Tropicals in Kenosha

Above is the start of fall coloration on the Marmo Freeman maple (Acer x freemanii 'Morton') which is a selection from the Morton Arboretum (Lisle, IL). This hybrid has the nice attributes of its parents, the silver maple (Acer saccharinum) and red maple (Acer rubrum). This tree has the fast growth rate of the silver maple and the harder wood and fall color the the red maple. There seems to be great variability in the timing of fall color with Freeman maples. We have some that have dropped leaves already and this one is just starting to turn color.

I had another talk (Using Tropicals and Containers) in the Kenosha area (Bristol) for Master Gardeners. It was another great group with lots of interesting and valid questions. It's always nice giving talk to gardeners, particularly those that haven't visited the gardens yet! I like to entice potential visitors to the gardens and have no shame in using lots of images from Rotary Gardens. Nice shot below of the immature green cones on our bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) in the arboretum. Bald cypress are tough plants and while in the pine family, they are a deciduous conifer and lose their needles in fall (as seen below). Bald cypress have a wide native range (not WI, although hardy in southern WI) and can tolerate extremely damp soils and areas with prolonged flooding. In southern swamps, bald cypress will form "knees" near the primary trunk. There is much debate about these rounded protrusions with many speculating that they are meant for structural support in soggy locations while others postulate that they are involved with gas exchange (carbon dioxide and oxygen). Regardless, it's a neat tree that is quite urban tolerant and durable. The spring image at the bottom (note the tulips) is to remind you to get out there and plant your spring blooming bulbs. The time spent now is always worth it when you enjoy the results in spring. We may be in for a doozy of a winter so why not maximize your spring color (and therapy) with some effort and expense now. Many bulbs are going on sale now and as long as you can dig a hole, go for it!!!