Download Late July 2015 - Louisiana Nursery and Landscape Association

LSU AgCenter
Ornamental Horticulture
E-News & Trial Garden Notes
Late July 2015
Nursery, Landscape & Garden Center Updates
Compiled by Allen Owings, Professor (Horticulture), Hammond Research Station, LSU AgCenter
Edited by Rick Bogren, Professor (Communications), LSU AgCenter
Phone 985-543-4125; Email [email protected]; www.lsuagcenter.com/hammond
Landscape News Articles (from Allen Owings and Rick Bogren)
New Tree / Shrub Evaluations at Hammond – July 17
http://www.lsuagcenter.com/news_archive/2015/July/headline_news/New-trees-shrubsevaluated-at-Hammond-Research-Station-.htm
Gomphrena – July 24
http://www.lsuagcenter.com/news_archive/2015/July/headline_news/Gomphrenaproduces-colorful-flowers-now-til-frost.htm
Ornamental Plants of the Week – August 2015 (from Allen Owings and
Rick Bogren)
Switchgrass – August 3
An ornamental grass worthy of increased use in Louisiana is switchgrass (Panicum).
This is a native, tall-growing perennial that is a great alternative to other ornamental
grasses being used. The more common varieties reach heights of 5-6 feet in the
landscape. They
are very siteadaptable, being
able to grow in
several soil types.
Plant in full to
mostly sunny
locations. They
will tolerate wet
soil. Plants begin
growth in March
with flower
plumes appearing
in summer and
seed heads in
late summer/early
fall. Try the
Northwind, Dallas
Blues and Cloud
Nine varieties.
August 10 – Dwarf Princess Flower
Princess flower is also called
tibouchina. Athens Blue or dwarf
tibouchina has purple flowers from
late spring through fall. Plants reach
24-20 inches in the landscape by fall
with an equal spread. Plants are not
generally considered cold hardy but
will return from the winter in the
warmer regions of south Louisiana.
Plants prefer full to partial sun in
order to bloom best. These do not
need a lot of fertilizer and are low
water users in the landscape. Dwarf
tibouchina is also a nice container
option.
Variegated Tapioca/Manihot – August
17
This tropical plant is at home in
Louisiana. When planted earlier in
the year, it can really put on a show in
late summer, early fall. Many
gardeners also add them in late
summer to provide unique foliage
color in a landscape bed or container
into fall. Variegated tapioca has vivid
chartreuse/yellow patterned leaves. It
is a native of South America and prefers full to partial sun. Plants reach 4-5 feet tall by
4-5 feet wide by fall. Plants love the heat. Plant in a well-drained soil.
Purple Flash Ornamental Pepper –
August 24
A great ornamental pepper for fall is
Purple Flash. Leaves are purplish
black with splashes of white. Plants
produce small fruit that are
considered secondary to the foliage.
Plants like full sun to part sun for best
foliage color expression. Plants are
smaller than other ornamental
peppers – 12 to 15 inches tall. This is
an annual that many garden centers
offer in late summer and early fall.
Plants prefer well-drained soil and do
well in containers and in landscape beds. Ornamental peppers are very heat-tolerant
and will last until first killing frost. Fruit is edible but very hot to the taste.
Tecomas – August 31
Esperanzas, also known by
their scientific name of
Tecoma, come typically with
yellow flowers, but apricot,
oranges and reds are now
becoming available. A
common name for this plant
is yellow bells. Esperanzas
have been promoted as
Texas Superstar plants.
Bloom time is midsummer
until first killing frost. The
plant has a woody growth
habit and is slightly taller than
wide. Heights of 5-6 feet are
common with widths of 4 feet. Plant in full sun. Plants love dry, hot weather. Mulch them
well going into winter. They normally will return in following years in south Louisiana and
portions of central Louisiana. Varieties include Bells of Fire, Gold Star, Orange Jubilee,
Sierra Apricot, Lydia and more.
Louisiana Super Plants 2016
 Evolution Salvia farinacea (spring – early/mid-April)
 Serenita Raspberry angelonia (spring mid-/late April)
 Mrs. Schiller’s Delight dwarf Walter’s viburnum (late October/early November)
Louisiana Super Plants – Listing of All Plants (2010-2015)
LSU AgCenter Landscape Horticulture Industry Field Day and SELNA
Trade Show – October 8th
LSU AgCenter Plant Diagnostic Clinic
LSU AgCenter Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Lab