Wrestlemania

You might remember we adopted two mutts from the shelter, they are a little over two years old now and full of themselves. Finn & Munch have learned some manners but still have a long way to go, especially Finn his counter surfing is legendary, we have learned never to leave a meal unguarded even for the briefest moment. They are great company and very rewarding even when they are being less than obedient.

The newest addition to the pack is Baxter this gentle little silver tabby is another rescue critter from the shelter. He has been a great choice, the dogs think one of their toys has come to life and Baxter loves to swat the dogs, jump on their backs and curl up next to them for afternoon naps, I am sure some great photo's will come from this trio.

Wow - the biggest flower in the world - Titan Arum - David Attenborough...

My friend Lin who helped get me started in the landscape business sent me a picture of the worlds biggest flower and I Googled it and found this video, pretty incredible. Enjoy.

Transplanting Roses Made Easier

We are finishing up a couple of small jobs this week as well as starting two new fairly large projects which both have a fair amount of pavers. We will be moving well over a hundred ton of materials in the next couple of weeks, pavers, boulders, limestone, super slabs and soils.

One job involved transplanting a bed that was tightly planted and adding two hydrangeas. Moving the large knock out roses could have been a prickly experience wrapping the three foot by three foot plants kept losses down for both the roses and our arms. The ninety five degree heat had surprisingly small effect on the roses, they quit blooming and we have moderate leaf drop six days after transplanting. Normally we do not install stone around roses but our customer prefers the low maintenance that stone affords and I can't argue with the size and blooms of her roses.


A second project was sprucing up a house that is up for sale. Replacing the old railroad tie retaining wall with hand stacked glacial stone, installing new split rail fence and fresh limestone in the drive does wonders for curb appeal.

New company photos were necessary for our brochure since we have had some personnel changes. It is hard to imagine the diversity of talent, enthusiasm and craftsmanship that exists in our crew, thanks everyone.

Fruitcakes and Parrot Heads

Any Jimmy Buffett concert is a good concert for a Parrot head (Buffett fan) but seeing Jimmy at Toyota Park outside Chicago was a real treat especially because we had time to wonder the pre-show tailgate shenanigans that make Jimmy concerts extra fun. All manner of dress, booze, herb, food and decor is sure to amuse even non fans. There were people grilling fillets and cheeseburgers, blenders whirling that frozen concoction that helps you hang on and Jimmy trivia games where you were rewarded or punished with a shot of booze.

The ever popular fin motif was present on cars, trucks, rv's and clothing. Seeing and hearing 36,000 fellow parrot heads performing the ritual that accompanies the Fin song is a experience one is likely not to forget. Jimmy sings about a lifestyle that is Caribbean issue and Florida inspired with lyrics that reach into my soul and make me smile. I recommend a little Buffett buffet for anyone who wants to learn what life if like without your shoes.

Chicago was steamy, Jimmy hot and the margaritas plentiful last Saturday night, we sang and danced and let our hair down with the Son of a Son of a Sailor, what a blast.

Three Gardens In One

Michigan State University is one of the participants in the Michigan Garden Trials which affords those on the tour to spend a few hours strolling the three gardens that are located next to each other on the campus in East Lansing. The well kept gardens have a banquet facility which was hosting a wedding the day we toured. It was lovely, a great billowy tent whose high roof was lit with delicate white lights, musicians setting up in the glass greenhouse and the couples family gathering around the portable pergola a great spot for nuptials. Perennials, annuals and shrubs peaking in the August heat provided a stellar backdrop has we viewed the bridal party posing happily for the photographer.





Trial plants were displayed both in ground and container mostly in The Horticulture Demonstration Gardens which is a relatively new garden established in 1991. The W J Beal garden is the oldest continuous running university garden in the US first plantings were in 1873 and it houses some rare plant and shrub species. The 4 H Children's Garden is a lively variety of plants that educate, set imagination in motion and provide a sensory experience for young and old alike. Names like witch's broom, fur ball and cat eyes delight children while durable construction and a interactive maze are meant for kids to play in and get hands on dirty.



These gardens were a delightful surprise with well planned focal points, easy flow and a great variety of plant material. The single best use I have even seen of Alaskan Weeping Ceder is definitely the great background they provide for this pergola and seating area. The shrubs/trees are the healthiest forms I have seen in our climate, what great specimens these weepers make when used properly.


Several new varieties of petunias were displayed in unique ways such as the petunia tree, while not that fond of petunias I admit that some of the waves, velvet flower stripes and one particular cultivar called , The Blues really caught my attention. Petunias are really gaining in popularity and the new varieties have spurred the boom, they even make a fertilizer just for petunias now.



Spending half a day at these gardens is worthwhile. It would make a great side trip for Spartan fans attending early fall football games. The giant head amaryllis caught my attention with its rather suggestive shape and I spotted this goldfinch munching seed heads.

How to Bath a Landscaper

When we lived on Lime Lake we spent many glorious weekends water skiing on Lake Gage, since we now have the family yatch I thought I might give it a try again. Much to my surprise and happiness I can still slalom ski and I thought everyone should know. It only took me three times to get up. I would guess the last time I skied would be 12-15 years ago.

Flower Power

The Michigan Garden Plant Tour is in its seventh year, it is a coordinated open house of ornamental plant producers and Michigan State University. It is a terrific way to observe plant performance at different locations and evaluate plants grown in the ground and in containers. Each site showcases their specialties and new plant introductions. The tour runs for a two week period and we were able to visit two sites over the weekend.






These photos were a fraction of the varieties we viewed, it was super groovy. I have never been a huge fan of zinnias but some of the new bold reds and oranges are changing my mind. There must have been 20 different varieties of lobelia with delicate subtle differences in color and height. One particular coleus looked more like a venus fly trap than a coleus and there were plenty of begonias growing in full sun. These were the flowers from one stop, C. Raker and Sons in Litchfield, MI.

Nevada Mills

Nevada Mills is a community on Jimmerson Lake rich with history. If you follow this blog you know my cousin Cindy lives there and we dock the family yacht there. Our trucks can frequently be spotted at Floyd and Rose Curtlands' farm where we load up on various soils, rocks and straw, we have a long association with "Uncle Floyd". There is a history of the area penned by longtime resident and fellow landscaper Lynn "Doc" Munger, Doc is in his 80's now and resides at Heron Hill Nursery in Fremont. Autographed copies are available at Betty Perry's Damn Store across from Uncle Floyd, the book has some great stories and photographs.


Since we are boat owners again and cruising the James chain for the first time in many years I have noticed some changes. One was the abundance of hibiscus sprouting from the shorelines and even on the small spits of land. The perennial hibiscus I do not believe to be a native Indiana plant and suspect that the origin of this species comes from the Farver property next to the damn. When I first began boating in Steuben County in the early 80's I remember seeing the hibiscus that grew along the road side of the house and thinking they were quite remarkable and unusual. Now some 26 years later hedges of hibiscus surround properties around the damn and their spawn are evident throughout the chain. That is my theory and I think it rings true, I'll have to ask one of the DNR dudes about it next time I get the chance.


There has been some form of a small nursery near the river for over three generations all Mungers I think. The water that leaves Nevada Mills continues and is our south property boundry as it spills on to the Fawn River. The main attraction of course is the damn itself. Before its renovation two years ago the damn attracted more than its share of late night skinny dippers, party makers and adventure seekers. People were known to perform all sorts of foolish diving feats off both sides of the damn which included swan dives from a three story tree. The area was finally cleared, posted as restricted and better policed slowing down the sometimes circus atmosphere of years past and protecting people from themselves.

I really like this end of the lake near the damn, brings back some good memories. When I ride my bicycle past the church, over the roaring water along the heavy shaded roads I get a sense of the past and the character that is the mill pond, it is relaxing and energizing.


The guy on the yellow motorcycle is accompanied by his dog Bull, I see this man riding all over near Angola and finally got a photo in the Wal Mart parking lot. Talk about characters. The dog barked viciously at me when I got too close.