September 2003 XTENSION'S

NC STATE UNIVERSITY NORTH CAROLINA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

Carolinians

Increase Their JC Raulston Arboretum Focus Knowledge of Bring Magic into Your Garden with Resurrection Lily Gardening, Manage Their plant that goes by the names of resurrection lily, magic lilyand even Landsca I thesurprise lily isenough to make gardeners stop in their tracks.

Investment Those who grow this plant may know it by another, yet non-flashy, name - squamigera. Protect the L.squamigera is a late summer flowering . The foliage emerges every Environment spring, but then dies back by the beginning of summer. At this point, gardeners may assume it has died, but this is where the magic or the surprise lies. What actually occurs is that it goes into a brief dormancy period. After this brief dor mancy,which lasts for a few weeks, two-inch stalks emerge from what seems like barren ground. Within four days from first emerging, these flower stalks will bear anywhere from four to seven nodding, 3-inch, rose-pink . Creative /.. squamigera is one of the preferred Lycoris species to grow due to its wide Companion growing range. It is the most cold hardy of the Lycoris species. Not only that, Plantings but it also grows well in various soil types. This plant thrives in full sun or par tial shade, though its flowers perform best in tull sun. L.squamigera is attractive in borders and containers. It does well in an open woodland garden where its messy, late spring foliage is not a problem. The resurrection lily is a low maintenance plant, making it a joy for garden ers. Insects and diseases pose no problems and the plant does not require a lot Enviro-Tip of watering. Due to its brief dormancy period in late summer, it does just fine in the hot weather. Plant L. squamigera about 6 inches deep in the fall. They will gradually spread over time. Neighbors will be sure to line up to get their hands on this exciting gem of a plant. Check out this and other species in the Lycoris at the JC Raulston Gardei Arboretum at NC State University in Raleigh. They all seem to behave similarly Spot with that quirky transient attitude, so you have to be quick. Lycoris aitrca isa lovely golden yellow and L. radiata v. radiata hasstriking scarletflowers displayed like W^M spidery clusters. Learn more at www.ncsu.edu/jcraulstonarboren.im. Ben Dungan TOP AWARDS RECEIVED FROM

Garden Internationa1 Business C National As- County Agi! Southern I i Resource Spec:

L radiate v. ra L squamigera : - Robert E. Lyons ©> Creative Companion Plantings for Your Garden Canv*j Companion planting is the technique of creating the will not be happy. Do not put plants that "buddy" plants that grow well together. These prefer to stay moist with plants that do not like"wet combined plants benefit from the characteristics feet." Also consider the combinations of the color ot of each other. the flowers and the color and texture of the . The Native Americans developed one of the first Dr. Robert Lyons, director of the JC Raulston examples of companion planting. It was called Arboretum at NC State University, has some "Three Sisters"and involved planting corn, beans and recommendations, squash together in a hill. The corn stalks provided Picture these combinations: support for the climbing beans and the squash • The scarlet red flower of the Crocosmia x crocos- growing at the base ol the corn shaded out weeds. Daylilies and Crocosmias miiflora 'Lucifer' blooming in the middle of yellow One effect sought through companion plants is daylilies, Hemerocallis hybrid, during July. reduced insect pests. Usecompanion plants to hide, • A red cardinal flower, Lobeliacardinalis, coming repel or trap pests. For example, Japanese beetles out of the green and white foliage of the and spider mites do not like garlic, so this is a good Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus' ornamental grass. companion for roses. Onions, garlic and chives may • A beautiful bleeding heart, Dicentraeximia help block ants, aphids and flea beetles. Mint may 'Luxuriant', blooming deep pink as the new young keep cabbage loopers off cabbage plants while basil hosta leavesare growing. The fringe foliage of the can discourage tomato hornworms. Companion Dicentra intertwined in the hosta leaves adds interest. plants such as numerous perennials, asters, calen • Zinnia angustifolia 'Star white' with Caillardia dulas and cosmos add welcome color in the garden pulcbella ' Red Plume' and attract a variety of beneficial insects. Companion planting in its simplest form can be • Rudbeckia birta 'Indian Summer' with Zinnia angustifolia 'Crystal White' Bleeding Hearts & Hostas the combining of plants for no other purpose than visual effect. Combine plants to extend the flower • Iceplant, Delosperma cooperi, with Sedum album ing period in a planting bed, create a focal point 'Murale' or to provide a backdrop for flowers. Combining • Fountain grass, Pomisetum alopecuroides, with annuals, perennials, ornamental grasses, vines and Iris x germanica (bearded iris) herbs can provide a spectacular flower show, in • Fountain grass, Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum', both garden beds and containers. with Verbena bouariensis Becreative and experiment with what works well • Impatiens walleriana with Hakone grass, for your garden. Sometimes "accidents" with com Hakonecbloa macra 'Aureola' panion planting result in better combinations of • Pulmonarias with Fleucheras colors and textures than if they had been planned. • Lantana camara with Duckfoot coleus Remember these basic tips: Do not plant sun- Become a garden artist and paint your canvas Gaillardias & Zinnias loving plants with shade-loving plants because one of with companion plants. Emily Revels

Pansies Brighten Winter

Pansies are a delicate-looking flower often with a "face." The delicate looks do not mean they are fragile. This charming plant is quire durable, blooming prolifically from fall, when planted, through the spring when they perish due to the heat. The plant itself iscompact, not morethan 9 inches in both height and spread. Asgarden annuals go, this plant has one of the widest color ranges. The flowers may be of a single color or have two or threecolors with a face. Flower colors include red, purple, blue, pink, black,orange, yellow, white, lavender, apricot and mahogany. see Pansies on page 3 North Carolina Cooperative Extensi< a

Why do I need lime? Pansies

Lime IS needed theessential nutrients of calcium and mag- Wnen the SOU pH nesium depending on the type of lime used. IS low. Soil pFI isthe level There are two types of lime used for agri- of acidity in the soil. A soil that has a pH less cultural purposes: calcitic and dolomitic. than 7.0 is considered acidic. High levels of Calcific limestone contains calcium carbonate acidity can reduce root growth or cause but little or no magnesium. Dolomitic lime nutrient deficiency. A low pFI (high acid) stone contains both calcium and magnesium can also reduce the plant's ability to protect carbonates. It is important to take a soil itself from disease and insect damage. Most sample and apply lime based on current landscape and garden plants grow best in a soil test recommendations. Overliming can pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. Lime neutralizes the reduce the availability of certain micronutri- acidity of the soil, improves the availability of ents. This problem is common on sandy certain nutrients in the soil and can supply coastal plain soils. Amy Lynn Albertson

Cover Crops Enrich Soil continued from page 2

ENVIRO- Improve your garden soil for Recommended summer annual Another quality of interest better crop production by growing a legumes include cowpea, soybean, to gardeners is fragrance. cover crop in the off-season. Cover velvetbean and sunnhemp. Sorghum- Some pansies have a delicate crops help maintain soil fertility sudangrass, German millet, pearl perfume-like aroma. The and productivity while also helping millet and Japanese millet are yellow and blue pansy flowers prevent soil erosion. In addition, non-legumes for summer use. seem to have the strongest they help suppress weeds and reduce Good winter annual legumes are scent. Grow pansies in mass insect pests and diseases. crimson clover, berseem clover and plantings or in containers. Green manure is the hairy vetch. Winter rye is a good The idea is to concentrate the term used for cover crops choice if you are looking for a winter fragrant bouquet as well as that are incorporated into annual grass. Annual ryegrass also the color of many plants in the soil while green or can be used but be cautious as it can one area for a striking effect. soon after flowering for become a future weed problem in Pansies can be started inside the purpose of improving some situations. Mixtures of legumes from about 6 to 8 weeks the soil. The type of and grass species also can be used to before it's time to transplant cover crop you choose optimize the benefits of cover crops. them. Plant them in the gar depends on the time of To learn more about this soil- den once the summer heat planting and your primary enhancing agronomic practice, visit breaks and cooler weather objective. Plant winter www.ncstate-plants.net. Find your arrives. Pansiesgrow and cover crops in late sum way to commercial horticulture flower best at temperatures mer or fall when garden leaflets, commercial vegetable below 65 degrees F, making spots would otherwise production, then to HIL 37 "Summer them ideal for fall plants. lie tallow for the winter. Cover Crops." Mike Wilder Pansy popularity continues Plant summer green manure crops in to increase due to their ease the spring to improve the condi- , ot growing. They are rela tion of poor soil. Grasses generally B ardenta tively disease- and pest-free, are used to increase organic mat blooming profusely for the & "Gardeningis ter and suppress weeds. Legumes gardeners' enjoyment. the art that uses add nitrogen to the soil. Consider flowers and Karen Neill some of the following species to p) plants as paint, fit your needs. ^ and the soil and sky as canvas." - Elizabeth Murray vwvw.successfulgardener.org

Gardening in September COOPERATIVE EXTENSION Helping Ptoplt Pul Knowledge to Hark J Lawns • Seed tall fescue this month. Remember to mulch newly seeded Extension's Successful Gardener program provides timely, research-based horticultural areas with wheat straw. information. The newsletter ispartofthe statewide • Fertilizeand lime your tall fescueaccording to soil test results. horticulture program which includes Extension's • Continue to apply insecticide for grubs in lawns. Successful Gardener" Regional Seminar Series andcounty workshops. We publish It)issues per • Plant or sod tall fescue lawns. Core aerate cool-season turf. year. Comments concerning Successful Gardener may be sentto: Ornamentals Successful Gardener" Editor • Prepare houseplants to take inside for winter. Wish down Department ofCommunication Services with an insectieidal soap or horticultural oil to kill insects. Box "603. NC State University Bring houseplants inside before temperatures drop into the 50s. Raleigh, NC 27695-7603 Editor andProject Coordinator Leah Chester-Davis • Continue weekly rose spray program. Extension Communication Specialist • Control woody weeds such as trumpet creeper, blackberry Project Coordinator: Emily Revels and poison ivy now with a herbicide such as Roundup. Consumer Horticulture Agent. Mecklenburg County Set out perennials. Place markers next to them to Assistant Editor Karen Neill Consumer Horticulture Agent. Guilford County prevent you from disturbing them next spring Nature Preserve Compilations Editor BenDungnn when planting. Consumer Horticulture Agent. Gaston County Durham was established to preserve • Spruce up containers with plants for fall Contributors: an ecosystem and plant community rarely color such as colorful mums and decora- Countv Name Phone found in thisarea. Unusual geology and shal rive kales and cabbages. Brunswick David Barkley (910)253-2610 Donna Teasley (828)439-4460 • Clean up garden areas to reduce insects Burke low basic soilshavecreateda prairie-like environ Cabarrus David Goforth (7()4)92()-33Hl ment that contains plants more commonly found and diseases as plantsdie back for winter. Catawba Fred Miller (828)465-8240 in the Midwest. Managed by the North Carolina • Do not fertilize shrubs or perennials. Durham Paul McKen/ie (919)560-0525 Forsyth Toby Bost (336)767-8213 Botanical Garden, the 84-acre preserve contains two Edibles Gaston Ben Dungan (704)922-030J hikingfrails. The 1 1/2-mile RiverBendTrail follows the • Spray for peach tree borers on (iuilford Karen Neill (336)375-5'' Henderson Diane Ashburn (828)697-4 J plums, cherries, peaches and scenic riverthrough forested areas. An earlyspring trip Iredell Donald Breedlovc (704)873-0507 rewards the visitor with the blooms of many woodland nectarine trunks. Lincoln Kevin Starr (704)736-8452 • Keep a close eye on vegetable- Mecklenburg Emily Revels (704)336-2561 perennials. The I-mile Ridge"Frail provides access to Nash Mike Wilder gardens. Insects and diseases are (252)459-9810 the open fields that are home to the prairie plants. Orange Royce Hardin (919)245-2050 more severe as we enter autumn. Many of the plant species found here would make Randolph (336)318-6005 • Plant mustard, onions, radishes and Rowan Danvll lilackueldi r(704)633-0571 excellentadditions to the home garden, though visi Union Willie Earl Wilson (704)283-3741 turnips in the fall vegetablegarden. tors should remember not to harvest any plants or Wake Carl Matyac (919)250-1100 • Start your own backyard berry Alt Agents oj \.C.Cooperative Extension . Open daily, the preserve is located on patch. Some tried and true straw Snow Hill Road near the intersection with Old berry varieties for the Southeast r Oxford Road. I;or more information, con include 'Atlas', 'Titan', 'Farlibelle', Gardener*"1newsletter at one of your local garden centers each mon tact the North Carolina Botanical Garden 'Farliglow' and 'Sweet Charlie'. • Strawberry plants are developing flower- at (919) 962-0522 or visit the Web Tor a listofgarden centerswhere you can find site of the Eno River Association buds lor next spring's berries. Forgood produce Successful Gardener . please call (704)336-2561 next year fertilize strawberry beds with 1 to 2 or visit Cooperative Extension on theweb at at www.enoriver.org. httpyAvww.successfulgardener.org pounds of 33-0-0 per 100 feet of row and keep beds watered during September and October. Karen We/7/ Disclaimer: The use of brand names does not imply endorsement by N.C. Cooperative Extension nor discriminationagainstsimilar Successful Saturday, Oct. 4f 10a.m. to 5 p.m., various times products or services not mentioned. Southern Ideal Home Show (Oct. 3 -5) Distributed infurtherance oftheactsof Congress ofMay 8 andJune30, I1) In. North Carolina State Greensboro Coliseum aklener University and North Carolina A&T State University nional Fee: Free with show admission commit themselves to positive actionto secure 36) 375-5876 equalopportunity regardless of race,color, creed, minars ed anytime during the show by national origin, religion, sex,age,or disability. In 2003 rticultural information booth. addition, thetwo Universities welcome all per sons withoutregard to sexualorientation.North Successful Gardener5"1 newsletter is provided to you compliments of: Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T • State University, IS. Department ofAgriculture andlocal governments cooperating. Vol. 5, Nc ^J Successful Gardener'may notbe reproduced without written permission. Any news media using sections ofthenewsletter shouldcredit "Cooperative Extension's Successful Gardener"."

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