From deer hunters to non-migratory birds feasting on fall berries, most of us here up North aren't too put off by a little cold weather. Sure, it's an attitude shift, we aren't likely to see warm temperatures again for at least 5 months. If you're a gardener in the North you start using terms like "hard frost" and "winter interest". So we unpack our sweaters, fill up our feeders and prepare our property to survive the oncoming months of ice and snow.
In a world where many are experiencing devastating hurricanes and firestorms, even when it's difficult to navigate, we are blessed to have a predictable weather pattern that we can be prepared to endure. In the meantime, we pray for the safety of those who are impacted by the catastrophic fires in California and continue to hold out hope for containment.
- Natalie
I know that readership will be down a bit today because it's the opening day of rifle season for deer hunters here in Michigan. I expect it's so in many other states, too.
Lots of people who don't hunt are happy about opening day, too. Sure, it's a big economic boost to many regions, but it's also the thought of thinning out the state's deer herd that appeals to many drivers and gardeners. Every year there are around 50,000 car-deer crashes in the state of Michigan. The number of gardens damaged by deer is uncounted, but I'm willing to bet that it's even higher.
Most of us can't thin out our local herd, so we have to plant strategically if we're in an area with heavy deer pressure. While there is no such thing as a deer-proof plant, Viburnum in general and Viburnum dentatum, in particular, are considered to be reliably resistant to deer browsing. A really good reference for checking the relative deer resistance of plants is the one at Rutgers University.
Meanwhile, stay safe whether you're hunting this week or simply driving your car. Your local songbirds might need a safety talk too; those tasty Viburnum berries we provide them can be just as dangerous as the local pub's happy hour.
All That Glitters, All That Glows
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| All That Glitters® Viburnum |
V. dentatum needs a pollinator in order to produce fruit. But if you're using the plant as a mass planting or hedge you probably want them to look similar. *These two plants blend very nicely so you can have the berries you want with a uniform planting.
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| All That Glows® Viburnum |
Durable V. dentatum is a real workhorse in the landscape and will tolerate most conditions. It is hardy to USDA Zone 4 and will grow in sun or partial shade. White spring flowers produce blue fruit in fall.
Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles.
*Note from Natalie: All That Glitters® and All That Glows® Viburnum dentatum will pollinate each other, so make sure you plant some of each variety if you would like your plants to set fruit.
