, the Paniculatas or Panicle Hydrangea, the Quercifolia or Oak Leaf Hydrangea, and the Macrophylla or Bigleaf Hydrangea. Within each of these groups there are several cultivars or forms available. All of them flower, some provide good fall color, and all exhibit varying degrees of shade tolerance. Collectively, they offer many options, and are a must for your yard!

Another shade tolerant shrub is the Clethra alnifolia, more commonly known as Summersweet. This flowering, naturalized-style, colonizing shrub begins flowering in late July, lasting for approximately 2 to 3 weeks, with 3" to 4" long bottlebrush-type fragrant blooms. It's a very adaptable plant with several different forms available; again, not a group to be passed by in your quest.

The third option for your consideration is a new introduction this year at Mill Creek Nursery. The botanical name is Itea virginica, with the common name of Virginia Sweetspire. Fragrant flowers appear in June on this native-type plant, whose foliage can also display a nice burgundy/purple in the fall. A multi-season interest shrub that definitely bears further looking into, as you search for that perfect plant.

Another "sleeper" which often goes is overlooked is the Fothergilla gardenii, or Dwarf Fothergilla. This small, native, unassuming shrub can take upwards of 75% shade and still make a rather nice showing. With small, fragrant white bottlebrush-type flowers appearing in mid-May, and fall foliage color ranging from yellow to bright red (based on lighting) this small contender from the witchhazel family is worth checking out!

And lastly, another new introduction at Mill Creek Nursery is the Kerria japonica, or Japanese Kerria. This very interesting plant starts displaying bright yellow flowers in late April to early May for a period of about 3 weeks. It doesn't want full sun - it enjoys shade and grows thicker and fuller because of it! Stems less than 4 years of age keep their bright green color throughout the winter and are a nice accent against a backdrop of white. Definitely worth considering!

Now - How about some shade tolerant perennials? We're all familiar with Hostas and Astilbes, but let's look beyond them and see what else might fill the bill.

Looking for something native and naturalized in appearance? Consider trying Meadow Rue, or possibly some Featherleaf Rodgersia, or Bugbane. Need something a little more formal? How about trying Bergenia with its thick, glossy leaves? It's deer-resistant as well! Or a spreading groundcover such as Plumbago with its rich blue flowers? There are many choices!

If shade presents you with a challenge, stop in at Mill Creek Nursery and we'll give you some options. We have all of the above mentioned items - and more - in stock now! With a little help, you too can have it made in the shade!

In this issue we would like to pause to thank a couple of our recent customers' for allowing us into their yards to, as our motto states, "let us help create their dream gardens." These particular projects were design challenges at the outset, but they have turned out wonderfully, surpassing even our customers' expectations!

The first project involved a great deal of patio and terracing stonework, over three different levels. The type of stone chosen and the design concept used very effectively integrated the existing home into the total landscape picture. The changes in grade and changing elevations from one level of terracing to another was well thought out and added drama and detail to what had originally been a very average uninteresting suburban space.

And with the mixture of sun and shade plantings, the yard now takes on a great "outdoor room" effect. When walking up to the front door, people simply feel as if they are leaving one room, only to pass into the next. No longer is there the abrupt noticeable change of "outdoors versus indoors."

The second challenge involved a customer's home that had previously given the appearance of being 'set down' on top of a hill. In Oz-like-fashion, as if falling out of the sky and landing on this rise in the property, the home was not at all integrated into the surrounding yard.

The design solution was to install multi-level stepped-off planting beds on three sides of the rise, resulting in a semi-formal transitional space being created that now visually anchors the home to the site. The stone wall raised planting beds provided many spaces for colorful annuals, perennials, and shrub plantings that now accessorize the home's entry approach as one goes up the front steps.

What had been a simple ranch home, stuck on top of a small hill on the property, has now become a very welcoming, colorful entryway that draws visitors in with all of its variety and details!

GROWING, PLANTING & CULTURAL TIPS - FOR YOUR YARD

Planting Reminders

When planting you must ALWAYS make sure that the crown of the plant is located above the surrounding grade, or soil level. Soil settles and compacts in the planting hole, thereby causing a plant to "sink" over time, anywhere from 1" to 6" below the current existing grade (based on the type of item planted), after a year or more has passed.

When planting perennials, situate them approximately 1" to 1.5" above the current soil line to adjust for this eventuality. Larger trees could easily be planted 4" to 5" above grade, with shrubs at 2" to 3" above grade. After the soil has settled over a period of time, it is your goal to have the crown of a plant settle no lower than the surrounding soil level. It's even better to have the crown be ever-so-slightly above grade, to allow for better drainage and air movement.

If the crown of a plant settles to the point that it is covered with soil or mulch, moisture will collect there. This will lead to a case of stem or cane decay attacking the crown and exposing the plant to insect infestations, such as borers, etc. A plant subjected to those conditions would not be long for this world, so-to-speak.

Mulching Reminders

A proper mulch application is designed to:

1. help the soil maintain a consistent level of moisture for plant uptake
2. help regulate soil temperatures from extremes in either direction
3. assist in keeping weed infestations down to a minimum, thus freeing up your time for more enjoyable tasks
4. regulate the oxygen flow to a plantˇ¦s root zone
5. provide a nice finished, dressed-off appearance around trees and shrubs

When applying mulch, don't over do it. An application of 2" to 3" is quite sufficient. More than this will prevent correct oxygen exchange and water supply to a plant's roots. The affect can result in slowly choking a plant to death.

Grade Changes:

Oftentimes trees may run their roots very close to the surface, even rising up through the lawn or surrounding soil. To avoid stumbling or tripping on these "omnipresent invaders," homeowners occasionally try adding soil on top of the roots to even off the surface and disguise the roots. This is allowable, provided that the grade adjustment or change is no greater than 2". Soil additions in excess of 2" may begin to suffocate a tree's roots.

Conversely, removing soil greater than 2" in depth above a tree's root zone, within the drip-line of a tree, especially with Oaks, can have very detrimental effects on the tree. Removing soil in this fashion may expose the tree's roots to too much heat, weaken the strength capabilities of the root system, and cause additional undue stress to the tree(s).

JUNE & JULY SALES SPECIALS-FOR NEWSLETTER MEMBERS ONLY

Customers’ must present their copy of this newsletter at time of purchase. These special sale items can only be purchased at these sale prices on these days during June & July, as noted above. + Sale price does not affect installation costs. Purchases involving delivery or installation by Mill Creek Nursery must be a minimum total goods purchase of $400 or more. Sale prices are in effect, on the applicable days, whether Mill Creek Nursery plants the tree, shrub, etc. or not. These sale prices are effective on retail purchases only - not wholesale. Prices good only on in-stock merchandise. Sale prices may not be used in conjunction with any other coupon or discount offering. Any deviations from these guidelines are at the sole discretion of Mill Creek Nursery.

If you should have any questions regarding any of these topics, please feel free to stop in at Mill Creek Nursery and ask any of the Sales staff - they’ll be more than happy to help you. Also, please take a moment and stop by our Growing Tips page for more helpful information on plants & gardening.