Enter to Win a Poinsettia or Christmas Candy Can Wreath!

Offical Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open only to legal residents of Kansas or Missouri in the Greater Kansas City Metro area, who are 18 years of age or older as of 12/18/2012. Void wherever prohibited by law.  Employees of Rosehill Gardens, Inc., and their immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of each sponsor are not eligible.  By participating, entrants agree to be bound by the Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor. 

TO ENTER: 

Beginning 10:00 a.m. central standard time on 12/5/2012 and continuing through 10:00 a.m. central standard time 12/18/2012 the total number of ”likes” on the Rosehill Gardens Facebook page for each individual post that explains why you think you or someone else you know should win the wreath will be officially totaled.  The top 5 participants with the most “likes” on their posted entry will be declared winners of a 10 inch Poinsettia by Rosehill Gardens.  Of the top five entries, one entry will be chosen by Rosehill Staff at their discretion as the final winner based on the reason given for wanting the wreath.   All winners will be announced on the Facebook page as well as contacted through Facebook.  Entrants will be allowed only one post although others may comment on their post.  “Likes” will not be totaled for more than one post per person.  Only one “like” (vote) per person will be included in the totals.  Pictures can be used in the post entry.

Any obscene language or pictures, as determined by the sponsor, posted by the person posting the enty or comments to that entry will immediately disqualify the entry.  That entry and all comments to that entry will be removed from Facebook.  In order to win the prize the winner must own the property to be landscaped or be able to get express written permission from the owner of the property being submitted in the entry.  All entries must be for landscapes inside the Kansas City metro area to qualify.   

Limit one entry per person/household address regardless of method of entry.  No mechanically reproduced posts or “likes” of any kind permitted.  Illegible and incomplete entries are void. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected posts or “likes” or posts or “likes” not received.

SELECTION OF WINNER:  At 10:00 a.m. Central Standard Time on 12/18/2012 the eligible post with the most “likes” attached to that post from 10:00 a.m. Central Standard Time 12/5/12 through 10:00 p.m. Central Standard Time 12/18/12 shall be deemed winners. If there is a tie in the number of “likes” Rosehill Gardens will pick the winner of the tie based on the post with the best explanation for the best reason as decided by Rosehill Gardens.   Decisions of Sponsor are final on all matters. Winners will be notified by Facebook.  Limit one prize per person/household address.  Odds of winning will depend upon the number of eligible posts received.

Prize:  One Grand Prize – 5 winners will receive one poinsettia from Rosehill Gardens.  One winner will be chosen to receive one candy cane wreath from Rosehill Gardens.   Prize consists of only those items specifically listed as part of the prize. No substitution or transfer/assignment of prize by winners permitted. Subject to all terms, conditions and restrictions imposed by issuer.

All federal, state and local taxes are the sole responsibility of winners.  All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.  Potential winners (or parent/legal guardian if potential winner is a minor in his/her state of residence) may be required to sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility/Release of Liability/Prize Acceptance Form, which may require social security number, postmarked within 10 days of the date on notification materials. Noncompliance within this time period and/or return of any prize/prize notification as undeliverable may result in disqualification and an alternate potential winner may be selected from all remaining eligible entries. All winners must produce picture or some other form of proper identification to claim any prize.  Sponsor reserves the right to substitute any prize with prize of equal or greater value. Acceptance of any prize constitutes permission to the Sponsor to use winners’ name, voice, statements, image and likeness for purposes of advertising and trade, in any medium, without further compensation, unless prohibited by law.

TERMS:  Sponsor not responsible for any typographical or other error in the printing, the offering or the announcement of any prize or in the administration of the promotion, whether caused by computer, technical or human error. Winners assume all liability and agree to hold Sponsor harmless for any injury or damage caused, or claimed to be caused, by participation in this promotion or use or redemption of any prize.  Sponsor is not responsible for late, lost, damaged, incomplete, illegible, faulty, or incorrect transmissions, incorrect announcements of any kind, technical hardware or software failures of any kind, any damage to any person’s computer related to or resulting from participating in the online portion of the promotion, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmission that may limit a user’s ability to participate in the sweepstakes whether caused by computer, technical or human error. All terms of promotion shall be construed according to, and any disputes shall be subject to, the laws of the State of Missouri.  Sponsor reserves the right to cancel or modify the program for any reason, including but not limited to, if fraud, misconduct or technical failures destroy the integrity of the promotion; or if a computer virus, bug, wireless failure or other technical problem corrupts the administration, security, or proper administration of the promotion as determined by Sponsor, in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify, freeze or prohibit the participation of an individual if fraud or tampering is suspected, or if the individual fails to comply with any requirement of participation or with any provision in these Official Rules. Any attempt to undermine the operation of this promotion is a violation of criminal & civil laws. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify and/or seek damages from any individual making any such attempts to the full extent permitted by law.

WINNERS LIST: For a list of winners, available after 12/18/2012, visit Rosehill Gardens facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/RosehillGardensInc

 I have been telling all my friends what a great place that Rosehill Nursery is for quality of product and the people that work there….thanks!

 Michele Norris

Also check out on KSHB’s KC Live show https://www.facebook.com/KCLiveTV/app_57675755167

The facts about EAB in Kansas City

The beetle that has infested much of the northeastern United States has finally made its’ way to Kansas City.  The truth is, if we are just now seeing the beetle itself, it has been here for two to four years already.  Because of the life cycle of the beetle and its larvae, the Emerald Ash Borer probably did not show up overnight.  Right now EAB has been found in Platte County and is thought to have spread from there already.  The thought of containing such an insect with so much firewood movement throughout the country, as well as within untreated nursery products was unrealistic from the beginning.  As the economy worsened and nurseries went under they may have been less concerned about proper treatments required before shipping product across the country.  In any case, the beetle is here- so what is it, what does it mean and how do we cope with it?

 What is the Emerald Ash Borer?

Let’s start by explaining what the Emerald Ash Borer is.  The adult is an emerald green bullet-shaped beetle about ½ an inch long.  The larva, which causes the destruction in trees, is white and flat with bell-shaped segments.  It can be up to 1 ½ inches long.  The Emerald Ash Borer originated from Eastern Asian countries and came to the United States in approximately 2002 through wood-crated imports.  We should have known it could be a problem for us given that before we knew about EAB, China planted Ash trees in preparation for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  Needless to say EAB decimated those trees.

How does it kill ash trees?

The Emerald Ash Borer lays its eggs on the bark of the ash trees.  The eggs hatch and the larvae burrow under the bark.  The larvae galleries feed and bore through what is considered the vascular or circulatory system of the tree.  Just under the bark is a part of the tree that in human terms is similar in nature to our veins that carry blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout our bodies.  Once interfered with, the tree can no longer transport nutrients and water to the rest of the tree.

How do you detect EAB?

You will first notice thinning of the tree canopy, followed by branch dieback in the upper portion of the tree.  You may notice increased activity of woodpeckers on the tree.  They like to eat the larvae.  You will notice wood splits in the bark and winding tunnels under the bark.  A telltale sign is a D-shaped hole no bigger than 1/8 of an inch wide where they exit.  You may notice new sprouts growing up from the bottom of the tree.  Be careful though.  Any one sign by itself doesn’t mean the tree has EAB.  Don’t be too hasty to consider your tree infested by EAB.  There are many borers and beetles out there and many issues causing stress and decay of trees.  If by some chance you do find evidence of EAB on one of your trees, contact us here at Rosehill and we’ll send one of our experts out to help identify EAB and discuss the next course of action.

So, what does this mean to everyone in Kansas City?

At Rosehill, we have what we consider sister companies throughout Northeastern United States, which also happens to be where EAB has been for years now.  We have been aware of EAB and what it has done to those communities over the years.  What it has also given us is history, foresight, and the most risk-reducing methods of treatment.  We have no reason to expect the spread and effects of EAB to be any different than what those areas have already experienced.  It is expected that within 2 – 4 years EAB will spread throughout most of Kansas City.  They will target the unhealthiest or stressed trees first, eventually spreading to all ash trees.  Most importantly it will kill any ash tree that goes untreated.  Within four years, EAB damage will be noticeable throughout the Kansas City area.  It is estimated that 30% or more of all street trees and 15% of ‘all’ trees in Kansas City are ash trees, so you can imagine what that will do to the Kansas City landscape over the next six years and beyond.

Ok, so are our beautiful ash trees doomed?

All that shade, not to mention the energy savings our ash trees provide are just some of the reasons ash are Kansas City favorites .  Some areas in other cities have thrown in the towel and cut them all down avoiding the problem altogether.  Other cities have actually paid money out of city budgets to save trees.  Our advice is to consider alternatives before making any decisions.  First of all, keeping your tree healthy and vigorous is of utmost importance.  This means keeping them properly pruned, mulched, and watered and avoiding bark wounds to help them reduce the risk of any kind of insect attacks.  Also, a healthy tree responds better to treatment.   Keeping your trees healthy can help prevent EAB for a period of time, but the truth is at some point unless you’re lucky enough to have the only ash tree for miles, chances are EAB will find your tree as well.  This is why at some point if you want to protect that beautiful ash tree that has given you years of enjoyment, you’ll need to consider alternative treatments.  Keep in mind researchers are working across the country to find new chemicals to control EAB.  They have also in the past been successful finding natural solutions to solve natural problems.  For example, they have recently tested tiny wasps from China that are known to lay their eggs next to EAB larvae.  The developing wasps consume the larvae before it has a chance to damage the tree.   Unfortunately, this solution has not proven successful enough to have a large enough impact on controlling EAB.  There are also pockets of ash trees back east that for some unknown reason have not yet been touched by EAB.  Researchers are trying to find characteristics that point to why these trees remain unwelcome to EAB.  The point is, they are still trying solutions that could someday control EAB so although the outlook right now looks bleak, given time ‘you never know what they might come up with’.

Consider treatments

If you decide to treat your ash tree the two main factors are timing and placement.  What measures you decide to use should depend on the timing of where EAB is and what time of year it is.  Most publications say wait until EAB is found within 15 miles of your property before treating for EAB, or if your property is located within 15 miles of an EAB quarantined area.  What we would say is, depending on the time of year and how much you care about a specific ash tree can determine when you may want to treat the tree more so than your proximity to where EAB has been found.  EAB is very difficult to track and control so no one can guarantee that EAB isn’t closer than we think.  One infected log transported from an infected area will be another neighborhood of dead ash trees in 2 years.

The other factor is the timing of treatments.  They are most effective when the tree is carrying nutrients up the tree, therefore depending on the treatment, your tree can only effectively be treated from February through July, or during September.  If you decide to wait on treating your tree, you may be taking the chance that by the time you’re able to effectively treat it, you may already have EAB.  Although there are treatments to kill EAB after it has infested your tree, obviously it’s best to prevent EAB from ever doing any damage and weakening it by catching it beforehand.  Chemical treatments are taken up through the tree the same way nutrients are.  If damage prevents the nutrients from being taken up, the chemical treatment cannot be absorbed as well.  Early treatment and prevention is best to insure protection.  This isn’t a scare tactic to get people unnecessarily treating trees.  It is insurance against EAB and its’ unguaranteed at that.  You’ll have to make your own decisions as to whether, when and how to treat your trees.

Rosehill’s recommended treatments:

Soil Drench Method

Without calling a company such as Rosehill with licensed chemical applicators, there is only one way at this point that individual tree owners can treat their trees for EAB.  It is a soil drench method that should be put down between February and May as the roots of the tree wake up.  It is applied to the soil at the base of the tree.  The tree will come out of dormancy and pull the chemical Imidacloprid, or commonly known as Merit, up throughout the tree.  It will kill any larvae and future larvae.  The residual effect is expected to last up to one year.  It is only recommended for smaller ash trees because of the limits on the concentration of the chemical allowed.   We carry a couple of options in our retail center for customers to apply themselves.  For larger trees or better protection, you will need to call a company such as Rosehill to apply a higher concentration.

Rosehill will offer two other options beyond the soil drench method that must be applied by a chemical applicator:

Bark Spray Method – The bark around the trunk of the ash tree is sprayed from the ground to 6 – 7 feet up the tree.  It is fast acting and lasts one year.  It is applied from May untill mid-July and kills eggs laid in the bark, as well as larvae trying to burrow into the tree.  This method is both preventative and can be used to kill EAB larvae currently existing within the tree.

Tree Injection Method – A highly concentrated chemical is injected directly into the vascular system of the tree.  This is the only method that last up to 2 years.  It is applied from May through July, and also during September.  This method, with the correct timing, is the best option for a tree already showing signs of damage.  It has been proven to kill 99% of EAB larvae, and has a very quick uptake.  This method is both preventative and curative.

To treat or not to treat

We will be making recommendations for all three methods to our customers based upon many factors.  The time of year will be a key factor, along with any damage done to the tree already.  If over 30% of the tree is already damaged from EAB, we may recommend that treatments cannot help.  The tree will be hard to save at that point and may not heal well enough aesthetically to be worth saving.  Keep in mind, treating trees with existing EAB damage ‘can’ kill damaging larvae and allow the tree to heal itself, but it will take time, possibly years, before you may see signs of the tree looking better.

Deciding whether to treat your tree for EAB, or simply removing the tree if and when it gets EAB are difficult decisions.  There are many benefits to consider when deciding whether to save your ash trees:

• The loss of shade that contributes to the quality of life in your yard
• The loss of property value that can result
• Increased energy costs without the tree
• The actual cost of removal can be in the hundreds or even the thousands to remove
• The cost to grind down the stump is usually $300 to $500
• The cost to put in a replacement tree depending on size can be $300 to $1,500
• Treating your tree can give researchers time to come up with a possible solution to EAB
• Commercial properties can treat to postpone tree removal costs

Please help stop the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer.

Don’t bring in firewood from outside your area and don’t transport firewood to other areas.  Educate yourself and always be on the lookout for EAB.  For more information on EAB, an excellent source is eab.missouri.edu.  If you suspect your ash tree is infected, or if you are interested in having your ash trees treated for EAB, call us at Rosehill at 816 941-4777 to talk to one of our experts.

Curtis Stroud, owner and
Randy Dukes, Maintenance Supervisor  rdukes@rosehillgardens.com

Rosehill Gardens, Inc.

Other useful EAB Sites:

http://www.emeraldashborer.info/

http://extension.missouri.edu/emeraldashborer/

Crape myrtle loves our hot Midwest summer sun, rewarding gardeners with lush colorful and long-lasting

blooms throughout the tough months of July and August. Best flowering occurs when they’re planted in absolute full sunlight; even one hour of shade per day can compromise blooming. Colors vary from deep purple to red to white, with almost every shade in between. While they grow best in any decent soil, crape myrtles easily adapt to poor soil, and don’t need much water or fertilizer. They’re tough shrubs—don’t kill them with kindness!

Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia) is a member of the Loosestrife family; the genus is named after the Swedish merchant Magnus von Lagerström, who supplied Carolus Linnaeus with plants he collected. Butterflies love crape myrtle; silk moths dine on the leaves of a particular Indian variety, and produce the commercially important Tussah Indian silk.

The shrub can be injured during cold winters in our part of the country, and it’s not easy to assess the extent of the damage until spring growth begins. Since crape myrtle blooms on the current season’s growth, it’s best to prune in the spring for best summer flowering. You can enhance crape myrtle hardiness by avoiding excess watering, fertilizing, and fall pruning. After autumn leaf drop, heavy mulching will protect them from extreme winter temperatures. Just remember: the key to maximum summer bloom is ample heat and sun.

We’ve got lots of beautiful blooming 3-gallon crape myrtles at Rosehill Gardens right now: Pink Ruffles, Royalty, Victor, Dynamite, Pink Velour, Diamond Dazzle Dwarf, and Red Rocket “Whit IV”. Come check out these gorgeous summer standouts!

The plant virus rose rosette has been much in the news around Kansas City lately. Take heart, rose lovers: incidence of the disease generally peaks in midsummer, so if you’ve not yet seen it on your roses, you may be okay.

However, it would be wise to keep an eye on your Knock Out roses. While resistant to most rose diseases, there are local reports of rose rosette on Knock Outs this year. The symptoms of the disease are contorted and uncontrolled growth with excessive thorns, and ugly purplish-red leaves; hence, the moniker witches’ broom.

Rose rosette disease is contagious, and can be spread by your pruners—be sure to disinfect garden tools, gloves, and anything else that may have come into contact with a diseased plant. Once a rose is infected, there is no cure. The only solution is to remove the entire infected plant and dispose of it responsibly, preferably by burning. If burning is prohibited in your area, spray the diseased plant thoroughly to kill the mite that carries the disease, and bag it before disposing of it in the trash.

Rose Rosette has actually been around for sometime. It was discovered in Nebraska in 1941 and since then spread to through the Midwest. often carried on wild roses.  This plant problem is transmitted by an organism called the eriophyid mite. This mite is around 140 microns long so the only way to see it is with a microscope or high powered magnifying glass. The mite is a carrier of asters yellow phytoplasma.  Asters Yellow causes plants to produce weaker new growth that is more susceptible to damage.  The mite that produces asters yellow can be found around the new axillary buds on roses. The female bug lives up to thirty days and can lay an egg everyday. These bugs over winter in plants and are present again in the spring. The best way to deal with this is to watch for symptoms.

 The symptoms vary from rose to rose but can always be recognized by the irregular growth habit in comparison to the rest of the plant. A few of the most prominent things to look for are excessive thorns, distorted leaf shape, dark red coloring in new leaf growth, thick inconsistent stems and abnormally small leaflets and leaves. In addition to the strange growth, these plants are more susceptible to fungal disease and damage from winter frost.

 If you have infected plants remove them from your yard. The rose and roots need to be removed.  The mite can spread easily but can only infect roses. They are not a risk to other plant species. There are chemical agents like miticides and insecticides that can be used to deal wit this.  Sevin and Talstar are excellent and should be applied every two weeks in April and September.

We’re beginning to pay the price for last winter’s mild weather, in the form of pests and diseases in the garden. Many local gardeners may have already seen evidence of tomato spotted wilt virus on tomato, potato, and pepper plants—a disease spread by thrips. Thrips are tiny (1-2mm long) slender brown insects, that look like very small splinters of wood. In spite of their diminutive size, thrips can bring a whole host of problems to the garden, including tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). Control the thrips; control the disease.

Stunted growth and rings on leaves and/or fruit may be the first signs of TSWV that are apparent to the gardener. Leaves will become brown and wilted. It’s important to destroy affected plants as soon as the disease is positively identified, as it is highly contagious, and could affect an entire garden—or neighborhood!—in short order.

The first line of defense is to eliminate the elements that create a conducive environment for thrips. Good weed control means you have taken away their primary food source; hence, they’ll seek a better meal plan elsewhere. Be vigilant about eliminating weeds and you may save your vegetable garden in the process!

Father’s Day can mean many different things to fathers and kids.  It can mean it’s a time for Dad to relax.  It could mean a time for Dad to spend quality time with his kids.  It “could” mean Dad get’s a break from his kids.  Sometimes gifts are involved and sometimes we just show Dad how much he means to us some other way.  I used to clean my Dad’s garage.  It wasn’t something I looked forward to but I knew he didn’t destroy his garage, chances are “I did”.  I always knew he would appreciate that more than anything.  Then we’d go to dinner wherever he wanted to go.  Of course, he always chose a place we’d want to go to also.  What’s important for Father’s Day isn’t what you do for Dad, it’s that you show him in some special way that you care about him.  That’s why here at Rosehill we want to give you just one more option for a special way to show Dad you care.  Whether you want to have a tree planted for Dad, or the kids would like to plant the tree with Dad as something they can do together, we’d like to help make it possible.  That’s why starting Tuesday running through Sunday (Father’s Day) we will deliver any tree purchased at our Garden Center free of charge, or if you’d like us to plant it we’ll give you 50% 0ff our normal planting fee.  Dad can relax knowing part or all of the work has been done for him.  We have many fathers right here at Rosehill and we want to see all Dads have a rewarding Father’s Day.

Fathers Day Specials (June 13th through June 17th):

•    Buy a tree, get your choice of free delivery or half-price planting.
•    Buy three shrubs, get one free.
•    Buy three trees, get one free AND get free delivery.
•    Buy one geranium or tomato plant and get one free.

Paul D.

Come  join us at the Garden Center to gather unique and creative combinations for your containers.  We will show you how to incorporate annuals, perennials, herbs, tropicals and succulents for your own personalized combination to take home.  Bring in your favorite containers (limit 2, please) and let us help you choose the right plants to express your individuality.  We will provide the soil, potting area and staff assistance. Special class discount of 20% off plant purchases for the container! No RSVP needed.  Just come in with or without a container.

Once you have completed your container we will take a picture for you and automatically enter you into our facebook contest for a gift certificate of either $100, $50, or $25.

Pick a day that works best for you:

Saturday, June 2, at 10:00 am

 Tuesday, June 5, at 5:00 pm

Saturday, June 9, at 10:00 am.

Last year in Kansas City we had a very wet spring followed by a very dry summer.  Weeds were terrible to say the least.  This year we have had a very dry winter and spring and no cold weather during the winter.  The bottom line answer to the above question is, “the weeds will once again be bad this year”. 

Weeds will grow in almost any environment but they will grow best in environments under stress.  That means whenever there isn’t enough water for turf or when there is too much water for turf, any conditions that cause stress to your turf.  Think about your grass being in a constant struggle with weeds above the surface and below the surface.  The conditions below need to be just right for your turf so they can crowd weeds out.  The water must be consistent and reach the roots to promote deep root growth.  Above the surface the grass needs the right amount of sun.  Too little or too much sun are guaranteed to be conditions better suited for some type of weeds than your grass.

We can’t control the sun, although sometimes we can control the shade by adding or thinning trees.  What we can at times control is the amount and frequency of water.  Your turf will do best if you water more frequently for shorter periods of time.  Your landscape, and specifically trees, on the other hand has deeper roots and likes more water but less frequently.  The other variables you can control are proper use of fertilizers and herbicides.  It is essential that any chemical applications are timed correctly especially during years like this year where the weather is abnormal.  Rosehill chemical applicators pay close attention to weather trends and moisture in determining when to put down chemical applications.  With Spring here 3 plus weeks early you can bet the weeds were here that early also.

For your part make sure you properly mow at the correct frequencies and lengths depending on the conditions.  Water and fertilize your lawn to encourage healthy turf growth and minimize thin turf.  Make sure you catch weeds as early as possible with a post-emergent application or by pulling them roots and all.  Remember Rosehill has a complete turf application program that includes weed control both before and after.  Good luck in pushing the grass up and the weeds down.