The Hosta, Daylily & Iris Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13 in the Administration Building at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo. Admission to the sale is free. It’s hosted by the WNY Hosta Society, Buffalo Area Daylily Society and Buffalo Iris Society. Hundreds of daylilies, hostas and irises will be labeled and described for sale at reasonable prices. Experts will be on hand to answer your plant questions. Note: There…
Beech leaf disease (BLD), which affects all species of beech trees, has been identified in in all eight counties of Western New York. DEC is asking the public to submit reports through NYimapInvasives if they encounter a beech tree showing signs of BLD. The main symptom to look for on beech foliage is darkened striping between the veins, which is best seen when looking up through the canopy. Leaves with severe symptoms can be heavily banded and crinkled, with a thickened leathery…
by Connie Oswald Stofko Perched on a cliff overlooking Lake Erie, Graycliff is a wonderful spot to catch a cooling breeze and enjoy the view. No wonder Isabelle and Darwin Martin had their second fabulous estate built there. “This was the Martins’ summer home,” said Anna Kaplan, executive director of Graycliff. “Summer is the time to see it!” This architectural gem, designed in the 1920s by Frank Lloyd Wright, features newly completed restoration projects. They include stone benches looking out…
by Connie Oswald Stofko Here’s a message I got from a reader: Hi Connie, Would you consider adding the tiny whitefly infestation and organic solutions to rid garden of them in your next newsletter? In the garden, they are everywhere, likely thirsty! Wishing for rain tonight! Thank you, Brigitte Wagner-Ott, Eggertsville I didn’t even know what whiteflies were, and since Wagner-Ott lives down the street from me, I figured I should find out more. She saw something online, but wanted information…
by Connie Oswald Stofko If you want to force your amaryllis to bloom inside around Christmas, bring it inside around the middle of August. That’s the advice from David Clark, CNLP, who teaches the horticulture classes at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. See our previous article here to find out about the timing for amaryllis. Find out more about growing amaryllis here….
by Connie Oswald Stofko You’re at a garden center and you have found the variety of plant you want. There are several specimens to choose from. You pick up a pot. Is the plant you hold in your hand healthy? If it has something wrong with it, how would you even know? Jen Weber, vice president and manager of Mike Weber Greenhouses, 42 French Rd., West Seneca, explains what you should look for when buying garden plants. Perennials and shrubs…
by Connie Oswald Stofko Garden Walk Buffalo, America’s largest garden tour, will be held this weekend, rain or shine. With more than 300 gardens, there is a wide range of designs, including charming cottage gardens, formal gardens, vegetable gardens, gardens with water features and quirky gardens. The walk will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 30 and 31. If you see a sign out before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., you’re still welcome…
The bad news is that the invasive Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) was found in six areas in the New York City region beginning in 1996. The good news is that it was eradicated in four of those areas! The ALB hasn’t been identified in Western New York yet. But if it arrives here, we want to find it early so we can eradicate it before it damages trees. This invasive beetle attacks and kills maples, birches, willows and other hardwoods,…
by Connie Oswald Stofko There’s a whole group of herbs and vegetables that you can grow now–from seed! These herbs and vegetables may take a month or two–even three months– to reach maturity. By then the weather will be cool, cold or freezing, but these plants like it that way. If you’ve never tried planting a crop of vegetables that you harvest in autumn or winter, try it this year. There are so many cool weather herbs and vegetables to…
With three more garden walks this weekend, there is a lot to see! The East Side Garden Walk has expanded to two days and has added a Children’s Garden Festival. The City of Tonawanda Garden Walk and the Ken-Ton Garden Walk have nighttime garden tours in addition to their daytime tours. Open Gardens continue on Thursday and Friday as well. East Side Garden Walk The East Side Garden Walk will be two days this year: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m….