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PLEASE NOTE: In the autumn of 1995, we hatched the idea for a free, local gardening publication. The following spring, we published the first issue of Michigan Gardener magazine. Advertisers, readers, and distribution sites embraced our vision. Thus began an exciting journey of helping our local gardening community grow and prosper.
After 27 years, nearly 200 issues published, and millions of copies printed, we have decided it is time to end the publication of our Print Magazine and E-Newsletter.

We will continue to update our Website with articles and enter current gardening events in our website Event Calendar. All the best wishes for 2024 and beyond.

Plant Focus: Catmint

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Walters Gardens
‘Six Hills Giant’ One of the finest blue-flowering perennials available is a type of Nepeta called catmint. Not catnip. Not mint. Catnip is the version that’s popular amongst cats. Mint, as we commonly know it, is in a completely different genus (Mentha) and, although some are attractive, most are used for herbal applications. Mint can also spread uncontrollably through the garden. Catmint, on the other hand, forms manageable clumps, has scented foliage, and is excellent in the perennial or rose garden. There are short and tall varieties available, but almost all of them form clouds of blue spikes above gray-green leaves from mid June to late July or August. No sunny garden in need of blue-flowering plants should be without at least one type of catmint.

Walters Gardens
‘Dawn to Dusk’ Native to parts of Asia, catmint has been used for centuries in Europe. The English have used various Nepetas as long-blooming, scented perennials along the front of the border or pathway. A minty fragrance is released when one brushes along the leaves or steps upon a stray stem. Nepeta is very easy to grow and is even tolerant of poor soil. Some plants in fertile, rich soil will require division every 2 to 4 years to keep the growth habit tidy and manageable. Plants will tolerate full or partial sun but the taller varieties may require staking in less than full sun. Bees and butterflies are especially fond of catmint flowers, while deer and rabbits shy away. Catmint is a fine cut flower as well.

The blue flowers and airy growth habit of catmint make it the perfect companion plant for a rose planting. The small blue flowers of Nepeta look exquisite with the large and bold flowers of almost any color rose. Many summer-blooming perennials are also excellent compliments to catmint. The light and delicate flowers of catmint are perfect against larger flowers. Try the pink bee balm ‘Marshal’s Delight,’ white Shasta daisies, daylilies, tall garden phlox, or coneflower to name a few.

The species of catmint that is most readily available is Nepeta x faassenii. Varieties of this species have a horizontal growth habit and can grow quite wide if not divided every few years. ‘Blue Wonder’ has dark blue flowers and is one of the best low growers. It only grows 12 to 15 inches tall and can spread as wide as 3 feet. The flowers begin in mid-June and will persist until the beginning of August. Deadheading is not necessary but shearing the top third of the plant can prolong the bloom time by a few weeks.

Walters Gardens
‘Walker’s Low’ One of the best-known catmints is the taller ‘Six Hills Giant.’ It is used extensively in England to produce the classic blue border so often portrayed in gardening books. It has violet flowers above plants up to 30 inches tall. ‘Walker’s Low’ is very similar to ‘Six Hills Giant,’ but has slightly darker violet flowers. Its name implies a more compact growth habit, but in reality, this is one of the largest catmints available. It has extra long, 30-inch stems that relax to form a mound 18 to 24 inches tall. Like ‘Six Hills Giant,’ it will start blooming in June and continue through August. Both of these varieties are perfect choices for the front of a bed where a wide, dramatic border of blue is desired. For a pink catmint, try the newer variety ‘Dawn to Dusk’ which features pink flowers on plants that grow three feet tall.

If your garden requires a more erect grower, try a Siberian catmint or Nepeta sibirica. The variety ‘Souvenir d’Andre Chaudron’ has large lavender-blue flower spikes. This one stands up nicely and can be used further back in the border. It begins blooming in July and will last until the end of August or September. It is exceptionally hardy (zone 3) and should not require dividing as frequently as the shorter varieties.

Catmint has something to offer nearly every garden and gardener. The novice will appreciate its undemanding growth requirements, while the new garden will benefit from its rapid rate of growth. Everyone can enjoy its fragrance and the abundance of blue flowers that it provides for the garden or your freshly picked summer bouquet. Catmint may be just what you need for the dog days of summer.

W. Atlee Burpee & Co.
N. mussini Nepeta (NEP-uh-tuh)

Common name: Catmint

Plant type: Perennial

Plant size: Height and width: 12-36 inches, depending on variety

Habit: Clump-forming, airy mound

Hardiness: Zone 5 or colder

Flower color: Various shades of blue and violet; pink

Flower size: 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches long

Bloom period: Summer

Leaf color: Gray-green

Leaf size: 1-1/4 to 3 inches long

Light: Full to partial sun

Soil: Any well-drained soil 

Uses: Blue-flowering plant, perennial border, rose bed, cut flower

Companion plants: Roses, bee balm, daisies, daylilies, tall garden phlox, coneflowers, and many more summer-blooming perennials

Remarks: Easy to grow, fragrant foliage


George Papadelis is the owner of Telly’s Greenhouse in Troy, MI.

Latest USDA pesticide reports helps consumers choose organic fruits and vegetables

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Many consumers these days are fixated on buying organic food. But, many of them don’t have much information on what is motivating their organic purchases other than, “it’s better for me.” With the recent release of the annual USDA report on pesticides, there is no better time than now to learn more about pesticides and organics as they relate to your fruit and vegetable choices.

There’s a “Dirty Dozen,” headlined by apples, celery and strawberries. And there’s also a catchy “Clean 15” of fruits and vegetables lowest in pesticides. The top three on that list: onions, sweet corn and pineapples.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) suggests that people buy organically grown fruits and vegetables for the varieties on its list of the most likely to carry pesticide residues. But the group also says the health benefits from produce mean that “eating conventionally-grown produce is far better than not eating fruits and vegetables at all.”

This story is well-timed as there is still time to plant several of the dirty dozen items in your own garden. In a couple months you could enjoy your own pesticide-free harvest!

Read the full story here at NPR

What causes mold in cocoa shell mulch?

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I use cocoa shells for mulch. Last season, mold developed on all the areas where I put it down. I used cocoa shells again this year and thus far I have not had the mold appear. What causes this mold? Would it be weather or maybe a “bad” batch of cocoa shells?

According to one of our favorite chocolate empires, Hershey’s, waste shell from the extraction of chocolate from the cocoa bean has been used for over 30 years as mulch. Just smelling it makes your mouth water for something chocolate! Cocoa shells slowly decompose and contain about 2.5 percent nitrogen, 1 percent phosphate and 3 percent potash, according to Auburn University Soil Testing Labs. Because it is feather-light, consumers are often advised to water it to keep the shells in place. This means no air circulation as the shells are compressed by the water. Although the shells are clean, they are still an organic product meant to biodegrade into your soil. Excessive rain in spring and summer as well as watering to keep the shells in place can cause a mildew-like mold to appear as the shells naturally decompose. Try to avoid excessive watering and keep air circulating through the shells by lightly top raking. They are meant to disintegrate, amending the soil as they do so. If you are mulching with cocoa shells in breezy areas of your yard, you might consider an alternative mulch that is slightly heavier and not subject to wind dispersal.

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