Category: Uncategorized

lesser celandine in Amherst NY

Lesser celandine: Take steps now to get rid of it!

by Connie Oswald Stofko We have talked about lesser celandine for several years, yet I see more and more of it in my neighborhood. If you see this pretty little plant in your yard, get rid of it! And tell your neighbors to get rid of it, too. If you don’t get rid of when you have just a few plants, it can take over your yard. Plus, it can get into wild areas and create havoc there. Lesser celandine…...

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May 7, 2019
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rows of flowers

Support our local businesses as you shop for plants

by Connie Oswald Stofko When you’re looking for plants, turn to your local garden centers. They often have interesting plants that you can’t get in the big box stores. More important, many of the garden centers are growers, too. They know about plants and have folks on staff who can answer your questions. For example, if you say you don’t want to spend a lot of time maintaining your garden, they’ll know to steer you to plants that don’t need…...

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May 7, 2019
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looking into 'secret garden' in Amherst NY

Shade, color, water and sound create sanctuary on Amherst Garden Walk

by Connie Oswald Stofko “This is my sanctuary,” said Kathleen Pratt of Amherst. “The waterfall, the fish, the birds — it all brings me such peace.” I visited the home she shares with her husband John during last year’s Town of Amherst Garden Walk. This year, the Town of Amherst Garden Walk will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 6. You can see the dates for all of the garden walks here. Even though her yard…...

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Apr 30, 2019
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tulip garden in Cheektowaga NY

Another tip for spring flowers; see tulip gardens May 4 and 11

In a 2014 video, Claudia Kolbe-Hawthorne shared how she gets waves of spectacular spring color in her garden. Today we get a new spring gardening tip and tell you when you can visit her tulip gardens. Tip on Lenten rose Many gardeners enjoy the perennial called the Lenten rose. As its name implies, it blooms early in the spring. When it’s done blooming, the leaves stay green, but some gardeners might find the plant a bit boring at that point…....

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Apr 30, 2019
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Mother's Day at Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens

For Mother’s Day: discounted membership to Botanical Gardens

The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens is celebrating Mother’s Day with a special membership markdown, discounting memberships 20 percent now through May 10. And if you’re looking for gift ideas and a great place to spend Mother’s Day, May 12, the Botanical Gardens can help. Membership markdown To honor the mothers in our lives, the Botanical Gardens is offering a special Mother’s Day membership markdown. Individual memberships will be discounted by 20 percent. Memberships include year-round, free admission to…...

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Apr 30, 2019
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rye grass and foxglove 'Summer King' amd lamium 'White Nancy'

Plants for trouble spots & more at Mischler’s 59-cent perennial sale

by Connie Oswald Stofko Do you have trouble finding plants for a dry, shady area? Or maybe you want beautiful flowers for sun. Or you’re ready to try some native plants. You can find that and more at the 59-cent perennial sale being held from Friday, April 26 to Friday, May 3 at Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses, 118 South Forest Rd., Williamsville. Hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and…...

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Apr 23, 2019
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'Dream Come True' grandiflora rose

Tip for planting new roses

When planting new roses, make sure the bud union (the place where all the canes grow together) is about two inches below the soil level to protect it from wind and harsh weather. From Steve Styn, Consulting Rosarian with Western New York Rose Society…...

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Apr 23, 2019
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tri-colored bumble bee

Help scientists track native pollinators

You can contribute to the Empire State Native Pollinator Survey to help scientists see which native pollinators are common and which may be declining. Native pollinators play an important role in the pollination of flowering plants, including native plants, wildflowers, garden plants and cultivated crops. The survey is targeting native bees, flies, beetles and moths. The Participant Handbook describes different ways you can participate. One of the ways is as a photographer. You don’t need a fancy camera, and you don’t even have…...

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Apr 23, 2019
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petunias, ranunculus and other cool-weather plants

Plant some things now; others have to wait until after last frost—or longer

by Connie Oswald Stofko Here is a question that I received from a reader: Hello, I saw that the last frost for my area (in Hamburg) is possible as late as May 22; should I really wait so long to plant anything?  Mariely Ann Ortiz Actually, there are lots of things you can plant outside right now! But some things have to wait until after the last frost — or even longer. And that date you have of May 22…...

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Apr 16, 2019
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Seven-sons tree in Western New York

Choosing trees for your landscape

by Connie Oswald Stofko When we think of plants for our landscape, we often forget about trees. With Arbor Day coming up on Friday, April 26, we turn our attention to these huge plants that we sometimes don’t notice. How to choose a tree People need to know what they want out of a tree before they choose a tree for their landscape, said Tom Draves, president of Draves Arboretum, 1821 Sharrick Road, Darien. Draves said some of the things…...

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Apr 16, 2019
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