“It’s spring! Farewell
To chills and colds!
The blushing, girlish
World unfolds
Each flower, leaf
And blade of sod—
Small letters sent
To her from God.”

~John Updike (American writer, poet, and literary critic; 1932 – 2009)
Gladly shared by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (& spring letter recipient)

A few years ago while I was visiting some clients, I saw what looked like black paint dots all over their white porch and siding, as high up as 10 feet. I wondered how the “paint spots” got there. As I found out, it was NOT paint.

I later discovered the culprit was Artillery fungus, a side effect of mulching with conventional, shredded hardwood mulches, dyed or natural. The fungus is ubiquitous in garden center hardwood mulches. In these hardwood mulches, the fungus produces masses of small grayish balls that emerge after a few months and burst open, releasing their contents. The contents are black, sticky spore packets. They can be shot up to distances of 6 meters and stick to whatever they hit. Yuck! Furthermore, they don’t come off on their own. Although they don’t harm plants, walls and decks are another matter.

I have never observed this phenomenon with any of the Pine mulch products, such as Pine straw (photo below right) or Pine bark mulch. Resistance to fungi is just one of the many reasons we find Pine mulch products to be much better choices for healthy, beautiful gardens!

–Contributed by Sean Kramer

HL Garden Care Manager

The P.J.M. is one of the earliest-blooming Rhododendron varieties, displaying vibrant, pinkish-lavender blossoms in early spring. As a slow-growing evergreen shrub, the P.J.M. works well as a natural barrier hedge and adds life to other evergreen plantings.

It grows best in acidic, well-drained soils. Good drainage is vital, since the P.J.M. does not like ‘wet feet’ and is susceptible to root rot. Although the P.J.M. can withstand greater temperature extremes than other Rhododendron varieties, it should be planted in an area protected from winter winds and out of full sun, preferably in sun-dappled shade.

Besides being a resilient and beautiful plant once established, the P.J.M. Rhododendron is also deer-resistant, which makes it an attractive choice in areas where deer are a threat. In recent years, many new varieties of ‘Early’ Rhododendrons (offspring of the P.J.M.) have been introduced and do quite well in our area.

Making room for several P.J.M Rhodie outside your windows would be a delightful way to invite spring to host a party in your garden!

–Joyfully shared by Betty Hanselman

Gardener’s wife (& jubilant spring party-goer)

Hanselman Landscape & Gardens has been designing and building gardens in the Lancaster, PA area since 1985. When you are ready to reimagine your own outdoor space, schedule a design consultation and we will start with a walk through your property.

The spring came suddenly, bursting upon the world as a child bursts into a room, with a laugh and a shout, and hands full of flowers.

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (American poet and educator; 1802 – 1887).

Today, I wish for you a garden to walk in or, at least, the chance to step outside into the vibrant colors and sounds of spring. May you take time–make time–to look around and give thanks. We live in a glorious, beautiful world!

Joyfully shared by Betty Hanselman

Gardener’s wife (& spring celebrant)

“The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.”

~ Henry Van Dyke (American author, diplomat, educator, clergyman; 1852–1933)