Dutch Crocus, Deciduous Perennial Of The Day

Crocus x hybridus

Dutch Crocus, Spring Crocus

Type Perennial

Hardy range 4A to 9A

Height 4" to 6" / 10cm to 15cm

Spread 4" to 6" / 10cm to 15cm

Growth rate Average

Form Upright or erect

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Blue, orange, pink, purple, white and yellow

Bloom Time Spring and Winter

Environment This plant tolerates drought.
This plant will grow in dry to moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy.
The pH preference is a neutral soil.

Leaf Color Green, variegated and yellow
This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture Notes These plants are easy to grow, prefer a sunny protected area and will bloom through a lawn or mulch. The corm will be divisible a few seasons after planting.

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Cotoneaster Congestus, Evergreen, Semi-Evergreen Shrub Of The Day

Cotoneaster congestus syn. Cotoneaster glacialis

Cotoneaster

Type Shrub, groundcover, woody plant

Hardy range 6B to 9A

Height 24" to 36" / 60cm to 90cm

Spread 24" to 36" / 60cm to 90cm

Growth rate Average

Form Rounded and spreading or horizontal

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Evergreen and semi-evergreen

Bloom Color White

Bloom Time Spring

Environment This plant tolerates drought.
This plant will grow in very dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to alkaline (less than 6.8 to more than 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green

Culture Notes Makes a nice small 'meatball' for a residential landscape due to its small size. Can be clipped easily into a variety of shapes including balls, squares and other formal shapes. This plant is considered mostly allergy free and causes little or no allergy problems in most people.
Planting and establishing shrubsThe most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.

Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.

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Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku', Deciduous Tree Of The Day

Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku'

Japanese Maple

Type Tree, woody plant

Hardy range 6A to 8A

Height 15' to 25' / 4.60m to 7.60m

Spread 15' to 25' / 4.60m to 7.60m

Growth rate Slow

Form Upright or erect and vase shaped

Exposure Full shade to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Red

Bloom Time Spring

Environment This plant tolerates some drought.
This plant will grow in dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic (less than 6.8) soil.

Leaf Color Green
Fall Color Copper, orange, red and yellow
This plant has attractive foliage and attractive fall colors.

Culture Notes This large shrub or small tree tends to leaf out early, so it may be injured by spring frosts. Protect them from drying winds and direct sun by providing exposure to partial or filtered shade and well-drained, acid soil with plenty of organic matter, particularly in the southern part of its range. Leaves often scorch in hot summer weather in USDA hardiness zones 7b and 8, unless they are in some shade or irrigated during dry weather. More direct sun can be tolerated in the northern part of the range.

Be sure drainage is maintained and never allow water to stand around the roots. Grows fine on clay soils as long as the ground is sloped so water does not accumulate in the soil. Responds well to several inches of mulch placed beneath the canopy. Stems and bark turn coral-red in winter.
Prune early in the life of the tree to develop several major branches well-spaced along a central trunk. This will improve the durability of the tree compared to trees with many upright and spreading branches originating from one point on the trunk.

Maintain adequate mulch area. Clear all turf away from beneath the branches and mulch to the drip line, especially on young trees, to reduce competition with turf and weeds. This will allow roots to become well established and keep plants healthier. Prune the tree so trunks and branches will not rub each other. Remove some secondary branches on main branches with included bark. This reduces the likelihood of the main branch splitting from the tree later when it has grown to become an important part of the landscape. Locate the tree properly, taking into account the ultimate size, since the tree looks best if it is not pruned to control size. The tree can enhance any landscape with its delightful spring flush of foliage. It can be the centerpiece of your landscape if properly located.

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