Elissa and Miranda Weekend Practical:

In Search of the Elusive Easter Bunny

Easter weekend proved to be a busy one on campus this year.  The sun was shining and birds were chirping and grasses needed cutting back.  We began our weekend at the front of the college, cleaning up the gardens and finishing a job well done by the Horticulture Technician program students from Thursday.  Just a few more cut backs and fine tuning and the college was ready for spring, we were too and were blessed with the nicest weather we have had all year. 

After finishing up with the entrance to the college it was looking fine, we headed to our next task: Forwell Court (a daunting task).  Pruning, cutting back, leaf removal and just overall spring clean up it was a large job but one we were ready to tackle. 

Where to begin, we started by pruning the Amelanchair Canadensis, beautiful huge specimens that had become a little over grown and in need of a little reshaping.  Following the Rule of DDDI (Dead, Diseased, Dying and Interfering) we revitalized the Serviceberry for the season ahead.

“Overgrown”

"Pruned”

We foraged ahead, cutting back grasses of all varieties, Annabell Hydrangea and Spirea. Trimming back dead juniper and selectively pruning as we went. Pruning of the Taxus to waist height proved somewhat of a challenge; but no Easter bunny yet. One bucket, two buckets, three buckets.....too many to count! We cleaned up our mess and emptied the trailer.

“Hydrangea before and after prune”

“Is that a bunny in hiding in the Taxus?”

Sunday, where is that tricky bunny? The sun was sleeping but we were on the job.  Strapped on the backpack blower and cleaned, cleaned, cleaned. Leaves were hiding in every nook and cranny. Weeds were growing, but we destroyed them. Rain was falling but we remained on our feet, determined to leave a pristine garden for all Fanshawe College students to enjoy. Our final count: three trailer loads, too many leaf buckets, one can of mixed gas, two backpack blowers, one hedge trimmer, a bag of garbage, and two tired ladies. And no Bunny’s to be found!!

(Insert #91, 92, 93, 94jpeg, “All cleaned up and looking good!”)

Research:

Albizia julibrissin commonly known as the Mimosa Tree is native to Japan and Iran. Its growth habit is multi-stemmed, vase shaped with a flattened umbrella like top. This tree is not fully hardy in our zone (6a/6bUSDA or 7CDN), it must be grown in a microclimate (protected from harsh winter winds and cold temperatures, ie. Planted close to the corner of a building) to prevent damage to its weak wooded limbs. Plant Mimosa in medium well drained soils, can tolerate alkaline conditions. Flowering will occur best in full sun, summer conditions.  Selectively prune in early fall to remove dead, diseased, or interfering branches.  In the fall remove leaf litter, seed pods, and spent flowers to prevent clean up problems. 

Source:

Missouri Botanical Garden - http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/a848/albizia-julibrissin.aspx