When To Cut Back Daffodil Foliage

Posted on by carole funger

Once daffodils quit blooming, things can get ugly. Even so, it’s essential to the health of the plant to let the leaves yellow. Removing foliage prematurely may neaten things up, but come spring you’ll have far fewer flowers. And everyone knows that daffodils look best in large numbers.

THE ROLE OF DAFFODIL FOLIAGE 

Few would dispute that daffodils are one of spring’s highlights. And with proper care, they multiply year after year. On the surface, they seem almost indestructible.

But don’t let that fool you. These bulbous plants are not maintenance free. In fact, their ability to grow and propagate depends largely on you.

It all stems from the foliage. Once the flowers fade, the plant can become an eyesore. As the leaves die off, they begin to turn yellow. And this can produce some unsightly clumps in the garden.

But tempting as it may be to cut them back, the dying leaves are performing a crucial task. They’re taking advantage of spring’s lengthening days to store up energy. And this in turn has a huge impact on the bulbs’ capacity to produce next year’s blooms.

WHY DAFFODIL FOLIAGE TURNS YELLOW

Indeed, the flowers may have stopped blooming, but the leaves still have work to do! Over the next six to eight weeks, they’ll slowly turn yellow. During that time, they’ll be absorbing sunlight which creates energy for the production of sugar. And sugar is what feeds the flowers for the following spring.

Sugar also replenishes the bulb after flowering, which can take a heavy toll on its reserves. Healthy bulbs store energy not only to withstand winter, but also to develop strong roots, shoots, leaves and flowers. Premature leaf cutting deprives them of this vital source of energy. 

STRATEGIES FOR HIDING YELLOW LEAVES

Looking for ways to hide dying daffodil foliage? One strategy is to plant larger perennials with similar leaves in the vicinity. Good choices include daylilies, hostas and Siberian irises. As the daffodils decline, the other plants’ leaves grow up around them.

Having said that, avoid planting deep-rooted plants near daffodils. This can disturb the bulbs. Remember, daffodil bulbs are only about 6 inches below the soil surface.

Daylilies can hide yellowing daffodil foliage

Many people fold over dying leaves to mask their unsightliness. I’ll admit, I did this for years. However, some plant experts believe this can damage plant tissue while inhibiting the process of photosynthesis (less surface area to absorb light.) I will leave the decision up to you!

WHEN TO CUT BACK DAFFODIL FOLIAGE 

Once the leaves turn entirely yellow, they are done for the season. You can remove them with shears. But if you wait for them to turn brown, you’ll only have to give a little tug.

A word of caution: At any other time, yellow leaves may indicate a problem such as fungal disease or basal rot. If this happens to your daffodils, check with your local nursery or online for how to treat.

For design ideas with daffodils (like above), check out my Instagram  And be sure to click on the Spring Garden Highlight to take a walk through a woods filled with 5000 colorful varieties. 

 

 

Pruning Hydrangeas: A Step-By-Step Guide For Old And New Wood

Posted on by carole funger

To prune or not to prune? This is one of the quintessential gardening questions. Recently, I asked a top landscaper in Virginia to weigh in on the issue. “When is the best time to prune hydrangeas without cutting off next year’s flowers?” I asked. 

“Never,” she replied with a laugh. “But your best shot is after they’ve bloomed.”

It turns out that knowing how and when to prune hydrangeas involves first, identifying what kind of shrubs you own. And it all starts with determining whether they flower on old or new wood.

PRUNING HYDRANGEAS THAT BLOOM ON OLD WOOD

Nikko Blue hydrangeas bloom on old wood

Old wood is quite simply, last year’s wood. Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood set their flower buds in late summer on stalks that have been on the plant since the previous year. 

Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood include the mophead, bigleaf (macrophylla), lacecap and oakleaf varieties.  

Oakleaf hydrangea is recognizable by its foliage that resembles oak leaves

In terms of pruning, these beautiful shrubs require very little. But if you must, knowing when and what to cut is key. That’s because the more old wood you take, the fewer flowers you’ll have next summer. 

Follow these three steps to maintain the health and vigor of your old wood hydrangeas:

  1. Immediately after flowering (and no later than July), prune flowering stems back to a pair of healthy buds.
  2. In late winter or early spring, prune out weak or damaged stems. Remove no more than 1/3 of the oldest stalks, taking them down to ground level.
  3. Repeat the process every summer to rejuvenate your shrubs and control their shape.

PRUNING HYDRANGEAS THAT BLOOM ON NEW WOOD

Limelight hydrangeas bloom on new wood

Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood set their flowering buds on the current season’s growth. Since their flowers come from new growth from the base of the plant, they can be pruned almost any time of year, except summer.

Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood include the smooth, panicle and limelight varieties. 

Follow these three steps to maintain the health and vigor of your new wood hydrangeas:

  1. Cut off faded blooms in late summer to improve the looks of the shrub.
  2. Prune out the oldest canes to improve vigor.
  3. Cut back the entire shrub in late winter before new growth starts to appear.

Additional tricks of the trade include leaving some of the older branches as a framework for new growth (these types of hydrangeas tend to open up and get floppy.) Many gardeners also advocate cutting the shrubs all the way back to the ground, which often produces bigger flowers.  

‘ANNABELLE’ 

Considered the crème de la crème of all the varieties that bloom on new wood, Hydrangea arborescens Annabelle is what is called a ‘smooth’ hydrangea. Smooth hydrangeas are known for their giant white blooms. They are native to the southeastern United States.

Distinctive white blooms of Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’

What makes Annabelle so special is that it not only produces enormous, pure white flowers from June to August, but it also stays compact, growing to just 3 to 5 feet tall and wide. At first glance, it can be hard to tell this cultivar apart from other white-blooming hydrangeas. However, a number of gardeners go by this golden rule:

Annabelle flowers open lime green in early summer, change to bright white mid-summer and then switch back to light green in late summer before turning tan in the fall.

More recently, an improved version of Annabelle called Incrediball has been developed. It features basketball-sized blooms and thicker, stronger stems that won’t flop over. In fact, they’re so sturdy that they’ll stay upright even in a rainstorm. 

‘Incrediball’ features 12″ flower clusters and blooms on new wood

Most professionals recommend pruning hydrangeas like Annabelle to help control for shape and to increase blooms. For this reason, many gardeners cut them back to the ground (within 6″) in late winter or early spring. Some say this encourages these varieties to produce larger flowers and sturdier stems. But others claim it weakens the plants over time, causing them to need to be staked.

I recommend taking the middle road and pruning Annabelles back to between 1 and 3 feet above the soil.

PRUNING PANICLE HYDRANGEAS

Panicle hydrangeas bloom on new wood

Panicle hydrangeas also bloom on new wood. As a result, they can be pruned in late winter or early spring before they produce new growth. Cut them to the ground or to just a few feet above the soil depending on the size plant you want to maintain. The best known of the panicle hydrangeas include PeeGee and Limelight.

THE SUNNY SIDE OF LIMELIGHT HYDRANGEAS

When they were first introduced from Holland in the early 2000’s, Limelight hydrangeas took the garden world by storm. Featuring enormous, football shaped clusters of flowers, the shrubs performed great in full sun (although for best color, they require some shade).

Limelights keep their beautiful celadon color all summer long before aging slowly to pink. In the fall, they change to shades of dusty red and burgundy. They are panicle hydrangeas and they bloom on new wood. Prune them like Annabelles.

Limelight hydrangeas bloom on new wood

ENDLESS SUMMER – THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS  

There’s a new kind of hydrangea in town called Endless Summer and it’s rocking the hydrangea world. Introduced in 2004 by Bailey Nurseries, Endless Summer hydrangeas bloom on both old and new wood. As a result, this gives them the ability to flower repeatedly all summer. The company’s tag line is, appropriately,

Experience life in full-bloom.

Endless Summer mophead variety

As of 2018, there are three different varieties currently available. Blushing Bride produces pure white mophead flowers that mature to soft pink. Twist-n-Shout is the first re-blooming lacecap variety. And BloomStruck has vivid purple or rose-pink mophead blooms that hold their color all summer. Summer Crush (available in 2019) will feature raspberry red or neon purple blooms.

It’s easy to imagine the benefits of plants that bloom on both old and new wood. Their flowers naturally last for most of the summer. Moreover, the company says Endless Summer hydrangeas bloom 10 to 12 weeks longer than average hydrangeas. Best of all, these hydrangeas need little to no pruning.

SOME COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HYDRANGEAS

Why are my hydrangea flowers turning brown in the summer?

The main reason that hydrangea flowers turn brown is too much sun; specifically hot mid-day to afternoon sun. To prevent this problem, site your shrubs in areas where they receive direct sun either in the early morning or late afternoon. Same goes for the lacecap varieties, which tend to have a much shorter flowering span than the mopheads. Attention to watering during dry spells also helps prolong blooms.

What do I do if my hydrangeas have grown too big and floppy?

Most gardeners advise waiting until the shrubs have been in the ground for 5 years before beginning a pruning program. If you’ve got the type that blooms on new wood, prune your shrubs in late winter or early spring for shape, taking them down to between 1 and 3 feet from the ground. If you’ve got the kind that blooms on old wood, follow the method above, removing 1/3 of the oldest living stalks each summer after the shrubs have flowered.

When I cut blossoms will it hurt the other blooms?

After August, cut only short stems to avoid affecting next year’s blooms

For hydrangeas that bloom on old wood, deadheading (or cutting flowers for indoor arrangements) can be performed on long or short stems in June through July without affecting next year’s flower buds. After August, it’s best to harvest only short stems.

Can I prune some of the branches without affecting the others?

Yes. You are only cutting off the flower buds on the stalks that you prune.

Does watering keep the blooms going? Why do my hydrangeas look so dry in July?

As with all plants, watering during dry spells is key. Keep the soil moist around your hydrangea shrubs to keep the flowers going all summer.

I did all the right things and my hydrangeas didn’t bloom this year. What happened?

Weather can negatively affect blooms, too

Finally, you can follow all the rules and prune your new or old wood shrubs correctly, but weather can also have its negative effects, particularly frost. In colder regions, flowering can be adversely affected by either early fall or late spring frosts, making it confusing as to whether you pruned off the blooms yourself or left it to Mother Nature.

Looking for garden ideas? I post my designs regularly on Instagram @carole.herebydesign 

 

Having A Ball With Alliums (Ornamental Onions)

Posted on by carole funger

They look like they hopped out of a Dr. Zeus book — bright purple balls stuck like lollipops on tall, sturdy stems. Ornamental onions (alliums) can be startling the first time you see them. That said, there’s so much to love about these magnificent plants, including long bloom period and resistance to most pests and diseases. And their curious appeal can really liven up a garden.

BALLS OF FUN

Why be so serious? Often it’s the unexpected that makes life so interesting. And without a doubt, ornamental onions were born to surprise. In formal landscapes, they inject a note of humor, while in informal ones they’re electrifying. And each year as their numbers grow, they form new, unexpected color combinations with other flowers in the garden.

Alliums in one of my spring gardens

Be that as it may, alliums are a relatively recent addition to the garden. In fact, they were virtually unheard of until the English garden designer Rosemary Verey, introduced them into one of her designs. Created in 1964, her jaw-dropping Laburnum Arch brought ornamental onions into the international limelight. Ever since, their popularity has only continued to grow.

Rosemary Verey’s famous Laburnum Walk

ABOUT ALLIUMS

Ornamental onions are part of the allium family, a large genus of plants that includes onions, leeks, scallions, garlic and chives. Unlike their edible cousins, however, they are cultivated solely for their flowers. Among the hundreds of species available, there are some that grow to 6 inches, while others reach as high as 4 feet. Their purple, pink or white blooms can be ball-shaped, star-shaped or pendulous. And some resemble exploding fireworks. 

Botanical Gardens in Gothenburg,Sweden/Photo: shutterstock 

Ornamental onion bulbs must be planted in the fall (at the same time as daffodils and tulips.) Most species make an appearance in late spring, when giant, paddle-shaped leaves start popping up on the soil surface. Eventually, the bulb sends up a thick, leafless stem topped by a single, swollen bud.

Over time, the bud slowly expands to reveal hundreds of tiny, star-like flowers that gradually combine to form a dense purple ball. By mid-June, many plants produce one or two additional blooms.

A fully developed flower head

DESIGNING WITH ALLIUMS

Ready to give ornamental onions a try? I say do like Rosemary Verey and go big. For the most impact, I sow my alliums in groups of threes or fives haphazardly throughout the garden. Alliums make great companions plants to other spring flowers like peonies and irises. And the later blooming varieties look great with salvia, yarrow, monarda, catmint and daylilies.

One of my designs combining alliums with pink azaleas and green hostas 

All allium varieties flower best in full sun, although they’ll also grow in semi-shade (see above.) Once the flower has died, cut the stalk down to refocus energy back into the bulb. Dried flower heads make great additions to indoor flower arrangements, by the way.

POPULAR ALLIUM VARIETIES

As I mentioned before, there are literally hundreds of allium varieties available. But, here are some of the most popular:

Purple Sensation, the earliest bloomer of all the large-flowered alliums, flowers in late spring. The variety makes a stunning companion to peonies, bearded irises and delphiniums. The 4″ to 6″ diameter violet globes float on sturdy stems that grow to 24″ high.

 ‘Purple Sensation’

If you’re looking for a big ‘wow’, try Globemaster and/or Gladiator. The tallest of the ornamental onions, these varieties boast huge purple flower heads (some measuring as big as 8″ to 10″ across) on 3 to 4-foot stems. A white version called Mount Everest is slightly shorter.

‘Globemaster’

‘Mount Everest’

Adorable Drumstick produces reddish purple cone-shaped flowers (like drumsticks) in July and is a great companion to other summer-blooming plants like daylilies, daisies, and coneflowers.

‘Drumstick’ 

Star of Persia (Allium christophii) is a wild-looking allium variety. It produces star-shaped fuchsia flowers on gray-green stems and blooms late spring to early summer.

Star of Persia/Allium Christophii

If you’re looking for real fireworks in the garden, try Schubert allium whose pink umbels look like an explosion. Seed heads look great in the garden, too, long after the blooms have faded. Blooms late spring to early summer.

Allium Schubertii

In addition to these great cultivars, there are lesser-known allium varieties that can keep the blooms going all through the summer. For more information on these as well as a great video on how to plant them, click here for Fine Gardening’s excellent article on these summer beauties.

To see photos of my garden designs, including plant lists, check out my Instagram at carole.herebydesign. I post seasonally from spring through fall. 

Why Carnations Are The Official Mother’s Day Flower

Posted on by carole funger

For those of you who think Mother’s Day was created by Hallmark, think again. The real story is much more touching. It all sprang from a daughter’s love for her mother, the trials of war and a gift of 500 white carnations.

IT STARTED IN WEST VIRGINIA

The story began in 1905 when Anna Jarvis lost her mother. She and her mother had been very close. Consumed by grief, Anna made a solemn vow. She pledged to establish a national day to honor her mother and all mothers for the positive contributions they made to society.

Anna’s mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, had raised her family in the mid 1800s and had suffered great hardship. Of the twelve children she gave birth to, only four survived. The others died from diseases common at the time, including measles, typhoid and diphtheria. 

MOTHERS HELPING MOTHERS 

Yet despite having endured such loss, Jarvis remained stout-hearted. In the 1850s, she began organizing coalitions of mothers from across West Virginia to combat childhood illness. The women raised money for medicines, inspected food and milk and nursed those who were sick. 

The coalitions became known as the Mothers Day Work Clubs.

Ann Reeves Jarvis

Then, in 1861, when the Civil War broke out, the mothers also became volunteer nurses, caring for Confederate and Union soldiers alike.

Mother’s Day Work Club members took care of all soldiers

Even after the war, the clubs continued to be a unifying force. In 1868, Jarvis organized a Mothers’ Friendship Day, which brought together mothers of former foes and encouraged reconciliation among area families.

ANN JARVIS LOVED CARNATIONS

Shortly after Jarvis’ passing, Anna hosted a memorial at her mother’s church in Grafton, West Virginia. During the service, she passed out 500 white carnations (her mother’s favorite) to all mothers in attendance. With this unofficial “inauguration”, Anna began rallying support among national, state and local politicians for a recognized Mother’s Day movement. 

And unbelievably, a decade later, 46 states and many foreign countries, including Canada and Mexico, were holding Mother’s Day celebrations!

Finally in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made things official. He signed Proclamation 1268, which created a national Mother’s Day as A public expression of love and reverence for the mothers of our country.

Letter signed by President Woodrow Wilson establishing Mother’s Day

The second Sunday in May became the official day of celebration. And the wearing of a white carnation became a tradition.

THE CONTROVERSY OVER MOTHER’S DAY CARDS

Anna Jarvis originally intended for Mother’s Day to be a personal celebration between mothers and their families (this is why Mother’s takes the singular possessive and not the plural). She imagined it as a time when millions would visit their mothers and write hand written notes expressing their love and affection.

Vintage Mother’s Day card

With the official recognition of the holiday, however, florists, card companies and other merchants began jumping on the bandwagon. Jarvis grew enraged as she watched Mother’s Day drift further and further away from her original idea. Nothing upset her more than the printed Mother’s Day card. She wrote,

A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world. 

By 1920, Jarvis had become so angered over the commercialization of Mother’s Day that she launched a campaign to abolish the holiday. Declaring Mother’s Day a failure, she organized boycotts and threatened lawsuits to stop others from profiting off of the day.

In 1923, she even filed suit against the Governor of New York over a Mother’s Day celebration. When the court rejected her plea, she formed a protest and was arrested for disturbing the peace. She devoted the remainder of her life to fighting against the very day she had established.

Jarvis died, childless, in 1948 at the age of 84. She is buried next to her mother in Philadelphia.

THE ROLE OF CARNATIONS

A century later, Jarvis’ legacy lives on in our annual Mother’s Day celebration. And there’s no doubt that carnations have become the official Mother’s Day flower. In her day the carnations were white, but since then pink and red colors have also become popular.

In fact, today it is generally believed that pink carnations represent gratitude while red ones signify admiration. And white carnations are now reserved for honoring a mother who is no longer living.

Red carnations signify admiration

Despite Jarvis’ later efforts, every U.S. president since 1914 has issued an official Presidential Mother’s Day Proclamation recognizing and honoring America’s mothers. And today, the custom is celebrated all over the world (albeit on different days.)

On a personal note, I like receiving printed cards and flowers on Mother’s Day, but have to agree with Jarvis that nothing beats a hand-written note from your child. I’m lucky enough to receive such letters each and every year.

Wishing all of you a very happy Mother’s Day!

 

When and How To Prune Azaleas

Posted on by carole funger

I like to think of azaleas as mixed on an artist’s palette. By mid-spring, they’re painting the landscape with broad strokes of color. Most seldom require pruning. That said, older shrubs can outgrow their space and become unruly. Before giving them a haircut, though, it’s key to know when and how to prune.

The Main Types of Azaleas

Azaleas are part of the Rhododendron family, a large genus of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs. In April and May, they produce masses of long-lasting flowers ranging from bright white to crimson. And some deciduous varieties produce unusual tones of orange and yellow. 

Evergreen azaleas are mostly native to Japan. They tend to be smallish in size, ranging in height from 4 to 6 feet.  

Deciduous azaleas, on the other hand, tend to be larger. Some can grow as tall as 15 feet. All native North American azaleas are deciduous.

Native azalea ‘Stonewall Jackson’

Although some varieties do well in full sun, most azaleas prefer high shade. Like hydrangeas, they favor slightly acid soil (a pH of 5.5 – 6). Before planting, it’s best to do a soil test to determine if the soil is acidic enough. If not, you’ll need to add an amendment like HollyTone, making sure to follow the directions carefully.

Azaleas can be planted in early spring or fall. But in my experience, most are happiest with fall planting as they can develop their root structure over the winter. 

How To Prune Azaleas

Most azaleas seldom require pruning. But if you must – always prune them right after their flowers have faded and before next year’s buds start forming. This is typically around the beginning of July. Cutting azaleas back in late summer, fall or winter will remove next spring’s flowers. 

In my view, azaleas look best when pruned in a natural shape. Unlike rhododendrons that flower at the end of a stem, azaleas flower along the sides as well as the end. That means you don’t have to worry about pruning them back to another branch. They’ll grow a new stem right above where you cut. 

If, however, you observe damaged or dead branches, the strategy is slightly different. Cut damaged branches to just beyond the break where it joins a leaf. And cut dead branches back to their point of origin.

How To Prune Encore Azaleas

Encore Azaleas appeared in the 1990’s, the result of a cross between two Asian varieties by a Louisiana plantsman name Buddy Lee.  Unlike the usual varieties that set buds once a year, Encore Azaleas produce buds each time they produce new growth, which can be several times during the season. As a result, you can prune these azaleas two and even three times from spring to mid summer.

Do not, however, prune your Encore Azaleas after they have finished flowering in the fall. This will stimulate new growth which can be damaged by falling temperatures. As a general rule, stop your pruning two months before the frost date in your area.

How To Prune Overgrown Azaleas

Many times old shrubs outgrow their locations, or turn spindly or sparse. You can ‘heavy’ prune them in winter or very early spring before the leaves start to appear. This is called rejuvenation pruning. 

To do this all at once, cut the branches back by a third or one-half, trimming all of the branches to maintain a uniform shape.

Most experts, however, spread heavy pruning out over several years. This prevents the shrubs from becoming eyesores during their rejuvenation. To employ this method, prune a third of the longest, oldest branches down to within 12 inches of the ground each year for three years. This will encourage the shrub to branch out and fill in over the seasons as you continue your pruning.

By the end of three years, all of the old wood will be removed and you’ll be left with a strong, healthy shrub.

 

 

D.C. In Bloom: The Story of Our Nation’s Cherry Trees

Posted on by carole funger

Having lived in Washington, D.C. for decades, I’ve come to associate spring with the blossoming of the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin. And due to this long-standing tradition, I am a keen observer of the weather. Some years, I’ve worn a heavy jacket to see the flowers. Other times, I’ve put on shorts. Still other years, fickle winds have spelled the early demise of the delicate blooms.

To avoid the crowds, we always arrive early on the National Mall. And by early, I mean right after dawn. By 8:00 am, there are usually thousands of people already snapping pictures under the fluffy pink canopy. It is estimated that more than 1,500,000 visitors come to the National Mall each year to view the magnificent blossoms. Below is their story.

A Cherry Tree Obsession

Washington D.C.’s cherry trees originated as a gift of friendship from Japan to the American people in the early 1900’s. But long before that, they had caught the eye of American journalist Eliza Scidmore. In 1885, during a visit to Japan, she was awestruck by the flowering tree. She wrote:

Its short-lived glory makes it all the more keen and enjoying.

Eliza Scidmore/Photo: nps.gov

Meanwhile, back in D.C., the Army Corp of Engineers was engaged in reclaiming lands along the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. How the new landscape would be planted remained an open question. Thinking cherry trees would be a good fit, Scidmore petitioned the government. But federal officials denied her request due to fears the trees would need 24-hour policing to prevent people from stealing fruit. 

(Upon learning that the trees were strictly ornamental, officials saw no reason at all to plant them.)

That said, Scidmore wasn’t one to give up easily. Taking a different tack, she wrote to First Lady Helen Taft, who promptly offered to donate 200 trees to the Tidal Basin and asked Tokyo’s mayor to do the same. Japan did her one better. In January 1910, a gift of 2000 trees arrived in D.C. to be planted along the banks of the Potomac.

Unfortunately the trees were infested with insects and had to be subsequently destroyed.

A Blossoming Friendship

Two years later, the Japanese sent a second gift. This time it contained 3,020 cherry trees raised under the care of ‘Scientific Experts’. Composed of 12 ‘superior’ varieties, the shipment was loaded onto freight cars and sped to Washington, D.C.

Below is the U.S. National Park Service’s breakdown of the trees by species:

In March 1912, First Lady Helen Taft and the wife of the Japanese ambassador planted a pair of these cherry trees on the northern bank of the Tidal Basin. Following the ceremony, the First Lady presented a gift of one dozen roses to Viscountess Chinda, thereby inaugurating the first unofficial Cherry Blossom Festival.

Incredibly, a couple of these 1912 trees still survive near the John Paul Jones Memorial (located at the intersection of 17th Street and Independence Avenue). A bronze plaque at the base of the trees commemorates the occasion. 

According to the National Park Service, some news articles indicate that a few of the original 1910 trees may also be hidden somewhere in the city. The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) believes they might be at Haines Point, where they have discovered a group of old Yoshino trees whose genetic makeup does not match the second gift of trees. Planted in clear rows about 50 feet apart, the cherry trees still bloom faithfully every spring. 

The Cherry Tree Rebellion

By 1938, people had fallen in love with D.C.’s cherry trees. At the same time, plans were underway for the construction of the Jefferson Memorial on the south side of the Basin. Many people, however, felt strongly that the memorial would interfere with the enjoyment of the trees. . 

When, in the spring, the National Park Service announced the impending removal of 600 trees to make way for the construction (including 328 cherries) it caused a riot. Chaining themselves to trees, a group of women staged a ‘Cherry Tree Rebellion’. President Franklin Roosevelt wasn’t impressed. He was quoted as saying

We will move the lady and the tree and transplant them to another place. 

But in the end, the Memorial was slightly downsized. And, according to the National Park Service, only 88 of D.C.’s cherry trees were destroyed while 83 were transplanted .

The National Cherry Blossom Festival

Decades later, the Washington, D.C. cherry blossoms are now classified as ‘Cultural Icons’; the same category as the national monuments. A crew of tree experts takes care of them, while adhering to a strict schedule of pruning in early spring. Currently, they are addressing soil compaction caused by the huge number of visitors.

Referred to as ‘wood chip therapy,’ their work involves creating a barrier between feet and soil to allow water and nutrients to reach the trees’ roots. In some areas, they are also installing fencing.

According to the National Park Service, peak bloom date is when 70 percent of the blossoms are in full bloom. On average, this usually occurs sometime in late March to mid April, depending on climate. Beginning in October, the National Park Service monitors the five stages of bloom starting with the appearance of the first green bud. The fifth and most vulnerable stage, known as ‘Puppy Blossoms’, is when the blooms are most susceptible to weather.

To determine the exact date of the Festival, however, the Park Service looks to an old Yoshino cherry tree, believed to be part of the original 1912 gift. Known as the Indicator Tree,  it typically blooms 7 to 10 days before the others. The tree is located just east of the Jefferson Memorial.

 

For the Love of Forsythia: Ten Top Varieties

Posted on by carole funger

My sister Cindy was born in March. And every spring when the forsythia bloomed, we celebrated with a family-coined phrase. Our mother would say: These are for-Cynthia. My sister would puff up with pride and it wasn’t long before she started gravitating towards the color yellow. I’ll never forget the canary carpet she insisted on having in the 1970s.

Although I was secretly jealous that a flower blossomed especially for my sister, I grew to welcome the arrival of the sunny blooms. In my mind, forsythia is forever linked to my sister, to March and the happy return of warm weather. Continue reading →

12 Best Dogwoods for First Time Owners

Posted on by carole funger

As a landscape designer, I find people are often surprised when I bring up dogwood shrubs. This isn’t because they aren’t beautiful – on the contrary. But rather that many people are unaware that the dogwood family includes not just woody trees, but also a group of flowering shrubs with stunning attributes. Expanding your dogwood repertoire, in fact, can add not just spring, but all year interest to a home garden.

Below are a few popular species guaranteed to light up your landscape. Continue reading →

Mistletoe: The Poisonous Plant We Hang At Christmas

Posted on by carole funger

For centuries, people have hung mistletoe as a symbol of love and romance. But sadly, the plant doesn’t harbor the same feelings. Why?  Because mistletoe contains a Christmas cocktail of toxins that when ingested can harm humans and pets. I advise keeping it out of reach if you’re planning on hanging it this season. Continue reading →