Johnson's Nursery, Inc. February Landscape Maintenance Tips

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February is within the depths of winter here in Wisconsin, which means it's a perfect time to examine the yard for winter interest. Flowering plants are often thought of as the sole source for color or interest, but many plants have other interests. For example, conifers are often relegated to a supporting or background role in spring, summer and fall, but in winter, they become stars of the landscape with their various shades of green foliage, shapes, and textures.

Plants that bear fruit in the winter often provide two sources of interest - color from the fruit themselves and the activity of birds and other wildlife. Ornamental crabapples have the ability to provide food for birds throughout the winter. Washington Hawthorns, Black Chokeberries, Barberries, Cranberrybush Viburnums and many Junipers also provide colorful fruits for birds' enjoyment and ours.

Bark interest can also be a source of winter enjoyment. The smooth, sinewy bark of musclewood can easily be seen now as well as many colors of a redosier dogwood. Evergreens can have showy bark as demonstrated by Waterer Scots Pine.

Look for egg masses of gypsy moth and destroy them. The egg masses are covered with yellow to tannish hairs and are typically attached to the underside of branches, beneath or among loose bark, on recreational vehicles which sit long periods of time, on firewood, under eaves and inside protective plastic tree spirals. Removal of these large egg masses greatly helps lessen the amount of defoliation.

February is a great time to start thinking about the spring clean-up that is quickly approaching. If interested in having Johnson's Nursery aid in this task, please call to schedule for spring clean-up services - which includes, but not limited to: raking debris and leaves, cutting back perennials, fertilizing and/or remulching plant beds.

Landscaping Tips for February

Spring Clean-up