M I L L C R E E K  N U R S E R Y  &  G A R D E N 
C E N T E R  L A T E  S U M M E R  2 0 0 5 
N E W S L E T T E R
 

It would seem that having a “normal” summer in Illinois is a thing of the past. Every summer is unpredictable, and not likely to follow any sort of historical trends, based on previous years summers. What started as a downright cold spring has led into a sweltering, record breaking, hot and dry summer. Predictability does not seem to be a word in Mother Nature’s vocabulary, at least not in Illinois. As usual, we as Midwesterners will dig our heels in and make the best of a somewhat bad situation. After all, this heat certainly beats a cold, frigid, wintry day at 20 degrees below zero, doesn’t it?

PICK A TREE . . . ALMOST ANY
TREE – AND SAVE !!!

Despite the lack of rain this summer, the trees here at Mill Creek Nursery are looking great! We have been irrigating and fertilizing the trees and shrubs in our fields ever since the rains stopped in May. As a result of this care they have nice, full green heads and have put on a good amount of growth thus far, and we fully expect that to continue! By the time the temperatures cool down this fall we anticipate having many large-callipered trees available for our customer’s selection. Many different shade trees will be available for fall planting including Maples, Oaks, Ash and Lindens, just to mention a few.

In the last issue of the Mill Creek Nursery Newsletter we issued a coupon good for $50 off the cost of any shade or ornamental tree growing in the field, priced at $350 or more. This coupon is still good thru the month of August. Please don’t let this opportunity get away from you – Please use the coupon! Take this chance to personally select a tree for your yard, to be planted this fall yet. It’s a great offer to take advantage of - Get a great tree and save some money – Who could ask for more?

HYDRANGEAS – COLOR UP YOUR SUMMER !

The vast majority of the flowering shrubs hardy to northern Illinois bloom in the springtime. By the time the middle of summer rolls around there aren’t a lot of flowers to be seen on the shrubs. Would you like a little bit of mid-summer color?

Have you considered Hydrangeas? Are you even acquainted with them? If not, then you may discover that Hydrangeas have a lot to offer!

One of the varieties that has been around the longest is the old-fashioned “Annabelle” smooth leaf Hydrangea. It begins blooming on the current season’s growth right around the middle of June and continues blooming during the month of July. Its large off-white to cream colored blossoms are really rather pretty and make excellent cut or dried flowers. The plant achieves a mature height of 3’ to 5’ here in Illinois. One of its best features is that it’s rather shade-tolerant, as are most of the Hydrangeas.

Another variety of Hydrangea for your consideration is the newer “Endless Summer” big leaf Hydrangea. This plant was just recently released to the retail market, within the last two years. One of its unique features is that it blooms on both current years as well as previous years growth, thus extending the bloom time. It begins flowering in mid-June and will continue to bloom through most of September. The flowers may come out as either lavender blue, or pink, depending on the pH of the soil in your yard. We personally feel that it’s a plant that should be in every yard – it has so much to offer!

In addition to these, Mill Creek is also growing some very nice paniculata-type Hydrangeas. This year we are offering “Limelight” as well as “Pink Diamonds” panicle Hydrangeas in addition to the tree form “Tardiva” panicle Hydrangea. They are all very showy in flower. They begin blooming in late July and continue thru early September. The flower colors range from a light lime-green to off-white cream, eventually changing to a dark rose pink as the flowers begin to age.

Come out to the Nursery and see these beautiful and versatile plants. Their ease of care and the flowering color they can offer in the garden at this time of year is not something to be overlooked!

IS THERE A “DREAM GARDEN”
IN YOUR FUTURE ?

Looking to create that “Dream” Garden? Mike Greco, Landscape Architect, has been creating dream gardens for the North Shore area for over 30 years.

Michael’s focus is on each customer’s individual lifestyle, architectural design of home, residential setting, and finally what the customer is truly in search of. These are the essential ingredients that give him the ability to create unique residential landscapes.

Michael’s passion for natural walkways and patios, enhanced by artistic garden lighting, are often complimented by his naturalized ponds and water features. Before long, an intimate retreat has been created solely to fit that customer’s needs. His personal involvement with each customer through the course of design and implementation process results in customer satisfaction.

One of the great benefits of working with Michael is his ability to provide the customer the opportunity to personally select their own plants from his Nursery and Garden Center. Mill Creek Nursery and Garden Center, located in Wadsworth, Illinois, has been growing over 50 acres of hardy, specimen plant material for residential and commercial settings for 15 years.

The Nursery and Garden Center provides the customer the ability to stroll through its peaceful meandering pathways, while viewing a wide range of plant material. The demonstration waterfall and pond setting helps the customer envision this style of garden at their home. The shade lathe areas and greenhouses are filled with stunning perennials and flowering shrubs to be used in one’s garden. The nursery fields provide a large selection of hardy shade trees, evergreens, and ornamentals.

Michael is the 3rd generation of landscape designers in his family, and invites you to share the pleasures of his Nursery and Garden Center. Mill Creek Nursery and Garden Center, working in unison with Mike Greco Landscaping, will create that “dream garden” you have been looking for.

GO NORTH YOUNG MAN !

David has been with us for the last three years. Many of you have met him, or talked with him, when you’ve come to the Nursery. He has contributed much to the day-to-day operations at the Nursery over this time.

Although his new residence will be over 200 miles away, he will continue to work with us via ‘phone, fax, and the Internet. He will continue to help us enhance our plant mix for future years, as well as being active in Newsletter contributions and Website development. Good Luck David – You will be missed!

FALL CHRYSANTHEMUMS

We anticipate having our Chrysanthemums available this year starting somewhere around the 3rd to 4th week of August. They will be potted up in 2-gallon pots and we expect them to be wonderfully full, as usual. When you get ready to change your container plantings to fall themes, please remember to come check out our ‘Mums – you’ll be glad you did!

FALL NURSERY TOURS  

Beginning in late August, on Saturday mornings, the staff of Mill Creek Nursery will be providing FREE guided tours of the Garden Center and our 50 acres of Nursery trees and shrubs in the fields for anyone wishing to attend. Please call us at the Nursery at
847 – 838 – 0501 for further details. Nursery hours for August and September are 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM Monday thru Saturday, Sundays 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, starting August 15th.

PERENNIAL SALE COMING IN SEPTEMBER

Currently, Mill Creek has many healthy, full, nice looking perennials available for our Customers to select from. The Cardinal flower Lobelias’ are just coming into bloom with their bright red flowers attracting many Butterflies and Hummingbirds. At this time the Lord Baltimore and Lady Baltimore flowering Hibiscus are also starting to flower, with their large deep red and bright pink and red flowers, looking just great! The Magnus Coneflowers are starting up with bright pink flowers, as well as the new Orange Meadowbrite coneflower variety which will shortly be blooming as well. Right now the ‘Party Girl’ Sidalcea also looks fantastic! Don’t wait too long to get some of these plants while they’re still blooming!

For those of you who won’t have time to plant perennials until later, we will be putting all of our perennials on sale beginning on Labor Day weekend. At that time all perennial plant purchases will be 20% off the regular retail prices. But please, don’t wait too long to get some of these fantastic looking plants!