This is a very sorry tropical hibiscus plant that the deer munched on all summer, I was going to toss it out but decided to try and revitalize it for this project. This photo shows the damage the deer did, the plant never bloomed this year, because the deer ate the ends off all the… Click here to read more…
One Finger Pruning of Weeping Cherries, Japanese Maples and other Grafted Plants.
One finger pruning is one of the most important things you can do for any ornamental plant in your landscape. Many ornamental trees and shrubs are grown using techniques known as grafting and budding. Essentially that means that the desired variety is not grown from a cutting or a seed, but instead a piece of… Click here to read more…
How to Grow Roses-Part 3
How to Grow Roses: Part 3 – Pruning and Winterizing In this last part of the Growing Roses Series, we will be discussing good techniques for keeping your new rose in the best of health. Tools needed: Pruners, loppers and/or saw Sharpener for tools to make sure cuts are clean to promote quick healing Disinfectant… Click here to read more…
How to Trim Grape Vines
We prune our beloved plants to create a more lush plant, higher produce yields and to increase the health of plants. Grape vines are no exception. Keeping the vines pruned keeps them producing higher yields each season, makes the individual bunches of grapes larger, healthier and juicier, and allows air flow and sunlight to penetrate… Click here to read more…
How to Prune Apple Trees
Pruning apple trees is usually best accomplished during late fall or early winter as the tree goes into dormancy. This will let you see better what you are cutting and how each branch you remove affects the look of the tree. Pruning apple trees to keep them healthy and to help make lots of fruit… Click here to read more…
How To Prune a Butterfly Bush
Butterfly bushes are a favorite among many gardeners. The showy, fragrant blooms attract all sorts of beneficial insects to your garden. You may even find a hummingbird or two stopping by to enjoy the nectar inside the tiny flowers. When and how to prune a butterfly bush is a topic that comes up quite a… Click here to read more…
How To Prune Shrubs and Other Landscape Plants
When is the best time to prune shrubs in your landscape? The answer is: When it needs it. Some experts might tell you that you need to wait until winter or early spring to cut back your shrubs or trees. Here at Mike’s Plant Farm, we ignore the calendar and prune as needed. We prune… Click here to read more…
How to Grow & Train Flowering Hydrangea Shrubs into Tree Hydrangeas.
There are a number of different varieties of Hydrangea shrubs that are often grown into tree form. Many people don’t realize that a Tree Hydrangea is actually a Hydrangea shrub that was simply trained to grow as a flowering tree. This is also done with Rose of Sharon, I’ve seen it done with Red Twig… Click here to read more…
When To Prune Japanese Maple Trees
People contact us all the time asking when to prune Japanese maple trees. We believe that there is no wrong time to prune Japanese maple trees (or any other tree, shrub or flower). Certain times are better than others, but it can be done as needed at any time. Prune it when it needs to… Click here to read more…
How to Grow and Trim Japanese Maples.
Crimson Queen is by far one of the most beautiful of the Laceleaf Weeping Japanese maples on the market. However, I see so many of them that are improperly pruned and cared for. It’s not so much that they are improperly pruned, they are not pruned at all. Which is really about the worst kind… Click here to read more…