June/July 2003 ENSION'S

/ fcA Successful irt NC STATE UNIVERSITY NORTH CAROLINA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

Carolinians

Increase Their JC Raulston Arboretum Focus Knowledge of Sweetspire, A Great North Carolina Native Gardening,

Manage Their irginia swcetspire, Itca virginica, has the characteristics we all look for Landscape when we hear the word "native." Easy to establish, swcetspire is insect Investment & n and disease resistant and drought tolerant. It has great leaf and flower color and works well in the naturalized sections of the urban landscape. This Protect the deciduous shrub is considered homegrown, not just in North Carolina but Environment from the pine barrens of New Jersey to the Florida wetlands and west to Missouri. Swcetspire produces white, fragrant flowers in May or June on racemes from 3- to 6-inches long. It flowers on the previous season's wood, so prune immedi inside ately after the blooms fade. Fallcolor is superb when the green foliage, which is oblong and slightly serrated, turns to hues of yellow, orange, crimson and Ornamental purple and remains on the plant until December. One drawback is its tendency Grasses Add to spread. A mature plant might only be 3 to 5 feet in height but will spread up Color to to 10 feet in width. This tendency to take up space makes this a perfect choice Landsca for mass plantings in tough locations such as slopes or hillsides where we would frequently use junipers. Swcetspirecan handle plenty of sun but will develop a thinner canopy in light shade. Though this plant tolerates dry sites, it prefers moist, fertile soil. Look for some of the nursery selections such as 'Henry's Garnet' and 'Little Henry' that have a more restrained growing pattern. These selections Enviro-Ti will have the characteristics noted above but the spread will be limited to 1 1/2 times the height of the specimen. Both can be seen at the JC Raulston Arboretum (JCRA) at NC State University. If you would like to compare additional but perhaps lesscommon swcetspire , the JCRA also retains 'Longspire', 'Merlot' and 'Shirley's Compact' within its collections. Garden The JCRA is located at 4301 Beryl Road in Raleigh; Web address is £••• IzT- *> ':•• Spot www.ncsu.edu/jcraulstonarboretum. Carl Matyac

TOP AWARDS RECEIVED FROM: • International Associatl Business Communica National Association o • County Agricultural Ag Southern Extension F(

N.C. Association of County Agricultural Ag

Printing Industry

Underwriter •Duke Energy Ornamental Grasses Add Color, Texture, Variety to Landscape

Ornamental grasses are quite popular for North specimen plant. Northern sea oats spread by Carolina landscapes. Theirstriking array of textures, underground creeping rhizomes, grow 2 to 5 feet forms, sizes and colors offers multiseason interest and are green during spring and summer, turning with unique appeal for designers and gardeners. to a beautiful tan in late fall. hnperata cylindrica, The term "ornamental grass" describes all grasslike 'Red Baron' Japanese blood grass, grows 12 to IS' , including sedges, reeds, rushes and a wide inches tall and exhibits beautiful cranberry-colored host of others. foliage in summer and tall. It is hardy to zone 7. The leaves and flowers of grasses each have their The Carexgenus includes over 3,000 species Ornamental Grasses and distinct ranges of color. Spring and summer foliage whose popularity in the landscape has increased Companion Plants colors include myriad greens, from dark forest to tremendously in the past few years. Carex comans lime and gray-green to blue-green, as well as powder 'Bronze', a hair sedge, has long, thin, blue, red and bright yellow. Variegated foliage adds arching and trailing foliage with bronze, copper-like cream white and snow white to the choice, as well color. Its unique shape makes it an excellentspecimen as occasional suffusions of rose-pink during cool days plant, and it is hardy in zones 7 to 9. 'Frosty Curls', at the beginning and end of the growing season. Carexalbula, is a versatile plant. It does well in lull Foliage colorsof grasses have a long-lasting pres sun to partial shade and is drought tolerant. Its light ence in the garden, remaining as various flowers green, thin leaves cascade down and almost lie on come and go. The spring foliage ot golden millet, the ground. 'Frosty Curls' is a great container plant c/frtsnm 'Aureum', is vivid chartreuse, which that sometimes appears silvery in shade gardens. It can match the color strength of May flowers in the is hardy in zones 7 to 9. landscape garden. The rich sea-blue fescue, Festnai Ornamental grasses are highly resistant to inser* glauca Wleerblau', will continue long after the sur and disease problems, tolerant to heat and drougi ^ rounding heaths and heathers have ceased blooming. and require little or no pruning. Two important Variegated Hakone Grass Following is a list of a few grasses with a brief requirements are full sun and well-drained soil. The n ,v* -:•.,• description of form, habit and color. grasses listed have specific hardiness limitations and Weeping lovegrass, liragrostis aiwnla, is a should not be used beyond the recommended zones. favorite lor eastern North Carolina on slopes or Prune back ornamental grasses in spring to eroded areas, and is hardy in zones 6 to 10. eliminate any overwintering insects or diseases. Pennisetutn alopecuroides 'Hameln' is a dwarf This is best accomplished with pruning shears or fountain grass that is great in masses and works electric hedge clippers. The new growth will begin well in smaller gardens. It grows to 2 feet with to appear in late spring when it is time to apply plumes and is hardy in zones 5 to 9. Quaking fertilizer. General recommendations would include grass, Briza media, is a cool-season perennial that 8-8-8 or 10-10-10. For clump-type grasses, use I grows best in full sun. Use in rock gardens and to I 1/2 cups per established plant. For ground- dried arrangements. It is hardy in zones 4 to 7. cover-type plantings use 2 to 3 pounds of a com Northern sea oats, Chasniaiitbiinn latifolium, is an plete fertilizer per 100-foot-square of bed area. 'Hameln' Dwarf excellent grass to use in a mass planting or as a Willie Earl Wilson Fountain Grass

Fall Webworms

Fall webworms leave a very unsightly web in the branchesof speciesare the pecan, elm, willow, birch and chokecherry. many fruit and ornamental trees, and they are most noticeable in Female moths lay masses of eggs on the underside of leaves from late summer to early fall, hence their name. May to August. After the eggs hatch, the larvae will form their webs They have two generationsper year: the firstoccursin May and in the branches and then proceed to feed on the web-enclosed foliage. the second inJuly and August, with the second one usually being most There are two races of this insect. One has a black head capsule and harmful. The larval stage causes mostof the damage due to feeding a yellow or green body with a dark stripe down the back and long, on the leaves within the web. The younger or immature larvae feed on white hairs. Black and orange tubercles, or small bumps, are along the leaf, leaving the veins; the mature larvae will consume the whole its sides. The other has an orange to red head and a yellowish-tan leaf with theexception of the petiole. Some of theirfavorite plant body with orange to reddish see Fall Webworms on page 3 Why are my trees dying? Extension's Successful Gardener Most of us Burlapacts as a wicking material and pulls Recipient of have a soft spot in water awayfrom the roots when leftexposed. 2003 Garden our hearts for trees. With mature trees, the cause of the Globe Award of It's upsetting when they start to decline, decline usually can be traced to some stressful Achievement and many people suspect some plague or event within the past five years. With large by the Garden pest has invaded overnight. In most cases, trees, any type of soil disturbance within 50 Writers Association however, the cause turns out to be less to 75 feet of the trunk can be detrimental. dramatic, but more complex. If the decline Excavation, tillage, trenching and grading occurs within two years after planting, it is can cause severe damage to the root system. almost certainly due to improper installa Covering the roots or crown with deep soil tion. There seems to be an epidemic of or mulch can also lead to dieback. Keep in trees that are planted too deeply, mulched mind that a large tree that is dyingcan pose continued from page 2 to death and girdled by guy lines. In many a significant hazard to people and property. cases we find that the installer failed to fold Contact a certified arborist to help you tubercles along the sides. The back the burlap which leads to the roots evaluate the problem and to recommend a hairs are brownish in color. dying before they can become established. course of action. Paul McKenzie The adults are white moths that have black spots or orange markings on the body and legs. Tap the Sun's Energy to Control Pests Controlling fall webworms in the home landscape is not E^IVIRO Want to know how to control oversaturate the soil. Add just enough necessary as their feeding some of your plant pests just by using water to make the soil moist. Next, usually does not significantly the sun? Solarizarion is a practical, place a piece of plastic (1 to 6 mils) damage the health of a tree. non-chemical technique which traps over the soil and bury the edges Usually, natural predators and radiant heat energy from the sun about 12 inches deep in a trench. parasites will keep the web and raises the temperature of the Clear plastic is preferable though worms in check, particularly surrounding environment which color plastic may be used. if their web is broken open. causes physical, chemical and biologi If you want to remove the Timing cal changes in the soil. These changes web for aesthetic reasons, Long, hot, sunny days are needed help control or suppress soilborne use a stick or pole with a nail to reach the soil temperatures required plant pathogens such as fungi, inserted crosswise to snag to kill soilborne pests and weed seed. bacteria, nematodes and weeds. individual webs. Twist the The longer the soil is heated, the Solarizarion also provides other pole after insertion into the better and deeper the control will be benefits. When the soil is prepared web and wrap the web to of all soil pests. In North Carolina, for the solarizarion process, soil tilth remove it. If spraying does mid-June through mid-August are often improves which helps plants become necessary, for the best months to get desired results. grow. The benefits of higher yields aesthetic or other reasons, Leave the plastic on the soil for 4 to and improved quality, while reducing some possible options are (-> weeks. This will heat up the soil the use of pesticides, help make up acephate (Orthenc), Bacillus to the point of killing off most of for the inconvenience associated with thuringiensis (Dipel) and the plant pests and pathogens to a solarizarion. pyrethrins (Pyrenone). depth of almost cS inches. Though they are not a serious How to Natural ways to control pests are ardenta1 problem in the landscape, they Solarize Soil very popular and there are many can affect production on such Till and then best management practices that you "The flowers trees as pecans. If you have rake the soil free can add to your pest control regimen 1 are nature's questions, please contact your jewels, with of debris and large that will minimize the amount of county Cooperative Extension clumps. If the soil pesticides you use. Contact your local Center for more information. r> whose wealth she decks her is dry and pow Cooperative Extension Center for Crystal Paul summer beauty" dery be sure to more details. David Barkley - George Croly water. Do not WR www.successfulgardener.org

Gardening in June and July COOPERATIVE EXTENSION llrlpiix Prop/r Pul •.:•-:•-.:< to MM Lawns • Water your lawn when it shows signs of moisture stress: Extension's Successful Gardener'" program provides timely, research-based horticultural bluish-gray color, footprints that remain in the after information. The newsletter ispan ofthestatewide walking on it and possibly wilted, folded or curled up leaves. horticulture program which includes Extension's • This is the time when brown patch shows up in cool-season Successful Gardener" Regional Seminar Series andcounty workshops. We publish K) issues per grasses. Do not fertilize cool-season grasses in the summer. year. Comments concerning Successful Gardener1 • Cut the grass at the proper height: turf-type tall fescue - 3 may be sentto: to 3 1/2 inches; zoysia - 1 to 2 inches; centipede - 1 1/2 to 2 Successful Gardener"1 Editor Department ofCommunication Services inches; hybrid Bermuda- 1 to I 1/2 inches; common Box 7603, NC Slate University Bermuda - 2 inches. Raleigh, NC 27695-7603 Editor and Project Coordinator Leah Chester-Davis Ornamentals Extension Communication Specialist • Snap off growing tips of your chrysanthemum plants when Project Coordinator: Emily Revels they are about 6 inches tall. They will branch more and Consumer Horticulture Agent, Mecklenburg County increase fall bloom. Assistant Editor Karen Neill Consumer Horticulture Agent, Guilford County The Mountain Stake dahlia tubers when you plant them so Compilations Editor Ben Dungan Horticultural Crops they'll have support later. Consumer Horticulture Agent. Gaston County Research and Extension • lie extremely careful not to damage the Contributors: Countv [fame Phone y v-i' in rietcner conducts researcn bark when mowing or using a string on fruit, vegetable and ornamental crops trimmer around trees and shrubs. Brunswick David Barklcy (910)253-2610 Burke Donna Teaslcy (828)439-4460 • Check plants regularly for damaging that results in better plants for the horticul Cabarrus David Goforth (704)792-0430 tural industry and the public. insects and diseases. Catawba Fred Miller (828)465-8240 • Don't plant trees and shrubs Durham Paul McKenzie (919)560-0525 Located in the southern Appalachian Mountains Tob) Bost now unless you are prepared to Forsyth (336)767-8213 near Asheville, this is one of the most visited Gaston Ben Dungan (704)922-0*A1 water regularly. Better to plan research stations in the state. Visitors get a close-up Guilford Karen Neill (336)375-: what you want and wait until Henderson Diane Ashhiirn (828)697-48^ look at research projects rangingfrom apples, to fall to plant them. Iredell Donald Breedlove (704)873-0507 rhododendrons, azaleas and mountain laurels, to Uncoln Kevin Starr (704)736-8452 Edibles lenburg Emily Revels (704)336-2561 medicinal herbs. Another research emphasis is Mike Wilder (252)459-9810 • Train and support tomatoes. centered on agritourism and studying the use of ((range Roue Hardin (919)245-2050 • Watch for blossom-end rot on Randolph (336)318-6005 sunflowers and other plants for crop mazes. tomatoes. Apply a calcium chlo Rowan Darrell Blackwelder (704)633-0571 Visitors may not roam freely throughout the Union Willie Karl Wilson (704)283-3741 ride solution if the disease occurs. Wake CarlMatyac (919)250-1100 research areas, but they are welcome as part of group • Cover fig bushes and blueberry AllAgents of,\.C Cooperative Extension tours. To arrange a group tour of 10 or more at bushes with netting to control birds the research station, call (828) 684-3562. You from eating your harvest. Ask for Extension's Successful don't have to be part of the tour to enjoy • Allow strawberry runners to develop Gardener™ newsletter at one ofyour local garden centers each month! a touch-and-smell herb garden on the into new daughter plants. This will increase next year's harvest of berries. research site. To learn more, visit Fora lisiofgarden centerswhereyoucan find >://fletchcr.ccs.srate.nc.us/. Continue spraying the orchard for diseases Successful Gardener*', please call (704)336-2561 and insects. Craig Mauney or visit Cooperative Extension ontheweb at httpyAvww.successhilgardener.oig Disclaimer: The use of brand names does not imply endorsement byN.C. Cooperative Extension nor discrimination against similar Featuring Cooperative Extension agents: products or services not mentioned. Distributed in furtherance ofthe actsof Congress Almanac Gardener • On UNC-TV stations of May 8 andJune 30, 1914. North Carolina State Saturdays, Noon, and Sundays, 3 p.m. (repeat) University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action tosecure Making It Grow! • On WTVI42, Charlotte equal opportunity regardless ofrace, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex. age. ordisability In Saturdays, No~ addition, thetwo Universities welcome allper sons without regardto sexual orientation. North Successful Gardener"" newsletter is provided to you compliments of: Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department ofAgricultu and local governments cooperating. Vol. 5. No*^ Successful Gardener™ may notbereproduced without written permission. Any news media usingsectionsof the newsletter should credit "Cooperative Extension's Successful Gardener ."

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