Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Pam Duczkowski MI-Z4 on September 12, 2009 at 11:38am

I agree it can be very challenging. My zone usually 4 can vary to a 3 depending on which map I am viewing at the time. I tried butterfly bushes a couple of years ago. They were being sold locally so I figured it would be fine. I did some research and planted them in an area that was somewhat protected from the harsh winter winds and even placed large rocks around that would absorb the sun's warmth....no luck. Both died. I see them around in other gardens once in a while so I may try again.

Permalink Reply by Sharon McGarry on September 14, 2009 at 7:47pm

You are truly in a cold zone, be it 3 or 4! Did you butterfly bushes get a fair amount of snow cover? Or do you think they froze out in the spring?

Pam Duczkowski MI-Z4 said:

I agree it can be very challenging. My zone usually 4 can vary to a 3 depending on which map I am viewing at the time. I tried butterfly bushes a couple of years ago. They were being sold locally so I figured it would be fine. I did some research and planted them in an area that was somewhat protected from the harsh winter winds and even placed large rocks around that would absorb the sun's warmth....no luck. Both died. I see them around in other gardens once in a while so I may try again.

Permalink Reply by Holly - Michigan, z5 on September 16, 2009 at 8:43pm

Hi - I live just north of Big Rapids on the Muskegon River - the river side of our house is last to get affected by frosts. But just 200 feet behind our house, my pumpkin patch gets hit with the very first frost that barely hits 32 degrees. Its like I live in 2 different zones. I have some Zone 5 plants that do very well & tried some that don't make it through a year - so if want a plant bad enough I try one & see what happens. If it makes it - I buy more the next year.

Permalink Reply by grace prisk on October 11, 2009 at 12:39pm

i live in the upper peninsula of michigan and would like to see how other people grow flower bulbs and vegetables

Permalink Reply by Holly - Michigan, z5 on October 31, 2009 at 9:21am

My favorite flower is Hardy Hibiscus, I started with 2 Plants 12 years ago, now I have over 25. They come in many colors, shapes, sizes & varied leaves. They are late bloomers that have provided me a beautiful show August into October. - Well with a full summer of cool to cold nights - the buds didn't start opening until mid-Sept - (a good 6 weeks late) and after only 5-6 blooms the frost got them....so sad. As a matter of fact the plants were a good 2 feet shorter than usual, with fewer stems growing up from the base so they were stunted from the beginning due to the cold wet spring. My favorites btw are Hibiscus Kopper King - usually gets 5-6 ft. tall, zones 4 - 10 and Hibiscus x moscheutos - Crown Jewels, 2-3 ft. tall, for zones 4 - 9. Another reason I like them is because they die to the ground each fall & grow from the ground every spring. This makes it easier to do fall cleaning & leaf pick up. So I hope to see more of them in bloom next year!

Permalink Reply by Kathryn Morski, Z4 UP MI on April 25, 2010 at 8:02pm

I'm supposed to be in Zone 4, but don't trust that for a minute. This is Michigan, after all. We're just far enough from the Lake (Michigan) to get none of the positive temp and season effect. Plus, I have sand and import my soil, creating raised beds in the lasagne style to start them.

I had heirloom tomatoes ripening at the end of August last year, when my garden froze and I lost them and the beans. The survivors (about 1/4 of the tomatoes were under the row cover that DIDN'T blow off) made it through our unusually warm September to the frost at the beginning of October. Ah, well. Next year, say the dreamers.

And - there's a fantastic Garden Walk in Grand Marais MI the last Sat of June. Perennial gardens, mostly, but some vegetables, and my favorite plant sale. Nice prices, good selection of perennials. And if they'll grow in Grand Marais, z4b, they'll grow for me - what a bonus! If you're close enough, I recommend it. (Plus, we play music there in one of the gardens. Paradise, indeed, for me!)

Permalink Reply by Kathy Koch on April 26, 2010 at 9:30am

I've been cutting chives for two weekends in a row now. My rhubarb is coming along nicely. The peas I planted in a grow box on Good Friday are up an inch now. I thinned my radishes this weekend. We had a great rain yesteday and the sun is shining today. A little cool yet, but then again, it is still April.

Permalink Reply by Pam Duczkowski MI-Z4 on April 26, 2010 at 8:04pm

I planted about 100 bulbs in the fall of 2008. Only a few came up last year but with the wacky weather we had I wrote it off to cold weater. However, only a few came up this year and a few others in places I didn't plant them. I'm wondering if I had a squirrel or something. So frustrating.

Permalink Reply by Kathy Koch on April 27, 2010 at 10:24am

Thanks for the information on the Garden Walk in Grand Marais June 26. I put it on my calendar and might talk my husband into a day trip. We mostly enjoy staying home, but that might be a nice diversion.

Permalink Reply by Kathryn Morski, Z4 UP MI on April 28, 2010 at 12:14pm

It will be fun, Kathy. I'll try to post some pictures of Nancy's garden from last year and some from three years ago when we were there first. After I plant the 80 trees we're getting Friday and the fruit trees coming from St. Lawrence Nursery. I think I overdid. Luckily I still have a strong son and a mostly willing husband!

Permalink Reply by Kathy Koch on April 28, 2010 at 1:12pm

I love sharing plants with others. Last evening I dug up a rhubarb plant and separated it into about six pieces to give away. I also dug up some Lily of the Valley to share and some Star of Bethlehem plants to transplant. Hostas are not even showing yet, so will have to wait on those. I will be digging up daffodil bulbs this summer to thin and to share. I have tons of them!

Permalink Reply by Kathy Koch on May 26, 2010 at 3:14pm

I found an off-the-beaten-path mom and pop greenhouse yesterday and loaded up on herbs. Put them in the breezeway overnight, and the aroma this morning was heavenly!

I got basil, cilantro(coriander), garlic chives, lemon verbena, oregano, peppermint, rosemary, sage, savory, stevia, and thyme. (still need dill and parsley). All that p...lus a pot of petunias and a pot of ornamental grass, for just $21.

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