PERENNIALS FOR DIFFERENT PLACES

The Shady Garden

Low Perennials (0 - 30cm)

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Shrubs to be pruned after blooming

Buddleia alternifolia
Cotinus coggygria
Daphne
Deutzia
Forsythia
Kerria japonica
Kolkwitzia
Lonicera
Philadelphus Mock Orange
Physocarpus Ninebark
Spiraea
Syringa
Weigela

Shrubs to be pruned before the buds show green

Aralia elata
Buddleia
Callicarpa japonica
Caryopteris
Hamamelis virginiana
Hibiscus syriacus
Hydrangea arborescens
Hydrangea paniculata
Potentilla
Sambucus
Sorbaria
Symphoricarpos

If you have more you would like to add to the list please email me at rmurphy@thelawnblog.com

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First of all what is a tree? A tree can be defined as a large, perennial, woody plant. Though there is no set definition regarding minimum size, the term generally applies to plants at least 6 m (20 ft) high at maturity and, more importantly, having secondary branches supported on a single main stem or trunk (see shrub for comparison). Compared with most other plant forms, trees are long-lived. A few species of trees grow to 100 m tall, and some can live for several millennia.

Lots of studies have been done so we can recognize may stresses that can occur in trees. We can diagnose the problem, by determining whether stress is biotic or abiotic.

BIOTIC

Biotic stress involves; insects, mites, disease, animals, etc. Ways to diagnose are:

- Insects are visible
- Saw dust or frass on the ground
- Egg cases, webbing, beces, curled leaves, and honeydew
- Examine wood for brownish colour
- Girdling roots
- Examine twigs for sunken areas, blister like structures, fugal and fruiting bodies
- Foliar disease, discoloured spots and blotches, discoloured viens, galls

ABIOTIC

These types of stress are harder to recognize and correct than biotic. Abiotic stress is non-living factors such as soil, weather or the overall growing conditions.

When assessing abiotic, examination of more than the damaged parts is nessassary. Make sure to check surrounding vicinity and other plants to see if they are showing the same symptoms. Is the stress affecting the tree all of a sudden or has it been this way for awhile? Assess the soil, local weather conditions, any recent conditions; construction, pesticide and grading.

There are four factors to be examined when assessing what is affecting tree growth.

1) soil
2) hardiness
3) environmental stresses
4) human activites

Soil: Quality, Organic Material, pH, nutritional status, porosity and aeration.

Drainage: Soil drainage affects oxygen to roots and nutrient uptake. Drainage affected by many factors including texture of clay, silt or sand, mineral composition, OM and local water table.

Hardiness: The ability to withstand cold temperatures.

Environmental Stresses:

- Weather conditions or other natural factors
- Winter injury
- Lightning injury
- Wind damage
- Hail
- Ice and wet snow
- Competition from other plants
- Drought

Human Activites:

- Construction
- Improper maintenance
- Girdling stresses
- Site alterations
- Salt damage
- Pesticide damage

There are a lot of different stresses that can affect the way trees grow and live. Are you paying attention? Do you understand what to look for?

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Historical Perspectives
Archeological evidence indicates that a form of indoor gardening was practiced for Oriental royalty about 3000 years ago. True pot gardening probably began in Greece during the fifth century BC, for religious purposes. Container and roof gardening spread from Greece throughout the Mediterranean, and were found in Roman culture 2000 years ago.

The discoveries of America, India and Java, during the European Renaissance, brought back exotic plants for the pleasure of the royalty who sponsored their exploration.

For some time in Western culture, enjoyment of indoor gardens was possible only for the privileged aristocracy. Then the Industrial Revolution created a middle class with both the technology and the financial ability to enjoy similar benefits. Advancing technology now makes the benefits of indoor gardening easier to obtain. Complex indoor gardens are actually possible in ways once only dreamt of by royalty.

Facts

Air Filter
NASA studies have found that a number of indoor plants are able to filter out various common airborne chemicals.

Stressed Out?
Studies by Surrey University, England, found that stress levels were decreased in work areas containing plants.

Plants are Comfort
Studies by Oxford Brookes University, England, found that indoor plants placed in a hospital atrium significantly increased use of the atrium and adjoining snack bar; anxiety decreased; perception of the building improved; with no negative affects.

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