FREE GUIDED WALKING TOUR

Join Master Gardener Volunteers this Thursday, June 4th, starting at 9:00 AM for a tour of the Pitt County Arboretum. The focus will be on plants that attract butterflies.

Meet under the Greenroof Shelter

In front of the Agricultural Center

403 Government Circle, Greenville

THE YUCCA AND ITS MOTH

Blooming now in our Mixed Border is Yucca filamentosa 'Adam's Needle'.  It is a native plant in the southeast.  The base of the plant stays under 3 feet tall.  The blue-green leaves end with a sharp spine, but along the margins you will find lots of fine threads.  The flower spike reaches over 5 feet and will bloom for several weeks.

The interesting fact about this plant is that it has a unique relationship with the Yucca Moth.   They cannot survive without each other.  Click here for the MOTH STORY.  This month's The American Gardener also has an article about this.

OUR BLOG

We're seeing a lot of new traffic on the blog so we thought a brief explanation of what we are trying to do with it would be in order. The blog is updated about once a week. The focus is either on upcoming Arboretum events, what is blooming in the gardens, or work that is being done.  Occasionally, a little Master Gardener Volunteer activity is highlighted.  If warranted, a link to related educational material is provided.  The Pitt County Extension office has many valuable resources for the home gardener.  Check out all the links in the right side bar.

The bunny topiary in the Children's Garden being groomed.

Photo by R. Davis

GROWING SUCCULENTS

Our Fire Hydrant Garden features many sedums and other succulents.  Although many are small groundcovers we may pass by unnoticed, when they bloom they are lovely.  Last week Lavender Ice was blooming.  These types of plants are easy to grow, but do require good drainage to thrive.

Click here for a more information on

 SOIL PREPARATION FOR BEDDING PLANTS

Delosperma 'Psfave' Lavender Ice

THANK YOU

Another plant sale done! Can it be 10 years? The Master Gardeners thank all 350 of you who came to shop or swap. Now back to tending the gardens.  If you have questions about your newly acquired plants, call our hotline at
902-1705.

This photo is from the Plant Swap where 60 people brought over 200 plants, containers, garden art, books, etc. to swap with their like-minded friends and neighbors.  It was as much anticipated as our sale.

Photo by P. Mastin

PITT COUNTY ARBORETUM PLANT SALE

COUNTDOWN TO PLANT SALE:    Today is the day!  Over 3,000 great looking plants are ready to go home with you. The weather is looking great.  Lots of Master Gardener Volunteers and Danny Lauderdale will be on hand to answer your gardening questions and help with plant selection.

Click here for our May 16, 2015 Plant Sale Flyer

VISITORS IN THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN

Yesterday a mass of swallowtail caterpillars was munching on the bronze fennel planted especially for them.  If you want to attract more butterflies to your garden click on these links:
 ATTRACTING BUTTERFLIES
 &  BUTTERFLIES IN YOUR BACKYARD

FREE WALKING TOUR OF ARBORETUM

Join Master Gardeners

for a free

Walking Tour

of the

PITT COUNTY ARBORETUM

MAP

Thursday, May 7th

10:00 AM

Passalong Plants will be the main theme.

Passalong Plants are those plants shared

family to family,

friend to friend, neighbor to neighbor.

The tour begins under the shelter in front of the Ag Center

at 403 Government Circle.  It lasts about 1 1/2 hours and is held rain or shine!