Ornamental pears have escaped our gardens and sown by the thousands in natural areas. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has asked Hoosiers to stop planting this invasive species. Photo courtesy Ellen Jacquart
You’ve probably been wondering about all of those white-blooming trees we’re seeing everywhere. All over Indiana, the ornamental pears (Prunus calleryana) are blooming or getting ready to. I just got back from a speaking engagement in Evansville and the farther south I drove, these blooming trees dotted the landscape. There were hundreds of them of all sizes.
This is an example of good intentions gone bad. Over time, different varieties, some thought to be sterile, have cross-pollinated to produce fruit, which is spread by birds. One only has to look in natural areas of the city, in disturbed lands and woodlands for the narrow, white-blooming trees. Commonly called Bradford or Cleveland pear, these trees have escaped our landscapes and now displace native trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals, which disrupts the ecology.
A year ago, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources requested Hoosiers to stop planting this tree. In addition to being invasive, ornamental pear is also weak branched, making it a short-lived specimen. A neighbor has replanted these trees twice in my 29 years here. When yours goes, consider replacing it with serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) for a longer-lived, beautiful, four-season, native tree. Birds love the fruit and so will you. Other options: crabapple (Malus spp.), fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus, C. retusus), panicle hydrangea (H. paniculata) and sweetbay magnolia (M. virginiana).
What to do with store-bought spring bulbs
A couple of people have asked if you can transplant spring bulbs to the landscape if they’ve been forced to bloom. These are the daffodils, tulips, crocus and hyacinths sold ready to bloom in garden centers, grocery stores and other retailers.
These forced bulbs are perfect for potting up in containers along with pansies, violas, primroses and other spring bloomers.
What can you do with the bulbs when you change them out for summer fare?
You can transplant them to the garden. It may take a couple of years for the bulbs to bulk up and bloom again. Or they may not bloom at all.
Transplant upon removal from the spring pot, if possible. Or, set aside to allow the leaves to ripen – turn yellow or brown. Remove the ripened leaves before transplanting. After transplanting the bulbs, apply a bit of granular fertilizer along the soil surface and water the area. It’s always a bit of a gamble, but you are only out the labor.
Separate and plant bulbs after foliage has ripened. (C) Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
Mark spring-bloomging bulbs now
This is a good time of year to note where you have spring bulbs blooming, which batches need to be transplanted this fall, where there need to be more flowers of a certain color. You can mark the areas with stakes or flags.
This year, I’m going to take photos of the landscape so I’ll have an idea where I need to add more or move around spring bulbs. The perennials, shrubs and trees in the photos will serve as markers, she said, with great optimism and good intentions.