Now’s the time to stock up on the spring-flowering bulbs that will provide a burst of color just when we need a lift from the winter doldrums. But you don’t have to wait until spring to enjoy these blooms if you prepare a few for forcing indoors. In fact, you can have a bouquet in time to decorate for the holidays. Hardy bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and crocus require a cold period of […]
(Released: 22 September 1995) By B. Rosie Lerner Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist Now’s the time to stock up on the spring-flowering bulbs that will provide a burst of color just when we need a lift from the winter doldrums. But you don’t have to wait until spring to enjoy these blooms if you prepare a few for forcing indoors. In fact, you can have a bouquet in time to decorate for the holidays. Hardy bulbs […]
Three new garden flowers have been awarded the prestigious honor of being an All America Selection (AAS) for 1996. These new cultivars have been judged superior in their class, based on their performance in test gardens all over the country. Petunia ‘Heavenly Lavender’ is an old-fashioned double petunia. The large, 2.5- to 3-inch blooms are a pure lavender and consistently produce a full doubling of petals. Petunias generally perform best in full sun and benefit from […]
(Released: 07 September 1995) By B. Rosie Lerner Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist Three new garden flowers have been awarded the prestigious honor of being an All America Selection (AAS) for 1996. These new cultivars have been judged superior in their class, based on their performance in test gardens all over the country. Petunia ‘Heavenly Lavender’ is an old-fashioned double petunia. The large, 2.5- to 3-inch blooms are a pure lavender and consistently produce a full […]
Q. We have six flowering dogwood trees in our yard that are approximately 3 years old. (They have not flowered, yet.) Our yard is adjacent to a cornfield. Our problem is Japanese beetles. They especially like our dogwoods. According to publication E-75 from the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service on Japanese beetles, flowering dogwoods are “relatively free of feeding by adult Japanese beetles.” Our dogwoods are not “relatively free.” Why are the Japanese beetles feeding on […]
It may be too hot for outdoor chores, but you can still quench your thirst for gardening by bringing in your flowers for drying. Dried plant materials can last almost forever when properly harvested and preserved. Some plants are naturally dry, while others must be processed to remove moisture. Those that are naturally dry, such as grasses, pine cones, cattails and dried seed pods, will need little processing before arranging. Harvest grass plumes after they […]
Q. For three consecutive years I’ve grown tomato plants and lost at least half of my harvest because the tomatoes rot on the vine. I’ve purchased several gardening books, and none seem to explain the problem. The rotting area starts from the bottom and spreads through until the whole fruit is rotten. I’ve even changed varieties, but with no luck. Is this a disease, or could I be doing something wrong? – Greg Faucett, Tell City, […]
Q. What has happened to my peonies? This year my maroons are pink; my pinks are white. Then I have white, too. My red one has never changed colors. – Mary Harden, Clay City, Ind. A. Flower thrips occasionally feed on peonies, distorting the buds and flecking the petals with red or white. Thrips are most abundant between late spring and midsummer. They’re difficult to control because they’re usually protected by plant tissue, and they often reproduce […]
If you’ve noticed a lot of fruit dropping from trees in your home orchard lately, chances are good that the plants are simply shedding excess fruit. Most trees set many more flowers than needed for a full crop, especially following a relatively mild winter. Only one bloom in 20 is needed for a good crop on a full-blossoming apple tree. Although the small fruit drop in June can be alarming, it’s just nature’s way of […]
A floral garnish can add color and elegance to a dinner party that your guests will never forget. Many garden flowers can be used as edible garnish or to lend flavor and color to a cooked dish. But be sure to read up before you begin…some flowers can lead to upset stomach, or worse, if eaten in large quantities. Blossoms of borage, chrysanthemum, cornflower and dianthus can float in a bowl of soup or punch. […]