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Showing posts from May, 2018

The famous Don Juan of the Rosa gang.

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Rosa 'Don Juan' (bane of my existence) The climbing Rosa 'Don Juan' was introduced in 1958. A time in which pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and heavy fertilizers were used. With this in mind, it is my perspective that many roses bred and produced from this period and on wards are depleted of the needs they required in their prime as less chemicals are used today.  Water When Dry Don Juan specifically suffers with regular, predictable, and heavy coatings of powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca fuliginea). Even more so if the spring weather fluctuates from hot to cold on a weekly basis. Every season that this rose is grown in a greenhouse setting, from bare root to 5 gallon, 3 ft height shrubs (February - September), they always suffer with this disease. No matter the spacing, air flow, watering, fertilizing, or soap spraying, this rose always suffers; thus being the bane of my existence. The matte, crimson new growth is especially susceptible to disease...

Cercis canadensis / occidentalis (Red bud Tree)

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Cercis candensis/occidentalis (Red bud tree) Cercis occidentalis Comments: This is a great tree to add texture and movement to a garden with it's unique, large foliage, as well as the spring flowering on bare bark. There are a few different options within the species and varieties, ranging from the 'Ruby Falls' weeping red foliage variety to the Western or occidentalis species with bright green foliage and a compact height.  Family: Fabaceae Exposure: Full to part shade Hardiness: USDA zone 4  Height: canensis 7-10m upright, weeping is a controlled height, occidentalis 3-4.5m  Cercis canadensis