MARION COUNTY GOVERNMNT

June/July 2016 Table of Contents: Angel Trumpets Angel Trumpets

What is Eating My by Anne Lambrecht, Master Gardener Ornamentals

Groundcovers The first time I saw an angel’s trumpet, I said WOW! What IS that?

FFL Principle #4: Mulching There are two kinds of angel’s trumpets: Brugmansia and Datura. Both are

Timely Gardening Tips for showy, exotic and really cool. The Brugmansias are the family of angels with the Marion County trumpets hanging down; the Datura are the devils with the trumpets facing Upcoming Events upwards.

Published by Norma Samuel The Brugmansia species have beautiful downward UF/IFAS Extension Marion County Horticulture Agent flouncy trumpets in which the long, twisted buds open into large, flaring, trumpet-shaped flowers, usually very Timely Gardening Tips fragrant, and attract large hawk moths*. The flowers for MARION COUNTY by Josephine Leyte-Vidal, UF/IFAS may be double or single and may be white, peachy pink, Extension Marion County Master Gardener shades of apricot, creamy yellow, golden, or even purple. All Brugmansia and Datura will be killed back by freezes The temperatures are rising, the insects are in our area. The Brugmansia plant itself is an upright multiplying and eating, and treelike shrub with large oval pointed leaves. The Datura the summer rains are is more wide-spread, less “woody” and does not grow as falling. While cruising Pink Brugmansia ifas.ufl.edu tall. through your garden, look under leaves for aphids, Angel's trumpet is a member of the Nightshade family deadhead flowers, pinch which includes tomatoes, potatoes, and petunias. All back annuals to encourage parts of the plant are toxic. It is recommended that new growth, check lawns for insect damage, pull gardeners use gloves when working with this plant. summer weeds, replenish Angel’s trumpet has been used as a hallucinogenic mulch, add compost to beds, and service your drug. It is a dangerous drug that has caused many irrigation system in deaths, especially from teenagers experimenting with readiness for the dry winter it after hearing rumors about its hallucinogenic months. powers. It is most often ingested in the form of a tea. Your tomatoes may begin Although it is recommended that angel’s trumpets to give you problems now Brugmansia Suaveolens ifas.ufl.edu t h a t t h e n i gh t t i m e need full sun, I have had better luck with them in the temperatures are over 70 morning sun and light shade in the afternoon. They like moist, fertile, well- degrees. Warm nights Page 2

Timely Gardening Tips for Angel Trumpets MARION COUNTY by Josephine Leyte-Vidal, UF/IFAS by Anne Lambrecht, Master Gardener Extension Marion County Master (continued from Page 1) Gardener

(continued from page 1) drained soil that contains plenty of organic cause blossoms to drop matter. Boggy soil results in gradual dieback without setting fruit. Try to and eventual death. You can find these plants keep moisture constant; in almost every garden center. You can plant letting it dry out can also cause blossom drop, and too them in the ground or in a pot. They do lose much water can cause fruit their leaves during a winter “rest” period. The to split. growth rate is rapid, so plenty of water and July is a great time to Datura angel trumpet ifas.ufl.edu fertilizer are necessary to keep these plants solarize empty vegetable vigorous and blooming. If planted in containers, angel's trumpets require garden beds to prevent nematodes. To solarize, daily watering. But resist the temptation to keep the pot in a saucer of water prepare the bed as you --although moisture is vital, soggy soil is not what this plant likes. would for planting, water the Brugmansias are heavy feeders, and a liquid, blossom-boosting fertilizer bed, then cover the area with a sheet of clear heavy keeps them producing flowers. Remember, you can't feed these plants too plastic. Seal by mounding much, especially those in containers. soil over all the edges. The Iochroma is another Brugmansia family sun beating down on the plastic raises the member sometimes called “Mini Angel’s temperature of the soil to a Trumpets”. Also called Royal Queen, the level that can destroy Iochroma has clusters of deep purple, red, nematodes up to eight white or yellow tubular flowers and is a inches deep. Leave the plastic in place until you are hummingbird magnet. It will flower steadily ready to plant your fall from early summer until frost. The plant has Iochroma cyaneum davesgarden.com crops. large, velvety leaves and usually reaches about 5’ tall. The Iochroma has similar cultural requirements as the angel trumpet: partial full sun, well-

drained soil and frequent fertilization during the summer months to encourage continual blooming. The Iochroma may be a little more difficult to find but she’s out there. The trick to maximizing blooms on your angel's trumpet is to prune it often. Pruning your angel trumpet bush into a tree shape creates the often desired appearance. Begin to prune the plant when the main trunk forms the first "Y". Then, prune older branches, or stems, to encourage the plant to produce more branches. Flowers will eventually appear on the terminal ends of the stems.

*Some hawk moths, such as the hummingbird hawk moth or the white-lined sphinx moth, hover in midair while they feed on nectar from flowers, so are sometimes mistaken for hummingbirds. Their caterpillars are the infamous horned worms. I have seen the moths in the dusk feeding on gingers; it’s a sight you’ll never forget.

Page 3

What is Eating My Ornamentals? UPCOMING by Inga Carbone, Master Gardener Emeritus LECTURES/EVENTS: Educational seminars and events are presented by UF/IFAS Extension Agents and/or Is there something munching and crunching Master Gardeners. on your bulbs and other ornamentals? This Unless otherwise indicated, to pre-register, please call time of the year it's probably the southern 352-671-8400 or e-mail lubber grasshopper (Romalea microptera). [email protected].

In their nymph stage, they are completely black with one or more yellow, orange or red stripes. When they reach adulthood, they are June

Adult stage hort.uga.edu 2 to 2-1/2 inches in length with short wings. Dunnellon Library The hind wings are pink to red with black Organic Gardening borders. There are two different color forms – either dull straw colored June 21, 2016 yellow with black markings and in the south they have a reddish stripe on 2:00—3:00 p.m. Dunnellon Public Library their forewings, or mostly black (resembling the nymph stage) with a yellow 20351 Robinson Rd, Dunnellon stripe along the back ridge. They are slow moving in adulthood, depending on their camouflage coloring and nasty taste to escape predators. Fort McCoy Library They are found in gardens, roadsides and open fields from Florida to North Master Gardener Series Carolina, and westward to Louisiana or Tennessee. Molds & Mushrooms June 25, 2016 Females deposit eggs during September and 10:00—11:00 a.m. October, which are pressed into the soil. The Fort McCoy Public Library 14660 NE Highway 315, Ft. McCoy nymphs hatch in March and are about a one- half inch long. The babies will gather and feed on the host plant for perhaps a week. Forest Public Library Master Gardener Series You can usually find them in groups in the Molds & Mushrooms late afternoon. A week or so later they will June 25, 2016 Nymph stage hort.uga.edu disperse and begin feeding mainly on lily- 2:00—3:00 p.m. Forest Library type plants. Even the bulb itself is eaten. I now put most of my expensive 905 South Hwy 314A, Ocklawaha amaryllis bulbs into pots. However, they are not limited to eating lilies and bulbs, but will also eat anything else in your garden as well. Once lubbers reach maturity they have no enemies that will eat them. They excrete a nasty odorous liquid when stepped on. Adults are active until early fall when they find a mate (you get two for the money). These critters are very destructive to all ornamental plants and need to be controlled. They can be pulled off by hand and thrown into a coffee can or other container containing an alcohol bath or chlorine and water mixture. I prefer to snip them in two with my garden shears. Because the adult insects are slow moving and flightless they are fairly easy to catch. Wear rubber gloves and don't touch them with your bare hands because the spiny tibiae along their back legs can cut human skin. Patrol the garden daily and you will get most of them. Good hunting!

Page 4

Groundcovers Instead of Turf Grass UPCOMING by Anne Lambrecht, Master Gardener LECTURES/EVENTS: If I had a new yard, I would have no turf grass at all. I would have

groundcovers. A groundcover can be any spreading low-growing plant or shrub that is used to cover an area in your landscape. Groundcovers are July wonderful alternatives to turf grass because they require a fraction of the

Belleview Satellite maintenance, water and fertilization so you spend less money on your Plant Clinic landscape. July 1, 2016 Turf grass is the best choice for active use – recreation and heavy foot traffic, 10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m. Belleview Public Library but groundcovers will grow where your finicky 13145 SE Hwy 484, Belleview grass will not grow and groundcovers are

adaptable to a wider range of environmental Freedom Library conditions than turf grass. They will grow in Edible Plants for the Home Landscape deep shade or wet areas. Many are drought and July 1, 2016 Noon—1 p.m. salt tolerant and can minimize irrigation. You Freedom Public Library can put them in hard to mow areas like slopes or 5870 SW 95th St, Ocala out-of-the-way corners. Some will grow well under trees. Master the Ajuga ifas.ufl.edu Possibilities Series Groundcovers are interesting. There are so many species suited to central You Too Can Grow Roses Florida and they come in a variety of textures and colors that can really July 8, 2016 10:00—11:00 a.m. compliment your landscape and work well with your trees and shrubs. You On Top of the World will need to know about the groundcover you choose: texture, color of the 8415 SW 80th St, Ocala flowers and leaves, expected height for the mature plant, growth habits.

Dunnellon Library Some groundcovers for shade: liriope, mondo grass, ajuga, blue-eyed grass, Introduction to Florida-Friendly Land- coontie, sansevieria, and ferns. scaping July 19, 2016 Some groundcovers for sun: sensitive mimosa, juniper, beach sunflower, 2:00—3:00 p.m. bulbine, perennial peanut, society garlic, and muhly grass. Dunnellon Public Library 20351 Robinson Rd, Dunnellon Mulch groundcover with well-composted material to promote water retention and to help it spread. Once rooted in the proper spot, these Fort McCoy Library groundcovers will require only minimal maintenance. Master Gardener Series Bees in Florida Two of my personal favorites are ajuga (Ajuga July 23, 2016 reptans) also known as bugleweed, and sunshine 10:00—11:00 a.m. Fort McCoy Public Library mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa). I love the colors of 14660 NE Highway 315, Ft. McCoy ajuga – the green and purple leaves with spires of little blue salvia-like flowers that bloom in the Forest Public Library Master Gardener Series spring. The plants grow so tightly together that Bees in Florida you hardly have to weed. A fast grower and Sunshine mimosa stockphoto.com July 23, 2016 shade lover, ajuga can tolerate morning sun. 2:00—3:00 p.m. Forest Public Library Sensitive mimosa is a creeping sun lover with such cute delicate bipinnate 905 South Hwy 314A, Ocklawaha leaves that actually curl up onto themselves when touched or watered. The flower is a little round pink powder puff that stands higher than the foliage.

So go ahead, forget your grass! Enjoy your groundcovers: you will save money on maintenance and have a much more interesting yard and garden. Page 5

FFL Principle #4: Mulching TM by Jack LeCroy, Florida-Friendly Landscaping Agent

If you own a home, you have probably put mulch out at one time or another. We usually just pick out the first bag we see to get the job done.

There are lots of different types of mulch available at garden centers and local nurseries, both organic and inorganic. We will only talk about organic mulches here, which includes cypress, pine and melaleuca.

I frequently get asked the question, “what kind of mulch is the best?” I tell people that using melaleuca mulch is the environmentally-friendly option for central Florida. The melaleuca tree has become invasive in south Florida, taking over thousands of acres where native vegetation once inhabited. Also, melaleuca mulch doesn’t settle as quickly as other mulches, which means you won’t have to replace it as often; and it is the most termite resistant of the organic mulches. GAILLARDIA—JULY You will find a lot of cypress mulch in Florida; but chances are it’s not being SPOTLIGHT PLANT harvested in a sustainable way. Cypress trees are very important in the You’ve probably seen this ecosystem and provide habitats for many types of animals. Wild turkey, Florida native growing happily alongside our wood ducks, and squirrels eat the seeds. Branches provide nesting places for roadways. Also called bald eagles and osprey. Rotting knees are used as nesting cavities by many “blanket flower” or birds. Cypress diffuse and slow floodwaters, reducing flood damage. They “Indian blanket”, these also trap sediments and pollutants, improving water quality. daisy-like flowers are produced from early Pine bark is another alternative and is available as needles or bark. The bark summer to early fall in is usually harvested as a byproduct of making paper in which the whole tree shades of orange, red and is being used and is serving a purpose. When in doubt, check the company yellow, adding sizzle to you are buying the mulch from and see how the mulch is being harvested. the garden and attracting nectar-seeking butterflies. When we think of mulch we usually think of just the aesthetic aspect in our LIGHT: Gaillardias like it yard; however, there are many more benefits to mulching your garden. hot. Full sun and very well Mulch helps to suppress weeds in the landscape. It also helps keep moisture -drained soil are musts for in the soil, making it available to the plant longer, and it helps to reduce the them to thrive. spread of disease. Another important feature is providing a buffer zone SOIL: They prefer loose, around plants. I have seen my fair share of shrubs and trees that have died sandy soil that isn't overly from a mower or weed eater hitting them, when a simple ring of mulch fertile with a neutral could have been added. For best results, or slightly alkaline pH. incorporate a three-inch thick layer of mulch Established plants are quite drought tolerant. around your plants. Make sure that the mulch is not actually touching the trunk of CARE: Deadhead plants the shrub or tree. With our climate, we want regularly to encourage more flowering. Blanket to inhibit bugs that might come and chew flowers have few insect or into the trunk. Also, the trunk may rot if it disease problems. stays too wet from constant contact with the mulch. If you have any questions about landscaping hort.uga.edu in a Florida-Friendly way, just give us a call at 671-8400. Page 6 Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Items below are Book of the Month Sale available for purchase at Each month, we will be offering the UF/IFAS Extension one of the books available in the Marion County. We also Extension Bookstore at a substantial discount have many other items (sorry, walk-ins only). available in our Shop June’s offering is Extension store. The Your Florida Landscape store is open Mon-Fri By Robert J. Black & Kathleen C. from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Ruppert Please come to see these environmentally-friendly Regularly $19.95 products, as well as many on sale for $11.97+ tax other agricultural-related 40% off until the end of June) items.

Foundation for the Gator Nation An Equal Opportunity Institution