Nancy Szerlag: Gardening

Trees and shrubs add color to landscapes

If you're looking for a new tree or shrub to color the landscape, check out these interesting recommendations from some area pros.

J.T. Schutz of Schutz's Tree Farm in Imlay City, www.schutztreefarm.com, ( 810) 721-8733, has a couple of trees to recommend. First on his list is the Prunus serrulata, the "Royal Burgundy" Japanese flowering cherry with reddish-purple leaves that color the garden throughout the growing season. Maxing out 15 to 20 feet high, it requires six hours or more of sun daily to keep the color coming. "Royal Burgundy" flowering cherry heralds the arrival of spring with a burst of spectacularly large clusters of deep-pink flowers.

If you're looking for late summer and fall attractions, J.T. suggests Heptacodium, also called the seven-son-flower, that can be grown as a large shrub or small tree. Its attractive bark and showy fragrant blossoms, which arrive in late summer, are only part of the show. After the flowers fade, individual leaves turn dark pink to red and persist into fall. Heptacodiumcan grow 10-20 feet tall and grows best in a sunny location.

Joel Miller from Goldner Walsh Nursery in Pontiac, www.goldnerwalsh.com , (248)-332-6430, is touting Persian ironwood Parrotiapersic. Hardy to zone 5, this tough customer, a member of the witch-hazel family, produces purple red tassle-like blooms in late winter or very early spring. Persian Ironwood "Vanessa's" large glossy leaves emerge with a reddish-purple tinge that eventually turn green. When mature, the modeled patchwork texturing of the bark adds winter interest. Rising to just 20 feet, this tree will thrive in full sun to light shade. The weeping variety Persian Ironwood "Pendula" reaches 8 feet with a 6-foot canopy. These trees also produce stunning fall color.

Timely tips

Check out the great collection of decorator stacking pumpkins at the Northern Farm Market at 35 Mile and Van Dyke, (586) 531-2439. Priced at just 25 cents a pound, they're a best buy. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

To learn the secrets to growing and over-wintering chrysanthemums, plan to attend the Greater Detroit Chrysanthemum Society's annual flower show from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Livonia Main Public Library located at Five Mile and Farmington Road. Expert growers will be on hand to answer all your questions.

To rid your potting shed or garage of nesting squirrels, the Humane Society suggests the following tactics: Leave a bright light shining and a radio blaring 24/7. Also wad up a bunch of vinegar soaked rags and set them around the area.

Nancy Szerlag is a master gardener and Metro Detroit free-lance writer. E-mail her at Szerlag @earthlink.net. You can read her previous columns at detnews.com/homestyle.