Dear Master Gardener: I read about a plant called sea buckthorn that has edible fruit. I’ve never seen it in a local nursery. Is it a relative of the invasive buckthorn that we should be eradicating? Can it be grown in Minnesota? We would like to try growing more edibles.
Sea buckthorn is very thorny, which could be a limiting factor in wanting to plant it and make harvesting its edible berries difficult.
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Answer: Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), also known as seaberry, is a shrub or small deciduous tree with edible berries. It is not a relative of the noxious weed, common buckthorn, which is Rhamnus cathartica. They are neither in the same family nor the same genus. Sea buckthorn is native to Europe and Asia. This hardy plant was brought to North America in 1923, and naturalized in Canada in the 1930s. It is hardy to zone 3, so we can grow it in Minnesota. It is quite salt-tolerant, so there is no need to worry if it is near streets or sidewalks that get salted in the winter. Sea buckthorn has attractive silver-green foliage and orange fruit. It is very thorny, which could be a limiting factor and make harvesting the berries difficult. This shrub/small tree grows best in full sun and does not tolerate shade at all! Because it is a non-native plant, there is always invasive potential, however, observations of three cultivars for 10 years at Carandale fruit farm in Wisconsin have shown no suckering or spreading by seed. This plant seems to be pest-free although Japanese beetles love the leaves. Since you want to add more edibles to your landscape, this would be a good addition, although it might not be easy to find. The berries are very nutritious and high in vitamins (the nutritional value varies among cultivars). The berries are tart, but the tartness depends on the cultivar. The juice reportedly has a nice citrusy flavor.
Dear Master Gardener: We would like to plant a group of tall, native ornamental grasses. What do you suggest?
Answer: Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) is an iconic native prairie grass that once covered a large portion of Minnesota. It is a popular warm season perennial grass that reaches 4-8 feet in height, depending on the nativar (a cultivar of a native plant). It is hardy in zones 3-8. The foliage of this grass is blue-green with each branch having a purple spike. In the fall the foliage and spike turn bronze. It has a huge root system and because it is tall, it can fall over. Blackhawks is more upright with darker purple foliage than other nativars. It can be susceptible to rust though. In addition to adding an attractive ornamental plant with vibrant fall colors and interesting “turkey foot” seed heads, big bluestem supports pollinators and nesting birds and can be used to control erosion.
Dear Master Gardener: I have read about the decline of the bee population. What can I do to attract bees to my yard?
Answer: In light of growing concern over the recent loss and disappearance of bees and bee colonies many backyard enthusiasts are rediscovering a relatively simple and fun way to assist these essential pollinators. Attracting and keeping bees in your backyard can be easy, especially if you already enjoy gardening.
Bees are like you and me — they need food and water to survive. Bees rely on flowers to supply them with the food they need to survive. There are hundreds of different bee species in Minnesota. Different types of bees prefer different flowers.
Bees are attracted to most flowering plants, and are especially fond of blue and yellow flowers. Other colors such as purple, white, and pink also serve to attract bees. Make sure there are plants that will flower during different times of the season to keep your garden flourishing throughout the summer and well into fall. This serves to provide a steady supply of nectar and pollen for bees. A diversity of flowers planted near each other strongly attracts bees. Gardens with 10 or more species of flowering plants attract the greatest number of bees. The best plants are native annual and perennial wildflowers which naturally grow in our region. For a list of bee friendly plants that can be easily integrated into most landscapes visit the University of Minnesota Bee Lab website at
www.beelab.umn.edu
.
Water can be provided in very shallow birdbaths or by adding a quarter inch of sand to a large saucer, such as those designed to fit beneath clay flower pots. Fill the saucer so that the water rises about a quarter inch above the sand. Add a few flat stones, some should rise above the water and some should just touch the surface. These stones will allow bees and other insects to drink without drowning. To avoid creating a mosquito breeding site, be sure to change the water at least twice a week.
Dear Master Gardener: Should I deadhead my lilies? If so, how?
Answer: Deadhead flowers as they fade by breaking or cutting them off carefully — that way, none of the plant’s energy is “wasted” on seed production. Do not remove stems or foliage because they will continue to put energy into the bulb as long as they remain green.
Dear Master Gardener: My chives are flowering. Are they edible like the leaves? My basil is flowering, too. Should I pinch off the flowers?
Answer: Yes, the pretty, purple flowers on chives are edible and have a slight onion flavor. Chive blossoms are often used as a garnish, but can also be tossed in a salad. Not only can you use chives for culinary purposes, but the plants make an attractive edible edging in the perennial border and the flowers can be cut for flower arrangements. Basil flowers should be pinched off to promote leaf production.
You may get your garden questions answered by calling the new Master Gardener Help Line at 218-824-1068 and leaving a message. A Master Gardener will return your call. Or, emailing me at
umnmastergardener@gmail.com
and I will answer you in the column if space allows.
University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners are trained and certified volunteers for the University of Minnesota Extension. Information given in this column is based on university research.