MASTER GARDENERS AT FARMERS MARKET

Master Gardener Volunteers will be at the County Home Road Farmers Market this Saturday, August 2nd, from 7:30 AM-11:30 AM.  Come out and have your gardening questions answered, learn about the Pitt County Arboretum, and see what upcoming events are planned.  This is the last Saturday that they will be there until next summer.  Our Farmers Market is a great source to purchase local produce and other products.  If you can't grow it at least you can buy it locally!

 MAP TO FARMERS MARKET at 4560 County Home Rd, Greenville

Also, if you have an interest in becoming a Master Gardening and joining a great group of people (a somewhat biased opinion by blogger), a new class is forming now.  TODAY IS THE DEADLINE FOR APPLYING.   Call 902-1709 or click here to find out more:

  Pitt County Master Gardener Program

PLEACHING UPDATE

Several months ago we started a pleaching project in our Shade Garden at the Arboretum.  As you recall, the pleaching is going to eventually make us a 'hedge in the air'.  Follow this link for more details on the process of PLEACHING.

Here was what our first attempt at trying to control the crape myrtles last November:

The pole is being used to encourage the branches to fuse.

This week more branches were tied together.  We are starting to see our hedge.

The shade plants are happier.

Photos by C. Taylor

SUMMER FLOWERING TREES & SHRUBS

Yes, we have our crape myrtles which are gorgeous, but there is more blooming at the Arboretum. Why not come out and see for yourself.  Most of these pictured below you will find in our Certified Plant Professional Area.  We have 5 rows of various trees and shrubs planted here.  You may find something different you want to try for your own garden.  (The Desert Willow is by the Auditorium door.)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandiflora'

Chilopsis linearis (Desert Willow)

Kerria japonica (Japanese Kerria)

Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia)

Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon)

Photos by P. Godley

PINEAPPLE LILY

Eucomis 'Sparkling Burgundy'

This summer blooming perennial in our Perennial Boarder has tiny, closely packed, star-shaped blossoms topped with leaflike bracts making it look like pineapples.  After the flowers fade, purplish seed capsules follow.  The leaves of 'Sparkling Burgundy' are a rich deep burgundy color when they emerge in the spring.  They fade to the color you see above during the summer.  When the flowers fade, a new crop of burgundy leaves appear.  The plant entirely disappears over the winter.  It is an easy plant to propagate from leaf cuttings. 

 Here is a simple tutorial on how to do this: How to propagate leaf cuttings

OTHER PLANTS OF INTEREST THIS WEEK:
In the Butterfly Garden
Hibiscus syriacus, 'Aphrodite', Rose of Sharon
Lonicera sempervirens, Trumpet Honeysuckle
Foeniculum vulgare, 'Purpurem', Bronze Fennel (Along with Swallowtail caterpillars)

In the Wildflower Garden
Panicum virgatum, 'Shenandoah', Switch grass, native
Gaillardia aristata, Blanket Flower, native, blooms all summer

 In the Perennial Garden
Eryngium planum, 'Blankappe', Sea Holly
Miscanthus sinensis, 'Strictus', Japanese Silver Grass, has sharp edges
Kalimeris pinnatifida, ' Hortensis', Japanese Aster
Sedum, 'Autumn Joy'

In the Wet Sites Garden
Tradescantia palida, 'Purple Queen'

CANTALOUPE - Ambrosia Hybrid

Growing next to our Vegetable Garden is a large patch of cantaloupe.  This year's selection is called Ambrosia.  It was started from seed in April.  The fruits are expected to grow to 4-5 pounds with a peach-colored flesh and a small seed cavity.  Ours are well on their way to maturity.  This variety resists powdery and downy mildews.  Click here for tips on growing cantaloupe in North Carolina.

CANTALOUPE DISEASES AND THEIR CONTROL

Photo by P. Godley

OTHER PLANTS OF INTEREST THIS WEEK:

 IN THE WILDFLOWER GARDEN
Panicum Shenandoah; Casmanthium; Salvia farinacea; Rudbeckia triloba

IN THE PERENNIAL BORDER

The Coronation Gold Yarrow; Rubeckia goldstrum; Joe Pye Gateway

IN THE WET SITES BED

Tradescantia Purple Queen 

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

“Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation and freedom in all just pursuits.” -Thomas Jefferson

Master Gardener Volunteers will be at the Farmer's Market tomorrow, July 5th, from 7:30 AM-11:30 AM to answer your garden questions, solve your garden problems, and have information about the Arboretum and the Master Gardener program.

Click here for map to FARMERS MARKET