Category: Star magnolia

Spring Blossoms

Spring Blossoms

Do you want to force a branch?

Coincidentally, late winter is the best time to prune deciduous trees and large shrubs. We usually head out into the yard with pruners in hand starting in late February or early March. We get a jump-start on our pruning along with an early gift of spring color inside our house. We prune our trees and shrubs for shape and to remove crossing branches and old or diseased wood. From the wood we have cut off the plant we can select branches for forcing that are less than 1/2 inch in diameter and cut them to the desired length.

Many ornamental trees and shrubs set their flower buds during the previous growing season. These buds will usually come out of dormancy after two to three weeks of being exposed to warmth and moisture.

 

 

Forsythia, pussy willow, quince, cherry, apple, peach, magnolia, are all good candidates.

 

Choose branches that have lots of buds and put them in water as you work. After bringing the branches inside, fill a sink with very warm water—as hot as you can stand it without scalding your hands. Very warm water is important because it contains the least amount of oxygen. If oxygen gets into the stems it can block water from being taken up, thus preventing hydration.

 

041083045-02_xlgHold the stems underwater and recut them at a severe angle an inch or two above the original cut. The stems will quickly absorb the water. Arrange the branches in your vase, which should be filled with warm water so the ends are submerged. Place in a cool room or if you want the process to go more quickly in a warmer room. At this time of year, it may take only a few days for pussy willow to bloom and look their best. Forsythia takes a few days more and the other varieties can take up to several weeks.

 

 

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It is very satisfying to sit and observe the daily progress of buds as they swell and burst open bringing a bit of spring blossom inside.

 

Volunteer Week: Another Harbinger of Spring

Volunteer Week: Another Harbinger of Spring

 
From the left, Hon. Gerald Keddy, MP, Maggie Copas, Allen Webber, Warden of Chester Municipality, Denise Peterson-Rafuse, MLA

Volunteer Week in Nova Scotia is a spring-time tradition by which communities honor the many volunteers who give of their time and talent to support a wide variety of causes. From small town Volunteer Fire Departments,  to sports organizations for youth, to artisan groups that teach heritage crafts,  the motivation is:  “Volunteers Make It Happen”.  

Among those recognized for dedicated service by the Municipality of Chester last week was Maggie Copas, nominated by Chester Garden Club. Maggie, age 86, has been an active member of the club for over 50 years, serving for over a decade as correspondence secretary and later as a loyal volunteer for many club activities, including maintenance of the two public gardens in the village, planning and working at the annual flower show, and many other events.  She has also been a keen supporter of the arts and is a long-time member of her church choir. [photo submitted by an anonymous CGC member]

Star magnolia in bloom
Spring also brings a welcome flood of blossoms, such as this Star magnolia pushing its way up between two  houses in the village and, below,  a clump of Primulas after a light rain.  In a curious anomaly, rain has been in short supply this spring; not something expected in a maritime climate. 
  
Primula blossoms after the rain

The tulips in the bottom  photo add a bright spark of colour, heralding spring in Herb’s garden. [Thanks to Sandy and Herb for the photos.]

In other news this Spring, club members are preparing for their Annual Gardeners Sale, to take place on May 26 (see the menu  bar above for information).  Before that date, however, it’s “all hands on deck” for a weeding and pruning session at the Parade Square garden on April 30, and a second work party at the Cove garden on May 5.  In early June, many members will travel to Wolfville, for the annual convention of the Nova Scotia Association of Garden Clubs (NSAGC). Each member of registered garden clubs will be eligible to receive a rhizome of a Siberian Iris “Ruffled Velvet” (see below) courtesy of the NSAGC. 

Iris Meanwhile, members are busy catching up on spring chores in their own gardens. Unwanted weeds have quickly sprouted as a result of a couple of days of light rain, and winter debris must be cleared away, but  compensation comes in the form of glorious colours of plants currently in bloom –  Daffodils, Scilla, Tulips and Primulas.  Forsythia and Star Magnolias are also in full regalia this week. They are all forerunners of the many delights awaiting Chester gardeners in the coming months.

An Introduction to a Botanical Garden

An Introduction to a Botanical Garden

swelling buds of lilacs
The green buds of a lilac are getting fatter every day

For gardeners in Eastern Canada, the first signs of Spring are just appearing, as buds swell on flowering shrubs and bulbs push up toward the sun. At this time of year, in a sort of anticipation of what’s to come,  they get a vicarious pleasure from viewing colourful plants grown in more southern climes. Chester Garden Club is pleased, therefore, to welcome one of its own as the featured speaker at its April 16th meeting, when Sylvia McNeill will present a personal view of her experience at Naples Botanical Garden. 

Forsythia blossoms
Forsythia shrubs are already in bloom
star magnolia bud about to open
The fuzzy grey coating of a Star Magnolia bud opens for the emerging flower