Absolutely Bushed

Holiday gift ideas for gardeners and landscape lovers

The Holidays are fast approaching, and no doubt there are some garden enthusiasts on your gift list. Here are some gift ideas for all those Green Thumbs... and some for the “horticulturally challenged” as well.

Hoping to get some garden paraphernalia yourself? Maybe you should circle or highlight some of my suggestions and strategically place this page as a hint for your significant other!

Garden Hose Instead of the common-or-garden variety treat your favorite horticulture fan to something special. The biggest problem with most hoses is that they get in a tangle and are a real nuisance to stow away after use, even when using a reel with a crank handle.

Recently, several manufacturers introduced self-coiling hoses that look a bit like an oversized version of that curly cable attached to the handset of an old telephone. You simply attach one end to the faucet and stretch the hose out to the area you need to water. When you’re done, the hose stores itself back in a neat, compact coil. A good example is the aptly-named Anaconda brand that includes a trigger sprayer and a watering wand for about $70.00. There is also smaller version, ideal for use in greenhouses and for watering hang plant baskets.

Bird Feeder a new feeding station is always a welcome gift for anyone who cares about wild birds. You can find a wide variety from basic models at local stores to more sophisticated examples available from mail-order catalogs or online.

To attract the very smallest birds, some feeders utilize a fine mesh that can be filled with thistle and will thwart the beaks of larger birds. Other models have ingenious devices to prevent squirrels devouring all the bird seed and some come with suet cages attached to the sides to provide a birdie buffet. Expect to pay $20.00 to $75.00, depending on the style and quality of the feeder you select.

A butterfly house provides a sanctuary that will attract these delightful creatures to the garden next summer, particularly when placed near plants that butterflies love, such as Buddleia davidii (also known as the Butterfly Bush).

As always, you get what you pay for. Good quality bat houses and butterfly houses are in the $60.00 - $70.00 range, but certainly look better and last longer than cheaper, flimsier versions.

Gardening Books It seems there is no longer a stigma attached to the word “Dummy.” So if your loved one has no self-image issues, consider “Landscaping for Dummies” or “Gardening for Dummies.” Both are probably best suited to novice gardeners or new homeowners looking for some basic advice. Available at bookstores and those online book warehouses.

Odds and Ends... You can’t go wrong with a good pair of gardening gloves! Both the weekend warrior and the seasoned landscaper need decent gloves to protect their hands from the thorns and splinters.

How about a magazine subscription? There are many titles to choose from. Among the best: Gardening How-To (with step-by-step instructions), Backyard Living (with plans for outdoor DIY projects) or Horticulture (aimed at the serious garden enthusiast).

A garden caddy or cart is a nice gift for anyone who wants to tote along tools, seeds, twine, gloves and everything else as they work on their landscape projects. There are several choices out there from the simple to the more sophisticated.

QUESTION: Can you tell me any info about a tree that will get fishing worms on it every year? I can't seem to find it on the net because I can't spell it... something like fatoga, or phatogga tree. My dad had one when I was growing up and I transplanted it to my house. I understand that I have to purchase worms and place them on the tree the first year then they come back to lay eggs every year from then on..... Help! Barbara L. in Prosper 

ANSWER: Hi Barbara, I believe you're thinking of a Catalpa tree. The ‘official' name is catalpa speciosa and is often known as Northern Catalpa, Western Catalpa or Hardy Catalpa. There's also a Southern Catalpa, sometimes called the Common Catalpa or Indian bean. Catalpas will grow quite quickly, reaching 15 feet in the first seven or eight years. They can reach a height of 40 to 50 feet, although in the wild, Catalpas can grow as tall as 100 feet. Interestingly, the timber was often used for railroad ties as it is extremely resistant to rot. They like a sunny exposure and rich, well-drained soil. Not sure why fishing worms like them, though?

QUESTION: "I have a 3yr old Japanese Maple tree. Last year it was beautiful. This year only one of the bottom branches has leafed out. The rest of the branches seem to be dead as they break off easily and have no buds or leaves on them. I've called every landscaping place in town and no one seems to know what to do. All I want to know is should I cut all the dead branches off and only have a 2ft tree with 1 branch, and if I do will it grow new branches on top? Any help you give me will be greatly appreciated. I have no clue what to do with it or what caused it to do that. It was about 4ft tall, but when I cut it off it will only be about 2ft tall." - Monica H. in Celina
ANSWER: Hi Monica, it sounds as if you might have experienced some die back due to a late or severe freeze at some point. You should go ahead and trim out the dead wood. You will not hurt the tree just by helping it. New growth should appear, and you should also go on and fertilize to push out the new growth. Anytime that you experience this with your other plants you can follow the same procedure.  Until next time….Happy Gardening!!