![]() ![]() Q: Our tomato plants are growing healthy however, this weekend we found hundreds of little black pellets with a white filament attached all over the plants (tomato, pepper, lettuce, even rosemary). Another tactic to minimize fungi in the landscape is to use an alternative form of mulch such as black plastic, stone, pea gravel, or marble chips in areas directly adjacent to homes, cars, or other surfaces where the risk of damage is the greatest.įor information on fungus in the landscape visit: All types of wood mulches can potentially support the growth of fungus and research is currently in progress to determine if one type of mulch is more frequently associated with certain fungus than another. Avoid mulches that contain a high proportion of wood since wood chips are better sources of carbon, an important food source for the fungus, than mulches that mainly contain bark. It is also important to select mulches that contain at least 85% bark. Some success has been achieved by periodic overlaying with fresh mulch, thereby reducing the light, but it is important to avoid making the mulch layer too thick. This also helps to dry out the mulch by increasing air circulation and creating conditions which are less favorable for the growth of the fungus. This involves removing or disturbing the wood chips or bark mulch with a rake to disperse the fungus and to dislodge the fruiting bodies. Plant them in full sun, once established, they are drought tolerant. The seed pods look like fat, little okra, so collect some dried seed pods in the fall for next years crop.Prevention and avoidance are the major strategies for control of these fungi since chemicals are ineffective. They only become available when it really starts getting hot and grow quickly. Abelmoschus comes in a pink(ish) and a red form and grow up to 2 feet tall. Abelmoschus is very closely related to okra, both are in the hibiscus family. This is one of my favorite tender perennials! It’s pronounced “able-mo-shus” and I wish this great little plant had a great common name. The ones here at the nursery are not blooming yet, so visit for great pictures and more info. It has a fuzzy leaf and Hummingbirds love it. Last but not least, is Red Cestrum (Cestrum newellii). This one also can grow over 8 feet tall, but will be fine if you prune it to keep it smaller. Not as strong-smelling as NBJ (above), but attracts bees, butterflies and birds. It can grow to be over 8 foot tall, but pruning does not affect the flowering…wack away as needed, which is a great way to deal with stress. ![]() ![]() Plant it in a corner and just let it do its thing. Do not plant more than one, unless you have a HUGE yard and don’t plant it under a window you like to keep open, the fragrance can be over powering to some people. If the wind is blowing just right, the people on the next street will be wondering too. If you have one, your neighbors will be wondering where that amazing smell is coming from. It’s not big on a showy flower (that can be shipped and delivered by using the best flower delivery in Mississauga), but packs a wallop is a fragrance to your garden at night. The most common one is Night Blooming Jasmine. Bugs Be Gone can help you to control pests. GRRR…why won’t this line up? Yellow IxoraĬombine winter hardiness, 8+ months of flowering, fragrance, no pests (all thanks to pest control seattle for their services), tolerant of full sun to part shade… into one plant then say it comes in different colors and we have a winner named Cestrum. The come in red/orange, yellow and pink (which is the least hardy). They can freeze to the ground at 30° (but pop back from that) and are dead at 20°…which we don’t get often. The only draw back…they can suffer from frost damage, just throwing a frost cloth over them will end that. After establishment, they are drought tolerant. More shade and the foliage will be looser. Full sun makes them absolutely covered in flowers with tight foliage. At most, mine get dappled sun most of the day and they still bloom. Ixora are really versatile, they can be grown in full sun to near full shade. Here are a few plants that you won’t see everywhere (like Dwarf Yaupon). Your yard can be the one that stops traffic…the one that the neighbors talk about (in a good way). How about plants that smell amazing or draw in the hummingbirds. Let’s face it, the old standby’s are capital B…BORING! I understand, the builder put them in and one died or the previous owner wanted low maintenance, but dang it, there are plants out there that are amazing! Plants that bloom all the time, don’t need much pruning and are evergreen. ![]() There have been times when I feel like I might scream if somebody asks for another Indian Hawthorn, Red Tip or Ligustrum. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |