Archive for August, 2013

Daylilies Not Blooming?

Gardeners become disappointed when their daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) are not bloom. There may be reasons for this including: old clumps in need of dividing, inadequate nutrition, too much nitrogen fertilizer, too much shade, and pest and disease issues. Daylilies may be shaded or crowded out by overgrown trees, shrubs, ground covers, or weeds. Heavy amounts […]

Labor Day Holiday Begins Home Lawn Recovery

Hopefully, summer’s extreme heat, drought, and in some areas flooding, are about over. Late summer and fall are opportune times to start a new or renovate your home lawn. Rainfall is usually plentiful and cooler day-night temperatures should spur a rapid grass recovery. Your current lawn may be mostly bare ground with lots of weeds. […]

Arrowwood Viburnum Very Tough U.S. Native Shrub

Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) is an easy to grow deciduous shrub that handles most landscape conditions, including soil types (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8). It grows best in full sun and in a well-drained soil. Clusters of tiny, creamy-white flat-topped flowers appear from late spring into summer. A bountiful crop of dark blue berries […]

Divide Irises In Late Summer

Irises (Iris spp.) are beloved spring flowering perennials. Perhaps some fans and clumps flowered poorly this spring. There are several reasons for this, including: old clumps in need of dividing, weather issues, poorly drained soil, inadequate nutrition, too much nitrogen fertilizer, heavy shade, and pest and disease problems. Irises do not compete well for space […]

Recommended Tall Fescue Cultivars

Tall fescue is considered one of the best cool season lawn grasses around homes and on public and commercial lands in the eastern and midwestern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5 thru 7). The cultivar K-31 is still an old standby, but so many better performing cultivars have now within reach. They feature improved color, plant […]

Fungus In A Lawn A Natural Phenomena

White or brown colored mushrooms are the visible reproductive (fruiting) structures of some types of fungi. An umbrella-shaped fruiting body is the most common form, but mushrooms come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. Most people call them mushrooms, toadstools, or puffballs. Mushrooms are the reproductive stage of fungi and their spores are “seed”, the […]

Pest Alert: Inspect All Garden Roses For Rose Rosette

Rose rosette is a serious virus disease of roses (Rosa spp.). Over the past 3 years ago gardeners have experienced losses of popular shrub roses. The disease continues to gain ground across the U.S. Rose nurseries are working feverishly to find a solution. Landscapers and gardeners should inspect all garden roses, including hybrid tea, grandiflora, […]

New ‘Big’ Begonias Showier Alternative To Wax Begonias

Wax begonias (Begonia x semperflorens) continue to be dependable a summer flowering annual for gardens and container use. They also hold up to summer’s heat, humidity, and dry spells and foliage remains mostly pest and disease free. Begonia benariensis are a relatively new introduction by the Benary Seed Co. and are trademarked as Big™ begonias […]

‘Sun King’ Golden Aralia Brightens Up Any Garden Spot

Plants with golden foliage can brighten up a drab green garden patch. Sun King golden aralia (Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’) is no exception, hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3-9. The golden compound foliage emerges in mid-spring and retains its bright color throughout the summer. This herbaceous perennial grows 4 to 6 feet high and 3 […]