Perennials Archives - Page 17 of 34 - Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com

Want flowers? Think of smaller, compact shrubs

by Connie Oswald Stofko When you’re shopping for plants for your garden, don’t overlook shrubs. Many shrubs will give you lovely flowers, and there are smaller, more compact varieties of shrubs available that won’t overpower your yard, said Ray Crawley, store manager at Goodman’s Farm Market, 2227 Cayuga Drive Extension, Niagara Falls. First, let me assure you that there’s still plenty of time to plant things in your garden. There’s no rule that says you have to get all of…...

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May 31, 2016

49-cent perennial sale starts April 22 at Mischler’s; see new offerings

by Connie Oswald Stofko What are you looking for in a perennial? Something that works in shade? Is deer resistant? Attracts butterflies or humming birds? Find perennials in those categories and more at the 49-cent perennial sale to be held from Friday, April 22 to Saturday, April 30 at Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses, 118 South Forest Rd., Williamsville. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday…....

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Apr 12, 2016

Yellow flag iris is invasive, plus more in this new feature from Erie County Master Gardeners

by Connie Oswald Stofko You can get lots of well researched information in a new online-publication called WNY Gardening Matters produced by the Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners in Erie County. They plan to publish several articles online every month. They’ll let me know when new articles are available, and I’ll share them with you. Here are the first two: 1. “Invasives: Yellow Flag Iris” The yellow flag iris (Iris psuedacorus) is pretty, but it can get out of control…...

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Mar 22, 2016

Liatris spicata. Photo courtesy Ball Horticultural

Is it too early to plant liatris bulbs in Western New York?

by Connie Oswald Stofko Here’s a question I received from a reader early last week when the weather became warm and sunny: Hello. Can I plant liatris bulbs now? Or should I wait until the soil warms? Thank you. Linda in Tonawanda In case you’re not familiar with this plant, here’s a little bit of information about liatris. It blooms in summer with large flower spikes that attract butterflies. The plant is drought-resistant, so it doesn’t need much care. It…

Mar 15, 2016

Enjoy a short drive to the country to get specialty services at Waterman’s Greenhouse

by Connie Oswald Stofko Sometimes when you’re shopping for hanging baskets or other containers of annuals, you wish you could swap out the plant combinations. The basket in front of you would be your favorite, if only it had that pretty grass that’s in the basket across the way. And this other basket is nice, but the flowers are orange and you really had your heart set on pink. At Waterman’s Greenhouse, you can get exactly what you want. Place…...

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Mar 8, 2016

Shrubs included in Great Plant Sale pre-order; deadline is April 8

by Connie Oswald Stofko For the first time, shrubs will be offered for pre-order in the Great Plant Sale of the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. In the past, some shrubs were available on the day of the sale, but this is the first time you can pre-order them. As always, wonderful perennials, annuals and grasses will be available, too. The deadline for pre-ordering is April 8. You’ll pick up the items at the Great Plant Sale. The days…...

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Mar 1, 2016

‘Solution gardening’ encompasses several gardening trends

by Connie Oswald Stofko Gardeners aren’t looking for plants, they’re looking for solutions, Dr. Allan Armitage told the audience of professionals and Master Gardeners at PLANT WNY’s Education Day on Feb. 5 in Depew. Armitage, a perennial guru, wrote the books Herbaceous Perennial Plants, Armitage’s Garden Perennials and Armitage’s Native Plants for North American Gardens. He also has a new app for Android and Apple devices called Armitage’s Greatest Perennials & Annuals. The advantages of the app over a book…...

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Feb 9, 2016

There’s a new bug in Western New York and it might eat plants in your garden

by Dana Santasiero There’s a new bug in Western New York and there are two main things you need to know about it. First, the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is called a stink bug because when you step on it, it smells. Second, it could eat the plants in your garden. The good news is even though it is big and ugly, it won’t hurt you. You might find it in your house over the winter but it’ll just be…...

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Dec 8, 2015

Gladiolus: How to get it through the winter in Western New York

Here’s a question from a reader: Is it necessary or advised to cut gladiolus down before winter? Thank you. I enjoy reading your tips. Diane Wacker Town of Tonawanda I was surprised by this question. It never occurred to me that you might cut off the foliage; I thought you were supposed to bring in your gladiolus bulbs for the winter. Since I’m not a gardening expert, I asked my friend David Clark, who is a nationally known garden educator,…...

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Nov 10, 2015

Help a reader: What perennials do you plant around tulips to cover the dying leaves?

Here’s a question from a reader: Does anyone have suggestions for perennials to plant with spring bulbs this fall that will emerge and cover the leaves of the tulips and daffodils after they bloom and then slowly turn yellow? It’s a south-facing spot with much sun and good drainage, along my garage wall. Thank you! Val Betts Lake View (Hamburg) I talked to Claudia Kolbe-Hawthorne of the Cleve-Hill section of Cheektowaga last year about how she gets waves…...

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Sep 15, 2015