Re: Winter Garden/ conifers
Hello Shelia,
Spent a couple of years in your neck of the woods. Detroit and shores of Lake
St. Claire... more years ago than I care to remember.
Conifers usually end up becoming a part of the backbone of the garden if they
are used. Certainly focal points and/or accents of distinction. Understand your
reluctance to begin using them until you have a "plan", but they are not that much
of a problem to move around. In fact, if you want to help a dwarf remain small you
root prune. Moving would certainly accomplish that one. I moved mine around quite
a bit until I got them where I wanted them and left them alone.
As to price... read up a bit and select a few named conifers that you really
like. Take your list with you shopping. Many of the older ones show up in decent
sizes at many of the discount stores. Also watch for fall sales since that is the
best time to plant.
Gene Bush Southern Indiana Zone 6a Munchkin Nursery
around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com http://www.munchkinnursery.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Michael D. Cook <mikecook@PIPELINE.COM>
Sent: Monday, December 20, 1999 8:15 PM
Subject: [SG] Winter Garden
> You might say I take a look at the yard! I don't have a large property.
> The weather here is not especially different than yours (I used to live a
> few miles from you), except that your winter is shorter and a little
> warmer. You don't have as much snow and we seldom have your ice storms.
> Your sun is more direct; our azaleas can do without shade. I wouldn't be
> too interested in working outside in January, but the rest of winter has
> many days that are good enough.
> The worst time is February, because cold, dry winds dessicate leaves that
> aren't needle-like or close to the ground. This is when the evergreen
> Rhodies usually pass away, if not treated with an anti-dessicant or sheltered.
>
> I have been considering dwarf conifers for a few years, but since they are
> both pricey and no fun to transplant, I want to be sure I have an
> attractive planting scheme worked out before I invest. I love the little
> round Picea.
>
>
> Sheila Smith
> mikecook@pipeline.com
> Niles, MI USA, Z 5/6
