Wow. I’ve always been aggaga come 1st sighting of something popping – usually late winter /early spring. But the first half of January? That’s a record sighting for me. In the Midwest we are lucky to get a few sprigs popping through the crusty earth and snow come late February- even Witch-hazels (Hammemalis x med. cultivars) (though they usually bloom in late winter in the Chicago region). But mid – January – this was a colorful surprise for me. I Cannot say enough about Witch hazels. Every garden should have a few! And great fall colors too. A warm and easy winter it has been to date!
a very cool and unusual sight in our natural woodlands on 1-14-20
Witch- hazels add color to your landscapes and are a perfect fit for shade gardens, woodland beds, or under shade trees, and in the natural landscape setting. Pollinators will seek this beauty out on warmer winter days as well, so how cool is that?
Now is the time to get thinking about the landscapes and perhaps a new garden design, or a few new trees for the yard. Consider Native landscapes, and native species too, for the benefit of insects and wildlife !
Pale echinachea or pale coneflower is an easy to grow native wildflower, found in our higher quality remnant prairies of the Midwest. Easy to plug into your sunny landscapes- good for native bees and butterflies.
Native species require little if any fertilizer, little water (once established), no need for pesticides, and are a huge benefit for local and endangered insect and butterfly species- such as our imperiled monarch butterfly. Simply incorporate such species into a sunny bed in your yard. Contact us for further info.
Native and ornamental witchhazels attract pollinators, which is especially important early in the season for these hungry bees, as seen in this colorful landscape in West Chicago Wheaton area. Seen… the hungry honeybee here……and On March 12th.!!!
Seen: Hammemalis ‘Arnold’s Promise’
Landscape design services ( Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Winfield, West Chicago, Lisle, Geneva gardens, St. Charles Il) focusing on your likes and needs. Contact us now, the gardens as seen here have started popping! !!
Spring cleaning up and mulch time too!
* (for the record…1st blooms seen on 3/10 in this Midwestern woodland garden).
Potting up bulbs on a late February day. Sunny, but crazy, cold day !!! Bulbs can sit unplanted, (but kept cold), and from my experience – once potted up, bloom nicely anyway. I prefer to pot my daffodils, then set into the woodland shade gardens where I see fit and to fill in. Besides…
A before shot- March 1
Most of us cannot remember where they are needed until spring when things are in bloom anyways. I frequently plant on top of other plants that are not visible! So, give it a try- pot them up, force them early, then plant out where needed!
Once thought to have medicinal properties, quite toxic.
Many parts of this fleeting beauty are toxic. The root exudes a red-orange juice, once used for dyes, and the plant was used for many medicinal applications. There is on-going research as to it’s possible benefits. Once pollinated – all gone, sometimes in as little as a few days. Great attractant for early pollinators!
Species crocus bloom quite early, and spread nicely (Oak Brook IL)
Species crocus, spring native wildflowers, daffodils, and aconites: all coming into bloom soon. The snows have finally gone, though there are STILL many areas here that are still frozen, but the bulbs have popped anyway!. The aconites have peaked by now, and the snowdrops are 6″ tall. Daffodils are up but need a warm day to pop. Soon!!!!
Helebores are unfurling:
Helebores, also called ‘Lenten Rose’, right on schedule!
We have an extensive clientele in Naperville and the surrounding area. Call us or email to see our references and to see examples of our work go to Maxlandscape.com
Lakefront (Hindsdale Il) natural stone staircase eases the transition to the lower portion of the yard (lake not seen).
Call soon for a consultation and quote!
Quite the look: a vintage – appearing paver from Unilock called ‘Copthorne’, one of Ed Max’s favorites
A new stone walk, landing and porch; all made of mortared stone plus lg. Unilock pavers. A new landscaping gives a nice pop in this sunny southern facing drought tolerant garden, using many native species. West Chicago, Winfield, Wheaton area
Spring is upon us- time to plan for that new brick paver or natural stone patio and walkways. Drop us a note to get a unique design & quote today!
