April 2014 President’s Message by Penny Claiborne Dear Friends, In this issue: March and April are two of my favorite months of the year. But this year with March Chronicles 2 still having some very cold weather, and what seemed to me a lot of rain, I don’t know if March is really one of my favorite months this year. I say it seemed like a lot of rain

Lunch and Learn 3 because while we were trying to finish our house there was one delay after another due April Meeting to the bad weather. We couldn’t pour the concrete driveway because the ground was too wet. Then they could not get sod because the ground was too wet to cut the sod David Holloway 4 at the sod farm. Now that the sod is in I am hoping for a little (and I stress “a little”) interviews Amy Stewart rain since we do not have an irrigation system. Dragging sprinklers around is one of my 5-7 least favorite things to do pertaining to gardening. They say “April showers bring May flowers” so I am praying for a few showers but not storms! Mission Statement 8 Officers By the time everyone is reading this letter we will have moved in the new house and may even be sitting on the back porch overlooking the marsh with a cup of coffee. Of course my mind will be reeling with ideas of garden projects that need to be done on Dates to remember: the property. As with most of ya’ll I will be thinking of not only the planting, but also  March 27-30,-Plantasia MBG the fertilizing and weeding. Speaking of weeds – why is it that weeds seem to multiply and double in size overnight? And why are they so hard to pull but the precious  April 1,--Board Meeting seedlings of our favorite perennials pull up so easily? (If anyone has an explanation for  April 3,-Member Meeting this please let me know.) Then there is the smell of fresh cut grass. Either you love it or you hate it. I love it! Ah, Spring!  April 5,-Rainbarrel Workshop JAC I do hope everyone had a chance to go to the Festival of Flowers to be inspired by the landscape exhibits followed by a visit to Mobile Botanical Gardens Plantasia with the  April 10,-One Enchanted hopes of finding a few new to replace the freeze burned ones in your gardens. Evening MBG And I hope it is obvious that we have begun revamping the gardens around the Jon  April 12,-9th Annual Archer Ag Center. Our newest addition is the Herb Garden in the front of the Educational Seminar. building which faces Schillinger Rd. I would like to encourage you to take a walk around  April 16,-Jim Scott Gardens the building and check out all the gardens as they each offer something unique. If you Trip are interested in helping maintain any of the gardens please do not hesitate to contact me and I will put you in contact with the right person.  April 26, -Cathedral Square Market Opens In the month of April we have several exciting events planned. The second spring planting will take place on April 5th. Our learning seminar with Amy Stewart will take  April 28-30,-AMGA place on Saturday April 12th. Then on Wednesday April 16th we will be going to the Conference, Daphne Jim Scott Gardens on Lake Martin. This will be an early morning trip and space is limited. At the end of the month (April 28-30) the AMGA Conference will be held in Baldwin County. The fun just never seems to end with Master Gardeners!!! Blessings to all, Penny Chronicles by Nancy Adams Page 2

I see a few Bradford pear blooms and On April 16 at 6:15 a.m., a bus will contact persons for appetizers, and some daffodils, so maybe spring is leave Dauphin Way Baptist Church for a Elisa Baldwin or Annette actually on the way! The long winter tour of world traveler Jim Scott’s Daugherty will be accepting items for has given us time to dream and plan for private gardens - ten acres on Lake the silent auction. Seminar tickets what we hope to soon see blooming. Martin near Montgomery. The cost for are on sale for $20. Checks may be the trip is $20 for Master Gardeners. sent to Susan Morrison, treasurer. The DREAM Garden at JAC has Contact Brenda Bolton for more been planted and now needs to be Other Dates: Plantasia – March 27- information. watered daily. If you have time to help 30; AMGA Conference in Daphne: with this, please let Diane Anthony or Volunteers are still needed to help with April 28-30 (Regular Registration Marsha Stolz know. As of this setup and details for the Educational $100; Postmarked After April 1 - writing, most dates are still available. Seminar on April 12 at the JAC. $145) We are asked to bring appetizers, put www.baldwincountymastergarden The workday on March 12 to revamp out posters around town, lend planters ers.com or the gardens around the JAC was good. to be used in the garden, and provide www.amgaconference.org. Penny Claiborne and several MGs items for the silent auction. Sybil cleaned the Native Garden, making Burnett and Sue Stefan are the notes about future plants there, and then they designed a plan for the Front Garden. Watch for notices about future workdays for these and other gardens around the building.

The First Monday Lunch & Learn programs have us spoiled. We have learned to expect great programs and, so far, none has disappointed. And the crowd keeps growing. For the March program, Ellen Huckabay’s subject was Growing Turf. Turf grass is one of Ellen’s specialties, and her presentation, followed by the question/ answer session, was timely and informative.

Our speaker for the March general meeting, Pat Heroman, of Heroman Services Co. LLC based in Baton Rouge, presented his program entitled Interior Landscaping: Interior Plant Design and Care. Using beautiful plants, pottery, and visual aids to demonstrate ways that his company uses houseplants as truly beautiful Elevated Walkway—Jim Scott Gardens works of art in the home and/or the Probably the garden’s most remarked-upon feature is its trio of elevated walkways that office, Pat emphasized the importance lead from the house through the tree canopy. Jim originally built them so that his late of unity: the right plant in the right place wife, Vivian, who was no longer ambulatory, could still tour the grounds. Today, the in the right pot. walkways provide visitors with a wider perspective on the plantings below. Page 3 Coming Events

Lunch and Learn

A “First Mondays” program presented by Mobile County Master Gardeners, a program of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System Monday, April 7, 2014 Noon to 1 pm

Where: Jon Archer Center, 1070 Schillinger Road N., Mobile, AL 36608 Bring a friend and a lunch. Free. Drinks are provided.

Presenter: Dianne Sellers, Mobile County Master Gardener Topic: Growing Roses On The Gulf Coast

For more information: 251-574-8445 or www.aces.edu/Mobile/mg

April 3, Member Meeting 9:30 Social—10:00 Meeting

John Olive will identify our plants Limit of 2 plants per member.

David Holloway Interviews Amy Stewart —The Drunken Botanist

AL.com -- My first thought when I received my copy of “The Drunken Botanist” was to flash back to my college years in a way that may surprise some of you. Contrary to what you might think it wasn’t the drunken part, it was the botany part. The study of plants wasn’t my strongest subject; I think I made a D in the course.

So you can understand my skepticism when I received the book in the mail that explained in detail the relationship between drinking and plant science. But author Amy Stewart crafted a wonderfully entertaining book that made me want to rethink my own personal bias against plants.

On April 12, Stewart will be coming to Mobile, Ala., as the guest of the Mobile County Master Gardeners. She will be appearing at the 9th annual Master Gardener Educational Seminar at the Jon Archer Center on Schillinger Road.

Stewart, a bona fide botanist who is also the author of the book Flower Confidential, will discuss plants and gardening. But she will also spend a chunk of time talking about how mankind has used plants through the ages for something very important – making libations. Author My first question to her was simple: Why do a book on plants and drinking? Amy Stewart Here answer was equally simple: “You can’t have the drinking part without the plant part,” she said.

She pointed out the obvious to a dope like me, that all alcoholic beverages are made from plants. All of them, not just a few, but all of them from a sloe gin fizz to a fuzzy navel have roots in the soil.

At this point, I’m hooked.

Her message, she said, is to remind people that without plants we would have no cocktails. “I’ll be talking about the broad spectrum, how barley ends up in whiskey and some plants get added at the distillery. How hops in beer and juniper in gin change and improve the flavor for the better,” she said.

As for the home gardener, Stewart said there’s plenty to learn about how to grow your own plants to enhance your cocktail experience. “Well, I have a cocktail garden with 40 varieties that can be used in drinks,” she said.

A cocktail garden? Who knew? Maybe I have a green thumb after all.

She recommends amateur gardeners grow the things that they like to add to your cocktails. If, for instance, you like to sip on a mojito or a mint julep in the evening, then a nice array of mint plants would be an excellent idea. “We can be specific enough to tell you which mints to plant for which drink,” she said.

Herbs and some flowering plants also are wonderful add-ons for making cocktails more flavorful and Stewart said she will offer suggestions for how to maximize your plant production.

Living here in the humid subtropics, though, we can’t always grow everything we need when we need it. Stewart’s advice is quite logical: adapt and overcome.

“It’s all about growing what you can and making the best of where you live,” she said.

She pointed out that living in the Northwest as she does, she’s envious of our long and early growing season. “We can’t grow melons, watermelons and things like that. I have a wonderful watermelon tequila drink that is flavored with basil so you learn to love what you have,” she said.

Stewart’s presentation will be at 2:30 p.m., but the event starts at 1 p.m. when the county’s master gardeners will host a reception in their demonstration garden at the center. A host of tasty appetizers and some non-alcoholic infusions will be served.

The seminar is open to the public, but seating is limited and reservations are required. Tickets are $20 and the deadline for reservations is April 4. Send ticket information and a check to Mobile County Master Gardeners, 12915 Dauphin Island Parkway, Coden, AL 36523.

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Page 5 Echinacea Chosen 2014 Perennial of the Year by the National Garden Bureau

Because of the vast assortment of flower colors and shapes available to today’s gardener, and because they are such an American staple, Echinacea was chosen as the 2014 Perennial of the Year by the National Garden Bureau. The classic flower shape continues to be a favorite in home and public gardens so it’s time we highlight the history of the “tried and true” classics as well as some of the newer varieties sure to please any home gardener.

History The coneflower is a native to central and eastern North America and is a member of the family. Other flowers in the Asteraceae family include daisy, sunflower and aster. The name “Asteraceae” finds its origin from the Greek word for star. The main family feature is its composite flower type: Its capitula (flower head) is surrounded by involucral bracts. Most Echinacea blooms are oversized bright disks atop rings of downward-curving petals. The name “Echinacea” is also derived from the Greek word “echino,” which means spiky or prickly, referring to the plant’s floral center. The florets are hermaphroditic, with both male and female organs on each flower. Pollination occurs most often with the help of butterflies and bees.

Medicinal Uses Besides its native landscape and prairie appeal, the herbal and medicinal use of Echinacea has been documented through the years. Herbalists use the roots/rhizomes and herbs of Echinacea to treat or ward off various infections and maladies. It offers a general boost to the immune system, and has antidepressant properties. Echinacea angustifolia was used by Native Americans to soothe sore throats, headaches or coughs – symptoms of the common cold. They first saw the benefit of using Echinacea medicinally by observing elk that sought out the plant and ate it when wounded or sick. In the mid-19th century Echinacea was used as a pain reliever and increased in use as an herbal medicine through the 1930s in America and Europe. The plant E. purpurea contains the chemical compounds cichoric acid and caftaric acid. These phenols are common to many other plants. Other phenols include echinacoside (found in E. angustifolia and E. pallida roots). These phenols can serve as markers for the quantity of raw Echinacea in the product. Other plant components that contribute to health effects include alkylamides and polysaccharides.

Breeding Resurgence Since its popularity as an herbal supplement has grown, many consumers may not be aware that Echinacea can be grown easily and enjoyed as a garden flower. Today, more and more gardeners are seeking out perennial plants as long-term investments that offer good value at an effective cost. Perennials are the building blocks of any home garden. Planting foundation beds of perennials is a practice widely used by landscape designers as a way to provide multi-season color, texture, shape, and to reduce garden maintenance. Gardeners perceive perennials in general as a good value as their hardiness and forgiving nature equates to less risk.

To supply this new demand for perennials, Echinacea has been one of the varieties seeing a significant growth in breeding activity. It remains a “top five” perennial in terms of retail sales. Several advances have produced plants that have set a new standard in compact-growing, well-branched Echinacea. Breeding trials have resulted in bringing free-flowering plants to market that overwinter successfully in cooler zones. Poor winter hardiness is a source of frustration with some gardeners. However, recent breeding has developed seed-grown varieties selected specifically for their bold coloring and trialed for overwintering success to USDA Zone 4.

Echinacea in the Garden You’ll find wild growing Echinacea in sunny, dry open woodlands and prairies. The plant prefers loamy, well-drained soil, but it is little affected by soil pH. Cultivated Echinacea offer reliable performance as a perennial plant under a wide variety of conditions. Echinacea can be propagated from seed or vegetatively using various techniques, such as division, basal cuttings, or root cuttings.

Echinacea is attractive to birds, bees and butterflies making it a great choice for a pollinator-friendly garden. It is generally deer resistant. Because of their root structure, the plants are drought tolerant and can withstand heat and wind. Used in garden borders or backgrounds, Echinacea adds color and texture for a wildflower or prairie-style garden. For best visual impact, plant in masses. Deadhead florets to encourage further blooms. Echinacea flowers through the summer (June through August). Its seedheads can be left to dry on the plant to feed wild birds through the fall and winter. Continued on page 6

Page 6 Echinacea Continued from page 5

Echinacea plants will reseed in the fall, with new flowers growing the following season. Hardiness zones vary by variety, with a range from USDA Zone 4-9.

Starting from Seed When growing from seed, Echinacea will flower in 11-15 weeks so if started indoors early enough, it is possible to get flowers in the first season. With most varieties, sow seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before outdoor planting date. Plant the seeds 1/8" deep in soilless growing medium. Cover lightly with 1/4" fine soil and keep moist at 65-70 F. Seedlings should emerge in approximately 10-20 days.

As with most seedlings, you can transplant them to larger containers when seedlings have at least 2 pairs of true . Before transplanting the young plants to the outside garden, harden off by exposing the plants to outdoors for gradually increasing time frames.

How To Grow Echinacea are generally low maintenance. Plant in full sun, or light shade in hotter climates. Dividing every few years will keep them healthy. No additional fertilizing is necessary as heavy fertilization leads to tall, leggy plants that flop. Also, avoid over-watering as Echinacea prefer drier conditions once established.

While most home garden Echinacea is ornamental, it can be grown as a fresh or dried cut flower. Allow flowers to mature on the plant before harvesting. Dry by hanging upside down in a well-ventilated, dry area. Fresh Echinacea has a short vase life of seven days.

Pests and Diseases Echinacea may be affected by slugs, Japanese beetles, Bacterial Spot, Powdery Mildew, or botrytis.

Species The U.S. Department of Agriculture recognizes nine distinct species of Echinacea:

Echinacea angustifolia – Narrow-leaf Coneflower Echinacea atrorubens – Topeka Purple Coneflower

Echinacea laevigata – Smooth Coneflower Echinacea pallida – Pale Purple Coneflower

Echinacea paradoxa – Yellow Coneflower Echinacea purpurea – Purple Coneflower

Echinacea sanguinea – Sanguine Purple Coneflower Echinacea simulata – Wavyleaf Purple Coneflower

Echinacea tennesseensis – Tennessee Coneflower

Common/Popular Varieties ‘

Cheyenne Spirit’ is a seed grown hybrid Echinacea with excellent overwinter performance on drought tolerant plants. It is an All-America Selections winner, regarded for its brilliant segregated color range: red, orange, purple, scarlet, cream, yellow and white. Hardy to USDA Zone 4. It grows 18-30 inches (46-76 cm) tall and 10-20 inches (25-51 cm) wide.

‘Double Scoop™ Orangeberry,’ available as vegetatively propagated plants, grows 24-26 inches (56-66 cm) tall and spreads 16-22 inches (41-56 cm) wide. It is hardy to USDA Zone 4 with a high count of fully double, pompom flowers in bright colors.

‘Kim’s Knee-Hi’ grows 18-30 inches (46-76 cm) tall, spreading 24-36 inches (61-91 cm) wide. It is a vegetatively propagated variety with mauve-pink petals drooping back around a burned-red center.

‘Magnus’, a basally branching seed grown variety, grows to 26-36 inches (66-91 cm) tall and produces large 4.5-inch (11 cm) blooms. Petals are held flatter than other varieties in a pink-rose color with orange-brown center. Tolerates heat, drought and wind.

‘PowWow™ Wild Berry’ is an All-America Selections winner. This seed-raised Echinacea has intense rose coloring and produces many flowers in its first season. It is very drought tolerant and doesn’t experience color fade. Remains compact at 16-20 inches (41-51 cm) tall and spreads 12-16 inches (30-41 cm) wide in the garden. Continued on page 7

Page 7 Echinacea continued from page 6

‘Prairie Splendor’ is an American Garden Award Prize Winner from 2010, as voted on by the gardening public and it’s no wonder! ‘Prairie Splendor’ offers non-stop blooms almost a full two weeks earlier than most Echinacea and blooms right through fall. It is 24 (61 cm) inches tall and available from seed.

‘Primadonna White’ is a white compact plant with nice, bright white flowers, perfect for the evening garden. It also has‘orange- green cones that stand up erect from the petals. Hardy in USDA Zones 4-9, this variety, available from seed, grows 28- 36 inches (68-91 cm) tall and can also be used as a cut flower.

‘Sombrero™ Hot Coral’ grows 22-24 inches (56-61 cm) tall, spreading in the garden 24-26 inches (61-66 cm). Available as vegetatively propagated plants, it blooms June through August and has vibrant color with overlapping petals which leaves no gaps. It grows on sturdy stems, and is floriferous for many months of enjoyment each season.

‘Tomato Soup’ is a beautiful tomato-red Echinacea with large 5” blooms that are deliciously fragrant. These long-blooming plants grow up to 32 inches (80 cm) tall and are available as vegetatively propagated plants.

‘White Swan’ is a white-flowering Echinacea growing 18-22 inches (46-55 cm tall). Raised from seed, it has a yellow center over dark green, coarse and serrated leaves, and is heat and drought tolerant.

For More Information The National Garden Bureau recognizes Ball Horticultural Company as the author of this fact sheet. Ball, through their breeding companies PanAmerican Seed, Kieft Seed, Ball Floraplant and Darwin Perennials, offers many new varieties of Echinacea.

This Fact Sheet is provided as a service from the National Garden Bureau. The use of this information is unrestricted. Please credit the National Garden Bureau as the source.

Sombrero

Prairie Splendor

Pow-Wow Wildberry Cheyene Spirit

Prima Donna White

Raspberry Truffle

Tomato Soup Kim’s Knee High Double Scoop Orangeberry White Swan Mobile County Master Gardeners Mobile County Office 1070 Schillinger Rd. N. Mobile AL 36608-5298 Phone: 251-574-8445 E-mail: aces.edu/Mobile/mg

Officers President Penny Claiborne ‘10 Mission Statement: 1st Vice President Regina Gunn ‘11 2nd vice President Brenda Bolton ‘12 The Alabama Master Gardener Recording Secretary Nan Costello ‘10 Volunteer Program is an educational Corresponding Secretary Beth Walmsley ‘11 outreach program provided and Treasurer Susan Morrison ‘07 administered by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

Board of Directors Term Expires Glenda Eady ‘09 2014 Greer Wilhelm ‘10 2014 Alice Marty will publish the Dirt on the 25th of each month. Articles for inclusion must be received by the 15th of the Jackie Jenkins ‘11 2015 month and may be submitted to Alice Marty Joe Pippin ‘11 2015 [email protected] or the Extension Office. Mary Ann Days ‘11 2016 Carol Eskridge ‘12 2016 Issued by Past President - Connie Barron ‘08 Ellen Huckabay

Regional Extension Agent Appointees

Newsletter Editor Alice Marty ‘07 Volunteer Activity Coordinator Elisa Baldwin ‘06 Volunteer Hours Coordinator Jo Hayes ‘99, Genie Schneider ‘12 2013 Class Representatives Kathy Sanders and Jan Tanner The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M ACES Advisor Ellen Huckabay University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity educator and employer. www.aces.edu

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