Monday, October 27, 2014


Weekend Practical. A.M. Cuddy Gardens

Reese & Julia

 

We started out on a chilly Friday morning. Lucas took us down to the garden shed to do multiple circle checks for the two Kubota tractors, the RTV, and a couple chainsaws. The first big task of the day was cutting down a 50 year old crab apple tree. This got us a step ahead of the rest of our classmates by getting some hands on training with the chainsaws. After chopping the thick pieces into firewood and hauling all the brush away it was lunch. After lunch we got the whole walk thru about what we were going to do the next two days. Four new Serbian Spruce trees needed to find new homes. We planted them at the front of the gardens so now there are two complete rows of these spruce trees. A minor scare happened when we cut through a wire while digging the holes. No worries though. We only had enough time to put the trees in the holes and then make them straight.




Saturday morning we got right back to the spruces! Filling in the holes with soil and packing it down. A very tedious process because the trees would always move and not end up straight, but we did it. After the trees were planted we got a load of mulch and spread it around making the ground look nice and level. We gave the trees a very big soaking after that.

 The trees were finally finished! Big thanks to Connon Nurseries for the donation of the trees. We watered all the evergreens by the greenhouse and also did some spot watering for plants that needed a little drink.

 After all the watering was done we started winterizing some perennials. Cutting them back 4-6 inches. There are a heck of a lot at the Cuddy Gardens. This took us the rest of the day. Getting rid of all the plants that leave nice little warm spots for voles in the winter.



Sunday morning we needed to finish cutting back all the perennials. This took us all the way too lunch. A ton of walking back and forth to the compost. We grinded it out and got all of them chopped down and all the annuals ripped out. After this we did a circle check of the backpack blower. I was using this to clear off all the pathways, and to blow out the rock garden as well as trying to get the leaves out of the dwarf evergreens.

While Julia got a head start on the clean up by the walnut tree. Although there were not many walnuts on the ground there were a ton of leaves.

 After we went down and washed off the Tractors, Trailers, the RTV, and all the tools that we used all weekend with the hose. We then needed to finish our plant profile for our grass.

Overall it was a very good weekend and time flew by very fast. We are both excited to do the maintenance weekend at the school now.
 
 

Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'

 
Michael’s Opinion
This plant is a native to North America. It has a delightful colour show year round, would be lovely in the backyard somewhere to screen off any unwanted views that are low to the ground. It is interesting because this cultivar of switch grass has some attractive colour to it even as trees are losing their leaves and there is still some sort of plant that is still able to continue as our days become shorter and shorter. I personally would put this grass perennial in my garden because it is able to withstand a lot that this climate we live in produces.
Botanical Information
Family       Poaceae
Genus       Panicum
Species      virgatum
Cultivar      ‘Shenandoah’
Synonyms    Switch Grass
Category       Perennial
Origin      Native to North America
Details
Hardiness Zones
                USDA  Hardiness Zone   2 – 9
                RHS Hardiness Zone     7H
Temperature          -35oC
Height       91 cm
Spread      60 cm
Growth       Fast
Flowering Period        July to February
 
Description and Growing Information
General Description
Is short, stands to be about 91 cm tall, has lovely reframed colour and is quite nice as an autumn to winter plant.
ID Characteristics
Has red tipped ends, colour is still vibrant even in the autumn and it does not start to sprout until early summer.
Shape
Is a tall and upright plant, but can be flattened with heavy snow or weight. Although, the plant must be cut back in late winter early spring to have new shots come in early summer.
Landscape
This plant is best used in massing or grouped together, can be added to perennial borders, and used in meadows, wild gardens or in naturalized areas. As well as, rain gardens because of its tolerance to wet conditions.
Propagation 
Plant material is sterilized to kill any fungus and bacterial. After the plant is sterile it is then placed on media that contains sugars, inorganic salts, plant hormones and gelling agent to assist in the reproduction of the plant. The plant cultures arte then only opened in particle absorption filter cambers to minimize contaminating airborne organisms. After explants are planted in sterile media, they are then monitored for any signs of roots, leaves, etc., and are place under artificial lighting and heating. Over time the plants will multiple, can be subdivided and continue the process. The plant can then be hardened to grow under other condition in comparison to the laboratory. Also propagate by division, by waiting until mid-winter early spring to cut them back and also divide them as well.
Cultivation
This specimen needs moist- well draining soil, is best grow in Full sun to part shade, specimen can grow in all sorts of pH conditions and seems to be quite tolerant to a variety of urban conditions.
Pests      There are no serious insect or disease problems.
Notable Specimens          The A.M. Cuddy Gardens, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada
Habitat
This specimen prefers medium moist to wet soils, but can tolerate dry slopes, heavy clay, sand and boggy areas. This kind of switch grass can be seen along ocean coast lines, and can tolerate salt and wind.
Bark Description
Does not have hard bark because it is not a hardy plant, but it does have green fleshy skin and steams are prone to dry out.
Bud Description
The bud is about less than 5 mm in length, has a teardrop shape to it and has a beige colour in autumn which makes it look as if it is actually dried out.
Leaf Description
The foliage of this specimen is the leaf that comes in a massing, compact form that stands, about 91 cm in height. All venation of the leaf is going in the same direction, perpendicular with the main vein. This specimen has a lance like leaf that is very narrow and comes to a very fine tip. The tip also has a reddish-brown colour to it in the autumn.
Flower Description
The flowers are a panicle that is seen growing over top of the foliage. The panicles are about 30 cm long and about 12 cm wide. Somewhere in mid-July to August these panicles appear in a reddish-pink colour and turn beige in the autumn that persist constantly even into the winter. This specimen blooms from July to February.
Fruit Description
The fruit of this fine panicle that turns a beige colour in the autumn, these panicles hold the seeds that are to continue on or are the fruit of this grass. In the autumn the seeds are mature enough to then distribute into the wind.
Colour Description
The foliage of this specimen starts off being a bluish-green colour and then by late June turns to this amazing burgundy-red colour, which is then joined by a finely-textured, reddish-pink flower panicle, in the summer. By the time autumn comes the foliage and flowers turn a beige colour that persists ever into the winter.
Texture Description
It has a smooth texture if you are moving the plant in the way that the leaves are growing, if not then the specimen can be quite course and cut you.
 
"Panicum Virgatum 'Shenandoah'" Switch Grass from North Creek Nurseries. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.
"Panicum Virgatum 'Shenandoah' - Plant Finder." Panicum Virgatum 'Shenandoah' - Plant Finder. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.
"Tissue Culture Lab." Atlanta Botanical Garden. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.

 
 

Monday, October 20, 2014


Weekend Practical Cuddy Gardens

October 17th-19th

Mike Masson, Vida Hale, Rob Rochon

 

Friday October 17th, 2014

Vida and I arrived at Cuddy Gardens Friday to a mild 10 degrees Celsius overcast morning. It was nice working conditions minus the chilly wind. We began our day by collecting and putting away the summer planters that remained on the property. Following our walk around with Lucas, we were very excited to hear that we would be replacing three dead Serbian Spruce, located in the east side garden bed next to Centre Road. Earlier in the week a shipment of Picea omorika stock had arrived at Cuddy’s from Connon Nurseries. We were both able to use the backhoe on the back of the Kubota tractor to dig holes for the new spruce.
 
 Our first time using the backhoe went very smoothly and we were able to dig the correct size holes at the proper depth to ensure a long life for these beautiful trees. On Thursday we were given an excellent demonstration on the removing of large tree limbs on the two Walnut trees located on the lower lawn. We spent an hour raking and removing the remaining debris surrounding the trees. The area was left in pristine condition and it looked as if we were never there.

Saturday October 18th, 2014     

The weather on this day was less than pleasing giving us cold rainy work conditions. We began our day by topdressing multiple sites on the property, leveling the lay of the land and making each area optimal for grass seed germination. While Vida compacted the compost pile with the front loader on the Kubota I powered through the cold rain and took a load of debris down the long road to the burn pile narrowly escaping large mud barriers on my way. At this point we were well ahead of schedule on what we had to accomplish so we completed many small tasks like cleaning the interior and exterior of the donated tractor and skid steer. After an arrival of very large boulders the garden bed next to the back parking lot was left in shambles. We raked and leveled out said garden to meet the expectations of our superiors.


Sunday October 19th , 2014

With conditions being much improved from our Saturday we were anxious to get going on our large scale topdressing of the old horse paddock/ CLT testing area. With a new team member joining our elite force we systematically maneuvered topsoil with the Kubota tractor while raking and leveling as we went.
 
 The rain on Saturday had made the topsoil not the easiest to move but we did the best we could with the situation. We were able to complete this task by lunch.

 
 After lunch we completed many small tasks like power blowing off paths on the property and watering plants that needed it including the newly planted Picea omorika.
 
 We capped off our weekend at Cuddy’s by cleaning everything we could and returning everything to it’s home.   

Ginkgo biloba
 

Family: Ginkoaceae

Genus: Ginko

Species: biloba

Category: Woody

Type: Tree (deciduous)

USDA: 4-8

Canadian Hardiness: 2a- 8a

Temp C: - 34 - (-9)

Temp F: - 30 - (-20)

Height: 15 m

Growth: Medium

General Description: A very unusual and different looking tree that sometimes can look quite sparse. This tree is perfect for boulevard planting as it is very salt and pollution tolerant.

ID Characteristics: Fan shaped leaves. Vomit-like smelling fruit on female trees.

Shape: Spreading crown and sparse branching.

Propagation: Can be from seed but grafting is popular as well for certain cultivars. Males are the desirable sex for these trees.

Pests: None.

Notable Specimens: Western University, London, Ontario (female). A.M. Cuddy Gardens, Strathroy, Ontario.

Habitat: Mountains.

Fruit Description: Green and then turning yellow when ripe in an orbicular shape. Noticeable vomit smell emanates from the fruit when ripe.

Leaf Description: Green throughout the summer and then turning an amazing yellow-gold in autumn. Fan shaped 8 cm long.

Texture: Course bark.

Bark Description: Grayish and deeply furrowed with a somewhat corky texture.

Flower Description: The male tree has 3-6 cm long pollen sacks and the female has 4-5 cm long stalks with green ovules.

 

 

 

Bibliography

"Canada Plants." Canada Plants. V.P., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2014 .

"Ginkgo biloba." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2014 .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, October 15, 2014


Viburnum x juddii  (Judd Viburnum)

Michael’s Opinion

Viburnum x juddii was bred by William H. Judd at the Arnold Arboretum and is known as the Judd Viburnum.  This is a full, dense shrub with a medium growth rate and average texture that blends well into any garden.  However when the flowers emerge in the spring everything changes.  The spicy and fragrant inflorescences are not only attractive to bees, birds and butterflies but also human passersby.  This shrub would best be placed were everyone and everything can enjoy all of its attributes.

Botanical Information

Family:  Adoxaceae

Genus:  Viburnum

Species:  x juddii

Category:  Deciduous Shrub

Origin:  Bred by William H. Judd at the Arnold Arboretum, Boston MA.  Introduced 1920 named   1935.

 

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone:  4 – 8

RHS Hardiness Zone:

Temperature (°C):  -34°C - -6.7°C

Height:  1.8 – 2.4 m

Spread:  1.8 – 3.0 m

Growth Rate:  Medium

Flowering Period:  Late March – Early April

 

Description and Growing Information

General Description:  Viburnum x juddii is a full, round and dense deciduous shrub that is considered more refined than its parents Viburnum carlesii and Viburnum bitchiuense.  It appears the average shrub until the fragrant white flowers appear in the spring followed by showy red fruit that turn black in the autumn.

I.D. Characteristics:  Most recognized for its white flowers and their intense spicy fragrance in the spring.  The black drupes in the autumn are also a notable feature.

Shape:  Full, round

Landscape:  Can be utilized as a hedging or a screen as it denser than Viburnum carlesii.  However Viburnum x juddii is probably best used near walkways where its intense, spicy fragrance can be enjoyed by passersby.  The shrub may also be a benefit in wildlife gardens as it attracts butterflies, bees and birds.

Propagation:  Viburnum x juddii can be propagated from seed via a warm stratification at 20°C – 30°C for two months followed by a cold stratification at 5°C for two months.  Late June cuttings treated with 3000 ppm IBA, placed in a sand:peat moss mix and misted rooted 90% in 12 weeks.  The over-wintering of the cuttings can prove to be problematic.  Viburnum x juddii can be grafted to Viburnum lantana and Viburnum opulus.

Cultivation:  Full sun to partial shade is best.  A well-drained, fertile, acid to neutral soil is preferred however the shrub is adaptable and will tolerate drought conditions when mature.  Prune after flowering if no fruit display is desired, otherwise do not prune. 

Pests:  None serious.  Resistant to bacterial leaf spot and powdery mildew.

Notable Specimen:  A.M. Cuddy Garden, Strathroy ON.

Habitat:  Parents Viburnum carlesii and Viburnum bitchiuense are native to Korea and Japan growing in rich, loamy and fertile soil.  However the Judd Viburnum was bred in Boston, MA in the United States. 

Bark:  Thin, gray – brown not ornamental.

Bud:  Flower buds are gray, pubescent, 0.8 – 1.3 cm in diameter and at stem ends. The vegetative buds extend past the flower buds and are brown, pubescent, and 0.6 – 0.8 cm long.

Leaf:  Dark blue - green leaves are shorter then Viburnum carlesii at 4.4 – 6.5 cm in length and 2.5 – 4.4 cm in width.  The shape is ovate to elliptic with irregular toothed margins.  The leaf undersides sport thick star-like hairs and the petioles are short at 0.6 cm long. 

Flower:  White to pink – white and extremely fragrant.  The rounded cymes are 6.4 – 8.3 cm in size and bloom late March to early April.  The corollas sport five petals.

Fruit:  Showy, persistent and sparse.  Red berry-like drupes after flowering turn black in the autumn.

Colour:  Leaf colour ranges from velvety blue – green during the growing season to a brilliant burgundy – purple – red in the autumn.  Flower colour is white to pink – white.  After flowering, the drupes are red turning to black in the autumn.  Stem colour remains a gray – brown all year and slightly fissured.

Texture:  Average overall texture.  Blends well into any shrub border.

 

 

Work Cited

Dirr, Michael A.,  Manual of Woody Landscape Plants.  Champaign, Illinois:  Stipes Publishing L.L.C., 2009.  Print.

Dirr, Michael A. and Heuser, Charles W.,  The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation:  From seed to Tissue Culture.  Portland, Oregon:  Timber Press Inc.,  2006.  Print.


A Weekend Practical At Cuddy Gardens- October 10/2014-October 12/2014

Chantdell Shearer, Greg Jewell, Sharri Honsberger

 

Friday October 10/2014,

Upon arriving at Cuddy Gardens today the weather was very displeasing. The sun was shining but the day was cold damp and windy. Today was CLT testing on irrigation, tree planting, and plant identification.  We only had a half day of work so beginning in the morning Greg and Chantdell started to pull all the annuals from the hatchery beds in front of the Cuddy Farm building.






Annuals need to be removed as they are only successful for the spring and summer months. After that time if they are not removed it can cause rot, which allows pathogens and diseases to spread into other plants such as trees, shrubs and perennials. By removing these plants they can be composted and turned into fertile organic matter. Greg and Chantdell completed half the hatchery bed .They removed Salvia sp., Salvia officinalis (Sage), Senecio cineraria (Dusty Miller), Petroselinum crispum (Parsley) and one Nicotiana tabacum (Tobacco),while extracting unwanted weeds and keeping the garden and surrounding areas clean and crisp. At that time Sharri was completing her CLT testing. By 11:30 am we switched and Sharri began extracting Tagetes sp. (Marigolds), Salvia sp. and Senecio cineraria (Dusty miller) from the upper garden. Sharri lifted the Colocasia esculenta (Elephant Ears) and temporarily crated them. Colocasia  esculenta needs to be removed before frost is present as they are a tropical plant and when the frost hits this plant it will travel to the corm inducing rot, destroying all chance of survival. She also lifted Carex 
 which is a semi-hardy grass that needs to be stored indoors as it will not survive our harsh winters.  At 4:00pm CLT was completed and together we organized the gardens back to normality.

Saturday October 11/2014

                Today we were welcomed by warm sunshine a nice cool breeze and a tad bit of misty rain. We began our day by re-organizing the plants used for the CLT. We placed them into their appropriate greenhouses  and removed the lunch tables out of the main greenhouse (hoop house #3) and into the classroom.
Then we organized the classroom for proper lectures. We successfully irrigated the hoop houses to supercharge the evergreens so that they have adequate water storage for the winter to help prevent dessication. While irrigating we also have helped the perennials that have been recently transplanted to help grow on a bit of roots before winter falls to prevent die-off .  Upon irrigating, Chantdell noticed that one of the cows in the pasture was stuck in the mud. So without any delay she went to the poor cow’s aide.

Greg and Chantdell completed the hatchery beds and Sharri began to work on the planters removing existing annuals. She also properly crated the Colocasia esculenta  so that they may be stored inside the pool room for the winter.
Chantdell and Greg composted all food from the CLT lunch and the plant waste and we all washed the tools that we used for proper sanitation and prevention of disease.



 

 

Sunday October 12/2014

   The weather this morning was cool and frigid, the frost covered the ground like a blanket - a sure sign winter temperatures are on their way. We began our morning by irrigating the hoop houses, as tomorrow is a holiday and we need to make sure the plants had enough water for the next couple days.  The Spartina pectinata ‘Aureomarginata’ (Golden Edged Prairie Cord Grass) was invading the dry garden so we lifted the grass out and replaced it with Taxus baccata (Irish yew). 

Also the Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Oconee’ was completely deceased so it was replaced with a Buxus  sp. 

Greg dismantled the hanging baskets in the enclosed patio for autumn winterization and Chantdell cleaned up all the debris with the back-pack blower.  Sharri cut the grass in the upper garden and behind the house in the walnut garden with a push mower, as the riding lawn mower cannot fit into those areas.  The tools were sanitized and put away.