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You may have noticed a new symbol on our tree signs this year- the Hoerr Nursery Tried and True gold star. We've awarded this designation to trees that have what it takes to succeed in the Peoria area, exhibiting a combination of desirable traits- everything from natural good form to season long interest. Some of these trees are popular in our area, but many of them deserve more widespread planting. Here are just a few examples:
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This extraordinary cultivar of our native Buckeye is a moderately sized shade tree. In spring, it features yellow sprays of flowers that attract returning ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Despite the flower show, 'Early Glow' is mostly fruitless, which means you won't have buckeyes littering your lawn.
The disease resistant, five lobed leaves turn fiery red-orange in autumn.
Like all young trees in deer territory, 'Early Glow' will benefit from a tree guard to protect from antler rubbing where whitetails are present, but they otherwise tend to leave Buckeye trees alone.
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Native to Southern Appalachia, including the southernmost tip of Illinois, Rosy Ridge Silverbell adorns itself in nodding pink flowers come June, just as the spring blooming trees are wrapping up for the season. Interesting, four-winged pods appear after the flowers. The leaves turn yellow in autumn.
An understory tree found in swampy areas, this problem-solver is a great choice for planting in low, boggy spots and rain gardens. It grows best in partial shade, and it's immune to the affects of juglone, the chemical that Black Walnut trees use to discourage nearby plants.
Although endangered in Illinois, the Silverbell tree can live up to 100 years!
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Shawnee Brave Baldcypress
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We've got a special spot in our hearts for this unusual conifer tree. When it was first developed, Hoerr Nursery served as one of its trialing locations. We liked it so much that we planted it throughout the tree and shrub yard.
Tall and narrow, 'Shawnee Brave' has a distinctive, soft silhouette, with feathery green leaves that turn coppery in autumn before falling. Small cones are attractive to wild turkeys, ducks and squirrels, and the attractive, reddish brown bark remains interesting through winter.
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Although it prefers acidic soil, Shawnee Brave Baldcypress adapts to many soil conditions, including flooding. If enough moisture is present the tree will develop "knees" around the base of the trunk to take in oxygen when the roots are underwater. Since ours get watered every night, they've grown very prominent "knees!"
If you're interested in adding a tree to your landscape, come in for a visit and speak with one of our Horticulturists. Tell us how tall and wide you'd like the tree to be, how much water and sunlight the spot gets, and any special features you're interested in (flowers, fall color, evergreen, etc.) We'll come up with some options to fit your needs, and help you find the perfect tree!
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In early summer you may spot some bizarre and destructive pests called bagworms. As soon as they hatch out they drift to new locations on threads of silk, so they may literally drop in anywhere!
After landing, Bagworms form sacks of debris around themselves for protection while they feed. They can sometimes be mistaken for conifer cones on arborvitae and juniper, which are among their favorite foods (although they have a very broad diet.)
They'll be tiny and difficult to spot at first, like the juvenile in the top center of the photo above. During the juvenile stage they can be successfully treated for. By the time they reach the adult stage pictured above on the right, they're no longer vulnerable to treatment.
Bagworms can feed ravenously, destroying branches, or even defoliating and potentially killing entire trees. Here they are demolishing an arborvitae:
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If you spot these tiny cone-like creatures on any of your plants, act fast! Remove and destroy all "bags." (Don't just drop them on the ground, or they'll relocate themselves and continue to feed.) Spray the affected plant thoroughly with a product such as Fertilome Caterpillar Spray With Bt.
Bt, or Bacillus thuringiensis, is a naturally occurring bacteria that only affects members of the Lepidotera family, which includes the moth larvae that live inside the "bags." (Pictured below. Pretty weird looking, aren't they?)
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No matter what kind of gardening challenges you encounter this summer, we're here for you! Send a photo of your plant problem to expert@hoerrnursery.com, or come in for a visit. Our team of experts is here to help!
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If you've never witnessed our summer perennial yard in full glory or seen dozens of different hydrangeas blooming all at once, schedule a summer trip to Hoerr Nursery!
Rita and the rest of Green Team have been busy growing a special crop of summer annuals so that you can replace those pooped-out pansies with warm season winners like Suncredible Sunflower, annual Black-Eyed Susan, Zinnia, Salvia, Lantana, Euphorbia, Coleus, Sweet Potato Vine, Dahlia, Pentunia/Supertunia, Bidens, Fountain Grass and Plectranthus. We've got a few early items out now, but look for the rest to arrive by late June.
The butterfly house will be out in the yard again this year, and we'll be raising caterpillars in it as soon as they start to appear. If you've never seen the transformation process up close (or if you just can't get enough of it!) come and have a look from around midsummer onward.
New garden goodies will continue to arrive into summer, including art glass hummingbird feeders, garden stakes, and outdoor furniture. Around midsummer we'll also be expecting new statuary.
June 30th is the last day to rack up Hardy Bucks on your Garden Center purchases. Hardy Buck redemption runs from July 15th-August 15th, so pull those Hardy Bucks out from the back of your drawer and clip them to your calendar.
See you soon!
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June Hours at Hoerr Nursery
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Garden Center
8am-6pm Monday-Saturday
11am-5pm Sunday
Stone Market
7am-5pm Monday-Friday
7:30am-5pm Saturday
10:30am-5pm Sunday
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Tune In to The Green Thumb Garden Show!
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The Green Thumb Gardening Show is back on 1470 WMBD, at 7am on Saturday mornings! Tune in to hear Ethan Wise and Dan Diorio talk gardening for Central Illinois.
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