Pictured above is a second year spring flowering Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold,
it is in one of our 'Wild Walk' gardens, very pretty!

Spring into Gardening!

Plan for a Successful Planting!

Site Prep is Important

If soil testing is needed, have it done as soon as the ground is workable. If amendments to your dirt are needed, you can make them and give the planting area time to settle before installation. When purchasing plants, don't just inspect the plant, inspect the medium it is in. A cheap fill in the pot will not provide the plant what it needs to develop to it's potential.

Know Your Plants

It is important to know as much as possible about the species you are considering. Some plants may be good in a truly balanced native setting, but might take over and be invasive in at and tended garden setting or in a wild setting that is not a balanced community.

There are differences within species which can make a significant impact on your gardening success. Example - the Asclepias, also known as a Butterfly Weed plant. There are several types. The two more commonly found in garden centers are A. Tuberosa and A. incarnata. The third A. syriaca is often found growing wild and occasionally found for sale. This is the one with a fragrance I love and it is food for the monarch butterfly caterpillar.

The Asclepia tuberosa which is the orange flowered, prairie and drier soil type. This one will usually fare well in the average garden. For damp sites, such as wet meadows and rain gardens, the red flowered Asclepia incarnata is the plant to use. If you plant this one, be sure to keep it watered if the site is not naturally moist.

All are very pretty and of course, and a great food source for butterflies! Plant smart!

A Memorable Garden 'Walk'

A visit to the gardens of Mr. Fred Case! What a wonderful morning, Sunday, May 4, the weather was perfect to enjoy the gardens. Not only were the trilliums and many spring flowers at their peak, one of my personal favorites - the bog plants - were absolutley stunning! I arrived and joined a bus group that was about half through the gardens. Lucky me, I stayed and enjoyed a visit with Mr. Case who is now 81 years old. He rested a short time and began another tour. Not only did we hear much history, but also of colorful memories of incidents of his wordly travels and thoughts on various topics.

Livingston Co. Ext. Advanced Master Gardener Info & Project by Mary T.

Livingston Co. Ext. Master Gardener Articles by Mary T.

Contact Information:

Wild Walk Gardens LLC PO Box #2087, Howell MI. 48844