Download Shorter Days - Marion County, FL

MARION COUNTY GOVERNMNT
November 2013
Table of Contents:
Timely Gardening Tips
Shorter Days
by Kathleen Patterson, FYN Coordinator
Shorter Days
What’s Bugging You?
Versatile Herbs
Cooking with Herbs and Spices
Crazy for Clerodendrums
Upcoming Events
Published by Norma Samuel
UF/IFAS Extension Marion County
Timely Gardening Tips
by Josephine Leyte-Vidal, UF/IFAS
Extension Marion County Master
Gardener
Article previously published
November, 2011
November ushers in a dry
season in North Central
Florida. The dry season is
the optimal time to install
turf grass because the cool
days require less water and
there is less competition
from new weeds. Once the
turf is installed it needs to
be watered daily with 1/2
inch of water for the first
two weeks. After the two
weeks, wean the turf to 3/4
inch every 10—14 days.
The dry season also creates
ideal conditions for spider
mites to visit your garden.
Look at your leaves for
yellow spots and curling.
Evergreens such as cedar or
juniper will show browning
of the needles.
Two weeks ago we “fell back” and changed our clocks back by one hour as daylight savings
time ended. For me this means getting up and driving to work just as the sun rises and driving
home after the sun has set. This makes it rather difficult for me to get out and garden except
on the weekends. Are you ready for the cold of winter, the sight of your landscape all brown
and faded? If not, then read on.
Yes we do live in Florida, but not in the tropics. In South Florida the residents may enjoy
beautiful color all year round. Here we have to find plants that will give us color in the
landscape and survive our cold winters. The easiest of these plants are the evergreens that
never drop their leaves. Look for unusual color, texture, and leaf shape to create a colorful
landscape. Two of my favorite evergreens are Mahonia bealeii and Mahonia fortuneii. They
also produce small flowers and berries as an added bonus. Don’t forget to add a few plants
that produce berries such as the many hollies that are native to our area.
I like to incorporate ornamental grasses that add a shimmering texture as the wind blows thru
the narrow leaves or the seed heads that range in color from ivory or tan to pink as in our
native Muhly grass. These grasses can be as short as twelve inches or as tall as six feet so
check the size and growth habit before purchasing.
Two relatively new Nandina hybrids; N. Blush Pink and N. Flirt offer shades of orange and red
and are not inclined to become invasive as is the N. domestica-Heavenly bamboo. These two
new additions make a beautiful border plant, only obtaining a twenty four inch height.
Simpson’s Red Stopper offers glossy green leaves and berries that range in color from pale
yellow to dark orange.
A few vines will also offer some color throughout the winter. Coral honeysuckle,
Carolina jessamine, and flame vine provide orange or yellow blooms that stand out in the
winter landscape.
Blush Pink Nandina
Page 2
Timely Gardening Tips for
MARION COUNTY
by Josephine Leyte-Vidal, UF/IFAS
Extension Marion County Master
Gardener
(continued from Page 1)
Test for these pests by
holding a paper under the
distressed branch and tap the
branch sharply with a stick.
Look for little specks that
move on the paper. A
Miticide should take care of
the problem. Read the label
and follow the directions
carefully.
Now is the time to plant cool
weather annuals like
carnation, foxglove, pansy,
petunia, shasta daisy, and
snapdragon. Plant beets
broccoli, cabbage, carrots,
Chinese cabbage, collards,
kohlrabi, mustard, onions,
radish, and spinach.
Shorter Days
by Kathleen Patterson, FYN Coordinator
(continued from Page 1)
Bella rouge camellia is beginning to show plenty of buds in our Florida-friendly
demonstration landscape in front of our office. These grow only four feet tall by four feet
wide and have beautiful pink blooms. The gold breeze miscanthus (zebra grass) is
beginning to plume quite nicely as well.
Don’t ignore the drift roses that bloom profusely all year long yet are wonderful ground
cover roses. Another great groundcover is the new purple pixie loropetalum that only
grows eighteen inches tall.
Drift roses
Last are the annuals that offer bold color in the dead of winter. Pansies, snapdragons, and
chrysanthemums don’t mind cold temperatures and they last throughout the winter. The
pansies and snapdragons in my yard are planted in November and look good until May
when the heat finally gets the best of them.
Fall has arrived even if the leaves are not changing color and falling off the trees.
Welcome to Florida where we have two seasons-winter and summer…. and if you stop
by our office you can check out some of the new releases of plants that are a must have
for our Central Florida Landscape!
What’s Bugging You?
by Linda Krausnick, Master Gardener
Find out what local residents are calling in about.
When do I plant bulb onions in North FL, and what are the best varieties?
While onions can be grown from seed, sets, or transplants, transplants are considered the
easier method over seeds and produce better bulbs than onion sets. Whatever the
method used it’s important to look for short day hybrids that are well adapted to Florida’s
winter growing season. Transplants can be put out any time between December and
February. For suggested varieties, planting and growing tips see:
http://santarosa.ifas.ufl.edu/documents/lg_onions.pdf. If you can’t find onion
transplants locally try the internet.
Page 3
Versatile Herbs
by Pat Greenfield, Master Gardener
When you hear the word “herb”, what comes to mind? Most people would say “cooking”.
Some might say “health”, and both would be correct. But herbs have many other less
commonly known uses, and it’s not just the leaves that are used. The flowers and roots,
as well as the entire plant may be used. It depends on the particular herb in question and
how it will be used.
Here in Florida we have an over abundance of insects, both outside and inside our homes.
This is where the versatility of herbs can help, especially if you are trying to avoid harsh
chemicals and poisons. During the summer months mosquitoes are a nuisance. Try
keeping containers filled with the leaves of basil, pennyroyal, santolina, southernwood,
scented geraniums (citronella), and wormwood. You can even rub the leaves on your skin
to repel the little blood suckers.
Another problem insect is the ant. Leaves of pennyroyal and tansy will repel them in your
home. Bay leaves deter weevils in flour, grains, rice and pasta. Leaves of feverfew,
southernwood and wormwood, and the flowers or leaves of lavender and santolina will
repel moths.
But herbs have many other uses besides insecticides. The leaves of catnip and tansy repel
mice and rats. Horseradish root can be ground up and put in your dog’s food to dispel
worms and improve their body tone. Comfry leaves cure septic sores on animals and also
make excellent liquid fertilizer. Lemon balm and monarda (bee balm) attract bees, and if
planted in or near your garden will help encourage pollinators. Valerian roots attract
earthworms to your garden.
Herbs can also be used as companion crops in your vegetable garden. Bush, pole and lima
beans like summer savory and marigolds but not fennel. Beets like dill and fennel. Brassicas
like chamomile, mint, rosemary, sage and thyme. Carrots like rosemary, sage, and
wormwood but do not like anise or dill. Cucurbits like nasturtiums but not aromatic
herbs. Tomatoes like basil, marigolds, nasturtiums but not fennel.
Dyes can be made from herbs for coloring yarn, fabric and other objects, The root of
salad burnet is used in tanning leather. Soapwort roots are made into shampoo for
upholstery and delicate fibers. The oil from poppy seeds is used in varnish, paint, soap and
lamp oil.
These are just a few uses of herbs, and hopefully, after reading this you now have a
broader view of the versatile herbs and will try some in your home.
UPCOMING
LECTURES/EVENTS:
Educational seminars and events
are presented by UF/IFAS
Extension Agents and/or
Master Gardeners.
Unless otherwise indicated, to
pre-register, please call
352-671-8400 or e-mail
[email protected]
December
Demonstration Garden
Tour
December 4, 2013
10—11 a.m.
UF/IFAS Extension Marion County
Master Gardeners Demonstration
Gardens
Tuesday Gardening
Series:
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™
December 10, 2013
10 a.m.—Noon
UF/IFAS Extension Marion County
Auditorium
Page 4
Cooking With Herbs and Spices
by Pat Greenfield, Master Gardener
It’s that time of year when the temperatures have cooled and gardening is at a minimum.
Our attention turns to the coming holidays, and we are filled with memories of the aromas
of savory meats and veggie casseroles cooking and the smell of spicy goodies baking. This is
an ideal time to use those herbs and spices you’ve been growing in your garden all summer.
Cooking with herbs and spices not only enhances the natural taste and aroma of foods, but
can add nutritional value as well. Depending on the particular herb or spice selected, all or
only one part of the plant is used including root, stem, bark, leaf, flower, fruit or seed.
Generally an herb comes from a green or herbaceous plant with soft stems, while a spice is
from the root, bark or seed of a woody plant.
Fresh herbs are milder in flavor and are added near the end of cooking and in larger
amounts. Dried herbs are stronger in flavor and can be added at the beginning or during the
last half hour of longer cooking. The ‘less is more’ rule applies to them. For example, 1
teaspoon of fresh herbs = ¼ to ½ teaspoon dried herbs.
When using fresh soft stemmed herbs like parsley, dill, basil, chives, oregano and cilantro, the
leaves do not need to be stripped from the stems, but the entire leaf and stem can be
chopped or minced. A chef’s knife or kitchen shears can be used. When cooking with fresh
woody-stemmed herbs like marjoram, thyme, sage and rosemary, the leaves should be
stripped from the stems and then chopped.
Herbs are easy to dry or to freeze. Preserving them in these forms makes them available
throughout the year even when the plants in your garden have gone dormant. Prepare the
herb or spice in the same way you would if cooking fresh. They can then be put into small
freezer bags and frozen or put into a dehydrator for drying.
Herbs and spices can be used in many ways such as fresh in salads; cooked in vegetable and
meat dishes; used in sauces, spreads, and desserts; or steeped as a tea. They can also be used
as a garnish or a cake decoration. The blossoms of edible flowers and herbs make lovely
additions to dishes and baked goods.
Some of the most common culinary herbs are basil, bay, chives, cilantro, dill, fennel, ginger,
lemon grass, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon, and thyme. There
are many more than space permits, but if you are new to using herbs and are interested in
learning more about cooking with them, refer to a good reference book on herbs or a
gourmet cookbook. Start out using smaller amounts until you become familiar with their
flavors and how to use them. There is a whole world of new tastes and flavors waiting for
you, so don’t be afraid to try some new ones and experiment with combinations. Bon
appetite!
Page 5
Crazy for Clerodendrums
by Anne Lambrecht, Master Gardener
When a flowering plant in the garden lasts until December’s cold days, then that’s a plant
worthy of its pollen. You see them in the old Florida gardens, mostly in the background,
in profusion this time of year of so many shapes and colors. I saw some once in an
overgrown yard of a ramshackle old house while driving and said to myself “what the
heck is that?” and “I think I need that.”
A little studying brought me to learn that they are Clerodendrums, a large and diverse
genus with over 400 species mostly from China, the Philippines, Japan and Africa. The
name Clerodendrum is derived from two Greek words, kleros meaning “chance or fate”
and dedron, tree. Clerodendrums used to be in the Verbena family but scientists have
changed it to be part of the Lamiaceae Family making it related to some common garden
plants such as lavender, mint, and rosemary. Many clerodendrums are great butterfly and
hummingbird plants and many can be found in the large garden centers as well as
specialty nurseries or plant sales at botanical gardens. Botanical gardens Harry Leu in
Orlando and Marie Selby in Sarasota have a great collection.
Clerodendrum are mainly shrubs and rarely trees grown in Zones 8-11 (we are Zone 9a).
They are showy in flower, with the flowers coming in all colors with red being very common.
White, blue, orange and pink mixtures are also known. A few are fragrant as well. Most
require bright shade to partial sun in the garden, and some are quite drought tolerant when
established. The leaves are large and heart shaped. Sometimes the underside of the leaf is a
different color from the top. Because flowering occurs on the current season’s growth,
pruning will encourage the production of vigorous flowering shoots. Do not be afraid to
prune severely. Thin out old, overcrowded shoots and any other far-reaching growth to keep
the plant in bounds. Clerodendrum likes well drained soil and partly shady to sun exposure.
Clerodendrum are easy to grow, hardy, showy, dependable and exotic and yet they get a bad
rap because sometimes they can be aggressive and sucker under or “run”. Only one does
appear on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council list of invasive plants: the Cashmere Bouquet.
Some of the more cool varieties are:
Pagoda Flower C. paniculatum
A very showy perennial plant with large interesting “pagoda” pyramid shaped bright orange
flowers. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds love it. Because of its 6’ height, it is best planted
at the rear of the garden or along a hedge. Excellent screen plant and seems to like sun or
shade.
Bleeding Heart Vine C. thomsoniae also C. balfouri
This is not your northern bleeding heart. This blooms from summer to fall, bearing flatish,
5 inch clusters of up to 20 flowers. White calyxes look like little paper lanterns surrounding
scarlet flowers. Also comes in pink lanterns with red flowers. (I have this one). It will get a
lot of oohs and ahhs from your friends. It dies back in winter but returns in spring.
Blue Glory Bower or Blue Butterfly Bush C. ugandense
This is the prettiest of the Clerodendrums, in my opinion. The flowers look like little
Items below are
available for
purchase at the
UF/IFAS Extension Marion
County. We also have
many other items available
in our recently opened
Shop Extension store.
The store is open
Monday—Friday from
8 a.m.—5 p.m. Please
come to see these
environmentally-friendly
products, as well as many
other agricultural-related
items.
Page 6
Crazy for Clerodendrums
by Anne Lambrecht, Master Gardener
(continued from page 5)
butterflies in two different shades of blue with long pistils that look like antennae and are
produced more or less continuously throughout the summer and fall. Grows in Zones 10 - 11.
Blue butterfly bush performs best in a frost free climate, but it is root hardy in Zones 8 - 9,
freezing to the ground in winter, but returning from its roots in spring. They recommend you
grow this clerodendrum in partial shade but I’ve grown it in the sun.
Blue butterfly bush
Cashmere Bouquet or Mexicali Rose C. bungei
This one is a NO-NO. It is invasive and although it is a beauty with very large dark green leaves
topped with mounded flower clusters of rosy pink and light pink. They will grow in Zones 7 - 11
and are deer resistant which is why some of our more northern neighbors would plant this.
Don’t do it! Besides for the foliage being stinky when brushed, it is invasive. And here invasive is
NOT a state of mind.
Java Glory Bower C. speciosissimum, is a shrub with soft, downy leaves and grows 4-6 feet tall. It
has beautiful, delicate flowers in orange/red and is medicinally important in China.
Turk’s Turban or Tubeflower C. indicum is native to the Malay Archipelago. It is widely
cultivated as an ornamental and has become naturalized in South America, the West Indies and
much of the southern U.S., where it grows in disturbed sites and especially along road shoulders.
THIS IS THE ONE I SAW AT THE RAMSHACKLE YARD. The inflorescence (flower) is huge,
consisting of many tubular snow white flowers in a terminal cluster up to 2 ft long. The tubes of
the flowers are about 4 in long and droop downward. The fruits are attractive dark metallic blue
drupes, about a half inch in diameter. Some sources say it is an “escaped ornamental!”
The Musical Note Flower, Rotheca incisa, was formerly known as C. incisum and C. macrosiphon.
It is a smaller shrub growing 3-5 feet tall. It bears white flowers that when unopened, have the
shape of a musical note, then open to reveal red stamens. The flowers are produced occasionally
throughout the year. It will grow in sun or shade and is native to eastern Africa.
Starburst, C. quadriloculare, is native of New Guinea and the Philippines and has become invasive
on some Pacific Islands, forming dense thickets. This spectacular flowering species is planted
throughout South Florida and is noticed primarily in winter when it bursts into bloom. The top
of the leaves are a dark green with a purple tint. The bottom is a glossy purple. There is a
variegated cultivar that consists of light yellow, burgundy and dark green leaves.
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