Gardening Tips
Plant These “Stars of Winter” in The Spring
April 14, 2021
Sherry Lotufo
Spring is here and the grass regaining its green, and there is a hint of green among the tree leaves through the timbers. Fruit trees are in bloom and everything is finally waking up from the long winter.
It really wasn’t that long ago that the grass was brown, trees were bare and the days were short. During the dark despair of January and February I always enjoy the evergreens and tell myself to plant more.
On the north side of our house I have a row of cedars – eastern red cedars (which are actually a juniper, and not a true cedar). I then have a row of smaller, but dense, pine trees. Over the years, and as they have grown, they truly have become a substantial wind break from the brutal north winds of winter. Not only that, but they have become a haven for birds and rabbits during those harsh months.
I have some other cedars (which I transplanted from the woods on the farm), a loblolly, a white pine and some other arborvitaes, boxwoods, a holly and random evergreen shrubs. It’s easy to forget their service once spring is here and other trees and shrubs provide bloom and shade. But, if we remember that during the winter they are the star of the show – it’s an obvious cue to continue to plant more evergreens as long as there is room for them, and we remember to water them during the summer months. Especially in their first year of establishing roots and acclimating to their new home.
Not only do they provide windbreak, shade and shelter – they are beautiful and can be a crucial part of a cohesive landscape plan. Fast-growing arborvitaes are great to frame the home, or mark a walkway. Hollys and Boxwoods love to be manicured and trimmed, making them a great choice for bordering a porch or entrance.
Of course, I don’t mean to neglect our lovely winter sleepers. A combination of evergreens with beautiful summer foliage increases interest and can provide ample shade necessary to help mediate our harsh summer sun as well.
While it is still spring – it’s a good time to go ahead and add some more woody extras to your yard, either evergreens or woody trees and shrubs. Don’t wait until summer, the stress of the heat will make it hard for them to adjust to the stress of transplanting. I suggest buying and planting younger, smaller plants and trees. They will adjust quicker to the change than a larger tree or shrub will and will be more likely to take off and grow strong and vigorous.
Sherry Lotufo is the copy manager at SGS & Co., the former editor of Ozark Hills and Hollows Magazine and a home gardener.
Sherry Lotufo
Spring is here and the grass regaining its green, and there is a hint of green among the tree leaves through the timbers. Fruit trees are in bloom and everything is finally waking up from the long winter.
It really wasn’t that long ago that the grass was brown, trees were bare and the days were short. During the dark despair of January and February I always enjoy the evergreens and tell myself to plant more.
On the north side of our house I have a row of cedars – eastern red cedars (which are actually a juniper, and not a true cedar). I then have a row of smaller, but dense, pine trees. Over the years, and as they have grown, they truly have become a substantial wind break from the brutal north winds of winter. Not only that, but they have become a haven for birds and rabbits during those harsh months.
I have some other cedars (which I transplanted from the woods on the farm), a loblolly, a white pine and some other arborvitaes, boxwoods, a holly and random evergreen shrubs. It’s easy to forget their service once spring is here and other trees and shrubs provide bloom and shade. But, if we remember that during the winter they are the star of the show – it’s an obvious cue to continue to plant more evergreens as long as there is room for them, and we remember to water them during the summer months. Especially in their first year of establishing roots and acclimating to their new home.
Not only do they provide windbreak, shade and shelter – they are beautiful and can be a crucial part of a cohesive landscape plan. Fast-growing arborvitaes are great to frame the home, or mark a walkway. Hollys and Boxwoods love to be manicured and trimmed, making them a great choice for bordering a porch or entrance.
Of course, I don’t mean to neglect our lovely winter sleepers. A combination of evergreens with beautiful summer foliage increases interest and can provide ample shade necessary to help mediate our harsh summer sun as well.
While it is still spring – it’s a good time to go ahead and add some more woody extras to your yard, either evergreens or woody trees and shrubs. Don’t wait until summer, the stress of the heat will make it hard for them to adjust to the stress of transplanting. I suggest buying and planting younger, smaller plants and trees. They will adjust quicker to the change than a larger tree or shrub will and will be more likely to take off and grow strong and vigorous.
Sherry Lotufo is the copy manager at SGS & Co., the former editor of Ozark Hills and Hollows Magazine and a home gardener.
Editor’s Choice: Container Gardening
Sheila Harris
This year, I’m in a different house with a different yard and brand new gardening possibilities. I left the last yard behind, in part, because I had created a garden I could no longer keep up with. I told myself when I moved, never again will I plant anything I can’t properly take care of!
Here I am, in a new location with a bad case of spring (gardening) fever. A new rocky yard on the side of a steep hill - with walnut roots running through it - will present several challenges. So, in an attempt to keep things simple, I plan to take up container-gardening.
I’m off to a small start. I have a front porch filled with a variety of flowering plants, including dianthus, daisies and rock cress (which I’d never heard of). I also bought a couple of daylilies: my favorites, because of their hardiness and the wide range of colors they’re available in.
I even have empty pots waiting to be filled.
To err on the side of caution, I’m waiting until all danger of frost has passed to begin planting, although that date is never a certainty.
I plan to try my hand at growing a couple of tomato plants in pots, too, and maybe some cucumbers.
To be honest, though, I suspect some of the perennials may wind up in the ground.
Feel free to send garden tips and advice to me at [email protected].
This year, I’m in a different house with a different yard and brand new gardening possibilities. I left the last yard behind, in part, because I had created a garden I could no longer keep up with. I told myself when I moved, never again will I plant anything I can’t properly take care of!
Here I am, in a new location with a bad case of spring (gardening) fever. A new rocky yard on the side of a steep hill - with walnut roots running through it - will present several challenges. So, in an attempt to keep things simple, I plan to take up container-gardening.
I’m off to a small start. I have a front porch filled with a variety of flowering plants, including dianthus, daisies and rock cress (which I’d never heard of). I also bought a couple of daylilies: my favorites, because of their hardiness and the wide range of colors they’re available in.
I even have empty pots waiting to be filled.
To err on the side of caution, I’m waiting until all danger of frost has passed to begin planting, although that date is never a certainty.
I plan to try my hand at growing a couple of tomato plants in pots, too, and maybe some cucumbers.
To be honest, though, I suspect some of the perennials may wind up in the ground.
Feel free to send garden tips and advice to me at [email protected].