Leif - Knechts Nurseries & Landscaping

There’s a Whole Lot of Rubbing Going On. Protect Your Trees!

Leif September 2, 2020

Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry

Leif April 26, 2019

One of the best small flowering trees of use in southern Minnesota is the lovely Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry. In late April to early May , beautiful lacy white blossoms cover this close cousin of our native serviceberry, just at the time when we are longing to see lots of flowers

Oak Trees Rock!

Leif May 9, 2018

Many people are surprised to learn that oak trees can fairly quickly develop into high quality strong and beautiful trees that will add value and enjoyment to your landscape. A few simple steps will ensure that in just 5 to 10 years, an oak tree will become an impressive part

Needle Shedding on Evergreens

Leif October 21, 2015

This is a re-print of this blog that we published October 2013. We have received phone calls from customers and thought it was relevant to re-publish the blog. Autumn is a time of change as all living organisms prepare for the onset of winter, many birds migrate south, weasels and

Trees and Shrubs for Wet Spots

Leif June 11, 2015

Have you had problems with trees and shrubs dying in damp or poorly drained areas of your landscape? Tired of paying good, hard earned cash on plant materials and watching them struggle in a periodically or chronically wet spot? Try some of these varieties and you will probably see better

Japanese Tree Lilac

Leif June 11, 2015

Japanese Tree Lilacs are now showing large, lacy white blossoms that seem to float on the edges of the trees, even as they infuse the air with a sweet and rich fragrance. While the blossoms of most other lilacs are at their best in May, the Japanese Tree Lilac usually

Staking a Newly Planted Tree

Leif June 4, 2015

Some newly planted trees will benefit from staking to help the tree grow straight and establish quickly, while for other newly planted trees, staking may be unnecessary. While several factors come into play when deciding whether or not to stake a newly planted tree, and there are several methods that

Fox Valley Dwarf River Birch

Leif May 28, 2015

If you have an area in your landscape that has soil that is intermittently soggy and other small trees or shrubs have failed in this damp soil, you may want to try planting a Fox Valley Dwarf River Birch, which can tolerate wet soils. Fox Valley Dwarf River Birch is

Common Chokecherry Tree

Leif May 28, 2015

Spring is the time of year when many of us think about planting fruit trees, and unfortunately, the Common Chokecherry tree often gets overlooked. If you like to make jams and jellies, it would be a good tree to consider planting. Chokecherry trees are a southern Minnesota native that produces

Good as Gold

Leif May 21, 2015

While Goldmound Spirea has long been a shrub considered to be a old standard for placing some vibrant leaf color in our landscapes, some people consider spireas in general to be too old fashioned. I differ, viewing spireas as hardy and reliable shrubs that can serve a useful function and

Dakota Pinnacle Birch

Leif May 21, 2015

If you are looking for a tree that has moderate size, a handsome shape, beautiful bark, leafs out early, holds leaves until late fall, has buttery yellow fall color, is disease resistant, can grow in a wide variety of soils and is very cold hardy, Dakota Pinnacle Birch might be

Dancing Serviceberries

Leif April 30, 2015

Serviceberry trees and shrubs provide beautiful white blossoms in early spring, followed by tasty reddish/purple fruits in June or July and wrapping up with nice fall colors of yellow/orange/red. As I have watched Serviceberres offer me visual and taste treats in spring, summer and fall over the years, my admiration

Wonderful Fragrance with Plum Trees

Leif April 30, 2015

Some of the very best garden fragrance experiences are now happening as plum trees of all kinds are coming into full bloom all across Southern Minnesota. Thickets of American Wild Plum in the countryside fill the air with sweet fragrance that you can catch even driving by them if you