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Long spikes on Dwarf Mugo pines

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I have what I believe are Mugo dwarf pine trees in big round wooden baskets in my front walkway. They came with the house.

Every few years I notice that they develop these extra-ordinarily long spikes.

Sorry I can’t think of the proper name for them right now.

Yes, they do grow these each and every year, but every three or four years the spikes are extra long – like 6″ or more.

They are covered in what appears to be pollen.

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I’ve noticed a phenomena with coniferous trees in the past, where on certain days, every few years if you looked out at the right time that pollen would be puffing into the air like little smoke plums. The first time I noticed this was when we lived in our apartment and it was a foggy misty day. I think the mist loosened whatever was holding the pollen filled pockets and they were pluming pollen all over!

It was beautiful. I believe I have a few photos of that kicking around but I think there were taken on my film camera and are not the greatest photos.

I’m just wondering if my small Mugo pines are going to do that this year too? It would be cool to see again!






Sign up for Home Depots Garden club emails

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I know that many of my readers have gardens, or plants growing on their balconies and patios. I’ll even go so far as to bet that you get some of your plants and lawn and garden supplies at Home Depot.

If you click on the image that I’ve listed above, you can sign up for Home Depots Garden Club newsletters.

When you sign up for the Garden Club you’ll get information about exclusive offers and receive coupons for items that you might purchase for your garden. Who doesn’t love exclusive deals? I know I love ’em!

You’ll also get gardening news, gardening tips, regional reports and a whole lot more.

I love the idea of getting additional gardening tips, but I’m interested in signing up mainly for the exclusive deals and coupon savings. Check it out for yourself. 🙂

Tulips on last legs

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White Tulip

It’s funny, with the summer like heat we’ve had this week the tulips that were still blooming grew even more. Some of the tulip blooms are sitting on stems that are easily 2.5 feet in height! Those stems were only a foot to a foot and a half tall a week ago. They look kind of strange.

The tulip that I’ve shown you in the above picture is no more. Time and the heat took it out of the picture. Now it’s leaves are wilting and turning yellow.

A tip for those of you who are new to gardening. Once your tulips have finished blooming cut off the stems but don’t do anything that will damage the leaves. You want the green leaves to stay as long as possible because they are gathering nutrients and energy for the tulip bulb. You will have a strong healthy looking flower next year if you let the green tulip leaves wilt and die down naturally.

Yes, once the tulip leaves are more than 50% yellowed I do go around and cut them down, but I don’t do it any earlier than that as I love my strong and healthy tulips each spring.

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