tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14731145.post2054968089875398645..comments2023-07-26T08:12:40.144-04:00Comments on Flatbush Gardener: Insect Year in Review 2021Chris Kreussling (Flatbush Gardener)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08467595231097695124noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14731145.post-11291812946790058272022-12-05T09:40:27.546-05:002022-12-05T09:40:27.546-05:00Unfortunately, my spicebush didn't survive thi...Unfortunately, my spicebush didn't survive this harsh summer. I now have a similar issue though, with a Northern Bayberry that I purchased this fall. I'll wait until next spring and try to figure out what I got. Since I wrote my original comment, I've stopped by your place and gotten a tour and some plants, so thank you!RG_brooklynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11506465477821352288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14731145.post-14486301611515960882022-11-29T17:40:07.233-05:002022-11-29T17:40:07.233-05:00Rachel: Thank you for your patience! I don't g...<b>Rachel</b>: Thank you for your patience! I don't get a lot of comments on the blog, other than spam, so I had overlooked yours.<br /><br />The best is to buy a matched pair. This is possible for more popular shrubs, such as hollies. I've never heard of for spicebush.<br /><br />Did it flower for you this year? If so, did you get any photos of the flowers? That way you'll know if you have a male or female plant. Then you know you just need to find the other. You might have to pay more for a specimen that is large enough to flower so it can be sexed.<br /><br />See <a href="https://flatbushgardener.blogspot.com/p/native-plant-nurseries.html" rel="nofollow">Sources for Native Plants</a> at the top of the blog to see what nurseries might be able to complete your pair.Chris Kreussling (Flatbush Gardener)https://www.blogger.com/profile/08467595231097695124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14731145.post-36034988082159525612022-02-10T13:33:10.062-05:002022-02-10T13:33:10.062-05:00Hi Chris, I'm a neighbor in Kensington. I'...Hi Chris, I'm a neighbor in Kensington. I've long admired your pollinator garden, and believe we have spoken when my dog has stopped by to smell the flowers. I'm new to native plant gardening, and have a smaller space than you. In addition to my relatively small planting beds, I'm considering growing a few native shrubs or trees in containers to limit their growth or spreading tendencies. An example would possibly winged or smooth sumac. Understanding that certain species require both a male and female in order for the female to produce the berries that are so beneficial to wildlife, do you have suggestions as to how someone with a small space can ensure they wind up with both a male and female? I've seen suggestions to just buy a whole bunch of shrubs, and then hope you wind up with at least one of each, but with my limited space this isn't feasible, and obviously can get expensive. Last year I purchased a spicebush, before realizing it was dioecious, and I don't know yet whether I have a male or female plant, or if there's another somewhere close by that could cross pollinate. Have you run into this issue? Any native plant nurseries that are better than others at helping out with this? Thanks for any tips. Rachel.RG_brooklynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11506465477821352288noreply@blogger.com