MEET OUR MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS

This Saturday several Pitt County Master Gardeners will be at HOME FEST '13 at the Greenville Convention Center from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM to answer any gardening questions you may have.  From 10-11 AM, they will take center stage for a presentation.  It is a good opportunity to learn about the Master Gardener Program and the Pitt County Arboretum.

Follow this link for a full line of events:  HOME FEST '13

MASTER GARDENER PLANT SALE 2013

AT THE PITT COUNTY ARBORETUM in Greenville, NC

SAVE THE DATE:  Saturday, May 18, 2013
9:00-10:00 AM  Preview Sale for Friends of the Arboretum
10:00-Noon  Sale for the General Public
11:00 AM  Plant Swap

CLICK HERE TO VIEW FLYER

BLACKBERRY PRUNING TIME

Earlier this week our Small Fruit Curator demonstrated the proper way to prune blackberries.  At the Arboretum we have several varieties of thornless blackberries growing on trellises.

You can follow these instructions to prune your own:

PRUNING AND TRAINING BLACKBERRIES

Our Curator demonstrating the proper method of pruning.

Master Gardeners plying their pruning prowess.

A properly pruned plant.

Photos by AS

'DALLAS BLUES' an Ornamental Grass

Our Wildflower Garden at the Arboretum has several varieties of ornamental grasses that are left to stand over the winter months.  If you,too, did not cut back your ornamental grasses last fall, you will be enjoying the texture, movement, and buff color they add to a winter garden.  Additionally, birds will be attracted to the seed heads over the winter.  A particularly nice one is Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blues', commonly called Switchgrass.
Read this article Ornamental Grasses for more suggestions.

Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blues'

 According to the NCSU FACT SHEETS some characteristics of this grass are:

	Height: 4 to 6'
	Light Requirements: Sun to partial shade
	Soil/Moisture: Tolerant of moist or dry soil
	Form/Texture: Moderate texture; dense, upright, open clump
	Inflorescence: Open panicles of dark red to purple in late summer and fall; shiny red seeds
	Comments: Bluish cast in summer; reddish fall color; fast spreading by rhizomes; vigorous

A WALK IN THE WINTER GARDENS

Mahonia bealei (Leatherleaf mahonia)

Join the Extension Master Gardeners

for the next FREE WALKING TOUR

of the

PITT COUNTY ARBORETUM

Meet under the shelter

in front of the Ag Center.

February 7th, THURSDAY

Starting at 10:00 AM

The February tour will focus on plants

with winter interest in their

Bark, Berries, Buds, & Blooms.

Questions? Call (252) 902-1709

CAROLINA JASMINE

Gelsemium sempervirens

 Commonly called Carolina Jasmine, this native vine is vigorously growing over the Rabbit Hole Tunnel in the Children's Garden.

It will grow in the sun to part sun and is evergreen.  Normally an early spring bloomer, the fragrant yellow flowers are opening a bit early this year.  As you can see by the many buds left, it will bloom over a long period of time.  Pollinators, including hummingbirds and butterflies,  are attracted to the flower.

If you are interested in planting this in your garden, you may want to read this publications first:
GROWING VINES

RABBIT HOLE IN CHILDREN'S GARDEN